Monthly Archives: December 2015

December 21, 2015

Writers and the Agony of Writing

This past weekend I had the singular pleasure of being with three writer friends—breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee. (I keep this up, I’m going to weigh 200 pounds).          How often do we hear of someone who is ‘going’ to write a book? Hundreds, if not thousands, of people would like to […]

General
December 19, 2015

Good Friends and Past Neighbors

Twenty three years ago we had the good fortune to live next door to the best neighbors ever, Jann and Pat and their two precious daughters, Keelin and Aislinn. The girls were then about five and eight and Hubby Flatbottom and I enjoyed them as if they were our own. It was like having favorite […]

Elderly Mothers
December 18, 2015

To Christmas Card or not to Christmas Card

They’re done. They’re gone. They’re outta here.  With Facebook and Instagram and Twitter and constant Texting, is it necessary to send Christmas Cards? I’ve noticed that many people have reverted to just posting a Christmas greeting on Facebook. Easier, faster, simpler and a LOT less expensive. But is it the same? I asked Sister Sara […]

Just for fun
December 16, 2015

B.B. Country Mouse and Flies on Stephen

            This is the story of Stephen F. Austin and his request for a colony in Texas for a book called “Fly on a Texas Wall–Where would you like to be a fly on a wall in Texas history to see what really happened?” Comments from the fly on his shoulder. January 1821 – Stephen, […]

General
December 15, 2015

B.B. Country Mouse and Footnotes

Footnotes are the bane of an academic’s existence but writing any good book requires research. For the last twenty-five years, I have crouched like a Gringot’s gnome over ancient archives, leafing through four-inch thick tomes, or hauling out Hollinger boxes full of hundred year-old dusty manuscripts. I emerged with hands blackened by equally old dirt […]

General, Historical
December 14, 2015

B.B. County Mouse and the Beauty of Color

Every now and then I am struck by the vivid beauty of colors.             Heavy rains have pelted us for two days and just as sunset approached, the skies had begun to clear. The roiling clouds still hung low to the north but the sun had muscled its way through at the western edges of […]

General
December 13, 2015

B.B.Country Mouse and Laughter

I believe the pleasure of parties is the laughter.     Last night Hubby Flatbottom and I attended the one and only Christmas Party he willingly participates in for the holidays. Our friend, Dalia, will not let him off the hook. She has threatened to come get him if he doesn’t show up, so he comes. […]

General
December 12, 2015

B.B. Country Mouse and On-Line Courses

Many people consider On-line Courses the latest and greatest gift God has ever given to mankind. Not me.            Four years ago, our university decided that we professors would have to teach On-line courses. Keeping up with the other profit-making diploma mills like Phoenix University is critical. The on-line courses are highly profitable and huge […]

General
December 11, 2015

B.B. Country Mouse, Social Butterfly

It’s that time of year. Parties, brunches, lunches, dinners, posadas. As a technological troglodyte, I’ve come a long way, baby. I have actually learned how to use the calendar on my cell phone. I’ll admit that I am much more comfortable with the big wall calendar or my hand-written At-a-Glance. I can actually SEE what […]

General