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GiST: November 14, 2011

Grace in Small Things

I have so much to be thankful for this week!
1. A Visit from a Friend
A close friend chose to spend her weekend with me this weekend. She traveled to Colorado Springs from San Francisco, and we had a good, low-key weekend. We hiked Palmer Trail in Colorado Springs, we tried a few local beers, and [...]

Pikes Peak Community Cupboard Community Dinner

This afternoon I’ll be stuffing Introvert Melissa into the closet and forcing Pseudo-Extrovert Melissa out to play, as I attend the Pike’s Peak Community Cupboard Community Dinner on my own. I know two other women who will be at the event (co-organizers Kat and Wendy), but because Nick is busy with Army business today, he [...]

Grace in Small Things (GiST): 3/7/2011

Some of the little things I’m happy are part of my life this week:
1. Friends who hold me accountable for reaching my potential.
2. Running again post-injury, even if I’m still not 100%
3. Hot tea.
4. The music of Nina Simone. And Bob Seger. And so many other artists.
5. Mail. The paper kind that comes via a [...]

Grace in Small Things (GiST): 1/17/11

Wow, do I have a lot to be thankful for this week. Where to start???
1. A Small Town Girl’s Guide is a Finalist in the Riverfront Times “Web Awards”!
Immediately upon my arrival home to St. Louis this evening following my long weekend in Arizona, I discovered that A Small Town Girl’s Guide was selected as one [...]

Leaving San Francisco

I’m not convinced about leaving San Francisco today. My flight leaves this afternoon, but I’m just not sure I want to get on the plane.
There’s the immediate inconvenience of the flight itself – the packing, the long security lines, the potential groping or full body scans, and the uncomfortable airline seats.
There’s the weather I’ll arrive [...]

Things to be Thankful For

Thanksgiving is more than a day to me this year- it’s the whole week. I’ve thought a lot about my personal and professional support networks; my mentors and the mentors I’d like to build relationships with; and some of the things about living in small town Missouri that are really good for me.
I’ve been reading on leadership. [...]

Fish Fries and Tall Tales

I was invited to join my parents at a fish fry in Coffman, Missouri in another family’s large shed/garage/barn.  Inside the barn, we listened to the men recount the day’s deer hunting adventures while we ate fried blue gill, potatoes and macaroni & cheese.
I sipped a Bud Light Wheat; a fire burned in the woodstove; and antelope, [...]