There is something fascinatingly awkward about an author photo. I'm drawn to those glossy shots in the back of books, mostly because the subjects never look happy to be there.

When something that honest is said it usually needs a few minutes of silence to dissipate.

When you live in Texas, every single time you see snow it’s magical.

It's sad when our daddies die. Makes us one less person inside.

Having a holiday weekend without a family member felt like putting on a sweater that had an extra arm.

All of us are writers reading other people's writing, turning pages or clicking to the next screen with pleasure and admiration. All of us absorb other people's words, feeling like we have gotten to know the authors personally in our own ways, even if just a tiny bit. True, we may also harbor jealousy or resentment, disbelief or disappointment. We may wish we had written those words ourselves or berate ourselves for knowing we never could or sigh with relief that we didn't, but thank goodness someone else has.