New Year~New Beginning
In these years since my husband went to heaven, I have fallen in love with classical music. Songs that Carl learned to appreciate years ago in a high school band, but were never my choice of melodies. So now I have to wonder if Carl, in heaven, has grown to love my favorite Elvis music….
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A Magical Christmas!
I’m at the place where Christmas is both past and present. I love family gatherings but also cherish memories of yesteryear. First Christmas as newlyweds. First Christmas as parents. First Christmas as grandparents and everything in between. Growing up in a little farming community where most families had little money but lots of love, Christmas…
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My Menagerie
Recently, I’ve had a daily visitor. In fact, over the last couple of weeks, she has frequented my back door several times a day, begging for food. Yep, my neighbor’s little red hen flew the coop as well as the fence between our properties. I’ve spoiled Little Miss Red to the point that she pecks…
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Happy Halloween!
Halloween has always been a fun time at our house, though I’m not sure how it all started. Maybe it was when I put a cute little costume on my oldest at just two years old and he got homemade treats from neighbors. All I know is that Aaron has always loved Halloween. He and…
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Making A Difference
As a writer, I love seeing my words in books or magazines, but some of my best writing has never been published. You see, what I consider my greatest work is often meant for only one person. Several years ago, I got word that my aunt in Montana died. Unable to attend the memorial service,…
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Moonflowers and Memories
Since I grew up on a farm, people often assume I know a little about gardening. Wrong! My daddy always plowed the field for a huge vegetable garden, and the whole family helped plant and harvest. But knowing when or how to plant was not my job. My job was to gather eggs, wash dishes,…
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Giving Grace
Sometimes life brings challenges. Circumstances beyond our control or even misguided expectations for ourselves. I recently found myself in that position with an extensive “to do” list. After agonizing over my situation, I had a long phone conversation with Claudine, my sweet cousin-by-marriage, and I’m so glad to have her in my family. While lamenting…
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Looking For Butterflies
I love a good story, especially when it involves 5-year-olds. My son, Aaron, is a school administrator and also bears the title of Director of Arts Integration. Though I won’t try to explain that, it’s the reason he happened to be with a group of kindergarteners who had been studying the life cycle of butterflies….
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Super Moms
I had planned to write a tribute to mothers in general for my May column then “life” happened. On an April Sunday, my son, Jay twisted his knee badly and fell. When I got to him, he was ghost white and clammy. Since he has a history of syncope, I got him flat on the…
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Birthday Boys
Within the space of three weeks, I get to celebrate both of my boys’ birthdays. One born in March. The other in April. My oldest and youngest—eight years apart. These sons of mine bring me pure joy! With the pandemic and residing in different states, we “party” through FaceTime. Though not my preferred type of…
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I Choose Love!
Ten years ago this month, my late husband, Carl and I celebrated our last wedding anniversary together—45 years. Neither of us had any way of knowing that exactly three months from that date, I would be attending his memorial service. So today, I celebrate my 55th anniversary alone. But since Carl and I spent the…
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