Aug. 21, 2025

Where did your name come from?

The meaning of Shirley is “bright meadow”. Made famous by Shirley Temple-Black and Shirley MacLaine. 

I was named after my daddy’s baby sister, Shirley, who died at 18 months of age. Daddy was about 5 years old, and recalls running to the neighbor for help. Nobody had phones back then. My grandmother always called me, “Tee-Shir-LAY”, in her heavy Cajun accent. 

Shirley was a very popular first name for women and reached its top position of #4 in the U.S. during the years 1930-1939. 

Shirley Temple was born in 1928 and began performing at age 3. Most remembered for singing “On the Good Ship Lollipop” in the 1934 movie “Bright Eyes” and tap dancing on the staircase with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in 1935 in “The Little Colonel.”

My poor little sister, who was blessed with curly hair, like Shirley Temple, had to sit every morning to have Mama put ringlets in her hair…”just like Shirley Temple.” Every little curly-haired girl had to look like Shirley Temple! I, on the other hand, had long, straight hair. I’ll try to dig up an old photo.

Last—but definitely not least—wishing my dear husband, Jon, a 49th Anniversary of Love and Words. Today, August 21, 2025, marks our 49th wedding anniversary. We married in Los Vegas, at the “Chapel of Eternal Love”, and later, made it true by being sealed in the Hawaii LDS Temple. 

This morning, I’m celebrating another milestone: expanding my post-apocalyptical saga, *America’s Great Perfect Storm, Book 3* to over 36,000 words. Chapter 3 now pulses with emotion—the Lamanite leader’s prayer, Tokia’s ward against evil spirits, and Jonas’s tension under a fickle spring sun. The Missouri plains’ chill and heat tested us, much like life’s trials, yet the alliance endures. I’ve learned to “show, not tell,” adding dialogue and scents of sage and venison. With 90,000-120,000 words as my goal, for each of these 5-book-series of this journey mirrors our 49 years—challenges met with faith. 

Stay tuned for more, and happy anniversary to us all who build hope, especially, my loving husband. He is my world. #LDSFiction #WritingJourney #Anniversary

Shirley