Freedom

      Bud and I have had our heads in the clouds. Literally. We’ve been in the Rockies since last Sunday taking in fresh mountain air and panoramic views that surely must be stair steps to Heaven.       

       We toured the Pueblo ruins at Mesa Verde, went four-wheeling on a road built between Durango and Silverton in the 1800’s (Yes, the mini boulders that probably broke many wagon wheels and axles are still there), and have taken a few scenic drives that offer a variety of colors and mountain peaks. We plan to return to Creede in the morning to observe their Hot Air Balloon Festival.

          God allows us these sabbaticals, and we are so grateful for the one we’ve had this week. However, the freedom we’ve experienced has been a little bittersweet as some we love are dealing with serious health issues and others with difficult decisions in their lives and in the lives of others. 

          We look forward to being home again in a few days when it’s time to return to the “real world” where prayers are requested and answers sought. There’s more work to be done for God’s earthly kingdom, and while we can’t solve any of the problems, we can join with them in prayer and offer friendship and support. And watch with them for the call to eternal freedom and joy.

 

"Let us not lose heart in doing good,

for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

So then, while we have opportunity,

let us do good to all people, and especially

to those who are of the household of the faith."

(Galatians 6:9,20 NASB)

 

"Delight...

 

…yourself in the Lord”

carries one of His special promises:

 “…and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

And another one:

“If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot

From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,

And call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,

And honor it, desisting from your own ways,

From seeking your own pleasure

And speaking your own word,

Then you will take delight in the Lord,

And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;

And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

(Isaiah 58:13-14,NASB)

 

That’s a pretty good return for simply loving the Lord and His special day!

  

 

COME

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” 

(Matthew 11:28, NISB)

 

  “Come...” 

“Move from where you are"

  “…to Me.”

“Jesus. I’m all you need. I can help.”

  “all”
               “Anyone. Everyone.”

“who are weary”

               “I want to be your strength.”

 “and heavy laden”

               “I carried the cross and then bore it – just for you. I can carry you, too.”

 “and I will give you rest.”

               “Rest for your mind, body and spirit.”

When the Good Shepherd Speaks

     A favorite card I used to purchase at Mardel carried a simple message about the Good Shepherd. I used to buy as many as were available and sent them often. I haven't been able to locate this particular card there in a while.
     There is no accreditation on the card, and I took the liberty of adding a title. I hope it blesses you with whatever you may be facing today.

When the Good Shepherd Speaks

When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own,
He never uses words of
     Despair,
          Hopelessness,
              Frustration,
                   Defeat,
                        Discouragement,
                             Fear,
                                  Confusion, or                                       
                                       Failure.
Instead, He gives His sheep words of
     Hope,
          Rest,         
               Victory,
                   Peace,
                        Power,
                             Joy,
                                  Triumph, and
                                       Love.

Baseball, Bricktown and Blood

          Living well into the sixth decade of our lives, we’re still finding that it’s fun to do new things – like go to a minor league baseball game for the first time ever. Oklahoma City has a beautiful baseball stadium in the heart of the city – Bricktown, we call it. And we have a great baseball team in the Oklahoma City Redhawks.

          Honestly, our new adventure came about with free tickets given by the Oklahoma Blood Institute in their recent donor campaign. Since I’m O+, I get scheduled reminders that it’s time to pay them a visit every 6 weeks. I feel blessed to be on the giving end of that procedure.

          OK, back to the game. The weather last Sunday night was quite a treat for Oklahomans coming out of two previous hot and record breaking summer seasons. Our seats were in the shade near third base and the breeze was an added pleasure.

 

          When I asked Bud how he was enjoying the game, his reply was that, well, it did give him time to think of other things. And he was so right. Baseball is relaxing to watch. And there’s just enough excitement built in with a couple of homeruns and a close-scoring game to keep relaxation from turning to boredom. Our minds did have time to think ahead – or back as the case may be. But the sound of a bat connecting with a baseball traveling 85 – 95 mph kept our thoughts from staying too far.

          Our Redhawks made us proud with two homeruns (one of them brought in a second runner) and won the game 4 – 3 over Iowa’s team.

         The tough part was inhaling the aroma of funnel cakes, hot dogs and nachos. Our new health-conscious lifestyle kept our resolve intact, and we just settled for the atmosphere of the wonderful food served up as only Oklahomans can.

          Another first? Singing along with “Take Me Out To the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch. It made the evening complete. We may even buy our tickets next time.

 

"Appetite"

           My Appetite has undergone a drastic change over the past 18 months. Another “A” word for this meme could be “Addiction” because the one I had was probably shortening the life of this Type II Diabetic. I had squirreled away Blue Bell Home Made Vanilla ice cream with the intentions of eating only a half cup (and still be “legal”), but that would have been like eating only one Lays’ Potato Chip. Remember that commercial? Can’t be done! 
          The inner grocery aisles are lined and stacked with white flour and sugar in infinite forms, and my name was stamped on many of them. I felt that I was living my life with my finger on the self-destruct button.
           A few years ago, my sister’s frustration with her weight issues led to gastric bypass surgery. The required classes before the surgery failed to mention the high mortality rate and the devastating side effects she heard about only after her near-death experience with the surgery. It seemed to be the answer for her at the time, and it very well could have been the best option available; however, the surgeon who may have been well-trained in this particular surgery was not equipped to deal with massive amounts of scar tissue from previous surgeries --- a complication that could well have been the reason for the weight and health problems she was having prior to the by-pass surgery. A forty-five minute procedure dragged into an almost three-hour major operation. Undiagnosed infections and her inability to eat without getting sick over the next six months almost ended her life. After returning to the capable hands of her primary care physician, it was eight months before she could drive a car and then for only very short distances. Thankfully, she did make a full recovery and has only a few lingering, yet controllable, complications. 
          I mention her experience because when commercials began appearing during the news hour that the band surgery could immediately “cure” diabetes, I seriously considered taking the easy way out of this medically-challenged group. Imagine my sister’s reaction when I confided in her about this possibility. To her credit, she didn’t reach through the phone receiver and grab me by the throat demanding to know if I had lost my mind. She calmly explained that, even with all her complications, gastric bypass was the better option because it is reversible. The band is not. 
          It only took a few minutes to mull that bit of information over and decide that surgery was not for me. I knew first-hand the risks and after effects involved were anything but an easy fix for diabetes. If the surgery she went through was the best option, I would try one of the many programs I had tried previously one more time and give it a year before coming back to this as a possibility. 
          To shorten an already long story, I will simply say that a conversation with a close and highly respected friend led to a wonderful and caring health coach and a program that has changed my life. Within three days of trusting her and the system that has been recommended by over 20,000 physicians, I was in the fat-burning mode. The constant craving for carbohydrates was gone, my energy level dramatically increased as the stubborn fat was being burned for energy. 

          I've lost about 60 pounds. My last A1C (a test that measures blood sugar levels over a period of time) was normal. I've been able to reduce my medicationss by three-fourths. My primary care physician is thrilled with the results. 
          My husband, pictured with me, has lost over 50 pounds and is enjoying improved health and reduced medications as well. Our daughter, Mandy? One hundred pounds lost. Her weight loss means she can easily keep up with her active two-year-old and four-year-old sons. Other extended family and friends are seeing the same amazing results.

          I not only have a new dress and jeans size, I have a new career. I've become a health coach. My services are free to my clients and their similar stories are my new Addiction. I have a new purpose in helping others achieve their best health through nutrition, behavior modification and education. I’m not a sales person, just a free health coach who is compensated by an amazing company for introducing the program and encouraging others through their journey. 
          I’ll stop short of making this an “Ad” for the “A” meme and not mention the name of the company. But if you or someone you know could benefit from this program, it would be my honor to encourage them as well. Or if you know someone who could use some extra income by sharing with others from their own home, this program could be the very thing they’re looking for. We’re NOT a multi-level marketing company or a wholesale club. We’re here to coach others to optimal health: Healthy mind, healthy body, and health finances. 

“Or do you not know that your body is 

a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, 

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

 For you have been bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body.” 

(I Corinthians 6:19,20, NASB) 

Christian Women's Voice

       
  











                 An unexpected blessing came with an invitation to join Debbie Dillon's vision for Christian Women's Magazine as one of the contributors. This magazine is truly different and carries a message of love to women. It's a bi-monthly publication with inspiration and beautiful photography in every issue. You'll find a great variety of articles to address just about every interest in your daily life. The goal is just as Debbie says here:

"Christian Women's Magazine 
isn't about the latest fashions, 
fads or choosing the right shade 
of lipstick for the season.

It's about sharing the love of Jesus 
with a world that desperately needs Him."

         Maybe there's a woman in your life who doesn't have a church family or has never heard that Jesus loves her and gave His life for her. That good news appears inside the back cover of every issue with a prayer that, spoken from the heart, will lead them to salvation through Jesus Christ.

         Debbie Dillon's obedience to the Lord's call with Christian Women's Voice can be a great blessing to you and to women of all ages. It's such a great value, whether in print or online - your choice. Personally, I enjoy curling up in my easy chair to drink in the results of a servant's heart.

         Check out the website and consider giving CWV a closer look. Thanks and have a blessed day:

www.christianwomensvoice.org 

          One more thing. If you have a home business, a book or other venture you would like to promote, the advertising rate is awesome - at least for now. Debbie also promotes non-profit events your church or community may be involved in.

Blessings,

Nancy 

Psalm 33:6-12

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

 And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a                heap;

 He lays up the deeps in storehouses.

 Let all the earth fear the Lord;

 Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in aw of       Him.

 For He spoke, and it was done;

 He commanded, and it stood fast.

 The Lord nullifies the cousel of the nations;

 He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

 The plans of His heart from generation to                         generation.

 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

 The people whom He has chosen for His own                   inheritance."

(Psalm 33:6-12 NASB)

Psalm 91:1-4

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you from the 

snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."

(Psalm 91:1-4, NASB)

In Honor of My Mother

On April 19, 2013, my sweet mother, Goldie Opal (Anderson) McCall completed the family circle of her generation now residing in Heaven. What a glorious reunion that must have been, especially with her life-long sweetheart, our Dad. There are not enough superlatives to describe this amazing lady, but below is a previously posted tribute to the wonderful woman we called "Mom," "Grandma Goldie," and "Gogie."  

Bakin’ Bacon 

      I must disagree, at least somewhat, with the notion that “you can’t go home again.” Following my mother’s strokes, I lived under her roof, two or three days at a time, as my siblings and I rotated in 24/7 to care for her. Mother’s move to an assisted living facility came about six months later, and her special home setting was gone. 
      God gave us a precious time with Mother as she meticulously sorted through old Bibles, antique books, pictures, crochet patterns and other memorabilia and secured the things she wanted to keep with her. I found myself listening more closely to her advice and helpful household hints. I was blessed to have the 89-year-old hands of a master craftswoman patiently show me how to crochet and tat. 
     The simple housekeeping chores and putting three home-cooked meals on the table at regular intervals felt so natural in her home. The same activities in my home are sporadically wedged in among other priorities that are given much more importance than they deserve. 
     Mother’s gentle spirit filled each and every room, yet her dogged determination to work at regaining more mobility, inch by inch, was inspirational. She maintained her maternal presence as she accepted the major change that approached all too quickly. Her calm faith and resolve kept the emotions of each one of us intact. She set a very high standard of saying “good-bye” to a home she cherished and adapting to an entirely different lifestyle and surroundings. 
     Mother’s presence in her new home only added to the gracious atmosphere of the genteel residents who awaited her arrival. And, her recipe for cherry cream pie will someday join the delicacies introduced by new residents. 
     Have you ever baked bacon? It’s one of those wonderful helpful hints of Mother’s. Place the bacon strips in a loaf pan equipped with a drip pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Your house will smell wonderful and there are no greasy splatters. The bacon is tender and absolutely delicious. Believe me, the end results are worth the extra time. 

 “An excellent wife, who can find? 
For her worth is far above jewels. 

 Strength and dignity are her clothing, 
And she smiles at the future. 

She opens her mouth in wisdom, 
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 

 She looks well to the ways of her household,
 And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up and bless her; 
 Give her the product of her hands, 

And let her works praise her in the gates.” 

Proverbs 31:10, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31 (NASB). 

 “Thank you, Lord, for blessing my life with the soft voice of this Christian woman I call “Mom.”

Treasures of the Heart

The heart has many treasures

That rest quietly within.

Not from earthly pleasures

But from joy that has no end.

The love of our Heavenly Father

Is expressed to us each day.

As we accept His eternal promise

Of the Life, the Truth and the Way.

Each day brings a different blessing

Sometimes in our greatest strife

But even in the face of sorrow

We rejoice in the gift of each life.

The riches that await us in Heaven

Are being kept until our New Start

In the Kingdom filled with God’s glory

And eternal Treasures of the Heart.

Nancy K. Sullivan
12-30-95

A Home for Pheobe

    "A Home for Phoebe is an historical novel of an Indian woman and a young girl wandering the hills of the Hudson Valley during the mind 1800's. One flees prejudice, while the other yearns for a home. Through the friendship of a peddler, a blind granny, and blacksmith's family, they learn of forgiveness and faith."

Zeke the Peddler rides into A Softer Voice 

to introduce you to author 

Yvonne Beverly Blake:   

  

     Thanks for joinin' us today on the blog tour for A Home for Phoebe. Say “Howdy” to Yvonne Beverly Blake.  Without her, none of us would have much to say, if you get m’drift.

     This mother of eight young ‘uns writes from a heart that loves God. Her memories of livin’ in the country east of Albany, New York surely helped her paint the scenery and set the special stops in place for Phoebe, Maseppa, and Granny. I never woulda guessed she’d plop somebody like me right in the middle of her story, but here I am – Zeke, a peddler who jus’ happen to show up to rescue uh … well, never mind that. I sure don’t want to get carried away and tell you more than you wanna know before you get to read A Home for Phoebe.

     Miss Blake knows all about the Algonkin people and the way most folks lived in the early days of America, includin’ the hurtful prejudice so many people had to endure. An’ I guess bein’ a teacher and a mama makes it real natural like for her to write a book that kids and their mamas and daddys could all enjoy.

     Her love of writin’ poetry sure comes through in her story tellin’. She’ll take you right through the forest and have you breathin’ in all the sweet smells of the flowers and plants that God put there for healin’ people.

     Be sure to leave a comment below to let Miss Blake know you’d be proud to enter her contest for a free copy of A Home for Phoebe.

     I got Ol’ Sam hitched to my wagon so we’ll be movin’ along now. They’s folks along the way waitin’ for us to bring our gen’ral store on wheels. Giddy up, Sam. We’re runnin’ outa daylight.

  

LINK TO FULL SAIL BOOKS

http://fullsailbooks.com/a-home-for-phoebe-ebook-2-00-paperback-12-00/ 

LINK TO AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Yvonne+Beverly+Blake 

LINK TO MY WEBSITE

http://www.yvonneblake.com  

LINK TO MY BLOG

http://mybackdoorministry.blogspot.com

LINK TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/#!/YvonneBeverlyBlake
And on a personal note:
I just finished reading A Home for Phoebe and what an enjoyable journey to share with characters who feel like new family members. There are so many reasons to settle into
a world that we can only view through the eyes of ancestors or history books. Yvonne Beverly Blake weaves so much into her story of Phoebe and Maseppa. Her descriptions will transport you, educate you, and draw you into their lives and their individual quests. I can't wait to see what lies in their future in the sequel to A Home for Phoebe!  Nancy K. Sullivan

     

Stepping Stones to Glory

Three caves of destiny

A purpose for each one

Prepared in God’s own time

For the journey of His Son

The cave at Bethlehem

A manger carved from stone

Provided the Messiah

A bed to call His own.

The cave that had no door

Where His broken body lay

Beaten and all alone

Until the light of day

The cave inside a garden

Where prophecy was fulfilled

The stone was rolled away

An empty tomb revealed.

Carved and set in place

The caves would someday be

Landmarks of Jesus’ life

His Stepping Stones to Glory.    

©  2/16/08

Traditional Manger Site

Traditional House of Caiphus

Traditional Garden Tomb

Traditional Burial Site

Tangerine Morning by Rita Garcia

Tangerine Morning: Jezzica’s Story

Romance, mystery and family drama intertwine in the small town of Serenity Cove. 

The fictional town of Serenity Cove boasts of beautiful sunsets and roaring waves. Its characters are as varied as the stars that shine on its diamond crusted-sea. Shoreview Drive provides a scenic drive along the coast, although most residents simply call it the coastal road.

Serenity Cove is a contemporary town where people are still good neighbors and family and friends are an important part of everyday life. Where life is a step back in time, blending the best of both worlds. Even a town as wonderful as Serenity Cove has its villains...



Slip into paradise with Rita’s Inspirational Romance: Tangerine Morning, Jezzica's Story. Book Two of the Serenity Cove Series.




Jezzica Shaffer, a young widow, struggles in her relationship with Christ and with starting over. She moves to Serenity Cove and purchases the Sea Glass Bookshop on Main Street, in hopes of letting go of the past and moving forward with her life. 



Detective Zack Johnston, the first man her heart reacts to since her husband’s death, also represents a world that failed to bring her husband’s murderers to justice. The same criminals that now seek to harm Jezzica. 



Can Dr. Ellie Clarimonde help Jezzica find her way back to Christ and the freedom to love again?



“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31

Order your copy here and enjoy: 

http://www.ritagarcia.com

An Interview With Author Rita Garcia

I first met Dr. Rita Garcia at a Faithwriter's Conference about three years ago. Thanks to the blogging world and Facebook, Rita has become a very special friend. She's also one of my favorite authors. After reading Kaleidoscope Summer,the first of her Serenity Cove series, I was relieved that Tangerine Morning was readily available. Serenity Cove is a beautiful setting with characters who draw you into their lives and teach you much about the faith that Rita Garcia expresses through each of their life challenges. Her official interview follows:

Who is your biggest supporter?

My husband. My inspirational romance novels are so out of his preferred genre, but he reads each one. His love and encouragement really does keep me writing and pressing forward.

Your biggest critic?

It would be that little, and sometimes not-so-little—inner voice—that has me wanting to shred each novel. That same voice whispers doubts as I write the first page of a new novel. How will 250 words become 50,000 to 80,000 words? Then I get to the end and need to cut, tighten, and remove about 10,000 words.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

Oh, I hope so. I always want to be learning and growing as a writer; otherwise, my writing would stagnate. Sometimes it’s the most basic concepts that are easily overlooked—reminders are a good thing. So I not only enjoy, but find it a necessity, to search for and read books on writing.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

Does deep cleaning my house count? * smile * Seriously, by the time I finish polishing a novel I’m ready to kick back and relax. A night of music and dancing, preferably under the stars if it’s summer. Long lunches with friends, and lots of time with my children and grandchildren. And time on the shore—barefootin' in the sand has a way of refreshing my spirit and mind.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

As cliché as it may sound: God, family, and then writing. Properly aligned priorities are super-important, and can keep all the different facets of life working in harmony.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the third novel of the Serenity Cove Series. Lavender Rain: Maggie’s Story. Maggie appears in Kaleidoscope Summer—the hero’s sister, and heroine’s best friend. Maggie also makes an appearance in the newly release, Tangerine Morning—Book two of the Serenity Cove novels. The most popular comment I receive from readers is, “I want to read Maggie’s story.” Lavender Rain: Maggie’s Story will be hot off the press May 2013!

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

There are many; but if I had to name just one, I would choose Lauraine Snelling. I have almost worn out the set of writing CDs that I purchased from her. First of all I really enjoy her books. And secondly, she is willing to share her writing journey, bumps, bruises and successes. Thank you, Lauraine. http://www.laurainesnelling.com

What is your favorite past-time?

Besides spending time with the man in my life, I enjoy creating cloth dolls. I made my first cloth doll when one of my daughters wanted a thirty-six inch Raggedy Ann doll. It was two days before her second birthday. I purchased a pattern and fabric then finished by adding the red yarn hair, the night before her big day. She loved her doll, and I fell in love with creating cloth dolls. The process of watching the dolls take on an almost life-like personality as the painted, or stitched facial features are added is truly magical. Even more precious is the beam in a child’s eyes as they hug their new softly stuffed friend.

A Deeper Faith...

When I began blogging about three years ago, the primary purpose was to share my faith. That goal is still intact. Deeper faith comes through trials, and those of us closest to our daughter Mandy and son-in-law Ken have witnessed an amazing amount of grace and trust in the Lord being etched into their lives and into ours. Our walk becomes bittersweet when we see loved ones going through difficult times, yet seeing spiritual growth rise from the debris left behind by the enemy. Our God is bigger. I hope you'll be inspired and blessed with the wisdom of a young wife and mother whose heart is absolutely staid on the Lord:  NKS

"I have waited awhile to speak to this chapter in our lives because I didn't want to respond out of raw emotion. The fact that I have been largely silent does not mean I have not had anything to say; to the contrary, I have had plenty to say. I am not wired for conflict or confrontation, so I do a lot of post-processing. Tons. And the more I want to say, the more I wait, so that I'm not just responding out of the flesh and saying what I truly want to say. I really try to filter and sort everything out with God first. I typed several thoughts out the other day, to get them out of my head and take a good look at them. I have let them sit for a few days, and have edited them down to this...

It is incredibly sad to see a man so bound by hatred for so long that you are continuing to try to bring destruction to our family with your lies and deceit after all of these years. You may feel that you have succeeded, but I assure you, you have not. You will never kill the joy in our hearts nor the burning desire in our souls to be used by God however He sees fit. We will continue to make ourselves available for His service anywhere, in any way He chooses.

It is disheartening, at best, to see those who are unconcerned with knowing and understanding the whole truth and history of your situation because it serves them better for others to see you in a negative light.

Satan is at his best, or at his worst, when he pits believer against believer.

Satan will use whatever he can to distract us from the real reason we are here- to know Jesus and to make Him known. I will not give him that victory in my life, at least not for long. I shake the dust off of my feet and move on. 

If you have lost faith in people, you're on the right track. That's not where our faith is supposed to be anyway. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, and we are going to fail each other. God is the One who is unfailing, unchanging, unshakable, always faithful and true. Put your faith in Him. He did not create us for life here in this painful world; He created us for eternity with Him. Let's get through this life as best we can and tell as many people as we can while we're here how they can spend eternity with Him in heaven too.

I am all the more thankful every day to be married to a man who is unpretentious, who is who he is who he is no matter who he's around. Who gives freely of himself to everyone. Who shows love and compassion to everyone who crosses his path. Never do I feel threatened by this, as he has always demonstrated the same love and compassion to me, our sons, our families, friends, co-workers, people we don't even know that well, or even at all.

I'm so thankful for a God who shows us He loves us and is personally interested in our lives. Who has given us encouragement whenever we have asked for it. Who has provided for us at every turn. He has done this through many friends and family. To those who have ministered to us in some way, prayed for us, reached out to us- thank you, and many blessings to you :).

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. "

Mandy Kniskern
wwwK2ProStudio.com 

Maybe Even an Air Horn

Jan Ackerson is one of my favorite writers. She can do more with 100 words (exactly 100) than most can do in that many pages. Her brief stories leave you wanting to read more, to become more acquainted with the character or characters. And, her unique twists always make you smile. Thank you, Jan, for sharing your special talent at A Softer Voice today and for so effectively tailoring this original tale to the theme of my blog. You really nailed it.

     Great-uncle Jerry frightened Rochelle when she was little—his voice always entered the room a long time before he did. She didn’t know him well; he only showed up once or twice a year, at Christmas and (with increasing frequency) at funerals.

     He outlived nearly everyone, holding off death until the age of 93. It fell to Rochelle to empty his apartment. She’d never been there; she imagined gongs, power tools, perhaps macaws.

     Instead, she found an encyclopedia with notations in every margin. A collection of hand-tied lures. A bonsai tree. In the bedroom, a fat tabby regarded her, silently.

You can read more of Jan's (very) short stories at http://www.1hundred-words.com