When I was a kid, I used to sit on the back porch step and sing at the top of my lungs the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s song, “High Hopes.” Just what did make that ant think he could move that rubber tree plant? I had no idea what inspired his crazy dream, but I...
Tag: TeresaFunkeWriting
You Can’t Take it With You
“You can’t take it with you.” This is a motto I’ve lived by my whole life, especially when I’m debating with my husband about how much I can spend on our vacation. He’d rather stuff that money into savings for a rainy day, and I want to blow it on a sunny day, preferably in...
Art and the Butterfly Effect
The other day I was reading a book set in World War II America. Prominently shown in the “Recommended Reading” section at the back was my own book, Dancing in Combat Boots. What an unexpected thrill. I showed it to my usually low-key husband, and even he was impressed. A few days later, we were...
Can Art Ever Offend?
The other day, I had the pleasure of hearing Kevin Kallaugher, the political cartoonist for The Economist magazine. You don’t meet political cartoonists every day—there are actually very few of them—so I was eager to hear what types of questions people would ask during the Q & A. One gentleman asked “Kal” how he handled...
Do You Think Too Much?
Do you remember how, whenever he needed to figure something out, Winnie-the-Pooh would tap his temple and say, “Think, think. Think, think.” Even as a child, I found it interesting that he had to encourage his mind to think. Mine won’t stop thinking. I wish I could tap my temple and say, “Shut up. Shut...
How to Compliment a Woman
The other day, a friend posted a new video on Facebook in which she and her male colleague were being interviewed about a project they are launching. It’s a brilliant idea, and much needed in her industry. When I watched the video, though, I couldn’t help but notice how good she looked. She’s been working...
The Answer is Always Now
Should I start that book I’ve been wanting to write now, or wait till after my sister’s wedding? Should I take that watercolor class now or wait until I have a bit more money? Should I go to that play I’ve been dying to see tonight, or wait to see if I can find someone...
A New Way to Look at Time
I’ve got a treat for you! At least, I hope you see it that way. I’ve decided to do something a bit unusual (and possibly unique) for a blogger. I’ll be taking some of the posts you have identified as your favorites and turning them into videos. I hope that by seeing me and hearing...
Put Happiness on Your Calendar
Two years ago, a friend and I met at a bistro to share a cheese plate and a glass of wine and talk about an idea we had. We were both stressed in different ways, and wanted to find more time for ourselves and for the things we loved. We started by answering this question:...
Outside The Box? What Box?
I was one of those kids who listened carefully when the adults were talking. I took in as much as I could, trying to understand the world around me. Every now and then I’d hear someone refer to “thinking outside the box.” And, in the literal way a child sometimes thinks, I would picture boxes...