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Author Archives: Cynthia J. Patton
Camp Loma Mar, Part 2
For a week Katie and I practiced showering and using a sleeping bag. We talked about camp. We practiced greeting strangers. We labeled and packed clothes. We assembled the required gear. I read her social stories. The night before camp, … Continue reading
Where Does Creativity Hide?
Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have author Amy Tan. Tan is the author of such beloved books as The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, and The Hundred Secret Senses. Born in the United States to … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged Ambiguity, Amy Tan, Creativity, Fate, Imagination, Intentions, Story, Truth, Uncertainty, Writing Life
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Camp Loma Mar, Part 1
Last week my daughter Katie went to outdoor education camp with her 5th grade classmates. Such a simple statement. But for a child with autism, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Camp Loma Mar was no exception. … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Camp, Camp Loma Mar, Expectations, Fear, Letting Go, Milestones, Outdoor Education, Redwood Glen, Sensory Integration, Social skills, Speech Delay, Unplanned Life
1 Comment
The Story of Life in Photographs
Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have photographer Frans Lanting, one of the greatest nature photographers of our time. His work has been featured in National Geographic, Audubon, and Time, as well as numerous award-winning books. Lanting’s recent … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged Art, Creativity, Frans Lanting, Story, The LIFE Project
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What I Learned From Building a Foundation For Fitness, Part 1
Last year, in the spring of 2013, I took a workshop called Building a Foundation for Fitness, which was taught by my friend Amy Christensen, the owner of Expand Outdoors. Since I lost weight and ran in the fun run … Continue reading
Posted in My Life
Tagged Amy Christensen, Building a Foundation for Fitness, Exercise, Expand Outdoors, Self-Care, Unplanned Life, Yoga
2 Comments
How The Worst Moments in Our Lives Make Us Who We Are
Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have writer Andrew Solomon. Solomon writes about politics, culture, and psychology and has spent his career telling stories of the hardships of others. His 2012 book, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged 50th Birthday, Acceptance, Andrew Solomon, Anger, Authenticity, Identity, Parenting, Shame, Special Needs, Story, Writing Life
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Tailgating at Stanford
As I mentioned last week, I attended a football game at Stanford University. Michael 2.0 offered me tickets to the Stanford versus U.C. Davis game and I thought it would be fun, even though I knew in all likelihood, Davis … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Daddy, Dating, Single Parent, Speech Delay, Stanford, Tailgate Party, U.C. Davis, Unplanned Life
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Art That Craves Your Attention
Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have artist and TED Fellow Aparna Rao. As part of the Bangalore-based artist duo Pors & Rao, Rao works with electro-mechanical systems and interactive installations. With the clever use of technology, Rao creates … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged Aparna Rao, Art, Creativity, Pors & Rao, Writing Life
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Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash-September Update
As I described back in April (you can read the post here), I’m celebrating my 50th birthday with a year of activities, challenges, and FUN designed to honor this milestone. I’m calling it Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash, and so … Continue reading
Posted in My Life
Tagged 50th Birthday, Autism, Birthdays, Milestones, Special Needs, The Blank Canvas Blog Hop, Unplanned Life, Writing Life
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The 4 a.m. Mystery
Today on Tuesday on TED we have performance poet, multimedia artist, and storyteller Rives, who has been called “the first 2.0 poet,” using images, video, and technology to bring his words to life. Part poet, part storyteller, part philosopher, Rives … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED
Tagged 4 a.m., Art, Creativity, Poetry, Rives, Story, Writing Life
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