The Boy Who Grew Too Small: Author Cliff Tells Why
Author Cliff narrates the story of his creating The Boy Who Grew Too Small . . . The Dream One night I dreamed about a boy who started shrinking because he began smoking. Why such a dream, you ask? I had just learned that the Florida legislature had won a case...
Have a Heart
Missing a Heart A tornado whirling through Kansas, whisked Dorothy and her dog Toto to the magical land of Oz hoping to meet the Wizard in the Emerald City. As they progressed along the Yellow Brick Road, they met three creatures who lacked something important: a...
Not Lost But Gone Before, Hope’s Message
A little church in Alabama with rough-hewn walls holds a glittering stained glass window with this expression: Not lost but gone before. The saying in golden glass ends with a period though it’s not a complete sentence. Yet those five words reflect on a real...
Wordless Wednesday: Imagine a World
February is Brotherhood month, often celebrated in schools, and in state and national ceremonies. Any such celebrations in your neighborhood? What does the body language of Garfield and Odie suggest? If you created a...
Lessons from the Bisque Salt and Pepper Shakers
Do you procrastinate? Are there unfinished projects lying about in your house? Years ago in graduate school at Florida State University, my husband Cliff made these bisque-fired salt and pepper shakers. He says creating the shakers was a side project back then,...
Ten Secrets from my iPhone Photos
The Confession As of January 5, 2018 I had found 3768 photos on my iPhone along with 158 videos. Gasp! When I began organizing the host of photos, none of the pictures were tagged with subject. Only an image number identified each photo (IMG_2548, for example). And...
Moments of Discovery: Warm Muff and Cedar Chest
Frozen America the national weather channel announced this week! After the calendar flipped to 2018, the temperatures in north Florida dipped way low. Low by Florida standards of course. On Thursday morning, January 4, Jacksonville International Airport temps reached...
My Word! It’s 2018
Last year 2017 was an eventful year for us. Hurricane Irma surged through Jacksonville in September dumping loads of water and downing trees. Son Joel here was determined windows on our property would be secure. He had strong intention, believe you me! INTENTION...
You’ve Got Mail: Cliff Writes Letters
Norah Ephron wrote the screenplay for You’ve Got Mail in 1998. Starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, the film features two business rivals who can’t stand each other in real life but begin falling in love via online mail boxes. Cliff Writes Letters to Me Internet...
Grandma’s Bedroom and the Holy Family as Refugees
Once upon a time my Grandma Longenecker and Aunt Ruthie welcomed strangers into their home. They hosted Phuong Le from Viet Nam, their first refugee "daughter." After Grandma died my aunt carried on the tradition opening her door to refugees fleeing...
Our Un-Mystery Trip: Cumberland Island
When our oldest grandsons were nearly 4 we took them on a mystery trip. “You are going someplace special, but we can’t tell you where,” we said. They were completely befuddled. Cartoon bubbles above their heads might have read, “What’s a mystery trip? Is it safe to go...
Do You Know How to Hygge?
What is hygge? (pronounced HOO-GA) Think coziness! A soft blanket A book beside a crackling fire A soothing drink A lighted candle A (real!) Danish pastry A stroll alone or with friends According to lifestyle journalist Helen Russell who writes in The Year of...
Giving Thanks 2017
A children's chorus gathers to wish you Thanksgiving blessings. Click just below to hear this rendition, less than 2 minutes long. https://youtu.be/857F4ngV8TY Thank you, dear reader, for gathering around our virtual table here every week. I'm so grateful that we have...
Wordless Wednesday: Imagine a Mood
What mood does this tree convey to you? Does this tree help you recall a special memory? What saying does this tree remind you of? Do you ever dream about trees, or a particular tree? Why do you think the artist drew this? Take a guess!
Secrets from Ruthie’s Autograph Book
I found Aunt Ruthie’s autograph book at the bottom of this painted chest under a pile of blankets, dolls, and vintage clothing. Her classmates from Elizabethtown High School class of 1935 Wrote in her autograph book. Some sayings were Sweet, Some were silly. Three...
Do Real Men Wear Aprons?
Food network star Guy Fieri admits, “I’ve never been an apron fan; it’s all too cumbersome to me.' The Longenecker men didn’t wear aprons. To his credit, my dad did dry dishes but only on Sundays, and without an apron. Beaman Men in Three Generations...
Roz Chast: Cartoonist and Caregiver
Roz Chast knows about funny She uses a feeble font style Her figures have faint lines Sometimes her humor is subtle Other times blatant as a siren A New Yorker cartoonist since 1978, Chast plays her fears for laughs, taming anxiety with humor. Oy...
Wordless Wednesday, Imagine a Story
Ask any question beginning with Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Or Offer some answers that I can possibly verify A story may build A tale may be told Why not be bold!