Angie's Place

Humbly Benched

What if one moment you could do everything for yourself and the next you’d require help with minor chores? What would that do to your sense of self, productivity, and pride?

I learned something the hard way. Doubling my efforts in exercise can cause stress fractures when the shoes I use are worn out. Yes, God allowed me to be benched for a season due to injury. Right on the brink of a heavy travel schedule I’ve learned to rely on creativity, flexibility, and—gasp—others to meet my needs.

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Loree's Lough Down

When the Cryin’s Over (or Coping with Unenthusiastic Reviews)

If you’ve submitted something for publication, there’s a good chance you’ve been rejected. (I’ll save that topic for a future column.) Today, let’s focus on that other ugly word: reviews. Specifically, the not-so-nice ones. If you’ve written and published a novel, you’ve invited the opinions of agents, editors, contest judges, or reviewers. It doesn’t make a whole lot of difference what’s printed on their business cards. 

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At the Movies

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

In Oliver Stone’s Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Michael Douglas reprises his 1987 Oscar-winning role as the evil corporate raider/inside trader Gordon Gekko. This certainly isn’t an inspirational movie for the discerning Christian viewer, but because of its commentary on the dangers and trappings of money, I thought I would recommend it.

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How NOT To Get Published

Off To The (Content) Mill

We are fortunate to live in this particular age. Wonders surround us. You don’t believe it? Just turn on the TV and flip through the channels. We have cures for cellulite, achy backs, bad breath, doggie incontinence, senior citizen incontinence, “performance” problems (and I ain’t talking about the family sedan), memory loss, crow’s feet, flat feet...

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Real Life Is Stranger

When Is a Fish Like a Writer?

The other day I took my son to the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. I enjoyed the Inner Harbor, but the aquarium? Not so much. I figured for the $27 per person entry fee I might see something spectacular. Now don’t get me wrong, there were some pretty amazing fish in there, but I came away yawning. 

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