Hard as it is to believe, Jack and I have been married 45 years today. I wrote about our life together on our anniversary last year, and I invite you to read Happy 44th Anniversary to Us! We still enjoy our weekly dates to grocery shop at Walmart and have breakfast at Denny’s. However, when … Read more
On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have given their lives in the service of our country. I remember a friend from college who was killed in Vietnam. On a trip to Washington, D.C., I visited the Wall and made a rubbing of his name. So many wives, husbands, parents, children, and other … Read more
Today, Pentecost Sunday, is the Global Day of Prayer. Christians around the world are uniting in repentance and prayer for the world and our individual communities. In a world filled with sin, violence, and immorality, God’s people can make a difference through the power of prayer. Let us all pray for God’s Kingdom to come. … Read more
Many famous authors have used pen names. Some even used more than one: Samuel Clemens wrote under his own name, as well as Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, Louis de Conte, and his most famous pseudonym of all, Mark Twain. Authors may choose to write under an alias for personal reasons or business reasons, and those decisions … Read more
Thank you to the 62 commenters who left 109 comments in April. Your comments extended the conversation and added value and interest, and I enjoyed replying to every one of them. Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail … Read more
The third Saturday in May each year is designated as Armed Forces Day, to honor and celebrate all five branches of the US military: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The observance began in 1949 after the military services were consolidated in the Department of Defense. Armed Forces Day occurs during Military … Read more
Lori Widmer at Words on the Page started Writers Worth Day five years ago to encourage writers to recognize their own worth. Since then the day has expanded into a week, and this year will be two weeks or more. Lori is posting Writers Worth guest posts for writers to encourage and motivate others to … Read more
Happy Mother’s Day! May each reader enjoy a special day: If you’re a mother, may you be honored and pampered by your children. If you have a mother, may you enjoy special time honoring and pampering her. If your mother is no longer with you, may you recall special memories of your times together. If … Read more
About 30 years ago, when I was in my mid-30s, I was experiencing fatigue and pain throughout my body. My old-time doctor attributed it to overwork and stress. One day I picked up a women’s magazine and read a cover story about fibromyalgia. The article, which showed an outline of a body with specific tender … Read more
Attending writing conferences can be an excellent way for writers, both new and experienced, to learn new skills and improve their craft. Recently a writer friend asked on Facebook if anyone had ever been to a bad or unprofessional conference, and, if so, what made it bad or unprofessional. I responded with an experience I … Read more