One day I woke up and knew I just couldn’t keep stringing words together week after week after week. How does it feel to stop doing something that has kept your creative juices flowing for over thirty years? Can I still consider myself a writer if I’m not writing? Who would I be? What would Continue reading
Author: Iris Ruth Pastor
Iris Ruth Pastor Wins Prestigious Award, Announced at 2018 Florida Writers Association Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (October 22, 2018: Tampa, FL.) The Florida Writers Association, Inc., (FWA) has announced that Iris Ruth Pastor of Tampa, FL won a prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award (RPLA). Iris’s winning entry, “The Secret Life of a Weight Obsessed Woman”, won Second Place for Memoir. The award was announced at FWA’s recent four-day annual conference in Altamonte Springs, Florida. “This is the most competitive RPLA we’ve ever had,” said Chris Coward, RPLA Continue reading
I’m Taking a Break
Well I had such a darn good time on my “Running Away from Home” trip that I decided to “run away” again. With my husband this time. The first stop is a tough one. We’ll be spending July in Cincinnati, Ohio – our hometown – for the first time without my mom there – and Continue reading
Looking Fabulous at Any Age
I went to see a very well-respected plastic surgeon over the winter because I, like the late Nora Ephron, “felt bad about my neck.” He told me that for $13,000 not only could he make my neck look like I was ten to fifteen years younger, but my whole face – from the skin under Continue reading
Calamity on the Road
I left Savannah Sunday morning heading for Beaufort, North Carolina, with everything going exactly according to my plan. I should have known that wouldn’t last. The first challenge occurred after eating a leisurely lunch of shrimp and grits – kind of an interesting combination. And after I impulsively buy a floral-patterned pair of linen pants. Continue reading
My Solo Road Trip
At age 70, I’m taking off on a solo road trip up the coast from Florida to New York. I set my car’s mileage tracker back to zero and pull out of my driveway as planned at 8am sharp eight days ago, Thursday, June 7. Waves of pure joy and images of unbounded freedom wash Continue reading
I’m Running Away From Home
I know it’s only been a couple of weeks since my last newsletter, but I miss the connection. I caved. I gave-in to impulsivity. I happily went back to letting my fingers fly all over the keyboard – churning out thoughts and gleanings. So what have I been up to since we last communicated? Quite Continue reading
I’m Tired
My friend Marlyn died eight days ago. Something invaded her body like a raging out of control fire, whizzing through dry timber. She was seventy-three. Within hours, her son posted on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I mention the passing of my mother, Marlyn Weinstein. She lived a full and happy Continue reading
Happier Times Are Here
It All Starts With Good Health Intentions It’s been an angst filled time in my life – compounded losses have abounded. I take stock: I’ve gained weight (I’m not one of those people who lose weight when stressed – I turn to wine and sugar to relieve my anxiety). My jeans are tight. My Sciatica Continue reading
How Have You Healed After a Loss?
My mother has been gone eight weeks. Her kitchen cabinets are still fairly well stocked, but I noticed when I went to refill the salt shaker she was out of salt. And the three packages of Pepperidge Farm shortbread cookies that were always tucked away in the small pantry were eaten days ago. By and Continue reading