“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” ~A.A. Milne Have you ever had balloons on your birthday? Balloons just seem to say let’s celebrate. Just ask Winnie the Pooh. That old bear can float around with a balloon and enjoy every day, birthday or not. So today here are some balloons to get us in the birthday mood and to …
September Means a Birthday Giveaway
September is my birthday month and as I’ve told you all before, I love birthdays. I’ve just quit counting them up. Not enough fingers and toes to count on for that. 🙂 I’d have to call the fire department if I had a cake with candles. But if you don’t count them, then you can consider Satchel Paige’s question. “How …
1 in 8 – The C Word
Turns out I’m the 1 in 8. A couple of weeks ago I heard the “c” word no one wants to hear. This week I’ll have surgery to remove a cancerous lump from my breast. The lump is very small and the possibility of a complete cure is very good. But I’m still 1 in 8. My mother had breast …
Sorting through the Odds & Ends of Mom’s Life
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 …
What Grows in Your Garden?
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 …
Spotted on My Walks through Nature’s Garden
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 …
Hunting Down that Idea Fairy
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 …
What’s in a Name?
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 …
On the Hunt for Bargains
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 …
Time for Front Porch Visits
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 …