Long Hollow

Where seeds of thought have room to grow

recent posts

about

Realtor, writer, blogger in Austin, TX

Category: Family

  • Ah, Mother’s Day…

    For the first time in years, I actually saw my mother on Mother's Day instead of telling her how much I love and appreciate her via a card and a phone call. It meant missing church and spending hours on the road Sunday morning, but Daniel (middle son) awoke early enough to send me off…

  • What Do You Worry About?

      The older I get, the less I worry.  That doesn't mean I don't worry. Just that I'm beginning to realize worry doesn't help anything. Prayer does, so the older I get, the more I pray…. that God will show me what I can do to help the situation, and if there's nothing I can…

  • Ten Years Ago…

    He noticed it when he used the rowing machine at the gym where he worked. A consistent pain or pressure that would start up after a few minutes and go away when he stopped rowing. Perhaps a pulled muscle? He was in the middle of building our new home, after all, and stretching and working…

  • Flowers for Leontien (and other Sweet!s)

    June 3 will mark the 4th anniversary of my first blog post. I started blogging because, as I write in my "About" section up above… "Diaries, letters, and scrapbooks became journals, writing classes and essays became Long Hollow (and a few fictional works in progress…)  But come to find out, what started as an outlet for my journaling…

  • Earth Day and an Apology to my Puppies

    The dogs' bowls were empty. Max had wandered around the corner of the house, probably on down to the doghouse, calling it a night. Belle lay near me, gnawing on a bone.  I had a few hours left in the day after seven hours (on my feet) at the winery and a long walk with…

  • Totally. Blown. Away.

    When my friend Darla mentioned having a birthday party for me, I agreed only because it was a good excuse for a get-together with dear friends from high school.  "No presents, though!" I told her. "Make sure you tell everyone 'no presents'"!  I knew she would still go crazy on food and decorating… she's a…

  • Mary Poppins and other Sweet!s of the week

    I would lie on the wooden floor for hours… or at least it seemed like hours… listening to my Mary Poppins soundtrack album, over and over. Asthma held my lungs hostage – each breath was a major accomplishment – so lying there listening to "Step in Time" and "Feed the Birds" was about all I…

  • The Great U2 Mystery

    Yesterday morning, I was all set to listen to U2 while I ran on the treadmill. I've kept their Achtung, Baby! down there for several years for when the U2 running mood hits me. (I also keep some Ted Nugent, John Mellencamp, and Dixie Chicks handy – my running moods are pretty eclectic!) (It's kind…

  • Life

    There are times in life when everything hits at once. Your car has issues, your family has issues, your house has issues, your job has issues…  Opportunities drop onto your path that will scurry away if you don't jump on them right this instant but you don't know how you can squeeze another minute out…

  • Love, Allelujah!

    "Jesus Christ is risen today…" That song has been playing in my head all day. It started playing as soon as I opened my eyes this morning and then it was the first and last hymn we sang at Mass. It's still running through my mind, lifting my spirit, spilling sunshine into my heart. It's…