Brandi Easterling Collins's Blog

Holiday movies and television specials can be entertaining while evoking nostalgia or sharing a hopeful message. Honestly, I love holiday movies, and I have since I was a kid. My favorites are ones I could watch over and over again. I’m focusing on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Here are some of my favorites. Favorite Halloween movies and TV specials Hocus Pocus (1993) What’s not to love about three witches coming back 300 years after being executed during the 17th century? This Disney comedy is super fun to watch. Max and his little sister Dani are new in Salem.  Max doesn’t put much stock in the Halloween story he hears at school about the Sanderson sister witches. Later, along with his sister and his crush Allison, Max lights the black flame candle that brings back the witches. Hilarity ensues as the kids try to keep the witches from sucking the life force from Salem’s children. After it was released on home video, I watched it with my mom and younger sister on Halloween night from the time I was 12 until I left home for college. And in typical teen fashion, one of the reasons I enjoyed the movie so much was because I thought the actor who played Max (Omri Katz) was cute. I’ve shared the movie with my kids and still watch it almost every year, but sadly, they don’t love it as much as I do. Casper (1995) This live-action movie starring Christina Ricci as Kat was released in the mid-1990s. Devin Sawa, the teen star (and another teen crush) who depicted the legendary ghost in human form, had less than 5 minutes of screen time. I enjoyed the movie very much and collected trading cards when it was released. I probably still have them in an old scrapbook somewhere. The movie was enjoyable and featured digitally rendered ghosts. Having lost my father at a young age, I could identify with Kat’s grief over the loss of her mother. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) I’ve watched Snoopy’s antics and little Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for the great pumpkin to show every Halloween season for as long as I can remember. I’m a huge Snoopy fan and will continue to enjoy them even if my kids don’t appreciate them like I do. Favorite Thanksgiving movies and specials Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and there are not nearly enough movies about it, definitely not counting the 2023 horror movie, which was so bad it was good. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Steve Martin and John Candy star in this hilarious comedy centered around Thanksgiving travel and multiple mishaps. It is rated R for language, but I remember seeing it as a kid in its TV edited format. Steve Martin plays Neal, a man desperate to get home to his family for the holiday, and John Candy plays Del, an annoying traveling salesman. My favorite scene is when Neal loses his cool at the rental car counter. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) Charlie Brown hosts a Thanksgiving lunch for friends after Peppermint Patty invites herself and starts the whole celebration going. Snoopy and Woodstock help by cooking up a feast of toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and jelly beans (probably left over from when he was the Easter Beagle). I adore the special and watch it every year. Christmas Movies and Television Features I Love National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) This is another movie I watched as a kid, thanks to the TV edited edition. When I was a little older, my mom let me watch it on VHS (yes, I’m that old). I love watching Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family prepare for Christmas. With Christmas tree hijinks and unexpected family visitors, this hilarious movie never fails to make me laugh. And Clark’s flip-out moment that ends with, “Where’s the Tylenol?” is among the best moments. Home Alone (1990) I watched this movie on VHS one Friday evening during the summer of 1991 when my stepsister was in town. My mom brought home pizza from Little Caesars and rented some videos. We all loved the movie, and I’ve seen it several times since then. It’s completely implausible in the way that only kid movies can get away with. Kevin booby-traps his home to outsmart a couple of burglars when he’s accidentally left there alone. Holiday in Handcuffs (2007) This gem stars Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez. It aired on ABC Family during the Christmas season of 2007. It was probably a couple of years later that I stumbled upon it. The movie is completely ridiculous and off the wall, but I absolutely love it and have watched it multiple times. It’s everything a cute, made-for-TV holiday romantic comedy should be. Prancer (1989) I first saw this film at school during the days leading up to Christmas break, when the teachers allowed us to have a long rest period with a movie. It’s not the greatest movie in the world, but it holds a lot of magic within its low budget. A little girl named Jessica believes a hurt reindeer is Santa’s Prancer. She’s a precocious child who’s grieving her mother and navigating living in a world of magic while her father is a struggling farmer and realist. Little Women (1994) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is probably my favorite book of all time. I remember it being one of the first long chapter books I read as a child, around 9 or 10 years old. When the movie version starring Winona Ryder as Jo March was released on Christmas Day in 1994, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to see it. Fortunately, my wonderful Aunt Diana took me to see it. It was excellent and remains my favorite adaptation. While the whole story isn’t set at Christmas, it is an important holiday for the March family. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) This is my favorite of the Peanuts specials. Charlie Brown isn’t sure what the meaning of Christmas is. He’s chosen to direct a Christmas play and has trouble controlling the actors, including Snoopy. Charlie Brown selects a pitiful Christmas tree that the other kids make fun of and then demands that someone tell him what Christmas is all about. Linus drags his blanket to center stage and tells the Bible story of the birth of Christ. It’s simple and beautiful. Honorable mentions These are other holiday movies I’ve enjoyed: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) You’ve Got Mail (1998) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Miracle on 34th Street (1947 and 1994) What are your favorite holiday movies? Let me know in the comments if you’d like to share. Thank you for reading, -Brandi Easterling Collins Featured Image created by pikisuperstar on Freepik

Road trips are supposed to be fun, right? But often, they turn into a mixture of family togetherness and a series of disasters akin to National Lampoon’s Vacation. Here’s a recap of our recent family road trip—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Griswold Family GIFfrom Griswold GIFs Why we choose a road trip Initially, it was my husband’s idea. And, having just written a road trip games article for work, I was on board. Of course, Jonathan and I had different ideas of what a road trip was. My definition is driving to multiple places with a different route home to maximize stops at cool attractions. His idea was to drive somewhere and stay for several days and then come home. I consider that just a trip, like the one we took two years ago during our vacation to Dauphin Island. We had a week, so Jonathan trusted me to create a plan and discuss it with him before booking anything. I also needed to find places along the route where we could charge our electric car. We have a Ford Mustang Mach-E that gets around 300 miles on a full battery charge.   Researching overnight stops and attractions First, I researched locations within a day’s drive from our home in Dardanelle, Arkansas, and settled on Houston, Texas, for our first stop. Another aspect of my job is writing about moving to different cities, so I was already familiar with a key attraction: NASA’s Johnson Space Center. I knew my husband and 17-year-old son, Drew, would love it, and I figured my 13-year-old daughter, Meredith, would enjoy it too. I also wanted a beach stop, so I looked at places along the Gulf Coast to see what stood out, and I decided on Panama City Beach. I was inspired by a dear friend’s novel, Chasing Time, since one of her main characters lives there. You should check out Sarah Louise Dale’s book! The distance between Houston and PCB was farther than I wanted for the next day’s travel, so I looked at cities along the route. I figured my family would love the history in New Orleans, so that felt like a good place for a second overnight stay, while still allowing us to work in beach time and my daughter’s waterpark request by planning to stay two nights in Florida. Next came Atlanta, because I thought the Georgia Aquarium would be great for the whole family, and there was a significant discount for going in the evening rather than the daytime. Traveling from Atlanta back home to Dardanelle was farther than we wanted to drive for the last day, so I looked for cities around the halfway point. Tupelo, Mississippi, sounded good because it was decently sized and had an indoor mall (another Meredith request). I had a tentative plan, so I discussed it with my husband. He was concerned that it might be too much, so I showed him the route and distance between stops designed to minimize driving time on all travel days except the first day. I also told him how excited Meredith was about the Shipwreck Island Waterpark in Florida. He agreed to the trip and told me to book everything. Booking hotels Searching for hotels for my family always begins with finding budget-friendly (and safe) suites or rooms that can sleep six people. Why six? Because my son and daughter need separate beds. That usually means Drew gets a sofa bed, but he doesn’t mind if it means having his own space. Hotels like Hampton Inn, Hilton Spark, and Home2Suites typically have what we need, so I often start with those. I like that they’re usually in safer locations and don’t cost a fortune. Saving money is important, but I also want a clean place where we’ll be comfortable and leave without being murdered or losing an organ via some urban legend coming true. To save money, I booked through Expedia and clicked through my Rakuten account for additional savings. I also applied for Expedia’s One Key credit card, which offers benefits that include a free hotel night stay during the trip and another for later. NOTE: I don’t recommend going into debt for a vacation. I used the credit card for the benefits and already had the money saved to cover the hotel costs.  Where we stayed These are the hotels I chose, along with my thoughts on each. Houston: stayAPT Suites Houston NASA Clear Lake Actually located in Webster, TX, stayApt Suites-Houston NASA Clear Lake was a solid 4-star experience. All the rooms open to an outside internal atrium. That meant the hallways were hot, but it wasn’t a big deal because we didn’t spend much time outside. The internal-facing doors also make the place feel more secure. The room was adequately sized and clean. It had two double beds, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a sofa bed. The biggest issues were that the sofa bed had no sheets or blankets, and there were only three bath towels for my family of four. It was a bit annoying, but there was nothing I could do since we checked in after 7 p.m. when the front desk closed for the evening. Fortunately, I anticipated a sheet issue, so I had packed an old sheet to use on the sofa bed, and my son had a blanket he traveled with. My kids and I all showered that first evening, so I just used two hand towels for drying, and we checked out early the next morning. Breakfast is not included since the room has a kitchen. We just ate snacks in the room before leaving and did not use the kitchen space. New Orleans: Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Canal St. French Quarter Hampton Inn & Suites is situated near a less desirable part of New Orleans, and the only parking was in a parking garage that did not directly connect to the hotel. Of course, none of that is the hotel’s fault. I appreciate that the covered parking offered by Tulane University Medical was relatively inexpensive for overnight stays, only $12. Fortunately, the tiny room was clean and had everything we needed. The double beds were tiny, and the sofa bed wasn’t the most comfortable, but at least it had sheets. The bathroom was also small and difficult to move around in, meaning you couldn’t access the sink without stepping inside, backing into the space between the toilet and the shower, and then closing the door. But it worked out fine for us, and there were enough towels. The hotel had a continental breakfast that was average. The staff were friendly, and the inside of the hotel was immaculate. The place felt secure because all doors were locked and only accessible with a key card or by being let in by staff. Solid 3-star experience. Panama City Beach: Holiday Terrace The next stay at Holiday Terrace was disappointing in some ways and amazing in two aspects. Let’s start with the amazing parts: The beach views from our top floor balcony were incredible, and the access to the beach was perfect. Another positive was the on-site parking included in the stay. We never had problems finding a spot. The not-so-good part was the condition of the property. Everything was dirty and run down, including the stairwells, the room, and the elevator. Both elevators were slow and dirty, but one was especially bad with busted tiles they’d thrown a rug over. The bathtub was damaged and poorly repaired. For the price we paid for the two-night stay, I was extremely disappointed and would never recommend this place unless it was your only option. I chose the place because it had enough beds for us, included a “furnished” kitchenette, had beach access, and was close to Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Well, the dishes and cookware in the place were lacking. There were not enough plates or flatware for my family. I didn’t cook full meals in the room because of that. We bought lunch meat and naan bread to make sandwiches, using the chips we’d brought from home. I also made muffins (from a mix, using powdered milk) twice using a drink pitcher as a mixing bowl. I had brought a silicone muffin pan and a half-cup measuring cup from home because I didn’t think the kitchenette would have them. The oven was basic and dirty, but at least it worked. There were not enough towels for my family, so I had to go to the front desk to get some. While there, a new general manager inquired about the number of towels I had, the number of guests, and my expectations. He was trying to gauge customer feedback. I told him that I had four people, which I had included on the reservation. I said I expected at least that many sets of towels, plus one more for good measure in case of kitchen spills. There were no towels, dishrags, or potholders in the kitchen anyway, so I used a wash rag to wash dishes (including washing anything I used in the kitchen first) and a hand towel for drying and as a makeshift potholder. Overall, I would not stay there again unless the place had a complete renovation. Two stars only because of the incredible view (even though it was from a balcony with busted plastic chairs and a leaking AC unit), and the fact that we survived staying there without making the local news. Atlanta: Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-South When I booked the Atlanta hotel, everything downtown closer to the Aquarium was already booked. While in Atlanta, we realized it was because Beyoncé was on the first of four nights of her concert at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That explained the horrendous traffic and booked-up hotels! Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-South was the only available space within our price range and was a reasonable distance to our attraction, located in College Park, GA. The place was clean and included parking for $18. There was a decent breakfast and a pool we didn’t use. I rated our stay a 4-star because the sofa bed was not in the room when we checked in, there were not enough towels (which I had to ask for twice), and the in-room vanity had a motion-activated light switch that had no off setting. I ended up placing a Band-Aid over the sensor so the light wouldn’t come on every time one of us turned over in bed. Maintenance dragged in a sofa bed from somewhere else in the hotel, and there was bedding for it in the room. I finally went down to the front desk, and the attendant gave me a towel straight from the dryer. Another small issue was that only one of the two elevators was working in the very busy hotel. The elevator was often crowded because it was also used by housekeeping staff with large carts. I took the stairs several times to our 4th-floor room (not an issue without luggage). The shower was excellent, and honestly,  the best we had during our vacation. Our room was handicap accessible, although I didn’t specify that during booking, so the bathroom was large. Tupelo: Spark by Hilton Tupelo And the winner for the best hotel of our trip was the Spark by Hilton Tupelo. Five stars, even though I slipped and fell on my butt on the front curb while it was raining. The fall was a combination of my gracefulness, slick-soled sandals, and dampness that wasn’t the hotel’s fault. The room was immaculate, had plenty of towels, and the beds were comfortable. There was no microwave in the room, but there was one available in the lobby, along with plastic utensils, napkins, and paper plates. Breakfast was decent, too, so I can’t complain. I would definitely stay here again. It was a little out of the way, but the property was nice, and we felt safe there. What we did while out of state Here are...

The first draft of novel number six is… Guess what? About a week ago, I finished the first draft of my sixth novel, tentatively titled Four Hearts. It’s been a long process since I took some time off for personal reasons during the summer of 2024. The draft is with my four amazing beta readers as I type this. What now? I’m taking a well-deserved break from novel writing and editing (personally). I write and edit every weekday for my day job. I need the break to get away from my story so I can edit it with fresher eyes. I’ll take notes from my betas and begin the editing process in mid-July. I plan to write some pop culture and lifestyle blogs over the summer. Afterward, I’ll run the novel through Grammarly Professional. I use it for work and love it, so I also have a license for my publishing company, Luminesce Publishing. Next, I will print the novel and proofread. I’ll make any corrections and format the novel for printing and Kindle. Then, I’ll design the cover. I plan to pubish the novel in December 2025. I’m so excited! As promised, here’s the teaser of “Four Hearts” Chapter One Chapter 1 Monday, December 6, 1999 Staring at the black and white diagram of a hagfish on her wall, Ashton Spriggs sighed and tapped her fingers on her desk one at a time. It was ten minutes past eleven, and her last appointment of the morning was late. She’d give Austin Wright another five minutes before searching for her student, who was more of a danger to himself than he could understand at seventeen years old.             She opened Austin’s file. His sophomore and junior year grades were decent, but the second nine-week session of his senior year wasn’t looking promising. She flipped past Austin’s transcripts to see if he’d taken any of the college exams earlier in the semester, but his test section was blank, much like the expression on his face when he finally walked into the office and plopped down in the chair.             Ashton smiled at the boy, taking in his chin-length, dirty blond hair and bloodshot eyes. There was a reddish-purple bruise near his left cheekbone, and Ashton’s heart sank. She’d seen injuries like his before, and wouldn’t wish them on anyone, especially a child. The flannel shirt Austin wore over a Kurt Cobain t-shirt was at least two sizes too big, torn, and fraying at both elbows. Ashton had the same t-shirt at home; it was one of her favorites.             “Glad you decided to keep our appointment, Austin.”             “Well, I’m here,” he said. “What’s this about?”             “Close the door, and we’ll chat.”             Austin tipped the chair back and pushed the door closed. His wallet chain fell from his baggy jeans and clanked against the metal chair leg. He eased the front legs back down onto the carpet squares and crossed his arms. “Look, I know my grades are shit, Miss Spriggs. I’ve had a lot going on.”             “Language, Austin.” She wanted to reach out and hug the boy, tell him she’d help, but she had to stay professional.             “Sorry.” He blew a lock of hair out of his face and pulled one of several black rubber bands off his wrist to put the top half of his hair into a ponytail. The bottom half of Austin’s head was growing out from having been shaved earlier in the year. He wasn’t the only boy in the school with the haircut, and Ashton thought it looked almost as ridiculous as her prom date’s mullet back in 1993—a full year before the Beastie Boys made fun of the hairstyle in their song. She had to admit the song was catchy.             “Miss Spriggs?”             She rejoined Austin in the present and tilted her head while studying his black eye. “What happened to your face?”             “I was born with it.” He recrossed his arms and stared at the fish diagram on the wall. “What the hell is a hagfish?”             “It’s a long story,” Ashton said. “Back to your eye. Did you get in a fight?”             Austin looked at the floor before turning back to Ashton. “Last night, me and my friend were watching the Summer Slam pay-per-view he taped over the summer, and we got carried away. He was Mankind, and I was Stone Cold Steve Austin, so I had to go down like my man.”             “I find that hard to believe.” “I’m guessing you don’t follow WWF; it gets pretty intense.”             “No,” Ashton said. “I’m not a fan of pro wrestling because I think it’s bullshit, like the story you just gave me.”             Austin gasped in mock horror and grabbed his chest. “Language, Miss Spriggs.”             Ashton bit her bottom lip. Not even three years in her role as a guidance counselor at her alma mater, Harrington High, and these kids might make her lose her mind.             “Austin, are you okay? Is there something I can do to help?”             “I’m fine,” he huffed. “Just tell me why you wanted to meet with me.” “Okay, but I’m here if you need anything.” Austin nodded, and Ashton took a cleansing breath before continuing. “You have to bring your grades up if you’re going to graduate on time. I can get you officially enrolled in tutoring for next semester after school, but in the meantime, I want to pair you with a peer tutor to help you get ready for semester tests.”             “I don’t need a tutor, and I have to work most days after school. I leave after fifth period.”             “Your current grades say otherwise. Based on what I’ve seen from your past performance, I know you’re smart and capable of doing better. You’re barely passing right now, except for two classes. Are you working too much? Can you cut back on your hours until after tests are over?”             “No, I can’t.”             “Well, then we’ll figure out something else.” She looked at his schedule again and decided to pull him away from the free period he spent in the woodshop. “Instead of going to Mr. Hinson’s classroom after lunch tomorrow, come here instead, and we’ll have tutoring until after the semester tests. If you get a C or above in all your classes, we can stop next semester. But if you fail any of the tests, then you’re back here next semester. Okay?”             Austin shrugged and started tapping his fingers on his knees. “Can I go now?”             “Yes, and please try to be on time tomorrow. Bring your books and any assignments you have.” “Fine.” Austin got up from the chair, his wallet chain catching as he stood. He reached back for it, knocking the chair into the wall with his combat boots as he untangled himself. Ashton winced and watched the awkwardness unfold before her. The kid must have grown a foot since she’d had him in career development his sophomore year, and he still seemed to have trouble controlling his long limbs. Austin tilted his chin at Ashton and then walked out, leaving the door open. Ashton felt sorry for him. Many of her students, like Austin, had to work long hours after school to help support their households. It was the reality of living in a poor urban area surrounded by even poorer rural ones—children having to deal with adult things like paying utility bills when they should be focused on their futures. One kid she knew had a bright future ahead of her was her student worker, Noelle Porter. Despite having lost her mom at a young age, Noelle was the responsible mother figure of her friend group and excelled in all her classes. She spent her mornings at the community college in dual credit classes and would start college in the fall with enough hours to be a sophomore. Ashton wished more students would take advantage of the free college courses. As if she’d summoned her, Noelle appeared in Ashton’s doorway. She wore a black felt bucket hat over her long blond hair and a shiny silver puffer jacket zipped up to her neck. Her jeans dragged the ground and frayed at the ends, barely revealing her black Airwalk sneakers. “Good morning, Noelle. I didn’t expect to see you until later this afternoon.” Noelle took off her backpack and coat and hung them on the hooks near the door. When she took off the hat and stuffed it into the backpack, her hair clung to her face and popped with static. “Algebra was cancelled so we’d have more time to study for the final, so I thought I’d hang out here if you weren’t in a meeting. Otherwise, I would have gone to the library.” She adjusted the chair Austin had just vacated and plopped down in it. “Actually, I’m glad you stopped by,” Ashton said. “I want to talk to you about something.” Noelle’s smile faded as she leaned forward. “Is everything okay, Miss Spriggs? Was my final ACT score a mistake? Is it not high enough for the scholarship? Just tell me, please.” “Your composite score is correct, and you qualify for tuition, dorm fees, a meal plan, and a stipend for your books. I’ve already sent over your final scores with the scholarship acceptance and letters of recommendation from your journalism teacher and me.” “Thank goodness,” Noelle said, her crooked grin returning. “You had me worried.” “I’m sorry,” Ashton said. “There’s nothing to worry about. I just need your help with another peer tutoring assignment.” “Oh. My schedule is packed after school, and then I babysit several evenings. I could try to fit someone else in if no one else can help.” “This would be a personal favor to me and done during the first hour of your work period after lunch starting tomorrow until finals. For now, at least. It’s possible I could need you to continue next semester if things work out.” “In that case, it’s no problem since I’m here anyway. I’m happy to help.” Ashton knew Noelle would be eager to please her and was thankful she had the option of getting someone compassionate to help Austin. “Perfect. Austin will be here tomorrow, and I’ll send you two to the library to prepare him for semester tests.” The color drained from Noelle’s cheeks. “Austin,” she said. “Austin Wright?” “Yes. You know him, right? I thought I’d seen him at your lunch table before.” “Mm-hmm,” she said, nodding her head. “No problem. I can help Austin, if he’ll let me.” “Great,” Ashton said, standing up. She grabbed a handful of papers off the top of the file cabinet behind her desk and handed them to Noelle, along with a hall pass. “As long as you’re here, will you make 60 copies of these for me, collated and stapled, please?” Noelle took the papers with an unsteady hand and walked out the door, muttering, “Sure.” Hating that she’d upset Noelle, Ashton returned to her chair and reached for her coffee mug, clanking her ring against it. She wasn’t used to the quarter-carat diamond on her left hand—a new development since Thanksgiving break. Ronnie had chosen the perfect one since Ashton didn’t wear much jewelry. She twirled the dainty, white gold ring as she sipped her cold coffee. She’d stopped adding cream over a year ago since she never got to finish coffee while it was hot and worried the cream might spoil. Now, she almost liked the drink cold with three or four—mainly four—sugars. Ashton took a bitter sip and winced. Almost. Ashton twirled a dark curl around her finger and made a mental note to check in with Noelle next week to make sure the girl hadn’t taken on too much. The last thing she wanted to do was derail the girl’s success. She wanted all her students to succeed, including ones like Noelle, who had internal...

Having hopes and dreams for ourselves is healthy. But at what point can high goals get in the way of happiness? Dreams vs. goals It’s natural for humans to have dreams. They start when we’re little kids, dreaming of being a ballerina, a pro athlete, or just like Mom or Dad. It’s good to have dreams because they’re one of the things that set us apart as a species. Later in my childhood and early teen years, I dreamed of someday being a writer—an author of published novels. Goals are a bit different and less easily forgotten. As a child, I wanted to be all sorts of different things, but I always aimed to be educated at college. I accomplished that goal. Once I started college, my goal was to keep my scholarship, which was a full ride. I accomplished that one as well. Then graduate school rolled around, and my goal was to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout the program. Check. It was hard work, but I knew I was capable. Hopes and realistic goals Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s good to want things,” from another person or in a movie? I remember it most from a 1990 movie, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, in which Winona Ryder plays Dinky Bosetti, a troubled teen. Dinky Bossetti: Who understands ANYONE these days… who WANTS to? Gerald Howells: Gosh, I want to kiss you so bad, Dinky… Dinky Bossetti: It’s good to want things… It is good to want things. But at what cost? Wanting is natural. We want love, comfort, money, appreciation, and material items. We work to obtain those things. But what happens when we get what we want? We start wanting more? More love. More money. More power. More material things. And if we don’t get what we want, we’re unhappy. Some let that feeling define their lives, while others work harder to achieve a goal or get what they want. At what point should we give up? When is enough enough? Maybe at some point, we have to rethink, start over, and change our goals to make them more attainable. Setting yourself up for failure and feelings of discontentment Sometimes, there’s a fine line between realistic and lofty goals. For example, will I, a nearly 44-year-old woman who’s 5’1″ and currently overweight, likely become a WNBA player? Nope. But could I train over the next few months for a 5K marathon? Absolutely. (If I wanted to.) Is winning the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot likely? Nope. But is it okay to dream about winning the lottery while buying a ticket now and then (provided that you don’t have an addiction or issues with gambling and can afford it)? Absolutely. I think we often become discontented when we set unrealistic goals. Someone with a $60K annual salary is unlikely to afford a million-dollar home, but they can realistically set a goal of owning a less expensive place. What’s missing from our lives (in this material world)? Maybe we should examine what’s missing in our lives that has nothing to do with material things. Maybe it’s faith. Maybe it’s self-love. Perhaps volunteering to help those less fortunate will open our eyes. And just maybe, more stuff isn’t the answer. Less stuff might be the key. Fewer things and more inner peace. We could spend more time strolling in the park, listening to elders, and playing with our children to watch their little imaginations soar with less stuff around. I’m not suggesting we all become minimalists overnight, but thinking through what we acquire and analyzing what void we’re trying to fill with our stuff might help with contentment. Celebrating the good That old saying, “Perfect is the enemy of good” is so true. Perfection steals contentment. All in all, appreciating what we do have and being grateful can go a long way when we feel sorry for ourselves. Seeking help for depression, taking time for self care, and reflecting on what truly matters can also help. You know, like the wise people like to say: “Want what you have, and you’ll always have what you need.” Thank you for reading. -Brandi Easterling Collins Image by storyset on Freepik

Several times in my life, I’ve had to hit the reset button and start from scratch. It can get exhausting, but it’s also a chance to change or improve the outcome by making different choices. Starting over can be difficult On January 18, 2024, I started over on a better health journey. I had planned my “start over” to coincide with the first of the year, but life and some health issues got in the way. So, that Saturday morning, I stepped on the scale. And I cried. I didn’t like the number staring back at me and knew I had to change my habits to be healthier. Since that morning, I have exercised every single day, whether I felt like it or not. I’ve also started intermittent fasting, a method I’ve used before with success, and limiting my calories to 1500 per day. There have been no breaks or cheat days. Do I still have ice cream or chocolate when I want it? Of course! Everything gets logged in MyFitnessPal, an app that is free if you don’t care about all the extra features (which I don’t). It’s relatively easy to use and helps me stay on track. Has it been difficult? Absolutely. By the time lunch rolls around, I’m absolutely starving. Most nights, I go to bed with my stomach growling despite telling myself I am not hungry. I drink a lot of water, and that helps. The progress: I’ve lost just over 7 pounds in four weeks. I still have about 40 to go to reach my goal weight. But you know what? I’ve made progress because I started over after struggling with my weight loss journey before. None of this makes me a bad person; it just makes me human. Being forced into a new start Sometimes, starting over is necessary because of a job loss. I’ll admit that losing what I thought would be my forever career in higher education nearly four years ago still hurts. I loved my role at the university and felt at home there. It wasn’t perfect, but it was where I thought I was supposed to be and wanted to stay. Getting another job meant reestablishing myself as a professional in a new environment. I’m incredibly fortunate to have amazing coworkers and an understanding manager. They have made starting over at 40 much easier to bear. My husband started over with his career around the same time to leave the university that had treated me so poorly. He didn’t share the same fears about starting over. He’s a lot braver than me when it comes to taking risks and seeking opportunities to grow. Recognizing when something isn’t working Most of us have had a relationship end in a way that wasn’t mutual. Whether or not you wanted the breakup, seeking out someone new can feel like starting from scratch. If we’re lucky, we learn something about ourselves along the way. My novels represent starting over. With the exception of What I Learned That Summer, I’ve scrapped the first (or third) drafts of all the books I wrote as a teenager. Why? Because they weren’t working. I kept the general ideas from my drafts, but I started over when I rewrote the stories for publication. My work-in-progress, Four Hearts, is a rewrite as well. The story takes a different direction from my first draft and has new characters and a slightly different premise. The old version wasn’t working. Learn more about how much truth I put into my fiction. Whether leaving a first draft behind, getting out of a relationship, or quitting a job, recognizing that something isn’t working is the first step in successfully starting over. Navigating false starts The thing with starting over is sometimes it takes more than one try to get it right. How many times can you start over? As many as it takes to get it right—whatever “right” is. That means that if something isn’t working, it’s okay to stop and try something else. Quitting isn’t always the end; sometimes, it’s the beginning of something greater. What’s something you’ve had to start over? Let me know in the comments if you feel like sharing. Thanks for reading, -Brandi Easterling Collins       Featured Image by brgfx on Freepik

I read 75 books in 2024 and wrote half of my sixth novel, which is tentatively titled Four Hearts. While I originally planned to set a goal of 100 books, I changed my goal to 75 books early in the year due to unforeseen circumstances. Here are my top reads for the year. Top 10 best reads for 2024 (traditionally published) These are in order, starting with my favorite read of the year. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr This Used to Be Us by Renée Carlino This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann Spirit Crossing (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger Camino Ghosts (Camino Island, #3) by John Grisham Exposure (Rita Todacheene, #2) by Ramona Emerson The Giver (complete series) by Lois Lowry The Art of Forgetting by Camille Pagán (published under Camille Noe Pagán) This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune Cope Field and Strong Like You by T.L Simpson (tie) Notable independently published books These are in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, and I rated each 4 stars or higher. Pavey Boulevard, On Island, and Hunter’s Moon by Rie Anders A Perfect Flock by Mike Bogue Beneath the Surface: Echoes of a Mother’s Heart by Brooke Devine Tale of a Part-Time Hero by G.W. Tise Note: I had the pleasure of beta reading and editing a new novel by Sarah Louise Dale, Chasing Time, which I know will be on my list for 2025. Best nonfiction reads These are also in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, and I rated each 5 stars. Get Rid of the Mess: Decluttering What You Don’t Need to Make Space for What Matters Most by Jenna Ford The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zazio Goals for 2025 When I initially aimed to read 100 books for 2024, I didn’t know what would happen. That’s true of every year, really. For 2025, I’ll stay conservative by setting a goal of 75 books to match this year. This time next year, I plan to have published my sixth novel. Readers, what were some of your favorite reads of the year? Thanks for reading, -Brandi Easterling Collins

Most people will say they love their family and closest friends. I’m no different. I love them all dearly. But, like many people, I don’t see them often since we live in different towns, and the COVID-19 Pandemic didn’t help matters. But hasn’t it always been that way? In the olden days, people either stayed in one town their whole lives or ventured off to the wild frontier, only communicating in letters. Back then, moving away might mean never seeing family and friends again. At least in more modern times, we have phones and other electronic ways to communicate—if and when we make time to reach out. Family trees My core childhood memories include time with my family on both sides. I remember spending time with my cousins, aunts, and uncles at my grandparents’ houses. The Easterling side I have/had four first cousins on my dad’s side, three older and one younger. I probably spent the most time with my younger cousin, Clint, since we were less than a year apart in age and went to school together, him a grade behind me. When I was a senior and he was a junior, we had our one and only class together: Art. I idolized my two older female Easterling cousins, Kaci and Traci. They were cool teenagers who watched music videos on MTV at our grandma’s house. Traci’s older brother, Todd, would tell me stories about my dad, his cool uncle Doug. Todd performed my wedding ceremony, making it really special. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly in June 2024. My dad had three older siblings: Howard Jr., Ron, and Mary Jane. Dad passed away in 1985 when I was four, the same year as his father, Howard Sr. I’m grateful to have memories (although limited) of both great men. While my dad couldn’t attend my significant events in person (I’m confident he was there in spirit), my family—our family—showed up for him and me. They were present for holidays, high school and college graduations, and my wedding. My grandmother, Pearl, lived until March 2004. I got to see her the weekend before she was hospitalized and became unresponsive before her death. Her last words to me were, “I love you. Don’t worry about me.” I shouldn’t play favorites, but she was my favorite person in the whole world at the time. Her funeral was the first I attended, having been too young or upset to attend previous ones. When I moved away for college, Meema Easterling would write letters to me at least weekly, and I’ve saved all of them. She would also call me every Saturday morning, much earlier than I liked to get up. I always took her calls and then went back to sleep. My uncle, Howard Jr., died recently in October 2024. I always referred to him as Uncle Junior. When I was a kid, he told me never to give up my dream of being a writer, and I never forgot that. My last novel, When Does Life Begin?, was dedicated to him and my mom. The Russell side Like my dad, my mother, Opal, had two brothers and one sister. Terry, her older brother; her younger sister, Diana; and her younger brother, Perry; have all passed away. As with my dad’s family, the youngest sibling, Perry, passed first in January 2012. Terry died in January 2013. Diana, to whom I was closest, died in September 2018, and I officiated her celebration of life. I have/had five cousins on that side, three older and two younger. Adrian, Tara, and Terry Allen came before me, so I have the most memories of them growing up, spending time at Granny and Grandpa Russell’s house. Mycheal and Ashley are the youngest, so I saw more of them when they were really little and before they would remember. I’m sad they didn’t get to know our grandparents, Erple and Willie, who died in February 1993 and June 1994. Tara passed away of COVID complications in September 2021. Interesting fact: My great-great-great-grandfather was Dr. Thomas Russell, for whom Russellville, Arkansas, was named. The Campbells: my adopted family My mom married Ronnie Campbell, one of her best friends from high school, in late 1985. With him, I gained an older stepsister, Daniell; a younger stepbrother, Brian; another grandmother, Ruby; an uncle, Don (who later married Jacqueline); an aunt, Renee; and eventually six cousins (three are younger than me, and two of them were born in the 1990s). I also gained my younger half-sister, Kelli, in 1987. Brian married and gained two stepchildren, then had two more before he and his wife divorced. Grandma Campbell treated me like another granddaughter. I was at her house with Daniell the night Kelli was born, which was also the night I lost my first tooth in an accident. I saw some cousins during different holidays, but none of us were close. We lost Ronnie in June 2009 and Grandma Campbell in October 2018. Interesting fact: Two of the stepcousins are also distant cousins on my mom’s side of the family. They are blood-related to my mother and me because their mother (who married into the Campbell family as my mom did) was. From what I understand, their maternal great-grandmother and my maternal great-grandmother were half-sisters. Marrying into the Collins Family When I married Jonathan in 2005, I gained a mother-in-law and father-in-law, two brothers-in-law and their wives, four nephews, and two nieces. The family grew when we added our children, Douglas Andrew, in 2008 and Meredith Pearl, in 2012. The nieces and nephews have all married, and Jonathan and I now have five great-nephews and five great-nieces (some by birth and some by adoption) as of 2024. Family closeness (or proximity) Some families are closer than others in terms of relationships and proximity. These aren’t mutually exclusive. Family members who live thousands of miles apart can have better relationships than others who live in the same town. Based on my observations, when the family group’s parents are gone, the siblings and their children sometimes scatter and become their own family units, and so on. Maybe there are occasional gatherings for holidays, not as frequent as before. Other families stick together and continue the traditions set forth by the parents. Some only see each other during weddings, funerals, or maybe a family reunion down the line. Depending on the family’s size and how the offspring form their own families, the group can grow exponentially or remain stagnant (when only children marry only children who have only children, for example). Most people can go back a couple of generations to find that their grandparents had many siblings. Why do some families have better relationships than others? I wish I had a better answer than “just because.” I think it’s a personality thing sometimes. Sharing a name or blood or a house doesn’t make people have personalities that mesh well. There are plenty of families I’ve encountered who are estranged from one member or the other. I know of a man who spoke frequently with two siblings who lived in other states but rarely spoke to a brother who lived in the next town over. There was no great falling out that he could recall; it was the way it was. My mom was super close to her sister, so I was close to Aunt Diana, too. They spoke on the phone daily and went shopping together at least twice a month. Mom loved her brothers just as much, but we didn’t see them as often after my grandparents died.  I should add that Aunt Diana lived less than five miles down the road from us, while her brothers lived in different towns, though less than an hour away. I saw my grandparents often when I was a child. I went to their houses after school at different times. I also spent some time at each home during the summers before I was old enough to stay alone. Everyone lived close by. My kids see Jonathan’s parents more often because we live in the same town, while my mom lives 80 miles away. We visit, or she does as often as possible to maintain good relationships. I’ll admit that I don’t see my siblings often. None of us live in the same town. I text them and send birthday and Christmas cards. I’d say I’m closest to Kelli since we grew up together full-time. Of course, I also moved out when she was 12 since I am six years older. We don’t hang out or talk every day. There were some squabbles when we were kids, but we get along well now. My kids aren’t super close, but they don’t actively hate each other, either. Who knows what their relationship will be like when they both move out of the house? Dividing factors test our ability to agree to disagree Money, politics, and religion can quickly divide a family. I’ve witnessed people fighting with their siblings over money deemed part of an inheritance. It’s a sad situation. And I don’t think politics have ever been as ugly as they have been in the last three presidential elections. There are times I wish we could just fire everybody and start over. Maybe show some basic human decency and not hate the other candidate. I’ve seen so much hatred coming from both sides, and it has to stop before something implodes. My thoughts on religion are complicated, but I try to respect the religious beliefs of others as long as they are not harming someone I love. Friends: Our chosen family Humans aren’t made to be alone. Between family and friends, most people seek togetherness in some way. Babies in daycare start to bond with other babies before they are a year old. These young friendships often don’t last as children grow up and move on to different schools for K-12. In elementary, middle, and high school, our friends are our lives. We need friends to share good times and bad. These friends become our family if we’re lucky, but not all friendships are built to last a lifetime. Seasons of change with friendships Do you have a friend you’ve known since kindergarten? Were you always BFFs, or did the relationship change over time? If it changed, are you closer now or before graduating high school? I have a handful of friends from high school I reach out to occasionally and one I’m in contact with regularly, mostly via text. I love these friends dearly and think of them often, even though we rarely see each other. Two friends have now lost their mothers, and I made the trip to attend their funerals. Living in different towns creates some distance, and we’re all busy with our families. It’s just the season of life we’re all in. What about college friends or people you met at work? Did you keep in touch after college or after you left the job? I have a few who meet me halfway with keeping in touch. I value the friendships and genuinely love these people. Adult friendships can be difficult. Some adults are busy working on their careers. Adults who are parents are busy taking care of their children and may only see other parents they may or may not get along well with. Having a best friend with kids the same age doesn’t always mean the kids will be best friends, too. And sometimes spouses don’t get along, so “couple friends” doesn’t work out either. And then there’s the sandwich generation who cares for their parents while still caring for their children. It’s exhausting (and often lonely). There can be someone you love so much that you include them as an attendant in your wedding only to have them fade away from your life later. Picking up right where you left off Some friendships are lucky enough to stand the test of time. The relationships ebb and flow, of course, but the friends can...

My family was originally a one-dog family that became a two-dog family by chance. When Buddy passed away, leaving us with only Peanut, we chose to adopt Roscoe three months later because our fur-baby family didn’t feel complete anymore. And that was it. We were done—no more dogs—until life happened. Two starving pups needed a home I grew up just outside of Benton, where my mother still lives, about 80 miles away from where I live now. I talk to my mom daily and try to visit when I can. This spring and summer, she’s had some health issues, so I’ve been to her house more frequently. At the beginning of June, after a thunderstorm, my mom heard whining near her storage shed. Upon investigating, she found two starving puppies. Being out in the country, it’s not uncommon for unwanted animals to be dumped, and Mom figured that was what had happened. The brown puppy with a bobbed tail was a girl, and the brindle-colored puppy was a boy. A few days later, I met the puppies, helped feed them, and contacted several rescue organizations. All were full. The only place that might have been able to take them was a shelter that is forced to euthanize animals due to overcrowding. Caring for the puppies was too much for Mom, so after talking things over with my husband, we decided to foster them at our house while trying to find them a home. Relocating the puppies I took my daughter with me to my mom’s house on June 11 so she could help me with the puppies during our drive home. I also borrowed two small pet carriers from my in-laws to make the drive easier. Well, my daughter instantly fell in love with the puppies, and we decided on temporary names since we had to call them something. The girl would be Stella, and the boy would be Stanlee (yep, as in Stan Lee). The drive home was terrible because both puppies got carsick and cried most of the way. We had to stop a couple of times to clean up, making our drive seem to last forever, but we finally made it home. Foster fail My husband and son met us at our carport and helped unload the puppies. The pitiful babies instantly stole their hearts, too. We took Stanlee and Stella into our backyard to meet Roscoe and Peanut. No one was mean, but the OG dogs kept their distance after sniffing the puppies. We bathed the little boogers and had some snuggle time. It was less than two hours before we decided that this was no longer a foster situation. These babies were home. Vet visits and potty training We took the puppies to our vet right away, started them on flea, tick, and heartworm preventive meds, and gave them the first round of vaccinations. Thankfully, they were worm-free. Other vet trips followed for vaccinations, an embedded tick removal for Stella, and a hurt leg for Stanlee. Stella also had to go on antibiotics for an infected wound on her neck. We talked to the vet about littermate syndrome and got some pointers to help avoid it since we can’t stand the thought of separating the two pups. They were already bonded from their rough start. Potty training puppies isn’t for the weak. It’s freakin’ hard! We went through a lot of floor cleaner and paper towels during the first few weeks. Also, lots of treats and positive reinforcement. The puppies didn’t take long to master the dog door, especially with their older dog brothers to follow. It just took a bit to equate that outside was the place to potty. Stella caught on a bit before Stanlee. Now, almost three months later, we’re over the hump of potty training and have very few accidents. The main issue is rainy days. Fortunately, we don’t have carpet in our house, and the puppies are not allowed in the bedrooms unsupervised, so cleaning up is easy. Once the puppies are six months old, they’ll be spayed and neutered, have dangling dew claws removed, and get microchips implanted while they’re under anesthesia. We’ll make sure these babies are well cared for and loved for the rest of their lives. Settling in Puppies chew a lot and on just about everything. The bottom of my ottoman is frayed, three small throw rugs died, several dog toys were torn up, and multiple socks, scrunchies, and other small random objects were destroyed.  Thanks to little puppy teeth, both of our recliners now have a rustic look on the handles. Most recently, Stella (aka “Princess of Destruction”) chewed a hole in my home office area rug. I’ll replace it later, when she decides to stop chewing on everything. Both pups are already excellent guard-dogs-in-training. Peanut and Roscoe have accepted their new siblings and taken the changes in stride, especially Roscoe. He loves playing with the puppies. Peanut tolerates them and plays sometimes, which is pretty good for a grouchy old man Chiweenie. Our main forms of discipline include: Sternly yelling, “No!” Redirecting to an appropriate activity/behavior/toy A spray bottle of water We’re also working on leash training when it’s not hot as hell outside and basic commands. Training will be a slow process, but we’re up for the challenge, and the puppies are definitely on board for the treats involved. We’re a four-dog family now Despite my initial apprehension about owning four dogs, we’re handling it well. My family and I fell in love with these puppers pretty quickly. I didn’t know I needed them until they were here. I worried about affording their care, but another blessing came in the form of an unexpected raise at work that easily covered the vet costs and extra food we needed for the puppies. Plus, my mom had also fallen in love with the puppies while she was trying to care for them. With my family keeping them, she can get updates and visit them without worrying about their upkeep. Since I work from home, I get to spend every day with the dogs, and they love hanging out with me in my office. Readers, let me know in the comments about an unexpected blessing in your life. Thanks for reading, Brandi Easterling Collins

I’ve been thinking a lot about aging lately. I just turned 43, and that plants me firmly in middle agedom. But in reality, I think I’ve been old my whole life. Age vs. Maturity Interesting/Funny story: My mom visited a psychic for fun when I was a small child, and I didn’t hear about it until I was older. The lady told my mom some things that were hard to hear, like that my dad would die from the cancer he was fighting. Another thing she told my mom was about me. She described me as a “little adult” who was well-spoken and would grow up to be artistic. The psychic wasn’t the only person who described me as a miniature adult as a child. I was painfully shy around most children but could converse with adults when necessary. According to my mom, my stepdad was impressed with my intelligence at 4 years old when he married my mom. I was pretty comfortable entertaining myself in a land of make-believe with my dolls and stuffed animals. Later, I made friends in school, but I was never in a huge group, preferring smaller interactions. To this day, I still prefer smaller interactions, although the thought of speaking in front of a crowd no longer terrifies me. And long before the typical sullen teenage years, I needed solitude to recharge—I’m an introvert through and through. Practical maturity does not always equal emotional maturity Despite being practically more mature than some of my peers growing up, it didn’t mean my emotional maturity was advanced—especially regarding relationships. Little squabbles with friends or elementary boyfriends would leave me in shambles for weeks on end. Sure, I had the maturity to keep up with my homework without prodding and take care of my money, but as a teen, I was sometimes so lonely I was beside myself. In typical (selfish) teenage fashion, I felt like the only girl without a boyfriend because I thought I was ugly, awkward, and no fun. I longed for a romantic relationship long before I was ready for one, and as a result, my first adult “romance” damn near broke me forever. I was ready for love but wasn’t mature enough to love myself enough to walk away. Instead, I clung to something that wasn’t working instead of having the wisdom to accept that I could survive loving someone who didn’t love me back. Practically, I kept up with my college studies, held down a job, sought a diagnosis for my digestive issues, and got my first apartment. Those were all things a young adult should be able to handle, but emotionally, I still had some growing up to do. Hell, even at my age, I know I still have some growing up to do. There are times when being an adult really sucks, and I want to defer to a more experienced adult and let them solve my problems. As I tell my kids, we’re all just figuring it out as we go. Can Old People Still Have Fun? “You’re no fun” is a phrase I’ve heard more than once, and it is also one of my triggers to this day (thank you, therapy). I’ve heard it from companions when I didn’t want to participate in some activity or another, from a couple of guys in high school when I didn’t want to attend parties and drink, and once (jokingly) from my husband before I told him it hurt my feelings. That phrase really irks me. It equates “old” with “no fun.” Like, “old” people stop having fun. Surely, that’s not true for all of them. Who gets to say what I think is fun? So what if I would rather stay in on a Friday or Saturday night and remember what I’ve done? Who cares if curling up with a good book was (and still is)  more fun to me than going to a dance club? I’m as old now as I ever was. What I liked in my teens and 20s is still fun today. I like shopping at thrift stores and flea markets. I love reading a good book (and writing one). I often prefer staying in to going out. I love attending concerts, going to the theater, and traveling (even if I have to go alone). I like being sober. I like chilling out in the hammock with my dogs underfoot. I like playing board games or watching movies with my family. Almost Old Enough for Self-Acceptance (Finally) I think I’m almost old enough for self-acceptance. Something a few years of therapy has taught me is that I have to accept myself and love myself. Change isn’t necessary as long as I’m not harming anyone. I try to accept myself for who I am and not care about what others think, but I’m still a work in progress. We all are. So this old lady will have to keep trying and have fun all the way through it. Thank you for reading. -Brandi Easterling Collins Featured Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik