What Would Mama Think?

Earlier this month, Mama would have turned 101 years old. When she died at age 83, she lamented that she didn't get to live to be 100. Until she lay dying, I didn't know that she harbored such a lofty goal. Unfortunately, her health didn't allow her to live to that ripe, old age. It's now been 18 years since she left us and not a day passes that I don't think of her.  

As the years have passed without her, I've wondered what she would think about each of us, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I would hope that she would be proud of us, and happy that we turned out okay. I also wonder what she thinks of our new world, and how divided our country has become. How what used to be thought of as wrong, has become the new right. 

I try not to dwell on such thoughts, even though our new society swirls around me and it's hard to ignore. Instead, I try to stay focused on the good. I relish news stories that feature people doing good and noble things in their communities, people who help others, even though they may not have much to call their own, and people who step up during a crisis, because it's the right thing to do. People who exemplify the best of humanity. I like to think that there are more of the latter than people who are all for themselves. 

One thing I do know is that doing good for others generates more goodness. When you do something for another person, you not only feel uplifted yourself, but you send kindness down the line. The person who is on the receiving end of your altruism is more likely to do the same for another. It's become a common phrase: "paying it forward." Practicing decency, graciousness, and generosity daily begets more goodness in others. And God only knows that we could use a whole lot more of that in this world. 

I'm not talking about giving a million dollars that you don't have to charity, rather, hone in on simple things. Take an elderly neighbor to a doctor's appointment. Mow a single mom's lawn. Bake cookies for a shut-in. Read books to young children at your local library. Volunteer in a soup kitchen. Next time you're at the grocery store, help a mother with a cart full of food to load her groceries into her car. 

Not everyone commits to a New Year's resolution at the start of each year. If you haven't, it's not too late. If it's something you'd like to do, there's an extraordinarily meaningful one you can start doing today. One you can do every day and make a difference in our world. Go out and do something good for somebody. Look around you. There's always someone who can use a helping hand. 

Till next time.............

I'm in a New Book! 

Just a short note to let you know that I'm in a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book -- Me and My Dog. I am so very grateful to have a story in this compilation of dog stories, available Feb 6th. This will be the 13th CSS book featuring one of my stories. You can preorder on Amazon or check your local bookstore on Feb 6th. If you like the book, please leave a review on Amazon. Every review counts to get the word out about this heartwarming book.

https://amzn.to/4aQCQVp

 

Exciting News Coming Soon

As many of you know who are regular readers of this blog, I have a new novel coming out in August. Yesterday I learned the actual publication date -- August 25th. And.....drumroll.....at the end of February I'll be able to share with you the name of the book, a few details about the story, and an image of the book cover. I have been chomping at the bit to share all of this with you, and have had to exercise complete patience in waiting. (Not my biggest virtue.) We're almost there, so stay tuned.  

Now back to our regular programming...........an Arctic blast is soon to be blowing through Texas. Same one that's gonna cause havoc in the northern and eastern states. The reason this is a big deal here is that WE AREN'T USED TO COLD.  We have few seasons here, it's mostly hot or warm most of the time. We don't own hard winter clothing, but we do have closets full of flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops. Fortunately, I own clothing that I can layer, a warm coat, a drawer full of socks, and several pairs of boots. I'll survive. 

When Snowmaggedon practically shut down Texas in February, 2021, it wasn't pretty. Lots of people lost power, frozen pipes burst, and accidents occurred everywhere as people's cars and trucks did slip-n-slide all over the roads. We fared well without incident then, and am hoping to do the same this time. If there was a bright spot during Snowmaggedon it was watching the neighborhood kids making snow angels outside in their yards, and seeing townsfolk skiing down streets, using a water ski-like handle and rope attached to the back of pickup trucks driven by friends and family. The skiers would yell out like they were riding a bronc or bull in a rodeo, something they do a lot around here. It was a boatload of fun to watch from my cozy living room, where I was warm and toasty. There was no way I was going out into 15-degree temps (or lower) to get a closer look at the skiers. I'm not that crazy.

Meanwhile, our indoor/outdoor cat is anxious to go outside and visit his peeps in the neighborhood. He doesn't understand why I am keeping him indoors. The outside temps have not yet risen out of the 30s, and until it gets near 50 I'm not letting him out. I think our other cat who is indoor only has tried to explain to Willie how things work around here when this thing called freezing temperatures arrive, but I don't think that Willie is listening. I'll just play the role of mean mom, and keep him safe. 

Wherever you are, I hope you stay warm, without any incidents from the coming storms. Say safe, stay toasty, and enjoy the snowy spectacular that Mother Nature gives us. 

Till next time...........

Jeffree Wyn

 

Oh my! I can scarcely believe how fast the holidays flew by. One minute I was baking lots and lots of cookies and cursing my oven for burning half of them. Not me, mind you. It was definitely the oven. Anyway, the next thing I knew it was January, and not just January but a week into January.


So far, the year has been blissfully good to me as I hope it has for you. Got a lot of rewriting done on my novel, have been organizing "stuff" all over the house, cooking some fun dishes, weeding my veggie garden that never got cleaned up in the fall, have read some great books, and welcomed a new family member into our house. Nope, not that adorable baby in the photo. This guy:

His name is Willie, after Willie Nelson, who was born and raised about five miles north of where we live. Our Willie, who is not quite two years old, has a bit of a wild side, just as Willie Nelson did in his younger years. Even though our Willie had a home, he adopted us. And try as we could to return him home, Willie would run away and kept showing up at our house. His owner finally said, "you've got yourself a new cat." Willie has moved right in. At first, I wasn't sure that he and our nearly three-year-old cat would get along. After a few hissy fits and tails blowing up like bottle brushes, they adjusted and now seem to get along fine. The dog is another story. He's terrified of Willie. Not sure why. Willie hasn't done anything to the dog. Maybe they have some kind of telepathic understanding. Who knows.


I also learned recently that I will have a story in the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul: Me and My Dog book. It's a special compilation of stories culled from their story library. Many years ago they published a story I'd written called "Meeting Earl." I am honored to be included in this book. It comes out next month on February 6th. I hope that you'll pick up a copy. It's full of heartwarming dog stories. What's not to like? 

And finally, a story I wrote about an old-time candy company here in Texas was published in this month's issue of Texas Coop Power. I had a blast visiting the factory and getting to interview the owner. You can read the article here:
https://texascooppower.com/the-sweetest-family-2/

Till next time........