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Sister Sue Bliss

Dec 26, 2022
1 min

Sister Sue Bliss

My sister, Sue, was born on Christmas day just a few short decades ago. She and my older sister, Dee, and I have been a team our whole lives. I know sibling relationships can be an iffy thing. If you don’t have as close a bond as you’d like with your sibs, I hope you have friends who’ve got your back. We all need people like that! Who’s that person (or people) for you? ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June 2023), historical novel, The Falcon, the

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Book Review: "Dream Kids"

Dec 21, 2022
1 min

Book Review: "Dream Kids"

by Michael Wayne Hampton I’m a sucker for gritty YA stories that show kids precariously straddling that fence between adolescence and adulthood; a time of life Michael Wayne Hampton conveys so clearly in Dream Kids. It’s a wonder any of us survived that age! Find my review below or on Goodreads. __ The Dream Academy is anything but a dream for Bryce Hughes, who attends the experimental high school meant to challenge students and help them reach their potential. Instead, the w

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Hot Soup Bliss

Dec 19, 2022
1 min

Hot Soup Bliss

California has been a lot colder than normal, and I have a cold, two reasons hot soup is my current go-to. I’ve tried a lot of recipes over the years, but oddly enough, my three favorite soups come from this old, stained cookbook I think my mother-in-law gave to my husband when he started living on his own. Here are the three I love best: What are your favorite soup recipes? And yes, if you send them, I’ll make them. You all have handed me some pretty fantastic recommendation

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Book Review: "A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon"

Dec 14, 2022
1 min

Book Review: "A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon"

by Jessica Bell Jessica Bell’s new poetry collection is a captivating love letter from a mother to her young son. The dynamic free verse captures that special bond with sincerity absence sentimentality; raw beauty unmarred by polish; and humor seamlessly entwined with reality. Brilliantly devoid of over-explanation, the poems are eminently accessible. Each creates an energy-filled space that allows you to feel what you’re feeling and ascribe the meaning you find. The images c

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Funny Signs Bliss

Dec 12, 2022
1 min

Funny Signs Bliss

Gotta say, as a writer, it makes my day when I see a hilarious sign, either by those showing some good wit, or those unaware of the literary funny they created. ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June 2023), historical novel, The Falcon, the Wolf and the Hummingbird (October 2023), or other books, news and giveaways, subscribe to MarthaEngber.com. #blissroad #memoir #books #vineleavespress #nonfiction #mentalhealth #autism

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Dancing Bliss

Dec 5, 2022
1 min

Dancing Bliss

I’ve mentioned before how dance was my thing as a kid. I explain why in my upcoming memoir. In a nutshell: dance allowed me to let off a lot of steam. Imagine my amazement when, as a teen, I realized other people hated dancing! While some people just don’t care about dance, just as I don’t want to play football or skydive, other people have told me over the years about wanting to dance, but being discouraged by unkind comments from others or not possessing the body type they

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Book Review: "The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly"

Nov 30, 2022
2 min

Book Review: "The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly"

by Kwan Kew Lai I love stories about women who rock it in life, especially those like Kwan Kew Lai, who grew up in Malaysia and knocked down one obstacle after another in her rejection of females as powerless and worthless. Read my review of her memoir, The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly, below or on Goodreads. ___ Kwan Kew Lai’s memoir is a feast for anyone who loves inspirational tales about female empowerment and extraordinary women who make their dreams come true. Unl

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Idiom Bliss

Nov 28, 2022
1 min

Idiom Bliss

IDIOM BLISS I love idioms because they’re such a silly, nonsensical way to communicate, which might be the reason others hate them! If you love (or hate) them, here’s a list to read (or avoid): https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-idioms/ I like the unusual ones: — Bob’s your uncle — all mouth and no trousers — pardon my French — cat got your tongue? What say you? Are you an idiom lover or hater? ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June 2023

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Changing Language: The Diversity Style Guide

Nov 23, 2022
1 min

Changing Language: The Diversity Style Guide

We live in a fast-changing world. It’s tough to keep up on what terms are acceptable and which have been thrown out as being offensive. As a communicator by trade — in my classes, when I write, when I teach — my wish is for everyone to feel included and safe. That means I have to stay on top of changes in language. Fortunately I just found The Diversity Style Guide. The guide is fantastic and is a project of the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism at San Fran

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Tree Bliss

Nov 21, 2022
1 min

Tree Bliss

I love the maple that grows in front of our house. First, the tree is situated in a tight corner by the garage, yet persists in growing forth into this huge, beautiful round canopy that every fall turns into a campfire of color. Secondly, the tree is to our house what a fancy ballgown is to a mannequin: dressing our house’s lack of interesting architecture into all kinds of posh. Do you have a favorite tree? ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June

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Taste Bud Bliss

Nov 14, 2022
1 min

Taste Bud Bliss

Thanks to Covid, nobody takes their taste buds for granted, especially who those who got the virus and lost their sense of taste (hopefully only for awhile instead of permanently!). The taste buds that speak to me most are those that yell out for sweet things. The minority are those that like bitter things. What taste buds are dominant for you? And no, I’m not a fan of cilantro. Everyone says they taste like soap, though I wouldn’t know because I’ve never eaten soap. ___ For

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Book Review: "There There"

Nov 9, 2022
1 min

Book Review: "There There"

by Tommy Orange In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, I wanted to recommend Tommy Orange’s There There. A member of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes, Tommy was born in Oakland, where he set his 2018 book about the urban Native American experience. Because I know Oakland, I loved seeing his characters living here and there around the city. At first his characters appear to be swallowed by the surrounding environment and dominant culture that lead to deep persona

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Game Night Bliss

Nov 7, 2022
1 min

Game Night Bliss

On Saturday my husband and I hosted a game night. Always so much fun when we do! Here’s how we run it: Everyone brings the games they like and something tasty to eat or drink. We bring out a lot of our games. People choose a game and find others who want to play. Typically we’ll have 2-3 games going at any one time. Do you like to play games? If so, what kind? I love most word games and ones where you have to draw or act out concepts for your team. No Monopoly for me! ___ For

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Hallelujah for Halloween!

Oct 31, 2022
1 min

Hallelujah for Halloween!

I loved Halloween as a kid and still love it! We’d get home from school, put our costumes on and take off around the neighborhood. We wouldn’t come home until about 8:30 p.m., or our bag got too heavy. What's your Halloween story? More importantly, what's your favorite candy? Me: Snickers bars and candy corn. ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June 2023), historical novel, The Falcon, the Wolf and the Hummingbird (October 2023), or other books, ne

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Book Review: "Have You Eaten Rice Today"

Oct 26, 2022
1 min

Book Review: "Have You Eaten Rice Today"

by Apple Gidley 1950s MALAYSIA WEDNESDAY Congratulations, Apple Gidley, on Have You Eaten Rice Today, a carefully nuanced book that buried me in the lives of believable characters in a time and place I knew nothing about! Read my review below or on Goodreads. ___ I love books that transport me to somewhere I’ve never been, and this book did just that! From page one I felt wrapped in the heat, conflict and politics of 1950s Malaya, what the British called its collection of col

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Art Feeds Art Bliss

Oct 24, 2022
1 min

Art Feeds Art Bliss

For my birthday several years ago, my son gave me a palm-sized bronze sculpture by Daniel Fleming, an Etsy artist who posts under the apt name of SmallBronzes. Since then, my son has added to my collection, which resides on my office windowsill. I’ve come to love looking up from my work to see these small sculptures that fuel my creative thought. For me, art feeds art. Defining art as whatever feeds your spirit (paintings, photos, beautifully-designed furniture or appliances)

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Introvert or Extrovert?

Oct 19, 2022
1 min

Introvert or Extrovert?

In keeping with Monday’s post about solitude, today I’m writing about a book I loved: Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Doesn’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Written in 2013, the book made being an introvert trendy, which is somewhat amusing. The book is really meant to help introverts embrace their inner quiet in order to think about and enact big ideas, rather than feeling the need to be showy. Which leads to today’s question: How do you like to deal with big ide

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New Book: How Changing Your Perception of Time Can Make You Happier

Oct 12, 2022
1 min

New Book: How Changing Your Perception of Time Can Make You Happier

Yesterday I listened to a fascinating Hidden Brain podcast that featured psychologist and researcher Cassie Mogilner Holmes . The author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, she talked about how we can make ourselves happier by changing our perception of time. Here are a few tidbits that stuck with me: — In studies where some people were told to think of their weekend like a vacation, and others were not, the former group

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Appreciating Native Americans Day

Oct 10, 2022
1 min

Appreciating Native Americans Day

While not Native American, I’ve studied for years about various tribes across America and am fascinated by the many different cultures, especially the music and artwork. This artwork, “Campfire,” is by Frank Howell, who died in 1997. If you’re interested in other contemporary artists, Sacred Arts Research Foundation has a great article on 10 Native American Painters, Schools and Styles You Should Know. Do you have any favorite Native American artists? Send URLs! ___ For updat

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52 Reasons to be Blissful Week 17: My Sister, Dee

Oct 10, 2022
1 min

52 Reasons to be Blissful Week 17: My Sister, Dee

As you know, I have two sisters and the oldest — though by no means old — is Dee. It’s her birthday this week, which is why she’s getting featured. That and she’s an awesome person who takes time to listen, has an adventurous spirit and loves little kids, especially her grandchildren. The photo of me (left) and her is from our most recent trip to Italy where we toured Lagazuoi, a mountain that was hollowed out to make a WW I rock fortress from which Italian forces could blast

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