They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:8 My husband and I paid a visit to… Continue reading Root Bound
Life… and Counting
"The greatest surprise in life to me is the brevity of life.” — Billy Graham In March I celebrated my 58th birthday. The day came and went with little pomp or circumstance, which suited me just fine as I was busy trying to figure out how it got here in the first place. A minute… Continue reading Life… and Counting
Beauty in Chaos
Though the snowy view out my window testifies to the contrary —SPRING is emerging in the northern latitudes! Along with long awaited green, spring ushers in the arrival of the constellations Leo, Auriga and Boōtes; showcasing their brilliant stars Regulus, Capella and Arcturus, respectively. Spring also promises sightings of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury on the… Continue reading Beauty in Chaos
Defined by Love
Twelve years ago we crammed our belongings, three reluctant kids and an obnoxious sheltie named Bodie into our black Durango and one big yellow Penske truck and headed west. We hadn't an inkling as we pulled out of the driveway with tears in our eyes, that the 2,300 mile trek from Michigan to Idaho would… Continue reading Defined by Love
One Lap at a Time
How did you run your race today? I pray you fared better than I did! In all honesty, this lap was a total bomb for me. I knocked over a few hurdles, dropped the baton once or twice, and tripped on my own shoelace. I was supposed to host a new acquaintance at my house… Continue reading One Lap at a Time
What’s in a Name?
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." A Birthday Rose from my RomeoWho hasn’t heard those memorable words penned by the Bard in his famous play Romeo and Juliet? The sentiment behind that poetic phrase is clear: the significance of a thing does not… Continue reading What’s in a Name?
Fish Where You’re Camped
My adorable grandson -- frying up a fresh catch!Quail feathers, chicken down, wild-turkey tails and even cat hair —these and more have been the object of my husband’s desire of late and has made our daily life a bit more colorful. It all started with a Christmas present from our new son-in-law. A rectangular wooden… Continue reading Fish Where You’re Camped
Autumn’s Promise
I’m sitting in my husband’s work truck surrounded by an expanse of rolling pasture land. Tall prairie grasses blanket the hilly terrain in shades of color merely a faded version of their summer splendor— the under-story of once vibrant green blades now variegated with autumn gold and orange. The entire landscape will soon fade to… Continue reading Autumn’s Promise
Re-purposing My Nest: Part 1
We called her Phoebe Anne; though what she called herself I really couldn’t say. Every spring, from parts unknown, she showed up at our front door with her lover in tow. As spring rains gave way to lush green, Phoebe Anne occupied her days preparing for the anticipated arrival of her new clutch. Mornings echoed… Continue reading Re-purposing My Nest: Part 1
Reward for Sowing
Parenting is grueling (did I really just say that out loud?). Heaven knows it isn’t for the faint of heart or for anyone seeking self-glory. Far too many days come down to sheer survival, and many a night finds you falling into bed physically exhausted and emotionally spent. As a parent, you spend years plowing… Continue reading Reward for Sowing