In the past, our Christmasses have been filled with an obscenely fun amount of activities – from fall winter sports tournaments and showcases to teacher/staff appreciation luncheons, volunteer banquets, work parties, friend parties, church parties, and of course the Big Party on Christmas Eve and all the festivities of Christmas Day. This year, we’d hopedContinue reading “The Christmas tiger”
Author Archives: Kell McKinney
The Firenado
The other night my husband and I caught a few minutes of a tv show while it was actually airing on tv, not streaming or DVRd. In this program, scientists were trying to explain what they believe caused an odd-shaped scar in the middle of a desert. After about twelve and a half minutes ofContinue reading “The Firenado”
Here we go
I was on a client Zoom review today when my phone buzzed. I didn’t answer it. When I checked my voicemail, my rheumatologist’s nurse had left a message, probably because I checked that little box on my new patient form that said she could. Lab results are in, she said. Indicative of Lupus and Sjogren’s,Continue reading “Here we go”
Shifting gears
2020 didn’t hit my family as hard as it could have, and for that I am tremendously grateful. We had our share of bumps and bruises, but overall we didn’t have to worry about keeping a roof over our head or food on the table. Of the three of us, our son has probably navigatedContinue reading “Shifting gears”
Return to Sender
I want to wish you a happy new year and celebrate all those hopeful feelings that January usually brings. Dearest friend, I want to. No, I take that back. I do wish you the happiest, healthiest, most productive year yet. I hope 2020 brings you happiness, exciting challenges, good health, and blessings galore. For myContinue reading “Return to Sender”
Mum’s the Word
I’m not a native Texan. This was stunningly obvious to a fellow Hobby Lobby shopper who spotted me as I blinked at the homecoming decoration display. She touched my shoulder, smiled empathetically, and said, “Aw. Honey. You’re not from here, are you?” This sweet stranger spent fifteen minutes talking me through how to make aContinue reading “Mum’s the Word”
Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.
This time of year, people like me lurk in the shadows, stealth-sipping our cinnamon teas or our chai lattes. No more hiding. I’m speaking up. I love autumn as much as the next gal. Honest. I do. I love decorating the house for Thanksgiving. A good harvest theme never gets old. What does get old,Continue reading “Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.”
Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop
Writer friends, I know you. Some of you are on the fence about investing anything other than your time and imagination in your writing future. I know this because that’s where I was. Full of doubt. Overflowing with insecurity. As long as I didn’t take this “writing thing” too seriously, I hadn’t risked embarrassment orContinue reading “Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop”
Adjectivery
I recently participated in my first-ever Instagram author’s challenge. You’d think that someone who’d been a marketing manager – as in, paid real money to develop and activate marketing strategies for a living – would be aaalll over the marketing for her own writing work. You’d think that, and you’d be right to snicker aContinue reading “Adjectivery”
Onomatopoeia a.k.a. Sounds Like
ue story: I had to look up how to spell this word three times before I got it right. How often should we use this useful device in writing? Overdo it and you come off like you’re trying too hard. Don’t use it at all and you might be missing a spicy opportunity. Some ofContinue reading “Onomatopoeia a.k.a. Sounds Like”
