Tis the season. The day-after-Thanksgiving news broadcasts focused on Black Friday. The number of people who stood in line for hours to get a “good” deal is absurd to me. Is it only me, or has Thanksgiving become a lost holiday? At least it seems that way if you pay attention to the media. As a rule, I don’t watch …
It’s a Beautiful Day…
How many of you grew up watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood? Or maybe you watched another program created by this exceptionally talented, humble man. I remember watching Daniel Tiger, Lady Aberlin, and Mr. McNeely as they interacted with the quiet-spoken (and a little geeky) Mr. Rogers when I was a child and then again when my children were young. It seems …
Bring Her on and Let Her Scream!
When it was clear to me that I was going to make a serious attempt at this writing gig, I attended my first writing conference. The strongest message I received about the craft of writing right out the door was show don’t tell. And even though, in my past life as a middle school teacher, I posted writer’s quotes to …
Life Lessons From Mom (in-law)
Mother-in-law woes are as old as… well… Moses. However, I dubbed mine a Little Irish Angel years ago for good reason. Near the end of September, we were scheduled for a week-long visit with this sweet 91-year-old, but when we realized she was having health challenges, our schedule went out the window. One week became six. Most can get along …
Divine Designer
Have you ever been given a glimpse into someone else’s life and felt a tug of awe or wonder? I think about some who write and preach with seemingly endless energy, and I just shake my head. How is it possible that one person can do so much? Billy Graham. Oswald Chambers. Steven Furtick. Need I say more? Yet as …
The Beguiling Miss Trawick
Our last full week in California, we decided to spend a few days in Carmel-by-the-Sea—a mini vacay. The Monterey Bay Peninsula is one of our favorite destinations when we want a romantic getaway. First on our to-do list was to plan our evening hours around the sunset, which we watched from the beach before finding a bite to eat. October …
Review of Practically Married
About the Book Book: Practically Married Author: Karin Beery Genre: General Market, clean fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary romance Release Date: October 22, 2019 She moved to a new town to marry her fiancé. Instead, she’s burying him. Ashley Johnson moved to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrived in time to attend his funeral. With no …
Pixie Angel
His name was Michael. He was a unique looking boy with an overgrown crew cut, close-set eyes and crooked front teeth that made his quick smile appear pixyish. He was every bit as mischievous as he appeared, and he walked a fine line between good and bad. While I was finishing up my teaching credential, I substitute taught—and that’s where …
Review of Second Chances
About the Book Book: Second Chances Author: Shirley Quiring Mozena Genre: Family and relationships/Death, Grief, Bereavement Release Date: September, 2012 When Shirley and Bill set out on a dream trip in the beautiful northwest wilderness to celebrate their 40th anniversary, what develops is a nightmare that has no end. Mysterious pangs turn into a vicious virus that makes its way …
Blackout
For the last few weeks, my husband and I have parked ourselves in my mother-in-law’s home. Mom lives in a very nice retirement community in the heart of California’s wine country—Sonoma County. There is more down time here than we’re used to, which is why we spend an inordinate amount of time taking walks. Oddly, we don’t see many people …