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Columbus State Writers Conference
I attended a writers conference last Saturday at Columbus State Community College. It’s a free annual event. It doesn’t compare to the Antioch Writers’ Workshop I attended last summer (which, sadly, was the last AWW workshop – RIP), but I felt it was worth my time. And, as I said, it’s free. The first session…
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Casita Bonita
Three years ago, right around the time my husband retired from the Air Force, we still hadn’t made any firm decisions on what we were going to do post-retirement. I had a good job already, so we considered staying where we were (Annapolis, Maryland). He would either go back to school and finish his degree…
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I am a writer
(Hat tip: How to Say “I’m a Writer” and Mean It) “Her name will appear on books someday.” That’s what my sixth grade Language Arts teacher said at an awards ceremony with school faculty, staff, parents, and other students present. She was presenting me with a special award. I was a star pupil. I suppose…
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Toward the sunshine
Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you. – Walt Whitman One of the habits I am trying to cultivate in 2019 is positivity. I’m a natural-born cynic with a giant sarcastic streak and a self-deprecating sense of humor. Add an emotionally abusive upbringing into the mix, and it’s…
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Goals
I had two major goals for 2018: Read at least 50 books and find a new job. I’m pleased to say I did both. I’m currently on book 56, and I started a new job in June after working in a very toxic environment that was wreaking havoc on my emotional health. I’m in a…
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Tights and Tutus and Christmas Tradition
The holiday season is now in full swing, though I’ve barely managed to do anything so far. I at least started my shopping and have some decorations up. (No tree, yet – not until tomorrow.) And I’m about halfway through my cards. Later today, I will indulge in one of my favorite Christmas traditions. I…
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Thankful
Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around Thanksgiving. That was always the big holiday in my family. We’d gather at my grandparents’ house in Findlay, Ohio. My aunt and cousins would drive in from Illinois. I had cousins who would come from South Carolina. For a few days each year, we would eat, laugh,…
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Ask for their stories
Today is Veterans Day, and while my husband was in the Air Force and my younger brother served in the Navy, the first veteran in my life was my grandpa, Tom Sheaffer. He served as a Radioman on the USS Cowpens during World War II. Growing up, I never heard him speak much about his…
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Life, Death, and Donations
October 9, 1989 – I was a freshman in high school. I was at my locker before homeroom, preparing for the day. A friend approached me, her face very serious and sad. “Sherry died last night,” she announced. I raged at her. Told her to shut up. It couldn’t possibly be true. Sherry was only…
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Canon or Nikon?
I have a Nikon camera. For everyday use, my cellphone has a pretty great camera on it. But when I’m deliberately out taking photos, I bring the Nikon. A couple weeks ago, I took my mom to Pickerington Ponds Metro Park. A Roseate Spoonbill had taken up residence there, and while we did see it,…
Karyn Johnson 