Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie, and Me @bethvogt Did you know Jamie Lee Curtis, one of my favorite actresses, turned 60 last November 22? And Barbie – yes, that Barbie, whose real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts – turns 60 in a few short months on March 9. And then there’s me. On May 5, I’ll be 60 years old. …
In Others’ Words: Playing as a Team
I spend a lot of hours watching volleyball players on the court — most often through my camera lens. It’s a long, heavy lens that I invested in just for shooting indoor sports. But I digress. Funny thing about photographing a volleyball team: I focus on the individual players more than I do the team. Where is the setter …
In Others’ Words: Milestones and Moments
Life is both moments and milestones. Yesterday, my daughter CJ just accomplished a major milestone in a teenager’s life: She got her driver’s license. An hour later, she drove off in my car, heading to a volleyball workout. Did we celebrate that milestone? Oh, yes, yes, we did! Photos were taken and posted on Facebook and Instagram and there was …
In Others’ Words: Don’t Overlook Enthusiasm
My husband and I have become the de facto sports photographers for our youngest daughter’s volleyball teams. CJ plays volleyball year-round, which means I have thousands of volleyball photos of her and all of her teammates. On average, if her club plays three matches and a cross-over match during a tournament, I come home with a minimum of two …
In Others’ Words: Dream Come True
So yesterday … yesterday was about a dream coming true. I sat in my office with my daughter, CJ, and watched the 2016 Christy Awards, which were presented online this year, and my novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, won for the Contemporary Series category. I’m still grinning about that moment … and still not believing it. And what’s even …
In Others’ Words: Memorial Day 2015
Taking time today to remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service for our country. I’m praying for all the families who are remembering their loved ones. I have friends who’ve lost spouses … who’ve lost parents … who’ve lost children … For them, today is not a day to celebrate the beginning of summer with a barbecue. Rather, it …
In Others’ Words: Progress
“The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth — which means leaving things inside us.” G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), English writer I came across this stop-me-in-my-tracks quote as I read author Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience blog. I was reminded of it today as my husband measured the pencil …
Celebrate! Book Cover for Wish You Were Here … is here!
What a way to start the week! I’m thrilled to show you the cover to Wish You Were Here, my debut novel with Howard Books (May 2012.) And, yes, to answer your question, I love my cover. Love my cover. Bruce Gore, the art director at Howard Books, and his staff were so supportive throughout the whole creative process …
In Others’ Words: Ninety-three
“May you live all the days of your life.” ~Jonathan Swift, Anglo-Irish satirist My mother-in-law celebrates her 93rd birthday today. That’s her in the photo, getting ready to blow out the candles of her cake. And yes, she got ’em all blown out in one try! As she reminisced last night, she recounted how she was born several days before …
In Others’ Words: Celebrate
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” ~Thomas J. Peters, American writer Yesterday was a day of celebration for me as I held the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. I did my version of the writer’s “happy dance” around my house (several times) and shared hugs and laughter with my family. And, …