An Art in the AM reading prompted by the Ian Friedland piece pictured at the bottom. The artfulness of a marquetry master flows through every decision he makes. He considers and selects specific veneers based on their species, their color, their grain, the way each can be cut. From thin sheets of wood and the use of sharp implements, the artist is able to piece together the picture he has imagined. Depth and pattern are created in juxtaposition, each piece placed and honed to fit exactly so. I imagine he sometimes takes a step back to deal with ragged cuts…

The watercolor shows a solitary, deeply shadowed figure facing the viewer from the near end of a long hallway. Multiple grey stone archways form the hall, leading from an iron-gated second entryway in the foreground, to arched double doors at the far end. Several rooms can be seen off to the right. Bright sun washes the walls and the flagstone floor in yellow. The picture depicts a church, maybe, or a museum. A piece of artwork stands out on the wall of the room nearest the gate. Pendent lights align above, ready to light the hall when the sun fades.…

Our mother was born on Christmas Eve. We made sure to celebrate her birthday independent of the Christmas rush. Daddy made dinner, so we always had steak, not your typical holiday menu, and quite a splurge for our large family. Mom’s favorite cake was this tricky-to-make three-layer spice concoction, which I made for her once I was old enough. Christmas Eve was for decorating the tree, going to church, entertaining family, and just being together. Mom died when I was twenty-five, but we continued to serve steak at the family Christmas gathering, although eventually no longer held on Christmas Eve.…

The following is an ekphrastic essay (inspired by artwork) written for Art in the AM and read on December 10, 2025. The full Mary Jo Tarallo photograph that served as inspiration is below the essay. For the moment, she stands alone. Her formidable perch rises from a restless sea. A rocky bluff: solid, unshakable. The path to the summit requires navigating rough terrain, pushing through hard climb, pausing on respite ledges, and nursing wounds from unexpected stumbles. Crystal blue waves swirl against the cliff face, returning to a playful dance after a retreating storm. She doesn’t notice their invitation to…

I love waking up to morning chill cozy under a pile of blankets. I love crisp autumn light, puffy white clouds in a sparkling blue sky, and vibrant changing-leaves brilliance all around. I love shoulder season vacations when the weather is more temperate and the destinations less traveled. I love just-picked apples, soft pumpkin cookies, silky hot chocolate, and cider-infused roasted chicken. I even love the ruckus of a flock of geese heading south. And I especially love the serenity of tumbling waves on an unpopulated beach walk. Autumn is a delightful time of change and celebration – exploding color…

Here’s my latest Art in the AM contribution… (Art in the AM is a Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild program where members write short essays or poems in response to a piece of artwork shared by local artists.) The minute I saw Kim Hanna‘s encaustic memoir piece from her Images of a half life series, the phrase “that’s what little girls are made of” popped into my head. So, drawing from the images in Kim Hanna’s collage, I wrote a piece of encouragement for all little girls… What little girls are made of… Sugar and spice and everything nice; that’s what…

On September 16, I read an essay at the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild Night of Songs and Stories. In this event, all readers make remarks on a given theme – in this case: Balancing Act. Here’s what that theme evoked for me… Balancing Act The performance between the opening and closing acts of life is the Balancing Act – where life is shaped by choices that seesaw. For me – as for many – work/life equivocations have made for an ever-changing script. Career opportunities vs proximity to family. My eight years away from my inner circle in my 20s launched…

Since a significant part of my professional work has been speaking from the front of the room, you’d think I have developed full comfort there. But reading for the first time at the Art in the A.M. event this week was still a daunting experience. Let me give a bit of background… I am working to earn that writer-beach-walker title – and one of the commitments in that quest is to be active in the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild. I’m taking advantage of workshops they offer, and keeping an eye out for other opportunities to engage. The Guild offers several…