(I know this is a bit long for a blog post, but if you are married, or have been,  you just might enjoy the ride :) )

Valentine’s Day

I placed a hesitant hand on the smooth metal door handle of the Hallmark store and pulled it open to the sound of tinkling bells. Ruby hearts hanging from the door jamb brushed the top of my head as I stepped…

I just returned from four glorious days nestled deep in the evergreen woodlands of Northern Arizona.  Rim country they called it, referring to the Mogollon Rim. Two hundred miles of dramatic rock formations, deep canyons and more sky than you have ever seen at one time.  Three of my treasured writing pals and I gathered at a mountain cabin in Christopher Creek. Call it…

More Moments in Montclair

To all of our mothers.  Thank you for your love~

A Mother's Silhouette

I awoke for a moment in late afternoon, the hospital room spare and efficient.   I looked over and saw my mother sitting with a rosary in her hand, a cool dark silhouette before a window fiercely illuminated by the hot desert sun.

“You don’t have to talk,” she said noticing I was stirring. “I’m just going to sit…

I dedicate this post to my sister-in-law, Mary Lou, who has urged me to publish it for two years now in hopes of buoying the spirits of thousands of hard working Americans that have suffered as a result of our failing economy. Now that my family has moved successfully through this unexpected and painful chapter, I am emotionally able to give this essay some well earned wings.  Please feel free…

In honor of Mother’s Day.  A gentle reminder to spend time with the people you love~

The Woman with All the Answers

As a child, I loved going to the movies and live theater with my mother.  Though neither happened often, the experiences captivated me.  The Sound of Musicbecame an obsession, Fiddler on the…

Surrender is a loaded word conjuring up images of defeat.  Growing up with five brothers I learned early on that only the strong survived.  Life was about winning. Our days were a series of board games, contests and secret clubs in the attic where we had to prove our worth to belong.  Surrender was unthinkable unless you were being dangled by your feet over the third floor stairwell, and even then you did it with your fingers crossed behind your back. Surrender was…

The birth of empathy between siblings is a beautiful thing to witness.  One of the many unexpected joys of living abroad is watching the way such a powerful experience changes your children.  For the better.  Kids who travel together, learn to rely on each other in a deeper way than life in suburban America demands.

When we left for Italy, Katie and…

Today’s Thankful Thursday goes out to READERS!  Where would be without you?

A book is like a handshake between the author and the reader.  The place where the two meet.  Both sides come to the experience with a hopefulness that the greeting will develop into a friendship. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn’t.

I think I can speak for all writers here. We appreciate your time, your enthusiasm, and your thoughtful responses.  We appreciate your willingness to…

Tonight I am decorating the house for Christmas. Alone. I have cried the whole way through. Not big fat tears of sorrow, oh no. Just slippery sideways tears of knowing. Knowing that our family is changing and moving into a new season.

For twenty one years…

Today’s shout out of gratitude goes to my critique group. I happened upon a dynamic group of writers from Wise Women…