I am…

Christian. Prayers and candles. Mom. Shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, and flip-flops. Wife. Sexy black dress and heels.

Sister, daughter, cousin, aunt… 

Realtor, matchmaker, advocate, negotiator. Houses to homes.

Austin. Lake Travis. 

Texas Hill Country.

Exploring, learning, meeting awesome people. Making friends. Helping make dreams come true.

Aiming at being a blessing to everyone I meet.

Coming from contribution.

Family historian. Friend. Memories. photographs. Dancing, full moons, evenings listening to music. 

The beach, the hills, the desert, the mountains. Outside vs. in, a Nikon around my neck. Rivers, lakes, oceans. 

Bluejeans and boots.

Texas.

Pen and paper. Books. words, words, words. Coffee on the porch in the morning, wine on the porch in the evening. 

Camping. Bonfire on cold nights. Ping-pong, drums, movies, popcorn.

Rocking chairs, porch swings.

Butterflies, dragonflies, tarantulas, daddy-long-legs. Sunny days.

Clouds, white or stormy. Sunsets, sunrises. Wildflowers, especially purple. Autumn leaves. 

Autumn, period. 

Dirt roads.

Learning something new every day. Remembering to be grateful. A continuing story.

Relishing the adventure. 

 

Why do I blog?

 

Diaries, letters, and scrapbooks

became journals, writing classes and essays

became Long Hollow.

(and a few fictional works in progress…) 

 

But what the heck is Long Hollow?

Well, Long Hollow is actually just that, a hollow…a small valley surrounding Long Hollow Creek in the Texas Hill Country. We built our dream home here beside the creek, a mile down a dirt road. We really are building it ourselves… and that’s why it’s not finished yet.

We call it our 30-year-project.

 

…and who are these people I’m always talking about?

Tom: my sweet husband (read our story HERE)

Tommy, Kirby, Daniel, TG, and TG’s B: my three kids, daughter-in-law, and daughter’s boyfriend, who tolerate me writing about them. Barely.

Max: our giant German Shepherd/Great Dane mix who adopted us when he was a puppy (he wandered up, apparently abandoned, and I fell in love right away!) He left a giant-sized hole in our hearts and family, but I’m so grateful for the memories we have of him. I miss him.

Belle: Max’s puppy. (Max just looked so sad after Charly died!) She loved her Max, but is totally cool with being a house dog now, keeping a close watch on all of us. She’s a wonderful combination of Rottweiler with (we think) a dash of Beagle and Jack Russell, and an awesome “assistant” in my real estate business, with her own spot in my office. 

Josie: My grandpuppy! She looks like a smaller version of Belle, and is very confused that Belle is now a house dog, too. 

Charly: a lab/Lacy mix who took such wonderful care of us for 13 years. I miss him.

Frankie: a guinea fowl who adopted us, along with his friend Ruthie. Something got Ruthie soon after they settled in, but Frankie became one of the family. Something eventually got him, too. I miss seeing his funny little face peering in at me and listening to his constant chatter on our morning walks.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Please leave a comment or send me a note – I’d love to hear from you!

 barbarashallue (at) yahoo (dot) com. 

 

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11 responses to “About…”

  1. chantal Sicile-Kira Avatar

    Barbara,
    I have been trying to contact you – the email address I had did not work.
    I am writing book number 5 on autism and writing a chapter on employment – I am trying to reach you to interview you or someone involved with Jobs4autism this week.
    Book is for Macmillan.
    Here is my author website:
    http://www.chantalsicile-kira.com
    Thanks for getting back to me.
    Best,
    Chantal

    Like

  2. Cliff McKeithan Avatar
    Cliff McKeithan

    Hi, I’m an aging (old) Mohawk Pilot. I’d like to contact Carl, the guy who acquired one. Could you pass on my email address to him?
    Thanks!
    Cliff McKeithan
    Hawk 26
    usma62@bellsouth.net

    Like

  3. Mark Schears Avatar

    Hi Barbara,
    I found you page searching for Shallue in Manitowoc.
    Great page!
    Margaret Schwinn, Thomas Shallue’s first wife, is my second cousin, twice removed.
    I would like to converse with you regarding Thomas and Margaret’s descendants, along with Thomas and Esther’s descendants.
    Please contact me at your convenience.
    Thank you,
    Mark

    Like

  4. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Hi Mark! How cool that you found me here. We have quite a bit of information on the Schwinn's – do you have it, too? Someone did a lot of work. We went up to Manitowoc last summer for the first time in more than 20 years. I'll send you an email this evening. Thanks for contacting me!

    Like

  5. Beth Blakely Avatar

    Barbara,
    I’m writing to ask if you’d consider republishing posts you select from Long Hollow on VibrantNation.com. It’s a quick and easy process on our WordPress platform, and there are three reasons why this is a good idea NOW:
    1. Exposure: You may include one link back to your home blog per post. That’s a lot of powerful SEO “link love” potential that’s sure to increase your blog’s rankings.
    2. Exposure: Your content is great, and our members are your target audience!
    3. Exposure: We draw from the members within Our Blog Circle when we receive media requests for a Vibrant Woman’s opinion on current issues. (We are quickly becoming a “go to” source for national reporters on many topics.) That means your blog and opinion could be featured nationally. Further, we cite our Blog Circle members’ posts in our books, speaking engagements, and in many other ways.
    If you’re interested in becoming a part of Our Blog Circle, I can forward the contract we use with our bloggers. Please note that it provides that you can end the relationship at any time, and that we do not retain exclusive rights to your content.
    Please feel free to email or give me a call if you have any questions. I hope we find a way to work together.
    More about VibrantNation.com:
    We are the largest online community for Vibrant Women 50+- the place where they connect and support each other on issues unique to life after 50, including fashion, beauty, family, relationships, work, money and sex.
    Publicly launched in January 2009, VibrantNation.com has grown quickly. We now reach 100,000 unique monthly visitors. Vibrant Nation is also a trusted resource for women 50+, and features a growing network of midlife bloggers, our “Blog Circle.”
    Our Blog Circle posts are found on every page of our site; featured heavily in our newsletters and on our homepage; and promoted in many other ways. You can take a look at our current Our Blog Circle submissions here:
    http://www.vibrantnation.com/category/our-blog-circle/
    Beyond expanding readership, there are other benefits that come with joining our Blog Circle. For example, major companies like Pfizer and Coca-Cola® look to Vibrant Nation to help them understand and reach the important Vibrant woman. As such, members of Vibrant Nation’s blog circle increasingly are offered the opportunity to participate in marketing campaigns with many different types of brands seeking the opinions of Vibrant women. Our marketing partners often offer product samples to get feedback, or offer incentives for participating in focus groups or surveys.
    All the best,
    Beth Blakely
    Community Manager
    VibrantNation.com
    502.568.5555

    Like

  6. Beth Blakely Avatar

    Wait… you’re already on my list… Why haven’t I heard from you lately?!

    Like

  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Hi Beth! I do have one in mind that I plan to write soon about my hair. But to be honest, it's all I can do to write the original post. I'm juggling several jobs right now, focusing on making money and finishing my children's book. But I'll try to keep VN in mind when I write a post. I'm also not sure which ones would be a good fit. Thanks for checking on me and giving me the reminder!

    Like

  8. derah, your Canadian fan Avatar
    derah, your Canadian fan

    Barb, what type of zoom did you need – my minlaw passed & I have a bag full of her cameras – I could go through the stuff and see what she has – dont think it was all digital eqpmt

    Like

  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    That is so sweet of you! But my zoom (a Nikkor 70 to 300) is only temporarily out of commission. The focus mechanism broke and it had to be sent to the Nikon factory to be replaced. It's been gone at least two weeks now, so I should have it back in another two weeks, fingers crossed. But thank you so much for your kind offer! I truly appreciate it!

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  10. lisleman Avatar

    Let me try a comment over on this page.

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