Journal: forest inspiration

As I wrote Glamour, I imagined my Naturals scampering about in this area. When I shared this tidbit with my Inklings at our writing retreat, one of them said that she'd imagined this place as she read it. Two others said that they used the spot in their own writing, too.

Journal: Go ahead. Find inspiration in the woods. What happens here?

Happy 40th, Brett the Brat

My creative, big brother knew a plethora of ways to torment me. He convinced me I was discovered on the side of the road, I was part dog, and that my teeth were bucky as a beaver's. The only way I could retaliate was to call him Brett the Brat.

Yeah, clever, I know.

But we survived. He's forty today!

Journal: funeral

This week, we buried my husband's father.

Don was a retired Marine and a retired pilot. He possessed a kind heart combined with a strong personality (that probably prepared his son to better deal with me).

With each shot of the 21 gun salute, I grew more in awe of the young men in uniform before me. Although Don was in his late seventies, I imagined him as a proud young man guarding President Kennedy or being asked to be the youngest D.I. of his time. And I tried not to imagine the horrors he must have witnessed in Korea and Vietnam. As the handsome young Marine offered the flag to my mother-in-law, I realized that the sacrifices the young men and women in uniform make aren't only during their youth.

Rest in peace, Don, and thank you.

Journal: Write about a funeral.

Inklings Retreat

Woohoo!

Our annual lake retreat is finally here.

And this year we have hats!

I'd show you pictures of the amazing weekend, but the other Inklings threatened me. Apparently, they're afraid you won't think the pictures are amusing as I do. Then again, they probably know you will.

Journal: Festival

I grew up in a town that was in the Guiness Book of World Records and Trivial Pursuit.

Why?

Pecan pie.

As a kid, I attended Okmulgee's annual Pecan Festival. Every year, an enormous pie plate blocked main street. Yes, the entire street. The sun, a giant pan and foil combined to cook--more or less--the world's largest pecan pie each year. Lots of people claimed that once they took home their glob of pie and cooked it a little while that it tasted really good. I've never been a pecan pie fan, so I took their word for it.

Still, I love the excitement of small town festivals. Aside from going to Walmart, it's the one chance you have of running into old friends in a small town.

Journal: Write about a festival.

Journal: Cooking Cousins

My cousin and her family visited. We put the kids to work in the kitchen.
They made less of a mess than I usually do. They were more productive, too.

Journal: Write about cousins.

Independence Day

I thought I'd prepare for the holiday by making a patriotic pie...
Maybe decorate a little down at the lake...
Max had other plans for Independence Day...

He escaped his crib! (And brought me my iPhone. Is this what he associates with me first thing in the morning?) I pretended I wasn't in shock and urged him to return to bed. He climbed up beside me and towered above me and announced, "Done." Yep, that is one way to exert your independence.

We purchased a big boy bed for him, and I was shocked by his excitement. Before it was even put together, he tried to make his bed. Note the blur of enthusiasm in the pic below.

We could not have expected the euphoria we caused by getting him a big boy bed, but it was definitely a welcome moment of parental bliss.
Keeping him in the bed will be another adventure, I'm sure.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!