Greetings Friend ~ Happy New Year’s Eve! As 2017 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts. Can you believe the new year is but a breath away? How is it even possible that 2018 arrives tomorrow? It’s so true the older we get, the years seem to fly by a little faster. …
Christmas Prep and December Update
Oh, my goodness. Can it really be December? Can it really be time to deck the halls? My Thanksgiving tablecloths are barely dried and put away. Still, here in my little hub, I’m in full-blown Christmas prep. This, after three—yes, three—Thanksgiving celebrations in three different homes on three different days. During those three days, we celebrated with turkey and ham …
Just a Brief Update…
Since recent weeks have been rather hectic, today’s blog post is coming to you on Saturday and not Friday. Thanks for joining me for a few minutes as we kick back, sip java, and chat. (And since it’s Saturday, don’t break out your dress duds. Your PJs and slippers are just fine!) You may remember I mentioned I’m working on …
Six Fall Pick-Me-Ups
There’s a saying that if you don’t like the weather (in the Ozarks) one day, stick around. The next day will be totally different. For instance, yesterday, our little niche registered eighty-one degrees. Today, we’re expecting a high of forty-five. Forty-five? Ahh, well. That’s life in the Ozarks. As winds shift and the season grows cooler, the Ozark hills and hollows …
Coffee and Catch-Up… Let’s Chat!
Hi friend ~ It’s great to be with you today! I’ve missed you. Pull up a chair as we catch up over coffee and treats. No calories. No worries. And no bad stuff—because that’s what the news is for, right? Now, for those who’ve asked—yes, I’m still here. Yes, I’m still blogging (though, as I mentioned a few months ago, …
September Update from My Niche in the Ozarks
As September draws to a close, there’s a hint of fall in the Ozarks. Though the metamorphosis is subtle, change is on the horizon as leaves grow restless and weary with the shifting season. It’s the time of year when earth yawns and new colors emerge replacing summer greens and once-vibrant blossoms. Usually, there’s a nip to the air by …
What Stories Matter?
Over the years, I’ve blogged often about story. As you would expect, stories are near and dear to my heart. I love to read them, write them, and listen to others tell them. It’s my firm belief that everyone has a story. Not everyone is a writer, but all of us have life experiences to draw from. We may journal, …
August Update
Greetings from the Ozarks! It’s great to be back with you today. As you may have noticed, this summer I’ve stepped back from blogging. Other than holiday breaks and a few short vacations, I’ve blogged steadily since 2011. I decided I was long overdue for a sabbatical. Our college gal’s been home for the summer and we’ve enjoyed reconnecting. Now, …
When Our Story Worlds Come Alive
For writers, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as breathing life and love into our characters and stories. Our hearts beat for those creative moments when fact meets fiction in bold, new worlds. We’re eager to get words on the page and begin our journey. From the first moment I envisioned the sleepy, little town of Ruby, Missouri, ideas flowed. The …
Success… Is It Too Late?
There comes a point in life, maybe during a career crisis or a season of self-reflection, our confidence dips. Our belief wilts. Is it too late? Has my chance already come and gone? Has the moment of opportunity slipped past, despite my desire to move forward? For the baby boomer generation, advancing years are a reality. There’s no denying the …