When a viral question asked which Dolly Parton song best captures you, I didn’t expect the answer to feel this true. Two songs, one steady on the outside and one wildflower-wild within — and then, flowers arrived “from Dolly.”
Setting: From the Mountains to the City Streets
Could your story happen anywhere else? If the honest answer is yes, your setting isn’t working hard enough. Here’s how to fix that — with examples from 7th Grade Revolution and Secret of the Red Key.
Setting — Not Just a Pretty Place
Aunt Polly’s fence. McDougal’s Cave. A small town in Florida baking in summer heat. These aren’t just places. Here’s why setting is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s kit — and how two beloved authors prove it.
Bumps in the Journey
I’ve hit a few bumps in the road — including a brief brush with death — but what my oncologist and I are calling a miracle has brought me to the other side with no evidence of disease at any level. Here’s what happened.
Few But Mighty: Round One
Where do I even start? It has been a little over a week, but it has gone by in a flash getting everything marshalled and ready to dive into the process of killing off the bad cells again. Plus, the added complication with the leg infection. Which might be a good place to start.
And Then There Was One
The past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of tests in addition to the surgery to remove the old port and install a new one. The oncologist wanted to have a clear picture of the extent of the progression and to ensure we wouldn’t run into problems due to any unknown underlying health issues. The good news is that other than one anticipated result, everything else was positive.
Out with the Old and In with the New
Yesterday, as per the results of the portogram, I underwent port replacement surgery. Out with the old, and in with the new. The day was a bit nostalgic because the port being removed had been with me so far during my cancer journey.
Omens and Outcomes
Yesterday was a test day: portogram and bone marrow biopsy. I had to be up at the crack of dawn—except dawn didn’t crack. We had pitch-dark skies, thunder showers, and a transformer that blew in a blinding flash just before we reached the hospital. I wondered whether it was an omen for how the tests would go.
Blessed, Not Brave
Throughout this journey, I’ve heard “you’re so brave” several times. It always takes me by surprise because I don’t feel brave. I don’t feel afraid either—I’m blessed.
Jumping Through Hoops: aka Cancer Rears Its Head
The next chapter of my cancer journey begins. A new lump, with some twists and the hoops I’ve had to jump through.
Read Across America and 7th Grade Revolution
Celebrate Read Across America week with a heartwarming experience at Wagner Elementary!
The New Years’ Dance
Welcome to 2024!!! Life is like a dance, we take a few steps forward and a few back, and sometime run in circles.