Note from Elizabeth When my favorite brother-in-law, Andy LaRowe, told me about his young granddaughter’s accomplishments as an author, I knew I had to share this with you. _______________________________ Sometimes the most meaningful connections begin with the simplest words. When nine-year-old Julia Arabelle Barton’s grandfather (“Pops”) told her that writing a story was easy—all she …| Heartspoken
What is Labor Day? “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” [from the U.S. Department of …| Heartspoken
Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Homeby Stephen Starring GrantPublished 2025 by Simon & Schuster As someone who champions the Heartspoken Movement—encouraging handwritten notes sent by mail—I couldn’t resist a book titled Mailman. The premise sounded promising, but I wasn’t prepared for just how gifted a storyteller Stephen Grant …| Heartspoken
by Janice Porter, guest contributor NOTE FROM ELIZABETH: Curiosity may have killed the cat… but in business, it builds powerful connections. And Connection is what the Heartspoken Movement is all about. In this piece, my guest Janice Porter explores why curiosity isn’t just a childhood trait or a nice-to-have — it’s a key to creating …| Heartspoken
What is Labor Day? 'Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country' . After years of scattered celebration in various parts of the country, it began receiving official recognition by some states by about 1885, and in 1894, Congress declared the fi...| Heartspoken
I share this prayer each year from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. It was written originally by The Rev. George Lyman Locke (1835-1919), Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, for 52 years. According to his great-grandson, Mark Howe, “He was a good friend of William Reed Huntington, also a priest …| Heartspoken
Serves 3-4 people Adapted by me and my mother-in-law, Ellen Cottrell, from a recipe for 'Crayfish Etouffée' submitted by Mrs. Richard D. Chappuis, Jr. to the Talk About Good: Le Livre de la Cuisine de Lafayette, first published by the members of the Lafayette Junior League in 1969. 1 lb. peeled shrimp (we like large or extra large, not jumbo)1-1/2 sticks butter or margarine1/2 tablespoon flour1 medium onion, chopped fine1 stalk celery, chopped fine1/2 bell pepper, chopped fine 2-3 pods garli...| Heartspoken