By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

It’s not really a habit for many people in our generation, but I realize that there are some folks out there who enjoy canning. Peaches, pears, figs – you name it. So when I read recently about a man who keeps navel fluff in a jar, I assumed the article was referring to canned oranges… if there is such a thing.

Turns out the words “navel fluff” are actually the Australian way of saying “belly-button lint”. (See? Suddenly I’m bi-lingual.) And not only does the man have one jar full of belly-button lint – multiply that by three. (more…)

For more Bare Naked Truths about why BJ’s glad she waited for the right person (Ethan, of course), go to the Bare Naked Truth Blog.

By RTF Editor BJ Hamrick

Dear BJ,

I hear a lot about people waiting to have sex until they’re married. Seriously? Where’s the fun in that?

- Just Wondering

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By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

See the tall, gorgeous, light-haired, model-looking girls?

I’m not one of them. (more…)

Happy Retro Day! This week’s retro piece is a great reminder that no matter what kind of darkness you may find yourself in, you are never alone. And if you ever need someone to talk to, we’re here. Email us. ~ Halee

by RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

I’m not the type of girl who likes to be put in a box. But on a warm Fall day in the mountains of North Carolina, my friend Laura talked me into it.

Literally.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “Just crawl in.” (more…)

By RTF Editor BJ Hamrick

I’m not sure if it was the crash or the blood-curdling scream that alerted me to the fact that I was on a plane with a group of terrorists. I sat there staring, shaking… wondering. (more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

Here I am again

Back at square one

I thought this would end

It’s only begun

This circle of grief

Traced into my soul

Cracks open and bleeds

I long to be whole

(more…)

By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

One of my friends recently called my boy and I “green”. I wasn’t sure if she meant we were naïve… or eco-friendly. Of course those two labels are synonymous in our small town, where recycling places you in the same gossip category as an eco-terrorist.

I have to admit – my boy and I are slightly on the green side. We’re not obsessed with it, but we try to do things like wash our tin foil, scrub our cat litter, and fertilize our garden with our own septic system. Just kidding about the tin foil. (more…)