^{*Photo courtesy of cheekymustache5_photobucket*}

I’ve been thinking of late about the way that secrets impact our lives; how they handicap us, keep us from reaching our full potential, and even turn us into someone far different from who we really are. Secrets have a power over us… Read full post »

I would prefer to not be writing about this particular subject. However, since it has me in its death-grip (and when I say death-grip, I mean total, unmitigated hell), I can think of little else. Quite frankly, it's difficult for me to think coherently about anything right about now, so… Read full post »

 My brother and I share a history that is truly wretched. We rarely speak of it now – not to one another and not to others. But it remains a part of us… always. He has his broken places and I have mine. They are not the same.… Read full post »

 Ian Vicknair

I've seriously neglected my blog for many months now. For a long while, I had a built-in excuse. OS was barely functional and it was rather mutinous around here. Not a happy place to be. So I didn't come around much, but I kept a toe in the… Read full post »

As we come to the close of yet another year, once again I find myself reflecting back on the year that was.  All in all, 2012 was a fairly quiet year – not a lot of waves, not a lot of trauma and/or drama (which is always a good thing) –/… Read full post »

As a public service, I've been test driving this baby all day long, ever since I read David McClain's boast on Facebook's OS Orphans that he had actually posted a blog on here this very morning. Just for grins, I speedy quick went over to Our Salon and grabbed up my… Read full post »

My sister’s mother died the day after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday – giving new meaning to that phrase forevermore. Black Friday, indeed.

I flew out to be with her for the funeral, to offer what little comfort I could. I wanted to be the stalwart big sister offering a shoulder to… Read full post »

It was buried in a carton of not-quite-ready to be discarded items – in a box full of once important souvenirs, knick-knacks, key chains, and tired, old refrigerator magnets. A tiny notebook of hurriedly scribbled thoughts, both profound and profane, lay atop a collection of what can only be de… Read full post »

I sit at the back of the packed room, holding tight to my daughter's hand, surveying the crowd of people, keeping an ever-watchful eye on my son who is sitting several rows ahead of me buffetted by a cadre of his now-grown childhood friends. We are there to honor… Read full post »

Last month was my three year anniversary on Open Salon. I remember being absolutely thrilled and amazed at the incredible talent here. I couldn't get enough of this place - it was exhilarating. Many nights, I read until the wee hours of the morning, finally reluctantly closing my laptop from sheer… Read full post »

I grew up in a household that was angry. Angry all the time, and then angry some more. Happy was not a term that was bandied about freely in my childhood. But, by golly, those folks of mine sure did like to argue. My parents had honed arguing to… Read full post »

It starts with a niggling feeling in the back of my mind. That's the best way I know to describe it - a niggling feeling. Nothing distinct about it, just a nebulous uneasiness. In fact, it is almost so indistinct as to go unnoticed. Almost.

Try as I may to… Read full post »

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.

Ernest Hemingway

It’s the end of yet another year, a time for inevitable reflection. Frankly, I try to stay busy enough so that I rarely have the time for reflection. But as the year winds… Read full post »

It's the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. Fortunately, this year I can sing along with absolute conviction in complete agreement. I've had my years of "Blue Christmases", but happily, this is not one of them. Believe me when I say I know how very fortunate/… Read full post »

A few days ago, I read an excellent post by David Chura entitled The World of Girls and Young Women in Prison. This piece deservedly earned an EP. If you haven’t read it, it is well worth your time. In fact, I was so inspired by it that I decided I/… Read full post »

 _{art courtesy of Vivian Freeland}

This morning, my husband walked into the bathroom where I was working my magic with makeup (leave me to my delusions, would you?) and said to me, “These are my biggest fat jeans. We’re going to have to do something.”

Excuse me. &… Read full post »

Thanksgiving, 2011 – the date of our very first holiday celebration in our new abode. The celebration was beyond wonderful. The food was eat-till-you-pop worthy, the football games were thrilling (especially the very last UT/A&M match-up – Hook ‘Em Horns!), the grandkids… Read full post »

I’ve been such a slacker about writing for lo these many months. Thing is, I really miss it. I miss the clickity-clack of my nails on the keyboard, the sound echoing in the room, getting louder and faster when I have a really good point to make. I miss… Read full post »

I was never one to keep a journal, not until blogging came along, anyway. I much prefer blogging to keeping a journal because, truth be told, I'm all about the attention and accolades. Not much of that going on with a journal, since they are supposed to be private and all.… Read full post »

My inner smart ass is out of control. Lately, every time I turn around, she is running her mouth (that would be my mouth) and trying to get me in trouble. Problem is, she is very entertaining to me (probably not so much to others, but too freakin’ bad, she says)… Read full post »

A jumble of thoughts criss-cross my brain, wrestling one with the other, grappling for expression. After a long, dry season (ironically, that is true both literally and metaphorically), my fingers are itching to rat-a-tat-tat at the keyboard and I find myself falling asleep at night to the c… Read full post »

It’s all heating up again and no matter where you turn, people are getting really snippy and confrontational. Yes, I’m talking about the political arena. The 2012 elections are bearing down on us and there seems to be no escape from the constant chitter-chatter and sniping b… Read full post »

I just read an article about “exercise addiction” and I am happy to report that I DO NOT suffer from this condition. Whew! I will admit to having an addictive personality. Here’s a short list of my own personal addictions:

1.       Chocolate/… Read full post »

Okay, kiddies, listen up. It’s time to stop all this playground foolishness. Mean things were said, feelings were hurt, gauntlets were thrown and sides were chosen. And then, charges were leveled, apologies were made and the olive branch was snapped in two.

Now most… Read full post »