When I was a little girl, I used to wish for a name that ended with the long sound of e. I’m not sure where the idea came from that vowels would affect my state of contentment. But, being a sensible child, I just knew life would be more fun as Cindy or Susie. Eventually,…
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, I find myself thinking of food. It’s not turkey and dressing I have on my mind, however. My thoughts have turned toward grits— that good old southern staple— and a dish I attempted to prepare when I was twelve years old. I’m sure my family was thankful my…
What do you want to do when you grow up? It’s a question I ask my kindergarteners at the beginning of each school year. I might learn I’m teaching a future firefighter, ballerina, chef, vet, singer and all-star athlete. And that’s just one child’s answer. I love that they dream big because I know…
The morning started off well. My schedule was tight, but I felt prepared and productive. All my ducks were swimming happily in a row as I shut the front door and headed to my car, confident of my ability to accomplish everything on my to-do list. Until I realized my keys were still on the…
Sunny with an invigorating chill, it was a perfect day to be outdoors. I grabbed a jacket and pulled on a crocheted band to keep my ears warm. Then I looked at our dog, Emma-the-Goofball-Mastiff. I love Emma, but we have diametrically opposing goals when it comes to our outings. While I’m seeking some peace…
This is a story about a dog and glitter and light in the darkness and living light in a world that can easily weigh you down. It began when Emma, our mastiff, awakened me from a peaceful sleep in the wee hours of the morning. She’s getting older and can’t always wait until daylight to…
Christmas is here. Finally. Have we ever been more ready? As this unpredictable year spins crazily to a close, I, for one, would love to celebrate with some familiar traditions. The trouble is, many of those traditions- things like traveling, gathering together, and singing in close proximity to others- have all been moved to the…
Lunch box love notes. That’s what I call the little messages parents often tuck between a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a shiny red apple. Since I teach kindergarten and most of my children aren’t yet able to read, I have the privilege of relaying this correspondence to them. Though the exact wording may…
My Great Aunt Jorsey lived with us when I was growing up. Her name was Joyce, but she was called Joycie. I pronounced it with an r and never knew that was wrong until I was grown. Anyway, Aunt Jorsey liked to sit on the sofa, crocheting and dipping snuff. Sometimes I would plop down…