March 3, 1965 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Not much has been happening here in Hollyhill. School. Basketball games. We actually won one game in the District Tournament. So we had lots of basketball pictures in the Hollyhill Banner. Even one of Valerie jumping up and cheering. I felt especially generous taking that picture. Valerie thinks she’s so …
And the Winners Are
“Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half.” (Bum Phillips) Another book celebration comes to an end with winners picked and contacted. You all make my contests so much fun with your stories and comments. Thank you for taking the time to toss your names in my hat for the giveaway drawing. Some of you take …
Dime Store Valentines and Cupcakes
“Be Mine, Valentine.” “I Woof You.” “You’re purr-fect, Valentine!” “You’re doggone cute.” “We’re heart to heart friends.” I know Valentine’s Day is past and it’s 50 weeks before it shows up again. The candy’s gone. The roses have drooped their heads. The cards are beginning to look like clutter. The diamonds are probably still glittering in the rings and necklaces …
The Staying Power of Jupiterian Fropples
February 24, 1965 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Things have been pretty calm in Hollyhill. That’s the way it is in the winter around here. If we don’t have a big snowstorm, then nothing really happens in February. Just cold winds and days you think spring will never get here. School is extra trouble in February. Teachers must …
“A Book Worth Reading”
“If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.” ~George MacDonald Sometimes an encouraging word can be a special gift. I got one of those today from a reader who was reading my book, Scent of Lilacs. …
Every Dog Needs a Name
Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs Last week on my Facebook author page, I asked for suggestions for a dog’s name. I posted the first picture above as a look alike of the dog in my current work in progress. But he’s not exactly right. My dog may be a little more like picture two. And of course Oscar in picture …
Jocie Shares a Scene from Summer of Joy
February 17, 1965 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky three days after Valentine’s Day. It’s been snowing and snowing. That’s given me lots of time to think about all the different kinds of love and back to some of the things that happened in those Heart of Hollyhill books I’m in. You know it’s funny that last Hollyhill …
A Giveaway to Celebrate Summer of Joy
Celebration time! For a writer, there’s not much more exciting than seeing a new book coming out for readers – even when that new book is simply one dressed up in a new cover. With the re-release of Summer of Joy, in a few weeks, my Heart of Hollyhill books will once more all be in print again and inviting …
A Hard Day’s Night at the ER
Here’s Mom about five years ago with a lap full of great grandbabies. She was beginning to have problems with her thinking then, but they were things you just passed off as getting older. Dementia was actually raising its ugly head, but we either didn’t recognize the symptoms or didn’t want to see them. I, for one, never thought Mom …
Chocolates Spell Love
February 10, 1965 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Snow is still on the ground but the school buses are running again. I don’t ride the bus. Dad takes me to school on his way to the newspaper office. Thank goodness. If I had to ride the bus, I’d be on it for an hour. That might be all …