Part two of my August book line-ups My father served in the Army during World War II, but beyond his experience and the history I learned in school, I didn’t know much about the conflict. My husband, however, is a history enthusiast, and often will show me something new he’s found on the internet—usually live […]
Faith Matters
Book Pick–One Woman Falling
One Woman Falling Author Melanie Campbell Everything Cassie Peterson holds dear is in danger of being stripped from her grasp unless she finds the courage to act. On the surface she appears to live the idyllic life—beautiful home, handsome husband, darling daughter. Beneath the facade, trouble brews. Cassie is living a lie. This […]
A Friendly Gathering
One of the joys of having a retired husband is seeing my honey-do list fulfilled. He likes keeping busy and I’m just the girl to help make that happen. Part of our together time has been devoted to making our patio a gathering place for others. For years the area went unused because a large […]
An Elaborate Scam
The phone call came midday. My retired husband’s former colleague needed help. He’d been in a car crash, had broken his nose, and was in jail. Could we post bail? He gave us the number of the public defender assigned to him. Alarmed, I made the call. The attorney said our friend had failed the […]
Hug a Soldier This Fourth of July
Check off list for the Fourth: The barbecue is ready. The dogs are ready to grill, The tote is packed for the beach. The sunscreen and hats are loaded. All that remains is to hug a soldier. The soldier is the one to whom you are indebted this Fourth of July. He carried […]
The Need for Nurture
Today I fed my summer flowers. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But more than two dozen pots and planting beds sit in various locations on my patio and the task of keeping them nurtured is not a job for the faint of heart. If you’re not a gardener feeding a plant means I mixed water with […]
From Boys to Men
Dads come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of expertise, with pre-formed notions of what a father should be. Father’s Day can be a joy-filled occasion. Or, for others, not so much. Men who have been reared with a role model who taught character and values, or one who led by example, come into […]
Here’s to Geni
Everyone needs a friend like Geni. She and I met at a critique group meeting more than a decade ago. She had published many magazine articles and short vignettes, bringing a vast knowledge of writing and techniques to our group. I was the newbie. I’d had magazine articles published here and there, but for […]
Entertaining Angels Unaware?
Though door-to-door salesmen are rare these days, they still exist, but I’m not comfortable with a stranger coming into my home to demonstrate a product he has for sale. This week, though, my husband, who has a tender heart for anyone struggling to make a living, invited a vacuum cleaner salesman in. I know what […]
Find Your Happy Place
Where are you most happy? Is there a special chair in your house? A swing in the back yard? A window seat? You know. That place where you can find solace? A spot where you stop to think? Somewhere you ponder? My happy place is my patio, working among my flowers. My husband has expanded […]