Author Archives: janets123

About janets123

Children's writer, newspaper columnist, essayist, poet, storyteller

Embracing the Road I Chose

Posted on December 18, 2020 by janets123

When two men meet for the first time, the ice-breaking question posed in conversation is almost inevitably, “What do you do for a living?” It’s a safe topic for guys, a bit like, “How old are your kids?” for women. … Continue reading →

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Crossing the Line

Posted on May 16, 2020 by janets123

We had some unexpected excitement during our winter vacation. Our snowmobile excursion was planned well in advance; it was fun; it was exciting. But then it turned into something else. One of us almost crossed the line. Crossing the line … Continue reading →

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Puzzle Pieces

Posted on December 21, 2019 by janets123

I distinctly remember the day Michael learned about the silent e. You know the one that makes the other vowel long? With this discovery, he was like a racehorse released to run for the first time—eager, awkward, almost tripping over … Continue reading →

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God Hears

Posted on September 7, 2019 by janets123

via God Hears

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Death by Drowning

Posted on August 18, 2019 by janets123

Dan had a call from a new customer named Saleem yesterday. It made me start thinking about a young man named Shurea that we met on a white water excursion a few years ago. I relived the occasion until I … Continue reading →

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A Distorted View

Posted on June 1, 2019 by janets123

For a few weeks I’ve been walking around in a bit of a blur, trying out new no-line trifocal eyewear. These are progressive lenses, which is a new thing for me. They said it would take some getting used to. … Continue reading →

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The Good Steward

Posted on March 1, 2019 by janets123

A mockingbird sits in the top of our Yaupon holly tree every evening right before sunset. I watch him out the breakfast room windows, admiring, wondering as he defends his tree from all comers. The would-be plunderers of holly berries … Continue reading →

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Valuable Things

Posted on December 24, 2018 by janets123

Autumn’s cooler weather has me in the baking mode and each time I get out my cookie sheets, I think of my parents, long gone from this world. These old cookie sheets are unique things. I remember the day Daddy … Continue reading →

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Big Words, Strong Words

Posted on October 12, 2018 by janets123

I love words. I’ve had more than a few conversations about my favorite ones and why I like them so much. My tendency is to favor words that are less common or that have some memory attached. I’m a real … Continue reading →

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Gloom, Despair and Agony

Posted on September 28, 2018 by janets123

Is it raining where you are? Is it damp, cloudy, maybe a bit chilly? Are you feeling the despair creep in? I find the weather can affect my mood; my mood affects my attitude; my attitude affects my life. I … Continue reading →

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