Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

I, Myself, or Me? How to know which to use

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Myself? A letter to advice columnist Miss Manners begins: “My husband, myself and another couple went out for dinner last summer…” I read the rest of the question but kept bouncing back to that opening sentence. It was so wrong. Myself? MYSELF? Miss Manners wisely didn't correct the writer; she focused on the question at hand. I, however, couldn't let it go. Myself is a special kind of … [Read more...]

Gordy and the Ghost Crab goes to School

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We hit the road! I took Gordy and the Ghost Crab and my newest creation, my felt ghost crab hat, to Weston Elementary School in Imlay City, MI where we meet with three groups of students: the "begindergarten" and kindergarten students, the first graders, and the second graders -- A total of about 400 students in all! Christina Herr, M.Ed., Reading Interventionist at Weston, asked that I gear … [Read more...]

Writers empower, inspire, heal, expose

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In times of turmoil, writers can affect change with their words, stories and poems. They are a window into the greater truths of the world at large, beyond the minuscule limits of ourselves. Ten years ago Michael Kimball gave this inspiring commencement address as faculty at the Stonecoast MFA Program in Creative Writing, where I earned my degree. Michael kindly gave me permission to share his … [Read more...]

Are You Sure You Want a Corgi?

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"I want one" Nearly every time I walk Clementine and Cowboy in town, someone says to me "I want a corgi." Do you really? I know they are so stinking cute--those big ears, little legs, and constant smile. They appear in TV commercials from State Farm to Mercedes and Discover. There are corgi sweatshirts, corgi Christmas lawn decor, corgi coffee mugs, corgi slippers.... they are truly … [Read more...]

Stash: you aren’t alone in hiding those special snacks

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My mother's hidden Hershey's bars In the refrigerator meat drawer, way in the back under the cheese and lunch meat, I found my mother’s stash of Hershey bars. Three of them. I was probably ten years old, innocently looking for a snack. I gasped. Chocolate—a rare treat in our house. We had chocolate chip cookies sometimes, Oreos if my mother bought them, and she baked cakes, but never solid … [Read more...]