It's doubtful anyone who knows my family would associate our surname with minimalism. I know I'm bucking the tide, but it's a way of life that appeals to me more and more. I'm a fan of Joshua Becker's, Becoming Minimalist, website. He's practical and inspiring. I didn't care for her book, but watched every episode …
A mom can find her kid. Even in a crowd. I could find Andrew on the football field by watching for arms and legs. I can spot Daniel by the sound of his laugh. And Ian’s voice draws my attention. Much like his dad’s, it's distinctive and pleasing. And as with Andrew, if he's moving, I can find …
Doug and I don’t get much couple time anymore… unless you count TV after dinner… until one of us conks out… and that would be him. Sometimes I arrange for a caregiver on Saturdays. Typically we’ll spend that day working on the never-ending projects at our old house. And that’s OK with me. It’s a day together. I appreciate …
It was a hard day... the day we left Alaska. We teamed up with a trucker friend named Barry. His wife had left him and he was on a mission to find her and make amends. So there we were, heading down the Alaska Highway... three depressed adults, four active boys, one big rig, a van …
The man has a knack for spotting old things stuck in the bushes… along a road… in someone’s driveway… out in the middle of no-where. He catches a glimpse... of a headlight, a tail light amongst the branches, a rusty fender… and more often than not it ends up in our yard. Last weekend’s acquisition is …
When I read Gone With the Wind, I totally pictured my mom as one of those gorgeous, genteel, southern belles… skilled in every social grace. Once the kids in my class asked me if she was an actress because she wore sunglasses to a parent-teacher conference… and in today’s parlance, she looked smokin’. She greeted me after …
I never liked to memorize anything. Multiplication tables in 4th grade are my only claim to fame in that department. And that was only because we got to move up the line and get out the door faster for lunch. I can be bribed with food. But I do admire people who effortlessly rattle off a famous …
Continue reading State Capitals… and Why I Need to Remember Stuff
I talk on the phone to my parents and Mom laments. After the initial holiday enthusiasm wanes, after her annual Christmas craft faire is done, after her festive packages are mailed, there is the let down. The perfect Christmas seems to elude. Quiet waiting is all that is left. Then it's my turn .....there are no kids or grandkids dropping …
During my overly imaginative childhood, I had dreams. I planned to sing and dance my way to stardom. If that didn't work I'd be a world-famous accordionist. This was most likely influenced by watching too many Lawrence Welk shows ...required viewing in my parents' home. My folks thought the accordion was the safest "dream of the week" so Dad rented one and made sure I got to my weekly lesson. Mom made …
"HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together"... Colossians 1:17 Wish I'd known that verse before we left Destruction Bay. But maybe it wouldn't have mattered. What I did know that morning .... God's handiwork dazzled our eyes around every turn. It was too big to capture with a cheap camera. …
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