What happens when the most beautiful secret is also the one that destroys you? For Julia, freedom was everything. In the summer of 1960, she shed her parents' expectations and embraced independence in the city. After a fleeting romance leads to an unplanned pregnancy, she is forced into a harsh reality she could never have [...]
Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. Well, unless I count myself. 🙂 It is 4am, and we are getting closer and closer to Christmas. I'm sitting on my couch in my soft robe with a cup of hot chocolate—laced with a peppermint stick, of course—in my hand and my computer in my [...]
Fake or Real? Is that really a question? Well, it was one I've been asking myself recently. You see, once upon a Christmas time (hint hint, last year), I found myself standing in the local tree lot, staring at a price tag that made my wallet shiver more than a snowman in a heatwave. The [...]
As I reflect upon past Christmases, there are so many things I could talk about—favorite cookies (which are the Peanut Butter Cookies with the Hershey's Kisses, by the way. Especially when I serve them on the tray my grandfather made for my grandmother), the music, the traditions, and the Christmas tree adorned with ornaments, each [...]
Here is a list of charities where the money will go to those in need and not the corporation employees: Please let me know if you come across any others. Together, we can ensure that the help goes where needed most. 💙🙏 Samaritan's Purse ~ Why I didn't think of them before, I don't know. [...]
FOUR As the African sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery orange and crimson strokes, the sanctuary was alive with an air of celebration. Or at least it seemed that way for Henry. For Lynette, it wasn’t as great. Henry had orchestrated a special dinner once everyone returned from looking at the wedding [...]
THREE The silence that followed Lynette’s declaration was palpable. The group stood on the hill, each person processing the raw emotion that had just unfolded before them. The beauty of the sanctuary below, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, seemed incongruous with the tension that hung in the air. Perhaps Lynette would [...]
TWO Henry led the way to the animal hospital. His voice filled with pride as he talked about the facility. "This place is our lifeline in the bush. State-of-the-art, yet blends with nature." “How long has it been here,” Dorothy asked. “I opened it about thirty years ago or so. I can never remember.” He [...]
After spending six weeks deep in the South African bush working at the Freedom to Live Wildlife Sanctuary, Lynette not only learned how to care for exotic animals—a dream experience for her zoology degree—but she also fell in love. But when responsibilities back home forced her to leave, she had no choice but to walk away [...]
Dear Hoomans, It is I, Nono, the feline protector of the realm of this abode. Don't tell the author, but today, I've decided to hijack the email to air my grievances. You may be wondering why you're hearing from me, well, I'm here to tell you that enough is enough, someone has to speak up! [...]
ONE Unpredictable natures of life. That’s what Henry always called it when baby animals showed up at the reserve, orphaned by one means or another, whether it was because of poachers or the animal was found wandering around alone. “It’s just one of those unpredictable natures of life.” Lynette stood beside the baby elephant, holding [...]
I read somewhere that someone was told once: “When a parent dies, you lose the past. When a child dies, you lose the future. But when a sibling dies, you lose the past and future.” I didn’t know how much those words would ring with so much truth it can shatter your soul. I also [...]
For those who have been around a long time, you know that my youngest has gone through a lot of heartbreak when it came to finding her a heart horse. Her first heart horse, Sunny, died only nine months after arriving in Oklahoma of EPM---a disease transmitted by opossums to horses. It's a terrible disease [...]
Ah, 2023 was a sly dog, wasn't it? Although it was much better than my 2022, it still came in like a whirlwind, tossing my plans in the air like confetti and leaving me to figure out how to clean up the mess. I have to say, though, while it gave me a fair share [...]
I read somewhere that someone was told once: "When a parent dies you lose the past. When a child dies you lose the future. But when a sibling dies you lose the past and future." I didn't know how much those words would ring with so much truth it can shatter your soul. I also [...]
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