Saddle up and shine.

Author: Malena Putnam

  • Believing in Love After Heartbreak

    I combed my wet hair as thoughts of my friend’s divorce filled my head. I felt that familiar tug in my chest – a deep empathetic sadness – one perhaps only someone who has walked in those shoes can feel so richly. As the voice in my head wondered, “When will they go public and how will…

  • Every Day, Adventure: Kansas City

    “Whether our cities are physically bad or physically good is our responsibility” — J. C. Nichols (developer, Country Club Plaza, est. 1929) “To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” — Danny Kaye Wasn’t hard to develop a big ol’ travel crush on Kansas City in just a weekend. Barbecue, storms, champagne, romance, shopping – a little…

  • Meet Teacher/Sister Mermaid Tina Ross

    I tried to remember the first time I met Tina. I was told I was so mad upon her arrival that I held my breath until I passed out. If that’s the case, I guess I’ve been a drama queen since 14 months of age. Tina and I are nearly Irish twins yet she relishes…

  • Meet Publicity Mermaid Cyndy Hoenig

    “Oh, honey, let me tell you…” That’s how a lot of conversations begin with the bold, highly-energetic PR Rock Star Cyndy Hoenig. She’s one of those souls who isn’t afraid to talk about anything and she’s quick to use stories of her own mistakes in life as lessons for the listener. She’s also quick with…

  • Meet Endeavor Mermaid Katrina Shaklee

    Are you defined by your limits? What if you turned something that was a perceived weakness into a strength? What if you did something no one – even yourself – thought you could do? I first met today’s Mermaid in 1991 at a family reunion in a hot hotel lobby. I went as a favor…

  • Birthdays for Mermaids

    In the spirit of my year-long mermaid series to showcase bold, brave women who live in the deep both in real life and in my upcoming novella, The Mermaid Club,  I’m sharing  what a birthday looks like for a “mermaid”. I would like to say I have life figured out by now, the week of…

  • Meet Angel Mermaid Jennifer Abney

    The truth is that any of us could’ve ended up in foster care. Circumstances like death, divorce, incarceration, abuse, poverty and drugs unfortunately mean far too many kids find themselves at the mercy of the courts. I often think how lucky I am that my grandparents raised my two sisters and I together. I can’t imagine…

  • A Mermaid Tribute to Daughters

    Sixteen years ago today I gave birth to a dream. Not only did I want a daughter (after having a son two years earlier) but I also wanted a fairytale mother-daughter bond. Thankfully what I got was far better. I got mighty lessons in life and love from a tiny human who would make me grow as…

  • On Synchronicity…Signs from Somewhere

    “How do you know it wasn’t just a coincidence?” my daughter asked me after I told her what happened at the bed and breakfast. I’ll tell you what I told her, but first here is psychotherapist Carl Jung’s definition of synchronicity: Synchronicity is the coming together of inner and outer events in a way that cannot…

  • Meet Calm Waters Mermaid Barbara Butner

    There are ideas people and there are people people. This week’s mermaid is certainly a person who is passionate about people. She’s also a pretty stellar person herself. Barbara Butner, the executive director of Calm Waters, which provides free counseling for children experiencing a loss through death, divorce, deployment or incarceration, is a high vibe individual…