Nerissa Nields is a musician and writer, best known for her work with The Nields, a folk-rock band that blends sisterly harmonies with smart lyrics, followed by equally smart and loyal fans for the past 20 years, with 15 (going on 16) albums. The author of three books, she runs writing groups and retreats out of her home in Northampton, Mass., coaches writers and artists, and adores her family, striving to honor in equal measure her love of God and love of Earth. Her blogs can be found at nerissanields.blogspot.com ("May Day Cafe" — spiritual/humor) and nields.wordpress.com ("Singing in the Kitchen" — music for families).

The Best Part

A friend told me she’d given up negative thinking for Lent this year. “How hard could that be?” I thought. “Way easier than giving up…