MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN

lives enthusiastically as a woman, wife, mother, and teacher. She is a multi-award-winning author of Southern humor, cozy mysteries, and not-socozy police procedural books, and has also written an educational book, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques, to help people learn and remember more easily. Marlene is quick to say that she planned to marry someone old and rich but only got old. However, on her first date with Snell, her husband, she knew he was the one for her, to the point that she proposed. After his refusal, Marlene considered getting him pregnant. They are the parents of a beautiful oliveskinned son. James suffered a lack of oxygen during delivery, resulting in him having special needs. She refers to James ' condition as a special gift. After 34 years in public education, Marlene retired in 2007. In the classroom, she earned the nickname " Ms. Rat," which led her students to collect rat figurines and other rat-themed collectibles over the years. As a Southern Humorist, Marlene has entertained readers with her observations about life through her column, Hey Y ' all, published in the Gwinnett Citizen in Georgia since 2015. Marlene returns to share a wonderful, funny, heart-centered story about owning several cats over the years and caring for them in her endearing story,“ Being a Servant,” in her unique commentary column, Anything Goes with Mama Marlene.

LADY AMB. DR.( HC)

RANDI D. WARD

is our editor-in-chief extraordinaire! At 76, she has been a“ mother” to hundreds of children during her 37 years as a Georgia Language Arts educator. Her teaching journey has taken her to Cairo, Egypt, where she started several language schools teaching ESOL. Randi is also an African animal advocate and environmentalist. She is an honorary president of World Peace Forest( Africa) and the USA Regional Director for Africa Nomads Conservation. Her passion for life and humanity has earned her many awards and honors. Randi recently received the IAOTP Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Her life ' s philosophy is“ Believe! Don ' t dream big; dream bigger! The sky is the limit, so reach for the stars!” Randi has traveled to 60 countries on four continents. From one of her destinations came her memoir, Because I Believed In Me- My Egyptian Fantasy Came True, which encapsulates her view of what life is all about. Today, Randi is a master editor, visionary book consultant, and Co-Owner of RM Infinite. By the way, as a mother and forever teacher, she is making sure I am“ crossing my t ' s and dotting my i’ s”… Ha, Ha, Ha!

CATHI CUREN is a Family Astrologer, Lifestyle Design Consultant, Career Coach, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine GSEP, and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. She has spent over 30 years researching family dynamics and how our early relationships and environments influence our lives. She specializes in Public and Corporate Education and Training in Career / Work-Life Balance and Relationships. As the“ Holistic Children Radio” podcaster, Cathi provides techniques and tools to support families’ emotional, spiritual, physical, financial, and environmental health. She is also the author of the original“ Me + U” Interactive Journal Series, which helps parents, children, couples, and colleagues crack open communication in their unique way. As our Kitchen Table Conversations host, Cathi believes effective communication is vital in any relationship as we connect our inner selves with our family and the outer world. Our home is the best place to provide rest, restoration, revitalization,

and support for our family ' s health and well-being. Cathi returns with an insightful, empowering message on how to connect with and teach our kids about mindfulness and being in the moment while enjoying the season in her inspiring story,“ Let Autumn Teach You to Slow Down.”

6 | Inspirations for Better Living • October 2026