It made my blood run cold. — Parenting is tough. Making sure my kids were safe as they grew up was one of the most important things to me as a mom. Recently, my son (I’ll call him John) who is now 25 told me something that made my blood run cold and shook the foundational belief…

WARNING: Contains sexually explicit language. — “Mom, mom. Mom, I need help. I did something really stupid.” He was shaking and pacing around my bed in a terrible panic. I glanced at my phone. It was 2:32 a.m. It was my 15-year-old. He is the last of six boys, the child with whom I’ve had more…

Here are three tips to help you prepare. — We are on the verge of a new year; spring is only a few short months away. It's the dead of winter here in the north, and I can't think of a better time to pour a cup of coffee, take out my garden planner, and get to work! Whether…

Tips on how you can improve your online listing aesthetic. — My favorite and most lucrative side hustle is finding and selling vintage and antique items online. One thing I've learned is aesthetics matter. Some people swear by backing everything in static white, and I've done it on occasion. But that gets boring to a reader's eye. …

In 1943, the U.S. released thirteen commemorative stamps honoring the thirteen nations overrun, occupied, or annexed by the Axis Powers right before WWII. Here are five of them. — I found a very old, rather large international stamp collection in the house I moved into in 2006 in upstate New York. The previous owner moved out with only the things he wanted, not including his deceased wife’s belongings that filled the basement to the ceiling with boxes.

It’s easier than you think! — What is Junkin’ Junkin is a slang term for antiquing or shopping at thrift or second-hand stores. Wikapedia I love to go junkin’! I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager. Not only can it be a lucrative side hustle, but it's also fun to learn about the things I find. …

It gave us something to strive for. — I remember the day I first time I saw the “Chosen for Further Distribution” tagline under the title of one of my stories. I had been reading and writing on Medium for over a year, and not once had I been one of the chosen ones. I was giddy with…

Alabama’s most haunted Courthouse — In the 70s, my grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles lived outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Every summer, my parents, three sisters, and I would travel from northern Ohio down to visit them for a week. My family has always had an interest in the supernatural. They believe in ghosts, ESP, and the possibility…

Don’t let them slip away. — I try not to compartmentalize my life too much because, as we all know, life happens between our plans. Too often, my well-intentioned pre-scheduled writing days tank because something more demanding comes along. Or I sit down for a pre-scheduled writing session, and nothing sensible comes to mind. The muse…