I've been in my share of parades. Probably more than my share, actually. Marching band parades, down the main street and next to the fire station of my home town, ringing in the glorious mark of Memorial Day. (You have to love a town that has a Memorial Day Parade.) Halloween parades with a whole […]

I wrote this week that we have now officially entered the week of the year when I have no idea what day it is, and I wander from room to room in my pajamas, carrying all of my new books, and eating a Christmas cookie. My friend Angie sent me a meme that shares my […]

My first husband died eleven years ago, on the morning of December 23, 2010. In the days to follow, I released this personal account of his final hours, the story I must write. Please be advised, these paragraphs are graphic, detailed, personal, and mine. Read with caution, respect, and care. These words hold my very […]

I have been thinking of the words, "Let every heart prepare him room." As we prepare our homes, decorate our trees, hang our lights, frost our cookies, and prepare our feasts, we are preparing room.  We are making space to remember: something amazing happened.  They waited for him then, and we wait for him now. […]

I'm feeling the wonder of autumn tonight. (It's probably because peeling apples makes me feel like a domestic goddess. I should probably dial it down a bit. If I ever fold laundry and peel apples in one week, my pride may swell larger than anyone will be able to stand. That's why I have to […]

I have turned forty-two.  And so far, my senses are on hyperbolic overload with all that forty-two has already shown herself to be. Forty-two sounded like, "Good morning, my darling… Alexa, play." And then forty-two sounded like Peter dancing me around the living room to the song, "And I Love You So" while I was […]

Thirteen Things I Learned from my Dad: 1. If you're going to get in trouble at school, let it be for talking too much to all of your many friends. Sociable is not a bad thing. 2. When putting together an outfit, choose the least noticeable color in the busier item, and make that your […]

I made a fatal error this week. Its name is Easter Baskets.  For a while I couldn't talk about it, but as all mistakes, I can now see what I wish I had seen.  I can now share with you what I shall always remember.  The Easter Baskets are a thing. I had this fleeting […]

I remember when each of my boys was born, the sweet relief of holding them, meeting them, beginning this new adventure with them. But I also recall the complicated emotions of sharing them now with other people.  For so many months, my baby had been mine alone.  Only I knew his movements, his stirrings, his […]

Tricia said: "Laptop, Open Manuscript." And the Laptop said, "File Not Found." Tricia said: "Look again, laptop.  Find it, please." And the Laptop said, "File Not Found." I had spent weeks working on my second round of edits for my new book, This Book Is For You: Loving God's Words in Your Actual Life. And […]

A Christmas Special: Give my book for Christmas!   For $20, I'll send to you a *personalized, signed copy* of the book of your choice, including gift wrap and shipping.   Straight to your door, complete with my love and doodles.   Available Books: ~ Just You Wait ~ You Can Do This   Available […]

I mean, I've never been in charge of a turkey before. And since our Thanksgiving is the most intimate ever, I bought the smallest turkey ever. Almost a medium-ish chicken. So, since I've never been in charge of a turkey, I didn't know what color it should be or what it should smell like. I […]

When I say it's easy and good, then you know it's absolutely going to be BOTH.  Probably you have all of these very things in your own little quarantined kitchen, and you can become the Easter Bunny herself by whipping up this deliciousness for the people you love. Ingredients: Cake: 1 сuр buttеr (2 sticks) […]

I wanted to send this story to you on Easter morning or the night before, but things got away from me, what with the glazed ham and the hashbrown potatoes and the early service and hosting all the family and dyeing of inappropriate eggs. (I distinctly recall saying nobody was allowed to draw penises on […]

Every night, we have ice cream at 8:00.  And some evenings, we have it at other times, because it's 8:00 somewhere.  We are living it up in our locked up condition. Last night, before our evening constitution, Peter brought us all together at the dining room table.  There were four cups of fruit punch and […]

The good news is they’re a hit with all the men at my house. Happy Merry Making. May your nipples look prettier than mine.    

[et_pb_section admin_label="section"] [et_pb_row admin_label="row"] [et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"] Oh, this story... it's one of my brother's classic moves.  Everyone should have a fun uncle. I blew Santa's cover last year, and it was a glorious ending to the gig of his great fame at our house.  I've never looked back. With no reservations, I handed some wrapping […]

When your husband helps a man get his car out of the snow, and the man can’t speak English because he’s new to the United States, but he thought his tires would be okay because he had never seen snow before, And then when the guy finds where you live and rings your doorbell to […]

Ladies, I am delighted to join the women of Crossroads Community Church-Parker for their annual event to kick off the holiday season: an evening of Comfort and Joy. By My heart is spilling, my notebooks are filling, and I cannot wait to be with you. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM Tickets available online Crossroads […]

Last year at this time, all I really wanted in the world was to turn Forty.  You guys, I am here to tell you: dreams do come true.  Forty is my new favorite thing. And I just knew it would be. I've given this some thought, and here's the thing.  Your twenties are about exploration, […]