At the risk of sounding like a grinch, I freely admit I am not a big fan of halloween. No, I don’t have a phobia about costumes or children trick-or-treating (especially if they get extra chocolate for me). There is nothing more adorable than seeing little ones on my doorstep holding out a pumpkin asking for candy. My views on halloween have changed since becoming a Christian. I am both disturbed and disappointed that our culture’s focus has shifted from candlelight vigils, prayer services, and other festivities designed to honor those who have passed before use (All Hallow’s Eve/All Soul’s Day) to zombies, witches, and vampires. Okay, I’ll get off […]
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The Munoz Family: Facing Tragedy with Grace
My dear friend Kris Munoz once told me that grief is like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes the sea is calm and tranquil; other times the waves crash angrily on the shore. I now know what she means. Terry and Kristine Munoz experienced a parent’s worst nightmare six years ago today. On October 9, 2007, Kris and their three children were involved in a horrific car accident. The tragedy rocked our small community and impacted people all over the world. You can read the full story here: https://amyhagberg.com/2007/10/15/everything-changes-in-the-blink-of-an-eye/ Amanda (13) was treated for a serious hematoma inside her spleen, several fractured ribs, and significant bruising on her […]
Read more...STANDING TALL: How WNBA Player Ruth Riley Copes with Championship Stress
Sunday night I watched in awe as the Minnesota Lynx pounded the Atlanta Dream 84-59 in game one of the 2013 WNBA Championship. These amazingly talented athletes made the game look so effortless and fluid. Me, I’d be lucky to make a basket granny style on a Fischer-Price I Can Play Basketball. I am rather petite… well… short, really. I name it and claim it. The vertically challenged gene is a powerful part of my DNA and part of my identity. Of course, I knew early on that I would never play hoops or volleyball competitively without humiliating myself, so it may come as a surprise that I am […]
Read more...A Letter to My Daughter
On the one hand, we’ll never experience childbirth. On the other hand, we can open all our own jars. ~ Bruce Willis Twenty-five years ago today, a stubborn little person fought her way out of my womb as I lay whimpering in a hospital delivery room. After more than 20 hours of back-breaking, toe-curling labor, my brilliant (I use this term loosely) medical team tore themselves away from the World Series and decided perhaps the monitors suggesting you (who had been in distress for the umpteenth time) might need to come out of me ASAP. Well, DUH! There was no way this beast of a baby was coming out […]
Read more...The Sloth of the Sea
Yesterday’s daily trivia question was in the “animals” category: QUESTION: What is the slowest-moving fish? ANSWER: Why, the seahorse, or course! These equine little characters have always been among my favorite creatures. After doing a little research on them, I love them even more! Factoids: There are approximately thirty-five different species of sea horses. They are monogamous and mate for life. They range in size from 0.6 to 14 inches. Males bear the young (I wish we could say that). The female deposits her eggs in the brood pouch of the male. He then fertilizes them internally and carries them until they are ready to hatch. Although sea […]
Read more...Help me…. I don’t know what to blog!
Dear Friends: I need your advice about my blog. I am a pretty multi-faceted writer and I’ve blogged about all kinds of things over the years. Most days there is so much swirling around in my brain I can’t decide on a topic. I need to know what YOU want me to write about. When you have a minute, check out my blog. You’ll see categories posted on the right side. There’s a little bit of everything there: storytelling, writing, vocabulary, trivia, grammar, celebrity interviews, relationship advice, wellness, faith, and all kinds of completely random thoughts. PLEASE help me focus! What do you like? If you check out my blog […]
Read more...The Origins of Catch-22
On Tuesday I posted a rather difficult trivia question on my Facebook author page and other social media. The category was literature: QUESTION: Why did Joseph Heller change the title of his famous novel from Catch-18 to Catch-22? ANSWER: Because Leon Uris had recently released a book called Mila 18. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller has become such a foundational book in contemporary American literature that the title is actually in the dictionary! The term refers to an absurd no-win situation. For example, you can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job. That, my friends, is a Catch-22… a kind of a damned if you […]
Read more...Grand Marnier French Toast
Sorry it has taken me so long to post the answer to last Friday’s trivia question. My computer was having some attitude! TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY — FOOD & DRINK QUESTION: What flavor is Grand Marnier liqueur? ANSWER: Orange Here’s a great recipe that utilizes this delicious liqueur. If you don’t have any on hand or prefer not to use alcohol, feel free to substitute orange juice. GRAND MARNIER FRENCH TOAST 4 large eggs 3/4 cup half & half 1/4 Grand Marnier or orange juice concentrate (thawed) 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 8 slices French bread, sliced 3/4″ wide 4 tablespoons butter Powdered sugar […]
Read more...Slandering God
Why do the powers that be in Hollywood think it is acceptable to use God’s name as a curse in so many films? “GD” this and “JC” that. Sadly, I believe the fault lies with consumers. We may be disgusted with onscreen sex and violence and offended by the language, but we still look the other way flock to theaters. The Trivia Question of the Day I posted on my social media sites today read as follows: WHAT IS THE THIRD COMMANDMENT? It was actually a random question chosen in the wee hours of the morning, but it really got me thinking. “Thou shalt not take the name of the […]
Read more...Stars and Stripes Forever
What do “Stars and Stripes Forever,” Mr. Peabody, and ghosts have in common? Clifton Webb, of course! You’ll be glad to know I have found some very fun minutiae regarding yesterday’s Trivia Question of the Day: QUESTION: (TV & Film): Who did actor Clifton Webb portray in the film “Stars and Stripes Forever?” ANSWER: John Philip Sousa What would a Fourth of July parade be without a rousing rendition of “The Stars and Stripes Forever?” Well, simply un-American! This famous march was written by John Philip Sousa, the beloved American composer and conductor best known for his military and patriotic marches. Sousa’s career seems to have been written in the […]
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