Some Reader Favorites Columns by Deirdre:
A Fifth Grade Chaperone's Tale
Spring Is Here - So Get to Work in the Yard
American Idol And The FluDeirdre has been on radio across the country as a repeat guest in major markets (and has filled in as a commercial-reader when needed), a television guest (she is known for starting many answers to a host's question with silence, followed by muttering "You didn't tell me you were going to ask that"), and has been a guest speaker in many different settings, from professional development seminars, to PTA groups, to random people at Dunkin' Donuts when she hasn't had a gig in awhile. She lives a great life just outside Boston, Massachusetts with her husband, three sons, two dogs, one cat, and a tortoise named Gary, who is the inspiration for many of her best works (according to Gary himself).
So, enjoy the site and all it has to offer, and join us here on these pages often!
"Sour D" in this clip live from the Middle East in Boston!
Deirdre's Music, Book and Film Favorites:
Recommended ipod Download:
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. Too many versions out there; stick with the
original that defies improvement.
Recommended CD: Raul Midon, Synthesis. I love this artist; go
ahead and purchase this one just on my say-so...I won't let you down.
Recommended Reading:
John Adams by David McCullough - this book is a must for anyone seeking
information on how the United States was actually begun, and by whom.
Fascinating, true look at John and Abigail Adams and what they endured in the
name of freedom from tyranny. Interesting fact: John Adams once travelled
on foot and by donkey through Spain to fulfill a post assigned to him by the
Continental Congress; this unbelievably long, cold, hard trip took three months
and he was a faithful diarist the whole trip, recording his thoughts and hopes
for the U.S.
Recommended Rental: Again, an oldie: From 1990 Men Don't Leave,
starring an amazing Jessica Lange as a new widow who moves to Baltimore to raise
her two sons and also to try to begin again - when she really doesn't want to.
One of the most touching, truthful movies ever filmed about families and their
strains and their strengths. A beautiful scene: a surprise hot-air balloon ride
for a woman in despair. Notable performance: Joan Cusack in one of her best
performances ever. Arliss Howard, Chris O'Donnell and Kathy Bates also star.
Favorite character: the sweet, observant, loving son Matthew, played by Charlie
Korsmo.
Quote for April:
"It ain't what they call you; it's what you answer to that counts." ~ W.
C. Fields