Life
Diagnosis: Annoyed
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that we’ve been hearing about COVID-19 for two years. It’s even more impossible, in my opinion, to think that we’re still arguing over the effectiveness of masks and vaccines, but that’s for another post. Today’s post begins with the time when we were in lockdown, how nice and healthy my…
Read MoreThe Treat Yourself and Your Family Giveaway!
I’m thrilled to be partnering with seven other Black Rose Writing authors with this holiday giveaway! Why not treat yourself or a loved one this month to a new story or two? One lucky winner has the chance to win eight ebooks that span the genres. In fact, there’s something for everyone in this free…
Read MoreAre You Out There?
Years ago in graduate school, I discovered the wonder of Dar Williams. All of her songs resonate with me on some level, but the lyrics from one song in particular have stayed in my head for years. That song? “Are You Out There?” In it, Dar questions if someone can hear her and mentions that…
Read MoreAlways a Teacher
Her name is tucked between those of two friends in the acknowledgment section of my debut novel. If you don’t know to look for it, you might miss it. But I know her name is there. Diane Dougherty and I met only once in person over twenty years ago on one of my first visits…
Read MoreLucky Us
Twenty years ago, only a week and a half after 9/11, I made my way to my first ultrasound. Since this was my first pregnancy, and everything had been progressing as it should, my ultrasound had been scheduled for 19 weeks, almost halfway through the pregnancy. Thanks to the events that occurred earlier in September,…
Read MoreTalking to the Animals
When the girls were around six months old (or maybe a bit younger), one of Tim’s fellow graduate students bought them an extra large Pooh Bear. By extra large, I simply mean he outranked them by quite a bit. (Pooh never outweighed them, but he certainly stood taller, since on his back paws, Pooh stands…
Read MoreLessons I Hope They Learned
The girls leave for college today. As in, they might never step foot permanently into this house again. (Sniff.) This day would have occurred last year around this time, but thanks to COVID-19, Zoe and Talia chose (and had no choice at first) to work remotely for their entire first year. As much as I’m…
Read MoreThat Season
It’s that season again: twice a day soccer practices. One at six in the morning, the other in the evening. Which means its the season of morning disruptions. My morning disruption. Aaron is old enough to get himself to practice now, but having another human being up early puts me in a mood. A funk,…
Read MoreIdentity Crisis
One of my personal Gmail accounts has been in existence since January 4, 2005. Since that time, I’ve entered that address when I shop online; I’ve given it to schools, churches, sports teams, and music teachers; it finds its way to contact forms for nonprofits and other organizations I support. And since that time, I’ve…
Read MoreSpeaking of Dog Days of Summer…
Let me preface this post by saying, MY DOG IS ALIVE AND WELL. Imagine this: your dog has died in your home, and you do nothing about it for several hours. What sort of callous and uncaring person does that? Apparently, I do. Because one morning last week, as I crept past the dog lying…
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