Krysten Lindsay Hager - Brunch at Tiffany's

This Christmas was a little different than the rest. For one, we hadn’t had mail here in going on two and a half weeks. So no mail in and no mail going out. So I didn’t even bother to send out my second batch of cards. Also the plane that brings food to our grocery store was delayed so it meant we didn’t have anything nice for Christmas. We had just a few odds and ends at home, so we ended up with just chicken soup for Christmas dinner. My husband and I were both sitting there like Oliver Twist wondering, “Please sir, can I have some more?” Later he was grinding his teeth because a relative kept on about all the food they had there. Not cool when someone has stated they are reeeeallly hungry and just had soup to eat. So today our gifts and cards from the U.S. arrived. My husband brought them home during lunch and, since he had to head back to work, he opened his stuff up fast. So after he left, I opened the presents that came in the mail by myself. It was so weird opening gifts al...

I was excited that my contributor copies of the anthology I wrote for, arrived in the mail this weekend. I had written about a woman I met back when I lived in Grand Blanc, MI. I had been assigned to write an article on her and when I did the interview (over the phone), I felt a real connection to her. A month or two later, she called one of the editors to see if she could get more copies of the article. I happened to be at that office near Flint, MI that day for the Christmas party, so I offered to drop them off. I ended up staying for hours since she had made dinner for me in the hopes I'd stay. After that, we became fast friends and spent a lot of time together. She told me about living in the South and the hardships she went through because of the racism in those days. We shared so much and had so much fun together despite our 40-some year age difference. I was devastated when she told me she didn't think she had a lot of time left because of heart disease. I learned s...

Detroit candy icon Sanders launches expansion | detnews.com | The Detroit News Shared via AddThis

Mike's Writing Workshop & Newsletter: Just When You’re About to Give Up…Think Of Elvis Shared via AddThis

I read today that golfer Mark Calcavecchia made a negative comment about coming to the Buick Open in Michigan. The quote that upset me was, when discussing rain delays during the tournament he’s currently in, he said, "Ever been to Flint, Michigan?" he asked. "I'm in no hurry to get there.” First off, the Buick Open is held in Grand Blanc, MI, not Flint, but that’s beside the point. Many of the golfers stay with families as opposed to hotels during the Buick Open. My neighbor had one of the tournament winners stay with her for years and she not only took him around, but also his wife while he was practicing. They also provided day care for the kids of the golfers and the caddies, too. These volunteers go out of their way to make sure the golfers and their families are comfortable and well taken care of and it appears that Mark isn’t exactly appreciative. Right now Flint is going through a rough time and having him make a negative comment about the city during this ti...

A friend recently shared with me that she found a lily growing in her garden on her birthday last week. She never planted any lilies, but found out that years ago her late grandmother had planted one, but they never bloomed--until now. She thought it was so sweet that she got a present from her grandma. That got me thinking about the shower gift that I got from my grandmother after she had passed. She had died in 1993, yet the gift (her wedding crystal) was found in 2006 the very day before my bridal shower. I wrote about it for an anthology called, Patchwork Path: Grandma's Choice . it's just a really nice reminder that even when people pass on, they are still with us.

I've been trying to wrap my mind around Michael Jackson's death. Over here, the European music stations have been playing his music videos non-stop. They've been showing a lot of Michael's newer stuff that I hadn't before like the "Stranger in Moscow" song, etc. But having them go through the catalog of his work really triggered a lot of memories and reminded me what a big part his music played in my life growing up. I can remember dancing to his music in nursery school. When a neighborhood friend came over to play, I remember she was wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and her mom said, "Annie loves Mickey. She wants to marry him." My mom looked at me (wearing my baby blue iron-on MJ t-shirt) said, "My future son-in-law might be Michael Jackson." I used to carry my MJ slouchy fake leather purse with his picture on it--the same one all the middle school and high school girls carried. I'd see the older girls at the bus stop with...

Thanks for entering the contest to win a copy of the Women of Passions anthology. I was thrilled to have my work in this book and excited to share it with everyone. I really appreciated all the kind and encouraging posts! I randomly selected a name and the winner is Melissa! Melissa, I have already sent you an e-mail so I can get your address. Thanks!

I’m giving away a copy of a Christian anthology that I have two stories in called Women of Passions: Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God. Their website is: http://womenofpassions.net. It was an honor to be included in this anthology and I’m excited to give a copy out. To be entered in this giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. You’ll get an additional entry if you follow my blog and another if you link to my contest and let me know about it!

Check out this interview about a great new book about getting over heartbreak, chocolate, and bouncing back. http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/h/a/a04960.html

Check out my new essay at: http://www.newchristianvoices.com/humor/hair-today-gone-a-few-seconds

There's a fun contest over at: http://drewashleyporter.blogspot.com I love stationary and this stuff looks so cute!

Check out my new piece on baby names: http://www.newchristianvoices.com/humor/oh-baby