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This was originally written in December of 2014 as part of my “Cooks Corner” column. I have edited it to make it more “timeless.” However, I left my grandchildren’s ages the same as they were at the time. Vivian is 12 and Liam is 11 as of this “edition.” And I have to say that we laughed about the story this year (2022) when she unwrapped a plain cardboard box… It is difficult to believe that this year is almost…..
Several years ago, I wrote a poem for one of my very best friends. She loves butterflies, so that was my theme.On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Janet left her caterpillar life behind, and I was inspired to write a follow-up poem for her. Here are both poems: Butterfly Friends We are friends, you and I, Living our caterpillar days. We share laughter We shed tears We sob out grief We confess fears There are times we cocoon Into our own…..
While browsing through a hymnal recently, I ran across one of my favorite songs from when I was a young child: “Will There Be Any Stars?” Memories rolled in like a flood, and I could not keep myself from associating the hymn with a sheet of blue construction paper. On that paper was a childishly drawn circle that represented my crown. When I accomplished tasks assigned to me or was helpful in some way, my mother gave me a star…..
October 9, 2020 The times we are living in are unsettling. This year has been filled with one thing after another that causes us to look at life with apprehension. We wonder what is coming next. As Christians, we know that we are commanded not to worry and fret; however, we somehow can’t seem to “be anxious for nothing,” as we are told to do in Philippians 4:6. Between the coronavirus, rioting, hurricanes, and the political situation, not to mention…..
There is an old saying that “All good things must come to an end.” Fourteen years ago, on July 13, 2006, The Shelbyville News contained my first “Cooks’ Corner” column. Others had written it before my turn started, and it was amazing to me that the newspaper agreed to accept articles from an inexperienced author. Until then, the only steady writing I had accomplished was putting together devotions and sending them to people by email. I was thrilled to be…..
It’s that time of year again, and I am excited! My hard work is beginning to pay off; my garden is starting to yield fresh produce. I have enjoyed sugar snap peas for a couple of weeks. A few yellow cherry tomatoes have ripened; they don’t last very long after I rinse them off. It is too hard to resist a fresh-off-the-vine bite of golden goodness. I picked some green beans on Saturday, enough to share with a friend at…..
Now it’s July. Half of 2020 is history; it was definitely historic! Things that seemed so routine when we entered this year are no longer the same. Every trip to the store reminds me that things have changed. It may be in the availability (or lack thereof) of certain items. It could be sticker shock from escalating prices. I do know that I miss seeing smiling faces that are unhidden by masks. One thing I am extremely grateful for is…..
During all the recent weeks of isolation, uncertainty, and unrest, there have been times I felt extremely unsettled. I have found only one thing that is sure – the love of my Heavenly Father. Knowing that I am never out of His care has helped me look at these tempestuous times with an assurance I could never come up with on my own. One of the ways God has provided for me is by supplying a weekly focus, often just…..
I was blessed to have all of my family at my home on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. After so many weeks of isolation, we enjoyed our time together. The cousins were excited to spend time playing together, and the adults were glad for a time to chat face-to-face. Most of our time was spent outdoors; however, a mid-afternoon thunderstorm moved our gathering into the house for a bit. Molly (my daughter) and her crew arrived on that Friday,…..
June has arrived – the first month of summer. Yes, I know that summer doesn’t officially arrive until the 20th, but with all that has been going on in our world, it is good to know that seasons are changing as they always do. When I sat down to write this morning, I had a story to tell. However, current events kept flooding my mind. They reminded me that we live in a broken culture, in a society that often…..