PinnedMember-onlyI Thought I Was a Gifted StorytellerNow I know perspiration trumps inspiration — My first Moth performance — December 2021 — was a birthday challenge to myself. I enjoy listening to live storytelling and thought, “Hey, maybe I could do that!” The piece I told was my favorite story of wisdom gained as a first-year teacher. I had been advised by a veteran…Live Storytelling3 min readLive Storytelling3 min read
Published in Boomerangs·PinnedMember-onlyHow to Be a Perfect HusbandWith a little help from Elmo — My husband is always at least a step ahead of himself, thinking his next great thought instead of finishing what he is doing. For this reason, we have lots of conversations about turning off lights, closing cupboards, and locking doors. Last year I had him paying a dollar every time…Relationships1 min readRelationships1 min read
Published in The Bigger Picture·PinnedMember-onlyRole ReversalOur kids have begun parenting us — “Watch, Daddy!” “Amazing, buddy!” “Look at this, Mommy!” “That was so cool, honey!” The video is old and grainy but the emotions couldn’t be clearer. Kids are taking turns jumping off a diving board in creative ways, beaming as we cheer them on. Wasn’t it just moments ago I was…Family4 min readFamily4 min read
Published in About Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Cindy Shore SmithThe long and winding road to becoming a writer — My parents had more or less lost interest in child-rearing by the time I came along, a decade after they’d already had three kids. My mother was dramatic and unpredictable which left me a little scared of the world. The 40-Year Fib Did a secret ever eat at you for so long you couldn’t take it anymore? This is mine.medium.com If I had a less-than-idyllic childhood, I’ve probably had a happier-than-average…Life Lessons2 min readLife Lessons2 min read
Published in Crow’s Feet·PinnedMember-onlyThe Reluctant HomeownerWhy Can’t I Live in a Nice House Without Responsibility? — “This problem is the result of temperature changes and the soil you have here,” he said, pointing at the gap that had opened between the house and the porch, “I’d be willing to bet your foundation issues are extensive.” Extensive is contractor-speak for expensive. Silly us, carelessly leaving our house…Home4 min readHome4 min read
Published in Inspired Writer·Mar 1Member-onlyAt the Grownup Storytellers’ TableFirst Moth Grand Slam in the Books — I had won a Moth Story Slam, I reminded myself, and had just as much right to be at this Grand Slam as the others. But sitting backstage reading their bios, I began to drown in a wave of self-doubt. I had gone into my first Story Slam with no…The Moth4 min readThe Moth4 min read
Published in The Haven·Jan 6Member-onlyScroll on ByA much-needed parody of Dionne Warwick’s “Walk on By” — If you don’t like what she has to say You possess the means to send her away Scroll on by Scroll on by Make believe That you’ve got more to do Than show you’re peeved A sigh and an eyeroll will do it Need not verbalize Scroll on by (don’t…Internet2 min readInternet2 min read
Published in The Haven·Aug 22, 2022Member-onlyBack-to-School HaikusPoetic stories in those red brick buildings — Bus Driver Road warrior vet Naughty kids always throw trash But phones bring quiet Fresh From College Brand new teacher dreams She’ll be the most fun ever But she will soon learn Education Pro Retirement this year Young teachers see dinosaur But she keeps order Sixth Grade Excitement Middle school at last Lockers, dances, sports tryouts What’s algebra though?School1 min readSchool1 min read
Published in Crow’s Feet·Aug 15, 2022Member-onlyNo Boys AllowedNew Facebook Group Just For “Ladies of a Certain Age” The first thing that attracted me to The Ethel was the tagline — For Women Who Weren’t Born Yesterday. An offshoot of AARP, The Ethel is a weekly online publication that offers articles of interest to older women. Common topics…Women2 min readWomen2 min read
Published in Crow’s Feet·Aug 10, 2022Member-onlyWill Artificial Intelligence Replace Writers?Who knows? But it’s a fun tool! — I’ve recently discovered Open AI Playground, where you can ask a computer to write a poem or story and it appears within moments. There is a lot of discussion about what this will do for the future of writing but most experts agree it will be a long time before…Artificial Intelligence2 min readArtificial Intelligence2 min read
