“25 Tips for Staying Married,” column for May 15, 2012

 

(Note: I’m taking this week off from writing. This column is a repeat from 2006.)

“25 Tips for Staying Married” by Sharon Randall

I first met Steve when he was a high school freshman playing basketball for my husband. Of all the great kids we knew over the years, Steve was one of the finest. I’ll always be grateful for the eulogy he gave at my husband’s memorial service. When Steve got married a few years ago, I decided to to give him a gift that would be both useful and cheap _ advice. So I sifted through years of experience, old columns and letters from readers to come up with the following: [Read more...]

“Waiting for Rain,” column, May 8, 2012

 

Two days ago, I sat on my sister’s porch in South Carolina, listening to a rooster crow in the woods, and waiting for rain. I expected it to show up soon. The rain, not the rooster. [Read more...]

“Country Roads to Times Past”, column, May 1, 2012

 

In 10 days, I traveled to five states (six, if you count Nevada, where I live) in three time zones, to speak at five, count ’em, separate events. For some people _ politicians and touring musicians and wanted felons on the lam _ this might seem purely routine. I am not one of those people. [Read more...]

A luncheon for the Mocksville Woman’s Club, Bermuda Run Country Club, Advance N.C.

 

“Confessions of a Foul-Weather Magnet,” April 24, 2012

 

Once again, I did not bring an umbrella. Or a coat. Or a hat or scarf or gloves or snow boots. Or a rope to tie down my goat. [Read more...]

“My husband’s ‘other’ woman,” column for April 17, 2012

 

He calls her his “Big Woman.”
I wish you could see her.
She is big, yes, but curvy in all the right places, taller and wider than I am, which is pretty darn tall and wide. But I will give her this: She wears it well. [Read more...]

“Life’s precious, irreplaceable moments,” column for April 10, 2012

 

The grass is mowed, the porch is swept. The trees and shrubs are green with spring. All is exactly as I remember it. I have climbed these steps countless times, but it’s been a long time, some 30 years, since I climbed them with a baby. [Read more...]

“In Matters of Life and Hair,” column for April 3, 2012

 

Despite what my husband and children may tell you, I am not what you’d call hard to please.
But I do have a love-hate relationship with one thing: My hair. I wish you could see it. [Read more...]

“We the jury . . . ,” March 27, 2012

 

A jury summons is not something most people are thrilled to find in the mail.
The prospect of taking a few days (or God forbid, weeks) out of your life to sit in judgment on matters that may seem of little importance is disheartening, to say the least _ especially if you happen to be someone who doesn’t get paid unless you actually show up for work. [Read more...]

“Forever Friends,” column for March 20, 2012

 

What do you call it? That moment when someone walks into your life, opens a door in your heart, puts their feet up on your coffee table and makes themselves at home? When you realize that the stranger you just met is going to be a part of you forever? There ought to be a name for that. [Read more...]