Welcome!
I’m a writer, wife, mom of two grown children, and dog mom to five dogs who have considerably less interest in becoming independent than my human children did. I’m equal parts sentimental and sarcastic, fully capable of crying over a memory and laughing at a fart joke five minutes later.
My husband, Phil, and I have been married for 35 years, and we live in Sabula, Iowa, the state’s only island city. We’ve settled pretty comfortably into this stage of life, although “empty nest” seems like a questionable description of a house occupied by a yellow Labrador, a senior Shih Tzu, and three young Shih Tzus known as the Lollipop Guild. There’s always somebody who needs fed, wants outside, or is committing a misdemeanor involving toilet paper.
Family, friendship, marriage, getting older, and small-town life give me plenty to write about, and the dogs make sure I never run out of material. I’m a caregiver and nurturer at heart, with a sassy streak and approximately 47 thoughts bouncing around my brain at any given moment.
Writing is how I figure things out. My notebook and pen have become my place to remember, question, laugh, grieve, and work through whatever life hands me. Sometimes that means writing about losing someone I love; sometimes it means wondering why the same chin hair keeps growing back like it pays property taxes there.
The past year has been one of the hardest of my life. I lost my dad, two beloved dogs, and our kitty, and I’m still learning how to live with those empty spaces. My faith is part of that, too, although it comes with plenty of questions. Some days I’m mad at God and still need God, and both things find their way into my writing.
I’ve written since I was young, but for a long time I put off sharing much of it. There was always another responsibility, another reason to wait, or another version of myself I thought I needed to become first. Losing Dad brought home the reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised, so I started putting my stories out there.
That’s where Anyway—Off We Go comes in. Life keeps moving, and I’m writing my way through it, with humor, heart, occasional profanity, and dog hair woven throughout.
What You’ll Find Here
Monday Moments explores the encounters, memories, and little realizations that give me something to think about.
Life According to Dogs follows Josey, Teddy, Milo, Buster, and Mikey as they supervise the household, create chaos, and occasionally teach me something.
Something Good is my Friday practice of noticing something worth appreciating, even during weeks when it takes a little more looking.
Earned Miles, Earned Moments follows my efforts to become healthier and stronger for the years ahead. There are miles, small victories, struggles, and regular opportunities to tattle on myself.
You’ll also find feature essays about family, friendship, grief, faith, getting older, and life in a small town, including my ongoing negotiations with the snake population in Snake Chronicles. And when I feel like making things up, there are short fiction stories, too.
I’m gradually bringing more of my previously published writing over from Facebook, so the collection here will keep growing. The Features & Series menu will help you find the kinds of stories you enjoy.
I hope you find something here that makes you laugh, gives you something to think about, or makes you feel a little less alone. You’re welcome to follow by email, join me on Facebook, and share links to stories that connect with you.
Anyway—Off We Go 🐾 There are more stories to tell, and the dogs still need walked.
Erica 💙
© 2026 Erica Shoemaker | Anyway—Off We Go™. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Anyway… Off We Go™ by Erica Shoemaker. All rights reserved.
