To Retain the Joy, Revel in the Grace
Lately, I'm finding myself fielding an increasing number of questions on the subject of writing. Most are reasonable inquiries on contacting an agent and finding a publisher. And then the others, those who want to know how quickly they can expect to make the big bucks. I consider these humor relief. This writer has been in the business for over a decade now and the
Avert Your Gaze and Look Away to Jesus
The beautiful young Hispanic boy behind the expressive dark brown eyes and gentle smile holds a special place in many hearts, including mine. His name is Landon, he's twelve years old, and he's my godson. When Landon was five years old, he was diagnosed with Asperger, a highly functioning form of autism. He also deals with Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder is characterized by uncontrollable,
Baby Selfies, Belfies, and What in the World?
I love finding baby selfies on my iPhone, images of plump little lips belonging to wee ones who've managed to turn a camera phone on themselves long enough to capture partial glimpses of their own sweet faces. Oh, yes, those please! I have one of Weston the Wonder Boy from Easter 2015 stored on my phone right now that could melt butter. Grandkids aside, however, today
Oh, How He Loves Us. Oh!
In my first book, "Lessons Learned on Bull Run Road", I wrote about my summer love affair with the bookmobile from the East Carroll Parish Library. I couldn't find an image of that old vehicle but it looked a whole lot like this. For a little booklover at the end of a dirt road, miles from a public library, that bus of books lumbering down our
On Being Works in Progress
Heads up all you do-it-yourselfers and HGTV fans. Before y'all commit to any size home remodeling project it would behoove you to refresh yourselves on the three stages of any home improvement plan: Let's do it, why are we doing it, and, we did it! My man and I have just finished making over our master bathroom, so this is really fresh experience speaking. For a
Grace to Behave
When we were growing up on the end of Bull Run Road, my sisters and I spent many a Saturday accompanying Mama to Tallulah, LA to buy groceries and supplies for the coming week, mostly against our will. We would've preferred running hog wild in the fields that surrounded our house or playing Chase Don't Touch the Ground on the farm equipment under Papa's shed.
The Tale of Mrs. Forgetful and Doctor Do Right
I have a poor track record where taking medicine is concerned. It's a personal failing that should in no way be laid at the feet of the medical community. Many a good doctor has tried to reform me, bless their collective hearts, with little success. Before we go any further, let it be noted that there have been at least two exceptions to this rule.
Cutting Both Ways
This past Christmas our number one son and his wife gave the beloved hubby and I a set of very nice kitchen knives, extremely sharp knives. The jokers around here entertained themselves discussing the wisdom of putting such knives in the hands of someone as easily distracted as yours truly. I couldn't help but laugh at their routine, even if it came at my own
Show Up at the Starting Line
Many of y'all have been faithful to listen to these morning segments of mine for years and I'm so grateful for y'all tuning in! But, for the next few minutes, I'd like to talk to you about my LIVE talk show? You can find show details at allthingssouthern.com/connect. I’m having fun with the live show… now. Who wouldn't have fun interviewing Kori Robertson and her mom,
Baby Steps
Weston's walking! Watching grandchild number five loose his vise grip on one parent's fingers long enough to venture towards the other is both heartwarming and bittersweet for this Keggie. Granted, he's still pretty shaky, but baby steps, y'all. A few days ago, Weston would drop to his knees every time we stood him on his feet. Weston clearly considered crawling to be a sure mode of