“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One nation evermore.” (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Do you make it a point to see fireworks somewhere every year on the Fourth of July? We used to always take the kids to see fireworks. Long ago when drive-in movies were still popular, the drive-ins would put on a fireworks show along with the …
Historic Osage Orange Tree Photo Op
Fort Harrod, the first pioneer settlement in Kentucky in 1774, has been reconstructed as a history park in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. You can go tour the fort and see how those first pioneers lived. There’s a picnic area in front of the fort where the unofficial largest Osage orange tree in the county is located. It isn’t the officiaI largest tree …
Mama for the First Time
Today is my eldest son’s birthday. He came into the world and changed everything for me, even more than things had already changed when I married. Of course, if you are in the family way as the older folks used to say when the word pregnant was not quite accepted in mixed company, you have to know that sooner or …
What Say You about Summer?
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. (John Lubbock) Summer officially started last Thursday as we enjoyed the longest day between sunup and sundown. I love the long …
The Bible, Butterflies and Babies
Jocie Brooks here reporting from Hollyhill. I know it’s been a while. You can’t believe how busy a high school girl can get. You’d think I’d have all the time in the world. At least that’s what Dad says. That at my age, I should be cherishing my days when I can do whatever I want. I’m not sure if …
The Best Summers Ever
“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.” (Jenny Han) When I sent out a newsletter with a June giveaway, I invited those who entered to share something about summer with me. It wasn’t a requirement to enter, since any e-mail or comment here on my blog gets you entered, but stories can be fun. As it …
A Day for Dads
Happy Father’s Day! My dad has been gone for over thirty years, but he is still here in my memories and my heart. He was a good dad. He worked hard on our farm and expected my sisters and me to do our part to help. I was the youngest child and should have been the boy I’m sure he …
In the Good Ol’ Summertime
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” -Henry James Do you remember how you looked forward to summer vacation when you were a kid in school? I do even though summer did hold plenty of chores and work days for this farm girl. But there was also time to …
Let’s Go to the Creek
If you want to relax, watch the clouds pass by if you’re laying on the grass, or sit in front of the creek; just doing nothing and having those still moments is what really rejuvenates the body. ~Miranda Kerr Summertime is the perfect time to take some moments to do that relaxing and look at those clouds or listen to …
What Makes You Pick Up a New Book?
Always fun to actually hold the first copy of a new book in my hand. Of course, I’ve already read it umpteen times while I was writing and editing the story, so I don’t sit down and read it again when I get that first copy hot off the press. But I do imagine others seeing this new book and …