Category Archives: Smiles

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

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

Power to the Inspiration-Challenged

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Barb

February Blaaaaaaahs. So a writer-friend suggested that we attend Zumba classes. Good exercise. Blood to the brain. Juice up the vertebrae. It’ll help our creative whats-its. We chose the “Basic” level of classes to attend. The level of expertise didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Change, Choices, Humor, Life, Smiles, Writing | Tagged Change, Cows, creativity, dancing, exercise, inspiration, joy, potlucks, Writing, zumba | 47 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

Now We Have to Worry About Fake Friends

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Barb

“Let”s have coffee sometime and catch up.” “Yeah. We should do that.” And as my friend and I walk away, we both know, it’ll never happen. We just did all the “catching up” we wanted to do in the grocery … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Humor, Life, Satire, Smiles, Worries | Tagged Change, coffee with friends, fake comments Wordpress, fake friends, fake popularity, Twenty-first Century satire, Twitter | 75 Comments

Dealing With Difficult People: Part 2–The Kit

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Barb

While “Change” is an unsettling kick in the keister…we all agree…some people need to change. After making the controversial…“Dealing with Difficult People” post, my staff sifted through the genius of the comments. We tested each one and as a service … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Humor, Life, Satire, Smiles | Tagged Bad meetings, Change, Dealing with Difficult People, Face to Face, Humor, Stares | 37 Comments

Dear Starbucks Peppermint Barons

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Barb

Dear Starbucks, I’m excited to tell you how your unique marketing program has made us expand our beverage horizons. For the past four years from Canada to Texas, my husband and I had bellied up to the bar at Starbucks—quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Humor, Satire, Smiles | Tagged Coffee, Coffee People, Corporate Progams, Holiday, Hot Chocolate, Humor, Peppermint, Seasonal, Starbucks | 52 Comments

Taking the Moo Out of Flying

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Barb

“Thank you, ma’am” the TSA official said as he handed back my ID and boarding pass. I did a double-take and checked my driver’s license to see if I actually had an individual name because way back at curbside, I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in A Laugh, Humor, Life, Smiles, Traveling | Tagged Car rental, Cattle, Cows, Ear tags, Flying, Humor, Lines, Traveling | 13 Comments

Trapping the Tooth Fairy

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Barb

Ha! Years ago, we caught the ol’ gal when she smacked into a window. Shaky from a sugar high, she was lurking. Waiting to snag a loose tooth and be on her way. Instead, Dallas Cowboy Fan and I wrestled … Continue reading →