What Blooms After a Fallow Season?
It’s been six months since I began the fallow season for Sprouts. Fallow: left unsown for a time to restore fertility, or to rest so that new growth can take root. As the itch to return to writing grew, a dear friend reached out of the blue to thank me for a post from last…
All the Words
One of the joys that I have lately is that I am writing a lot. But you might not know it when you look at ejpitman.com. In a couple weeks, I will re-start my beloved Sprouts Newsletter. And I’d love to invite you to check out some of the my other word playgrounds. FollowUpFriday –…
Stop Watching
This week is a significant week for me. Two years ago on April 16, while visiting my parents in Maine, an aneurysm burst in my brain and I had a stroke. I woke up two days later in a hospital two hours away where I’d been flown. People tell me that I’m a miracle. The…
The Power of a Beginner’s Mind (Or How Knowing Everything Might Be Holding You Back)
(This is based on a speech I gave at Pelham Toastmasters on February 5, 2025.) Let’s be honest: Most of us think we’re pretty smart. We’ve got years of experience, a collection of hard-earned wisdom, and a drawer full of metaphorical “expert” badges. But what if I told you that everything you know might actually be keeping you…
Picture Books
I love children’s picture books. I love that words and art work together to create a setting for sharing and exploring a story. I love the challenge of the author to write something thoughtful in 500-1000 words – usually 32 pages. Even more inspiring is a book that has no words – that leaves the…