The Messiah is called “Prince of Peace!” The angels cried out, “Peace on Earth!” Really? Look around. It doesn’t really look like peace. Forget the lack of harmony between people, which keeps escalating, look at nature ... hurricanes, natural disasters, fires, pandemics, and so on. So “Peace on Earth” seems to be a stretch. Or... Continue Reading →
Searching for the Tree
Christmas Trees ... expressions of personality, delights to children, reminders of Christmas joy, and targets for cats to stealthily bring down when no one is around. Trees have made the news this season. The Rockefeller tree through all its transition is the biggest. Then there is the shopper who found a koala bear in the... Continue Reading →
Over the Hills and Through the Woods
Today I am headed East to see my mother. It’s one of those events many do around the holidays - traveling to see family. And it’s both joyful and daunting. It’s daunting - for family knows us. Our flaws. Our failures. Our frustrations - things that we call pet peeves. And they know how to... Continue Reading →
Travel Time – Is Getting There Half the Fun?
They say that getting there is half the fun. I’m not sure who “they” are. Maybe it’s the travel industry. I am not sure they can say that anymore. Plane delays, cramped seats, traffic jams, car repairs, and the unknown always taking place. But it surely isn’t my family’s mantra. Whenever I did my road... Continue Reading →
What’s in a Name?
There are things that define us. Actions which we do that speak volumes. Clothes we wear that label us. Looks we give that stick with others. And of course, names we are given that end up staying with us most our lives. (Think 'Fruit Loops' given time Howard on TBBT) And sometimes, these ‘nick names’... Continue Reading →
As a Seeker, May We Not Settle for Lies
I was a seeker, for light in a dark world. I looked for truth, but settled for lies ... such are the opening words from a Gold City’s dramatic tune. I can remember as a child my mother hiding our Christmas gifts. Tops of closets, in the blanket chests, trunks of cars. For if she... Continue Reading →
Die Hard … is … Home Alone, for Adults
My son called yesterday. Something he normally does on his drive home when he is bored and has no one else to call. We call this action ‘pulling a Tuck.’ An inside joke. So he called me and said he was headed home where his newlywed wife had gotten home and made some chili. So... Continue Reading →
There Was No Water In The House
my dilemma ... Yesterday, we woke up to the surprise of no water. A few trickles came out of a spigot or two, but those eventually dried up. Had the pipes frozen? Was the well dry? Maybe the pump broke. I walked to the church, and it too was impacted. The two buildings are on... Continue Reading →
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Some songs have journeys that are amazing. Such is the case for Baby, It’s Cold Outside. This song has had some really big highs and some really big lows. Written in 1944 by Broadway legend Frank Loesser, the original intent would surprise people. It was written to be sung at their housewarming party as the... Continue Reading →
Are You Getting Ready? He Is
It’s coming, you can’t stop it, it’s going to be here ready or not. And good intentions will not please those who are filled with expectations. Sometimes we know when ‘it’ is arriving (whatever ‘it’ is). Sometimes we don’t and the wait seems forever and we lose hope. Christmas is 21 days away. People still... Continue Reading →