Life in coastal Carolina is paralyzing this summer. Temps ranged from 79 at 6:30 AM to 103 degrees at 1:30 most of last week. So, we travel wherever the sun is not…early mornings later in the evenings as well. We seek ways to entertain ourselves indoors. I think of the
Well, I sure have been to a lot of rock concerts in my life and have loved nothing better than to sit back and enjoy the music, watching the performers take center stage. In my teaching career, I used to taking a much smaller stage but always mindful that the
As I was writing Ivy Leigh, I didn’t think too much about specific topics or themes, especially at first. I let myself experience Ivy’s story each time a new situation or character cropped up. It’s kind of like sitting on a moving train, stopping at different stations, checking out the
A Wee Bit of Irish Literature Well, what would the month of March be like without a wee bit of storytelling…by strong Irish writers? Immersed in a strong culture of storytelling as a young girl, I’ve always been told I too have the ‘gift of gab’! But that is the
Kathleen’s Irish Soda Bread Recipe For more information and pics: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/irish_soda_bread/ The story goes that good Irish cooks never measure, so when I took down this recipe at Kathleen’s table many, many years ago (on the back of an envelope), I was given that disclaimer. It took me many a try to get
A Wee Taste of Ireland On any given March 17th, one thing in the Murphy household was certain. Kathleen Vokes would sneak by, leaving a warm loaf of Irish soda bread on the front doorstep. My brother and two sisters and I would fight for the chance to be
After many years of work and revision…too many really, Ivy Leigh Ever After, my debut novel made it into the hands of a group of eager readers on Saturday! There’s nothing like a full room of jazzed up people with ultra kind hearts to make my own heart soar! There’s
I just love working alongside another author, especially when that author is half my height! I also love that title. ‘Author.’ I’ve worked so hard for so many years to meet that mark. But I also spent my years sprinkling that word around, congratulating all the young authors I worked
Always Waiting…will you ever really do this? It takes time and patience and a lot of guidance to bring up a great dog! We’ve been through all the stages of grieving our last wonderful dog, Reilly to the swift adoption two months later of this boy, Wrigley. We didn’t have
“The sky paints such beautiful pictures!” ~WWPL, a little four year old with a full head of light blonde hair exclaimed the other day! He was actually dangling off a swing looking up at a clear pic of what he called ‘a dragon breathing out flames!’ And we, all three
Last night, I got the paw…a soft one, but nevertheless, it was a call to action. Right after that, a soft, but urgent cry followed. My boy. He needed to get out. It was well after midnight and I had to get up at 5:30 for a commitment I’d made
Begging for Trouble So innocent, right? Don’t believe it. This boy is always looking for trouble.
What on earth is a writing life? How can a body make that work in a day where a million things come at you all at once? Well, I am a good waiter, in both senses of the word! I can wait on everyone in my house, clean and cook,
This morning, I spotted this beauty as I was walking along the path with Wrigley. He’s a frequent visitor to this pond, which tells me there’s a ton of life lurking in the depths of the murky water below. He’s a stealth operator, but so are we. The sky above
Making the Most of a Blue Sky Day! This puppy, this day for me as a writer started out as a challenge. Where to go with a current draft that I’m working on, the book I’m seeking representation for, and all the other voices in my head telling me I should
So, of course, the story continues. Wrigley and Reilly existed on this planet for three whole days together. Wrigley, I believe, is Reilly’s gift to me. Wrigley was born on October 5th, and came to us just shortly before Christmas. We had had a dog that didn’t chew furniture, nibbled