Puppy Escapes on the Anniversary of Mom’s Death

4 years ago today, my mother died.  My dear, beautiful, compassionate, wise mother took her last breath.  I still cannot think of her absence without breaking into sobs that hurt my ribs.  I suspect Mom is watching us this morning – here on the farm – with...

The Woman Who Haunts Our Home

Xander, our rooster, was crowing when I let Meander, our dog, out at 4:45am this morning.  I lay down on the coach to wait for Meander’s return from her pre-dawn jaunt, and I thought of the women who had walked these same boards before me.  Of Effie Tucker, the...

Fight For the Life You Love

In just a few hours, I will be back on the road and over the Appalachians to my home.  I ache to be there.   And that’s new for me. For many parts of my life, my times away were my favorites – they were the times when I felt most alive, most rested, most...

When I Answer the Door in my PJS

This morning, just before 9am, I heard a knock at my door and promptly ran upstairs. You see, I was in boxer shorts covered in images of fur-lined, earflap hats and a tank top.  I had not showered or even pulled my hair back after sleeping on it.  Today was to be a...