Hope Darby Writings

Hello…my name is Hope…and I am an ellipsis junkie.   The first step is admitting the problem, yes? Now to find a support group for my particular sickness. You see, I just can’t seem to help myself. I know grammar rules, I know which funky-looking bits of punctuation belong where, and yet I am finding myself in constant violation of ellipsis abuse. If I were to read some of my emails and forum postings out loud, it would sound like a horrible tenth-grade drama student auditioning... Continue Reading →

While touring through Romania, I made it my goal to capture a flower in every town we stayed in. Everywhere we turned, the streets are lined with splashes of red and orange, flower boxes serve as medians through lanes of traffic, and every single house has a leafy, canopied garden filled with knots and circles of the most amazingly fragant bulbs of color I’ve ever seen. Here are just a few to serve as appetizers for the rest of our travels. These are from as far south as Bucharest, through... Continue Reading →

…when one is away too long, Smurfs take over the whole darn place… Luckily, I am home now and will be updating this smurftastic place with pictures and stories galore. Grab your pointy teeth, capes, cloaks, and favoritest snuggle-bunny, things could get a little scary…  Read More →

I have officially Cheezburgered two of our cats…   Go give them a good vote!  Read More →

For the past many days, I have been battling with my peepers once again. You see, my right eye has apparently launched an all-out war against me, and has opted to use germ warfare as its primary tool of aggression. Thanks to this unprovoked attack, I am now the victim of a particularly vicious set of ocular atrocities: iritis and scleritis. In layman’s terms, red-pain-ohmigoshhurtssomuchcan’tstandit-photophobic eye woes.   For this reason, I’m having to seriously limit my time... Continue Reading →

There is much excitement in the land of Hope!  As many of you who don’t know, in the early part of September, my husband and I will be embarking on “The Dracula Tour” of Romania. Essentially, we’ll be touring places frequented by Vlad Tepes (a.k.a. Vlad the Impaler, a.k.a. Vlad Dracula), including his ancestral home and actual fortress and castle. We’ll also be visiting Castle Bran, the castle that inspired the American versions of “vampire” castles. Think... Continue Reading →

As promised, though dreadfully late, here is the story of my favorite childhood Fourth of July. As a kid growing up in an Air Force family, few things were as important as family, country, freedom, respect, and independence. The Fourth of July was a huge celebration of all those ideals and qualities rolled into one, thus making it a natural favorite for everyone.   _________________________________________   The deafening roar of USAF Thunderbirds casting intricate jet trails across a cornflower... Continue Reading →

    Happy Fourth of July!!!!!!!!!!!!   As the daughter of a veteran, the Fourth is a pretty darn impressive day. When I have time later today, I’ll come back to post the story of my favorite childhood Fourth of July. The story involves jet engines, Lee Greenwood, and throngs of people. Sounds fun, no?   See? That’s a hook. heh  Read More →

Growing up in a Southern family is pretty much a guarantee of growing up with odd sayings. Hailing from Alabama, as I do, doubles that guarantee and adds a side of grits. I’ve been a smart-aleck, sass-mouth and too big for my britches, more times than I can count, beginning from the time I was knee high to a fire ant. For you non-Southerners, that all translates to, “I had a smart mouth even as a small child.”   You have to admit, the Southern-style is much more entertaining.   My... Continue Reading →

Today marks 3 years that my oh-so-wonderful and tolerant husband has put up with my vagaries, temper, goofiness, dorkiness, moodiness, scatterbrained behavior and ranting vents about the world in general. He has never failed to be all that is supportive, encouraging, tolerant, and loving…while still giving me the return fire that I need from time to time.   I consider my world considerably brightened and my life exponentially improved, just for having him in it.   I love you very much, sweetie.  Read More →