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…..
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,…..
The state of motherhood means there are children involved. Even if they are grown. Even when the title “Mom” is affectionately given to a special lady in one’s life. A mom might have natural-born children, or they may be adopted. Or foster children. Or those that actually belong to someone else, yet she serves as a parental figure of some sort (such as a mother-in-law). One thing I know for sure about children: they are all different. Bob (my late…..
The last month of 2019 has arrived. Along with December comes the busy-ness of the Christmas season. Shopping for presents – gifts for those we hold dear, and gifts for those who may be not-so-dear. Holiday music fills the stores, is tuned in on the radio, and reverberates from the rafters of church buildings across the land. As we listen to the timely melodies, we notice different themes. Some songs remind us that we are honoring the birth of Jesus. …..
I recently faced one of those jobs that needed to be done, but I didn’t want to tackle. I finally decided to expend the effort necessary to make it happen. The refrigerator in my laundry room had to be completely defrosted, as there was an ice build-up in the freezer section. As I moved items from the refrigerator to my big freezer, I ran across something I thought was long gone – a red icing rose I had saved from…..
This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day – that time of year when we celebrate special women in our lives. Not all of them are a biological parent. I could name several ladies that served as mother-figures to me during various seasons of my existence. I owe each one a huge amount of gratitude. I have been thinking a lot about my mom lately. My lawn has been purple with violets; while many consider them weeds, to me they are a…..
I know it’s coming, and I dread it just as much as I have for a long time. When I was a child, I looked forward to it. However, as an adult, I see it from a whole different perspective. And it makes me cringe. Yes, Christmas is coming, but that is not what makes me want to run and hide. I love planning gifts for others, although sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the shopping and creating. One present…..
As of this week, it is official – I have lived in Indiana twice as long as I lived in Tennessee, the state in which I was born and raised. Maybe I should consider myself an adopted Hoosier; however, I know I will always be a Volunteer in my heart. Although Indiana and Tennessee are part of the same country, there were things I had to learn once I married a Hoosier native and was stuck here. People are a…..
For as long as I can remember, tea has been a part of my life. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold; sometimes strong, sometimes weak; sometimes black, sometimes green, sometimes herbal – no matter the temperature or type, it seems like there is always tea. My mother’s cure for tummy aches was a cup of what she referred to as “cambric tea,” which was a blend of very weak tea, sugar, and milk. The tea, along with toast (often cinnamon toast), comforted…..