I was heartsick to see the images of the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral ablaze yesterday. Hundreds of years of history swept away in a brutal rush of flames. To think of all the stories it has born witness to: Napoleon walking in and declaring himself emperor, Mary I of Scotland marrying the Dauphin Francois, Louis Vierne dying while playing the …
Someone I love dearly received an unexpected diagnosis. My heart ached to hear it. As this person shared their news on Facebook, one person remarked, “Well, this must be God’s will.” My eyes bugged out as my blood began to boil. God’s will? Really? I’ve been mulling over this concept for quite some time. When someone receives a medical diagnosis, …
Civil War research is my bread and butter, but every now and then I run across something that throws me for a loop. Not long ago I ran across some research regarding regiments who carried furry (and sometimes feathery) companions into battle. Many troops claimed mascots, usually horses and dogs. Dogs like Sally, the mascot for the 10th Massachusetts Infantry. …
I know. This isn’t your world right now, buddy. You’re into Mariokart and Legos. Captain America and sharks. But while your mind is busy soaking up the wonders of learning letters, numbers and who put their mouth on the water fountain at school, I’m praying for your future…more specifically, I’m praying for you and your future spouse. It’s important. The …
It seems like yesterday I was welcoming you into the world. I thought you would always be in diapers, watching Sesame Street and learning your alphabet. I blinked and suddenly we’ve traded Cheerios and sippy cups for makeup and iphones. And now, much to your father’s dismay, your heads have begun to turn when a handsome boy gives you a …
If my life were different, I would be different… If my job only paid better… If my husband treated me like he cared… If our house wasn’t so small… If my health was good… If my kids would listen… Have you been there? It’s a tempting way to live life. The “If onlys” provide us with a fantasy world of …
People often ask me what I like most about writing. That’s a tough question. I love helping people break free from the lies they believe about themselves. I love the creativity that blooms when dreaming up new characters and plots, wounds and dramatic twists. Being a history nerd, there’s something extra special about writing Civil War stories. I’ve discovered so …
Once upon a time, a sad girl lived in a dark, dreary land. As far as the eye could see, the land was gray. No colorful flowers danced in the breeze. There were no trees or sunshine, just bleak gray clouds and barren fields of dirt. There were many people but no one was happy. The mean ruler of the …
It’s taken me some time to process all the thoughts and emotions swirling through my heart with the passage of New York’s recent abortion law. Shock. Horror. Outrage. Nausea. Heartache. A throbbing, overshadowing heartache. We cry for civil rights, women’s liberation, and racial equality, yet we kill future civil rights leaders, murder females and males alike, and show no discrimination …
Poor Sugar. My little dog is getting old. She’s still spunky, still knows me and most of the members of our family, but when we were told she was nearly blind and suffered from what can best be described as doggy dementia, none of us were surprised. After all, what else can you call it when a dog stares for …