Another card from the stack of handwritten index cards I bought at an estate sale years ago reads: To be seen, stand up; To be heard, speak up; To learn, shut up! I will admit that this card offers some wisdom that I can benefit from. I have a tendency not to always just shut…

I was sorting through boxes the other day here in Texas and I came upon a stack of index cards held together with a rubber band. I started going through the cards and remembered that I found them a long time ago (can’t remember when) at an estate sale. Most have handwritten sayings on them…

I am tired tonight. Tired enough that I believe I could lay my head down on my writing table and go straight to sleep. Over the past several days, Ray and I have been tackling lots of the toughest spots we have here in Texas. Hauling lots of furniture and boxes out of our barn…

I wrote this piece recently as my “President’s Letter” for the September edition of the Story Circle Network Journal. This tells the story of how I became involved in this wonderful women’s writing organization and why it has become so important to me over the years. Recently, our new board member and YouTube Channel coordinator,…

I am returning to my 20 minutes a day practice of writing. I want to simply get words on the page to keep my writing (and ideas) flowing easily. That is one of the real benefits of writing for even as few as 20 minutes each day. It’s like doing push-ups for writing. Builds up…

Today, I did something strange. I was tired and was resting for a little while after working in the heat of early September in Texas. I leaned my head back against the chair in an air conditioned room and started mentally listing all the people I knew growing up. I’m from a little Texas town…

I have a wonderful book to recommend. It’s called Bless the Birds: Living with Love in a Time of Dying, and the author, Susan J. Tweit, is a friend of mine and also a longstanding member of Story Circle Network, the international women’s writing non-profit for which I have the honor to serve as current…

Even after a 41 year marriage It’s hard to admit When I’m wrong Instead I lash out Defensive Annoyed I want to laugh Say, “Oops, you’re right!” Instead I aim arrows At tender spots Then feel bad I do better When I’m rested But most times I go straight to Indignation A sure sign I…