View from flight to Phoenix I recently attended a writers conference. It was the end of September and still 118 degrees in Phoenix. Hurricane Helene was hitting Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee as we flew from North Idaho to Arizona. One of my favorite authors, Dani Pettrey, was giving the opening keynote address. I've read her inspiring and entertaining books for years and was so looking forward to meeting her. She flew in a day early because she was coming from Florid

Fun news! I published my first story! It was an honor to collaborate with a group of writers, including newbies and published authors, on an anthology project. An anthology is a group of short stories published in one book. The authors hail from multiple states and meet weekly through Christian Writers Sanctuary . We are, and I quote from the website, “a group of Christian authors, writers, marketers, and IT professionals who have a desire to see people publish the work God h

Have you ever felt that little nudge? Heard the still, small voice that encourages you to do something? Go somewhere? Make a call? A visit? Send a note? An email? Flowers? I went to visit my grandmother this week at her assisted living facility. It ’s a comfortable place, with a caring staff, good meals, activities, and the opportunity to gather with friends. It has a lovely communal room to gather with family. But I don’t visit as much as I should. It's hard to watch belove

A friend recently mentioned that she longed for a whole day without any responsibilities. A whole day to do just what she wanted without meetings, phone calls, or deadlines. She loves her work and her life. But her heart cried out for a break. It made me stop and think. What would you do with an entire day to do with whatever you pleased? Would you sleep? I know some young mothers who might just choose to do that. A glorious nap without listening for a needy baby. A time to c

" So Many Summers ", a song by country singer Brad Paisley, struck a chord with me recently. As an artist, he creates beautiful word pictures with his music. I have many favorite memories of summer. There's nothing longer than the final afternoon of school before summer vacation. The hours tick by slowly until the final bell rings. Yee haw! Little League. Trips to the lake. The anticipation and nerves of summer camp. Days spent swimming and sunning on the dock. Learning how t

Definition of a reunion: An instance of two or more people coming together again after a period of separation A social gathering attended by members of a certain group of people who have not seen each other for some time I have to admit, the thought of a reunion fills me with trepidation. I'm an introvert and the idea of spending hours talking to people I haven't seen in a long time and don't necessarily know well, is daunting. Sometimes it’s hard to work up enthusiasm to go

I've always loved popsicles and ice cream in the summer. I don't eat them often now. But I have fond memories of enjoying the frozen treats with my children and from when I was growing up with my siblings and cousins. The grocery store in our little town, both as a child and when I had my own children, had a freezer case right up front by the register. Smart marketing but hard on moms. I know I used the same strategy with my kids that my mom and grandmother used with me while

We observed the 4th of July this past week. To some, it was another routine workday. Maybe a day to veg and recharge. Others went camping or boating. Some visited friends or embarked on vacation in a new state. Sports fans watched a baseball game. Many celebrated with a cookout and fireworks. The hiss, sparkle, and boom never fail to bring a smile to my face. Unless it's 2:00am and we just got the grandkids and scaredy cat dogs to sleep. Again. July is one of my favorite mon

I love to bake bread. I learned the basics watching my mom, grandmother and great grandmother. Fresh bread, butter, and honey was a special treat. Special occasions always warranted fresh bread or rolls. My husband and I received a bread machine as a wedding gift many years ago. It was great to have a fresh loaf waiting when we’d get home from work. He will never let me forget the time I forgot to add the yeast. We were having company over for lunch after church, and I was so

Thoughts on stubbornness and procrastination inspired from the life of Kona.

We recently witnessed a spectacular expression of the Northern Lights. They lasted for several days and were visible to the naked eye throughout much of the northern portion of the US. I’ve always loved the night sky. I was fascinated by an astronomy class in college. It was enjoyable to discover the many constellations and learn their names. The formation of stars and comets and the activity of the sun continue to intrigue me. Counting satellites on camping trips was a belov

Strolling into the kitchen, I ask the age-old question, what should we have for dinner? Wait , I made a menu this week. Mentally congratulating myself for being organized, I reach for the can opener to use on the tomatoes. It reminds me of an article I read about how it is the dirtiest implement in an average kitchen. Turning to the sink, I wash the can opener. Meanwhile, the water on the stove has been boiling for ten minutes. Grabbing the pasta, I add it to the pan. I gla

Spring is here, and the baby geese are hatching. The killdeer lay their tiny eggs in petite nests on the ground. My annuals are showing their green heads. I even have some early brave blooms. Mother Nature has a schedule that we are seldom privy to. But when I see the first hummingbird, the first gosling, the tender green leaves, and more sunshine than not, my heart rejoices. The smell of fresh cut grass permeates the air. Barbecues are lit. Comfortable patio furniture is dug

We got a new puppy. He is a beautiful bundle of blond fur with the fleeting sweet puppy breath of a newborn. His dark eyes glow with innocence. I envy his long, curly eyelashes. The dude is adorable. His name is Kona. He follows me around as I do my daily chores. When I am doing the dishes or cooking, he snuggles at my feet. During my writing sessions, he uses my shoes as his pillow. His cuteness makes my heart smile. He is still in the puppy waddle stage. Like many beginning