“What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve: The sure sweet cement, glue, and lime of love.” (Robert Herrick) Romance – what would life be without it? And what would romance be without a kiss? Here’s some rules for kissing from the early nineteen hundreds with a reason for a smile when you read to the end of the …
Pink Ribbons and Prayers
One in eight women have breast cancer. A year ago in August I found out I was that one in eight women as I went for a biopsy and got the bad news that I had breast cancer. Since that time, I’ve talked to so many women who have had a similar diagnosis or whose mother or sister has. The …
The Two Best Days of School
August 16, 1966 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. School starts tomorrow. Dad says I should be excited. He even preached on being excited about learning on Sunday. Of course, he was talking about learning from the Bible or learning more about Jesus. Not school. Maybe I used to get excited about starting school. Back when I was just …
Sticks and Stone Reviews
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.” That’s an old adage that I’m sure you’ve heard many times. You may had said it yourself or told your kids to say it when you were trying to get them past some hurtful words aimed at them at school or on the playground. I doubt …
From South Africa with Love – A True Life Love Story
Don’t you just love a great love story? You all know how much I enjoy how you share your stories with me when I have a contest of some kind. Your stories make me the big winner in those contests. (I’ll be having a birthday contest soon.) I enjoy hearing from you in between contests too and I’m always glad …
Reaping What Others Sowed
August 10, 1966 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Here we are about two weeks away from starting school. Scary! Summer is sliding away into the shadows. My trip with Wes last week was about the only fun thing I’ve done this summer. Well, I did finish writing Bailey’s Bug. Guess that was something. I even got it all …
The Special Air of Old Trees
“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.” (Robert Louis Stevenson) Last week I shared with you that I’d been on vacation to Edisto Beach in South Carolina. …
Creating My Character Lacey in The Blessed
My Shaker book, The Blessed, is on e-book sale at 99 cents or less for a limited time. When the less than a dollar price disappears, the e-book will still be available for a reduced price for a week or so. So if you e-read and have ever considered giving one of my Shaker books a try, you might consider …
A Trip with Wes
August 3, 1966 Jocie Brook here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle? For a long trip? Your legs can go to sleep and your hair blows around if you don’t put it in a ponytail. Sometimes a bug hits your arm. I love it. I never, never thought Dad would let me take a long …
Beach, Sun, Surf and Winners
The Beach Ah, the beach. The relentless crash of the waves. The beauty of their power. The joy of throwing your body into the surf. The happiness of sitting in the sun or walking along on the wet sand letting the ocean nip at your toes. The fun of hearing a child giggle at the first touch of the waves. …