The Girl in the Red Rubber Boots

Category: Uncategorized

  • The Trip to Belize

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    For my second post in the 2024 April Blogging Challenge, I intended to write about my trip to Belize in January. Then, Mom posted about Belize for her first April Blogging Challenge post.  If you are the type of person who can’t stand to read the same story twice, from two different perspectives, I am…

  • Unexpected Travels

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    I’ve done a lot of traveling in the past few weeks. Some of it was planned, and some of it was unexpected. This is a post about the unexpected parts. It all began when I decided to come to Oregon for a good chunk of the summer and work in the harvest again. As you…

  • What The Bunnyslipper! The Story Behind My Favorite Catchphrase

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    Emily Sara Smucker
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    Today I’m going to tell you the story behind my favorite catchphrase. When I was young, most common expressions were taboo. You weren’t supposed to say “oh my God” because that was taking the Lord’s name in vain, but neither were you supposed to say “oh my gosh.” The thinking was, if the substitute word…

  • The Bus, The Moon, and The Kitchen Floor

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    Monday: Kitchen floor chats with Jenny I’ve been pondering the way it is to live with family, and the sorts of places you all find yourself inadvertently hanging out. When I was very young we all hung out in the corner where the furnace spat heat into the room. As teenagers, when the older siblings…

  • Gratefulness, Clichés, and Mini Miracles

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    Every once in a while, when things in my life get extraordinarily bleak, I try really hard to fix the problem by “cultivating gratefulness.” Gratefulness is one of those things that I deeply believe in, yet I also roll my eyes at because it can become so cliché. Like we get it, everyone is grateful…

  • Come Meet Me! (Mini Book Tour)

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    Emily Sara Smucker
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    As you may know, even though my book has been out for almost a year, I haven’t really been able to do book signings due to Covid. But next week my mom is flying east for a wedding, and she and I are doing a mini book tour in Lancaster PA and Harrisonburg VA. Schedule:…

  • The Journey to Virginia, Part 1

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    I am a road trip person from a road trip family. When I was young we’d drive coast-to-coast for family vacations, stopping at the Grand Canyon, Washington DC, Mount Rushmore, etc. We’ve driven to Mexico and Canada multiple times. We’ve traveled for weddings, funerals, and BMA conventions. Long intense road trips are our jam. However,…

  • Launching My E-Book!

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    Emily Sara Smucker
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    I am happy to announce that I’ve made a Kindle version of The Highway and Me and My Earl Grey Tea, which you can order here. Of course in my heart of hearts I love print versions of books best, but the Kindle version offers a few advantages you may be interested in: It is…

  • I Think February Is The Worst Month Of The Year

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    I like to think that I’m in the final stretch of The Bad Times. Coronavirus cases are falling, and my county just moved from “extreme” risk to “high” risk, loosening restrictions. My brother, aunt, and a few friends were able to get vaccinated. Spring is coming, eventually, and we’ll be able to do things outdoors…

  • A Tribute to Annette from the Gas Station

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    Emily Sara Smucker
    in

    Last Sunday I found out that Annette from the gas station had passed away. I just keep thinking and thinking about her, and about how strangers can make meaningful impacts on your life. In early January 2019, I was at a random gas station in rural Florida when I locked my keys and my cell…