The summer after my junior year in high school, my parents let me take a trip by myself to California ON A BUS. Trailways, to be exact. I left from a tiny town in the TX Panhandle (the nearest bus stop). Destination: Barstow, CA, where Aunt Pat and Uncle Dall would pick me up for a month-long visit. I can …
Looking Back at 2013
Tomorrow we’ll put 2013 to rest. It’s hard to believe that in a few short hours, it will be 2014. How has this year been for you? It’s been a mix of triumphs and challenges here which I suppose is a sign that I’m still in the game! I do like to reflect on the past, if just for a …
Cream of the Crop
They were originally called the Happy Helpers – the Home Demonstration club of my mother-in-law, Dorothy’s rural county. One of several such groups in the area, they met once a month and took turns presenting “lessons” they received from the County Extension office – lessons in cooking, sewing, canning, parenting, and so on. The women were friends and a lifeline …
The 12 Pearls of Christmas – Christmas Mourning
Have you spent time this year remembering the past? Or dear ones who are no longer living or who live far away? Memories keep us connected to our past, and today Tricia Goyer talks about remembering those days gone by and keep looking forward. If you’re traveling, stay safe and warm and prepare to make some precious new memories. Welcome …
Top Ten ACFW Highlights
I wish there were a way to distill last weekend’s ACFW conference in Dallas to a top ten, but I honestly don’t think it can be done. There were highs. And lows. Times of celebration. Times of reflection. So I’ll just start and see what happens. Highlight: Crossing the Red River into Texas. This always makes me sigh and feel …
Let’s Talk About Home
Home. What does the word mean to you? Is it a house or a place or a state of belonging somewhere? Or to someone? A particular chair where you curl up to read a book or a dining table where laughter and good food are shared? For me, home always conjures up a time of warmth – happy memories, usually …
Roadside Memories: Part 3 – Filming the movie Giant
If you’ve just joined us, this is the 3rd installment of a series about vintage motor courts. You can read about my fascination with them in Part 1 and the memories of Susan (Sue) Cunningham whose father built the San Jacinto Courts in Marfa, Texas in Part 2. 1955 was a year of excitement for the folks in Marfa, Texas. …
A Word From a Polio Survivor
One of my favorite quote is from Johann Wolfgang VonGoethe: Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of …
A Day for Remembering
Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you’re a mom, a daughter, a son, a grandmother, a grandchild or some variation therein, I hope you’ve taken time to remember the ones who’ve influenced your life. I wrote about the precious memories of my mom for BookReporter as a special Mother’s Day series. Take some time to browse the other author stories to see …
Pioneer Days, 2012
After months of anticipation and preparation, Pioneer Days in the hometown of Guymon, OK, finally arrived. Sometimes the anticipation exceeds the enjoyment of the actual event, but not this time. I’m so proud of my dad who was chosen from a field of candidates to be the Parade Marshal for this year’s parade. We had to submit a bio which …