Note to readers: This essay is about illness, death, and dying. It was written for a writing class I’m taking because I’m still trying to process this information and needed to let it out. For those who’ve already read it and reached out, I’m sorry for posting this warning too late. I’m okay right now.Continue reading “A Numbers Game”
Tag Archives: writing
Trying something new
Because my spouse and I don’t really go in for Valentine’s Day (except for that one time when he – very out of character – proposed while I was suffering from a horrible steak-induced stomach ache), this year I decided to gift myself something that I’d wanted for a while. So, after weighing the prosContinue reading “Trying something new”
Kids, do you know what “triage” means?
It’s never a good sign when you realize that you’re more than halfway through the school year, but you’ve somehow gone off the rails. And you did so awhile back without noticing. Today is February 10, we only have about four months of school left, and I’m finally accepting that we are very behind. AsContinue reading “Kids, do you know what “triage” means?”
Tip your professor
I had a mentor before I even understood what a mentor was. I had a mentor before I even realized I was being mentored. What I did know was there was someone who saw something in me I could no longer see, if I ever had. She dreamed bigger dreams for me than I dreamedContinue reading “Tip your professor”
One burger, carnivorous style (Writing Prompt 1)
Writing Prompt 1: On a recent trip back from NYC, my 11 year old overheard the following while waiting in line at McDonald’s. “I’ll never look at a burger the same way again since what happened to Peter.” We decided to turn it into a 30 minute writing prompt. Below, is one of my veryContinue reading “One burger, carnivorous style (Writing Prompt 1)”
The way back
Yesterday, I took my 13 year old daughter to Plymouth for a history visit. The plan to see Plimoth Plantation was mentally scrapped at the halfway point of our 75 minute drive south. After all, we’d been there only a year before and on the same exact day. I know this because I was standingContinue reading “The way back”
Studio 301: An Introduction
In retrospect, it was probably for the best that my laptop’s WiFi connection didn’t work for most of the time I was at the studio on my first day. The absence of Twitter forced me out of my new hidey hole and I slowly discovered the environment of the third floor. First stop was the women’s bathroom where I admiredContinue reading “Studio 301: An Introduction”
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.
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”
HitchBOT visits Carlisle
After two plus months of summertime fun, I got back to work. Here’s my latest feature (also found here). (Photo by Tracy McArdle Brady) HitchBOT visits Carlisle and humans learn a lesson by Karina Coombs This past July, Tracy McArdle Brady and her family took part in a social experiment that was followed by fans,Continue reading “HitchBOT visits Carlisle”
Small business with big plans
My latest feature on a local entrepreneur can be found here. Full text below. Small business with big plans by Karina Coombs Caitlin O’Connor knows a lot about brand management thanks to her time at Proctor & Gamble (P&G). Countless hours spent driving her four children to various activities has also taught her a lotContinue reading “Small business with big plans”
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”
The Pact
She knew it was an unfair question the moment she opened her mouth. But it snuck out, accidentally or on purpose. “Promise me you’ll take care of your sister.” The urgency in her own voice was almost unrecognizable and she realized it was the first time she had admitted out loud that something was reallyContinue reading “The Pact”
Writer’s Brain
I have a really bad memory. This wasn’t always the case, but as I get older it gets worse and worse. Of course I remember all the horrible things that have happened to me over the years. That stuff never seems to go away except for maybe secondary school memories. I have nicely blocked outContinue reading “Writer’s Brain”
Ladies Who Lunch
I hate most social gatherings that involve casual acquaintances or strangers. Parties are awful and large school or work-related events are the worst. Dinner parties are at most tolerable because of the ability to sit and eat. Lunches? Hit or miss. The other day I was reminded why I’m probably not invited to a lotContinue reading “Ladies Who Lunch”
Suspending Belief
Recently my 5-year-old told me she no longer believed in flying reindeer. The conversation went something like this: E, “Reindeers can’t fly.” Me, “Well, maybe not all reindeer.” E, “Mama, you know no deer can fly.” Me, trying to think of something, “Okay, but maybe Santa uses some magic on just his reindeer to makeContinue reading “Suspending Belief”
Living in History
We have officially passed the one year mark in our Massachusetts house and have signed a lease for another 12 months. Not a week goes by where I don’t miss the relative luxury we lived in while in Northern Colorado, but it’s getting better. If Colorado was my fat pants in terms of mind-numbing comfortContinue reading “Living in History”
I’ve Got a Breaking Bad Habit
Breaking Bad as American Gothic by Milbo. I’ve gone on a full blown Netflix bender over the last few days, staying up to nearly 1 AM each morning in my attempt to squeeze every possible episode of Breaking Bad into the shortest amount of time possible. It’s a good thing I just gave the show aContinue reading “I’ve Got a Breaking Bad Habit”
Happy Birthday, PurelyPixel
This morning I received a WordPress notification that my blog was first registered one year ago today. 415 posts, over 6500 page views (only half of them from my mother), and about 200 non-Facebook followers is pretty shocking for a person that did not embrace having an online public persona, and still struggles with itContinue reading “Happy Birthday, PurelyPixel”
How to Make Friends and Write About People
During the year I write news articles with the occasional feature for a small local newspaper. I’ve been doing it for about 10 months and am learning a lot about myself as both a new writer and as a person. In terms of writing, I’ve discovered I really like writing feature stories and profiles, althoughContinue reading “How to Make Friends and Write About People”
Summertime Fun
This is the first July in many years that has truly felt like summer to me. Perhaps it’s because I’m now almost working and getting a break from my job makes me appreciate down time more than in years past. Or perhaps it’s because our kids are getting old enough that we can go outContinue reading “Summertime Fun”
Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten Karina, circa 1974 My youngest daughter had a screening for Kindergarten yesterday at the local school. The Pre-K and K wing of the school filled with teachers, specialists and other support staff mingling with appropriately apprehensive children and their proud well-heeled parents. I don’t know if it is a Massachusetts thing or just uniqueContinue reading “Kindergarten Readiness”
Out of the Mouth of Babes
Burlington, MA Mall Advertisement Ben and I went to the local mall yesterday to pick up some summer clothes for our almost 8 year old daughter: shorts, t-shirts, etc. Thankfully she could really care less about most clothing so long as it is cotton, has an elastic waist, and preferably contains an image of aContinue reading “Out of the Mouth of Babes”
Karina Coombs 