Books, Literature, Photography, Writing

Days of Our Reading Lives: This Rock, Book Review

This Rock by Robert Morgan tells the struggle of a family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Rating: Sum It Up: Powell brothers, Moody and Muir, faceoff in a struggle to become men without a father. Ginny, their widowed mother, pushes younger brother, Muir, harder to work on the farm. Ambitious, Muir wants… Continue reading Days of Our Reading Lives: This Rock, Book Review

Art, Blogging, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Thought for the Night: Simplicity

Write simple words. Mold them, shape them. Keep them simple. Who will read them? The greats. Sure. There are the greats, but they sit on thrones above. The ones who want a break from work. The ones who want a break from bills. The ones who want a break from screaming children. The ones who… Continue reading Thought for the Night: Simplicity

Art, Blogging, Books, Family, Literature, Writing

Days of Our Reading Lives: This Rock, Part I

Inspired by Pat Conroy's The Reading Life, I created a new themed post, Days of Our Reading Lives. Why is it important? Reading for a writer is sensual. It is an endurance of an author's passion over a long period of time much like a strong relationship. Books connect you to people, open new doors and… Continue reading Days of Our Reading Lives: This Rock, Part I

Journalism, Life, Literature, Politics, Uncategorized, Writing

Friday Night Lights: The Thing about Why

Shots echo. Not many. Just enough. Congress votes down new gun law.     Children dead – six year olds  remebered from Sandy Hook. Once smiling faces not enough to move men and women in big boy and big girl suits.   Yesterday, an armed man threatens the school where I used to substitute. The police… Continue reading Friday Night Lights: The Thing about Why

Art, Blogging, Books, Journalism, Writing

Write like a Turtle, Edit like a Fox

Courtesy of http://fadingamericans.wordpress.com/featured-animals/green-sea-turtle/ The sea turtle, box turtles and large land turtles take their time getting somewhere, but they choose different paths, have a hard shell and get where they're going. Courtesy of http://www.frmheadtotoe.com/2012/10/fox-halloween-tutorial.html The fox watches, waits and listens. Those are essential to editing. When you think you're ready to send a piece out,… Continue reading Write like a Turtle, Edit like a Fox

Art, Blogging, Family, Life, Photography, Photos, Writing

When We Write Letters, Part VIII: Letter to Mom

Dear Mom, Will you walk with me for a few minutes in the garden? Photos taken on my father-in-law's farm late last summer where many beautiful plants and trees grow. I think of you walking with me in the garden. Instead of shopping for dresses, we will look at ripples in the river. Don't you… Continue reading When We Write Letters, Part VIII: Letter to Mom

Blogging, Books, Family, Friends, Life, Writing

Thurspiration: Strength to Stand

Spring has taken it's time this year. It waits beneath the fallen leaves and frost at the end of March. As April begins, we try to remember the last time we experienced a spring starting late in the Carolinas. Maybe the seasons want us to wait and remember. See death was not done collecting lives… Continue reading Thurspiration: Strength to Stand