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Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

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Essays, General Thoughts

Christmas, Truth, and Childhood Innocence

Childhood innocence eventually becomes a thing of the past. If we’re lucky, it becomes fond memories and reason for nostalgic reflection when we’re adults or the need to keep that…

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December 22, 2017
Essays, General Thoughts

Just get over it

It’s funny. I find myself saying “Get over it” to my kids sometimes when they’re whining about one thing or another—usually something insignificant in the grand scheme of life like…

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July 1, 2022
General Thoughts, Pop Culture

2020 in Books and Other Worldly Things

I set a goal to read 125 books for the year 2020, which was 25 fewer books than the number I finished in 2019. I went lower because I knew…

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January 9, 2021
  • Illustrated race track scene with children driving cars at a starting line
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    How Many Times Can You Start Over?

    February 16, 2025 /

    Several times in my life, I’ve had to hit the reset button and start from scratch. It can get exhausting, but it’s also a chance to change or improve the outcome by making different choices. Starting over can be difficult On January 18, 2024, I started over on a better health journey. I had planned my “start over” to coincide with the first of the year, but life and some health issues got in the way. So, that Saturday morning, I stepped on the scale. And I cried. I didn’t like the number staring back at me and knew I had to change my habits to be healthier. Since that…

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    Illustration of older lady waving.

    I’ve been old (but not necessarily wise) my whole life

    June 18, 2024

    Dreams and things

    October 29, 2017

    School Shootings

    February 24, 2018
  • General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    2024 in Book Reviews

    December 31, 2024 /

    I read 75 books in 2024 and wrote half of my sixth novel, which is tentatively titled Four Hearts. While I originally planned to set a goal of 100 books, I changed my goal to 75 books early in the year due to unforeseen circumstances. Here are my top reads for the year. Top 10 best reads for 2024 (traditionally published) These are in order, starting with my favorite read of the year. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr This Used to Be Us by Renée Carlino This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann Spirit Crossing (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger Camino Ghosts (Camino Island,…

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    Music and what my favorite songs mean to me

    September 17, 2016
    Book cover featuring woman standing on a stage with text: When Does Life Begin?

    Writing update: When Does Life Begin? publication and sneak peek

    September 8, 2023
    Family in front of NASA jets.

    A Family Road Trip: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

    July 22, 2025
  • Illustration of family photos on a wall
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Weddings and Funerals: Changing Relationships with Family and Friends

    October 27, 2024 /

    Most people will say they love their family and closest friends. I’m no different. I love them all dearly. But, like many people, I don’t see them often since we live in different towns, and the COVID-19 Pandemic didn’t help matters. But hasn’t it always been that way? In the olden days, people either stayed in one town their whole lives or ventured off to the wild frontier, only communicating in letters. Back then, moving away might mean never seeing family and friends again. At least in more modern times, we have phones and other electronic ways to communicate—if and when we make time to reach out. Family trees My…

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    Unexpected Employment Changes

    July 25, 2021

    To All The Pets I’ve Loved Before

    September 11, 2020
    Illustration of older lady waving.

    I’ve been old (but not necessarily wise) my whole life

    June 18, 2024
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Recent Posts

  • A Family Road Trip: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  • Summer 2025 Writing Update and Sixth Novel First Chapter Teaser
  • Can High Goals Get in the Way of Contentment?
  • How Many Times Can You Start Over?
  • 2024 in Book Reviews

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