Who Holds Your Treasure?
“Here, Keggie,” my granddaughter said, “Hold my frog, please. I don’t want to lose it.” It would be a waste of time for anyone to tell Emerson she shouldn’t play with frogs. That ship has sailed. And for the record, this Keggie complied. You may or may not share Emerson’s fondness for frogs, but I’m guessing we all know what it means to trust someone to
Pruning Wars
When it comes to trimming the shrubs and trees around our home, Phil and I have vastly different ideas on when to say when. Phil takes pruning to the extreme. I can almost hear the foliage begin to whimper whenever the man picks up yard clippers. I would tell you that Phil is a more is more type of pruner. Phil thinks I am anti-pruning,
Ending the Weary Search
I always wake up depleted after a Searching Dream. That’s what I’ve taken to calling the nightly dramas I have so often, Searching Dreams. It’s almost impossible to explain them to a second party, but I think I’m supposed to try. My searching dreams always have a destination I urgently need to reach— only I’m unable to make any forward progress because the setting and the
The Things You Can Think
The All Things Southern Baby Czars and I might not always agree on which book we want to read and how many times it should be read, in one sitting, but when it comes to story time itself, the grands and I are on the same page. Pun intended. Books rock! One of my favorites is a Doctor Seuss classic, “Oh, the Thinks You Can
Wrong Side of Temptation and the Original High Road
Today’s story is yet another from the Christmas holidays. I can’t help it. I stack up more stories than there is time to tell ‘em. At this rate, I should be opining on Valentine’s Day by Easter weekend. I have a nutcracker collection that inhabits my dining room during the holidays. Gathered in groups on the dinner table, the side board, occasional table and china buffet,
I Want to Be an Extreme Imitator Like Carlisle Mae
Everything comes in pairs with my granddaughters, Emerson and Carlisle, A.K.A, The ATS Bellerina Czars. And I do mean everything. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. We’ve all seen younger siblings imitate their older sisters and brothers but Carlisle Mae takes the age-old game to a whole new level. If four-year-old Emerson Ann is doing it, two year-old Carlisle Mae is going to try it
Y’all Come Go With Us
Papa was reclining on the loveseat and Mama was warming herself by the fire when she signaled their next move with a delicious old saying I haven't heard in quite some time. "Well, come go with us." Perhaps you've heard this southernism, or said it yourself. It doesn't seem to be as common as it once was, but "Come go with us," means the visitors
Giving up the Perfect Prayer
Over the last few years I’ve met a ton of neat authors, many of whom have kindly shared some of their hard earned lessons in our industry. I’ve also been blessed with good counsel from agents and editors, but one of the best pieces of writing advice I’ve ever received has to be: “Don’t get it right, get it written.” The phrasing makes it easy to
The “If I Die” App
Oh, the advantages of technology. I admit to being an avid Facebooker. I’m also LinkedIn, Twitter happy, Pin Crazy and sharing like mad on Muzy and Instagram. What can I say? I know social media has its detractors, but I believe it is what you make it. And yet, even I find this new development creepy times two. There’s actually a Facebook app that will allow