For some reason, I started doing some math the other day. I’m not sure what prompted it because I am not one to randomly break out and decide to solve math problems. But I did the other day. And the math I did was more mind blowing than any equation or word problem thrown at me during school. I decided to figure out how old I was when my mom was the same age I am now.
Continue readingNot in My Wheelhouse
Have you ever thought – oh, dang!
When a word pops up everywhere
but how did it even get there?
Continue readingStory behind the Post: Family Thanksgiving Dinner
First off, I was a little excited to see the 5-Saturday month fell in November. Which meant I finally was able to do a Thanksgiving story and didn’t have to come up with another Christmas story. I think – without fact checking – I’ve done a Halloween story (back when I was doing 4-part short stories) and at least a couple of Christmas stories. But this year I can now add a Thanksgiving story to my little collection.
Continue readingGuest Blogger: Believe
By Nancy Chamberlain
Music has always been my healing mechanism. I wrote this song with a friend while going to school at BYU Idaho years ago. Recently, I wanted to add to it singing about my kids. The song is called “Believe”
Walking with a heavy load,
Wondering what my future holds.
Fearful, I will fail again,
Until I hear you say-
I believe in you.
Continue readingFamily Thanksgiving Dinner: Chapter V
Chapter V: Dad
Out of everyone’s hands I didn’t see in the air when I asked my question earlier, I was most surprised to not see dad’s. My mild-mannered, quiet dad. I was always told I was just like him so I expected out of everyone in this room, his hand would have been raised in solidarity with mine. I was wrong.
Dad looked around at all of us and seemed a little nervous at the attention. He cleared his throat and nodded at mom. “First of all, I was the one that gave your grandma the elephant to begin with.”
It wasn’t that surprising but somehow, we all gasped like it was some revealing piece of information.
Continue readingMind Your Manners
Family Thanksgiving Dinner: Chapter IV
Chapter IV: Mom
Everyone waited for mom to explain. Despite being in the room and hearing the conversation leading up to my question she still seemed surprised. Like a student hearing the words pop quiz, she responded with “Hmmm?”
“The Elegant Elephant?” I asked matching the look on her face at having to explain.
She sighed and picked up the speed of her stirring. “Well, there was the time that Curtis broke it. We didn’t even attempt that good of job fixing it by then.”
I looked at Curtis.
“Mom!” he said. “I think we could have gone a bit longer without that coming up.”
“I just thought we were clearing the air, here,” mom said defensively and sat down on the chair.
“It’s not a confessional,” Curtis said. “We could have left that part out. It is not pertinent to this story.”
“No,” Sam said smiling, “do tell. All these years it was always, ‘Sam broke the elephant. Don’t tell, don’t tell.’ Nice to see I have company.”
Continue readingResilience
Family Thanksgiving Dinner: Chapter III
Chapter III: Sam
To be clear, using all three syllables of my sister’s name is akin to mom using multiple punctuation. It meant serious business. Even though I was her older brother, my ‘little’ sister out-massed me by about 10 pounds of muscle. It’s been that way since she turned 15 and I was in my early 20’s. Which is about the last time I dared call her by her full first name. Not only that, she fights dirty. But this was serious business.
Sam came around the corner slowly glaring at me. Mom’s curiosity was piqued so she stood behind Sam. All I could see was her eyes peeking over Sam’s shoulder. “What?” Sam said in a monotone that was surprisingly threatening.
I didn’t care how tough she was at the moment. “You broke the Elegant Elephant?” I asked pointing to the shelf where it should have been. No more being covert about my mission today. I noticed mom quickly retreat back into the kitchen.
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