Category Archives: Appreciation

The Gift for Someone Who Doesn’t Need Anything

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Barb

This came out 6 years ago, but my 2 brain cells don’t remember it, so maybe you’ll enjoy it again, too. Many of the readers of Before Morning Breaks are folks who’ve tromped the by-ways and vine-littered trails of life. … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Choices, Enough, Humor, Life, Smiles | Tagged Before Morning Breaks, boats, Change, Gifts for the hard to get, good souvenirs, healing hearts, life journey, the best gift, Valentine gifts, yachts | 48 Comments

What We Leave At the Grave

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Barb

Recently, I was doing some research for a story and strolling through a cemetery when I encountered a clear plastic box at the foot of a grave. The box was the size you’d store pencils in, but I could easily … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Humor, Writing | Tagged Bobby Jones, Graves, Groundskeeper, rabbit's foot, Stones on a grave, Thankful, Thanksgiving, Weird, Weird relatives, What we leave behind | 19 Comments

Tell Me It Isn’t So

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Barb

So a few days ago, I’m at the post office mailing three packages. The twenty-plus-year-old behind the counter asks the usual question. “Anything perishable, fragile, etc. etc.?” “Nope. Only books,” I say. She stops and looks at the size of … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Change, Choices, Life, Literature, Writing | Tagged books, Books I remember, Finishing a book, Game of Thrones, Libraries, Mother's Day Gifts, murder mysteries, Reading, Summer reading, The Great American Read | 36 Comments

How To Take A Viking River Cruise: Part 2

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Barb

OR…Do A Grouch A Favor Yes, I’m in the middle of a story. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here. Refresh your memory, then come back because, you need to know that in the U.S. February 16th … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Choices, Traveling, Worries | Tagged Behind the Wall, Biking, Germany, Krems, Melk, Packing, Travel, Travel and exercise, Viking | 26 Comments

How To Take a Viking River Cruise–Part 1.

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Barb

It’s been a while since my last post. We have a bit of catching up to do. Last Christmas, we decided we’d save our bucks for anniversary, birthdays, and Christmas and give ourselves an international experience in the upcoming year … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Humor, Traveling | Tagged Amsterdam, Dutch Pancakes, How to Pack, New food, Reading foreign signs, Tourist, Traveling with a guide book, Vacations, Viking, Windmills | 26 Comments

Frankly My Dear….Put on Your Bloomers and Get to Work

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Barb

Speaking of change…(which I do often), a couple times a month I work at an adventure clothing store. Mostly I chitter-chat, and listen to others’ tales. It’s a writer’s haven for character studies. But every now and then, there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Change, Humor, Women, Writing | Tagged Civil War, hoopskirts, Piecework, Rhet Butler, Robert E. Lee, Rosie the Riveter, Scarlett OHara, Women at War, Working, wounded warriors | 32 Comments

A Man’s Candy Bar

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Barb

In addition to graduations and strange U.S. national holidays: National Bubba Day (June 2nd), National Moonshine Day (June 5th), and National Paul Bunyon Day (June 28th), the month of June hosts Father’s Day(always the third Sunday in June). So, I … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Choices, Humor | Tagged candy bars, Change, chocolate, Comfort food, E.T., Father's Day, holidays for men, wasabi, World War II | 28 Comments

Change Your Mood With the Right Shoes

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Barb

There is a gumpy little saying cruising the internet. It’s all over facebook, adorned with rainbows or kittens. To be a rebel, I’m attaching my saddle oxfords to it…or I would if I had any. First…the saying. If you are … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Cats/Dogs, Change, Choices, Enough, Hope, Humor, Life, Satire, Smiles, Worries | Tagged Change, Forgiving Yourself, Happy Childhood, Memes, Saddle Oxfords, Shoes, The future, The Past, The right attitude, Worry | 35 Comments

Tongue Spam: Eating Everything But the Moo!

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Barb

While doing research , I ran across an old black and white magazine ad for SPAM. In the Hormel line-up was Tongue Spam. Unfortunately, I can’t find the ad again in the internet maze, but it brought back a shadowy … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Choices, Cooking, Enough, Hope, Life | Tagged Change, cooking, cow eyeballs, cow tongue, dustbowl, farming, ketchup, Oklahoma, pressure cookers, soap making | 35 Comments

Septic Tanks for Dogs and Other Things I Didn’t Know I Should Be Grateful For

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Barb

Maybe it’s because ol’ Fido is now guarding the golden gates. That’s the excuse I’m using for not knowing about Doggie Septic tanks. This handy dandy Do-It-Yourself project allows you to bury a vat in a corner of your yard. … Continue reading →