Read moreOriginally posted by Kathleen Pooler on Monday, July 15: It gives me great pleasure to welcome my good friend and writing colleague Marian Beaman back to Memoir Writer’s Journey with a guest post on how blogging about her family led to writing her memoir. If you follow Marian’s blog, you already know what a treasure trove of…
How Blogging About My Family Led to My Memoir by Marian Beaman — Memoir Writer’s Journey
Originally posted by Kathleen Pooler on Monday, July 15: It gives me great pleasure to welcome my good friend and writing colleague Marian Beaman back to Memoir Writer’s Journey with a guest post on how blogging about her family led to writing her memoir. If you...
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Secrets of a Spool of Blue Thread
Among the relics of my sewing days, I found just one blue spool of thread. Otherwise, I have the basics for mending: black, white, and beige. Once an avid sewer, never a full-fledged seamstress, I made dresses, little boy suits, pinch-pleated drapes – even my...
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A Plate, a Brick: Tokens of Remembrance
A Plate, a Parade, and a Song Four years ago these words introduced an "ode" to my grandkids. Now, the children (all teenagers, one a pre-teen) may feel embarrassed about posing with a plate of cupcakes and being praised for grade school accomplishments, like picking...
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Wordless Wednesday: Outdoor Eating
Your thoughts on al fresco eating and family reunions Thank you!
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A Marvelous Metal Father’s Day Card
“Whoa, what have we got here?” Daddy Cliff asked as he made a ceremony of pulling a heavy rectangle out of the paper bag. “It’s your Father’s Day card!” Joel exclaimed, looking at his dad’s face, smiling from ear to ear....
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Aunt Ruthie’s HOT! Diary
Is it hot where you live? Cool? Just right? In May our part of the world experienced hotter than normal temps. We are used to high 90s in northeast Florida, but usually not this early. May 27 100 degrees May 28 99 degrees May 29 98...
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7 Tips: Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing: Taking in the natural world through one’s senses How to: Forest-Bathe Savor sights, sounds, follow your nose as you head into the forest or park. Listen to the tap-tap-tap of a beak on wood or the two-tone note of a birdcall. Walk...
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Rachel Held Evans and My Brother Mark
Rachel Held Evans died on May 4, 2019 at age 37. She left behind a grieving husband Dan, two small children, and a host of admirers including me. She was the author of four books; I read her first one. Her untimely death ignited a public outcry. The Washington Post...
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Lets Eat Grandma
My Grandma liked to cook and she liked to eat. She has a starring role in my memoir, spotlighted in two chapters: Grandma’s Bountiful Table and Easter & Politics. Everyone had a seat at her table. I treasure time I spent preparing meals with her and having her...
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About My Mother 2019
I have written about my mother often here. You have seen photos of her, read stories about her. Intentionally, I have paid tribute to her on Mother’s Days past. Here is a sampling: Bedtime Stories and Wooden Blocks and Beads Mother's Quilts Mother's Other Daughters My...
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Chopped! Writer as Sous-Chef
What to Do When You are Sick of Writing (or any other brain-sucking activity) Just ask Caroline Carlson, who wrote The Door at the End of the World, a book I won (by the luck of the draw) for commenting on L. Marie's website. Woo Hoo! Here is Caroline's...
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Memoir Progress and a Blossom in a Pear Tree
Pear Tree Blossoms Blossoms on our pear tree beside the lake peek out A few at a time Then more . . . and, finally, the pear tree standing in a dress of white blossoms. Book writing, too, starts small . . . My memoir began as a Kinko-bound...
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Easter 2019 with Memories of Mother
A Mom Moment * * * On Good Friday, my mother, busy in the house and garden, would cease her labors from noon to 3:00 p.m, and sit with an open Bible for a quiet time of reflection. She probably read these words from Luke 23:44-46...
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Wordless Wednesday: Fancy Frocks
What outfits for special occasions do you remember? *** Open for suggestions: What other topic(s) would you like to see on this blog? Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
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You’re Only Young Once and Other Myths
The saying You’re Only Young Once gives youth license to enjoy themselves, implying that as you age, you will enjoy life less and less. FUN is OVER for you forever! I’m guessing that you don’t accept that idea. * * * Did you know Dr. Seuss published his book,...
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Tidy Trees and Logo Launch
Marie Kondo must have waved her magic wand over our live oak trees last week. The Tidying Up maven Marie specializes in tidy tricks indoors. Still, I think she would approve of outdoor maintenance, which happened on our property last Tuesday. A weak sun peers through...
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Confession of a Cone Head
The Damage Mouth agape, wide-eyed and stunned at the WaWa station – I beheld a tee-shirted man holding a frosty drink and belly laughing at me. In the bay just ahead, this guy observed what I failed to see: two traffic cones smashed under...
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Walking Crooked, Writing Straight
“Nana, let’s go for a walk!” Ian was tired of being penned up inside while his older brother worked in our yard. “Of course!" I tell him. Squirrels scamper, cardinals cheer. Even though the sky is misty gray, the earth looks and sounds alive. Eleven year...
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