Birthdays can be like flowers, lovely and bright, different even as they come on the same day year after year. The birthday stories some of you have been sending me are the same. Some of you have birthdays where not much fuss is made, maybe cake and ice cream. Others of you have had parties and special vacations and surprises. …
Mothers, Feed Sack Dresses and Sparklers
“My mother taught me about the power of inspiration and courage, and she did it with a strength and a passion that I wish could be bottled.” ~Cathy Fiorina I know you were expecting more birthday stories to go along with my birthday giveaway. (Remember you can check out details here.) So the mother quote may have surprised you. But …
Surprise! It’s a Birthday Party!
All right, how many of you have had a birthday party? A real party with a cake and candles to blow out (like this doghouse cake my granddaughter had a few years ago complete with dog biscuit look-alike cookies) and friends singing happy birthday to you? I hope all of you are nodding and thinking about some special birthday when …
Stories to Celebrate and Prizes to Win
“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” ~A.A. Milne Have you ever had balloons on your birthday? Balloons just seem to say let’s celebrate. Just ask Winnie the Pooh. That old bear can float around with a balloon and enjoy every day, birthday or not. So today here are some balloons to get us in the birthday mood and to …
September Means a Birthday Giveaway
September is my birthday month and as I’ve told you all before, I love birthdays. I’ve just quit counting them up. Not enough fingers and toes to count on for that. 🙂 I’d have to call the fire department if I had a cake with candles. But if you don’t count them, then you can consider Satchel Paige’s question. “How …
1 in 8 – The C Word
Turns out I’m the 1 in 8. A couple of weeks ago I heard the “c” word no one wants to hear. This week I’ll have surgery to remove a cancerous lump from my breast. The lump is very small and the possibility of a complete cure is very good. But I’m still 1 in 8. My mother had breast …
Sorting through the Odds & Ends of Mom’s Life
The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. ~William Morris Mom’s been gone for over a month now. For a while it’s felt like she’s still at the memory care facility and I need to go see about her. But that’s not so. She doesn’t need anybody to see about …
What Grows in Your Garden?
It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato. ~Lewis Grizzard Do you have a garden or maybe just a tomato plant in a big pot out on the deck? If you don’t have a garden now, have you grown a garden in the past? We used to grow a huge garden and I would can …
Spotted on My Walks through Nature’s Garden
There are always flowers for those who want to see them. (Henri Matisse) I usually take a walk every day if at all possible. My dog, Oscar, would be disappointed if we didn’t, although on some of the hotter days in summer, he sometimes looks at me as if he thinks I might have lost my mind wanting to walk …
Hunting Down that Idea Fairy
Where do you get your ideas? That’s a question I’m often asked, especially when I talk to young people. It’s a question most all writers are asked at one time or another. Here’s an answer I stumbled across last week. I’m not familiar with Sarah Zette’s writing, but I have to admire her sense of humor here where she’s obviously …