Sweeping porches is a neglected art

Written by Shelley Plett Wednesday, 26 September 2007 08:10

“…It’s a chore seldom done at any place you don’t personally callyour own. You might, for a friend in serious need, load a dishwasher orfold a load of laundry. You might even look after her toddler, if sheis busy, God forbid, throwing up with the flu. But you’ll not likelysweep off any porch, anywhere, unless is belongs to you.” —Sharon Randall

Proving once again that I spend too much time on theInternet, I was searching through online newspapers prowling for topicideas or anything interesting.


Sharon Randall is a columnist out of Las Vegas, and one of my favorites for an occasional feel-good story. She’s good at pointing out the obvious, but more often overlooked, significance in just about anything.

Like front...

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Grab a pencil, it's time to write...

Written by Shelley Plett Wednesday, 12 September 2007 10:57

“…As grown-ups, we have come to place undo importance on this thing called competence.” —Chris Baty

LastOctober, I wrote about a November event called NaNoWriMo. This year I’mmentioning it again—a little earlier this time—to inform and prepareanyone out there who might be interested in signing up in the nextmonth or two.

NaNoWriMo, short for National Novel WritingMonth, is the creation of Chris Baty, a writer guy from California, whoin 1999 produced his little project in an attempt to be less bored andmeet more girls.

He decided to write a complete 50,000-word novel in 30 days. He challenged a few (21) acquaintances to join him and a handful (six) of them succeeded that first November.

Every year since, NaNoWriMo has...

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'The Office' casting rings true to life

Written by Shelley Plett Wednesday, 22 August 2007 06:30

“Yes, I was the first one out (during the fire). And yes, I’ve heard ‘women and children first.’ But we do not employ children. We are not a sweatshop, thankfully. And women are equal in the workplace by law. So if I let them out first, I have a lawsuit on my hands.” —Michael Scott (Steve Carell) from “The Office”

Assistant regional manager Dwight Schrute, mistakenly thinking he’s about to be promoted, paints his boss’s office black in order to intimidate his subordinates.

If you know what I’m talking about, you’ve seen “The Office.” If you’re still laughing about that episode, you’re a member of the brotherhood. It seems like people either get this show and love it or flat out don’t, with few...

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Ultimately, its the mothers who cry

Written by Shelley Plett Wednesday, 08 August 2007 09:01

“The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold. The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old. Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past – would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?” —Karen Kingsbury 

I have a friend with a newborn baby. She’s understandably tired, anxious and stressed. I have another who’s “baby” is starting his first year of high school. She’s tired, anxious and stressed too. Then there’s another who is two semesters away from putting her last baby in a cap and gown. She’s tired, anxious and stressed too.

Three moms in three stages recycling the same three emotions again and again.

These things just happen, a loosely...

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