My Mom's Artwork

If you're from a family with a strong sense of humor and the ability to tease one another without hurt feelings, you'll get this.
Lately, I've been wearing my hair full and bushy, and although Mom likes my hair, it's also a source of amusement for her.
One day, she told me that she had a scare by a stranger who suddenly appeared at her door, but she handled it wisely. Turns out it was a wrong address scenario, but it unsettled her at the time. After she told me about it, I said (in my Superwoman voice), "I wish I had been here. I don't appreciate anyone scaring my Mom."
Mom later told my sister, who remarked, "What was Sylvia going to do to the stranger? Beat him with her hair?" Much laughter followed, I'm told.
One of Mom's holiday gifts to me was this work of art she created about the event. The stick figure on the left represents Mom, with her signature hairstyle (we call it a Puff). The figure on the right represents me with all my "weapon" hair. She actually used pipe cleaners to create my hair look! When I unwrapped this artwork at our family gathering, there was laughter everywhere. Mom said she laughed while she created it. I'm putting this Mom artwork on the wall of my study. It's precious.
Family. I thank God for them.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Upcoming Novel Release

This is a picture of the front design (soft cover version) of my 3rd novel. Coming soon!

Behind and Beyond Church Doors: Promises 

The novel continues the story of Nikolis McQuaige (NikkiMac). She's single and in her early 40's. She's also a teacher and has been a faithful member of a congregation for several years. NikkiMac's new and blossoming relationship with assistant minister Adam Greene brightens her days. For the first time in her life, she's dating a man according to God's boundaries.  However, even as she and Adam grow closer, NikkiMac wonders if marriage is in their future. Will some dark issues from the past stand in their way?    
               

Mom's Private Stash

Yesterday's  blog post was about Mom's favorite coffee: Maxwell House. When I told Mom what I wrote, she acknowledged it. Then she very softly mentioned another brand of coffee she sometimes brews, but she doesn't purchase this brand. This coffee is an occasional and special gift from one of my brothers (the one whose name starts with an M). She doesn't share this more expensive coffee with any of us. She keeps it in a hidden place. The brand name starts with a G and ends with an A. Since she won't share this gift coffee, I guess I'll have to splurge and one of these days buy some of my own.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Mom's Coffee

This is the brand of coffee my Mom brewed when I was growing up. I think it's still her favorite. It's been many years since my childhood, but I use this brand of coffee also. I may buy another occasionally, but I return to this brand. Remember the slogan on the can? It's interesting how the products our mothers used when we were growing up influence our product choices as adults.
Do you remember the brand of coffee your Mom used when you were growing up?
I enjoy good memories.

Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

A Right to Sit

I went into DD to order a multi-grain bagel. There was a customer sitting by the window. I would have paid no further attention to him, except he began talking rapidly. He seemed to be talking to no one in particular, but he sounded angry.
"I got a right to sit!"
"I shoulda snuck him!"
"Grabbing me by my right arm!"
He said each of these sentences about three times each, and then he repeated them. He took a sip from his iced coffee. He looked around. He repeated those sentences. He took another sip of coffee. He pulled his cap down over his eyes.
The DD staffers watched him with caution, but said nothing. I was careful not to stare, but I knew if he got out of his seat, I was going to stay out of his way. Other customers sat on the other side of the store, away from him.
I didn't know how to help. When I mentioned this episode to a counselor friend of mine, she reminded me that there are many people wandering around our cities with mental illness who don't get the assistance they need. So sad.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Now I see you. Now I don't.

Has this ever happened to you?
Today I saw a lady in a store who I'd just seen earlier at a place we both attend on a regular basis. Let's call the place the library. When we're at the library, we greet each other. However, if she sees me in any place other than the library, she looks at me with a blank stare, like she has no idea who I am. If I greet her outside the library, she acts as if she doesn't hear me. Today was the third time she's done this. If it bothered me, I'd ask her why she only appears to recognize me when she sees me at the library. It doesn't bother me. I just think it's a little odd. Oh, well. Onward and upward.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Real Woman Magazine Fall 2015

In an earlier post, I shared

a selfie of me at a photo shoot for an article about me and three other women breast cancer survivors. Here's the cover of the Fall 2015 issue of Real Woman magazine. It's a foldout, when opened, all of us are visible. This was a meaningful experience for me. Please view the digital issue of the magazine at
realwomanonline.com

Thanks,
Sylvia