Another Springer In My Life

Snug is my brother Raymond Pert's springer spaniel. We got a phone call about four months after we had brought our springer Annie home. It was my…

The Candy Bar That Makes Idaho Famous

Today I was back in my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho. I got to spend the day with my siblings touring the Inland Empire and visiting memorable places f…

Back to My Hometown

When I head back to my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho I travel a familiar route that takes me through our beautiful Inland Empire. While cruising south …

Oh,What A Beautiful Morning!

I haven't always been a morning person. I fell into the night owl category for years. I remember watching David Letterman’s Top Ten List, readin…

"The Slowed Evening Is Carried In Prayer"

Cliffs and rock formations are common in the Inland Empire, especially around rivers and lakes. Traveling home at the end of the my teaching day thes…

Dinner Waiting After a Hectic Day: Slow-Cooker Enchiladas

A few years ago a local caterer prepared a special dinner at school. This was the main dish. As soon as all of us took one bite of this yummy dish, …

"Before the Eye Can Focus... Crocus"

"First a howling blizzard woke us, Then the rain came down to soak us, And now before the eye can focus Crocus." Lilja Rogers One thing I lov…

Ten Mile Road Trip #1: Lake Beauty in the Spring

Today we took advantage of the sunny spring weather and our scenic area and took a ten mile road trip. We can leave our house and travel ten miles an…

Top Ten Reasons for Doing Spring Cleaning Today

10. I have so many cleaning supplies some of them may go bad if I don't use them. 9. The dust bunnies started having babies under the bed. 8. When …

A Post for Annie: Another Springer Chapter In My Life

Annie is our English Springer Spaniel. She also thought she should get a post. Are you starting to draw a conclusion that we don't have children…

Shelby and Scarlet: Separated at Birth

My blog friend at gracioushospitality posted a picture of her friend's dog Scarlet on March 19th under the title Desert Wishes . There are also pi…

Give Me Some Time to Find More Time!

Gathering around the table recently a group of us were sipping coffee and discussing the ongoing dilemma of not having enough time in our lives to &q…

Sisters of St. Michael's, Savory Soup Recipe, and Finding Time for Writing

A few weekends ago I attended a teacher conference sponsored by the Northwest Inland Writing Project. This spring conference is held annually at St.…

The Long Term Garden Plan: Amending Soil Part 1

Almost exactly eleven years ago I moved to the place I live now. I wanted to take the natural landscape and grow cut flowers, fruit trees, and perenn…

Slices of Life:The Songs In My CD Holder While Traveling Through The Inland Empire

“The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you …

Sibling Assignment #15: A Book From Childhood I Remember

Reading books was a favorite pastime in childhood. It encompassed hours of my time. One book that always sticks in my mind is The Velvet Room by Zilp…

My Nieces, The Sixth Street Theater, and Matilda Trent

Today I had the privilege of being back in my hometown of Kellogg, Idaho for a day. I spent time in the morning watching two of my nieces compete in …

TGIF

Today in my classroom we tried new versions of TGIF. Here are a few: Thanks Gonzaga: Inspiration Forever Try Green Irish Fireworks The Girl Is Fabulou…

Memoir: To Live Life Twice

" To write one's life is to live it twice". Patricia Hampl First I began writing memoir. It helped me make sense of the events of my li…

Swan Song

After the first year teaching at my current school, we lost a student to a tragic accident. It was the first student I had lost, and the first funera…

Flavors That Blend: Chocolate and Orange

Chocolate Orange Muffins A co-worker brought these muffins to a breakfast gathering a few years ago. Ever since that time I have loved the flavors of …

You Can Never Have Too Many Primroses

Primroses (actual name Primula) are perennial plants that can be placed outside early in the spring to provide those first splashes of color in the g…

The Keys of Memory

" I wear the key of memory, and can open every door in the house of my life." Amelia Barr I like things in threes: three pots of geraniums a…

A Space for Inspiration

Writers desire a space for inspiration- that place the writer can imagine, remember, ponder, and draft. For some writers it is surrounding themselves…

A Great Find: The Green Picket Fence

We love to go to second hand stores and are always on the lookout for good deals. When we began making our land into gardens we searched for used ite…

A Perfect Fit

When I arrive home each day Annie my English Springer Spaniel is usually at the gate to greet me. I caught her waiting in the driveway in the photo a…