There is a very large photograph in Aunt Donna’s basement of her as a young woman, dark hair, slim figure, standing primly in a beauty pageant. Her forties hair swirled perfectly and her lovely face and smile… my Shyanne looks very much like her. Aunt Donna is my grandma’s sister. I say ‘is’ even though she …
An artist’s craft does not come from their own mind, but rather from somewhere indescribable. Authors often talk about when inspiration hits, the dishes pile up, things get set aside, and they just write before it leaves them. Writers certainly incorporate their own experiences and their own knowledge. Writers will double check dates, facts, history, …
They closed with little fanfare. New opportunities only come from shut doors. One shop that had been in place for years transfers to my daughter, Shyanne, and she will have more success without the overhead. The new shop space is left better than it was before. No one came and the fates have spoken. I …
A new little farmgirl is joining our family this November. During Emily’s ultrasound yesterday I watched in awe as the little skeleton baby moved her knees into her chest, moved her arms, and turned her head. Is there anything more amazing than new life? My daughter is five months pregnant. Her five year old, our …
And then they thought, “Why, we should be four. Four holds infinite love at its door.” But first there was one. She is our youngest daughter, Emily, and she is ever so much fun. Then there were two. And no one stole my heart faster than you know who… I became a Grammie and Doug …
I finished my book. Two years ago, exactly, I was sitting in my friends’ living room in San Diego. I loved visiting Lisa and Steve. Over glasses of wine we discussed future, the spirit world, wisdom, and a book I should write. “You should write it on the beach!” Lisa suggested. How lovely that would …
I can see her still, pixie sized, with soft blond hair just brushing her shoulders, and compassionate, smiling eyes swirling her wine glass. I can see her in the vineyards, on the boat watching the whales, in her home watching inspirational television, in her Fiat driving around dressed smartly. She was one of the wisest women I …
Two of my favorite people in my world are celebrating their birthdays. My beautiful granddaughter, Maryjane Rose, who adds so much sunshine and love to our family arrived five years ago this morning. It was a snowy March day and we were snowed into the hospital. The next morning dawned bright as Pa celebrated his …
The memory of walking up the steps to my great-grandmother’s bungalow as a young girl is still vivid to me now. Every summer the wide, cement porch railing would be filled with geraniums. The lush greenery topped with clusters of brightly colored flowers waved in the warm air. Geraniums mean welcome to me. I have …
When her brother turned eighteen, we threw him a big surprise party. He and his friend were a little late but when they walked in a long table of people had menus covering their faces and yelled surprise! When her sister turned eighteen shortly after we did a reverse surprise party since we knew she …
