Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
In recent weeks, I have become increasingly aware of those in various types of pain. A friend and also a family member who are experiencing physical pain. Extended family members endured the emotional pain of watching the physical pain of a loved one’s final days on earth. Others suffer pain related to aging or chronic […]
Emotions are God-given and part of our humanness. They serve an important purpose by allowing us to express feelings and release tensions. Sometimes, we avoid emotions, suppressing them until we can experience them at a more convenient time. But often that moment never comes and those squelched emotions bubble to the surface unexpectedly and in […]
Last weekend, I taught at a writing conference. The fact that I was teaching doesn’t mean I wasn’t also listening, learning, and gaining valuable inspiration. One message that came through repeatedly, and clearly, was to move forward, to take the information obtained, do the work, and, as one speaker said, “Just get on with it.” […]
As a wordsmith, I enjoy acquiring new words and using them in my writing. Although I was familiar with the word “hinterland,” I recently ran across it again and its usage piqued my interest. The word is German in origin and was first used in the late 1800s. Hinterland is defined as an uncharted area […]
Earlier this week, my husband and I watched the first installment of a PBS drama that focused on the final years of slavery in early nineteenth century colonial Jamaica. As always, the portrayal of the brutality and injustice of slavery was jarring and unsettling. While we do not experience the type of slavery present centuries […]
Recently, I had a conversation with a man who immigrated legally to the United States with his family. When asked why they came to this country, he replied, “Freedom. Religious freedom.” He went on to say that he is extremely concerned about the upcoming election, fearing those with a socialist agenda will come to power. […]
The word “hijack” conjures images of masked gunmen taking over a plane, or other forms of transportation, making demands, and creating fear and panic. While this is the standard picture, on a more personal level, many things conspire to hijack our thoughts and lives, sending us off course, and creating chaos. Your captors may differ […]
Early on a bright, calm Sunday morning, the mirror on my dresser began to vibrate. The vibration intensified, coupled with rocking noise, as the mirror visibly flapped in its holders. The pulls on other furniture jangled as items danced across the top. Were my eyes and ears accurate, or was I having some sort of […]
Last weekend, we had the pleasure of gathering our family in our home to celebrate Mother’s Day and our daughter-in-law’s birthday. After months apart, it was a joy to see each other in person, share a meal, and watch little folks play, squeal, run, and laugh. We are social beings, designed by God, our Creator, […]
As I sat on the deck one morning, I looked across the yard to a spot where I thought we had planted a dogwood tree, but the tree wasn’t visible. Thinking perhaps the tree was a victim of the recent tornado, I walked to the edge of the yard. Upon further inspection, I saw that […]