Just did a quick interview about websites and self-publishing with Francesca Rhiannon, whose terrific Writer's Voice radio show is produced at UMass Amherst, and syndicated around the country.

If you're in business or on the job anywhere, it pays to think about how to get yourself out there in the media--and that means not just online, but in the so-called "old media," radio and newspapers and magazines. (In fact, we've received our best traffic on days when we've been in the local newspaper. So go figure.)

by Katherine Mayfield

I love my  trusty Muck Boots (in classic English gardener green) because they're warm, fit well, and suit me fine for those winter days when I have to walk the final half-mile on my dirt road because things are just too icy/snowy/muddy to be passable.

Nick Nolte having a bad-hair night (among other problems) in L.A. in 2002.
Don't let this happen to you. (Police mugshot from  The Smoking Gun.)

One day, while innocently sitting with her phone in hand, my older sister Brenna received some news that would change her life. News that she was at first unable to grasp. News that she thought would change the course of history.

Mom was learning  to text.

Our family circle of sisters/nieces/granddaughters has been on email all day chewing over the latest development in the ongoing effort to keep our very own beloved 85-year-old Queen Mom up and running. As with many families, one sister is doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, and the rest of us try to do what we can--which, when you're far away, often isn't much. 

We were privileged yesterday to have several UMass journalism alumni back to campus to talk with students about careers. They included Eric Athas, who's a producer at washingtonpost.com, and Elisa Thomas, creative director for Jack Morton.

The young and savvy interns have set us up a Twitter channel, so if you are looking for more fun reads and connections, check it out.

Just search in the Find People window for Fiftyshift, and click "follow."

You'll find tweets (I know, I know), that might interest you from our friends and fellow fiftyshifting travelers.

Part Two of the "It's OK" series.

By Catherine Fisher

Brandon, 27,  who lives in Daphne, Alabama, suffers from multiple learning disorders, low speech ability, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder after his family lost their home in a fire. Last year, Brandon’s mother contacted artist Nancy Raia, who lives in nearby Fairhope, to see if she could possibly find a way to “get Brandon out of his shell.”