The call from Marji had unsettled me all day, but I couldn’t figure out why. She’d wanted to ask something. I knew it. What it was, however, she never said. I was just about to ask if I’d offended her or something when the dogs started barking like crazy. The mail guy had already been here, so it Continue Reading
New Release
Your Heart Might Be with Your Treasure, but There’s Trouble There, Too
When Amanda Tru told us our assignment was to "write about travel troubles," I just sat there. Dumbfounded. How on earth was I supposed to choose between the trek across New Mexico in the back of a pickup truck? In July? Without sunscreen (why did I think "tanning oil" was protection from the sun Continue Reading
When the Arrogance of Man Meets the Goodness of God?
I never knew how much I talked about my mistakes and misunderstandings until I had to write this post and realized I've shared most of the ones (if not all) that are remotely interesting. Let's face it. I've got an unbelievable talent for blowing it. Case in point: I didn't get this post finished Continue Reading
What Do Love, Forgiveness, and Trust Have to Do with a Good Book?
My dad was probably drunk the night he said the worst things anyone has ever said to me. I can still hear the guttural growl as he spewed horrible accusations on a girl who had made a foolish, new mom mistake. Truth is, I hadn't known any better, Challice was fine (thanks to the Lord's mercy), and Continue Reading
Why Do I Think Home Vacations Are the BEST Vacations?
"Where are you going on vacation this year?" The question is a common one. Let's face it. We all need "neutral" conversational topics that are unlikely to cause conflict. Vacation seems a perfect topic. Until you ask me that question. There were years when just whispering the word "vacation" Continue Reading
Some Say Opposites Attract, but Do They Really?
The question threw me for a loop. "Do you have a friend who is your opposite but you just love them?" I didn't (and still don't) know how to answer her. My friend Teresa is crazy outgoing and gregarious. I'm naturally shy. So... sure. We're opposites. But we have most things in common. The same is Continue Reading
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Wonderful Memories Wouldn’t You Say?
I can count on one hand the number of times I recall my mother "submitting" to the torture of having her picture taken. There's maybe another half dozen photos that people got when I wasn't around as well. When I went through my photography phase (I was abysmal with a film camera), my dad (who also Continue Reading
Take a Guess: Did We Skip Our Wedding to Avoid Complete Disaster?
What major part of your wedding could have been a disaster if the Lord hadn't intervened? That was the question given to the Independence Islands Authors (by me, no less). Guess that means I have to answer it, too. And well, really, I'd answer... the whole thing. Picture it. I was eighteen Continue Reading
Curious Minds Want to Know: What Is Your Absolute Favorite Book? Why?
"You're my favorite." My daughter grins first at me and then over at her siblings. They pretend to be upset, but mostly they just roll their eyes. After all, next week, or perhaps tomorrow, maybe even five minutes from now... Yep. It'll be their turn. My "favorite child" changes faster than a Continue Reading
Now, Did You Hear about That Time I Ended up in High Water?
Picture it. The summer of 1984. Clear Creek Lake, Oklahoma. I was fourteen and becoming red just thinking about going out on the water. Did that stop me? Nope. I was born a duck without protective feathers. Or something. My aunt and uncle had bought a motorboat--perfect for pulling water Continue Reading
If I Were Looking for Great, Exciting, and Unconventional Date Ideas…
A friend recently asked my best idea for an unconventional date. Now while Rachel didn't ask for my actual unconventional dates, that's where my brain went, and I'll be honest. I had no idea how to answer the question. You see, my husband and I never dated. Not only that, but I never went on Continue Reading
Isn’t It Cool When What Seemed So Awful Turns Out Great?
When Mom moved in with us back in 2019, we had one problem. Our house is a three-bedroom, one-bath, house with 1100-1250 sq. ft. Years ago, we converted part of the garage into the "annex" for our older girls, but we still had girls and the remaining boy in the middle room. Where to put the madre, Continue Reading
