Author Archives: lynnhesse

Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas – photo by Dean Hesse I took a research trip last May through multiple states from Georgia to Missouri and traced my ancestors through cemetery after cemetery. My maternal and paternal lineage fought in the Civil War on both sides. I came from many adventurous and hearty Europeans:Continue reading “Patriotism, My Version”

https://www.thoughtco.com/robins-oddest-holy-exclamations-from-the-batman-tv-series-3896999 I’m preparing to speak about writing dialogue to a group of writers in Monroe, Georgia at their monthly meeting in June. https://www.meetup.com/Walton-Writers/events/251013852/ If you are familiar with my crime fiction Well of Rage, you already know I’m not shy about using cuss words if it’s appropriate for the character and the plot. I don’tContinue reading “Holy Expletive! When to Use Four-Letter Words”

  If you look closely, you will see Dean and me in the the video. In 1976 I was in Lafayette, Indiana with a bad marriage, a small child, and co-running an economy motel, or as I referred to it “the workhouse”. I wasn’t a flower child, and after my divorce it took all myContinue reading “The Great Speckled Bird’s Fortieth Anniversary”

I am a long-time resident of South DeKalb. I watched them build my house on Downs Crossing in 1986. My children grew up here and attended Redan High School. I’m a retired public servant. I am invested. Now, a new community organization, Connecting Neighbors and Neighborhoods, is budding based on conversations at a neighborhood coffee. IContinue reading “Community Events – Labor of Love”

The Georgia DMV website advised me to bring certified copies, or the originals: Driver’s License Social Security Card Birth Certificate Divorce papers from 1977 Marriage certificate to Dean Two utility bills – proof of residency For the unlucky folks who didn’t fill out the short-cut form on the website, their waiting line at the DMVContinue reading “White Female Renews Driver’s License”

  I thought pick a Sunday afternoon, Earth Day, and invite people on NextDoor.com to drop by and dig up some of my out-of-control monkey grass. Easy peasy. People were interested in swapping plants until it rained. Now, I keep receiving questions and calls to book appointments for the monkey grass dig fest. “When doContinue reading “Nix The Free Monkey Grass”

On first glance I don’t see the flowers in my garden as an array of beautiful colors that bring me peace, or even metaphors for life. I remember the people who gave me the flowers, or a start from their garden. My mother-in-law didn’t give me many happy memories of her, but she gave meContinue reading “Memorial Gardens”

“The Gutsy Girl” by Caroline Paul The Gutsy Girl: A Modern Manifesto for Bravery, Perseverance, and Breaking the Tyranny of Perfection I wish I’d written this book because Ms. Paul, a former firefighter, is so right about our culture emphasizing physical perfection for girls over the importance of developing grit and inner strength. I wasContinue reading ““The Gutsy Girl””

  Connecting Neighbors and Neighborhoods of South DeKalb, CNNSD, a new community organization I’m part of, is a challenge for me. I’m a planner, but some people aren’t. I want to forge ahead, experiment, get things done, and some people want to discuss, visit, and see what happens. What I am learning is trust takesContinue reading “Small Gestures”

I went to Forsyth, Georgia to see my sister yesterday. As I turned on Roberts Farm Road a hawk swooped down in front of my Outback. The bird in full wingspan and gliding through the airwaves allowed me to see its claws, the cornucopia of brown and red hued feathers along with its spotted markingsContinue reading “Flying Low and Slow”