It’s a barefoot jazz birthday party!

Kick your shoes off, have a Carolina Chiller, (or sweet tea if you’re not the “tee-totaler” type), and sit on back ‘cause we’re gonna have a jazzing good time! This Saturday is The Life of a Working Writer Mommy’s first birthday! It also just happens to be the first anniversary of #fridayflash, and International Jazz Day! And not only is it a holiday weekend, (Memorial Day here in the US), but June 1^st is National Barefoot Day. How much more reason could we need to celebrate?

Turn up your volume and listen to this jazzed up birthday song!

When I think alllllllll the way back a year ago when I created this blog, I find it hard to believe it’s only been a year. I feel like I’ve been doing this all my life. Maybe that’s because I’ve been writing all my life, even though I didn’t share that work with the World Wide Web until, well, a year ago.

When several friends at Writer’s Digest and Editor Unleashed forums encouraged me to start a blog, (probably to get my sometimes deeply philosophical, sometimes goofy, most always drawn-out comments off the forums), :)  I was at first reluctant – scared to death really for I had no idea where to begin. Eventually though, they (you) talked me into it, I put one foot in front of the other and voila, The Life of a Working Writer Mommy was born!

My main concern was that I would have nothing to talk about that anyone cared to listen to. Now I find it hard to believe I worried about such a thing. It didn’t take long to figure out I had too much to talk about. Interestingly enough, The Life of a Working Writer Mommy is a Gemini,one of the most talkative signs of the zodiac.

This past year we’ve discussed fibromyalgia, autism, recipe sharing, books, the crazy things that happen in our everyday lives, and so much more, including what I’ve gathered is your favorite, nostalgia.

But if not for you, my dear, loyal readers, all this talk would be nothing more than my scattered brain throwing ramblings to the wind. You are what makes The Life of a Working Writer Mommy worth “being” in the first place, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all.    

Since you seem to like nostalgia the most, and in honor of National Barefoot Day, I hope you enjoy this tribute to my late grandmother, Lura Gentry.

Image created by Deanna Schrayer

Dirty Toes

Growing up, I rarely wore shoes. As soon as Mom deemed it warm enough outside I’d fly out the door barefoot, and head up the field to Granny’s garden. I couldn’t wait to squish my toes in that cool, damp soil! There was always a bucket sitting at the edge of the garden, as well as a hoe, because, if you ventured among the vegetables, you were expected to work, either weeding or picking those vegetables, and you’d better know the difference between a weed and a plant!

As I squatted between the rows of Tommy-toes, (cherry tomatoes), I’d yank up a couple of weeds, then dig my toes deeper and deeper in the dirt. I did pull tomatoes off the vine, but the first several never made it in the basket – they went directly into my mouth. As the rising sun scorched my unprotected cheeks, I reveled in the generous burst of acidic juice exploding in my mouth. I even rolled around in the rich soil of the garden to celebrate, the scent of green onion so strong it burned my nose.

By the time Granny hollered out the back door that biscuits and gravy was ready, I had about ten Tommy-toes in my bucket. I grabbed a beefsteak tomato on the way inside, to go with breakfast, (for you can’t possibly eat biscuits and gravy without a slice of tomato), but I did not wipe my feet. And Granny didn’t care. She knew that, at the end of the day, I loved to watch that dried earth crumble off my feet. Being the loving grandmother she was, she cared more about my happiness than she did about her kitchen floor.

Granny passed away two days before Christmas, in 1990. Of all the wonderful memories I have of Granny, the greatest is the freedom she allowed me, and all her grandchildren. So Granny, on this Memorial Day weekend, I thank you for that freedom, for that love. And to celebrate you on National Barefoot Day, I am sinking my toes in the deep, moist soil, and wishing for your biscuits and gravy. At the end of the day, I will spread my toes and watch the dirt fall away as I remember you allowing us kids to spread our wings and fly.

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If you happen to pick more than ten little Tommy-toes from that garden, here’s a great way to serve ‘em up:

Deanna’s Bruchetta

• Ÿ  4 small tomatoes, (Romas are good) chopped
• Ÿ  2 Tbs. olive oil
• Ÿ  ¼ tsp. balsamic vinegar, (apple cider vinegar works well too)
• Ÿ  2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Ÿ  ½ tsp. basil
• Ÿ  ¼ tsp. salt
• Ÿ  ¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper

Combine all ingredients, cover with plastic wrap, and chill a couple of hours; serve on toasted French or Italian bread.

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What topic have you enjoyed most on The Life of a Working Writer Mommy?

What would you like to see in future posts? Throw it all out there – I will consider everything except politics, celebrities, media, and religion, (not that I’m picky or anything). :) 

Thank you all once again for your loyalty, for making The Life of a Working Writer Mommy worth being!

PARTY ON!