Happiness Is … Dorothy Long 2-Year-Old: Getting bigger Getting new teeth New shoes A new toy Not taking a nap Not wetting your pants The first snowfall Presenting mom a dandelion Bugs Running and climbing A new pet An ice cream cone Holidays and gifts Siblings most of the time A new friend A big…
Tag Archive for writing
Clubs & Classes, January 2023
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Feed Sack Fashions Dorothy Long “I would like three more of the pink with tiny blue and white flowers. I am making curtains for my daughter’s bedroom,” my mother told the feed salesman. That was a typical conversation, between the farmer’s wife and feed salesman in the 1940s, as feed sacks were picked for sewing…
Clubs & Classes, November 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Gifts of Her Critical Mom Lani Matsu “Stand up straight, you’re bowlegged! Enunciate! You’re not feeling well? Get in the shower then get your chores done! After your homework, you’ll practice your handwriting! No, you’re not wearing makeup, and get your hair out of your face!” So as the little girl grew up she stood…
Generals, November 2022
Writer’s Group Looking to Expand

Deborah Goodacre Our Writer’s Group welcomes new members. Writing is a solo activity. I know that first efforts can seem awkward and frustrating. I have encouraged many people to write their family history, only to discover they had the same struggles and frustrations I had. Finally, it dawned on me that I never told them…
Clubs & Classes, October 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
The Pursuit of Pleasure Lee Murray There are those who would argue the best pleasures in life are ones that involve a little guilt or shame but not enough to stop us from engaging in them. Okay, full disclosure. I love chocolate ice cream. Especially the ones with chunks of dark chocolate mixed in. So…
Clubs & Classes, September 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Wealth of Will Kris Szlauko Begin each break of a new morning with the desire to invigorate all that is good and peaceful. Count your blessings and act upon their ever-exciting influence on those around you. Hold close in your mind and spirit that which inspires what you can do, and look to all that…
Clubs & Classes, August 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Communication Is Key Carrie Bonello Most of you know me and maybe met my better half, Monty. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, I will tell you he is smart, funny, focused and definitely the better half. We are joined at the hip and do almost everything together. We will both tell…
Clubs & Classes, July 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Freedom Ruby Regina Witcraft There is no one more appreciative of her freedom than this daughter of freedom loving, and immigrant-Italian parents. Their love of the freedom they were presented with upon receiving their citizenship papers was never forgotten and most often memorialized in daily conversation. They rarely mentioned their lives in the old country.…
Clubs & Classes, June 2022
Sun Lakes Writers’ Group
Father’s Day George Stahl Like many of you, I no longer have a father. I lost mine over 10 years ago, but I can still remember his face when we said our goodbyes. He was in the hospital and couldn’t talk. When I told him that I loved him, he smiled and blinked his eyes.…
Features, May 2022
‘A Star for Mrs. Blake,’ by April Smith

Violetta Armour A Star for Mrs. Blake is the fictional account of five mothers who lost their sons in World War I, based on historical events and two actual people in history. In World War I, there were more than 30,000 Americans buried in the U.S. cemeteries in Europe. In 1929 Congress passed legislation to fund…