Death, Family, Grief, Life, Loss, parenthood, parenting, Photography, Photos

Mommy, I Need to Water the Flowers

The work ahead of my family seems heavier than a load anyone wants to lift.It's a load my students this year would say, "This is too much work." It's the type of work previous students would say, "You doin' too much." Sometimes I think my past traumatic experiences are taken lightly. But, those ordeals made it… Continue reading Mommy, I Need to Water the Flowers

Art, Books, movies, Photography, Photos, Writing

Take on the Worlds: Dreamscape

You never went before. Or, maybe you did. Somewhere between the worlds of memories, dreams and what writers understand of reality is your story’s landscapes. You may write Sci-fi, paranormal or realistic fiction, but no tale begins without the sense of place.  An important topic in writing is: Do you know the world where your… Continue reading Take on the Worlds: Dreamscape

Art, Blogging, Family, Food, Life, Photography, Writing

No Matter Where

I grew up in a suburb outside Charlotte curious about everyone and everything from a place located anywhere but there. I wanted to know what people ate, what they believed and why they believed it. One constant in all of my travel, friendship and life experiences is the appreciation of landscape, cityscape and what people cultivate. When I write, my favorite… Continue reading No Matter Where

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, 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

Art, Blogging, Books, Education, Photography, Photos, Writing

InspireMe: Where You Find Your Story

The house settled by the Ogle family in the Great Smokey Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tenn. How will you create your place? Where is it located? How often have you traveled there or visited this place in your imagination? Do you miss it when you go? A downtown view of Gatlinburg, Tenn. The truth is that… Continue reading InspireMe: Where You Find Your Story

Blogging, Family, Life, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Get Lost Sometimes

"Love, I get so lost sometimes. Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart. When I want to run away, I drive off in my car. But whichever way I go I come back to the place you are. … In your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches. In your eyes, the… Continue reading Get Lost Sometimes

Economy, Life, Photography, Photos, Unemployment, Writing

When We Write Letters Part V: After You Get Your Foot in the Door

A man walks around the center of a town. The county courthouse sits at the center. The statue of a war hero is in front. He lives in a warm place most of the year. Sunshine and 61 degree weather becomes old to him. He waits for something new to come along because he needs… Continue reading When We Write Letters Part V: After You Get Your Foot in the Door

Blogging, Economy, Family, Food, Photography, Photos, Unemployment, Writing

Write Big, Use Small Words: Best Love Ever

Look on your Valentine's Day Candy. What words do you read? Are they long or short? Does your candy say: Indulge My Passion or Flirtatiously Yours? Sometimes you need no words at all to say, "I love you." In June 2012, my husband, son and I moved out of our apartment after he lost his… Continue reading Write Big, Use Small Words: Best Love Ever

Blogging, Economy, Education, Family, Life, Photography, Writing

When We Write Letters, Part IV: A Mommy Scribbles Letter

My son next to the Catawba River in Jan. 2012 Dear Son: Some say a mother who stays at home is the best. They say she is better than all of the rest. She is blessed her husband works in a job that brings the check to support her and the little ones.    … Continue reading When We Write Letters, Part IV: A Mommy Scribbles Letter