I. A mistake can be a screw-up, a SNAFU, a moment when something or someone is ignored, insulted, hurt by another person who didn’t do any of those actions intentionally. II. A mistake can be an opportunity, a lucky break, a time when something or someone is given a reprieve, a second chance, a new…

I spent part of yesterday decorating for Christmas. It amazes me what happiness this activity brings to me. We have a small artificial tree that has been around for a very long time as well as an even smaller one that I put up in the den. Yesterday, I listened to Christmas carols as I…

This is a song that I co-wrote with my brother, Sam, a while back. I love it, primarily because of the chorus from which the title is taken. This is a song about how “just a little hope” can get you through tough times. It feels especially appropriate right now and brings me solace when…

Today has been one of those detail days where I’ve had to work on several major projects with looming deadlines. One was the upcoming Board of Directors meeting for Story Circle Network, the international women’s writing organization for which I have the pleasure to serve as president. I had to write the president’s letter and…

Here is Winston. He is Liz and Ron’s bulldog. He is from a rescue shelter where he has lived much of his life. He has some gastrointestinal issues that don’t make him a prime candidate for adoption. That is unless you’re Liz and Ron, who seem to thrive on bringing home the neediest of the…

Growth is green, like leaves and stems Growth is brown, like roots and limbs Growth is pink, like dawn and dusk Growth is orange, like brand new rust Growth is purple, like irises in spring Growth is ivory, like the moon’s hazy ring Growth is blue, like the swirling, whirling sea Growth is tangerine, like…

Today is World’s AIDS Day, which was established in 1988 to lend support to people who are living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died. The 2021 theme, “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice,” underscores the fact that many marginalized people in the United States and around the world continue not…

Today is the birthday of my beloved nephew, Jim Agutter, my sister Leslie’s son. Jim is one of my favorite people in the world and, because I’ve known him since I was fifteen (when I was changing his diapers as a newborn), he is also one of my longstanding buddies. Luckily, he and my husband…

Ten years ago, my sister-in-law Sandra Adams Leatherwood died on this day.  Here are the words I spoke at her funeral. These seem fitting for today. *** My name is Len Leatherwood and I am Sandra’s sister-in-law. My nieces requested I say a few words about their mother today. Sandra had a quality that is…

Here is a photo of our more traditional Thanksgiving celebration on the actual day of Thanksgiving (Our orange grove celebration is always on the Friday after TG). We were invited to join Liz’s husband Ron’s family (the Bettys) at their lovely home for wonderful food and camaraderie. In this photo below are Ron’s parents, Ron’s…