A Mother's Day Gift to Myself #mothersday #mothers #estrangement open.substack.com/pub/storycir...

The Hottest Mother’s Day Getaway is a Retreat for Estranged Mothers Mother's Day is right around the corner—so says Hallmark, the florists, and the restuarants that serve brunch. For years it has been a day for me to ignore, like most holidays, while treating myself well; a hike in nature, or a…

Recommended Books to Read Two writer friends have forthcoming books. It is an honor to be on their book launch team and have read an advanced reading copy. I highly recommend both books.  Jacque Gorelick's book, Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Finding the Way Home, will be available…

Did you make your calls today? You don’t need a script, just speak for 30 seconds from your heart. Tell them what you want them to do about it. Call even (especially) if you think they’re too MAGA to care. ❤️

What is Your Lifesaver? Today is the first day in weeks that I don't have anything on my calendar. It's been good, it's been busy and full of ups and downs. On top of dog/house sitting, I took on a dog walking gig for a couple of weeks (and it was icy as hell every day on that dog walk), several…

Writing in lists, an essay was born Back in 2020, when the world shut down, my writing group met via Zoom every Tuesday to write autobiography in lists. Each week, we had prompts to pick and choose from.  I was surprised by where the list prompts led me. Unusual things about me compared to most…

Thank you, Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, for publishing my essay. @deadmule.bsky.social deadmule.com/frances-scot...

Northern lights in Missoula tonight. #northernlights

I love this flash essay by Kristina Patterson via @short-reads.org. www.short-reads.org/kissings/

There is a lot to miss about my friend, Susan. But she died on her own terms. @longreads.com @huffpost.com #dying #deathwithdignity #friends #writing www.huffpost.com/entry/friend...

My friend, Susan, had a twisted sense of humor and I miss her. #dying #cancer #deathwithdignity @huffpost.com @noahmichelson.bsky.social www.huffpost.com/entry/friend...

My essay captures a small part of the complicated dynamics of family estrangement. #family #etrangement A parent experiences cutoff. maggiefrankhsu.substack.com/p/a-parent-e...

A few of my favorite things: reading, writing and dogs.

Hard at work! @janefriedman.com

Laughing helps fuckitfrances.blog/2025/05/06/e...

The answer is write more, unfortunately

I've been cussing more than usual. It helps. I recommend it.

My afternoon reading buddy.

It's been 2 years since I was treated for anal cancer. It wasn't a hemorrhoid! My essay at @nextavenue.bsky.social shares symptoms and more. Today is anal awareness day. www.nextavenue.org/anal-cancer-...

Caring for these three this week. They insist I get up from writing and take them for a walk, feed them, pet them or play ball. How can resist?

Happy to be in Sari Botton's Memoir Monday. Check out The Warmth of Dogs and other essays in Memoir Monday. #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity

My little essay, The Warmth of Dogs, is out. You may read it at Bright Flash Literary Review. #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub brightflash1000.com/2025/03/03/t...

Dogs and kids, my two favorite living things.

Bright Flash Literary Review accepted my essay! It's coming out in March. Ollie, one of my dog sitting clients is a main character.

Happy pub day to @caseymulliganwalsh.bsky.social She writes beautifully of loss, resilience and hope. #writingcommunity bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

My writing companion this week. He only demands belly rubs.

Is it Saturday or Caturday? It's time to tidy up my desk. #writingcommunity

Good morning from my writing support group. They are here to support you too. #writingcommuntiy #5amwritersclub

Thursdays are becoming my do something for yourself day. Today it's yoga class, massage then a theater performance tonight. Do you have a do something for yourself day or days? #writingcommunity

Let's stick together, build community, tell stories. #writingcommunity

I love a snowy night

Do you prefer rants or raves? "I love it when drivers park within the parking lines or parallel park efficiently." OR "What a stupid, f**king asshole taking up two parking spaces."

I love the quiet mornings, the lights and shadows in the old hotel where I live.

The name Anita Bryant is synonymous with homophobic vitriol, may she rot down there. She did give us a good corny joke during our youth, "If Anita Bryant married Moby Dick, what would be her married name?!

Do you know anyone dealing with family estrangement? #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #estrangement fuckitfrances.blog/2025/01/03/i...

Cat at the head, dog at the feet, laptop in the middle. I feel so supported in my writing today! #writingcommunity

Night night see y’all next year.

Writing, then to store for a ham hock. This Mississippi girl has to have her black eyed peas for good luck. #writingcommuntiy #5amwritersclub

@rebeccamorrison.bsky.social Hugh Grant has the best solution to leaf blowers and I concur. I thought of you immediately. @latenightseth.bsky.social www.instagram.com/latenightset...

The cat I’m pet sitting for! Maybe she doesn’t want Keira to smoke.

The best gift from my book proposal editor. "Your two sample chapters are EXCELLENT! They're tight, well-written, flow smoothly, really engage the reader making them want to read on to find out what happens. And for what it's worth, they're also heartbreaking." #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub

Rosy wishing you a peaceful holiday. May it be filled with walks, treats and some writing time. #writingcommunity

Pet sitting for sweet Rosy over the holidays. She's a great writing companion. Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain/poodle) #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #dogs

Here's the segment of the @pbsnews.bsky.social weekend news hours I was interviewed for. Not a subject I ever imagined I'd be talking about and wish I wasn't, fractured families. #writingcommuntiy #5amwritersclub #estrangement www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aZ...

Finally saw Wicked last night. I can not get it out of my mind, how we cast out so much good in order to be right (perfect, powerful). Got me writing this morning. #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub

Today I'm making a 2025 calendar that will only be for writing time, writing classes, submissions, deadlines. It's the writing calendar. I'm a little too excited. #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub

Waking up to this handsome face, my pet sitting client, Koda. Our agenda for the day: breakfast, a walk, write, hike, read, dinner. #dogs #writingcommunity