Originally published Father's day June 21, 2020 My dad's been gone 34 years. I've lived my entire adult life without him. Yet his words and lessons are relevant today, and resound in my life every day. Love your spouse and make your family a priority. He loved my mom and everyone knew it. They hugged, … Continue reading Lessons from My Dad: Cherishing Family Values
Many of you know I love dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, breed dogs, mutts. I love them. All of them. It’s been fifteen years since we had to say goodbye to Cody – our first dog and the original member of our pack. It’s been two years since our sweet Sunny (the final member of our original pack) passed … Continue reading Welcome Home Odin and Ozzie: Our New Dachshund Duo
I’ve written half a dozen blogs about my mom, and half a dozen more featuring my mom. I’m not sure the world needs another blog about my mom, but apparently I do, because here we are. Last week I posed a question to family and a few friends – ‘How are you like your mother?’ It’s … Continue reading How Are You Like Your Mother?
originally published April 20, 2019 My mom’s middle name could have been Holiday Festive, and regardless of the occasion, she could produce appropriate tableware, costumes/outfits, and decorations at a moment’s notice. She was the queen of making something out of nothing. She was also one of the first people in our neighborhood to make an “egg tree” … Continue reading Happy Easter!
I was sitting at the kitchen table eating coconut marshmallows. Well, I wasn’t actually sitting. I was three and a half, maybe four years old. So, it was more like I was in a squirmy crouch, with my feet on the seat of the chair. In retrospect, my wriggly fidgeting was most certainly responsible for what happened next, although … Continue reading Mom, Me, and the Meatball Incident
A writing prompt is a brief statement, question, word, or even an image that provides a specific topic or starting point to inspire and guide a writer. Prompts can stir either biographical or fictional content. I typically use prompts to inspire fictional content - as in this case - and help me create experiences for … Continue reading Suddenly, a Peacock
If you checked in with me last week, you’ll know I was pretty happy about buying a Happiness Journal. Inside it has 300 suggestions for things to do and write about. Yesterday, I spent some time taking a closer look. Write various positive affirmations, compliments you’ve received, and quotes you love on little pieces of … Continue reading Paving the Path to Happiness
I was recently introduced to the concept of a Fives Senses Profile. Happiness guru, Gretchen Rubin, describes this in her recent book – Life in Five Senses. She taps into each of her five senses to describe a person, event, place, or whatever. I was, of course, touched by the one that she wrote to … Continue reading Summer of My Childhood – A Five Senses Profile
Earlier this week, Alexa alerted me that the National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch for my area. It was to be in effect until 3:00am. As I was getting ready for bed, I paused to wonder if I should be concerned that it could develop into a tornado warning while I was sawing … Continue reading Tale of a Twister
I fell down the social media rabbit hole this week, checking on a few formerly known associates, or as some people call it “Facebook stalking.” No harm, no foul. Just checking on some people that I used to know, and fell out of touch with for one reason or another. My internet travels brought me … Continue reading The Dog Blog
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