Author Archives: janets123

About janets123

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

You Are Contagious!

Posted on November 25, 2021 by janets123

A few years ago, we had racial tensions in Dallas that threatened our peace all over the United States. As we watched the looting and burning and hate and killing on our television screens, the tension spilled into our souls. … Continue reading →

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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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