Happy Anniversary to my creative self. One year ago, I traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to participate in a writers conference called “The Creative Reboot.” Several aspects of this conference drew me to register. The amazing location, the opportunity to meet Julia Cameron and the focus on creativity. Location: Santa Fe is one of …
They raise their chartreuse heads above the frosted grass. At first, I am cheered by the bright yellow dots in my yard. “It will soon be time for the garden,” I tell the cat. Her tawny eyes reflect with understanding. But by the time dandelions lose their sunshiny tops and begin to climb higher, then …
After a recent trip to my hometown, I was struck with the functional differences between the Kansas City metro and Enid, Oklahoma. In my hometown, most businesses close for Easter, Christmas and even Thanksgiving to allow families time together. The majority of signs and billboards carry the graphic of either a cross or an empty …
During a recent trip to the New Mexican mountains, we searched for deer. Every time someone in the family saw a deer, we cheered. We called to them, hoping to pet them or maybe feed them some leftover crackers. Deer are a special fixture in the mountains — a cherished part of the wildlife. But …
As I worked in my home office, a sound forced me to stop and look around. It was a melody I had not heard for quite a while. Humming — a bass voice humming. My son, who has a lovely voice, was marching up the stairs while humming. I smiled with a prayer of thanks. …
She reached out to touch my hand, her pudgy toddler fingers soft and warm. Dark brown Hispanic eyes twinkled with joy as we played peek-a-boo around her mother’s shoulder. We waited in line at Arby’s, teasing each other for at least ten minutes. The baby grinned at me, two tiny bottom teeth standing like white …
An idea filtered through my soul one Sabbath afternoon as I was journaling thoughts from the morning’s service. Someone had mentioned the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. These qualities are produced in our lives as we let the Spirit flow through us and as we learn more about what it means to live …
When I focus on the word “preserves” I think about the sand plum jelly we made on the farm, and the hours we spent canning tomatoes and green beans. Those wonderful Mason jars provided us with fresh food throughout the winter months and also preserved memories of cooking with Mom in the farm kitchen. But …
Several people I know, friends and family, are struggling with their arms. Because of chronic illnesses, they can no longer lift more than 10 pounds or even help themselves out of a chair. I grieve for their losses even as I admire their determination to stay in hope. Arms are something I take for granted. …
An encouragement often shared on my blog is the phrase, “Stay in hope.” No matter how life unravels, stay in hope. What does that statement really mean? Is hope possible in today’s messy world? What does it look like, feel like? Or is it something so ethereal, we cannot find it — fail to grasp …