She was born 138 years ago. Married at 19. Died at 95. In between the beginning and ending she raised five children, kept home with none of the conveniences we take for granted, was an accomplished pianist and did fine needlework. She survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake while pregnant with her oldest daughter. She worked hard, …
I've been playing with the camera on my phone this week. One daughter-in-law posts clever collages on Facebook and another posts nifty black and whites. I've admired their pictures and wondered how they do it. All I can say is it's amazing what you find out when you slow down, take a little time and …
Today was a good day. Every day is a good day. I choose it to be. The alternative is unacceptable. Every day is a good day even when there's too much work, my knee is stiff, and I must cook dinner for the 80 millionth time (slight exaggeration). Even the day that arrives with unseen pressure lightens when I remember …
It's overcast today. Warmish, but not too. Just the way I like it, actually. I opened all the windows this morning, as always, then sat down with my journal and coffee. The breeze rolled over me. And so began my list of thanks. I ran through the names which impressed themselves upon me, including the one so far away in a …
I fell big time for one of those videos that floats around Facebook. A little boy and a little girl stand on a ledge, or perhaps it's a very high sidewalk. There is a large gap the girl is afraid to cross. Without hesitation the boy straddles the gap, lowers himself down and becomes a human bridge. And in the cutest way …
I perched on the edge of the pool in all my 13 year-old gawkiness... poised to dive head first. My wet hair and wet suit had long since dried. I was a wreck. I wanted to jump. She said I had to jump. But I just couldn’t jump. Irrational fear flooded my mind. Arms and …
This is Five Minute Friday and the word is..... Gift ... freakish spring snowstorm, but the blossoms survive ... hearing mom's voice on the phone ... sons ... two tall coffees and the long ride home in his pick-up truck ... pick-up trucks ... little boys eating pizza, little girls eating cupcakes... and the daughters-in-law who make it all …
The last few days have been a little prickly. While I care for another's mom... ...my own was 600 miles and a snowy mountain range away in a hospital bed. And Dad... well, he just doesn't do so well without Mom these days. He called each evening sounding lost. My sister found him one night eating …
I've always defined the word house as a generic building people live in. I've always defined home as the place you go at night, where you feel safe... where you belong. Presently, in my mind anyway, we have both a house and a home. And both of them gave me a great workout this weekend. The …
When I packed up my old dining room and moved to the new, several note books made the trip. Notepads, small spiral-bound note books and pens were always kept by the phone. In this new space I carry a cell phone and have no designated message area. I worry I'll forget something important before I can write it …
Heart's Home 