Author Archives: evagankiewiczmerkel

Yeah, it’s been a while.  I thought that writing would be a nice little creative diversion after I left the world of full-time work and relocated.  Granted, I had a few moments of grand illusions that I could become a great influencer leading to who knows what.   In reality, it was fun to write aboutContinue reading “To Blog or Not to Blog”

One of the things I initially said I would blog about was food.  I haven’t given up on trying out new dishes.  In fact, trying to help a certain stem cell transplant patient gain some weight has made me even more focused on good, comforting, and healthy food. I’ve also found myself obsessed with feedingContinue reading “Feeding the hungry (and not so hungry)”

I’ve been compelled to do a lot of simplification lately.  While I’m not exactly sure what prompted it, it has been satisfying.  Maybe it was being in the presence of a Buddhist monk while he blessed the singing bowl I just purchased from him; maybe it’s a sense of impending death; or maybe I justContinue reading “Just disconnected, not dead”

Every so often, I come across wisdom that seems to stick.  “The Four Agreements” had been on my to-read list for a while (thanks to a very wise younger person) and, months after reading it, my mind takes me back to this Toltec guidance daily.  The message is simple; the work is hard. It startsContinue reading “The Four Agreements”

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  It’s simple.  At least in my life it has been a simple holiday.  No huge commercial hype.  No pressure to give or receive the perfect gift.  As someone who enjoys cooking and eating, what’s not to like?  It was the only holiday that I don’t remember my parentsContinue reading “On gratefulness and gratitude”

A recent Farnam Street Brain Food newsletter shared this story: Two friends discuss their dreams. One describes starting a business, solving a problem mid-conversation, and immediately making a call. The other talks about a novel they’ve been “writing” for years but never seem to make progress on.  Build, don’t babble. It hit home because, atContinue reading “Build, don’t babble”

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Infirmary, back in the day, was run by Sister Mary Coricidin.  Of course, that wasn’t her real name, but that’s what we all called her.  I needed Sister Mary Coricidin this past week. There are certain experiences that, when reflected upon, give you some comfort.  My Junior/Senior year, as the fallContinue reading “Sister Mary Coricidin”

This commentary started with a quote that caught my attention: “We don’t want so much to see a female Einstein become an assistant professor.  We want a woman schlemiel to get promoted as quickly as a male schlemiel.”   ~Bella Abzug I sat on it for a while.  How often can you work “schlemiel” into yourContinue reading “Do more, wear less”

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”    Dale Carnegie I’ve been holding on to this quote for a while.  I can’t remember if I was happy or unhappy when I first readContinue reading “Whatcha thinkin’?”