Three little girls. Two with blond, curly pigtails. One brunette with cute swinging bob. They wear bicycle shorts and swingy tunic tops. Frankly, they look straight out of an Old Navy commercial. Laughing, giggling, they weave through the aisles of Walmart with their mother. “Can we get water Continue Reading
Personal
What 4 All-American Things Do I Absolutely Hate?
I was a kid in the seventies. I mean, you almost couldn't BE a more seventies kid than me. Time-wise, anyway. I was born in 1970--on the first anniversary of man landing on the moon. WOOT! Most of the other 70's kid stuff didn't really apply to me. I didn't watch much TV, I didn't get into pop Continue Reading
15+ Memories: Why I Know I Had the Best Childhood
Did I tell you about the time my Dad and I went to Santa Barbara for dinner? We ate at J. K. Frimbles by the tree, and later, we walked up and down State Street, window shopping. What about how Mom and I used to sit in the “family room” half of her bedroom at night and listen to old radio Continue Reading
5 Cool Life Secrets I Learned from Old Movies
The blue screen flickers—turns black, white, and innocent shades of gray. Music swells. The production company’s logo fills the TV, and a smile forms. The music always changes—sprightly for a romance or a comedy, tense and imposing for a drama. A combination for both. And then it begins… I’ve Continue Reading
3 Sure Fire Things That Always Make Me Laugh
Let me set the scene. Seventh grade. Twelve years old. Just rode home from school—a five-mile ride… up an overpass. Both ways. Okay, not that last part. Just one way, but the rest… So, overheated but not perspiring (because that part of my body didn’t work very well… still doesn’t), I dragged Continue Reading
Why I Think We Need a New Princess in the Line Up—One Who Is Always Late
The lights shift. An expectant audience leans forward as three young girls step forward on screen. The littlest goes first—so cute. So sweet. She looks like a medieval princess. Reading from a storybook, she sings about how she’s waiting for her prince. She’s been waiting for a whole twenty-three Continue Reading
The Tyranny of the Desire to Do All the Things
Life in the trenches—that’s what I called it, you know. In the trenches. Those days of waking up half an hour early, bleary-eyed, hoping for five minutes in the shower, five minutes alone with the Lord, and twenty minutes to make those two things happen. Hey, a girl has to be realistic, Continue Reading
Why Traveling Alone Is Awesome + My Top 5 Destinations
South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana. Done. Have a great day! *crickets* Oh, all right. So, maybe that’s cheating. For the curious, I left out North America since I live here (despite it being vastly broader than I’ve explored) and Antarctica for obvious reasons. I love to travel—by Continue Reading
Why I Despise Memes & Quotes Against Religion
(and why I think God does, too!) WHAT? Bear with me. I can't be the only one who has seen Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or a blog with a meme or quote image like ---> that one. It's so pretty. It sounds so spiritual and deep. It sounds so anti-formulaic. There's just Continue Reading
So Which of My Characters Is Most Like Me?
Am I? Am I "a character?" Well, my mom always said I am. Someone would ask about my character and that's what she'd say. "Oh, she's a character all right." So, there you have it. Easiest answer of them all. Sigh. Links in this post may be affiliate links that provide me with a Continue Reading
3 Reasons to read Youth Fiction
Last Monday, I wandered through Barnes and Noble. Okay, I confess, I was wandering a bit aimlessly because I was disappointed. After so many people finding Deepest Roots of the Heart at their Barnes and Noble stores, I really hoped to see it at "ours" (in quotes because let's face it: a store 90 Continue Reading
The Super-Secret Confessions of a Vulneraphobe
I have thick skin. I'd like to say it's my natural personality, but I don't really think it is. I suspect if I'd been born in any other family I might have ended up a very different person, and probably a sensitive one at that. My parents did a great job of teaching me how to let negativity and Continue Reading