Who is Ready for a Long Winter’s Nap?

November 17, 2010By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

So, my husband called me from work today. This is how the conversation went… Him: “So, how are you doing?” Me: “Oh, fine. The weather’s pretty dreary though.”  He works in a basement office with no windows, so I always feel compelled to give him a weather report. Him: “Oh, yeah?” Me: “Yep. Pretty typical February … Read More

Don’t Miss The Amazon Freebies!

November 10, 2010By Karen Barnett No Comments

How many of you have made the leap into the digital world with your reading? I still haven’t decided whether to buy a Kindle, iPad or Nook, but I have discovered that I enjoy reading books on my Droid smartphone. With a free downloadable app, you can read Kindle e-books on your computer, iPad, iPhone, Droid, Blackberry … Read More

The Dangerous Creative Life

October 24, 2010By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

The tiny wooden mallets (or “hammers”) trembled, slipping around in my grasp. I adjusted the dulcimer on its wooden stand and glanced around the room. People were filing out, talking and laughing together at the end of the first Christmas service. Another service would begin soon. “It’s only fifteen minutes,” I murmured to myself. “Fifteen minutes of music between services and then you’re … Read More

Fading Fairy Dust

October 6, 2010By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

After receiving a good-night hug from my daughter last night, I noticed a tiny fleck of glitter on my arm. I couldn’t bring myself to brush it away. My husband and I used to laugh whenever we found loose bits of glitter on ourselves. “You’ve been fairy-dusted!” There’s something about having a little girl that suddenly your house becomes a … Read More

What REALLY bugs you?

July 13, 2010By Karen Barnett 4 Comments

My 8-year-old was reading the other day and asked me the meaning of “pet peeve.” “Something that annoys you,” I answered. She thought for a moment. “Like a big brother?” Exactly.  It’s got me thinking — what are some of your pet peeves? Do you want to know how to really annoy me? Here are five ways… in … Read More

Beginning the Journey

November 24, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

Christmas is coming. I can no longer deny it. In fact, the holiday train left the station weeks ago. I saw the first decorations well before Halloween. I love Christmas, but it’s difficult to maintain that “Holly Jolly Spirit” for three months. So, when I heard that someone was going to speak to my Moms group about … Read More

The Name Game

November 9, 2009By Karen Barnett 7 Comments

Back in my college days, I was a big soap opera fan. Lots of us girls would rush back to the dorm at lunchtime with our to-go boxes to watch our soap of choice. As soon as our episode was done, we would filter out and another group of wild-eyed girls would plop down in … Read More

Nothing but good news…

October 22, 2009By Karen Barnett 5 Comments

I am way overdue for a blog update on my writing… Here’s the skinny! Guideposts Magazine has contacted me about printing my story “A Birthday Wish.” This is a rewrite of one of my favorite blog posts. They are going to edit it down (way, way down) and hope to print it in their February issue. … Read More

The Magic Word

September 22, 2009By Karen Barnett 9 Comments

“Come OOOOONNNN!” my ten-year-old griped at me this morning when we were getting out of the car and heading for school. (Usually that’s my line, but he was the one in a hurry this morning.) I answered with HIS usual line, “I’m coming! Sheesh!” (“Sheesh” seems to be his favorite word lately. I don’t really know what … Read More

Friday Book Pick: Through the Fire by Shawn Grady

September 10, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

I hadn’t even glanced at the calendar yesterday when I decided to pick Shawn Grady’s new novel Through the Fire for today’s Book Pick. It was only this morning when I realized that I’d chosen a book about firefighters to feature on 9-11. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. This debut author spins a thrilling tale of … Read More