Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
At times, processing items from my childhood home has been like falling into a time machine and stepping out decades ago. Finding tiny plastic dishes and pots spun me back to a time when I was a preschooler and Daddy would come home for lunch and visit me in the playhouse he built for me. […]
During these days of working outside in 90+ degree temperatures, I have experienced extreme exhaustion, the kind of fatigue that sitting for a while doesn’t relieve. Only re-hydrating refreshes, renews, and reignites. Today, when everything is different, uncertain, turbulent, and confusing, there are times when I feel parched mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Following are insights, […]
In recent weeks, I’ve been cleaning out the storage room and a few other areas in my childhood home. The task has been physically taxing and emotionally draining. The initial clean out happened almost ten years ago following my mother’s death, but there were some things that fell into the categories of “don’t know what […]
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain, and formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. As a country, we celebrate our independence in many ways, and not just on the 4th of July. But how does independence factor into our personal lives? Is independence always […]
Years ago, the trademark symbol of one of the television networks was a stylized peacock with vivid multi-colored tail feathers. The words “brought to you in living color,” along with the peacock, preceded programing. Perhaps the trademark originated when television transitioned from black and white to color. Regardless, it was a vivid visual image that […]
Each year, when the third week in June rolls around, I can’t help but think of my Daddy. Even though he died almost 30 years ago, I still miss him. I miss his strong hugs with a jiggly squeeze at the end. I miss his gentle voice, his humor, and his wisdom. My father was […]
In these turbulent days, calmness and peace are hard to find. Demonstrations, marches, violence, fear, and turmoil flood our cities, and mainstream and social media. Coming on the heels of COVID-19 quarantine, one has to wonder if all the emotion stems from fear, frustration, and confinement rather than backlash over injustice. We all experience times […]
At the end of last week, my aunt returned to her home after being displaced for almost four months following massive tornado damage early in February. A portion of the house had to be rebuilt and areas inside required restoration and renewal. With the help of a general contractor, and numerous subcontractors, we were able […]
In the mid-1950s, before I was born, my parents went to Europe. My Uncle Wesley was stationed in Germany as part of the post-WWII Allied presence and my parents visited him and Aunt Jean. But my parents also went to Switzerland to see the place where my father was held prisoner after his plane was […]
Life presents us with many learning opportunities and COVID-19 is no exception. The uncertainties of the disease, and other unknowns, challenge us in unexpected ways and bring out various emotions. The wide range of actions, reactions, and emotions highlight positives and negatives. Following are some things we are learning about ourselves in the face of […]