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For the last twelve months, the new year was a distant silhouette on the horizon. Throughout 2025, I lived in a state of becoming. I returned to Ole Miss, diving deep into the evolution of the library learning commons and the modern nuances of special education. I took a rigorous professional inventory of more than twenty years in the classroom, dusting off old skills and replacing them with the fresh trends of today’s public education. I spent a year studying, preparing, and

As the final hours of 2025 slip away, many focus on fireworks, celebrations, and resolutions. Yet, the Church invites us to begin the new year differently—by turning our attention to Mary, the Mother of God. January 1 holds a special place in the liturgical calendar as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God , a day that connects the joy of Christmas with the promise of a fresh start. This feast offers more than tradition; it provides a spiritual foundation for the year ahead. B

Every year, millions of people set New Year's resolutions with high hopes of transforming their lives. Yet, by February, many have abandoned these promises. The tradition of making sweeping resolutions often leads to frustration and disappointment. The real key to meaningful change lies in setting a few clear, achievable goals—both short-term and long-term—that challenge you and support growth in all areas of life: mental, spiritual, financial, and physical . A journal with h

2026 arrives with a brand-new light, To set my creative path just right. No longer bound by a tiny space, I’ll find a much more rhythmic pace. A short story ends just as it starts, Leaving no room for beating hearts. But novelettes let the vision grow, With enough time for the plot to flow. A novel is a mountain steep and tall, Where many weary writers start to fall. The middle ground is where I’ll truly shine, With "just enough" words to make it mine. In twenty-six, the sto

The General’s Gamble: "Boy" Browning and the Road to Arnhem While his wife, Daphne du Maurier, was busy crafting some of the greatest psychological thrillers in English literature, Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick "Boy" Browning was living a drama far more dangerous. Known as the "Father of the British Airborne Forces," Browning’s legacy is defined by a single, daring, and ultimately tragic operation in the fields of Holland. The Man Behind the Maroon Beret Frederick Browning

Christmas Poem To Ian/by Anne Hendricks The lights are bright, the carols play, As Christmas finds us miles apart. Though silence fills our second year, You hold your place within my heart. I send my love on winter’s breath, And lift a prayer to skies above, That you are safe, and warm, and held Within the circle of His love. No matter where your path may lead, Or how the seasons drift away, You’re cherished more than words can tell, This holy, quiet Christmas Day. #ianbrowni

For Margaret Anne, in memory of your many New York City Christmases. I miss you. _____________________________________________________________ The sky over Manhattan had the bruised, purple weight of fruit left too long in the cold. Snow threatened, and there was no coal to answer it. December 1931 settled into the body. At the excavation that would one day be Rockefeller Center, the ground lay torn open and frozen, mud locked tight around slabs of stone. Men stood along the

My heart keeps its vigil in the white silence of winter, measuring the miles between us with the steady beat of hope. I still hear the ghost of your laughter— it catches my tears before they fall. I am waiting for the thaw, for the day the distance dissolves  I can finally hold you close again. #nocontact #love #poems

As the sun dips low and the Arctic winds pick up, a unique phenomenon begins to take hold of Iceland. It isn’t a storm of snow, but a storm of stories. Locally, it’s called Jólabókaflóð—the "Christmas Book Flood"—and it might just be the most wonderful holiday tradition you’ve never heard of. While the rest of the world might be rushing for last-minute gadgets, Icelanders are settling in with something much older and arguably much better: a brand-new book. Book Flood? The tra

The holiday season is often painted with broad strokes of vibrant red and green, sparkling lights, and the joyous clamor of celebration. But for many, December also ushers in a different kind of quiet – a reflective blue and grey, illuminated by a flickering, solitary flame. This is the world Otto Hesselbom invites us into with his profoundly moving 1896 masterpiece, Christmas Eve at the Grave  ( Julafton vid graven ). You might not know Hesselbom by name, but his work, deepl

The lights are far too bright this year, A neon hum that grates the bone. The table has a hollow chair, A silence where a voice was known. One man is gone, his stories stilled, The other—lost in rooms of mind— A mother with a cup unfilled, Forgetting all she leaves behind. And then the phone that doesn't ring, The son who chose a different shore. The sharpest salt the season brings Is waiting by an open door. To feel it all would be to drown, To let the tidal wave break throu

Dedication: I dedicate this blog to my best friend, Gwenna White Maddox. She and I had the challenging and painful experience of burying a parent on the same day in 2023. For both of us, we navigated the waters of caring for two elderly parents. I am still caregiving for Mama, now in year 12 of her dementia journey. Gwenna, I love you , and I took some of the best things we learned on our journey as caregivers, and I hope this blog helps someone. I love you, Bestie. Holidays

Southern Christian Writers Conference has released the 2025 anthology of winning submissions! I appreciate them for having a monthly contest to enter! I am honored to have been one! Get your edition at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GBTGQNKG #SouthernChristianWritersConference #Writing #Poetry

Christmas, 2025, in all its glory comes, To the rhythmic beat of winter’s drums. A year of shifting tides and high cost, Between the treasures gained and spirits lost. No Christmas tree is up, no decorations abound, Just an existence of everyday, where no revelry is found. But on this sacred day, I seek the light, To keep His holy Mass within my sight. I find the blessing in a Savior’s birth, A hope renewed for all the tired earth. No crowded halls or social noise for me, Jus

Remember this? https://youtu.be/BoXu6QmxpJE?si=ottu20o2f1g_VfJP As I sat at lunch and contemplated that I had lost my cool, I read it was the anniversary of Emily Bronte's death. Ah. Bless her! Great lady! Then, "Carl Jung" popped up on my YouTube and I said... "I am going to blog about Wuthering Heights and Jungian philosophy . " You might have to have a minimum of a gradate level degree to enjoy this drivel, but hey, who's gonna read this? (Probably five people). Emily Br

Card Shower at Christmas, For Mama, December 17, 2025 The tree is lit with a gentle glow, While outside falls the winter snow. And though the days may drift and haze, We bask within this papered blaze. A shower of love, a grand display, To brighten up your Christmas day. From friends afar and hearts so near, The mailman brought a wealth of cheer. Envelopes of red and gold and white, Now fill the room with festive light. Each one a bridge, a hand to hold, With stories of you

Jane Austen’s novels have captivated readers for over two centuries, not only because of her sharp wit and memorable characters but also due to the vivid settings that bring her stories to life. On the occasion of her birthday, it’s fitting to explore the places where her novels unfold. These locations are more than mere backdrops; they shape the social dynamics, conflicts, and romances that define her work. From the rolling countryside of Hampshire to the refined streets of

A poem wishing Jane Austen a Happy Birthday! The Parlor's Cartographer No sword drawn, no great siege upon the wall, But in the drawing-room, she saw it all. The minor siege of status, slight, and stare, The subtle, perfect cruelty found there. She was the chronicler of Highbury's lanes, The silent registrar of social pains. She measured passion with a steady hand, The most accurate chronicler in all the land. In Pemberley, the pride was overthrown, In Mansfield Park, discret

· For James Swords (Aunt Jim) 1987-2006 He taught history and knew every date, A brilliant, kind soul, and a lover of fate. A Social Studies teacher who stood tall and refined, With the biggest and best collection of its kind. His life was a study of Scarlett O'Hara's bold will, With Margaret Mitchell and Tara kept still. The movie, the scripts, the rare editions he owned, A professional passion he beautifully enthroned. He was Mother's best friend, her laughter and guide, An

Writing a World War II romance novel demands more than just a compelling love story. To truly engage readers, your narrative must feel authentic, grounded in the realities of the era. Research plays a crucial role in achieving this authenticity. It helps you create believable characters, settings, and situations that resonate with readers who appreciate historical accuracy alongside emotional depth. This post explores practical steps to guide your research process and enrich