Real Stories by Real People - Short Stories to Read Online

So Long, and Thank You

The photos of Lauren Benning Haag's daughter Natalie tell the story: much has changed over the past three years. At the time of Lauren's first journal entry, Natalie was wearing diapers, eating from a high chair and still learning to walk. Today she is a contemplative little being who hums Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," seeks assistance when she hears a crying infant, and questions the motives of any jolly fat man in a red suit who sneaks down people's chimneys in the middle of the night. Every month, through Lauren's candid reflections, we have witnessed an emerging soul's growth — Natalie's and those of so many others.

Unfortunately, the stories that have given life to Shoe Woman Magazine have stopped coming in and so, as editor, I know it is time to let it go. With my deepest gratitude, I honor every one of you who, with honesty and courage, have opened your lives and shared your stories on the pages of Shoe Woman. You have shared your struggles, triumphs, tragedies, joys, dreams and disappointments. You have shown us the humanity and divinity that co-exist within us all.

Know that, although the magazine must end, your value and the value of the stories you shared here will never end. The lives you touched, the soul-to-soul connections you made with your words will continue to unfold in ways neither you nor I can even imagine.

My dream of connecting all people through the power and wisdom of their stories does not end of Shoe Woman Magazine. I simply must find another means of pursuing it. I pray for a world entirely defined by acceptance, non-judgment, safe self-expression and loving connection. My prayers go with each of you as you become and express all that you are meant to be.

Gratefully,

Charlotte Rogers Brown,
president and co-founder Shoe Woman's Network

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 5:31 AM 0 comments   

Looking for Story Writers

Dearest Readers, we've been here once before and we're here again. Since the last time we made an appeal for stories to keep the vision of Shoe Woman Magazine not just alive, but thriving, we were thrilled and honored by the response. New voices from cities across the United States and in other countries answered our request.

But then, the stories stopped coming. Aside from the contributions of our journal writers, we received just four submissions for our March issue.

Shoe Woman Magazine exists for you. It is an opportunity for you to enrich the lives of others and for them to enrich yours. We need your stories for this magazine to continue to send the message that our lives, our stories are valuable and powerful beyond measure.

You, your life, your stories can touch other lives in miraculous ways. By sharing your life with others, you give them the gift of knowing that they are not alone in any human experience and that our differences are worthy of being embraced and celebrated. And you give yourself the gift of knowing that your life is rich in the wisdom of experience and truly makes a difference.

Blessings to you all.

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 12:50 PM 0 comments   

Keep Me Accountable - I Dare You!

I have a confession to make. Those slightly baggy tops I've been wearing for the last year or two are not part of any fashion statement, although camouflage clothing is still popular in some circles and my intention is, indeed, concealment.

I have about 20 pounds to lose. There - I've said it. I never used to gain weight around my tummy, but then I hit 50 and life - along with its figure problems - as I knew it changed. My tummy began competing with my thighs as my primary source of anguish and disdain. How incredibly unfair! After a lifetime of stationary bikes, jump ropes, long jogs and Buns of Steel™ videos to deal with my lower body, now I couldn't button my pants. So after taking a long look at the Abs of Steel™ video my husband keeps in the media cabinet, I went to kitchen, poured myself a big glass of wine and said, "To heck with it."

But this month I came to a decision. I decided it is time to get out of denial, put on my big girl panties and deal with this. The best way I know how to do this is to create some accountability.

So here goes.

On April 23, I will turn 54. A week later, the May issue of Shoe Woman will be coming to your computers. In that issue, in this feature, I promise to run two photos: one of how I looked at the start of this year and one taken on my birthday. Whether or not my body shows a difference is completely up to me.

In the meantime, write to me at info@shoewomanmagazine.net and let me know you'll be watching. I can't begin to tell you how nervous that invitation makes me, but I mean it. Scare me. Keep me accountable. I DARE you.

Should you care to join me on this road back to fitness, please write and we'll share your stories in our May issue.


Charlotte Rogers Brown,
president and co-founder
Shoe Woman's Network

Far-Reaching February Stories

Family

Feature Story: Wishes Is for Fishes, by Walter Gee
Paw Prints: A Lesson That Doesn't Bear Repeating,
by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Acorns: Move Over, Dr. Phil, by anonymous

Friendship

Feature Story: Reunion, by Patricia L. Brooks
Sole Mates:Forgiveness, by Karen Kurtz
Dear Friend: Candy Lou, by Jane Norde

Career

Feature Story: Birth of a Shoe Woman,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Childhood Dreams:My Tee Shirt Says It All, by Jami McFerren

The World

Feature Story: The Piled High City, by Maggie Dee
Memorable Journeys: Hort!, by Judy Schwiebert
Traditions & Ties: Under the Quilts, by Holland Schrank

Journals

Michaels's Journal
Lauren's Journal
Theresa's Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Hindsight Really Is 20/20, by Michael Norde
Amazing Feets: The Will to Surrender, by Rev. Hilary Manley
Odd Coincidences: The Book That Refused to Leave Me,
by Courtni Dyer
Wabi-Sabi: "You're a Riot, Alice", by Roseanne Boyle

Sole Men

Feature Story: Meditation, by Don Beams

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Keep Me Accountable - I Dare You!,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte's Choice: I Am . . . , by Shoe Women/Shoe Man
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 9:15 AM 0 comments   

TO CELEBRATE A NEW YEAR OF SHOE WOMAN MAGAZINE, WE OFFER YOU A FREE GIFT!

Happy New Year! This month's issue of Shoe Woman Magazine features our favorite stories from 2006. We also introduce two new Journal Writers: Michael Schrader of Las Vegas, NV, who will share his experiences as a single father, an overseas adventurer, and member of a large extended family; and Theresa Keves of Phoenix, AZ, who will share her experiences growing up in Birmingham, Ala, as the daughter of two entrepreneurs who inspired her own career in business. Lauren Benning Haag from Napa, CA, continues her reflections on motherhood as her daughter Natalie, now 3,continues to learn and grow.

The first 10 new contributors to Shoe Woman will receive a copy of "In Our Shoes: Seven Women Reveal Their Soles," the book and stage presentation that inspired the creation of Shoe Woman Magazine. ALL former contributors who inspire a friend or family member to contribute a story to Shoe Woman also will receive a free copy of the magazine. Just have your friend or family member give us your name and e-mail address and we will contact you for mailing information.

We wish you a New Year rich with love, joy, peace and connections with others around the world. In this issue:

Jazzy January Stories

Family

Feature Story: A Hole in My Heart, by Jennifer Lowe
Paw Prints: A Tale of Two Puppies, by Michael Schrader
Acorns: Being Appreciated, by Caroline Timm Schwiebert

Friendship

Feature Story: Breasts A Go-Go, by Sally Gebler
Sole Mates:The Return of My Dream Man, by Jolie Roundy
Dear Friend: Because You Stand for Humanity, by George Roundy

Career

Feature Story: Today I Did Something Really Scary…,
by Rev. Sandra Hopper
Childhood Dreams:To Go Again, by Don Beams

The World

Feature Story: From Outhouses to Pull Chains: One Girl’s Journey,
by Pauline Sandell
Memorable Journeys:Coming to My Place of Gilgal, by Kate Forrest
Traditions & Ties: Happy Year of the Dog, by Dinah Lin

Journals

Michaels's Journal
Lauren's Journal
Theresa's Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Africa’s Answer to the Indy 500, by Erika Amoako-Agyei
Amazing Feets: Ironman, by Cynthia Vale
Odd Coincidences: The Miracle of the Ladybugs, by Glora Whitaker
Freudian Slippers: A Dollar’s Worth of Truth, by Ramona Sallee
Wabi-Sabi: The Up-Side of Traffic School and Other Surprises,
by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: Marie, by Hugh Davis

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Catalog Crazy, by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte's Choice: The Dressing Room Blues,
by Karen Vanasse
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 5:57 AM 0 comments   

Dazzling December Stories

Catalog Crazy

I have fallen in love with catalogs. That's fortunate considering I get dozens of them in the mail every week. At some point in time I ordered an item from some catalog which put me on the mailing list for a host of others, some wonderfully imaginative and others fascinating for their utter lack of taste. Between them, there is something to appeal to everyone on my shopping list, from my dignified mother to my brother-in-law, Bob, who's been known to stick wine corks in his ear at restaurants. Every catalog now comes with a convenient website address to make catalog shopping easier than ever. With the holidays upon us, I thought I'd share some of the more unique items I've run across in my catalogs this year. Perhaps I can assist you in your holiday shopping.

If you are a member of my family or circle of friends, STOP READING RIGHT HERE! While I won't mention anything I ordered for any of you, I don't want you sneaking around any of these websites like a bunch of kids shaking packages under the tree. BEHAVE YOURSELVES!

For the Bobs or Bob-like relatives on your list, you might consider the “lunch lady action figure” complete with hairnet, serving station and food tray; the Walter the Farting Dog plush doll and storybooks; or the Monte Python lounge pants (www.whatonearthcatalog.com). Or you might go with the “Bubba Claus” doll that sings The Twelve Days of Redneck Christmas, the wine glass that holds an entire 750ml bottle (www.lighterside.com), the Pop-Up Book of Phobias, or the Fred-O-Matic kitchen timer that plays an assortment of 70's game show themes (www.signals.com).

In the imaginative, suitable for anyone category, here are some of my picks: the personalized night sky poster that shows what stars were in the sky on the day you were born or any other special occasion in your life (we actually bought this for Bob and he loved it, too); silver cuff bracelets engraved with sayings such as Be Still And Know That I Am from Psalms and Michelangelo's Ancora Imparo (I am still learning); and the record album frame (www.signals.com). For the females on your list, I recommend checking out www.femailcreations.com. And for the kids, catalogs offer toys to engage their minds, bodies and spirits. I'm partial to the wooden Legendary Dragon Kit and the Talking Globe from www.mindwareonline.com, and the Whodunit Forensic Science Lab and Night Vision Goggles with Dart Launcher from www.discoverystore.com. So cool.

As several of our contributors remind us in this issue, gifts from the heart are better than gifts from a store or catalog any day of the year. And I believe that our experiences, our stories, are among the best gifts we can ever share. But I've enjoyed my catalog shopping excursion just the same. It has felt like a treasure hunt on behalf of the people I love.

As you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwansa or Christmas, know that we at Shoe Woman wish you great joy and love this season and throughout the New Year.
Charlotte Rogers Brown

Family

Feature Story: Fondue and Kisses, by Holland Schrank

Paw Prints: The Miracle, by Diana Sieberns

Acorns: My Sixth-Grade Year, by Carol Knarr

Friendship

Feature Story: The Gifts of Sisterhood, by Patricia L. Brooks

Sole Mates:Ties That Bind, by Jane Norde

Dear Friend: Christmas Daydreams, by Janet LaPlante

Career

Feature Story: The Career I Found Along the Spiritual Path,
by Sandra Allison

Childhood
Dreams:Global Spirit, by Judy Schwiebert

The World

Feature Story: Cinque Terre, by Judy Schwiebert

Memorable Journeys: Moving to the Middle of Nowhere, by

Ramona Sallee

Traditions & Ties: True Gifts, by Janet LaPlante

Journals

Maggie Dee's
Journal

Lauren's
Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Exterminate This!, by Charlotte Rogers Brown

Amazing Feets: Kim, by Charlotte Rogers Brown

Freudian Slippers: You Have Crossed Into the Twilight Zone,
by Ramona Sallee

Wabi-Sabi: Holiday Withdrawal, by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: Seoul Survivor, by Michael Schrader

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Catalog Crazy,by Charlotte
Rogers Brown

Charlotte's
Choice: The “Santa Claus Cookie Lady”,

by Eleanor Rogers

Helpful
Hints

Your
Sole Work

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 7:23 AM 0 comments   

Novel November Stories

In this Issue

Family

Feature Story: Letting Go, by Janet LaPlante
Paw Prints: A Tale of Two Puppies, by Michael Schrader
Acorns: Closet Reader, by Ramona Sallee

Friendship

Feature Story: Breasts A Go-Go, by Sally Gebler
Sole Mates: Just Love Over and Over, and Over Again,
by Misty Laesser
Dear Friend: A Walk of Courage, by Jane Norde

Career

Feature Story: The Battle of the Thighs, by Karen Vanasse
Childhood Dreams: Wanting Out, by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD

The World

Feature Story: Being There. . . And Here, by Judy Schwiebert
Memorable Journeys: Coming to My Place of Gilgal, by Kate Forrest
Traditions & Ties: Give Us This Day Our Homemade Bread!,
by Holland Schrank

Journals

Maggie Dee’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: It’s Hard to Win the Heisman
When You Can’t Get On the Team, by Kaci Malloy
Amazing Feets: Battling the Unknown, by Alison Lynch
Freudian Slippers: How Do You Spell JOY?,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Wabi-Sabi: Miracle Baby, by Janet LaPlante

Sole Men

Feature Story: Building Community, by Charlie Brown

Editor’s Page

Charlotte ’s Story: A Change of Perspective,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: Sneakers, by Holland Schrank
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 4:22 AM 0 comments   

Keep Those Stories Coming

THANK YOU & KEEP THE STORIES COMING!!

First, THANK YOU to all of you who stepped up and submitted stories for our October issue. Through each of you - through your courage, honesty and willingness to share - Shoe Woman has continued to touch many lives for another month.

To keep going, however, the stories need to keep coming. While our vision is to see this magazine grow through the end of the year and beyond, we currently are facing a number of empty spaces to fill for a November issue including stories about children, pets, friendship, traditions, careers and childhood dreams.

Shoe Woman is a magazine for and about you. You make possible the vision of connecting all people through the sharing of our experiences. To all of you who have contributed stories, we extend our gratitude and admiration. To our ever-growing number of readers, we thank you for opening your hearts and minds to the experiences of others, and we extend the invitation to share stories of your lives as well.

With love and gratitude,

Charlotte Rogers Brown
Editor

posted by Charlotte Rogers Brown @ 5:46 PM 0 comments