I am alone today. I step outside to water porch plants and realize the air breathes autumn. A fresh breeze has lifted the lid on the summer heaviness. The steam has evaporated. The leaves flirt with each other–dancing, teasing. I run inside to grab my camera. I must capture this moment. It’s what I do […]
Carried Away
I am in the car on our way home from church. It’s a window-down, roof-open kind of day. But oh so windy. I grasp my hair in a fisted ponytail. But then give up and let go. It whips around my face. Stinging. Tangling. I close my eyes and lift my face to the sun. […]
Hope Rises
heavy under a misty veil i see dimly until startled by a cardinal on a naked branch and hope rises on scarlet wings. Linked to L.L. Barkat’s On, In, and Around Mondays and One Shot Wednesday. Related links on scarlet hope: Naomi’s Story-Our Story, Part 2 A Towla Worm and Chill Bumps
Summer Seating
I have a writing room of my own. I offered a tour here. But I’ve gravitated to the living room. To the soft leather chair with the soft leather footstool. With the laptop on my lap. Or half on the footstool and half on my knees. Front row center for Tiger baseball games. And because […]
Do They Sweat in Duke City? / Fiction as Research by Stephen Bly
Today I welcome a guest poster, Stephen Bly. Steve has authored over 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, The Long Trail Home, won the 2002 Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, Picture Rock, The Outlaw’s Twin Sister, and Last of the Texas Camp were […]
Word Gardener
I tried to hand pull some weeds today. And then I hacked with the hoe. But it was so hot. And there were so many. I couldn’t find the mounds around which I had dutifully poked some cantaloupe seeds. Back in the height of my May planting fever. I accidentally yanked out a sugar pea […]
Write Honestly
Pull the curtain back Reveal the real Release the light From soul holes Where grace flows From wounded places. Honestly. (Paraphrased from Honestly by VOTA)
My Head Hurts
My head hurts. I. Mean. Seriously. Thought pellets. My brain must look like cheap siding after a hailstorm. And I can’t get half the ideas out my fingertips or mouth before they melt. They pound at all times of day and night. Wherever I am. Whatever I’m doing. Or not doing. I quit my job. […]
An Artist’s Blessing
Kathy Richards posted this blessing on her blog last week, and it continues to haunt me. I do so want to faithfully reflect the face of my Father and Creator–in my writing and in my life. Source: Hubblesite.org Blessing As faithful image bearers (artists, but saints first), may you reflect not only the creation but […]
A Special Touch
I drove Abby to the doctor for an incision check yesterday. She had a C-section a couple of weeks ago, and she’s not supposed to drive, of course. But she did. Among other things she shouldn’t have been doing. Because she’s impatient and needs to be in control. Because she feels like she has to […]
