Long Hollow

Where seeds of thought have room to grow

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Realtor, writer, blogger in Austin, TX

Category: Personal Histories

  • Thirty-Six Years Ago Tonight…

    Thirty-six years ago tonight, I had no idea my life was about to veer onto a drastically different course when I decided to go out dancing alone. That's when I first met Tom. Looking back, it's easy to see God's hand in the whole thing, but I was just going on 'gut' feelings. Being an…

  • Postcards from Greece, Dragonflies, and other sweet!s

     Deep in the sun-searched growths the dragonflyHangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky. ~Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Silent Noon   This morning as Belle and I finished our walk, a dragonfly buzzed close, circling and circling. It even hovered about a foot from me for a few seconds, providing me a good look at its…

  • A Truly Rich Man…

    I dreamed of Daddy two nights ago. He stood at a distance from me, like at the end of a hallway, a big smile on his face. And then he was beside me, giving me a hug. We talked, but I don't remember what was said.  It was Daddy, circa 1980's or 1990's, strong and…

  • He’s still here… and other sweet!s

    Tom and I once spent a week in a downtown Austin high-rise which had fabulous views of the city. It was especially beautiful at night, with the Texas State Capitol and other downtown buildings all lit up. Unfortunately, that high-rise was Brackenridge Hospital, and Tom wasn't in any shape to appreciate those gorgeous views. He was recovering from…

  • Just Call Me Ironmom

      Be proud to wear you. ~Dodinsky   Last Saturday my oldest completed an Ironman Triathlon in the Woodlands, Texas. He was up around 3 am to eat breakfast, left for the competition site at 5 am, and started the swimming portion at 7 am.  Around 14 hours later, he sprinted across the finish line. In case you're…

  • Marilyn

    A friend of mine died yesterday, my Aunt Becky died the day before (the last of that generation on my side of the family) and within the past couple of weeks, four high school friends have lost a parent.  On top of that, today is my birthday, the first one since my mom died. Naturally, I'm writing a blog…

  • Shallue Go Bragh! (revisited)

      May you always walk in sunshine.May you never want for more.May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door. Happy St. Patrick's Day! This is mostly a repost, slightly updated, but when you can trace your husband's family back to Ireland in just a handful of generations, what else is there to blog about…

  • One of life’s sweet surprises…

      It's hard for me to believe it now, but there was a time in my life when I wasn't sure I wanted to be a mother. I mean, kids can be so annoying and demanding! (I know I was!)     I thank God every single day that he changed my mind and blessed…

  • Where Do I Begin?

    My dear, dear blog, I have had so many good intentions of writing to you over the past few weeks, but alas, they got lost in the dust stirred up by time racing by. And now here it is, the first of December, and all I've written you since August are two little birthday posts.  Enough is…

  • Lesson #85 (Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mama!)

      When I asked my mom what she wanted for her birthday last year, she thought for a minute, then said "More time."  I had a feeling it would be the last birthday we celebrated with her on earth; I think she knew it would be. And who knows… maybe she got her birthday wish. Maybe…