More Moments in Montclair
More Moments in Montclair
My older brother, Todd, wrote a book one year and gave it to the family for Christmas. It is a treasure. A small, unassuming book titled Moments in Montclair, it lists…
Added by Susan Pohlman on July 23, 2012 at 6:54pm —
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I dedicate this post to my sister-in-law, Mary Lou, who has urged me to publish it for two years now in hopes of buoying the spirits of thousands of hard working Americans that have suffered as a result of our failing economy. Now that my family has moved successfully through this unexpected and painful chapter, I am emotionally able to give this essay some well earned wings. Please feel free…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on September 29, 2011 at 10:41am —
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Added by Susan Pohlman on December 28, 2010 at 9:13am —
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Today’s shout out of gratitude goes to my critique group. I happened upon a dynamic group of writers from Wise Women…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on December 9, 2010 at 8:15am —
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A friend of mine,
The Scottsdale Fashionista, does a post each day called “Today’s Little Bit of Lovely”. Because I love it, I am going to do her the great homage of stealing the title (just for one day…don’t worry, Karen!) because it captures the essence of risseu, the centuries old art of stone mosaic found throughout Liguria.
I stumbled upon risseu, quite literally,…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on December 1, 2010 at 6:41pm —
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I had no idea, as I was slogging my way through a variety of drafts, that writing a book was the easy part. Marketing the book is a different animal altogether, and I was unprepared as I did not come from a business background. Ask me about how to run a classroom and cajole seventy eighth graders into writing and public speaking and I can talk your ear off for days. Marketing a book? Well, I know now.
This Thankful Thursday goes out…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on November 18, 2010 at 8:51am —
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For the rest of my life the phrase “Saturday from 1-3″ will hold a tender significance. Some authors loathe bookstore signings. They warned me that they can be lonely places that do nothing but reinforce your deep fear that nobody really cares about your book.
“Bookstore events are a thing of the past,” they’d say. “The sale of a few books is not worth your time and travel expenses. Use the internet. It’s cheaper and reaches a larger audience.”
Perhaps there is truth to…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on November 15, 2010 at 11:48am —
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I have come to understand the importance of color to the soul. I had always decorated our houses in tasteful neutrals and creams with accent colors to liven things up. The calm beauty of it, the reflection of magazine pages on how to achieve elegance in the home, felt safe. Deciding to put sailor blue tile in the kids’ bathroom was a walk on the wild side, but I was careful to balance it with white.
Over time, the lack of color…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on November 5, 2010 at 9:39am —
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I am not a photographer. I know nothing of that particular art. However, I could barely take three steps in a row in Liguria without being overcome with the sheer loveliness of it all.
This is just your basic storefront. (I know. Not as eye-catching as the local Safeway or Albertson’s around here, though I do give Fry’s some credit for clustering baskets of mums together next to the employee break bench near the front door.) We passed…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 26, 2010 at 9:44am —
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Scenes such as this captured my heart. Laundry raised to an artform.
Early on, however, we noticed something mysterious.
In this lovely land of tomato sauce and pesto, we never spied one stain. Not a smudge! So, because we are a family that loves to play games, it became a contest. Who would be the first to…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 21, 2010 at 8:00am —
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When Tim and I were tossing around the absurd idea of moving to another country, I remember saying to him, “If there is an American International School in the area, I will consider it.” As luck, or Divine Providence, would have it there was one a few towns away. After an afternoon of searching (which involved a pool boy, a sweaty-palmed train ride, a panic-filled trek through downtown Genoa, a bevy of helpful bank employees with an English…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 20, 2010 at 3:35pm —
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A few yards to the right of the front door of our apartment building we found this secret stairway descending into town. Sure, I could have walked along the winding, narrow paved roads that snaked down the hillside, but the stairs held a mystery. Like the soothing, protective notes from Orpheus’ lyre, the orange trumpet flowers called to me.
At middle age, I needed this secret passageway to somewhere good. I needed to walk to…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 18, 2010 at 9:12am —
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When the realtor showed us the furnished apartment, this was the view though the front windows. Not a view to take lightly, it, quite literally, made my knees knock and mouth go dry. As I stepped out onto the narrow balcony and inhaled the sweet and salty air of Liguria, I knew we would sign that lease. My husband and I would take our sorry selves and turn a corner together. We would begin to look at life anew. A life with a horizon where…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 15, 2010 at 8:21am —
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Ciao amici! Many readers have been asking me to post some photos and share informal discussion about our days in Liguria. Today I am starting a new category aptly titled ”Our Days in Liguria” with the hopes that you can capture some of the wonder and magic for yourself. Let’s start at the beginning!
Our life took a left turn right here on these two, lounge chairs on the edge of the property of the Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on October 14, 2010 at 12:11pm —
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The Italians don't decorate their doors the way Americans do!
The flower shop down by the Port of Nervi was a sea of color undulating in the salty October air. Its outdoor pavilion overflowed with giant chrysanthemums in gold, rust, and deep maroon. I have always loved mums in the Fall. They signified the passing of summer and the onset of cooler days and frosty nights. The florist and her two daughters helped me pick out two yellow plants that were so bushy and…
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Added by Susan Pohlman on September 28, 2010 at 7:57am —
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More Moments in Montclair
More Moments in Montclair
My older brother, Todd, wrote a book one year and gave it to the family for Christmas. It is a treasure. A small, unassuming book titled Moment…
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