Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
A year ago, my 96-year-old aunt “Chinkie” skipped the bonds of earth and entered her heavenly home. She was a huge part of my life and continues to occupy my mind almost daily. Cleaning out her home provided moments of quiet grief, but also periods of joy. I thought I knew a lot about grief, […]
Seven years ago, when I felt the nudge to start blogging, I was resistant. I delayed for months, using the excuse of needing a topic I could sustain for the long haul. Granted, that was an important part of the process, but extended longer than necessary because I dreaded the commitment. Blogging, I knew, required […]
In recent weeks, I’ve found myself repeating the phrase “not what we expected” regarding my husband’s recovery from surgery. The surgery went fine and produced the desired results, but issues unrelated to surgery find us saying, “This is not what we expected!” We all have expectations. Some are realistic; others aren’t. Have you reached a […]
In recent months, I’ve read numerous novels set in World War II and learned a great deal about Adolph Hitler’s reign of terror, the hallmarks of which were fear, uncertainty, control, and loss of freedoms. Hitler’s totalitarian dictatorship from 1933-1945, systematically created an atmosphere of fear and hatred, while invading other countries and taking away […]
Several weeks ago, I heard a loud commotion in our side yard. I followed the sound and discovered two arched-backed, neighborhood cats facing each other. With intermittent yowls, and an occasional swat, they challenged each other over a patch of real estate that didn’t belong to either of them. Eventually, they gave up the fight […]
My father was a builder, so I grew up watching houses under construction. I learned several things: a sturdy house requires a firm foundation, and the “footprint” of a house can be deceptive (during early construction the house looks smaller than it really is). Constructing a solid reputation by the example you set is somewhat […]
Have you learned to appreciate simple gifts? The well-known Shaker song “Simple Gifts,” written in 1846 by Joseph Brackett, puts forth the ideal of simplicity, which was evident in the Shaker lifestyle. Shaker furniture styles are synonymous with high-quality, clean-lined, simple craftsmanship that is as popular today as it was decades ago. Deep within, we […]
Have you ever been the beneficiary of generosity? I have. People respond differently to an act of generosity. Some graciously accept; others are hesitant, feeling that which is bestowed on them obligates them for future payback. It’s not always easy to be generous. In fact, we live in a “me first” society that screams “get […]
Last week, my husband had surgery. The anticipated overnight stay post-surgery evolved into three nights. On the day of discharge, the process dragged on for hours, making us arrive home late. A few complications landed us in the ER the next night. Unexpected. Several people special to me recently received cancer diagnoses. Unexpected. I know […]
Do you have giants in your life you can’t seem to overcome? Right now, the giant we are facing is my husband’s upcoming surgery. Unknowns exist. Some aspects are a little scary, especially since the surgeon gave him a backout opportunity at the pre-op appointment. But we are going ahead, with faith, and trusting God […]