Category Archives: present tense

Present Tense with Laura Vanderkam

My friend Kathryn introduced me to Laura, because she thought Laura’s new book, 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, and the philosophy it evinces, would be of interest to me. In our very first exchange, Laura wrote: “I think one of the reasons people feel like they have less time than they [...]

Present Tense with Dani Shapiro

I think anyone who’s been reading this blog knows how profoundly touched I was by Devotion, Dani Shapiro’s memoir that came out this winter. I was very privileged to meet Dani at a couple of her readings this winter; she is everything in person that you’d imagine from her graceful, honest memoir, and more. Devotion [...]

Present Tense with Elizabeth from Clarity in the Chaos

Elizabeth. How to introduce Elizabeth? Even her blog title, Boy Crazy: Finding Clarity in the Chaos, could be the subtitle of my life (sans the three sons of course, though my one gives me a run for my money). Or, hell, the TITLE. Elizabeth writes lyrically about her day to day life with her three [...]

Present Tense with Jen Lee

Today I am delighted to welcome Jen Lee to Present Tense. Jen was one of the first bloggers I read regularly, and it is a distinct honor to have her words here in my humble space. Jen is a storyteller, a writer, a photographer, and, in my opinion, an all-around exemplar of a life thoughtfully [...]

Present Tense with Launa Schweizer

My older-and-wiser younger sister, Hilary, has always has the most brilliant friends. I’ve mostly watched them from afar, impressed by their intelligence and erudition. There always seemed to be conversations going on about stuff I could barely understand. I was thrilled when Hilary told me about her friend, Launa, who was moving to the South [...]

Present Tense with Gretchen Rubin

Today I am thrilled to bring you Present Tense with Gretchen Rubin, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book, The Happiness Project. Gretchen really needs no introduction. But, as you can see, she is a redhead. Which makes her automatically dear to my heart. Seriously, though, it is my honor to have Gretchen [...]

Present Tense with Taylor Wells

It is my honor to introduce the wonder woman I am featuring in today Present Tense conversation: Taylor Wells. Taylor and I met in August 2000 at a yoga retreat in Montana. It was a trip that changed her life in enormous ways, and I have had the privilege of watching those changes and of [...]

Present Tense. With Aidan Donnelley Rowley

Today is day four of Present Tense, an exploration of how various wonderful, wise women work to be more present in their daily lives.Today I bring you the unique perspective of Ivy League Insecurities’ Aidan Donnelley Rowley. Aidan is my first real blogger friend, and I’ve since had the privilege to meet her in person. [...]

Present Tense. With Danielle LaPorte

Today is day three of Present Tense, an exploration of how various wonderful, wise women work to be more present in their daily lives.It is my privilege to share with you today the words and insight of Danielle LaPorte. I bought Danielle’s book, Style Statement, when it came out, and I have been a devotee [...]

Present Tense. With Heather of the Extraordinary Ordinary.

Today is day two of Present Tense, an exploration of how various wonderful, wise women work to be more present in their daily lives. I am honored today to share the words of Heather of the Extraordinary Ordinary. Heather’s blog has become one of my most cherished. She truly does as the title says: she [...]