Over the past few days, several people I know have experienced terrible losses. Two have lost their adult children, one a husband. I learned this news on Facebook and for each, I felt a genuine ache in my heart. The very thought of losing a child brings tears to my eyes. And when I read…
Category: Writing
Flash Fiction: Olivia’s Pain
Most have no idea how Olivia became the way she is now. So morose and wistful and despondent. She didn’t used to be any of those things. Her long auburn hair once was pulled up high on her head, curls spilling everywhere and often ringed in flowers. Her blue eyes once sparkled just from seeing…
Flash Fiction Revisited: The Triumph
I wrote this story based on the following prompt: Pick 3 items in the room where you’re sitting. Mine were travel cup, poetry book, red plaid blanket Use these 3 items in a story of no longer than 1200 words Use at least one metaphor, one symbol and one alliteration. I have not written flash…
Great Christmas Movie To Watch
Ray and I decided to watch a Christmas movie today. Ray chose the 2017 film, The Man Who Invented Christmas, which is the story of how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol. Before you shrug and say, “No, thank you,” stick with me for just a minute and let me explain why this…
Trying Something New for Our Upcoming Christmas Meal
A friend of mine posted this recipe tonight on Facebook. This is my kind of food. Colorful, healthy and delicious. I was thinking this might be the perfect dish to make for our upcoming Christmas dinner. It’s simple but full of flavor and has a festive flair. Plus anything with feta cheese has got to…
Five Ways of Looking at a Mistake
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…
The Joy of Decorating for Christmas
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…
Repost: A Song That Brother Sam and I Wrote Called, “Just A Little Hope”
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…
“Just Five Minutes”
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…
Babysitting My Granddog, Winston
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…
20 Minutes a Day 