Sunday Inspiration: An American Hero
There are so many inspiring people all around us. Dale Beatty was serving in the National Guard in Northern Iraq when his vehicle hit a roadside mine. He returned to the US after both of his legs were amputated, and yet he kept a positive attitude about his life. Following his recovery his church and…
Read MoreFiction Friday: The Unmasking
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends, present-day or long-departed colleagues. Today you’re in for a treat, or at least I hope you’ll think so. In New Orleans, where I lived for seven years, this is Carnival season, the…
Read MoreBrrr. . . . The Poet’s Response to Winter
I know many of you are in the midst of terrible weather right now. Even Florida is shivering in this winter storm. Too much snow, too many icicles, too many things undone. I thought this was a perfect day to share this poem with you. Snow-Bound was written in 1866, and the version here was…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Eight Inspiring Images
In this new year I want to expand Sunday Inspiration to include stories of people who are courageous, compassionate, and generous. In the spirit of Goddesses Anonymous, I want to raise up and celebrate others as a way of raising up and celebrating that heroic part of ourselves. Here are Eight Inspiring Images from the…
Read MoreFiction Friday: Author Neil Gaiman Shares his Talent
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends, present-day or long-departed colleagues. There’s so much talent out there. Enjoy these samples. Today’s blog was supposed to feature author P.B. Ryan, but we had a snafu somewhere along the line. So…
Read MoreThe Good Times Jar
I love holidays. I love having an excuse to hang out and do nothing, or do silly things I don’t normally have time to do, or be merry with friends. The celebration of New Year is a bit different. There’s no religious connection to speak of, nothing to decorate, no eggs to color, no tree…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: “Make mistakes…”
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and…
Read MoreFiction Friday: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends, present-day or long-departed colleagues. Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories are still enjoyed far and wide, and this one is particularly delightful. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, first published in 1892, opens…
Read MoreThe Season of Giving Thanks
In an hour one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions begins. Our local public broadcasting radio station will gift local listeners with the Festival of Carols from Kings College in Cambridge. I’m thankful that I will be able to enjoy this lovely choir right here in my own home. In fifteen minutes I will stop for…
Read MoreFiction Friday: A Kidnapped Santa Claus
Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Today we have a special holiday treat, an excerpt from a short story written in 1904 by L. Frank Baum (beloved author of the Oz books). It’s a sequel to…
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