She was standing behind one of those tables used at church potlucks. One of dozens of authors participating in an annual book event at the mall. The perfect chance for children and their parents to visit face-to-face with the magician-makers and beast-makers otherwise known as writers. I took a moment before the scheduled signings to introduce myself to the authors I did not know — the bulk of them. I’d met the gal who wrote the book about her mom... Read more
God grant me this thing I ask Help me to change the things I cannot accept; Grant me courage to press ahead despite the darkness and wisdom to know when to not give up. Give me vision to see beyond this one day; While savoring this single moment in time. Refuse me the indulgence of self-pity, of accepting hardships as some silly pathway to peace. Rather show me how to be of help; I may not... Read more
It’s Miz Shelby here. Mama talks about me every now and again. But you all might not know what I look like. That’s me over there on the left. I look a lot like my twin sister, Ashley. It’s confusing, I know. But it’ nice to meet you. You’re going to be seeing a lot of me over here in the next few weeks, and I am very excited to tell you why. When I was six, my family moved across town.... Read more
They walk among us, the despairing do. Some are quiet, unassuming, gentle souls. Others are the life of the party, seemingly joyful, radiant even. Yet, somewhere, just beyond the place where hope whispers their name, there is a darkness, unrecognizable. Until, too often, it’s too late. They walk among us, the despairing do. Laughing, loving, and longing for more of God and less of the demons that know them by name, too. They walk among us, the despairing do. And,... Read more
Our local county Sheriff Department is seeking funding from civic organizations to buy Kevlar vests for its staff. I like our Sheriff and I have a great deal of respect for local law enforcement. But here’s the thing — we live in rural Oregon. During all my years of reporting, I can only think of one major shoot-out in the region. There have probably been others but I spend a great deal of time traveling and don’t always catch them.... Read more
Over the past few days there has been a panhandler on the corner where Highway 395 intersects with McDonald’s. As far as panhandlers goes, this guy is younger, and fitter than most. The cardboard sign that he holds up says he’s a war veteran. If my nephew, David Spears, is any proof, that war status ought to earn the beggar on the corner a few extra bucks every day. David, my brother’s boy, is an Iraq war veteran. And... Read more
Hannah Anderson is a matter for the Pew Research Center to study. The way social media is turning victims into celebrities. Or rather, how victims are using social media to build celebrity-status platforms. And how the public’s blood-thirst for juicy news is contributing to the whole ugly mess. Only days out of the remote Idaho wilderness, sixteen-year-old Hannah Anderson took to social media to share intimate details of the nightmare inflicted upon her and her family by “Uncle Jim”. James... Read more
Can we sit still for a moment and give thanks? Just be still And consider All the ways in which Law Enforcement from California Oregon Idaho Worked together Toward one common goal? Can we sit for a moment and give thanks For the ways in which the FBI put themselves at risk To save one child A girl child. Can we breath in life and exhale gratitude for the many ways in which this rescue could have gone ohsowrong?... Read more
The always beautiful and forever talented and always delightfully entertaining Sarah Thebarge came for a visit during Umatilla County Fair week. So, of course, I had to take her to the fair. Our first stop was the exhibition hall, where we marveled over the handiwork of 4-H students. I told Sarah how I attended a 4-H meeting once when I was growing up in Georgia. It didn’t take me long to figure out that 4-H wouldn’t be a good fit... Read more
Friends: Will you allow me to share a bit of happiness with you today? Many of you have been on this long journey with me as a writer. You’ve been so good to me over the years that I simply want to have you dance with me briefly. It’s a scary thing for a writer like me, who has crafted a semblance of a career as a non-fiction writer to jump out into the world of fiction. MOTHER OF RAIN... Read more
Karen Spears Zacharias
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