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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