About this time last year, I was out shopping and enjoying one last day of freedom before pre-planning started for the school year. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t shake the “back to school” anxiety that had kicked in and my stomach was already twisting into knots. I knew that no matter what I… Continue reading You Got This
There’s a Gorilla in the Library
This past week I retired from twenty years working as a school media specialist. I had accumulated lots of stuff in my "second home" over the years and for the last months I have been bringing home my books, pictures, and extra sweaters. I gave away many of the cute knick-knacks that teachers are… Continue reading There’s a Gorilla in the Library
In the Garden
I am on spring break this week and having a ‘staycation’. I’m loving time at home to write, sleep, cook, read and relax. Wednesday was finally gorgeous and warm, so after spending the morning working on a magazine article, I headed out to my flower garden. It’s a mess. I have to admit I’m a… Continue reading In the Garden
New Traffic Pattern Ahead
I turn 60 today, a milestone in many ways. Decade birthdays are always a time to reflect — at 30 I thought I was old (not), at 40 I thought I would quit worrying about what others thought (didn’t happen), at 50 I was finally starting to feel empowered. Conversely, 60 doesn’t feel old. Maybe… Continue reading New Traffic Pattern Ahead
The Year I Skipped Christmas
Let’s be honest - how many of you would love to skip Christmas? Just flip the calendar from December 1 to January 1 and be done with it? No decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking or stress. I've been there. Christmas and I have not always gotten along. We began having our struggles after I married and… Continue reading The Year I Skipped Christmas
A Place for a Tomato
Some women love clothes. Some have a weakness for jewelry. I can’t resist summer vegetables. I stopped by the Farmers Market at the Calhoun Depot on Monday and went a little crazy. I left with three kinds of tomatoes, including a purplish heirloom variety and the most wonderful sweet cherry ones that are like having… Continue reading A Place for a Tomato
Abiding
Abide. It’s an old-fashioned word, not one we use regularly. “How are you abiding today?” “Come abide with me awhile.” Haven’t said that lately. In my devotional the other day, I read this well-known verse about the necessity of being connected to God: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in… Continue reading Abiding
“We’re all miserable!”
“I don't know what to say, except it's the last week of school and we're all in misery.” I’ve paraphrased one of my favorite quotes from Christmas Vacation to describe the last week of May, when the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and those of us who work in a school are exhausted… Continue reading “We’re all miserable!”
Under Attack
Last week-end started out great as I celebrated my birthday. I enjoyed a nice run in the warm Spring air on Saturday, saw old friends at a birthday party and enjoyed dinner with Keith. But after my run I started feeling stuffy and achy and the next morning woke up with a sore throat and… Continue reading Under Attack
Beige is the color of fear
Beige is the color of fear. I first heard this phrase at our Calhoun Area Writers’ meeting almost two years ago. I was new and nervous, stepping out on a quivering branch to follow a life-long dream of being a writer. Paul Moses, a talented writer and head of graphic design for Royal Thai Carpets,… Continue reading Beige is the color of fear
