“Don’t call me Karen; I haven’t earned that honor.” M. M. Kiehn juxtaposes fond memories of a departed friend against cultural stereotypes, drawing attention to the empty use of stigmatized names.

“Do you ever have one of those days?”—M. M. Kiehn. Ramen Noodle Days explores recentering doldrum days into thoughtful acceptance of things that cannot be ignored. Enjoy the good, the fruitful, the edifying. For everything else, try ramen.

“Elvis! We love you! You are the King!” — The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King is a commemorative piece by M. M. Kiehn that reflects on an anniversary road trip to Memphis, bringing together a cast of characters—both known and unknown—to paint a picture of an iconic city and an oft-misunderstood life.

“This is not the end, this is just the beginning…” After a short respite to celebrate life, family, and loved ones, M. M. Kiehn’s beloved blog returns with a look at the last few months; ending old stories and beginning the new. Also enjoy a Strawberry Cake recipe!

“The duplex next door had been vacant for almost a year. The lower flat was still empty. Then last September a car and a van came and went for about a week. The car eventually stayed. A few months ago she had seen a youngish woman, slender with long blonde hair, leave from the front door of the upper flat. Other than that she only saw the child come and go on school mornings.” Window View is a short story that centers around an unexpected kinship between an elderly woman and a little girl. And reminds us of how precious life is.

“When I rode the subway in New York City for the first time, I was struck by the realization that every life has a story, each person is a main character in an unfolding tale.” People Around Us is a look at M. M. Kiehn’s first ever short story, Invisible, about a delivery man with a dream and an unexpected package on his route.

“Looking back on the passionate love my parents shared, the idea of romance, from its ancient roots through its long journey to each of its meanings, entails more than mere attraction or even the acquisition of the ideal mate.” M. M. Kiehn. Light a few candles, pour a glass of red, play some Dooley Wilson “for old time’s sake,” and enjoy a look at the history of Romance.

“January annually arrives with good intentions. I have heard they are used to pave the road to the hot place, but every year they end up on my front doorstep, usually covered in snow. We confer a lofty title upon these frail creatures: resolutions.”—M. M. Kiehn. Ever Green is a look at how a new year is not just about revitalizing the body but the mind as well. Additionally, enjoy a recipe for Parmesan Risotto with Toasted Slivered Almonds and Spinach.

“But memories, I have learned, in this year of pain and epiphany, do not die. They live in me, in who I am and all I give. The challenge for the future will be to put them to best use, in the making of new remembrances, the learning of lessons yet to be.”—Hold Fast That Which Is Good explores—thrifts!—the end of 2020 to seek what could be brought forward and what can be left behind.

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may flow eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” —Agnes Pharo. In Of Ghosts and Angels, M. M. Kiehn reflects on the holiday season of 2020 and reminds us all that Christmas is the spirit of giving, most especially in these challenging times, even as we long for future seasons surrounded by loved ones.

“Growing old gracefully used to mean acceptance of the attenuating physical transition, recognizing its synchronicity with wisdom arising from lifelong experience. Today it means botox.”—A Beautiful Paradigm, M. M. Kiehn. On the eve of her birthday, M. M. Kiehn reflects on how the word beauty functions in modern culture and how, if we look more deeply into its definitions, we can see opportunities for perspective shift.

“These random observations crowded into the end of a busy line of thoughts in her head, that had stretched all the way around the corner of her brain, and seemed to grow longer as the night wore on. Her tired mind had tiptoed along the edge of slumber, even wading in a few times, but never taking the plunge into deep, restful sleep.”—Collateral Damage, First Look. A seemingly normal morning takes an ugly turn in this First Look prologue to M. M. Kiehn’s forthcoming novel, Collateral Damage.

“Do any of them, as I do, envy the leaves their freedom to waltz down the street, carefree, while the wind plays in the trees? We see the world outside growing colder in other ways. We turn inward, longing for comfort.” —Comfort Food for Thought. What food warms you? Brings you peace of mind and comfort? A new blog by M.M. Kiehn takes a look at how the changing season brings with it a desire for the comfort of food—and how the global pandemic has impacted our experience of these simple indulgences.

“A red leather jacket for nothing. An antique Limoges platter for pennies. A classic navy blazer from the fashion design firm where my mother once worked-priceless. All great finds on my thrifting quests.

But what about the flip side of thrifting? The giving away of things I no longer need or use but which still have wear, utility, and purpose in them for someone else.” — The Flip Side

“The blessing of my people goes with you also.” —Memory Stones takes readers on a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Sometimes, our plans get rerouted—and sometimes the new path takes us exactly where we need to be.

Vintage. It is a term appropriate to this singular year, since, as a word, it is a fine wine of complex meanings, of many-layered usage. In its earliest incarnation it derived its substance from the grapevines of its origin: A season’s yield of grapes or wine from a vineyard; wine as from a specific type, region, and year. As the word matured in its original cask, its meanings developed to reveal many layers.

“And so, dearest Emma, rejoice in the fact that you have crafted a promising first draft, just as that texture in your hand, that taste of sampled dough tells you the resulting crust will be flaky, tender perfection.”—An open letter to an anonymous “Emma,” The Pi(e) of Editing showcases the similarities of preparing a draft and editing a manuscript to the process of making a homemade pie.

“My season of transition began before I realized it. By the time I was aware, winter’s interlude of dormancy and reflection had nearly passed.”— A Dream for all Seasons is a hopeful cry in a time a despair; a dreamer on a intercept course with serendipity in an unlikely place. Change of Place, Change of Pace, Change of Perspective.