Travel Tuesdays: Revival

Posted by smgrady on August 2, 2016 · Leave a Comment 

I recently came across my Travel Tuesday stories: a short-lived weekly ritual exploring places I had been as we waited (and waited and waited) for the uncertain future to transport us to America. I felt strangely jealous.  Delighted to revisit places I fondly remember, surprised and rather chuffed at being transported by words I don’t … Continue reading →

Filed under A broad abroad, American Adventures, Life, Travel & Adventure · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Things I Like — Crossing Out

Posted by smgrady on July 7, 2015 · Leave a Comment 

Is there anything more satisfying than a To Do List item completed? The act of finishing a long-neglected and niggling task is a relief, to be sure. But physically obliterating the written effigy of such a chore is cleansing — Be gone, budget planning! Away with you, Comcast customer service! You are struck down — … Continue reading →

Filed under Starter for Ten, Things I Like · Tagged with , , , ,

Things I Like

Posted by smgrady on May 21, 2015 · Leave a Comment 

I sat on a broken piece of seawall this afternoon pondering the universe and sailboats. These little moments of peaceful contentment are possibly the best thing about being alive. Why else do we spend all our time trying to attain inner peace and be happy and make room for doing nothing with all the busyness … Continue reading →

Filed under Things I Like · Tagged with , ,

Kitchen Tour

Posted by smgrady on March 27, 2015 · 1 Comment 

I love our apartment. I love it hard. Even if we were millionaires I’d be hard-pressed to change much about it  (excepting of course my burning desire to build a terrace hanging garden and outdoor cafe seating area on the back deck. THAT I will splurge on as soon as I am able.) Our apartment … Continue reading →

Filed under American Adventures, Crafts & Home, Life · Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Saying It

Posted by smgrady on March 11, 2015 · 2 Comments 

Sometimes the right words illuminate the ineffable, sharpening my deepest eyes. But sometimes words are blunt tools dulling the sky with clumsy half-formed shapes. Lately it’s the latter. So I haven’t been writing much. Sometimes life is too big for words I guess. I’m on a new, scary exciting path. It fills me with hope … Continue reading →

Filed under Life, Starter for Ten · Tagged with , , ,

My Office

Posted by smgrady on January 23, 2015 · 1 Comment 

For the first time, I have my own office. I am so excited to have my own work space. I usually end up in a bullpen style open plan office when I’m working for clients and I cannot wait to Get Things Done somewhere quiet. But I’m nervous, too. I’ve not been office-bound for years. … Continue reading →

Filed under Crafts & Home, Life, Starter for Ten · Tagged with , , , ,

#MakingTime: Day 3

Posted by smgrady on September 3, 2014 · 4 Comments 

Today’s assignment was to read something outside my comfort zone. I love reading articles and ideas from all sorts of people, and social and cultural commentary are one my secret loves. I am glad to be alive today (not exclusively) because the advent of internet periodicals feeds an heretofore unmet need in my word-hungers. Beyond … Continue reading →

Filed under Art & Pop Culture · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Making Time : Day One

Posted by smgrady on September 2, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

I’m taking on Do What You Love‘s 31-day experiment #MakingTime. Each day we’ll carve out an increasing number of minutes (one minute on Day 1, two minutes on Day Two…) to make time for the here and now and the big picture stuff that gets shoved under the sofa most nights. I’m going to try … Continue reading →

Filed under Starter for Ten · Tagged with , , ,

Do What You Love

Posted by smgrady on September 2, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

In this new life, still shiny-pink and small, I want to be mindful. Mindful of who I am and what I want. Mindful of where are headed and where I came from. Mindful of what drives me and makes life worth living. To that end, I am undertaking some personal DIY.   First, I am … Continue reading →

Filed under Starter for Ten · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Travel Tuesday

Posted by smgrady on February 12, 2013 · 1 Comment 

The new house is finally taking shape. And by taking shape I mean the walls are no longer bare. I don’t know about you, but the powdery deadspace of cheap white walls leave me cold. So at the weekend we hung pictures. Paintings done by Bean’s sister. Vintage opera posters I’ve been hoarding. A pair … Continue reading →

Filed under Crafts & Home, Travel & Adventure · Tagged with , , , , , ,