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My mother could play piano. Let me rephrase. My mother could pick out hymns on the piano. I have no earthly idea how she learned to do it because she never mentioned a teacher….. I suspect, knowing her, she taught herself. She loved music. She appreciated music. She valued music (and poetry, literature,grammar, art… andContinue reading “The Gift”

Tell the truth. How many times a day do you say “Bless your heart?” Extra points if you’re not from the south…..because we use it, abuse it and wear it the heck out. We use it sarcastically, sympathetically and sometimes when we don’t know what else to say… Examples? “Bless her heart, that dress wasContinue reading “Bless your heart”

Did you ever google songs with the word road in the title? On the Road Again Life is a Highway Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Hit the Road Jack The List goes on and on….. Driving back from our latest Houston journey I wondered how many trips I have made back and forth…. I couldn’t evenContinue reading “My Road, Our Road”

lipstick on a pig “Some superficial or cosmetic change to something so that it  seems more attractive, appealing,  or successful than it really is.” I’m not the pig! I’m not the pig! Seriously though…..I get bored when I have my chemo/immunotherapy treatments. I listen to music, I listen to podcasts, and yes, I take pics. We’ve already established my “oversharing” tendency on facebook so there’s that. Last week I didn’t have toContinue reading “Lipstick and a Highlight Reel”

Memorial Day. Grandma Rosie Smith called it Decoration day. If I’m correct, it was a day set aside to decorate the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers, always commemorated on May 30th. I believe it was President Johnson who changed it and declared Memorial Day a 3 day weekend and federal holiday… (forgive me ifContinue reading “Smells like Summer”

I’m an oversharer. Totally. Is there a rehab for that? In my defense, I’ve used FACEBOOK for years to promote my choral program, my church, my politics…. I’ve shown off my family and lots and lots of food. OVER SHARE. Over share on steroids. But I have to tell you that during this past year,Continue reading “Good News guilt.”

First of all, Irene is a lovely name. It’s old-fashioned, it’s spelled correctly, and it’s not one of those “made up” names….. but honestly? Her name was FRANKIE Irene. I’d probably go by Irene too. It’s Mother’s Day weekend so this is my ode to her and to all the mothers reading this. My mother,Continue reading “Irene”

So many of my friends were raised similarly to me…..I’m almost embarrassed to write anything about the Easter holiday for fear that my stories are nothing special or out of the ordinary. So I suppose writing this morning is simply a way for me to walk through my memories and help you recall yours…. FirstContinue reading “Up from the grave he arose…”

I don’t know if it’s my age, my health or a combination of the two, but I’m obsessed with telling the stories of my childhood and the history of my family. I’m more than positive those of you reading my little blog have your own precious family stories. I encourage you to write them down,Continue reading “Calling Nicholas Sparks”

Health care isn’t for sissies. I’ll bet most of you have had to deal with our monolithic healthcare system. God forbid you’ve had to navigate insurance, lack of insurance, reimbursements….all while trying to actually stay alive or keep your loved one alive. Even when the health care you or your loved one is receiving isContinue reading “Hit me with your best shot”