Appalachian Blessings
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Reminiscing with my shoes off
I'm going barefoot more often these days. One of the reasons I really like our new house is that it reminds me of the house I grew up in. Not as it is now, with new windows, new floors, a fabulous deck, and not one stick of furniture from my childhood--but as it was...
Feeling Like a Kid on Mother’s Day
Remember when we were kids and we wanted to feel like grown-ups? Now I'm a grown up and all I want is to feel like a kid again. I got to spend much of the day with my mother yesterday. My brother and I drove ourselves over. We took groceries to make a special,...
He offered to carry water for her . . .
I get so much of my inspiration from family history. I'm currently brainstorming a story set in the early 1900s--a little further back in time than I usually write. Arthur is one of eight children who's essentially given away because his family is struggling to keep...
Celebrating Our Anniversary
My husband is a private guy. I like that about him. There's a LOT I like about him, actually. This week we're celebrating our 26th anniversary, which is more than a little astonishing. On one hand, it seems like we just met. On the other, I feel like he's always been...
Calling All Book Clubs
I tend to write character-driven stories which often makes them a good fit for book clubs with plenty of opportunities to dig in and have good discussions. Which I LOVE! Over the last few months, I've visited several book clubs virtually. One of the good things to...
The Importance of Anticipation
My goodness. It’s almost Easter. If I don’t pause and consider the coming of a special day, I tend to feel like I’m missing out a bit. What if you just woke up and someone told you it was your birthday? Sure, it might be a nice surprise, but I’d be sorry I didn’t get...
What is it about West Virginians?
I met two West Virginians this past week right here in Lenoir, NC. We DIDN'T burst into "Take Me Home, Country Roads," but in one situation we had an in-depth discussion of pepperoni rolls and in the second we talked about how Mountaineers have an uncanny ability to...
Waterfall Hikes Get Ideas Flowing!
My favorite way to brainstorm a new story is wearing a pair of hiking shoes on a mountain trail with my dog snuffling through the leaves. I get the BEST ideas! Since our move a little north and east in our section of the Appalachian Mountains, we've been getting in...
Meet Sarah
