Home again after taking a trip to the top of the mitten to see the Tunnel of Trees. Since moving to Michigan last year I have heard a lot about this short section of highway (approximately 27 miles) that follows the shore of Lake Michigan and the Little Traverse Bay. Told by many how beautiful […]
Before McDonalds, before Taco Bell, before Subway there was A&W. Growing up my family did not eat out too often. For one thing, our budget did not allow for such expenses but also there were not many fast-food chains like we have now. When we had the occasional treat, it was fun to go to […]
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Well – my […]
When I was in second grade the vaccine for poliomyelitis was declared effective and safe, and a nationwide inoculation campaign began. Children were the first to get the vaccine because the disease was known as “infant paralysis” mainly affecting children. This disease attacks the nerve cells and sometimes the central nervous system, often causing muscle wasting and […]
The last two weeks I have shared stories of old hymns and gospel songs of the past. From “You Are My Sunshine” to “Dawning of the Age of Aquarius” Recognize This Beloved Song – “Faith’s Review and Expectations” Today I share the song that I call “my” hymn. When my husband and I made our […]
As election time draws near, I often wonder what the founders of our nation would think about the people we have become. The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are a gift of God….Thomas Jefferson (This […]
Following the Oregon Trail we came upon a large rock made of limestone. The rock stood high above the Platte River Valley. The soft limestone rock made it easy for people to carve their names in. Travelers heading for Oregon carved their names in the rock. More than 700 names are on the rock. At […]
This month I celebrated three years of retirement!!! Over thirteen years ago I was diagnosed with a very advanced and aggressive breast cancer and told the “odds were not in my favor.” Cancer Survivor. As I went through nine months of treatment, my prayer was “Dear Lord, please let me live until I can retire […]
When we spent several weeks in Charleston, South Carolina a few years ago trying to escape the cold winter weather, I was amazed at all the churches with their tall steeples. We took a tour of the city on a boat and from the harbor you could see the beautiful steeples reaching to the sky. […]
Spring break this year found my both my daughter and her husband out of town on their jobs leaving my husband and I to take care of – and entertain – our eight-year-old granddaughter. What to do? We played school with the animals. My husband bought these animals at the local zoo one year when […]
Don’t you just hate it when you are going through a time of stress or difficulties that cause you to begin to worry and then some Pollyanna comes along and says: Recently I have been stressed out. My husband and I have begun downsizing and making plans to move to a smaller place which will […]
She has always been there. My “big” sister, Velma. I call her big, not because she is physically bigger than me. In fact, I think she is a little smaller. But she was my oldest sibling and calling her “big” sister is probably better than calling her my “old” sister. Me and my “big” sister, […]
My husband and I hold services at two different assisted living facilities and I also give a piano concert twice a month at one of them. Today my husband shared with the residents the story in the Gospel of Luke about the ten lepers that came to Jesus asking to be healed. That story really […]
The story begins with the disciples approaching Jesus with a seemingly reasonable request: “Lord! Increase our faith!” It’s an understandable request given the sort of things Jesus has been teaching: Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Forgive even when it’s not deserved. Give without expecting anything in return. Be ready to take up […]
