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Every December, communities across the United States come together to honor the brave men and women who served in the armed forces. One of the most meaningful ways this respect is shown is through the laying of wreaths on veterans' graves in national cemeteries. This year, the Corinth National Cemetery in Mississippi will host its local Wreaths Across America event at 11 AM on December 13. This gathering offers a solemn moment to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom.

Dedicated to Mrs. Thompson, my speech pathologist from 1980 to 1984, and to all speech pathologists who make a difference! Speaking can be hard... Growing up with a speech impediment shaped much of my early life in ways I did not fully understand at the time. Speaking clearly, something many take for granted, was a daily challenge for me. This blog shares my personal journey, the obstacles I faced, and how I learned to navigate a world where communication is key. Early Challe

Dedicated to Dreamers Everywhere!  A New Way to Keep Busy… The year was 1938, and a profound silence lay over the snow-dusted farm country of New York State. Life in Eagle Bridge was shaped by the rhythm of the seasons - long, isolating winters demanding hard work and deep frugality. It was here that Anna Mary lived, known throughout the quiet community for her generous spirit and, more notably, for her hands. Calloused from decades of farm chores, these hands were also hands

There is a unique kind of pain when your adult child, once so close, suddenly chooses silence. When the warmth of daily conversations and shared moments is replaced by a cold distance, it feels like a part of your heart has been put on hold. This silence often comes unexpectedly, sometimes influenced by new relationships in their life. As a parent, I find myself in a place of quiet hope, much like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son, waiting patiently for my adult chi

The holiday season often brings warmth, joy, and connection. But for parents who are victims of the No Contact movement, this time can feel isolating and painful. When relationships with adult children are suddenly cut off, the holidays may highlight the absence and stir deep emotions. Finding ways to care for yourself during this challenging period is essential. This post offers compassionate guidance and practical self-care choices to help parents move through the season wi

Christmas is a season rich with meaning, tradition, and deep spiritual significance. Writing a Catholic Christmas short story offers a unique way to share the joy and mystery of Christ’s birth while inviting readers to reflect on scripture in a fresh, personal way. This post guides you through creating a story that resonates with faith, hope, and the true spirit of Christmas, grounded in biblical truths. A rustic nativity scene with wooden figures representing the Holy Family

Writing a short story from two points of view offers a unique way to deepen character development and enrich the narrative. This technique allows readers to see the same events through different eyes, creating tension, empathy, and a fuller understanding of the plot. If you want to engage your readers with a story that feels dynamic and layered, mastering dual perspectives is a powerful skill to develop. Two notebooks open with handwritten notes, representing dual perspective

Dedicated to Henry Browning, this is based on real events in your Grandfather Browning's Christmas. The time and setting have changed, but the spirit and story are the same. The most important lesson I ever learned didn't come from a textbook or a sermon; it came from a stack of small, green paper squares and the steadfast faith of my Granny Holman. Even now, in my sixties, I can still see those stamps perfectly—each one bearing the distinctive S&H logo, a tiny token of long-

TO ALL GEN XERS: I WANT MY MTV! And We Are Better For It! (Upon Cancellation of MTV, 2025) A black box glowed, an exciting, novel dream, My mother walked in, and killed the whole stream. "Not that trash," she said with a dismissive frown, The cool new music was instantly shut down. But in my mind, a silent wish took flight: A quiet little whisper of "I want my MTV" that very night. But I kept watching, a secret I had to keep, While Mom was at work, I would make a fast leap. T

On Joining the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1993 (Written 04.06.1995 For Mama, As We Are a Legacy) In ninety-three, the year my path began, At twenty-one, completing history's plan . I walked into the fold, the Chapter known as Pulaski, In Georgia's heart, a heritage was laid on me. The tie that binds is threefold, strong, and clear: God, Home, and Country, banishing all fear. My mother's light, a leader at the helm, Called me to service in this hallowed realm. I cla

Dundee Mills was more than just a textile factory in Griffin, Georgia. For decades, it stood as a symbol of economic strength, community pride, and local identity. Its story reflects the growth of Griffin itself, the challenges faced by the American textile industry, and the impact of corporate decisions on small-town life. This post explores how Dundee Mills helped shape Griffin, the changes it brought, and the void left when it closed in the 1990s after being acquired by Sp

Green Stamps were once a standard part of American shopping culture, shaping how consumers shopped and how retailers built loyalty. These stamps created a unique rewards system that influenced buying habits for decades. Understanding their history reveals how simple incentives can change consumer behavior and retail strategies. The Origins of Green Stamps Green Stamps first appeared in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The idea was simple: retailers gave customers stamps

The Italian sonnet, also known as the Petrarchan sonnet, stands as one of the most enduring and influential poetic forms in Western literature. Its structure and rhythm have shaped poetry for centuries, offering a clear framework for expressing complex emotions and ideas. For poets today, understanding and using the Italian sonnet can open new creative paths while connecting with a rich literary tradition. Handwritten Italian sonnet on aged paper What Defines the Italian Sonn

The story of Andersonville, Georgia, during the Civil War is one of hardship, endurance, and tragedy. It is a chapter of American history that often gets overshadowed by battles and political events, yet it holds deep significance for many families, including mine. Two of my ancestors were held at Andersonville Prison, and their experiences inspired me to explore and share the history of this place. This post will take you through how Andersonville came to be, what happened t

Writing a short story can feel like a daunting task. You have limited space to introduce characters, build a world, and deliver a meaningful message or experience. Yet, this challenge is also what makes short stories so powerful. They demand precision, creativity, and emotional impact in just a few pages. If you want to learn how to write a short story that grips readers from the first sentence and lingers in their minds long after, this guide will walk you through the essent

Beside New Oak Hill, where shadows softly creep, A field of stone guards men who lie asleep. From battles fought near Atlanta and Jonesboro’s line, The Stonewall Cemetery holds its sad design. The land was granted long ago, in eighteen forty, A silent promise made to those whose fate was stormy. Hundreds of Confederates found their final bed, And just one lonely Yankee rests among the dead. The Ladies Memorial Association sought to build, A tribute to the lives the cruel war

In Griffin town, the name is carved in stone, A legacy of wealth, too widely known. But trace the thread of that forgotten ease, Back to the cypress swamps and whispering seas. The 1803 rice fields spread on Grand Sapelo’s ground, Where Thomas Spalding’s fortune could be found. His cotton bloomed from the soil of bitter pain, Watered by tears and soaked by ceaseless rain. Across the currents, in the fevered dark, They bore the chains, a single, broken ark. The Igbo came, thei

The TCT Redemption, November 1995 (Dedicated to Barbara Jo Montgomery: Thank you!) My M.Ed. was done at West Georgia College, a goal I sought, A chance to teach for which I fought. My Master's path, a hopeful, youthful tread, While stacks of textile fabric lay instead. The first TCT library media score brought a sting, By one poor point, my future could not spring. Just twenty-two, no classroom time I'd known, A student seeking seeds to sown. Then Barbara Montgomery took my h

The words are highlighted to be like snow!!! :D To EAJ, On A Brandenburg, Kentucky Snow Day, 12.2.25 The news came in at 6:05,  A scrolling line that made him thrive:  "Brandenburg Schools will close today!"  A sudden, glorious snow day!  Little Emerson, tucked in his bed,  Popped up his sleepy, joyful head.  The windowpane was frosted white,  Reflecting the morning light. He tiptoed out, so very quiet,  To see the flakes that caused the riot.  Kentucky was a frosted scene, 

I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, but first.... This Blog is dedicated to the late Harvey Wilson: Christian. Friend, Writer. I’m a writer with two feet firmly planted in two different worlds—the traditionally published and the indie press. I'm a hybrid author. Yet, my training began in the pre-digital age: I trained as a journalist when the Internet wasn't even a common word, and concepts like digital publishing, indie writing,  or citizen journalists  were completely foreign. Th