Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill. It’s Bible School time in Holly County. That’s great for Dad’s paper since all the churches have been putting ads in the Hollyhill Banner to get kids to show up at their Bible Schools. I know some kids that make the rounds of Bible Schools in the summer. I used to go to two …
Did You Go on a Honeymoon?
When you Google the word honeymoon, up pops 266,000,000 potential links. I was just trying to find the origin of the word, but I could have found many, many great places for a honeymoon. No, I didn’t just get married. I’m not even writing about a honeymoon. Well, wait a minute. On second thought, I do sort of have a …
What’s Your Question?
What makes us human, I think, is an ability to ask questions, a consequence of our sophisticated spoken language. ~Jane Goodall I invited you all to ask me a question about me or my writing last week. And a couple of you took me up on it. Whenever I give a talk about my books, the part I always like …
Hiker Devotional – Weeds Will Grow
It’s first Sunday Hiker Devotional Day. In the spring, hiking in the fields and woods is close to perfect. The grass is sprouting and turning the winter brown world fresh and green. The delicate wood anemones and twin leaf wildflowers pop up through last fall’s carpet of leaves and bloom at the first kiss of the spring sunshine. Walking through …
What Would You Ask a Writer?
Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, blank easel, or an empty stage. (Julia Cameron) I’m often asked about the writing process. Of course, every writer has his or her own way to get stories down on paper or computer screen and eventually into a book. But I once invited people to ask …
Summer Deadlines & Butterflies
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 July 1 was my third adjusted deadline for my current work in progress, An Appalachian Summer. I did not want to request a third extension so I’ve been doing a lot of staring at …
Outtakes in the Writing World
Outtake – a scene or sequence filmed or recorded for a movie or program but not included in the final version. With a deadline looming this weekend I’ve had to stick to business and edit, edit, edit. That’s because, as usual, I used too many words to tell my work in progress, now with an official title, An Appalachian …
Frankie and Friends
“We can learn so much by observing the way our pets rejoice in life’s simplest moments. For a dog, every morning is Christmas morning. Every walk is the best walk; every meal is the best meal. Take time every day to celebrate the many gifts that are hidden in the ordinary events of your life.” – Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer …
Berry Picking Time
I love berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black berries, anything with an ‘errie’ in it! ~Jordin Sparks I went raspberry picking yesterday. The rains keep coming down and the fields are wet. The day was steamy. The field where the raspberries grow in the fence row is chest high with grass since the hay hasn’t been cut yet. But I …
Some things Dads Do
Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad, and that’s why I call you dad, because you are so special to me. (Wade Boggs) Since it’s Father’s Day, I thought this would be a good time to share some Dad pictures and thoughts. My dad has been gone for a number of years but …









