Rich: Brian’s tears

That evening, I remember distinctly.Mama, worn out from a day of sewing to make extra money for bills, had gone to bed. Daddy had gone to a funeral home to visit a church member who had left this mortal coil to meet his just reward.

Rich: All the upset

In 23 years of writing books, I have never encountered such a situation. The new book in my Stella Bankwell series will be released on Oct. 29th.It’s a light-hearted, blue-skies mystery.The problem? Life’s not very light-hearted lately.Mercer University Press and I set the release date months ago.

Rich: The possum

Of all the animals on the Rondarosa, perhaps the most unusual is a possum I raised from a baby. His name is Pokey.Tink was out of town that summer, shooting a television series.

Rich: My David (part one)

Over the bathroom tub hangs a small painting of a turn-of-the-20th-century high society woman in an orange silk off-the-shoulder dress, which matches the room's orange accents.Tink came out of the bathroom recently, shaking his head. “Every time I see that painting, I have to laugh.

Rich: The once incredible friend

There was once a friend I had who was incredible.Remarkable. Exciting.It's too splendid for any adjective in the English language.She is still my friend.But she no longer fits any description above.What she is now is what most of us are – ordinary.Normal. And, too often, downright ho-hum.But once?

Rich: The post card

When Tink walked in with the mail, I was working at the kitchen table, where I often write if I’m not on the back porch.Normally, he only opens “green” envelopes, which hold residuals from television shows he has written.

Rich: The art of cursive

It happens frequently. A young person will ask me to sign a book I’ve written and then look at it in awe for a few seconds before saying, “Wow. You know calligraphy!”No.

Rich: The non-nomination

Perhaps it was two years into our marriage when my reality sank in. I, a country girl born of the purest of Appalachian folks, had married into one of America’s most admired, most well-known television families.

Rich: George Harrison

Tink and I have disagreed a couple of times. Not an argument, mind you. But a half-joking, half-serious disagreement.Upfront, know that it concerns former Beatle George Harrison and his only child, Dhani.

Rich: The man who was

It is an inherited family trait, like stubbornness, oddness, and humor.We cannot miss reading the obituaries.Firstly, we want to ascertain that we knew someone who didn’t die and needed to pay our respects.Secondly, a good look at an accomplished person’s life will always make you take an...