Ode to Ode Magazine

I got a call from a lawyer the other day. “How are you?” I said. “Better than you will be,” she replied. Turns out she was calling on behalf of Ode Magazine to tell me they could not afford to pay their bills and I would not be getting compensated for my contribution to their magazine. They wanted to be up front with me and with … Continue reading Ode to Ode Magazine

Cons Cashing In

Dave Dahl sits in the living room playing guitar and singing songs about justice and the lack of it.  He was in the slammer off and on for 15 years for dealing meth and assorted other felonies.  Now he is working and relishing his second chance.  Four years ago, Dave Dahl returned to the family bakery in Portland, Oregon and is the face and story … Continue reading Cons Cashing In

Kate’s Counterpane: An MS Journey

My friend, Kate Milliken, is one of the most dynamic young women I know.  She is beautiful, talented, energetic and the picture of health.  At least she was until 2006 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  It was a life altering blow but also an opportunity.  Recognizing there was a story in her journey she created Kate’s Counterpane which is a series of short … Continue reading Kate’s Counterpane: An MS Journey

Blair and the Balloon Boy

My 11 year old son, Blair, wanted to go to Cirque du Soleil this year, but because our schedules were so busy, we missed it.  Instead he went to the Balloon Boy media circus.  Because my husband was traveling and I was a single mom over the weekend I didn’t want to leave him at home while I was working 24/7 for NBC News.  Instead … Continue reading Blair and the Balloon Boy

Youth Sports: Enough Already

This very well written article is by a senior named Scott Martin at Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado.   In his guest commentary for the Denver Post he sums up the intense competition and pressures of youth sports and all the things adults do to take the fun out of it.  As the mother of an athlete I think he hits the ball out … Continue reading Youth Sports: Enough Already

Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize

My reaction to the announcement this morning about President Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize was pleasant surprise.  Before I could even process the magnitude of the announcement KHOW’s conservative talk show host Peter Boyles began blabbering about how he was nominated on February 1 and it was just days after his inauguration and he hasn’t accomplished anything yet and what where they thinking, blah, blah, … Continue reading Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize

Juliette’s Acid Attack

Acid attacks are a brutal form of domestic violence in the developing world. Juliette tells the story of her attack in Kampala, Uganda and how the man who maimed her walked away. Despite devastating injuries she inspires with courage and optimism. HDNet World Report: Acid Attacks/Juliette’s Story from Vicky Collins on Vimeo. For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Juliette’s Acid Attack

Feedback from The Faith Club

Told Ranya, Suzanne and Priscilla about my blog and they have linked to it.  I’ve returned the favor in my blogroll.   Here’s the nice email they sent me.  Please check out their site at http://thefaithclub.com if you would like to join the conversation. Hi Vicky – Thank you so very much for your email. We are honored that our words in any way inspired yours. … Continue reading Feedback from The Faith Club

The Faith Club Part 4

Over the course of reading the book “The Faith Club” many things resonated with me but one statement from Ranya, the Muslim woman, sums things up.  “Once you can see things from both sides you’re on the side of compassion and humanity.”  Another thing that impressed me was a bit of wisdom from my friend, Cheryl, during a walk last weekend.  “Don’t judge a religion … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 4

The Faith Club Part 3

Three years ago I was on the road in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Rosh Hashanah.  As is my custom when I am traveling I find myself a service wherever I am.  One year I celebrated Rosh Hashanah in Wilmington, North Carolina while covering a hurricane.  Another time I spent Passover in Kampala, Uganda where we substituted Indian naan for matzah.  There was Yom Kippur in Savannah, Georgia and a seder at a … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 3