Times-Review columnist Terri White releases book of essays
Mar. 23—When Cleburne's Terri White retired in 2023, she was looking for something to keep her mind active and busy. She had always found pleasure in writing, so she took her pen to the paper and started working on a book.
"All my adult life I've sensed that I would one day write a book," she said. "In the 1990s, I wrote a series of educational articles for a few magazines which I compiled into a booklet that offers tips for parents navigating that mode of education."
White's book, "Back Porch Musings," is chock full of 140 essays she's written over the years, many of which have been published in the Times-Review.
"Like stand-up comedy that offers bits of humor and wisdom, my collection of essays provides the reader with a peek into my life — all randomly organized," she said. "You have a front-row seat as I sail through life on the wings of the places I have been and the people I have loved. Laugh at my tomfoolery, ponder my insights and enjoy my memories."
For 40 years, White jotted down autobiographical notes in a spiral notebook. Vintage pre-Internet, she said.
When the Times-Review asked White to join the Community Advisory Board, they also asked her to write a story about homeschooling. After publishing her first article, they asked for me.
"And so it began, nearly shoving me into doing my own writing instead of just teaching it and grading papers," she said. "It was cathartic and fun, providing an outlet for my thoughts.
"Not that I hadn't been writing before but I'd been busy teaching and grading papers and running T.E.A.C.H. so that didn't leave me a lot of time to do my own writing except samples for my students when I was teaching certain writing techniques and needed examples for that."
White said she writes from inspiration mostly.
"We have a whole world of ideas and people and experiences from which to draw," she said. "I just love doing that."
Common themes throughout the essays include family, life experiences, tips about education and people.
"I'm a big people person," she said. "I've written about a bunch of people in my life."
One of the beauties of the book, White said, is that each chapter is independent.
"There's some thoughtful things in there that are deep to think about, but it's bite-size," she said. "And I love the fact that you can read one chapter and not have to remember what you read to read the next one."
There's something in the book for people of all ages to enjoy, from teens to elderly and all in between.
"I'm a wordsmith so I really focus on the words that I choose to make it enjoyable for people," White said. "My goal is to put a picture in someone's head so they can imagine what I'm talking about, which is how I taught my classes."
Over 30 reviews on Amazon have given White's book five stars, which many sharing how much they enjoyed reading it.
"We are all artists, everyone of us painting life pictures that future generations will benefit from," Kenneth Dahl said. "Terri takes us on an entire movie of her travels and life lessons learned. Oh the time and frustrations in life that would be greatly diminished for the younger generation if they read this amazing work.
"Thank you Terri for allowing us all to gain front-seat admittance to your life's movie premier! I'm going to highlight my favorite passages and underline the really valuable advice you gave. It's not a book you read ... It's a book you read over and over and over, and then, 10 years later, over again."
Anita Johnson said she was anxious to read more about White's book after
"I have just started reading her new book and it has brought so many memories of living in the Midwest," she said. "Interesting perspective on how you adapt to new surroundings and a new way of life. In my reading the first couple of chapters I can imagine being in the midst of your life and your shenanigans. Fantastic read."
Akin to the title of the book, Sherian McCoy shared that she had just finished the book while sitting on her back porch listening to the rain.
"Wonderful, light hearted and so thoughtful book," she said. "I enjoyed each story and kept me wanting more with each story. This is a perfect book to read and relax, wind down from the day or read with the kids.
"You won't regret this one. I especially loved the 'Summer Love' story. Terri uses such wit and description that it takes the reader right back to that moment. Love it!"
The book is available on Amazon and Kindle, as well as locally at Family Nutrition Center, Published Page and Bennett's Office Supply & Equipment. White is also considering creating an audible book, so keep an eye out for that.
About the author
White grew up in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin before settling in Cleburne.
After marrying and starting her family in the late 1970s, she and her husband chose to homeschool their children. She formed a homeschool support group in 1983 and served as its director for several years. Over the years, she has helped families get started in homeschooling, counseled parents and spoken at educational events.
By 1999, she had graduated her three children, and they were off to college and working. Then a friend asked if she would teach her homeschooled teens English composition skills. A new adventure bloomed.
Using the approach she taught her children, she wrote her own high school curriculum for beginning, intermediate and advanced English composition skills. "Write Right with Mrs. White" was born. She taught homeschool teens in her home, at homeschool co-ops and in private schools.
To provide more opportunities for area homeschoolers, White founded T.E.A.C.H. Cleburne in 2013, a university-style school offering a la carte classes for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Classes include all the core subjects and numerous electives.
She served as the director and taught all the middle school and high school English classes before retiring from teaching in 2022. In 2023, she retired as the T.E.A.C.H. director and shifted to the advisory board.
