Saddle up and shine.

Author: Malena Putnam

  • Mojo Interview with Author Brenda Janowitz

    First, welcome to all of my new readers who found me due to my sisterhood post last week. Thank you so much for sharing it and letting me know that it has resonated with you. One way I live the Symphony is to nurture sisterhood in my life, and that includes being a part of…

  • Sooners, Sisterhood, and the Symphony

    I was a small-town girl who wanted to make it in the big city. I wanted to be a Sooner. The University of Oklahoma was larger than the population in my hometown and I liked it that way. Yet I knew I wanted a home away from home and my classmates and I were advised…

  • The space between the storms

    Note: wrote this post last week on vacation. Publishing now. Miranda Lambert accompanies me as I sit in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the Marriott airport hotel in Nashville, just hours before I’ll head back home to Oklahoma – a place Miranda also calls home. I titled this post when I was 20,000 feet…

  • On Twisters, Teachers and Time

    If you’re raised in Oklahoma, tornadoes become a character in your life story. Growing up in western Oklahoma, we regularly trekked to the neighbor’s cellar in their backyard – typically in the middle of the night. The dank smell, tight quarters and spider companions didn’t ease your fear that a swirling villian had interrupted your…

  • Six reasons to fully experience the experience. #creativity #mojo

    What does “experience” have to do with increasing creativity and mojo? I don’t mean experience in the past-tense as a cumulative effort, but the present moment. Right now, fully feeling whatever experience you’re going through and being fully present when you’re experiencing that moment. Your mind isn’t back in your work day or fast-forwarded to…

  • Summer and Taking Turns

    The end of the school year is mocking me. I can hear summer coming, whistling and skipping closer to me while I shrink back into the shadows, covering my ears and pretending the days of “I’m bored” and endless interruption aren’t at hand. As a mom, summer is a blessing. No more early morning ritual!…

  • Dance Mom Forever Mix

    My dance mom BFF Jill Martin and I are doing some videos to promote our new book, DANCE MOM SURVIVAL GUIDE. Of course you can make this healthy trail mix no matter what your kids – or you – are into. Enjoy! Nom, nom, dark chocolate chips!

  • Making History Right Now

    What does living authentically mean? My #truedo list: Learning, discerning, improving and believing. Purposeful action. Listening with an open mind with awareness to your reaction and thoughts. Trusting yourself to do what is best for you despite what others may think. Going for it. Living your passion, even if that’s only part-time or a hobby.…

  • Is JOY on your True Do list?

    Standing in front of sixty business people last week, a familiar friend surfaced. She visited again as I sailed down the hill in my neighborhood on my bike, just feet behind my 7 year-old. Even more surprisingly, she showed up yesterday afternoon in downtown Edmond while I stood with a camera in front of two…

  • Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Twin Falls, Paranormal YA

    Special thanks to author Brenda Janowitz, RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE (St. Martin’s Press July 2013) for inviting me on a new round of the Next Big Thing Blog Hop. This time I’m promoting a book by my younger alter ego, Lena Brown, (younger because I feel like a teenager when I write teen books!) I’d also like…