Where I’m From by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Today’s thoughts come from a writing exercise called Where I’m From. You can use this template to create your own unique biography. (And if you do, please, I'd love it if you would share!) Where I’m From I am from gumbo thick farming ground running alongside the Mississippi River, from Pixi Stix Candy Straws and wild blackberries. I am from a matchbox house on a dirt road
What a Really Wrong Answer Looks Like
The Nelson twins have bitten the bullet. They’re engaged to be married, and get this— they’re marrying sisters. And true to form, they’re trying to talk their sweethearts into a double ceremony. Some twins might crave their own space, but the Nelson boys have been inseparable from birth. The girls aren't much sold on the idea, though, and I don’t blame ‘em. The jury’s still
Castor Oil and Dangerous Relatives
Hello folks, have a seat and let’s chat…~smile~ The other day my friend Karen Zacharias wrote a hilarious piece about childbirth and Castor oil. At the time, I was waiting with extended family while Mama, The Queen of Us All, was having extensive back surgery. Those facts aren’t related, but since hospitals always remind me of giving birth and I have Castor oil memories, too,
Shellie’s Open Letter to the Nice Fisherman
The Belle of All Things Southern makes an apology to a fisherman. She didn't mean to cheat him out of supper!
Don’t Let Your Foe Set the Trap and Spring it Too!
The other day I asked one of my girlfriends how she was doing. This friend knew I was asking about her desire to walk with God. Her response broke my heart. “Not good,” she said. “I mean, I want to pray and I’ll try to pray… but then I’ll go days without praying or reading my Bible and…” When her voice trailed off, I pressed gently,
Zig Ziglar
Few people will recognize his given name. Hillary was born on the 6th of November, 1926 in Alabama, although he spent most of his young life in Yazoo, MS where his family relocated. When Hillary was six years old his father and his youngest sister died within weeks of each other, leaving his mother to raise Hillary and his ten siblings alone. His
Meeting the Folks
Every now and then someone writes in asking me about a story I've told on the porch, requesting to hear it again. For instance, the time Danny met his future in-laws continues to be a favorite. Danny says to tell y'all that day stands out in his memory, too. As funny as it is to us now, it wasn't so funny at the time. But,
Shellie’s Open Letter to the Nice Fisherman
Hello folks, let’s chat…~smile~ I was kayaking down the lake minding my own business when I saw a water bottle ahead of me, bobbing up and down in the water. Seconds later it disappeared, only to pop right back up and start swimming. You heard me. It began swimming around all crazy like as it continued to sink and resurface. I realized something had a
2nd Pew Left Hand Side, VBS & Deep and Wide
I'm sitting beside Mama's hospital bed watching her sleep and thinking about the heritage of love and self-sacrifice she's given this family. Maybe it's the nostalgia of the moment, but I keep thinking about some words I wrote this week about family. It has me wanting to share them with any of you who may not follow Southern Belleview. (FYI, Southern Belleview is a site where I join four
Don’t Think About a Pink Elephant
Not long ago, I used my camera phone to videotape my grandson drawing one of his beloved trucks in addition to taking a picture of it. I felt like it’d be good to have evidence of our three year old Picasso at work to document his age with the artwork. Seriously, he’s that good. Grant creates on one of those drawing toys that look like