I usually blow off comments about “normal” by quoting something I heard long ago…

“Normal is just a setting on the dryer.” ~unknown

But as much as I love that line, I’m putting it aside today while sharing some of my thoughts about life getting back to normal.

I believe the time has come to acknowledge that life will never go back to what many call, “normal,” just like we will not go back to rotary phones, or pac-man consuls in bars.

It is gone.

It is the past.

Many will never again take their health for granted. And who will be able to sneeze in public without feeling self conscious? Personally I can’t watch videos of people blowing out the candles on a birthday cake–without a little shudder while I think about the germs being spread.

Sure, there are those who believe we will go blithely on…

Here are a few encouraging #SundayLines provided by our #WordbyWord authors with the theme NEW BEGINNINGS

Interested in learning more? Click on the pictures below to gain more insight into each author.

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Tiny steps. Break everything down into tiny steps and allow yourself many victories.

Kathryn Jane

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“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ~ Carl Bard

S. A. Taylor

“You are never going to get to second base if you keep your foot safely on first.” ~ Linda Alavarado

Marsha West

Now that we’ve made it to 2021, and so many people have proclaimed their gratitude that 2020 is over, I thought it would be good to look back on the good things that also happened.

First, I need to say quickly that for me, the hype of a “new year” means little. In my world, January 1st is simply the day that follows December 31st. I’ve never been one to think, “Wow, what a year it was in 2011…” or “1999 was a great year.”

But that’s just me. And since 2020 was a constant in the media, I likely will have memories attached to that number.

Still doesn’t change the fact that a certain combination of four digits cannot be held accountable for all the bad that happened… or get credit for the good.

Will I have sad memories to attach to the year? Sure. My beloved dog died…

Here are a few encouraging #SundayLines provided by our #WordbyWord authors with the theme SEARCHING FOR JOY

Interested in learning more? Click on the pictures below to gain more insight into each author.

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Laughter spreads joy to others, so laugh out loud often.

Kathryn Jane

“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything with the focus of our lives.” ~ Russel M. Nelson

Marsha West

Many years ago, I worked as an archivist for the Newspaper Association of America. Basically, it’s the national association for all newspaper publishers/owners. One of the great things about working at NAA’s library was the fabulous special collection of original newspapers and other documents that dated back to the 18th century and were once personally owned by publishers like Joseph Pulitzer.

But this time a year, our reference desk was inundated with information about one of the most famous editorial letters ever written–the response to an eight year old girl’s question about whether or not Santa Claus exists. Our special collection had one the last remaining original copies of this letter which ran in the New York’s Sun newspaper, and every year we sent out copies to whoever requested one.

The letter, reprinted below (it’s now in the public domain) was published on September 21, 1897 by veteran newsman Francis…

Here are a few encouraging #SundayLines provided by our #WordbyWord authors with the theme SEARCHING FOR JOY

Interested in learning more? Click on the pictures below to gain more insight into each author.

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Really look at the joyfulness of a child, then try it back on yourself.

Kathryn Jane

“For somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.”~Mary Elizabeth Sangster

S.A. Taylor

“Joy does not just simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. ” Henri J. M. Nouwen

Marsha West

Here are a few encouraging #SundayLines provided by our #WordbyWord authors with the theme SEARCHING FOR JOY

Interested in learning more? Click on the pictures below to gain more insight into each author.

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Look for the little things that bring joy, the simple pleasures.

Kathryn Jane

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” ~ Mark Twain

S.A. Taylor

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are. ” ~ Marianne Williamson

Marsha West

I was happy publishing Romantic Suspense for more than five years. I wrote about women I’d like to hang out with–kickass women just as comfortable riding in a limo as piloting a helicopter or riding a racehorse. Women who didn’t need a handsome prince to save them.

Then, after being a part of a local cat rescue’s fixathon, I couldn’t help but write about the cats. (The fixathon was one full day of trapping, followed by transporting about thirty wild and wooly felines to be spayed and neutered. Several days later they were all returned to the forest they call home, where volunteers supply food and shelter to those not interested in living with people.)

I was hooked, my imagination ran wild, and I followed my heart.

I’ve now penned over thirty short stories about the adventures of cats living outside, on their own, and surviving in spite of the…