The Way I See It

The Way I See It

A message that is spoken quietly with a smile at the end is more powerful than shouting with a raised fist. Love means I am more interested in your well-being than I am in my own. Even if something is true, if it is hurtful, I will not repeat it. Each state should take care […]

Look What They Started

Look What They Started

Yesterday, descendants of Ben Willis and Levi Latty flocked to Tahlequah to honor our ancestors and get better acquainted with each other. Today is Father’s Day, a good time to remember the values, the strength of character, and the love of family these men left us. Many fathers were in the room; men who worked hard for […]

Roamin’ in the Gloamin’

Roamin’ in the Gloamin’

Does anybody possibly remember a very old song entitled, “Just Roamin’ in the Gloamin’”? It’s a Scottish song popular more than a hundred years ago but I still know it! Now, what does that tell you? Since the “gloaming” is twilight, I did my roaming before then, actually. And, I didn’t roam far–just my front […]

Books to Cut Their Teeth On

Books to Cut Their Teeth On

I ended that title with a preposition but it sounds stilted to say, “Books on which to cut their teeth.” Don’t you think? Anyway, sometimes what with all the iPads and tablets and laptops, I fear for the good, old-fashioned book, especially children’s books. That is, I fear until I go into a library or […]

Coffee Mugs and Early Morning

Coffee Mugs and Early Morning

I sit at my computer, looking at the sun slant across my neighbor’s lawn and am grateful they didn’t cut their blue spruce when, a few years ago, it didn’t look too well. I don’t think blue spruces particularly favorite warm climates, preferring states cooler than Arkansas. However, this tree looks beautiful particularly in winter […]

Nettie’s Mansion

Nettie’s Mansion

For some reason, houses have always fascinated me, especially old houses, houses with character. On Pinterest, I have a board named “Houses With Character.” Pinterest.com/blanchemanos On that board is a house that is rather like Uncle Javin’s in my soon-to-be published book, Moonlight Can Be Murder. It is the house labeled “old Victorian homes”. Except, […]