By Laurel Payne Guy When I was 11-years-old, my mama, C. C. Payne, bought Southern Live Oak seeds. The thing is, we’re from Kentucky, and Southern Live Oaks aren’t native to Kentucky—winters are too cold for them. But my mama potted the seeds anyway. There were three pots, two of which sprouted. One of the… Continue Reading
Thanks to Kentucky’s School Librarians
“I’ve got her!” the firefighter said into his radio, speaking of the unaccounted for third grade girl. The little girl had gone back into Cassidy Elementary following an evacuation due to a bomb threat, for—of all things—her library book. That third grade girl was me. (Yes, I know. I’m sorry. Very, very sorry.) But my… Continue Reading
More Than a Son
There was a lone chair waiting on the beach. He asked our daughter to sit in it. Then he pulled the bar of soap from his back pocket, got down on his knees, and lovingly washed her feet, like Jesus. He told her he wanted to spend the rest of his life serving her, like… Continue Reading
Mimi & Poppy
He never stopped referring to her as his “bride.” They met when they were seven-years-old, as the top two students in their class. They were fast friends, best friends, who could be seen walking to and from school together from grade school until they graduated high school. (He always asked to see her report cards.… Continue Reading
A Leftovers Contest/ Party! Can you come? Please?
The Lexington Public Library’s beautiful new Eastside branch (located at 3000 Blake James Drive) is hosting a party in honor of my new novel, The Thing About Leftovers, on Thursday, October 20, from 6-8PM! The winners of a leftovers-themed recipe contest will be announced! (Recipes with photos must be submitted BEFORE Oct. 12! More details… Continue Reading
Maximum Love for MAXI’S SECRETS (OR, WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM A DOG)
Lynn Plourde has honored dogs—and the people who love them—in her new novel, Maxi’s Secrets (or, What You Can Learn from a Dog). I began tearing up on page 1, but the tears didn’t actually fall until page 2! That’s because we’re asked to accept a hard truth right up front: “Having Maxi in my… Continue Reading
A Behind-the-Book Look
The Thing About Leftovers, a novel about navigating divorce and blended families, following your passion, and celebrating who you are, will be released by Penguin Young Readers on July 19th! In preparation for that, I’ve been doing interviews, during which I’ve been asked some great questions! So I thought I’d share a few of those… Continue Reading
An Open Letter to Kentucky Christian University
As our daughter’s freshman year of college comes to a close, I’d like to thank everyone at Kentucky Christian University. We knew—after visiting KCU several times—that it was a special place and we had high expectations, but over the past year, KCU has exceeded every expectation! Laurel Grace arrived on KCU’s campus last August feeling… Continue Reading
Come On Over
At this point, I think it’s safe to say that I didn’t get what I deserved as a parent—sorry, Mom and Dad! But I HAVE learned a lot from my daughter, Laurel Grace, who graduated from high school (with highest honors) in May, and then immediately set out on a mission trip to Cambodia, to work… Continue Reading
The Man Who Sings for Me
My husband, Mark, doesn’t sing in church. Sometimes he hums. Sometimes he mumbles a few words in between humming, but that’s about it. Therefore, when we arrive, I always silently ask God to let me do the singing for both of us. But recently I got so choked up at church that I couldn’t sing… Continue Reading