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Non-Resolution New Year Bliss

Jan 2
1 min

Non-Resolution New Year Bliss

New Year’s resolutions are, bar none, the best way to fail because they’re often too unrealistic to be achievable. So that’s my New Year’s wish for you, that you commit to non-resolution like the kind Kelly McGonigal, author of The Willpower Instinct, talks about in an interview titled How to make a New Year’s non-resolution. She says if we want to change a behavior, we simply commit to what we’re already doing. By seeing our current activities clearly (how many cigarettes we

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Happy Birthday, Mike

Aug 8, 2022
1 min

Happy Birthday, Mike

I had a pivotal moment at the end of my sophomore year in college. While driving through campus, I stopped at a crosswalk to let students cross. One of them was my new boyfriend, Mike. Rather than beep and wave, I just watched him. He moved easy, just going about his day. I knew then this was a guy I’d never change, and had no desire to change. And that was the beginning of a great friendship that’s lasted 39 years, 37 of them married. So happy birthday, Michael, my dear! You

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Book Review: "Not Quite Lost: Travels Without a Sense of Direction" by Roz Morris

Aug 5, 2022
2 min

Book Review: "Not Quite Lost: Travels Without a Sense of Direction" by Roz Morris

I love memoirs that employ humor, those that revolve around travel, and those that feature spooky historical houses. Author Roz Morris manages to combine all three in her memoir Not Quite Lost: Travels Without a Sense of Direction. Here’s a line from my review: The book is an enchanting mix of ghost stories, misty ruins of past glory, and the kindness of people who serve as unintended tour guides. Read the rest below or on Goodreads. Great job, Roz! ___ Roz Morris’ Not Quite

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Word Bliss Monday

Jul 9, 2022
1 min

Word Bliss Monday

I wouldn’t be a writer if I didn’t love — adore, caress, worship — words. The thesaurus and dictionary are easily my two favorite books. I love fun words like: — bumfuzzle (being confused) — fartlek (change between sprinting and jogging) — sozzled (being drunk) — bibliokept (person who steals books) New words added to the English language like: — chickie (term of endearment) — mentionitis (someone who repeatedly mentions something, particularly the name of a loved one) — next

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Book Review: "Prepare for Departure"

Jun 15, 2022
1 min

Book Review: "Prepare for Departure"

I just finished Mark Chesnut’s Prepare for Departure, a travel writer’s humorous, warm memoir of journeying with his mother to the end of her life, due out in July. Absolutely delightful! You can read my Goodreads review or find it below. This would definitely constitute a lovely summer read! ___ Prepare for Departure is a memoir as real, heartwarming and humorous as Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays With Morrie. Mark Chesnut offers a tour of life with his mother, a quirky, down-to-eart

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52 Reasons to be Blissful: Week 1

Jun 13, 2022
1 min

52 Reasons to be Blissful: Week 1

In celebration of the publication of my memoir, Bliss Road, next June by Vine Leaves Press, I'm starting to countdown the many reasons I have to be blissful. The first is that today is the my daughter’s birthday! She threatened to be born three weeks early, then decided to wait another 10 days. She’s been up to mischief ever since. We named her Ariela, which means “lioness of God.” The lioness has proved out! She’s a go-getter who loves her husband, dog and tackling challenge

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The Daddy Chronicles: A Memoir in Flash

Apr 27, 2022
1 min

The Daddy Chronicles: A Memoir in Flash

A friend of mine, Jayne Martin, is a master of flash writing, which is the art of depicting an entire story from start to finish in 100 words or less. A writer has to be on her game to pack an emotional punch within that word limit. It’s not surprising, then, that when she decided to write her own story, she chose do to so via flash writing. Her book, The Daddy Chronicles: Memoir of a Fatherless Daughter, was just published by Whiskey Tit Press. I just got my copy in the mail

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