Old trucks, the first amendment, and abstract nouns…
When I taught freshman English many years ago, I remember reviewing the concept of abstract nouns—words that exist in thought or as an idea but don’t have a physical or…
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Aggies, Anxiety, Appointments, and Finding Three Inches
Welcome to the United States of Anxiety! I would love to say that I coined that phrase, but alas, credit for the clever title goes to one of my favorite…
Open Roads and Rearview Mirrors…
Well, that was a little CrAzY! But, hey! We survived 2020! And to use a tired and trite phrase, (and the title of a Kelly Clarkson song), “What doesn’t kill…
Frogs and Football, Charley Pride, and Rainbow Connections
I heard the sad news last week that Charley Pride, one of my all-time favorite singers, passed away. Not only did he have a voice like no other, but he…
Counting calories, votes, cases, and blessings…
I wish I were one of those people who walked through life gracefully, but I’m not. The fact that I am aware of this should be helpful in my attempt…
A Map, Two Crayons, American Pride, and Ben Franklin
I like to believe I’m a free-spirit in some ways, but when it comes to certain things, I’m a purist, plain and simple: not wearing white after Labor Day or…
Doodle Bugs, Julius Caesar, and the Thumper Rule…
Last week’s blog was about grief. I recalled my journey through it and the lessons I’ve learned from the loss of my father twenty-eight years ago. In my conclusion, I…
Pity Parties and the Gift of Grief
“But when October comes and goes and in no time at all, I’ll begin to feel the chill of an early fall…” (from the song by George Strait) I love…
The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Life…
As I write this, it’s the last day of the ninth month of the year. The song “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day keeps playing in my…
Sisterhood, Sustenance, and Songs about Life…
Sustenance is defined as “the maintaining of someone or something in life or existence.” It can also mean food and drink regarded as a source of strength and nourishment. For…
A faulty zipper, safety pins, and almost feeling pretty in pink…
I have to admit, writing this blog during the Pandemic was much easier. I had endless time to brainstorm topics and ideas and then more time to actually sit down…
Have We Forgotten?
After I graduated from Texas A&M in December of 1985, I ventured off to Washington, D.C. to try to find a job on Capitol Hill. My parents weren’t too thrilled…
Meanwhile, back at Mama’s…(sandwiches and other food for thought…)
I love the word fortnight. It sounds so much classier, and fancier than saying “two weeks.” I’m just sorry the game, Fortnite, has besmirched such an elegant turn of phrase.…
Music and Insanity, Over-thinking and Dancing…
Some of my favorite memories are of the days I spent at Camp Huawni. The time spent there represents the most carefree experiences of my life—non-stop activities from sun-up to…
Teach the Children Well…
When I was in second grade, my dream was to go to Hollywood and become an actress with my best friend, Mary Elizabeth Pierce. We had it all figured out.…
Piano Lessons, the Olympics, Eating Chips, and Wearing a Crown…
It’s remarkable how memories about a person or place can remind you of something completely unrelated. Every four years, when the Olympics roll around, I always think of Lovis Owens,…
Soft breezes, gentle rains, and walking away gracefully
As I was quietly sitting in my chair early this morning, sipping coffee, and organizing my thoughts for this blog, something happened. My intention was to write about my favorite…
Books, and Yoga Pants, Masks, and Running…(my season of social awkwardness)
If you keep up with my blog, you probably recognize that the titles I use are generally a list of things that seem to have nothing in common. I’m not…
A Case of the Red, White, and Blues…
CLICK HERE to LISTEN to my PODCAST I’ve had the title of this blog running around in my head for quite some time. I just couldn’t figure out exactly what…
Walk Softly, Speak Goodness, Love Fiercely, Live Joyfully
A letter to my grandson, July 14, 2020 CLICK here to LISTEN to my PODCAST My dearest Cooper, As I write this, my heart is filled with unsurpassed joy,…
Reading, Writing, and Raguet Elementary
“Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what’s in the middle that counts. So when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up.…
Emus, and Icees, and Princess Diana
“I’m saying this is the South. We’re proud of our crazy people. We don’t hide them up in the attic. We bring ’em right down to the living room and…
Summer Camp, Cousins, and Cody Jinks…
Click Here to Listen to my PODCAST When I was nine-years-old, I was dropped off at summer camp for a two week stay. The camp was nestled in the…
Batman, Streakers, and the Last Time I Saw My Dad
“Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” —Brodi Ashton, Everneath As he drove away, I was reminded of all the things…
Baby Chicks, Kittens, and Life on Rosa Lane
“I remember a place, a town, a house like a lot of houses, a yard like a lot of other yards, on a street like a lot of other streets,…
Family Dinners, George Strait, and an Embarrassing Secret
This is the fourth chapter in the series, “Re-Belle Like a Chevelle.” Whenever my family gets together, you can rest assured no one’s dignity is safe from the ravages…
When Your Heart is Heavy, but Your Brother Isn’t…
When I was twelve years old, Olivia Newton-John released a new album called, “Clearly Love.” I have always been a huge fan of Olivia–I actually saw her in concert at…
The Lazy J, Fried Chicken, and Grandma Smith
In the fall of 1990, we buried my grandmother. Grandma Smith lived in a small community outside of Hallettsville. Her service was held at the funeral home in town, but…
The Chevelle Rules…
“Well behaved women rarely make history.” ~Laurel Ulrich When I was well into my forties, I was visiting with my mom one afternoon and somehow the conversation evolved into…
Re-Belle Like a Chevelle…
I am starting something new with my blog. Several years ago, I began writing my memoir, Becoming a Chevelle. After sending several chapters to an editor, I was told that…
Keep Holding On…
It seems my grandson Cooper has found his voice. The pediatrician warned them this was coming, but I’m not sure his parents were ready. Cooper seemed to be in a…
Pearls, Robert Frost, and Finding Meaning in the Hard Times
I can’t help but be amused when I reflect on the myriad of combinations of ideas and objects that come to mind when I begin writing. Many times, the items…
Put a Fork in Me…Why I’m not afraid to say “I Love My Country”
I have always been proud to be an American. That doesn’t mean that I think our country is flawless. We are flawed in countless ways, but the great thing about…
Little Boys, Rainbows, and La Vie Dansante…
Throughout our lives, we dream of special moments: Graduation, College, First Job, Wedding, Becoming a Parent–and then experiencing all those things again with your children. Rarely does life ever goes…
The Quarantine Chronicles: Getting “carded” at the Local Grocery Store
I have great friends. I’ve said that before, but I feel during such stressful, uncertain times, it bears repeating. I have great friends. Case in point: Sunday night, I received some…
Chasing Normal…
Saying that the coronavirus has changed our everyday lives is like saying water is wet. Everyone has been affected in one way or another. As I navigate through this unprecedented…
Puzzles, and Puppies, a Pandemic, and Pollen
Life as we know it has changed. We’re living in a new world where words and phrases like “unprecedented” and “social distancing” are included in everyday conversations. Although schools are…
March Sadness…
I’m in shock. Completely speechless. Well, maybe not completely. I have a few words left, and I will be using them to express my sadness. It may be shallow to…
Voice Lessons…
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO PODCAST I have a very dear friend who moved back to Nacogdoches several years ago. He attends all the SFA home basketball games, so I…
Mountains, Moments, Memories, and Lunch with MLK…
I have always felt incredibly fortunate to have been born in the 1960s. It was such a significant and pivotal time of transformation in our country. I was blessed…
Rainbows and Stars, Second Chances and Kindness
I hate to say this, but we live in an angry world. People are overwhelmed, frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned, mistreated, misinformed, and apathetic. It’s hard to say how we got to…
“Put the pie in the fridge, warm the casserole at 350, and if there’s anything I can do, let me know…
For me, there are certain things that are a part of my Southern heritage. Things that I do without even thinking: 1. Saying “y’all” 2. Adding “bless your heart” to…
A shot of humility, a slice of humble pie, and a 22% tip
Have you ever thought about the concept that everything is relative? How meaning is applied to people, things, and events based on differing vantage points and concepts? It goes without…
Impeachment, Fruit Punch, and Ordinary Heroes
Hey, y’all, I’m back! The move from one blog site to another is complete, and now I have to figure out how to operate everything, AND I have to…
Little Women, Merle Haggard, and a Scratchy Cotton Christmas Scarf…
This blog is dedicated to everyone who is missing a loved one at Christmas. My dad has been gone for 27 years and I still miss him every…
Little Miss Fancy Pants, a $75 word, and Robert Earl Keen…
Last Thursday I was on top of the world! My book had become available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and I was filled with…
Book’em, Danno…The Re-Belle-ion has officially begun (the book is out and here’s a sneak peek)…
I’ve been waiting for this day for over a year and now it’s here! And there’s so much I need to say! I will be giving more information out on…
Lorelai, Luggage, Lay-ups, and Lumberjacks…
It’s around 5:30 Thanksgiving morning, and I have a lot to do to prepare for the day. Our celebration will be a little disjointed, as my adult boys now have…
The Re-Belle-ion of Abbie Winchester…
The book, A Southern Girl Re-Belles, began with one character, Abigail Anne Winchester. When I began writing, I had no idea of the plot, or who the other characters would…
Navy tights, friendship, book covers, and The Climb…
Whenever things change unexpectedly, I am reminded of the words of Robert Burns in his poem, “To A Mouse”: “The best laid plans of mice and men, oft go awry.”…
A President, a Babushka, and Mrs. Potato Head…
I’ve often heard the above quote, but had no idea who said it. I was thrilled to learn it was Theodore Roosevelt, whom I’ve always admired. TR was president…
My Name is Abbie Winchester…
I love the above quote by Anne Lamott. In fact, I came across it about seven years ago, and I actually printed a tiny copy of it and…
WHY DO I WRITE? Lessons on Life, Love, and Lipstick…
I’ve been asked this question a lot: Why do you write? Or How did you decide to write a book about your father? My answer is…
Dear Dad, …
Dear Dad, Hey! How’s it going? I know it’s been a while since we’ve talked. Twenty-seven years to be exact. There’s so much to tell you, I’m not sure where…
Livin’ On A Prayer…
“If adventures do not befall a lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.” ~Jane Austen There was a time in my life when…
October is coming…
“Do a podcast,” they said. “It will be fun,” they said. As I sit here thinking about my latest foray into unknown territory and how it…
Now what?…
Yesterday was a big day for me. I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the Nacogdoches Rotary Club, and following the meeting, there was a…
Because everyone needs to have “the-Rocky-running-up-the-steps” moment…(cue the theme song)
Week 6, Day 3. A day I had been dreading. It was the day of reckoning on my Couch to 5K app. I hadn’t done the workout in…
Because it’s okay to cry over spilled milk…
All week, I’ve bounced around some ideas about what I would write in my next blog. While others are figuring out ways to establish world peace, or experimenting to find…
Because Basketball is life…
When Christopher was in 7th grade and we were discussing his future plans, he stated his goal was to play basketball in the NBA. I’ve always tried to encourage…
Because not making a stand is making a stand…
Today is one of those days that I really don’t have any words, or maybe I just can’t find the right ones to use. Two more shootings. More lives lost.…
Just a small town girl…(crank up Journey, and whatever you do, don’t stop believin’)
“Like I said, things never turn out exactly the way you planned. Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day, you’re in diapers; next day, you’re gone. But the memories…
Because when you drive away I don’t want my “ugly cry face” to be what you remember…
Today begins a new adventure. At this point in my life, I have done the usual rites of passage with my kids: high school graduation. Check. College. Check.…
Because “The Lion King” has me all up in my feelings…
In the summer of 1994, on a Sunday while my husband was at coaching school (and I use the term “school” very loosely here), I decided to take…
Just because…(Excuse me while I pout)
I was just moments away from completing my blog for this week, and somehow, I deleted it. Every bit of it. I blame it on these fake nails (powder-dipped) that…
Because Mrs. Kravitz isn’t who I want to be…
Like most things in my life, even my exercise regime is complicated. We live in a beautiful subdivision on the lake, but there are a couple of drawbacks as…
Because I’m halfway between Dead Poets Society and The Breakfast Club…
I’ve got to be honest. Writing is hard. I’m not complaining, because I love to do it, but it’s either feast or famine. At least it’s that way with me.…
Because “minners” are important, Julia Sugarbaker is my hero, and WWRD (What Would Reese Do?)
Whenever I think of the quintessential southern belle, Julia Sugarbaker comes to mind. Yes, I know she is just a character on my all-time favorite television show, “Designing Women,”…
Because buttercream frosting is completely serendipitous…
I love the word serendipity. I think it’s one of my favorite words. I love its meaning, but even more so, I love the way the word sounds; the way…
Because you always need a little folding money…
My dad has been on my mind a great deal lately. In this “circle of life” time of my son’s wedding, it seems that in almost everything I do, memories…
Because boys grow up, weather happens, hummus crisps are the bomb, and even dogs need anxiety pills
My life, just like this title, is all over the place right now. Another school year is coming to an end, my youngest son is getting married next week, and…
Re-Belle: Because One Never Outgrows Being a Cheerleader…
(A Cheerleader Looks at 50) “Every time I say ‘sure’ when I mean ‘no,’ every time I smile brightly when I’m exploding with rage, every time I imagine my man’s…
Re-Belle: Because raising kids is hard
Unpacking From the Motherhood Guilt Trip: An Addendum to my Mother of the Year Application They say it takes a village to raise a child but no one ever tells…
Rebelle: Because swearing just isn’t ladylike…
I grew up in the era of Watergate, when it became a household word, identifying a scandal, and not the hotel that was once a hot spot for both democrats…