Category Archives: Hope

Hardly Any Shooting Stars Left

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Barb

I’m so blessed…. Here’s what they’re saying about Hardly Any Shooting Stars Left: A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys action and memorable characters with larger-than-life personalities. The story unfolds against the background of contemporary life in the American West … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Change, Choices, Hope, Humor, Inspirational Fiction, Life, Satire, Women, Worries, Writing | 13 Comments

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

How to Survive Your Spouse’s HighSchool Reunion or “I’m Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. DeMille”

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Barb

Hey! Let’s go on a book tour…and add relatives, and people we haven’t seen or kept track of in years and years. Won’t that be fun? First Stop: A Texas High School Reunion. (Go Eagles!!) Now, I’m sure many of you have … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Change, Choices, Hope, Humor, Life, Satire, Smiles, Traveling | Tagged aging, following the rules, journeys, Kia Rio, Kilgore TX, parties where you don't know anyone, poor farm, reunions, Texas, Traveling, yearbooks | 37 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 →

Posted in A Laugh, Appreciation, Cooking, Hope, Humor, Literature, Smiles | Tagged Banned Books, Change, Cooking Failures, Dog Waste, Humor, Librarians, Libraries, Magnetic Field, Martha Stewart, Septic Tanks for Dogs | 13 Comments

FREE: A word that doesn’t change.

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Barb

There’s a story behind the Two Pan’s Needles, Dogs, and Secrets posted last week. It surprised the woofers out of me to discover that sewing needles were a precious commodity in the newly opened Western territories. It was easier to … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Change, Enough, Hope, Humor, Life | Tagged Change, free advertising, Humor, Macys, Meier, Potatoes, Sewing, sewing needles | 56 Comments

Hard Candy Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Barb

I’m William Woolsey. Silky Sue, owner of the Salt Lick Saloon came to me with a proposition, I tried to be civil. I told her there were other men in town who’d be her freighter. But she didn’t want miners … Continue reading →

Posted in Hope, Lights, Pioneer Friday in Two Pan | Tagged Christmas, Dolly Pardon, hard candy, Humor, Oregon Trail, Pioneer, rancher, Saloon, Silent Night, wagon | 17 Comments

Prison Camps for Trees

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Barb

For those of you who don’t live in the watery northwest, you’re probably unaware of the prison camps we keep for trees. Let’s look at Herbert. As a small sapling he was overjoyed to have his feet stuck in mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Hope, Humor, Life, Lights | Tagged Christmas tree, Douglas fir, helicopters, Humor, Noble Fir, Northwest, Satire | 30 Comments

Tater Garden in Two Pan

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Barb

Welcome to Pioneer Fridays in Two Pan Bricker Spinrad, my esteemed spouse, isn’t a farmer. He came for the gold. Our first winter in Two Pan was so cold, Bricker attended church just to hear about the fires of hell. … Continue reading →