The Resilience of Bees
Saturday night, my husband slept on the floor in the girls’ room because they were afraid of a storm. At 5:30, once the storm had abated, he came back to our bed and said the entire field below our house was under
The Ice Storm
One month ago, a colossal ice storm swept through the southern states, snapping branches that, in turn, snapped powerlines and exploded transformers, knocking millions of people off the grid and forcing them to live as they’d reverted to the nineteenth
Reacting to Fear in a Healthy Way
“The light’s green, you retard!” Stunned, I looked up from my computer into the street. A guy in a gold Chevy 4x4 with its windows down revved his engine again while waiting at the green light. Two political flags blazed from
Ode to a Bygone Era
Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of extra money for vacations, so we would visit state parks, which were free. Our favorite was Lake Barkley in Cadiz, Kentucky. About four times a year we would rent a cabin for
How Do We Help Our Children Thrive During Covid?
On the eve of my thirty-fourth birthday, I lay on my daughter’s twin mattress in the living room, surrounded by my three daughters, my best friend, and the little girl she is fostering, and marveled at this world that is
If We Are Going to Come Out of This Whole, We Have to Use This Season to Heal
We planted our garden two weeks ago. Since then, we have had two bouts of frost and a sudden, fleeting flurry of snow. Last evening, while supper baked in the oven, my eldest daughter and I went to check on
How the Light Gets In WINS in NYC!
I almost didn’t attend the 2020 Audie Awards Gala in New York City. The ticket to the event at Guastavino’s in Manhattan would cost as much as the trip itself. And we’re building a house and raising three daughters whose
How the Light Gets In 2020 Audie Award Finalist + Giveaway!
Hey, friends! We're having our first snow day here in Tennessee! We've played in the snow with cousins, had the obligatory hot chocolate, and now the toddler is taking a nap (praise hands), so I am popping in to tell you that
I Grew Up as a Caretaker’s Daughter
On Wednesday, my husband went to the doctor for an X-ray. When the results proved inconclusive, the doctor ordered a CAT scan. We texted back and forth while he waited. He told me it would be okay, but he had told
How the Light Gets In Books-A-Million Book Club Pick!
Hello, my friends! I have some great news! My newest novel, How the Light Gets In, is Books-A-Million's July Book Club Pick! I was both surprised and incredibly honored when I received the news. Thank you for all of your help to spread