• Sing Unburied Sing
    Blog,  On Reading

    Book Club Reads: A Review of Sing, Unburied, Sing

    Jesmyn Ward has laid forth another lyrical masterpiece with Sing, Unburied, Sing, winner of the National Book Award and a New York Times Top 10 Best Book of The Year. Ward weaves themes of poverty, race, home, death, family, and resilience into an American story perhaps some know all too well. We first encounter protagonist Jojo, a thirteen-year-old boy being raised by his grandparents, trying to be brave as he helps his Pop slaughter a goat. From the first sentence, “I like to think I know what death is,” Jojo’s inner conflict is set and the theme is addressed. Jojo’s white father is in prison and his black mother, the child of…

  • Lubbock Lifestyles-Fall 2017
    Blog,  On West Texas,  On Writing

    Christmas Cruse

    I had the privilege of interviewing Jackie Cruse, owner of J. Cruse Christmas Gallery & Decor, for my first profile. It’s a winter wonderland in his store, a must-do when you visit Lubbock. It was published in the Fall 2017 issue of Lubbock Lifestyles. >>Read it here.