Happy Birthday USA (& Leigh Ann)

On By Betty OwensIn 4th of July, America, birthday, freedom, history, liberty, nation, president

On July 4th, America celebrates her birthday. So does my daughter-in-law, but that’s not what I’m writing about today. Our nation is approximately 237 years old (my daughter-in-law is considerably younger).

Many of you will celebrate the fourth with cookouts, picnics, and/or fireworks. Around here, they’ve been shooting fireworks for several days and will probably continue for several more days. I just wish they had a curfew. Some folks have to get up early. When she was little, my daughter-in-law thought all those fireworks were for her birthday. I think we’ve finally convinced her otherwise.

America’s short history is fascinating. While some of those guys were scalawags, most were actually God-fearing men who truly cared about the future of the nation for which they fought. Some wanted a king. A few wanted to be king. I’m thankful they settled on a president. What we’ve done with that is another subject entirely and not one I want to take up at this time.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope it’ll be an adventure. I think it’s wonderful that we can celebrate the history of our great country. Whatever our misunderstandings and arguments at this moment, they’ll all be distant memories one day. Some won’t even make it into our history books.

What is important: men giving their lives, fighting and dying for their country. Protecting the number one most important thing––freedom. That freedom of speech we like to shout about––someone fought for that. Someone died for that and all the other things we often take for granted.

When the fireworks burst into beautiful, colorful streams of light, remember. And while you’re looking up, why not give thanks.

Now I have to go put a few candles in the apple pie. I forgot to bake a cake for d-i-l. But I happen to know she loves apple pie and ice cream, so I think it’ll be okay.

As always, thanks for reading. There are some exciting things coming up in the next few weeks, so stop back by if you get a chance.

The Big Four Bridge and Hillbilly Tea!

On By Betty OwensIn 4th of July, Big Four Bridge, downtown, Fay Lamb, Hillbilly Tea, Kentucky, Louisville, Memories, Riverfront Park, Stalking Willow, Summer2 Comments

The last Thursday of June followed huge thunderstorms rolling through our area, dumping several inches of rain on the Bluegrass. Along with a hefty helping of lightning. I got up this morning and checked our yard for fallen trees. Always glad to see them still standing.

I hope your summer is a grand one, filled with happy memories. I’ve walked across the Ohio River on the Big Four Bridge, with my youngest son, Todd. Once a railroad bridge, it’s now refurbished as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. It adorns the new Riverfront Park in downtown Louisville. It’s free and lots of fun. Good exercise, too. I applaud Metro Louisville for their efforts.

We visited a restaurant downtown called Hillbilly Tea, located in an old warehouse. They serve some fantastic teas, and something called bamboo ash biscuits. If you can get past the gray color of the biscuit, I think you’ll enjoy the taste.

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed a favorite author, Fay Lamb, regarding her new release, Stalking Willow. I gave away a print copy of her book to Debbie Malone, then a couple of weeks later, Linda Hillenbrand won the ebook copy. I love giving things away, especially since I enjoyed this book so much. By the way––you can read my review of Stalking Willow here.

I hope your summer is measuring out fun for you. If not, maybe you need to go out and find it. Take some time off or spend a Saturday out roaming around. Visit places of interest, historical sites, or museums. Walk along a riverbank in the quiet of the afternoon, or relax by the pool. Spend time with your family and take lots of pictures. Remember to relax and enjoy life a little. Sunshine seems to make everything better.

Thanks for stopping by and if I don’t see you before then, Happy 4th of July!

Work Less Summer

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, experience, family, job hunts, skills, story, Summer, widows7 Comments

It’s been a different kind of summer for us. My husband lost his job when the company closed. He’s been off since January. In April, our youngest son moved home to look for work. Then middle son announced he was changing jobs. All three of them were job-hunting at the same time.

Yes, I was tempted to worry. But I had an inner assurance. I kept my mind focused on the outcome. I’ll admit, it took longer than I’d hoped. Now, six months into the year, middle son found a job. My youngest just got the news he’d been hired. And my husband has two really good possibilities. Things are happening quickly, and all at once.

I was thinking about being on your own with no job. We had a lot of friends and connections who played roles in our job hunt. But what if you were down and out in a new town, with few skills and no prospects? That was the situation I was working through in my latest story. Two widows are trying to make a fresh start in a small southern town in the mid ’50’s.

Times were hard, but they had friends and family helping them out. They had church friends who dropped everything and came to their aid when they needed some work done on their house. Friends who put together enough staple food items to get them through the winter.

Though their basic needs are met, their struggles are not over. It’d be a pretty dull story without some juicy gossip and a good dose of prejudice. Not to mention, a bigoted lawyer and a run-in with the local “K.”

There’s nothing so compelling as a lifelike story and I’ve definitely been able to pull on my personal experience to tell this one. I’m so glad you stopped by today. I’m planning some special guest posts in July. Four really talented young readers and writers are set to share their thoughts. And I’m looking forward to a spectacular end to my summer! How about you?

Thanks for reading,

The Things We Remember Most

On By Betty OwensIn children, families, Fathers Day, grandchildren, humor, Smile2 Comments

My dad was a funny guy. He was the youngest child of four and his father died when he was only two, so he got away with a lot of stuff. Sometimes he would get this mischievous look in his eye and I’d know he had something up his sleeve. I especially loved to watch him interact with his sisters, when he’d tease them or startle them with a silly noise. They’d laugh and often launch into a quick dance. Yes, a dance––usually swing steps.

Dad’s been gone for nearly seven years, but I still see him occasionally, in the smiles and antics of my sons as they carry on the humor and mischief. They’re fully grown and two of them are dads now. I know for certain they cut up with their kids. Sometimes becoming a kid themselves for a brief moment, enjoying the luxury of a full-on belly laugh or just a knowing smile.

My husband was only twelve when he lost his father. He didn’t really know how to be a dad, but some things just come natural. He put forth his best effort and as all dads do, he has a few regrets about those years. He often wishes he’d spent more time with them or hadn’t taken everything so seriously. We’ve got three fine sons these days. All of them living good lives and serving God. No complaints here.

This Father’s Day, we plan to spend time together. I’m sure there’ll be those moments of reminiscing. One thing I know, there will be laughter. If you have a father in your life to celebrate, do it. Celebrate the good things, the shining moments, the best times. Those are the ones worth remembering. All the other stuff, well, you can set them out at the curb and let the trash pick them up. Time is precious––life is precious––don’t waste it on regrets.

There’s still time to drop me a note if you’re interested in a free ebook. Fay Lamb is giving away a copy of Stalking Willow. If you read romantic suspense, you’ll love this one. And it could be free! Comment here or find me on Facebook.
As always, thanks for reading!