Reintroducing Paige's Ponderings, my blog where I talk about whatever "pondering" I want to explore in the written and photo essay form. Check out my latest post below and feel free to explore the archives for some past provocative ponderings. Feel free to Tweet your feedback to me @ccsteed. Enjoy yourself!

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I recently attended a screening of 12 Years a Slave, a movie that is receiving significant Oscar buzz and accolades from many film critics. From nods to the director’s brilliance, to rave reviews of the performances given by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and guest appearance by Brad Pitt, this will be the talk of the… Read more »

As the summer heats up, we all like to go out, enjoy the warm weather and be enveloped in the beauty that is nature. Ever wonder about your individual impact on said nature? It can be a bit overwhelming to think about how our consumerism is having an effect on the planet. From climate change to packed landfills,… Read more »

For the past four days, my husband and I took a much-needed break from the day to day. We traveled to Rio Grande,  Puerto Rico for rest, relaxation, and reflection. For this trip, I was determined to do a couple of things: meditate, reconnect with nature, be silent, be still, be grateful, be fun, and… Read more »

In honor of Women’s History Month, I have asked my father to share another guest blog giving his personal perspective on the power of voting and what it means to people of color and women. But especially, what it meant to his mother and how her impact is still felt today. Enjoy and learn! Recently,… Read more »

My day today started with plotting my adventure to get into the office while fighting the impending winter storm warning. I needed a bit of a push so I reached for my “special” blooming tea this morning. Drinking tea is my morning ritual and similar to some coffee addicts, I get a jones for my… Read more »

As Black History Month winds down for 2013, I’ve invited my father, retired F.B.I. special agent Curtis Crawford, to share his reflections on what the month means to him. In his guest blog post, he provides a multigenerational perspective from the vantage point of someone who remembers segregation and the civil rights struggle vividly having… Read more »

My husband and I recently attended an evening gala where we were seated at a table with soon-to-be college graduates of the class of 2013. We struck up a conversation with the young men and one of them politely asked my husband, “What was the music that was at the top of the charts when… Read more »

Walter Mosley at Chicago Public Library The Chicago Public Library and the Congo Square Theater recently hosted famed author Walter Mosley for the library’s author conversation series. Speaking to a room filled with hundreds of fans and aspiring literati, Mosley opened up about his writing process, his pearls of wisdom for other writers, and a… Read more »