Too Cute!
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
BEYOND THE WATER'S EDGE
BEYOND THE WATER'S EDGE
CHAPTER ONE
"Wake up Maggie, I think I got something to say to yooo-ou, it's late September and I really should be back at schooo-ol." Kirby Sawyer sang and swayed to the music as she switched lanes on the interstate. She loved this song. Mark used to sing it to her all the time. He had such a good voice. She, on the other hand, couldn't hit a note in a bucket. Mark would howl with laughter if he heard her belt it out with Rod Stewart right now.
Kirby signaled and merged her Sebring onto the exit ramp. It has been three years since the accident that claimed Mark's life. Since then, grief-stricken, she'd let her work as an emergency room doctor consume her. But that was about to change.
The sign read, Sawyer Creek, 17 miles. Black clouds were rolling in and she heard a clap of thunder in the distance. Kirby swung her car into the Ameri-Stop, pulled close to the gas pump, and pushed the button to raise her convertible top. At the same time, a silver Lexus with dark tinted windows slid into the pump next to her.
Kirby topped off her tank and went in to pay. The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee drifted through the store. "That smells too good to pass up," she told the clerk as she paid.
She took a sip of coffee as she headed to the car. Kirby noticed the silver Lexus hadn't moved and it appeared the driver had not started to pump gas. As she got closer she tried to peer in without being too obvious, but the windows were dark as night. Odd, she thought. Maybe they are talking on the phone. Smart move since it's dangerous to talk on a cell phone while pumping gas. You never know what a spark might ignite.
Back on the road her thoughts turned to Sawyer Creek. She hoped she was doing the right thing, coming home to take over her father's medical practice. Kirby loved being an ER doctor in Chicago. There was never a dull moment in a big city emergency room. Sawyer Creek was such a small town there had never been a need for more than one doctor. And everyone adored her dad, Luke Sawyer. He was Dr. Luke to the townspeople.
Had it been only two months since she got the phone call from Luke asking her to consider taking over his practice so he could retire? "Dad, you don't need to retire. You're still young. What would you do? You love being a doctor. And besides, I could never fill your shoes. Those are big shoes to fill," she'd told him.
"Now Punkin', Luke had said, "I know I'm asking a lot of you, to give up your life in Chicago and move back here to your hometown. But, you wouldn't have to work such long hours and the practice is just waiting for you to take over. Just think about it, Honey, that's all I'm asking."
It had taken less than a week for Kirby to decide that's exactly what she needed. A change of scenery and a slower pace. Two months later she was on her way to a new life.
Kirby slowed the car as she passed the sign. Village of Sawyer Creek, Population, 3,834. Now 3,835, she thought. Not even big enough to be called a town. As a light rain started, she switched on her wipers and turned on to Market Street. She passed the Village Flower Shop, and the old Florentine Hotel & Restaurant, turned on to Walnut Street and finally came to 216 Plum Street, her new home.
Kirby pulled into the driveway of the Queen Anne Victorian. Built in the late 1800's, it looked like a gingerbread house with it's towers and gables.
The rain had stopped now. Kirby grabbed her purse and suitcase from the back seat of the car and looked up at the three-story house. She remembered sitting on the wrap-around porch, sipping iced tea as a teen-ager, with the sweet little widow, Miss Liza. Kirby had loved the house then and never imagined she would be the owner one day. As she followed the curved walkway Kirby noticed the beautiful flowers. Miss Liza had always taken such pride in her yard.
Kirby found the key in the mailbox where her mother left it. When she stepped inside, she was happy to see the movers had arrived with her things on schedule. She was over-joyed to see everything had been put in its place. All the furniture had been arranged in the living room. As Kirby walked down the long hallway to the kitchen she noticed a beautiful floral runner on the floor. She touched the small solid cherry table and matching mirror. How nice, but I wonder where these came from. Probably Mother, she thought and smiled.
Kirby entered the kitchen and was pleased to find it painted the color of the sun. She opened the refrigerator and saw it was fully stocked. The same with the kitchen cabinets. Gotta love mothers who make sure you have a fully stocked kitchen upon arrival to your new home, she thought.
On the counter was a note. Dinner @ 6:30 @ our house. Stella is making your favorite....Lasagna, salad & garlic bread with a special dessert. Love, Mom P.S. Glad you decided to come home. So am I, she thought. So am I.
The chime of the doorbell startled Kirby. She groaned as she went to answer the door. All she wanted to do was take a shower to freshen up and relax before going to her parents' for dinner.
"Hey Sis!" Betsy hugged her hard. I've missed you so much. I'm so glad you decided to come back home."
Kirby grinned at her younger sister. Betsy was four years younger than Kirby, whose thirty-fifth birthday was in a few months. "Look at you. You look good Bets." She reached out and touched Betsy's shoulder length auburn hair. You're letting it grow."
Betsy grinned. "And I see you're not."
"No fuss, no muss," Kirby said as she ran her fingers through her short chestnut hair.
"Mom and I met the movers and got everything situated. Do you like it?"
"I sure do. Everything looks great, Bets. Thanks so much. Listen, I need to take a shower and freshen up a bit before going to the folks for dinner. It was a long drive."
"Oh, of course," Betsy said. She turned to go and stopped abruptly. "I almost forgot. Guess who's back in town? Aiden Gibbs! He finally got married to a really nice girl he met in the law firm he worked for in Seattle. He got tired of the rat race of big city life, so he brought his bride here to settle down and start a family. Small town life seems to agree with her. Carissa. That's her name. Carissa Gibbs. I'm sure you'll meet her soon. After all, everyone needs a doctor," Betsy chuckled. "Okay Sis, I'll see you at dinner tonight."
Kirby hadn't thought about Aiden in years. They were high school sweethearts and everyone assumed they would get married. When Kirby went off to college and met Mark, she broke Aiden's heart. Initially, he'd vowed revenge. Nothing she ever worried about. We are bound to run into each other, Kirby thought. As Betsy said, everyone needs a doctor.
After her shower, she looked outside and saw the sun was peeking through the clouds. It looked like a lovely mid-summer evening for a walk to her parents' house.
As Kirby strolled the three blocks to town she noticed the lovely flowers blooming in the yards of her neighbors. Beautiful multi-colored pansies lined the walkways along with the hanging baskets of petunias. Flowering trees were everywhere. The town's old-fashioned charm seemed to be reflected in every store she passed. The Five & Dime with the original soda fountain and ice cream parlor in the back and the movie theatre where current movie tickets could be bought for only two dollars. I'll have to take advantage of that, she thought, as she said hello to a family she recognized on the street.
Kirby paused in front of the Sawyer Creek Baptist Church and decided to go inside to see if anything had changed. Stained glass windows bathed in gorgeous hues of color soared to the ceiling. The same beautiful pipe organ she remembered stood in the front and the altar was paved with white marble. The church was silent in an eerie way. A battery of votive candles flickered nearby and the light cascading through the stained glass illuminated the room in a celestial glow.
"Hello. May I help you?" I'm Pastor Dave."
Kirby turned to see a short pudgy man with a bald head, eyes that twinkled and a smile that lit up the room. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties. "Hello. I'm Kirby Sawyer. I apologize for intruding. I grew up in this church and was curious if it still looked the same."
"Ah, yes. You're Luke and Rachel's daughter. I heard you were coming back to be our new town doctor. Welcome back, my dear. I'm very happy to meet you. I hope to see you for the Sunday morning service."
"Yes, I'll be here." Kirby looked at her watch and realized she would be late for dinner if she didn't get a move on. "It was nice to meet you as well, Pastor Dave. I look forward to Sunday morning."
As she walked down the church steps she knew she would enjoy having him as her Pastor.
Kirby walked up the hill of her parent's driveway and stopped before entering the house to look at the view of the town. What a beautiful sight. It really is a postcard perfect town, she thought. As she turned to go into the house a reflection caught her eye. A sliver Lexus with dark tinted windows was slinking down the street.
CHAPTER ONE
"Wake up Maggie, I think I got something to say to yooo-ou, it's late September and I really should be back at schooo-ol." Kirby Sawyer sang and swayed to the music as she switched lanes on the interstate. She loved this song. Mark used to sing it to her all the time. He had such a good voice. She, on the other hand, couldn't hit a note in a bucket. Mark would howl with laughter if he heard her belt it out with Rod Stewart right now.
Kirby signaled and merged her Sebring onto the exit ramp. It has been three years since the accident that claimed Mark's life. Since then, grief-stricken, she'd let her work as an emergency room doctor consume her. But that was about to change.
The sign read, Sawyer Creek, 17 miles. Black clouds were rolling in and she heard a clap of thunder in the distance. Kirby swung her car into the Ameri-Stop, pulled close to the gas pump, and pushed the button to raise her convertible top. At the same time, a silver Lexus with dark tinted windows slid into the pump next to her.
Kirby topped off her tank and went in to pay. The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee drifted through the store. "That smells too good to pass up," she told the clerk as she paid.
She took a sip of coffee as she headed to the car. Kirby noticed the silver Lexus hadn't moved and it appeared the driver had not started to pump gas. As she got closer she tried to peer in without being too obvious, but the windows were dark as night. Odd, she thought. Maybe they are talking on the phone. Smart move since it's dangerous to talk on a cell phone while pumping gas. You never know what a spark might ignite.
Back on the road her thoughts turned to Sawyer Creek. She hoped she was doing the right thing, coming home to take over her father's medical practice. Kirby loved being an ER doctor in Chicago. There was never a dull moment in a big city emergency room. Sawyer Creek was such a small town there had never been a need for more than one doctor. And everyone adored her dad, Luke Sawyer. He was Dr. Luke to the townspeople.
Had it been only two months since she got the phone call from Luke asking her to consider taking over his practice so he could retire? "Dad, you don't need to retire. You're still young. What would you do? You love being a doctor. And besides, I could never fill your shoes. Those are big shoes to fill," she'd told him.
"Now Punkin', Luke had said, "I know I'm asking a lot of you, to give up your life in Chicago and move back here to your hometown. But, you wouldn't have to work such long hours and the practice is just waiting for you to take over. Just think about it, Honey, that's all I'm asking."
It had taken less than a week for Kirby to decide that's exactly what she needed. A change of scenery and a slower pace. Two months later she was on her way to a new life.
Kirby slowed the car as she passed the sign. Village of Sawyer Creek, Population, 3,834. Now 3,835, she thought. Not even big enough to be called a town. As a light rain started, she switched on her wipers and turned on to Market Street. She passed the Village Flower Shop, and the old Florentine Hotel & Restaurant, turned on to Walnut Street and finally came to 216 Plum Street, her new home.
Kirby pulled into the driveway of the Queen Anne Victorian. Built in the late 1800's, it looked like a gingerbread house with it's towers and gables.
The rain had stopped now. Kirby grabbed her purse and suitcase from the back seat of the car and looked up at the three-story house. She remembered sitting on the wrap-around porch, sipping iced tea as a teen-ager, with the sweet little widow, Miss Liza. Kirby had loved the house then and never imagined she would be the owner one day. As she followed the curved walkway Kirby noticed the beautiful flowers. Miss Liza had always taken such pride in her yard.
Kirby found the key in the mailbox where her mother left it. When she stepped inside, she was happy to see the movers had arrived with her things on schedule. She was over-joyed to see everything had been put in its place. All the furniture had been arranged in the living room. As Kirby walked down the long hallway to the kitchen she noticed a beautiful floral runner on the floor. She touched the small solid cherry table and matching mirror. How nice, but I wonder where these came from. Probably Mother, she thought and smiled.
Kirby entered the kitchen and was pleased to find it painted the color of the sun. She opened the refrigerator and saw it was fully stocked. The same with the kitchen cabinets. Gotta love mothers who make sure you have a fully stocked kitchen upon arrival to your new home, she thought.
On the counter was a note. Dinner @ 6:30 @ our house. Stella is making your favorite....Lasagna, salad & garlic bread with a special dessert. Love, Mom P.S. Glad you decided to come home. So am I, she thought. So am I.
The chime of the doorbell startled Kirby. She groaned as she went to answer the door. All she wanted to do was take a shower to freshen up and relax before going to her parents' for dinner.
"Hey Sis!" Betsy hugged her hard. I've missed you so much. I'm so glad you decided to come back home."
Kirby grinned at her younger sister. Betsy was four years younger than Kirby, whose thirty-fifth birthday was in a few months. "Look at you. You look good Bets." She reached out and touched Betsy's shoulder length auburn hair. You're letting it grow."
Betsy grinned. "And I see you're not."
"No fuss, no muss," Kirby said as she ran her fingers through her short chestnut hair.
"Mom and I met the movers and got everything situated. Do you like it?"
"I sure do. Everything looks great, Bets. Thanks so much. Listen, I need to take a shower and freshen up a bit before going to the folks for dinner. It was a long drive."
"Oh, of course," Betsy said. She turned to go and stopped abruptly. "I almost forgot. Guess who's back in town? Aiden Gibbs! He finally got married to a really nice girl he met in the law firm he worked for in Seattle. He got tired of the rat race of big city life, so he brought his bride here to settle down and start a family. Small town life seems to agree with her. Carissa. That's her name. Carissa Gibbs. I'm sure you'll meet her soon. After all, everyone needs a doctor," Betsy chuckled. "Okay Sis, I'll see you at dinner tonight."
Kirby hadn't thought about Aiden in years. They were high school sweethearts and everyone assumed they would get married. When Kirby went off to college and met Mark, she broke Aiden's heart. Initially, he'd vowed revenge. Nothing she ever worried about. We are bound to run into each other, Kirby thought. As Betsy said, everyone needs a doctor.
After her shower, she looked outside and saw the sun was peeking through the clouds. It looked like a lovely mid-summer evening for a walk to her parents' house.
As Kirby strolled the three blocks to town she noticed the lovely flowers blooming in the yards of her neighbors. Beautiful multi-colored pansies lined the walkways along with the hanging baskets of petunias. Flowering trees were everywhere. The town's old-fashioned charm seemed to be reflected in every store she passed. The Five & Dime with the original soda fountain and ice cream parlor in the back and the movie theatre where current movie tickets could be bought for only two dollars. I'll have to take advantage of that, she thought, as she said hello to a family she recognized on the street.
Kirby paused in front of the Sawyer Creek Baptist Church and decided to go inside to see if anything had changed. Stained glass windows bathed in gorgeous hues of color soared to the ceiling. The same beautiful pipe organ she remembered stood in the front and the altar was paved with white marble. The church was silent in an eerie way. A battery of votive candles flickered nearby and the light cascading through the stained glass illuminated the room in a celestial glow.
"Hello. May I help you?" I'm Pastor Dave."
Kirby turned to see a short pudgy man with a bald head, eyes that twinkled and a smile that lit up the room. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties. "Hello. I'm Kirby Sawyer. I apologize for intruding. I grew up in this church and was curious if it still looked the same."
"Ah, yes. You're Luke and Rachel's daughter. I heard you were coming back to be our new town doctor. Welcome back, my dear. I'm very happy to meet you. I hope to see you for the Sunday morning service."
"Yes, I'll be here." Kirby looked at her watch and realized she would be late for dinner if she didn't get a move on. "It was nice to meet you as well, Pastor Dave. I look forward to Sunday morning."
As she walked down the church steps she knew she would enjoy having him as her Pastor.
Kirby walked up the hill of her parent's driveway and stopped before entering the house to look at the view of the town. What a beautiful sight. It really is a postcard perfect town, she thought. As she turned to go into the house a reflection caught her eye. A sliver Lexus with dark tinted windows was slinking down the street.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
This Thing Called Aging
I always thought I would age gracefully. I'm not. I'm am kicking and screaming all the way!
I hate the changes my body is going through. I feel like I'm being sentenced for getting old. Things sag and droop that shouldn't sag and droop! It seems a new "fine line" appears on my face every hour. Hot flashes are pure joy! Yeah it's awesome feeling like you are cooking from the inside out. My upper arms could cause a strong wind if I wave them. I don't even want to talk about my thinning hair.
When I was young I could drop 10 lbs in a week without trying. Now I gain 10 lbs overnight without trying. I always heard the older you get the harder it is to lose weight. Truer words have never been spoken!
Last but not least...your feet get bigger! I did not know this. I had always been a true size 7. No variances...always a 7. Suddenly, my shoes were too small but I kept wearing a size 7 because that is what I always wore. I was talking to my Pastor's wife at church one Sunday and the subject came up. I told her my shoes weren't fitting right. She told me as we age our feet get bigger..."try a 7 1/2" she said. I did and now am a true 7 1/2. When I told my mom this she admitted she had to go up a half size as well. Would've been good to know!
I don't know why I thought I would be spared the aging process. I didn't see it coming so maybe that is why it hit me suddenly. A gradual process would've been so much better.
They call this the Nifty 50's. Does this mean it gets better? Wine only gets better with time. Maybe, as time marches on, I will be like a fine vintage wine.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Land of OZ
I have only been home a few days in the last 6 weeks and I am so homesick. I was sitting here thinking to myself, "I wonna go home Toto." I feel like I'm in the land of OZ here in Pittsburgh. You'd think the laws of the land would be the same in every state but you'd be wrong. Here in PA. you can't buy alcohol at any store or gas station like we do at home. You can only buy it at a distributor or a bar. They put french fries on their salads....how healthy is that?! If I'm gonna eat fries then I want a burger with it. Don't dump fries on my salad! The ENTER and EXIT's are backwards here. At home we enter on the left and exit on the right (at stores and restaurants)...they do it the opposite. Buzztime Trivia is huge at home...not here. We had to go 15 miles to play Sunday. Wing places don't seem to have caught on here either. But they sure like karoke which has fizzled out at home.
I feel like Dorothy today. I miss my family terribly. There's other things too. Like the familiarity of places you frequent, knowing the roads and where the best places to eat and shop are. Or how about being hungry and getting up during a commercial to get a snack? Getting a cup of coffee whenever you want one. Doing laundry in the comfort of your own home....in your pj's even! Going to your favorite stomping ground where everyone knows your name. Watching your programs whenever you want to because you have TIVO! Hotels don't have tivo. Hotels need to get tivo! I miss sleeping in my own bed. I miss the "routine" of my home life.
I only have 12 more days to go and then I'm home for awhile!!! Yippee!!!
The tin man wanted a heart. The lion wanted courage. The scarecrow wanted a brain. And Dorothy just wanted to go home.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Baby Bear
Yesterday we had only been in PA about 15 minutes when I saw something along side the road, coming out of the woods. "What is that?" I asked. "A dog," Darryl said. I kept thinking to myself what a strange looking dog it was. Apparently Darryl thought the same thing because as we got closer he said, "A bear! A baby bear!"
It was about the size of a large dog. I'm sure the Momma was close by which was why we didn't stop for pictures.
The last time we saw a bear was in the Smokey Mountains where you'd expect to see one. I guess it was so cool because it was so unexpected.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Fried Chicken & Sweet Tea
Remember back in the day when you'd go to Sunday dinner at Grandma's house? I do! My Grandma could cook down home, southern-style food like nobody's business. We'd have fried chicken (fried in lard or bacon grease), mashed potatoes (slathered in butter), green beans (once again, cooked in bacon grease). In fact, my Grandma had bacon grease she kept in a tin can and cooked with it everyday. And we always had dessert. Always. Our drink of the day was sweet tea. My Grandma is 90 and still going strong!
Back then, we ate like that and America had very few fat people. Now most of us are overweight. How many people had diabetes back then? Cancer? Unheard of! Fat, sugar, whole milk, eggs, coffee...I mean you name it, it's bad for us. Even chocolate has been attacked. Yep, now we have good chocolate and bad chocolate. It's true! Dark chocolate (which is the bitter tasting one) is the one that has antioxidants, and therefore, good for us. Sure seemed like we were all healthier and a lot leaner before we were told we were eating unhealthy.
It seems like the healthier I try to eat, the more weight I gain. I can't help but think of Paula Dean (I love her! She's so funny! ) and how she cooks all that southern-style food, and yes, she's a little overweight, but does she care? I think not. She enjoys her food. I'm thinking about that. I'm thinking about throwing caution to the wind and try to enjoy real food again.
When did society decide healthy is to look like Twiggy?
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