Category: long-term

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 12 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

      https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcyndi.hilston%2Fvideos%2F10154756953580030%2F&show_text=0&width=560   Merry Christmas!! As a gift to you, I’m sharing with you a part of a Christmas chapter from my story, Hannah’s Rainbow, which is based on my late grandma’s life. I recreated what a typical Christmas morning was like at my house when growing up and Grandma would spend the night. While…

  • Poetry Tuesday – A Gathering of Friends

    The time is upon us once again When shorter days mark another year’s end. “Not enough hours in the day” Is often all we have to say. Commercialism and materialism Seem to cloud true holiday realism. Impatience in the checkout line, Illegal parking by a no parking sign, Running and rushing from here to there,…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 8 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

      A Merry Christmas Smiles frozen in time decorate ruddy faces And stare back at me, all bundled and warm In holiday sweaters and knitted hats. My fingers gently grace the baby Who was once me in the old Polaroid, The white tree with the red bulbs And our stockings with our names in the…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 6 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    According to Wikipedia: “The modern Christmas tree was developed in medieval Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) and early modern Germany, where Protestant Germans brought decorated trees into their homes.[1][2] It acquired popularity beyond the Lutheran areas of Germany[1][3] and the Baltic countries during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes.” The Christmas tree is the most popular secular decoration in homes across…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 3 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    The soft glow of candlelight illuminates the sanctuary while we sing “Silent Night.” A reverent awe flows through the atmosphere, seeming to carry everyone present to a higher, deeper level. After the service ends, stepping outside into the chill of the air as snow gently falls adds to that magical quality. It’s dark and the…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow

    “It’s strange to be in such a quiet house,” said Hannah that evening.  “I can’t tell you how many times I wished for silence when the kids were driving me up a wall.  Now, it’s just us.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love that we can finally enjoy the peace and quiet as empty nesters,…

  • Excerpt from A Laughing Matter of Pain (Chapter 25)

      “Can you believe it? We’re married.” Her eyes dance in the low light from the bedside lamp. I lean in and kiss her. “I’m the luckiest guy alive.” The smile falters on her lips. Her eyes go glassy. A tear slips past, trailing down her left cheek. “What’s wrong, doll?” I cup that cheek…

  • What’s Holding You Back from Your Dreams?

    What’s Holding You Back from Your Dreams?

    Everyone has dreams, and I don’t mean the kind you have at night when your mind slips into an unconscious state. When you’re asked what your dreams are, what do you say? Do you freeze up, unable to articulate your dreams because you claim you aren’t sure? I’m not a betting person, but I’m willing…

  • No Regrets in Life

    No Regrets in Life

    You’ve heard it said before: have no regrets. You’ve probably also found yourself alone with your maddening thoughts, maddening both as in crazy and provoking anger. Your lovely mind has this magical ability to conjure out of nowhere every past fault, failure, and fracture. But such thoughts do have a hiding place. They lurk in…

  • Do you love Christmas enough to celebrate it year round?

    Do you love Christmas enough to celebrate it year round?

    A good and dear friend of mine has a blog entitled Yuletide Blessings, which aims to do so. Discussions and blog posts are about traditions, recipes, crafts, books, and more. Please visit the link below to read her review of a Christmas-themed novel and view the website further. My thoughts on Christmas books are also…