NancyProofed

Happy Year of the Horse!

Happy Groundhog Day! Groundhog Day marks the anniversary of our parents' engagement, and even though they are gone, we make sure to remember them and celebrate it. Punxutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter--which we will somehow find a way to celebrate... Stay warm, friends!

It's Library Shelfie Day! My top shelf perfectly presents my purpose and passion: proofreading and plays! How about yours?

Celebration of Life Day reminds me of the wonderful Kim Bowers-Rheay Baran who always exhorted us to "Celebrate Life!" On a literary note, it brings to mind "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver, which closes: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" May we all find a way.

If you didn’t grow up with my dad in Eastchester, NY, and you’re not a guest star on THE SOPRANOS, when do you use “good” and when do you use “well”? The answer is more nuanced than one might think. On the Nancyproofed blog: https://www.nancyproofed.com/blog

Happy Clean Off Your Desk Day. This desk IS cleaned off.

A favorite Atlanta memory is attending the Three Kings Day ceremonies at the Mexican Consulate. While considered a sacred holiday (Epiphany), it is also one filled with fun and full piñatas waiting to be cracked open to splash candy and prizes for all!

Let's work to make 2026 work for us!

Today, I learned the history behind the British "Happy Christmas" vs the American "Merry Christmas" greeting. To the Victorian British, "happy" connotated contentment, a very proper state of being indeed, whereas "merry" was used to mean tipsy, a bit not so proper. Probably to contrast with the UK, America wrapped its arms around "Merry Christmas," with or without the spiked cup of cheer/eggnog/coquito/glug.
However you choose to celebrate the holiday season, I wish you blessings and contentment and joy and peace and all good things.

TEACHING IMPROV SKILLS looks wonderful under the tree--or next to a menorah or alongside a birthday card or with a "just because" hug or any way you can think of to gift an improv resource!

TEACHING IMPROV SKILLS makes a great holiday gift for any teacher, group leader, or creative person on your list. Find it on Amazon!

This past week, I had the privilege of leading an improv workshop with Deirdre Dempsey Flores, The Teen SLP, and her teen and young adults groups along with observers from Fairfield University. We listened for details in conversations, then followed up with requests for others to continue their story, borrowing the song lyric from the musical GREASE, "Tell me more, tell me more!" Magic happens when we begin by listening intently.