Hello, I’m Margaret Mendel. Welcome to my website PushingTime.com.
Pushing time is the term I use for enjoying life and making the best out of every day. This term also informs and nourishes my creative life. I’m a writer and photographer.
I have always loved to write. I began with pretend words, before I could read, when all I could do was scribble on paper. My fingers found dusty surfaces where I would leave my marks like a graffiti artist. Since those early days I’ve received an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. I’ve accepted writing awards from the Bronx Council On The Arts, and my short stories have been published in literary journals.
Let me tell you a little about myself.
Our car. A family with humble beginnings.
I am the first born of four daughters and grew up in a small farm community in the Northwest.
Back then they called me Margie.
In my teens I discovered photography. My first camera was a Pentex. Now I’m a Nikon user. Here is a photo my dad took of me taking a photo of my one year old son and sister.
Here is the photo I took that day.
I moved to San Francisco and while attending San Francisco State I met and married a handsome guy from The Bronx.
This is one of my favorite photos from when we lived in San Francisco.
We eventually moved to New York where our family of three grew to be a family of four.
Brother and sister.
In the tulip garden.
New York is now my hometown. I love walking the streets all hours of the day and night taking photographs and writing stories as I go.
I have a passion for travel and when ever I go on a trip, I take my camera, computer and a Rhodia notebook.
This is one of my favorite views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
One of the best ways I found to get ride of jet lag when visiting France was to get up early, go to an outdoor cafe, order a slice of crusty French bread, coffee with cream and sugar and then begin to write in a Rhodia notebook.
I think my biggest thrills came when we traveled through the China, Tibet, Thailand. Here are a few photos from those trips. Visit my photos to see more.
Golden Buddhas
Portola Palace in Tibet
I love to blog and it was great fun putting together all the things that I like to do in pushingtime.com. Thank you for taking the time to join me on my journey.
Regards,
Margaret
Marge, You have created another wonderful outlet for your talent. There is so much included I won’t be able to discover it all in one sitting. The old photos helped me get acquainted with “The You” after RHS:)I will enjoy exploring ” Pushing Time”. xoxox Maila
I just read this section and think it is brilliantly executed, Marge! Well done!!!!
Thelma Straw
Hi Marge,
After much sidestepping and procrastinating, I finally set up my blog. I’m just writing to say thanks so much, wise lady. I’m not computer literate enough to do anything other than write, but writing is really the point, right? At some point I may figure out how to add pictures or photos, but for now am posting older writings and still procrastinating about current writing, but working towards it. I feel drawn to this blog and less inclined to verbally batter my email companions. (lol) Thanks again Marge.
So nice to find this! Your stories are an inspiration to write more. I’ll be back to visit. Chloe C.
I love your blog and am happy to get notified whenever you add something to it ie bag lady. Even though I may not comment know that I read it and enjoy your writing.
Vallery
Margie,
The post on Mothers Day took me back, way back. The ‘tall skinny blonde’ I recognized
immediately, as I live across the road in Ridgefield. I also remember 2 little blonde
girls. I have pushed time a little longer than you as I was maybe 6 years old at that
time.
I enjoy your blogs and the glimpses of your city through your eyes. Wilma
Margaret, I enjoyed looking through your website. It’s very easy to navigate and I love all of your old photos and reading about the interesting places you’ve visited.
I’m new at MuseItUp as well. I have a mystery coming out in January 2014. The Ginseng Conspiracy.
Susan Bernhardt
http://www.susanbernhardt.com
[…] Margaret Mendel lives in New York City and is a past board member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, NYC. She has an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence. Many of her short stories have appeared in literary journals and anthologies. For more than twenty years she worked in the mental health field, though now she devotes herself to writing full time. She is an avid photographer and not only drags a laptop, but a Nikon D7000 camera wherever she goes. You can learn more about Margaret Mendel on her blog/website at: https://pushingtime.com/home/ […]
Thanks for sharing this passionate story of your life !!
[…] Margaret Mendel lives in New York City and is a past board member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, NYC. She has an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence. Many of her short stories have appeared in literary journals and anthologies and this year she published a novel, FISH KICKER. She has just finished a novel, PUSHING WATER, a story based in Vietnam in the years 1938 through 1941, and she has competed a short story collection. For more than twenty years, she worked in the mental health field, though now she devotes herself to writing full time. She is an avid photographer and not only drags a laptop, but a Nikon D7000 camera wherever she goes. Read more about Margaret on her blog at: https://pushingtime.com/home/ […]
Love reading your blog and seeing photos of all your travels and sister Susie (Susan). When you were out for your book reading I didn’t recognize Susie, I knew she belonged in the family though. My cousins will always be Margie, Susie, Patty and Toddy. I guess you can tell me if I need to revert to modern day names.
Talk to you later. Thanks again for the tour of the world.
It is always a pleasure to hear from your Marcella. But the order, by birth is Margie, Toddi, Susie, Patty. I am so glad that I can virtually take you on my trips and that you have a good time. Take care and how is the canning going this year?
Glad you told me about your blog. I too love photography and my first camera was also a Pentex. Glad to have found you. Can’t wait to read more and see more photos. Cindy
Hi Cindy, So glad you stopped by to pay a visit to my blog. I hope you take lots of photographs! Have a great day and I hope to hear from you again soon. Welcome to my blog!!
Dear Margaret and Stephen,
i have been trying to workout how to get in touch since we arrived home in Australia, because i forgot to get your email address before we left the ship. I have plenty to write to you about but i think i would prefer to do it on normal email. My email address is annkat382@gmail.com.
I hope you get this and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Anne ( and Peter) Allan
How fantastic to hear from you Anne!! Yes, I will contact you now. You are a great internet detective. I apologize for not contacting you sooner.