Tag: Debbie Johnson

Friday Fancies ~ July 3, 2026

~ GrayMareWrites ~ 2 Comments

Happy Fourth of July Eve.

I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say the 250th anniversary of our great American experiment is not hitting with the joy and fervor it deserves. I was 20 in 1976 and the celebration of our 200th birthday was met with all the genuine patriotism, fanfare, and love our little hearts could pump out. A red, white, and blue, flag waving, year-long party. Tall ships in Boston Harbor. Hour long fireworks displays. Politics raged on but didn’t dampen our collective spirits.

But here we are, in 2026, a nation divided. I read a newsletter today by artist Danielle Coke Balfour (Oh Happy Dani) that included her timely illustration:

I think MLK’s quote is especially relevant today. The rights we have been guaranteed in writing are in jeopardy and we simply want “what you said on paper” to be upheld and honored for all Americans. It’s that simple.

I hope my fellow US citizens have an enjoyable day of appreciation for the country we are meant to be.

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Thursday Thoughts ~ July 10, 2025

~ GrayMareWrites ~ 5 Comments

Thursdays come fast and furious!

It’s been a busy, yet frustrating week. We had an appointment to have The Husband’s VW bus picked up for donation on Sunday. Understand, this is a very emotional situation ~ he’s had this vehicle for 31 years and it’s hard for him to see it go. So, we’d been gearing up for Sunday, nervous and stressed. We sat for hours, waiting for the towing company, who we couldn’t contact on a Sunday… Actually, couldn’t contact at all… they never showed. Since then, we’ve been calling the auction house that claimed the bus and they’ve been as frustrated as us. Now we have an appointment for pick up (hopefully not the same towing company as the first appointment…) for later today. I’ll tell you how that turns out next week. Think good thoughts for us!!

Lots of pictures this week!

First, on Fourth of July morning, we visited the Fullerton Train Museum. It’s been one of those things, when you hear about something interesting in your local area but just never get around to visiting. I happened to see on Facebook that the museum would be open special hours on the Fourth, and since we had no plans, why not? It was about time, really!

This is right next to the train station in Fullerton.

First Class lounge

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Some Holiday Reading

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Here are a few of the holiday books I read these last few months. Remember, if it’s a little late in the season for you, holiday stories can be read all year long! Same for movies-I watch The Holiday, While You Were Sleeping and Desk Set several times a year.

Christmas Magic at Holly Oaks – Racquel Henry

Originally written as a movie script, you can definitely imagine this as a Hallmark Holiday rom-com. It’s a story of second chances, featuring Rose, a Christmas hater, whose sister plunks her right in the middle of the Christmas Capital of the US. Where she promptly runs into Malcolm, the man who broke her heart nine years earlier. When the Holly Oaks Tree Farm – beloved by everyone in town and a special favorite for Malcolm – experiences a crisis, Rose steps in. And Holly Oaks begins to work its magic. A fun novella with characters you’ll love.

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