When this diary began twenty years ago, it was a means to communicate with my daughter. I have always loved to write, and she shared my passion. I seriously thought these entries were gone. I had let the membership to OD go years back, but much to my surprise they were able to retrieve my old diary, and I find myself here again. When this began, I was actively teaching, and now I am retired. I was married, then widowed, and now married once again. I had children at home, then became an empty nester. Now I am a Nana who lives on the lake. I have the time to take up my passion again and be Simply Lora

Latest Entry

4500 Miles Across 8 States and Back

September 30, 2021
Traveling has always been my most favored of activities.  Cruises, planes, trains, and automobiles have taken me to a lot really interesting places with a lot of different people. Our most recent travels took us from Missouri through Iowa and into Minnesota.  Thanks to my crummy tummy, I saw my d...
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Recent Entries

  • Special Days
    August 30, 2021
    As a child, growing up in the Emberlin clan birthdays were special.  They were your special day and were totally devoted to you.  I remember breakfast of my choosing, dinners that consisted of my favorite foods, and cake!  My mom would bring home the most amazing cakes.  Our little family of five...
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  • The Gift of Time
    November 29, 2020
    I have heard a lot about how different Thanksgiving was this year.  For many, I am sure that this was the case, but when I read my social media accounts, I feel like a much was gained this Thanksgiving.   Post after post showed young families gathering around their dining room tables sharing a me...
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  • I Love Church
    November 14, 2020
    Going to church is one of my favorite events each week.  For me, it is the most important part of my week.  I rarely missed a Sunday until the pandemic.  There is something wonderful about entering the sanctuary, finding a seat, and closing your mind to everything outside of those four walls, joi...
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  • 2020 Needs to Exit Gracefully
    November 11, 2020
    Tapping my FB icon is usually evokes a feeling of being connected to those I cherish and love.  This last few months this has not been the case.  In some respect, I suppose that COVID and an election year is bound to bring out the worst in folks.  People are scared, tired, and ready to…
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  • Don’t Be A Stranger
    October 25, 2020
    My friend Becky was just sure that I would never want to return to the lake after learning of Mike's death while visiting there.  I remember the first drive I made back there over Labor Day weekend.  I pulled out of the parking lot on a Friday after school and jumped on 50 Highway toward…
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  • Furry Friends
    October 21, 2020
    It was not long after returning from Gulf Shores that I was required to report for school.  Just  a quick note here.  When you teach school and your husband dies during the summer there is no bereavement time. I had roughly three weeks from the time Mike passed to get myself together and return t...
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  • Bringing Life Up To Date
    October 14, 2020
    It has been years since words were poured on a page here at OD.  I am not even sure why those words stopped appearing here.  Perhaps life ... sometimes we just find these lapses.  I did not stop writing. I changed to a fountain pen and a paper journal.  I have kept my words, which…
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  • Grandma Norman October 9, 2020
    October 13, 2020
    Grandma Norman There is not one childhood memory and even many of my adult memories that do not include my Grandma Norman.  As Dave and I laid in bed last night, chatting about our childhood memories, he asked me the question, “If you could have thirty minutes to chat with someone in Heaven, who ...
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  • Imagine My Surprise – October 7, 2020
    October 13, 2020
    Imagine My Surprise Night before last, I was laying in bed.  My mind was drifting in and out as I grasped hold of the thought that my journaling had all but come to a stop over the last year.  There was once a time when I would open my computer and pour out my thoughts…
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