“Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne I love spotting things on my walks like this butterfly. I’ve been pursuing him or his brothers and sisters for the last couple of months in order to take his photo. They were all …
“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” ~George Harrison Birthdays mean cake. And sometimes surprises. At least that’s what I’m hearing in the stories you’ve been sending in as you enter your names in my Celebration Giveaway for Christmas at Harmony Hill. 12 more days to enter your name by sending me a …
September 16, 1964 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Thank goodness, I managed to stay out of trouble at school this week so that I could write this report. Did you like Dad filling in for me last week? He wouldn’t let me read it. Said that was part of my punishment for getting in trouble with Mrs. Jackson. …
“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” (Satchel Paige) Happy birthday to me! Do you like having birthdays? I do. I may not like counting them up, but I do like having them. I didn’t have either of these desserts today, but as pretty as the top one is, I’d take the …
Twelve years have passed but the day will never be forgotten. There are no words to express the tragedy of that day. The reading of the names, the stories of the heroic actions of those on the planes and in the towers, and the memory of the courage of the first responders bring tears as we relive that terrible day. May …
September 9, 1964 David Brooke here filling in for Jocie who got in trouble at school for eating a Tootsie Roll in class. She claims she just took a little bite in the hallway between classes. It wasn’t her fault that Mrs. Jackson picked on her to answer the very first question in English class and that chocolate sort of …
Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family’s strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown Thanks to all …
I sent out a newsletter Sunday. If you’re on my newsletter list you already know about my new celebration giveaway, but if you’re not, you can find out about it here. I’m celebrating my birthday and the September release of Christmas at Harmony Hill by giving away some prizes. The book is in stores and available online. I do hope you will …
September 2, 1964 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill. Sadly. Disgruntedly. (That word was in my Learn Ten New Words a Day book. Doesn’t it sound the best? Like a mad pig or something.) I guess I shouldn’t say sadly. The first day of school isn’t really a sad day. Dad says I should try to come up with exact …
I’ve never been to Washington DC to see the Vietnam Wall, so when I found out the Traveling Wall was coming to a town near me, I wanted to go. I’ve researched several different wars for my historical novels but so far, the closest I’ve come to writing about the Vietnam War was in Jerry’s life testimony story, Angels at …