I couldn’t hack hard enough. Spit flying out of my mouth. Gagging and coughing I hacked as hard as I could. Trying to wrangle the kids just inside of the garage, the electricians were behind the house on an electric pole running wire for internet (Yes. There are still areas that do not have internet- smile). As I turned to command the kids – not one but two flies flew down my throat. Immediately I began to gag. I couldn’t […]
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Over the years, it has sat there in the same spot. The house would fill with music as the lifeless piano came alive with melody. Grandpa was in his suit, with the smell of Old Spice drifting past, and Grandma was in her Sunday dress; sometimes, she even wore a corsage for special occasions. Dad would always be ready first and sit at the old piano to play while everyone finished. The house would fill with beautiful music as the […]
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The ornament of the house is the people in it Ralph Waldo Emerson Charlotte, did you take the key to the truck?” I had fixed, readied, strapped, tied, and prepped all to pull out of the drive for a fun day of Christmas shopping; wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, and ornaments were on our list, only to find ourselves without the key. “Yes, Mam. I did take the key to play with it.” Absentmindedly left on the counter, the shiny […]
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Precious memories, nostalgia’s refrain Christmases of childhood forever remain. Deana Johnson “Chuck, what is that box over there beside the bed?” “You’re Christmas gift.” “Why is it out where I can see it?!” “You’re not supposed to show any signs of gifts before they are wrapped!” Over the years, he has learned better. Growing up, it did not matter whether it was an occasion or a gift; my parents would make it extra special and memorable. Whether it be a […]
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Bright red birds, soft falling snow, children’s voices, candleglow, and a silver star to light your way—these are the joys of December days. Dale Cross Purvis This old man, he played one. He played nick knack on my thumb; with a nick knack, patty wack, give a dog a bone. This old man came rolling home… It felt like all the way to ten I sang. Desperate for him to calm down. His little tears dried in an instant, and […]
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No matter where I travel or just how far I dream there’s just no other place quite as nice as home. unknown “Mom! Hurry!” I ran from the kitchen to where the call was coming from. I opened the bathroom door to see Eva holding Tyson on the toilet. “What happened in here?!” The bathroom was wreaked of poo. It was everywhere, all over the toilet and covering Tyson. “I tried to show him how to go potty in the […]
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There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. Leo Tolstoy It was late November. We were still living in the city, and I was working in the yard outside our house. My next-door neighbor saw me outside and casually walked over. I could tell something was heavy on her mind. She started explaining how she recently lost her job and was about to lose her house and car. In my usual business, I continued with my […]
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Said the Robin to the Sparrow “I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so.” Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “Friend, I think that it must be That they have no heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me.” Charlotte’s backpack is as big as she is. I can see her in the playroom as she packs blocks and Barbies inside. She comes by the kitchen and says, “Ok, Mommy. I […]
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When you find a piece of bubble gum in the glove compartment just for you – smile. The year was 1986, and my father had just finished preaching at a church in Ohio. I was a little over two years old. My mother was holding me and turned to tell my father something when her heel caught on the first step of an old wooden staircase. My father watched helplessly as my mother and I toppled head over heels down […]
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Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened. Dr. Suess Pushing Tyson through the crowd at the zoo, trying to keep up with Chuck and the girls, a lady came zooming around the corner, pushing her own stroller. She ran over my foot, hit my side, and knocked me out of her way with a snarky “Sorry” and kept moving. I was in utter disbelief as to what just happened. “Chuck. She ran me over!” He stood there […]
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The quality of the word you devour will determine the quality of life that you live. Sarah Pearsons There are people the masses will never know and will never receive accolades. Even if you are called to the masses, your success depends on those called to the trenches with you. Some people silently watch in the background, helping and teaching you as you cultivate a life worth living. We all have mentors like this who go unnamed yet are giants […]
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An old farmer saw the Indian Rain Dance and asked, “How did you know God would show up?” The old Indian Chief looked at him and said, “That’s easy. We dance until it rains. Visiting with my mother, I commented, “I would love to get back into riding regularly, but there are not many opportunities. This is not a Western world; it is predominantly English or Dressage.” Mom never took a breath. “What you need is a Ms. Mary in […]
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Eyes were watching me while I juggled three kids through the checkout line. Charlotte kept bringing me candy as fast as I tried to put it back. Eva had already started scanning my buggy items, leaving me unsure where she had started. Tyson sat in his carrier with his foot propped up on the side, sucking his pacifier. Life is good to him. While I corralled my groceries and Charlotte from the snack shelf, the bouncy balls lost their hold […]
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A cup of tea, a prayer or two, blessed moments to share with you. Ellen Cuomo We never knew our last ride would be our last for a long, long time. If I had, I think I would have paid closer attention to how much she loved the ride; I would have listened to her advice and let her teach me more about the ride. I would have noticed the easy way she handled every situation horseback, and most of […]
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Nanny: Fifteen puppies! Nanny: Fourteen. Just fourteen. We lost one. Rodger: And yet. And yet I wonder. Rodger: Fifteen! We still have fifteen!” 101 Dalmatians First, there were two. Then five. Before the day was over, we had seven little German Shepherd puppies. Lola was doing perfectly. All was quiet as she took good care of her first litter. As the sixth puppy arrived earlier that day, I noticed it was not breathing. Chuck and I looked down, and without […]
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Looking at an old picture with my father, he stated, “You see that lightbulb above the door there? That was installed over fifty years ago.” Staring at a picture of the door frame at the Big Sandy Church of God of Prophecy, where my father grew up, he continued, “I preached there this past Sunday, standing behind the pulpit your grandfather built over thirty years ago. What an honor to fill the same pulpit I sat under while growing up. […]
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Lord, not just any front yard will do. It must be large, with big trees for a swing and seesaw. It must have lots of room for the kids to run and the dogs to play. The backyard must have room for porch sitting and grilling; A place where my kids can play without interruption and I can hear the birds. -Amen “Kris, watch the kids for just a minute,” my sister asked, heading to the back room. “Okay, that’s […]
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“Mom! I just sat on my yogurt.” With a slight exhale, I stated, “Was it open?” “Yes, mam,” she peeped. Closing my eyes and uttering, “I will clean it up when we get there.” We were loaded down to the max, and only forty-five minutes before we arrived at my sister’s, the dam broke. Tyson exploded, Eva couldn’t hold it, Charlotte ran out of goldfish, and yogurt was now seeping through the cracks of the backseat. The year was 1990, […]
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When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson Growing up, I considered the Fourth of July the main event. Each year, we would don our finest patriotic attire. Complete only with boots and spurs. We would all mount up as Dad unloaded the horses at the Sale Barn. Some years, Mom rode; other years, she watched with delight next to our dear family friend, Mr. Harvey. We enjoyed […]
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Cowboys love big sky and open range. They work hard. He is a man of his word, loyal to his friends and family; treats everyone with respect, especially women. A true cowboy never forgets what’s important: friendship with God, family, friends, meaningful work – and one good horse. He doesn’t measure wealth by money. If a cowboy does these things, he will be a rich man. He is courageous, fearing God and no man. Peace River There is an old […]
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Carmel apples smeared their faces, and cotton candy stained their little hands. French fries and funnel cakes brought pure delight as we went from ride to ride at the County Fair. Tyson was not yet here but only had a few more months before his debut. I listened to their squeals and watched their waves as they flew past me, screaming, “Hey, Mom!” Chuck became the Guinea pig for most rides, including the small compact Elsa ride. Watching him trying […]
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There is something country about a clothesline, perhaps even old-fashioned; it makes me love it. It used to be located in everyone’s backyard, town, or country, but as progress would have it, a clothesline slowly disappeared from most yards; why keep such a distasteful eyesore? To see clothes hanging out on the line is a picture of a slower time; a time when neighbors could visit while hanging out the wash or the quiet essence would surround when a bird […]
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For want of a nail, the shoe was lost For want of a shoe, the horse was lost For want of a horse, the rider was lost For want of a horse, the battle was lost For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost All for the want of a horseshoe nail Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme I start in the kitchen and get caught up in the laundry room, passing my shadow in the bedrooms as I tend, clean, […]
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“OK, who gets the shot? “Over here,” I shouted! I smiled as I watched the vet walk across the parking lot to the truck. We waited patiently for Mr. P’s second shot while the vet returned inside to grab it. Peanut, our year-old Golden Retriever, had gotten his rabies shot and now needed his last parvo vaccine. I figured it best to wait in the truck instead of hauling everyone inside just for a simple shot (not my first experience). […]
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Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. I can’t tell you how often I haven’t gotten the outcome of a recipe I thought I would get. Basic cobblers, pies, and cookies are easy for me, but I will not be opening up a sweet and tasty booth anytime soon. I remember a few weeks back I was making banana pudding for a friend when I forgot to temper the eggs and came out with scrambled […]
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We are all faced with great opportunities, but they are disguised as impossible situations Tim Brooks It was the first time Eva had been to a funeral, and it was graveside. I stayed back with Charlotte, who was a month old, and Eva walked underneath the tent with her daddy. The girl’s great-grandmother had gone home to be with Jesus. On the drive home, many questions came racing in Eva’s mind. Questions her Daddy and I could not explain to […]
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I want to stop long enough to enjoy chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake with my grandchildren. You will never have time. You must make time. Jim Stockdale Preacher, why do you pull a camper behind your pickup truck? You could stay in our home and take your meals with us after you finish preaching each evening.” My father, a young traveling evangelist, looked back at the older gentleman and said, “Because I must provide a home for her.” He […]
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Selling a litter of puppies can be a chore. They are so cute and cuddly, those little chubby bellies and short legs prancing everywhere. When looking for a smile, look no further. The big question is, how are we going to part with them? According to my husband, very easily. Eva and Charlotte had grown fond of one female who had a rough spot on her tail. We warned them not to get attached, but that is hard for two […]
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Sitting outside the ice cream shop with our cones in cups (planning ahead with little ones), an old man sat alongside us. Enjoying the beautiful day, we had some small talk until familiar faces passed by, and he greeted them. I pretended not to be listening but thought he might have something good to say, so I leaned in. He asked them what had them out around the square, and they said, “Wasting the day, I guess.” Looking at the […]
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“Oh, men and women, pray through; pray through! Do not justbegin to pray and pray a little while and throw up your handsand quit; but pray and pray and pray until God bends theheavens and comes down.” R.A. Torrey You can’t build a permanent dwelling where a tent is supposed to be. That was the confession of my heart as we drove the stake into the ground. I was ready for that permanent dwelling, but not just anywhere would do. […]
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“Use all of your resources, Sis. That is the first rule of cockpit management when learning to fly. People will want to help you. Let them.” Little did I know how much this advice would affect me when Chuck had to leave the country for three and a half weeks. “It shouldn’t be a problem,” I told Chuck. I know how to run this house and take care of the kids. I can manage the home front while you are […]
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Eva leaned around the backseat and looked out the front windshield, watching other kids getting out at the carpool line. “Mom. No one else is dressed in pioneer clothes. I thought you said it was Laura Ingalls Wilder day today?” Eva stated. “It’s fine.” I nonchalantly added. Somewhat distracted, I said, “I am sure all the kids dressed up are inside. Go ahead and get out so you’re not late. Have a great day! Off she went, dressed in her […]
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Nobody is going to say, “I had such a nice time at Debbie’s. Her baseboards were so clean.” unknown Some days feel more like chaos as I am cleaning goldfish and some sort of gooey substance off the back seats of our SUV. And yet, setting boundaries, schedules, and rules provides a bank for the river to run swiftly. The Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem to see if the rumors of Solomon’s splendor were true. She desired to ask […]
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The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller Cleaning out Eva’s lunch box, I came across an empty wrapper of something I did not pack her. Inquiring about it, she told me, “Mom. It was the best snack! It was chocolate rolled up with cream in the middle!” “You mean a Swiss Cake Roll?” I asked. “Yes! That’s it! She exclaimed. I laughed, realizing how much […]
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Charlotte, what is this? Holding a clump of brown curly locks in my hand, she looked back at me and responded, “I not know.” Is this your hair? Did you cut your hair?! These were rhetorical questions because I could vividly see where she snipped her curls. My mood was beginning to dim. Growing up, we were not allowed mood swings in our home. It did not matter how we felt that day or what side of the bed we […]
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Half the things we worry about never happen. Then, some things happen unexpectedly in our lives that give us pause as we see how the hand of God went before us. On the way to school one morning, Eva asked many “What if” questions, to which I responded, “It seems like you are borrowing a lot of unnecessary trouble.” Toting Charlotte in the car seat carrier when she was six months old, Chuck slipped on the slick garage cement floor. […]
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“Oh, your girls are just adorable!” Remarked the Jeweler. To this, Charlotte smirked and said, “Sissy just got in trouble.” Eva’s eyes widened, and I politely laughed, “And to think I was glad when she learned to talk.” Hearing the steady beeping from my alarm clock, my feet hit the floor, ready to grab some much-needed quiet time before the girls and Tyson wake. Sitting in my chair upstairs, just opening my Bible, I hear Eva coming down the hall. […]
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Tell me a time He’s not been faithfulTell me a morning His mercies weren’t newTell me a moment. He wasn’t able to carry you throughTell me a day He was less than AlmightyWhen He could not roll back the tideChild, when you look back, you’re gonna findThere was never a time. Never a Time – The Perry’s Talking with my Grandpa and Grandma one afternoon, I asked them how they raised three children successfully. Grandpa paused and then joked, “Well, […]
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After one week with a newborn in the house, Chuck commented, “I see you are wearing the same sweater again today.” I slowly looked up from where I was stirring my steaming cup of hot tea and replied, “Yes, I am. Is that a problem?” “No. No,” he clarified. “Just taking notice.” It was next to my last checkup before Tyson would be delivered. “Please lay back, Mrs. Howard, so we can get another listen to the baby on the […]
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And heavy hearts grow lighter, and joyful voices ring to celebrate His birthday and worship Christ, the King. Alice Mackenzie Swaim Frosted window panes with snow-covered Christmas scenes grace each storefront along the town square. Each one looks like a vintage Christmas card embellished to capture the onlooker. Twinkle lights set the stage as individually unique designs come to life, and make-believe worlds sit smack dab in the middle of every child’s fantasy world. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were walking […]
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Believing in Santa is believing in the magic of Christmas Unknown Cleaning out closets will make you surprisingly aware of how fast your children grow out of everything. With this new information, I headed off for a day of closet restocking. Eva was hot on my heels. Charlotte wanted to go, but she had been sick and was unable to tag along. A steady rain fell as we drove to town and began our shopping debut. Through the store the […]
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Happy, Happy Christmas that can win us back the delusions of our childish days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home. Charles Dickens Making Christmas candy as a kid was always a delight. As a young girl, I remember Mom helping us make almond joys and pretzels dipped in white chocolate.; rich and creamy, and pecan pies would fill the kitchen as we baked our […]
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If the pen of a writer could write every dayEven this world could never containHow I have been blessed. I Have Been Blessed by Champion Baptist College Irritation had clouded my thanksgiving. Things were not going according to my plan – including breakfast, and I had had it. I had stuff I wanted, and I wanted it right now! Life was so hard (wink). Buckled up and pulling out of the driveway, I could hear the Lord speaking to my […]
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What are you doing? Making a memory. Years from now, when I am all grown up, I will always remember my grandfather and how he smelled of…peppermint and pipe tobacco.” Hayley Mills – Parent Trap 1961 The smell of charcoal on a hot summer day is an aroma that can stop me in my tracks. The smell of dew as it lingers in the fall mornings or fresh-cut pine gracing the family table warms me inside. The scent of a […]
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You have brains in your head. You have feet on your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. Dr. Seuss There I was, seventeen years old and sitting in the doctor’s office, waiting to hear the results of my anxiety tests. I had gotten myself so worked up over things out of my control that I was now shaking uncontrollably (or so I thought). What could I possibly be that stressed out about?! At seventeen, I still had […]
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“Can you build me a treehouse, Pa? Charlotte wants one, too, only she doesn’t know how to ask yet. I want it to have a front porch, windows, and a ladder with a pulley just like Mommy had when she was a little girl.” I could hear the conversation going and the soft answer from my father. “Of course, I can. Anything you girls want. Let me talk with your mother about it and see what we can do.” Months […]
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There I stood at my front door. Uneasy about a decision I was about to make. It involved my little girl, and I couldn’t shake these red flags I was having. Why didn’t this settle right with me? I couldn’t shake it. I explained all my reservations to Chuck, and without question, he said, “If you don’t feel right about it, don’t do it.” Growing up, my parents used to tell us girls, “When there is a question inside your […]
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Call me crazy, but I love to walk through graveyards and look at the headstones. My folks would do this while we were growing up. They would elaborate on what life may have been like during some of the centuries present in the graveyard. Whenever they were out driving around, if they came upon a cemetery, they would wander through. Some headstones are monumental, others are forgotten by most. There is a graveyard I like to stop and walk through […]
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“Mom. What are these tiny beads in the package of this muffin?” Eva asked. “Oh, those are freshness beads. Don’t worry about those; just eat the muffins. Daddy brought those back from Japan for you girls,” I commented.” “Eva, are you ok? She stared at me wide-eyed, then slowly said, “Charlotte and I ate the beads. We thought they were sprinkles!” A blank stare crossed my face with slow blinks added. BOOK THREE IN THE HOME SWEET HOME SERIES NOW […]
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The present brings value only in our tomorrows Unknown “Write your stories,” I heard whispered in my heart. “Lord, I have nothing dramatic nor adventurous to write about.” I heard it again, “Write your stories.” “But, Lord, What would I write about,” I countered. “Remind people where home is. Write your stories.” Vacuuming the floor could not have been the most spiritual moment to hear directions from the Lord. However, it is in those times He speaks the loudest to […]
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Seven years ago, I was expecting our first precious bundle. Romanticizing the experience and preparing for our perfectly pink little girl would not change the fact that, at present, I was sick as a dog. I don’t ever remember being so nauseous in my life. To top it off, it would not go away. Four months of feeling like the day needed to start with dry toast and saltine crackers was waning on my storybook celebration. My birthday was less […]
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Chance favors the prepared mind Louis Pasteur “Charlotte, it’s time to go take a nap.” Ok!” She exclaimed. She ran down the hall to her room, and I watched in amazement as she pointed to her lamp for me to turn off and scrambled over to the blinds, wanting me to close them. Then she turned on her fan and climbed, one leg at a time, in her rocker and grabbed a book and her pacifier. She patted the rocking […]
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If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. Benjamin Franklin “I have a going away present for you,” My friend told me during our move to Tennessee. I stopped by her house with my SUV loaded down. We would pull out for the last time in just a few hours. She took me out to the garage, where her saddle and bridle sat in pristine condition. She said, “I want you to have this.” I stuttered, “But I don’t […]
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Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit. Old Indian Proverb “Don’t win the world and lose your family,” My mother told my father as he was pastoring our church out on the plains of the Midwest. The pressures of providing for a family and shepherding the flock God entrusted to his care demanded the most from him. So, who would win? What do you do when a church member needs you, yet your girls […]
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Nothing is more personal than a handwritten card from a family member or friend. Opening the mailbox, I look for small envelopes with unique handwriting addressed on the outside. The bills, newspaper, and sales ads get lost while I look for the tiny gem just for me. They say I make the cut-off for the millennial generation. Still, I live in utter denial that I could be associated with many ideals attached to entitlement and handouts. Yet, I do admit […]
Continue ReadingEva: Mom. I need to tell you something.Me: Ok, tell me.Eva: Well, this morning, when Charlotte was brushing her teeth with me, she used the toilet to rinse off her toothbrush and then put it back in her mouth.Me:…..Eva: I tried to stop her! But it was too late.Me:….. I heard a scream coming from our bedroom. I left what I was doing and took off. What could have possibly gone wrong?! The girls love to bathe in our big […]
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We lived in the blank white spaces at the edge of the print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories. Margaret Atwood, The Handmaids Tale From a nutrient standpoint, no kid should start the day with a donut and a Coke. But, memorably speaking, every child should know what it is like to start their day with a donut and a Coke. That’s just what she did. “Girls wake up! If you hurry, we […]
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Eva: Do you have a girlfriend, Ben?Ben: Well, kinda. We broke up.Eva: Oh?Ben: But if I know her, she will be back.Ben: It only took one game of air hockey to make her my girlfriend. The scene out my backdoor describes what summer is supposed to look like; flowers blooming, ferns hanging from the back porch enjoying the shade, and a mist of water that comes their way. Hearing the girls squeal delightfully as they splash in the pool fills […]
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Except for Monday by Lori Morgan made an excellent teaching guide to the days of the week for my children. It brings laughter every time we sing. Kristen Howard I could hear the gravel turning underneath the tires as we pulled out of Dry Run Road from Pierre, SD. It had been the place that I called home for many years. I created a picture in my mind as we drove away; the house, the corrals, and last out of […]
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The more I see of San Francisco, the more content I am with raising chickens. Laura Ingalls Wilder Before we moved from Tuscaloosa, AL, I was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting to be seen. It was concerning Charlotte. Of course, I didn’t know her name at the time because she would not make her debut for two more years. My heart was sinking. I wanted out of the traffic, a country life that gave me space, and another baby; […]
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I will call it Home Sweet Home. This is perfect! I will write about the home’s inner workings and how important our time spent at home is. I will shine a light on our finer qualities and teach others how they, too, can have a perfect life, just like me. It will grab readers and be an instant success with the click of a button! I had the support of my family and a green light from the Lord. I […]
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