Essays & Columns
My newspaper columns appear in the Albany Times Union and other papers across the United States including: USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Tribune, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Baltimore Sun and more.
I also write one-time pieces for magazines like Cancer Today, Aging 55-Plus, and Renew Magazine.
I can also write your byline, help you write content for your newsletter or write opinion pieces for your cause.
Sample Columns & Essays
The Christian challenge to find Jesus through the fog
You might think that on Christmas Day it wouldn’t be hard to talk about Jesus. But I get a little nervous just bringing mentioning him. I know that’s sad, but I get anxious because I’m a pretty left-leaning liberal Democrat and I think that I will immediately have to...
When envy unsettles us in a season of thanks
The day after Thanksgiving a friend texted me, “I need to talk.” I called her back. “I feel envy,” she said, “and it’s gross; I’m envious of someone’s house.” She had been a guest for dinner the day before and envy attacked. Now, my friend has a very nice house but I...
Be kind and show our real, imperfect faces
Photo by Riho Kitagawa on Unsplash A few months ago, I went on a spiritual retreat and on the first night the leader read Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” This Old Testament verse, is almost a mindfulness mantra now. But then, she went on to say, in...
The sheer marvel of flying still exhilarates
Like you, I’ve missed so many things during this pandemic: seeing friends, going shopping and dining out. But the thing I missed most is flying. Twice we had to postpone our trip to London, and we wondered when we’d get to make a hometown trip to Pittsburgh. The loss...
Women, age fiercely and full of life
I heard someone say it again today, “I just want to age gracefully.” And I lost it. What I lost — at long last — was my belief in this crazy idea that aging could be graceful. For just one minute I want to take up the other side of this madness: Aging is not, and...
Death ends a life, yes, but the relationship lives on
A t some point on Christmas morning the telephone rings and I always think happily, “Oh that’s Lar calling to say Merry Christmas.” That was our habit for all those years after we left home. Then, rising from chair or bed to grab the phone, I drop my hand. This cannot...
More Writing
Out of the Woods
A place for women in recovery to read–and think–about longterm recovery and a life of joyous sobriety.
Love in the Time of Cancer
If you have a loved one with cancer or if you are having a love affair with cancer—join me here.
Work with Diane
I am here to help you to achieve your spiritual, creative or professional goals. It might be a combination. It often is! Let’s talk about what you’d like to change and where you’d like to grow, and see if I can help.