It’s almost here! Can you feel it? For this born and bred Ozarkian gal, fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I adore the cool breeze and glorious color. If I must endure the 30 degree temperature shifts (sometimes, literally overnight), then I figure it’s finally payback. Fall in the Ozarks is a time like no other. There’s lots …
You’ve probably seen those Facebook challenges inviting you to take part in this or that. It usually goes something like this: One of your friends will tag you on Facebook in a post and issue the challenge, and then you are supposed to tag other friends with the same challenge. I don’t always take part in these, but recently I …
To coin a cliché, first impressions are everything (although we sometimes wish they weren’t). A few examples that jump to mind: The job applicant dressed to the nines—but showed up late. A delectable meal ordered out—and was delivered to the table cold. The beautiful, new home recently listed—too bad the interior work was substandard. All of us can think of those times …
Have you had a tough week? Are you ready for a bright spot? Then you’ve come to the right place! Sit back, kick your shoes off, and soak in some encouragement. I have a few diddies just for YOU. Every week I scour cyberland high and low for goodies to bless your heart. I think by Friday all of us …
If you write and you’re serious about publication, listen up: writing conferences are a must. At some point in your career you’ll have to decide which conference best suits your needs, but if you are serious about furthering your craft and honing your skills, this is the best way to do it. There is nothing like learning, growing, and networking …
Sometimes Mondays bring a mixed bag of emotions. We dread them, embrace them, or simply accept them as a matter of course. It only stands to reason that if we have a lot going on in our lives, the first day of our work week can overwhelm. It makes sense, too, when we look forward to something we approach Mondays …
Dream. Just the word spurs our imagination. And while we’re at it, if we’re going to dream, why not do it in a big way? Isn’t that the purpose—to envision something extraordinary? I’ve always said: Goals are something I try to realistically shoot for with God’s help. Dreams, however, are something beyond the tangible, but completely possible with the One …
We didn’t do anything extraordinary over Labor Day weekend, but I’m sentimental so simple days are often the best times in my book. I tend to file away every memorable nugget for safekeeping. “Isn’t this wonderful? We’re making a memory!” It’s somewhat of a running joke in our family. Last Friday, I mentioned how I looked forward to some much-needed …
Another Friday. Time for a work week wrap-up! Whew. Where do the days go? Since school started, summer’s almost a memory. And with tennis season in full swing, things in our neck of the woods are busy, busy, busy. For those of you whose kiddos play sports, then you know what I’m talking about. It’s tremendous fun, but a wee …
For readers not familiar with Christian fiction there’s the preconceived notion that if it’s Christian it must be all hearts and flowers. Or boring. Or something. For example, a friend once asked why I wanted to write for the Christian market and not the secular one. It was actually something I’d thought about a lot. “Well, a Christian is who I am. …
