Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Ann’s Posts”
The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. ~William Morris Mom’s been gone for over a month now. For a while it’s felt like she’s still at the memory care facility and I need to go see about her. But that’s not so. She doesn’t need anybody to see about …
August 25, 1965 Jocie Brooke reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky, after a grueling day. Can you guess where I was from the picture? Right! The dentist. Do you like going to the dentist? Not me. Sitting in that chair gives me the shivers. I want to put my hand over my mouth and say no thanks. But Dad said I had …
It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato. ~Lewis Grizzard Do you have a garden or maybe just a tomato plant in a big pot out on the deck? If you don’t have a garden now, have you grown a garden in the past? We used to grow a huge garden and I would can …
There are always flowers for those who want to see them. (Henri Matisse) I usually take a walk every day if at all possible. My dog, Oscar, would be disappointed if we didn’t, although on some of the hotter days in summer, he sometimes looks at me as if he thinks I might have lost my mind wanting to walk …
August 18, 1965 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. What do you think about these toadstools? Aren’t they something? Dad says he might put the picture in Banner if news doesn’t pick up. News never picks up in Hollyhill. Never. The most exciting thing that happened all summer was Mr. Wallace’s cows got out day before yesterday, and were …
Where do you get your ideas? That’s a question I’m often asked, especially when I talk to young people. It’s a question most all writers are asked at one time or another. Here’s an answer I stumbled across last week. I’m not familiar with Sarah Zette’s writing, but I have to admire her sense of humor here where she’s obviously …
One thing they never tell you about child raising is that for the rest of your life, at the drop of a hat, you are expected to know your child’s name and how old he or she is. ~Erma Bombeck That’s true for mamas and also for writers. I’ll be giving a book talk and somebody will ask something about one …
August 11, 1965 Jocie Brooke here, reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Do you like trying to see things in clouds? I do sometimes. I took this picture. Well, not really on purpose. Zella would have a fit if she thought I was wasting film on clouds, but I slipped when I was trying to take a cow picture for the paper …
Bargain – a thing bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected. Folks all along US 127 have been either offering or looking for bargains all week. The worlds longest yard sale goes from Alabama to Michigan with Kentucky right in the middle. Last week, scenes like the one above were scattered all along the road …
True luxury is being able to own your time – to be able to take a walk, sit on your porch, read the paper, not take the call, not be compelled by obligation. ~Ashton Kutcher Do you have a front porch? I grew up in a house with a front porch. We didn’t have chairs on it. That would have …