To say that it was once a grand old house would be an understatement. I came across it on a country road and was so drawn to its stately architecture that I turned around and pulled into the barely visible gravel drive. Parking the car, I stepped out to take it all in. Standing knee-deep in […]
Read MoreImitations
To the cat, it appeared to be the real thing. Standing quietly in all its appetizing glory; downy feathers and plump body, the chick was there for the taking. Now, knowing the nature of cats, I reconstructed the moment by the evidence in front of me. I envisioned him crouching, ears lowered, tail twitching, positioning […]
Read MoreThe Way Out
Several years ago my late husband and I were on a business trip in Orlando and, at its conclusion, we took a day to visit Disney World. As we made our way through one of the parks, an attraction beckoned us in. The building loomed large and mysterious ~ inviting visitors into story and adventure. […]
Read MoreThe Lullaby of God
Some moments in life are so precious, so connected to our souls that time cannot erase them. They are both nostalgic and present all in one thought; indelible memories of relationships that take the form of a vow, a birth, a bond, a parting. Remembering them can fill us with joy or touch us with […]
Read MoreBe Careful Little Eyes
I grew up an only child in a rural area with few neighbor kids close by, so television became a fill-in companion. Programming in those days was pretty mild and parents, for the most part, didn’t have to contend with the tube to uphold values. The weekly shows at the time included such themes as […]
Read MoreThe Road Home
I listened as the talk show host regaled the audience with her self-proclaimed enlightenment: “All roads lead to God, however you perceive that deity.” It wasn’t exactly a new thought, but rather an old one with a new convert. That ideology has been circulating for generations and, in the growing confusion of our times, many […]
Read MoreLove Letters
It’s February … the love month. Valentine cards with heart -shaped cut-outs and thoughtful messages dominate gift shops. Boxes of chocolates and stuffed teddy bears appear in stores along with bundles of red roses and seasonal balloons; all designed to help customers bring smiles to loved ones. Though much of the celebration centers on […]
Read MoreEmpty Things
Apparently a teaspoon of milk left in a gallon jug is justification for returning it to the refrigerator. Many a family can relate. You pour a bowl of cereal, put it on the table, set out a spoon and go for the milk … only to find an empty container. You reverse all these actions […]
Read MoreBut Know This
I didn’t develop a love of reading until after my school years. Until then, reading was simply necessary to prepare for the tests that were to come. Some tests were announced in advance and others came unexpectedly. Both were designed to measure comprehension and ability to apply knowledge. I remember some wonderful teachers who emphasized […]
Read MoreFaded Pain
Kidney stones. If you’ve ever had them, you know the full scope of these two words. If you haven’t, they merely represent a painful condition you’ve heard about but can’t relate to. I was in the second camp most of my life, until one summer afternoon when I was personally introduced to kidney stones. The […]
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