There are people who can inspire us–famous people known perhaps throughout history or across the globe. Despite their fame, these ordinary people ate breakfast, slept, and put their coats on when cold just like all of us. These role models help us envision that we too could achieve what they achieved. These posts are about artists, authors, poets, uppity women, and innovators that inspire. Having a hero isn’t just for kids!

art365
I was visiting Cat Hellisen’s blog the other day and found a post titled “Starting Arting.” She has begun a project called art365 in which

A Tribute to Maurice Sendak
A Tribute to Maurice Sendak Today a brilliant man who understood that childhood is not all sunshine and rainbows passed from the world. Not All
Olympia by Manet
In 1865 at the Paris Salon a painting was first exhibited. Some such as Emil Zola declared it a masterpiece. Others thought it a vulgar,

Winter
Winter I walked with my camera this afternoon, on this winter day. During the summer, the outdoor gardens of the botanical garden fill with people

Author Interview with Horror Writer Tracie McBride
I had the pleasure of interviewing up and coming horror author Tracie McBride who recently premiered a special edition release of “Ghosts Can Bleed,” an

Author Interview with Nerine Dorman
Nerine Dorman is an author from Cape Town, South Africa who is a rising star. She creates scintillating paranormal novels, erotica, and good reads with

Winter
Winter I walked with my camera this afternoon, on this winter day. During the summer, the outdoor gardens of the botanical garden fill with people

Badass Poet: Qiu Jin
There are badass poets and then there are badass poets. Qiu Jin is one of those badass feminist poets who made her mark. I am

We Sinful Women by Kishwar Naheed
We Sinful Women by Kishwar Naheed Cooking, cleaning, laundry and making a little music have eaten my weekend. I am exhausted from fighting off a

This Machine Kills Fascists
This Machine Kills Fascists Woody Guthrie wrote “This Machine Kills Fascists” on his guitar. Steve Earl once said of Guthrie, “I don’t think of Woody Guthrie

National Poem in Your Pocket Day
Poetry is a happy thing! It is like a puzzle where words are used as tightly as possible to convey multiple meanings and emotion. I

Poetry: “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats
I am currently writing a story revolving around a changeling and have been reviewing Yeats’ poetry. Much of the poetry of William Butler Yeats draws

Uppity Women: Annie Oakley
Uppity Women: Annie Oakley. Oakley was a sharp shooter who traveled with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. In 1889, she performed at the Paris Exposition

Badass Poet: Qiu Jin
There are badass poets and then there are badass poets. Qiu Jin is one of those badass feminist poets who made her mark. I am

We Sinful Women by Kishwar Naheed
We Sinful Women by Kishwar Naheed Cooking, cleaning, laundry and making a little music have eaten my weekend. I am exhausted from fighting off a

Uppity Women: Wangari Maathai
Uppity Women: Wangari Maathai We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up

Comets and Uppity Women
Comets and Uppity Women Comets and Uppity Women. While these two things have little in common, Bathsua Makin said, “A learned woman is thought to

Uppity Woman: Ruth Stout
Spring brings gardening. After a very long winter of too much snow, temperatures driven by the polar vortex, and ice that seeps into my bones,