Category Archives: Appreciation

Can’t See The Light

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Barb

I have a trick to keep me buoyed during this dark time of season. I cut off the tops of onions (just the green parts) and use them in stews and tummy-warming casseroles. Then I stick the bulbs in about … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Change, Cooking, Hope, Humor, Lights, Sleepless Nights, Worries | Tagged Better Days Are Coming, Change, Hope, Never Give Up, See the Light, Worry | 11 Comments

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 →