Even the Toilet
This morning, I read Emily Dickinson: The only news I knowIs bulletins all dayFrom immortality I’m on the look out all day for heaven’s news: inklings, whispers, hints. Here, we clean toilets and scrub dried egg from the breakfast dishes. I have nothing to report but that heaven reaches down into even the toilet, even […]
Thundersnow Really Happens
Today, my husband remarks that we might get thundersnow this week. “You’re making that up,” I laugh. “What in the world is thundersnow?” “When you get a thunderstorm, but instead of rain, it snows. It’s a real thing. Thundersnow. David the meteorologist told me.” All day, I think about this phenomenon. I imagine the colossal […]
I Refuse to Wear My Coat
Every single winter, my daughter insists she doesn’t need to wear her winter coat. You’d be amazed at the resistance to outerwear from the children in my family. Today, I decide to just let her go. She rushes outside in a tank top, shoes with no socks, and a flimsy sweater. There’s snow on the […]
What Children Love Best About Making Christmas Cookies
I decide to ask my children what part of making Christmas cookies they enjoy the best. It occurs to me that it’s a good idea to get their perspective every once in a while. Do you remember when I returned from our glamorous New York City trip and asked my children to recall their favorite […]
Waking Up to Cat Breath
This morning, my cat who looks more like a skunk wakes me up with very loud purring. She’s right in my face, purring with that horrible cat-breath. I’m not moving, so she puts one little paw on my nose. Purr, purr, purr. I pet her and lean in to figure out the source of her […]
Is There Such a Thing?
Today, my friend tells me I have the spiritual gift of “celebration.” Is there such a thing? There must be! Living with Flair has been my 632 day journey to celebrate the day. It never gets old for me. Lord, help me continue to celebrate! I want to remember to celebrate when I have long, […]
The Dangers of Blogging: Some Things Are Just For Now
I think it’s sometimes hard to have a blogger for a spouse. We’re tempted to think about family events in terms of blog entries instead of just experiencing them. We’re driving down a country road, and the moon hangs low and buttery yellow in the deep black of night. “Pull off the road!” I cry. […]
Good Choice!
While out to lunch with a friend, I order nachos (boring, I know). The waiter responds with a huge smile and exclaims, “Good choice!” When I add some guacamole, he cries, “You go, girl!” When I order iced-tea, he sounds equally enthused about my excellent choices. When my friend orders her sandwich, he compliments her […]
Only You
Today, I recall the First Lady’s quote, “I can only be Michelle Obama.” She doesn’t try to be anybody else. The statement resonates. I can only be me. Why would I try to be somebody else? The me I am is the me people love. When we’re trying to impress at holiday parties or […]
They See What You Don’t See
I’m sending a novel pitch out to agents, and one responds with interest. This means it’s time to send a full proposal: synopsis, character sketches, sample chapters, author bio. Years ago, I forged ahead with confidence and zeal, believing I was hot stuff. I didn’t need anyone to tell me how to revise or improve […]