It was a nondescript garage sale with a yard full of items. “We’re blending houses,” the owner said, “so we have to choose only what we’ll need together.” “Me, too,” I said. “My friend and I are blending. We’re gonna’ be like the Golden Girls.” I didn’t need any of the items in his yard …
As a life-long learner, nothing is more exciting to me than a couple of how-to books. Combine those books with the topics I like to pursue, and I am ready for school. A recent visit to Half-Price Books resulted in some pay-back monies for books read and de-cluttered. Then I used my earnings on two …
One of my friends is a man of great wisdom. When he speaks, I listen. Recently, I explained to him some of my struggles and the enormous question marks hanging over my life. “I don’t know what to do,” I said. “I’m a planner, and I need to know my direction. But it’s foggy.” “Just …
It was time to choose a new journal — to begin a new treasure trove of writings and daily reflections. I sorted through my stash and chose the one that spoke to me — sparkly with pink flower blossoms on both front and back covers. Then opened it to begin a new entry. A gasp. …
It was a gift — an unexpected pleasure on a discouraging day. I had just pulled up my Amazon book sales report. Not enough sales for the month, not even close to my goal. Then I looked outside and laughed in delight. My neighborhood is blessed with several feral cats. One big guy — all …
So many photo albums. Boxes and boxes of memories from the beginnings of a life to the present. Photos of my son – even his birth certificate – preserved in plastic sleeves with descriptive tags to indicate his growth: 8 pounds, 3.5 ounces, 19.5 inches long. Preschool. Kindergarten graduation with a mortar board and tassel. …
Every spring, my redbud tree reminds me to stay in hope. The usual allegory applies: dead winter becomes a fruitful spring. Trust God in the hard times. Almost a cliché these days. But a more hidden meaning speaks to me this year, after an interminable winter and the hanging-on-of-grief. After another 12 months of ugliness …
“Your book is so intense.” Several readers have used this statement to describe my novel No Visible Scars. “Yes,” I answer. “This book IS intense. It’s supposed to be because of the topic.” Without the intensity, I would not be true to my characters or to the major plot lines of the story. The main …
Her plaintive cry echoed through the car. A five-hour drive — interminable for a cat who could not understand I was transporting her to a new home. One of my sister’s rescues, Peppernut would become my latest cat, an adopted member of our family. “It’ll be okay, honey,” I answered her concerned meows. “You’re going …
In the never-ending task of downsizing, I constantly ask the questions: Do I need this item anymore? Does this object still give me joy or can I share that joy with another person? A survey of my guest room focused on the tiny antique rocker. Purchased all those years ago, it intrigued us because it …