This past weekend I wrote my brother’s obituary. An obituary that he never would have wanted, but that we needed. This follows the personal tribute I wrote, which was more about what he meant to my life . Writing is always hard. But writing the summary of someone’s life, particularly when you are dealing withContinue reading “A life in 640 words”
Tag Archives: karina coombs
A study of cozy
This is my dog. This is my bed. And this is why I cannot get up in the morning.
12
When I first started this blog and was trying to figure out what I’d fill it with (still working on that), I briefly thought of making it parenting-related since that’s been the major focus of my life for the past 12 years. But then I started thinking that the stories of my kids weren’t reallyContinue reading “12”
Printed, matted, and framed
I hadn’t stopped to think how big 12″x18″ would really be when I placed a printing order last week for two of my photographs. Now that they are matted and framed, however, I’m pleasantly surprised to see that they’ve taken up the entire gallery wall outside of my studio. There are probably upwards of 45,000 digital images on my computer.Continue reading “Printed, matted, and framed”
All politics is local
When I moved back to Massachusetts nearly five years ago, I discovered volunteerism. I was 42 and had somehow made it that far in life without anyone ever asking me to be directly involved in a cause or an organization. I don’t know what that says about me, but I think that sometimes it’s best not to ruminateContinue reading “All politics is local”
A writing studio
Last week I signed the lease on a 285 square foot art studio on the third floor of a refurbished mill building in Lowell. I move into my new writing space on April 1. Perhaps the joke is on me. The idea of renting a studio for writing came out of nowhere. One day I remembered the building fromContinue reading “A writing studio”
Nature vs Nurture
I have a complicated relationship with nature, particularly as it relates to my home and, in particular, because I’m a homebody.
The City of Spindles
Sometimes when you live near history, you take it for granted. I was reminded of that during February vacation when I took the kids to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Lowell. Growing up in Massachusetts, I was aware of the various mills in the state and the company towns that formed around them. It’s also hard toContinue reading “The City of Spindles”
A night in Salem
Other than a handful of news and feature articles and the occasional freelance job, my writing production has flatlined. There are a few things rattling around the inside of my head–an essay here, a short story there–but nothing that makes me want to carve out some time to write for hours. The inspiration just hasn’tContinue reading “A night in Salem”
A grand adventure with The Brass Sisters, before they come to Carlisle
by Karina Coombs “I dedicated my waist to the first cookbook. I dedicated my hips to the second cookbook and I added a chin from Baking with the Brass Sisters,” says Marilynn Brass of her newest cookbook co-authored with sister, Sheila Brass. The Brass Sisters, as they are known, are the authors of three acclaimed cookbooksContinue reading “A grand adventure with The Brass Sisters, before they come to Carlisle”
Women Who Will
I stayed up as long as I could this morning, but in the end I made myself go to sleep knowing what we would all learn eventually and trying to figure out a way to explain this to my daughters. They went to sleep thinking they would wake up to a bold new day: theContinue reading “Women Who Will”
Pineapples
[NOTE: My kids and I started a summer writing challenge: using a word or general theme to create some piece of writing each week. My 10-year-old suggested, “pineapple” and the following is my contribution.] Wendy didn’t remember when it started. She only knew the story, one that her family liked to tell to just aboutContinue reading “Pineapples”
Jeff Bauman: A picture of resilience
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Bauman about his book, Stronger. My feature article can be found here. Full Article from the Carlisle Mosquito Jeff Bauman – A picture of resilience by Karina Coombs As the world learned of the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013, a photo of Chelmsford native JeffContinue reading “Jeff Bauman: A picture of resilience”
Counting to zero, one kilowatt at a time
My newest feature article. We’ve already started making the switch to LEDs in our house thanks to this: http://carlislemosquito.org/index.php/news/28683 Counting to zero, one kilowatt at a time by Karina Coombs Residential electric rates have doubled since 1990, with the biggest increases in just the past ten years. In November, citing the rising cost of natural gasContinue reading “Counting to zero, one kilowatt at a time”
Walden Pond
A great thing about living next to Concord (Massachusetts) is nonchalantly getting to take out-of-town visitors – with literary inclinations – to some pretty great local attractions. On an unseasonably warm and sunny Monday, we made an outing to Walden Pond and hiked the trail around the pond to find the original site of Henry DavidContinue reading “Walden Pond”
What is old is new again (to me, anyway)
For someone who thinks she is fairly aware of trends – and is clearly wrong about this fact – I can’t believe I wasn’t aware of terrarium fever until this past July. It was a visit to a local garden store with a little money and time to kill that first brought them to myContinue reading “What is old is new again (to me, anyway)”
Karina Coombs 