I saw Phil off to work and walked back inside, trying to decide if I should go kayaking. There was no real reason not to resume my morning rides. The sinus infection that had sidelined me was mostly vanquished and little more than a week had passed since I’d been on the water, but surprisingly, that seemed just long enough for my desire to wane.

I was fifteen when my parents built the house they’re in now. I remember when the foundation was poured. My sisters and I felt duty bound to trace our names in the wet concrete beside the carport. I don’t remember asking permission. Note to self: I should ask Mama if she and Papa appreciated our signatures or if they were surprised by them. However, I

I keep my granddaughters on Wednesday. One of our favorite activities, week in and week out, is playing church. Our church would be my piano room and our services are unlike any you may have been a part of before. Oh, sure, they resemble the services we attend at our home church, but the little bellerinas and I definitely have our own style of worship.

I enjoy starting my mornings on the back porch where I have a cup of coffee and a long talk with Jesus. I’m used to sharing this time with my dog, Dixie Belle, but lately we’ve had some company. Poppy, a green lizard christened by my granddaughter Emerson, has been with us for a week or more. For anyone wondering how I can be so

My starting point here in rural Louisiana can create some interesting travels plans. Last month I drove more than an hour to the nearest airport, where I flew down to Houston, TX so I could fly up to East Tennessee. Seriously, my other choice was connecting in Atlanta and that’s no choice, people. My intentions are to never connect in Atlanta again if I can

We have some entertaining video footage from one of my daughter’s long ago dance recitals. Jessica and her tap-dancing buddies are dressed from head to toe in vivid yellow. Several times during their big number the little girls are supposed to turn right and skip-to-their-loos in a circle. This part of the routine never goes well because one of the sweet dancers keeps forgetting which

It was late evening. I was making my way home with only the sounds of the car beneath me breaking the silence. I needed all the quiet I could get. My mind was speeding faster than the vehicle, insistent on snatching back frustrations I was trying to lay at God’s feet, tempting me to look at the problem from yet another angle. Wasn’t there anything

My new friend and I were talking basketball, specifically coaching basketball. Over the years her rancher husband has retired from the game more than once. This ex-coach understands. It gets in your blood. There’s a lot about coaching basketball I miss and some things I don’t. I miss gym time with the girls and teaching the game’s fundamentals, dribbling, passing, and shooting. I believed