Before we leapfrog into December, I want to linger a moment and give our November holidays their due. Last weekend the Olathe Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored local veterans with a luncheon as we do every year on Veterans’ Day. November 11, 1918, was the first anniversary of the end of WWI and […]
Council Grove, Gem on the Santa Fe Trail
Road trip! Last Saturday was a perfect October day. My friend Vicki and I drove two hours to explore Council Grove, KS, the setting for my next novel which is the continuation of “Lila’s Song” my short story published last year. Our knowledgeable and entertaining host for the day was Kelley Judd, treasurer of the […]
Endings and Beginnings
We’ve been busy. No, we’re not opening a hardware store, but we just held a huge tool sale in our garage last Saturday. This is what a carpenter accumulates in 18 years when his wife isn’t paying attention. As you can see there were drills, saws, hand tools, more drills, more saws, heaters and lots […]
Crawdads and Drinks
Do I have a treat for you—a quick trip to the movies and a tall cold summer drink. I read Where the Crawdads Sing over a year ago and saw the movie this week. The coming-of-age/murder mystery book has been enormously popular. In my opinion a vulnerable yet triumphant protagonist makes a compelling story, and […]
Summer Delights
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy . . .” During the summer we strive for less hectic schedules that allow us time to enjoy simple pleasures. I’d like to share a favorite recipe that’s perfect on a hot summer day, and when it’s too hot to do anything but read, of course you’ll need a […]
National Day of Everything
Did you know there’s a National Day for just about everything under the sun? I didn’t either until my friend Judi started emailing them to our Bible Study every Monday. We renamed this weekly list of trivia Funday and looked forward to it. I thought I’d share how Funday works. May 24th is National Brother’s […]
Spring is Ours
The four seasons are deeply rooted within me. In these blossoming days of April I find myself filled with hope and renewal that only spring can offer. This quote from impressionist Henri Matisse seems fitting any time of year, but especially now: “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” All things […]
Our American Poets
Yesterday the snow fell steadily all day. The wind swirled, the snow piled up and life came to a standstill. This morning we woke to a pristine world of white blankets under a dazzling blue dome. As I wandered to the park at the edge our neighborhood, I thought of the woods where Robert Frost […]
Wrapped in Love: The Family Quilt
Family quilts hold special meaning, often because they were made by loved ones and handed down through the years. Although I don’t have the skill or equipment to create a genuinely quilted heirloom, I have wanted to sew quilts for each of our grandchildren. I decided high school graduation was the perfect occasion since I […]
Thoughts on Labor Day Weekend
What does Labor Day mean to you? The end of summer? One last trip to the lake or a backyard barbeque with the family? Anticipation of autumn and the start of a new academic year? Last Saturday our Lot Owners’ Association at the lake hosted its annual fundraiser, the Ox Roast and Silent Auction. In […]