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How Did You and Daddy Meet?
Feb 11, 2025
When my kids asked about the day I met their father I recall that Friday night in 1968 when I had just settled in after a busy week of teaching junior high kids.
Here’s what ...
Close Call
Feb 08, 2025
[Photo of my son, Herbert T. Brown, III at one year old.--1975-2016]
In a recent newsletter, I shared my story of how my planned babies' names were stolen almost a decade be...
Dashing Through the Door
Oct 14, 2024
Growing up in the 50's was somewhat like working for Door Dash A neighbor would call to borrow a cup of sugar Whichever kid was nearby Was assigned to deliver it. A finished e...
Are You Missing the Beam?
Sep 12, 2024
[Image generated by DALL-E in ChatGPT 4o]
At the end of a longitudinal study about the spread of happiness in a social network, a reader commented:"In another more distant ti...
Remembering Our Fathers
Jun 18, 2023
Happy Father's Day to these beloved fathers, each memorable and unique in his own way. Before you ask, I'm the tall one on the right in the top right photo, shot in my mothe...
The First Mother's Day I Picked My Mom Up in a Limousine
May 23, 2023
When my first child became a high school senior, it had become common for parents to rent limousines to take their kids to and from the proms. They felt it was safer than ha...
Disregard Sensible Advice
Apr 17, 2023
[Photo by Nathan Gentry on Unsplash]
"A slow death comes for those who don’t revolt when they’re unhappy in their work or in love. Who don’t risk the certain for the uncert...
Capture Your Memories One Story at a Time
Sep 01, 2022
Writing about your childhood memories and family stories is one of the best ways to preserve and reflect on the milestones and events that shaped who you have become to pass o...
Caught Being Good!
Jun 17, 2022
"Grandma, look! I was caught being good!" Â my youngest grandson announced with a broad smile showing off an award ribbon years ago when he was in elementary school.
"What...
Cultivate Happiness by Flowing with the Seasons
May 11, 2022
You will pass through many seasons in your lifetime. Your happiness depends on how you manage them.Â
When my children were young our family life revolved around their care, s...
What Will Rock Your World?
Apr 13, 2022
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. ~ Albert Einstein
It was minutes before the Mistress of Ceremonies introduced me...
5 Ways Sharing Your Personal Story Promotes Your Business Success
Jan 19, 2022
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 When you begin a business, there is often a goal beyond just making money. Your potential clients and customers want to know your origin story. What happened in your life,...
Ready, Set, Write! Join the Annual Race to 50,000 Words
Oct 30, 2021
Every year as trick-or-treaters trail home on Halloween to tally their loot, writers around the world flex their fingers in readiness for National Novel Writing Month, better ...
Detective Mom and the Truth
Aug 30, 2021
Welcome to Our Guest BloggerMarie Mason
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Growing up as a child in a different time that I live in now, I was always taught to be seen and not heard as a girl growing up in ...
Moon Sister
Jul 28, 2021
We're happy to turn the
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTonGreta Nagelfor her story"Moon Sister"as part of the Winter 2021 Life Story Class
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I once wrote a short paragraph about my sister...
Memorable Years on the Farm
Apr 01, 2021
We're happy to turn the
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTonDyan Ventersfor her story"Memorable Years on the Farm"as part of the Winter 2021 Life Story Class
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Wow! How did I get here? Th...
Traditions Matter: It's Not Christmas Until Max's Coffee Cake is Ready
Jan 18, 2021
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We're happy to turn the
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTon Don Ebbertsfor his story, "Traditions Matter: It's Not Christmas Until Max's Coffee Cake is Ready"as part of the Your Life Stor...
5 Ways to Summon Your Memories to Write Your Life Story
Dec 23, 2020
Writing your life story is important to you, but it is often still a challenge to know where and how to get started. That's why during November, Family Stories Month, I create...
Once Upon a Time You Died Before We Really Knew You
May 22, 2020
 [Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash]
When we think of stories, we often flash back to the ones we read as children that began “Once upon a time…” Or we admire ...
Use Your Secret Power to Get Through the Pandemic and Other Gifts o...
May 21, 2020
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”– Marcus Aurelius
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At the beginning of 2020, I had trouble getting things don...
100+ Ways to Find Relief, Comfort, and Meaning During the Pandemic
Apr 06, 2020
Did you thoughtfully list your 2020 New Year’s resolutions and set big goals at the end of 2019?
If you’re someone who plans ahead, you paid your final deposit on that cruise...
Call Her Madam, The First Self-Made Woman Millionaire
Feb 03, 2020
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Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove in poverty-stricken Louisiana in 1867, went from picking cotton to become the first self-made American woman milliona...
Your Life Story Can Take Many Shapes and Sizes
Jan 07, 2020
On the surface it seems writing your life story should be easy. After all, you’re the main character and all the experiences that make up your story are filed in your memory. ...
The Stories We Share Can Last for Generations to Come
Sep 24, 2019
One day when my oldest daughter was a toddler, she was reflecting on how much she loved her dad. “When I grow up, I’m going to marry Daddy.”
“But he’s already married,” I qui...
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