Caught Between Places
One of the panels I went to at the Southern Festival of Books was titled Our Feet May Leave, But Not Our Hearts – Stories of Home and Place (I know, kinda cheesy title, but it was YA novelists so I was hooked), and the panelists were Silas House and Meg Medina. I’d heard of Silas [...]
I’m the Preacher’s Kid
My soul is so full. I am coming down from the high after hanging out at the Southern Festival of Books for three days. No, not a vacation, not a retreat, but three days that were for me. Poet me, writer me, reader me. There is so much to reflect on, so I’ll have to [...]
Wanted: A Best Friend Forever
Searching for female BFF for thirty-something married mother of two. Must have at least average intelligence and above average wit. Must be able to take phone calls from me at any time of day or night, and give me the appropriate pep talk for whatever my current crisis is. Must be available to meet me [...]
Joy Comes In The Morning
Today would have been my brother’s 30th birthday. A year after Will’s death, my mom and I traveled to Sewanee to attend a day conference on Centering Prayer. We learned that Centering Prayer is a meditation-like prayer time in which you let go of conscious thoughts and focus on a word or a phrase that [...]
My Kids, Readers
This is not a how-to post. I can’t be that mom. I can’t take credit because most of the time I’m far less intentional than I intend to be. (Yes, pun intended.) But there’s this amazing thing that’s happened in my family: My kids love books. And I love them for that. (And for many, [...]
Hello! Welcome to Crazytown.
In Crazytown this week: The Mars rover Curiosity showed a burst of intellect this week. It stopped to observe . . . wait for it . . . a rock. My friend Chelsea had a rat in her bird feeder. Goodyear is offering Celebrity Driving Classes now. Only available for celebrities named Amanda Bynes or [...]
The Boring Truth About Adoption
Dear Friends, There hasn’t been too much adoption news of late. My impression of adoption so far is this: Three years of completing 189,905,389 pieces of paperwork. And then you get a child. Click here to continue reading . . .
How I Want to Defy Gravity and Touch the Stars
Today I grumped and griped. I do everything around here. No one ever tells me thank you. No one ever offers to help. I wouldn’t have to get on to all of you if you’d pick up your stuff once in a while. Then I sadly sulked. I wish my life were more than dishes [...]
Anchors in the Storm
Life is crazy right now. Since the school year started, I have had only one full day to actually sit at my desk and work. The rest of the time I am visiting teachers, meeting with principals, planning PDs (Professional Development) with teammates, presenting PDs to teachers, and somehow trying to fit in all my [...]
On Humility (And Nursing a Bruised Ego)
Yesterday Madeleine got her card moved from green to yellow – for the first time EVER!! She made it all the way through kindergarten and first grade without having her card pulled. There were a lot of tears on the way home yesterday. She didn’t do anything terrible; she was just supposed to be sitting [...]
