I’m No Superstar

I’m No Superstar is a blog for people like me who want to make a difference in the world but know they aren’t activists. Each post contains a social action idea that most of us could do, a book that’s worth reading, or a link to a website that offers other ideas. Oh, and it’s all introduced by a sometimes quirky story from my life.

Hold onto Hope

“After spending 27 years in prison …” began the  article on Nelson Mandela’s death. And I couldn’t get past that point. Twenty-seven years in prison. Twenty-seven years of being sidelined. Twenty-seven years to pass from young man to old man. Twenty-seven years to watch others lead. Twenty-seven years to see your world revolve from bad

Poverty’s Grubby Fingers

Last Monday I quoted our elementary school principal as saying that “the best predictor of if a child will drop out of high school or not, is if they are reading at grade level by third grade.” I want the students I tutor to succeed, so this article by David Sirota’s opinion caught my eye:

The School of Love

I’m in love. Don’t worry; Les is okay with it. See, he is in love too. No, I’m not talking about being in love with each other (although we are, just so no rumors start). About six weeks ago we began volunteering at a local elementary school. During the summer, I went in and talked

Give Extraordinarily!

Friday, November 22, is a big day in Lancaster County! It’s the  second annual Extraordinary Give (#giveextraordinary) sponsored by the Lancaster County Community Foundation. The foundation puts up a financial pie of $250,000, and 250 community organizations get a piece of the pie proportionate to the funds they raise in this one day through the Extraordinary

Can You Help Revive the Underground Railroad?

“There are more slaves in the world today than in four centuries of the African slave trade.” Last week my husband Les and I had the opportunity to attend the “All Aboard! Celebration” of North Star Initiative, an organization looking to free slaves caught in sex trafficking. Their desire is to revive the Underground Railroad

Your Turn: Share How You Share in This Season

Are you bemoaning the Christmas decorations and carols and commercials that have already overrun the idea of Thanksgiving? I have to admit that when I saw Christmas decor for sale in Costco in August, I was appalled. But now I am embracing the season and even seeing how it fits with my idea of Thanksgiving.

How Do You Deal with Abundance?

Back in the late ’80s, I had the opportunity to travel to the Orient as a buyer for Macy’s. (Do they even call it “the Orient” anymore? Is that culturally insensitive?) About six months before my arrival in Manila, dictator Ferdinand Marcos had been overthrown. Tours were being given of his opulent palace, and I

Death of Words—Suicide Silence

“There are no words.” I wrote that in the card to friends whose 17-year-old son had committed suicide. “There are no words,” his sister said at his service as she, a writer, a weaver of words, attempted to eulogize her brother. There are no words to describe the unending physical and emotional maladies he had

Show Those Toes or Not

Last week my dear friend Margie treated me to a pedicure. I never wear sandals because my feet are always cold. But my toes looked so nice that I was tempted to wear them on Sunday. (In the end, I couldn’t; so I wore salmon-colored shoes instead.) At the dermatologist’s office today, the nurse told me

 

Have Carol Speak For Your Group

An accomplished and flexible speaker, Carol tailors her topics to fit the theme and timeframes of your meeting, conference, seminar or retreat.