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The Blog
A Little Nature and a Little Self-Care
Sometimes, self-care isn't about bubble baths, candles, or curling up with a good book. Sometimes, it's about getting outside, breathing in the fresh air, and spending time with someone you love. For me, one of my favorite places to do just that is Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan. There is something about being surrounded by nature that makes me feel at peace. Maybe it's the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the smell of the flowers, or the simple beauty of watching th
dneumann1972
Oct 102 min read
What Would Annie Do?
I have a tendency to overdo things. If I have a little energy, I somehow convince myself I have a lot. If I have one thing planned, I can probably squeeze in three more. If something needs to be done, I have a hard time leaving it until tomorrow. And then my body reminds me that apparently it did not agree to this schedule. That made me wonder: What would Annie do? I have a feeling Annie the Porcupine would be much smarter about it than I am. She would probably spend some tim
dneumann1972
Sep 222 min read
All About The Senses
I have always been all about the senses. When I think about a place I have visited, I don't always remember what it looked like first. Sometimes I remember the smell. Sometimes it is a sound. And if I ate something fabulous while I was there, there is a very good chance I will remember the food before I remember exactly where I was when I ate it. For me, experiencing a place has never been only about what I can see. It is the smell of something baking when you walk through a
dneumann1972
Sep 132 min read
Never Outgrow Goofy
Today my grandbaby walked into my house, and this is how I greeted him. Sitting in my recliner. Dressed as a Muppet. Just waiting. Because apparently this is the kind of grandma I have become. Lately, I have been writing a novel about a woman who is trying to figure out who she is after spending most of her life being someone's daughter, wife, mother, and now grandma. Somewhere in the middle of writing it, I gave her a line about being goofy. About how growing older shouldn't
dneumann1972
Sep 81 min read
Prickly and Proud
I'm a porcupine, prickly and round, With thousands of quills from my head to the ground. I waddle through forests with plenty of flair, And never once worry about fixing my hair. I don't need a comb. I don't need a brush. And when I get startled, I don't have to rush. I just puff myself up and proudly declare, "Come any closer, if you dare!" Hugs can be tricky. Cuddles are worse. And popping balloons? Well, that's my curse. I'm not very speedy. I'm not very sleek. I may have
dneumann1972
Aug 161 min read
Out of My Comfort Zone
For as long as I can remember, I have written children's books. Every once in a while, I've challenged myself by entering a short story contest or contributing a piece to an anthology. But recently, I started something completely out of my comfort zone. A novel. Not a middle-grade novel. Not a young adult novel. A full-length adult novel with a goal of at least 50,000 words. I honestly didn't set out to write one. The story simply appeared. It floated into my thoughts, follow
dneumann1972
Jul 302 min read
The Gift of Friendship
Sometimes the biggest blessings begin with the smallest moments. A simple conversation, a shared laugh, a chance meeting, or an unexpected adventure. Looking back, I realize the people who have changed my life the most didn't arrive with grand entrances. They simply became the people who stood beside me through celebrations, heartbreaks, ordinary Tuesdays, and all the moments in between. Over time, those friendships became part of who I am. I don't have hundreds of close frie
dneumann1972
Jul 42 min read
Inspiration Hits You Wherever
As a writer, I find ideas in the strangest places and at the most unexpected times. Sometimes I wake from a vivid dream and have to turn on the light before the story slips away. Other times, inspiration finds me on a walk, in the grocery store, or while simply watching the world. That's why I carry a pen and paper everywhere. Most ideas get written down, revisited later, and tucked away until the time is right. But every so often, the words refuse to stay on the page. They k
dneumann1972
Jul 21 min read
A Weekend of Joy
Sometimes the best weekends are the ones that would sound completely uneventful to someone else. This weekend, I'm headed to a cabin with a friend. There were no packed itineraries, no sightseeing schedules, no pressure to "make the most of every minute." Instead, there were books. Coloring books. Coffee. Conversations that wandered wherever they wanted to go. And naps. Years ago, I might have thought that sounded boring. Somewhere along the way, I bought into the idea that
dneumann1972
Jun 281 min read
Today I Choose To Rest
The world doesn't stop just because I need it to. People still go to work. Emails still come in. Life keeps moving at the same fast pace it always has. And here I am... trying to heal. It is disorienting. I find myself measuring my day in small steps. Did I rest? Did I take care of myself? Did I make it through okay? While the world around me measures in productivity, deadlines, and accomplishments. I feel out of place sometimes, like I am existing on a completely different t
dneumann1972
May 281 min read
In The Stillness
There's a strange kind of guilt that comes with sitting still. Not the kind where you've done something wrong, but the kind where you feel wrong... just for resting. I didn't expect that part of recovery. I thought the hard part would be the physical healing, the pain, the discomfort, the waiting. But no one really talks about the mental tug-of-war, the voice in your head whispering, "You should be doing more," even when your body is clearly saying, "Not today." I'll sit down
dneumann1972
May 281 min read
A Reflection on School: Then and Now
I started elementary school in 1978. Things were different then. Students with special needs didn't learn alongside us. They went to different schools, separate classrooms, separate experiences. At the time, it wasn't questioned—it was just the way things were. The norm was celebrating every holiday the same way. December meant Christmas music in music class. Halloween meant costumes, parties, and games. Everyone participated. Or at least, that's how it looked. But for me, it
dneumann1972
Apr 252 min read
Becoming Kids Again
As the kids get older, I find myself treasuring our time together more and more. Life gets busy, schedules fill up, and those simple moments of connection become even more meaningful. Add in that my grandbaby is four—truly one of the funniest, most joyful ages—and I knew I wanted to create something special this Easter. Something that would let all of us, no matter our age, be kids again. So this year, I tried something a little different. In every Easter basket—including my
dneumann1972
Apr 72 min read
Joy-Filled Traditions to Carry Through the Year
For many, Easter has a way of bringing out the magic in simple moments, egg hunts, family meals, laughter echoing through the house. But what if that same sense of joy didn't have to be tucked away with the holiday decorations? What if we kept it going... all year long? Here are a few easy, meaningful traditions you can start anytime, no holiday required. Year-Round Scavenger Hunts. Who says egg hunts are only for spring? Turn any ordinary afternoon into an adventure. Hide
dneumann1972
Mar 252 min read
My First Michigan Reading Association Literacy Conference
This past weekend I attended the 70th Literacy Conference hosted by the Michigan Reading Association. Even though it has been bringing educators together for decades, this was my first time attending, and it was an incredible experience. I have always loved conferences where people gather because they believe in the same thing. There is something energizing about being surrounded by educators who genuinely love reading, books, and the power of literacy. This time I attended p
dneumann1972
Mar 172 min read
Why March Is Reading Month Means So Much to Me
There is something magical about March in a classroom. March Is Reading Month isn't just another themed celebration on the calendar. For me, it's personal, which is why it's one of my favorite times of the year. As a teacher, I see firsthand how reading can quietly turn into a chore. It becomes something timed, measured, and tested. And while those things have their place, they can slowly steal the joy from it. March gives me permission to bring the fun back. We talk about bo
dneumann1972
Mar 32 min read
Indoor Adventures
What do you do when it's raining and your grandbaby says he misses you and just wants you? Well, of course that means an indoor adventure. But not just any indoor activity. The kind that entertains him, keeps him engaged, and builds the kind of memories that stick. He loves dinosaurs.He loves pretend picnics. So naturally, you combine them. You create a Dinosaur Rescue Picnic Adventure. Before I went to pick him up, I scattered dinosaurs all around the house — on top of furn
dneumann1972
Mar 12 min read
Valentine's Day Is Just Around the Corner
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and as a teacher, this was always one of those days I quietly dreaded. There was the pressure of making sure every child had a Valentine bag or box ready for the big day. Then came helping each student walk around the room, passing out cards and making sure no one was missed. I always requested that names not be written on the Valentines so we could simply go in a circle and avoid confusion, but there were always a couple of parents
dneumann1972
Feb 62 min read
When the Cold Didn't Bother Me
When we were children, didn't it seem like the cold never bothered us? We could play outside for hours. Snowball fights, sledding, building snow forts. Our cheeks were red, our gloves soaked through, and still we didn't want to come inside. The cold was just part of the fun. It didn't ache in our bones or catch in our lungs. It was something to run through, laugh in, and forget about. Now, the cold feels different. As I've gotten older, my bones ache more, my health has chang
dneumann1972
Jan 262 min read
More Than A Date On The Calendar
Today, my husband and I celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. Twenty-four years feels like a long time when you say it out loud, yet somehow it also feels like the blink of an eye. Time has a way of doing that, stretching and shrinking all at once. Anniversaries often get grouped in with holidays, marked by cards, dinners, or social media posts. But the older I get, the more I realize that anniversaries aren't really about the calendar at all. They're about accomplishments.
dneumann1972
Jan 202 min read
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