{"author":"Barbara Brooke","author_id":"Barbara+Brooke","total_quotes":6,"quotes":[{"text":"I suspect that I’m not alone when it comes to altering my surroundings depending on how I feel at any particular moment: diving into a specific book, immersing inside a particular movie, devouring certain foods or humming to just the right song.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["books","mood","movies","songs"],"id":28180,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"},{"text":"Always choose the adventure ... Unless, it's chilly outside and there's a cup of warm coffee resting near a book and comfy sofa.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["adventure","book-lover","books","coffee","winter"],"id":66637,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"},{"text":"Why do I write? Because, I am able to create wonders with a click of my keyboard. I turn my computer on, and suddenly, I’m whisked into a world full of wonder and amazement. The universe bends to my will and defies physics. But when the afternoon arrives, I must return to my duties. I leave the comfort of my home and crawl through the elementary school carpool line. When I see the brightened faces of my children, my heart flutters, and I realize I can live with a few straggling toys … as long as I can escape into the shower later.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["books","children","inspiration","motherhood"],"id":273460,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"},{"text":"Toys have taken over my family room. I watch Mary Poppins, and no matter how many spoonfuls of sugar I eat, action figures won’t march into a bin with the snap of my fingers.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["family","humor","motherhood","toys"],"id":366056,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"},{"text":"Drama entered my home last week, but I ushered it to the door and tossed it to the curb.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["drama","enlightening","strength"],"id":420447,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"},{"text":"They’re close. Voices loud and fierce, Slapping faces with words. A scream … A cry … They’re getting closer.Did I lock the door? It’s too late to check. They’re coming. I barely move, barely breathe. Perhaps they’ll go away. But they’re getting closer.The door slams against the wall. My eyes squeeze shut. This curtain is not a shield. They’re here. They’ve come for me. I freeze.Metal rings clank together. My barrier is cast aside. Wearily, I look. Reddened eyes glower at one another … But not at me. I wonder.A moment of silence … Water streams down my face. Steam rolls around my flesh. I glare at the intruders And slide the curtain between us. I wait.He shrieks, “She took my glow stick!” She howls, “No, I didn’t!” I scowl. “Go tell your father about it.”They leave. I inhale the lavender mist. Slather bubbles over my skin. Five more minutes … And, next time, I shall lock the door.","author":"Barbara Brooke","tags":["children","family","humor","meditation","poem","poetry"],"id":445617,"author_id":"Barbara+Brooke"}],"pagination":{"page":1,"page_size":10,"total":6,"pages":1}}