While writing a true story about my husband’s grandmother, I needed to mention a doll she received as a child. I knew from experience that if I got even one tiny detail wrong, the antique doll-loving crowd would run me out of town with pitchforks because you know how strict those doll lovers are. To…
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For crying out loud, I was only nine years old and didn’t need the world’s weight on my shoulders. I was halfway up the Sweet Gum tree in my summertime happy place. From there, I had a shaded spot for snuggling on a wide branch with a perfectly shaped crook for reclining. It was a…
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Allow me to reassure all mothers of young children that you aren’t going crazy. There isn’t a ghostly haint pilfering your silverware. The disappearing Oneida isn’t being sucked into a dark vortex for use at alien dinner parties. The vanishing utensil phenomenon is real, yet the cause is hard to believe. As a seasoned mother…
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Elmo, the red shag rug Muppet from Sesame Street, inadvertently set off a firestorm by asking an innocent question; “How is everybody doing?” The puppet’s social media account on “X” formerly known as Twitter, was inundated with hundreds of responses from people who admitted to feeling anxious, gloomy, and full of despair. Too bad Elmo…
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Like Fred Flintstone planting his big feet on the ground from the driver’s seat of his stone-wheeled car, my latest book plans have come to a screeching halt. WILMA!!!! It was all going so well, and writing makes me as happy as applying mascara made Tammy Faye Baker. “La-la-la, life is so good. La-la-la, this…
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When I first taught school, the director of our flagship Early Childhood Intervention program told us we would be fired if she ever caught us giving our students a “ditto,” which is an old-fashioned thing to call a pre-printed coloring book type of page. We could use blank paper only. If we wanted the children…
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It is the tale of a tough, determined woman from the Civil War who isn’t named Scarlett. “Gathering Leaves,” by Ron Meszaros is a love story, a history lesson, the tale of a strong woman, a war story, a dog lover’s story, and an example of faith that is sprinkled with curse words — all…
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The brown paper grocery bag held three loaves of bread — not even Sunbeam or Wonder Bread, just run-of-the-mill regular old sliced bread. It was my first experience with a death in the family, but I knew to smile, say “thank you,” and get the name of the bread bearer so a proper thank you…
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Everything I’m reading and listening to this week before the New Year revolves around goals, dreams, plans, and passions for the next 12 months. Passionate people have always been a favorite topic of mine, and it seems they’re the ones making all the big plans for the New Year. These people are captivating to know…
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I had to take drastic measures to control the stress of Christmas, even if it meant giving up one of my favorite traditions — for this year only. – this story can be found in Lagniappe News. I’m feeling out of sorts this Christmas season. It’s not because I started December off with a violent…
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