I love walking our golden retriever, Oban in the hills behind our home. Oban is almost 4 years old now but still such a puppy. Yesterday, he decided that he did not want to go for a walk after all but wanted to play tug ‘o war instead! In goes the leash into his mouth…back legs braced, front legs extended, head pulling and shaking enticing me to P L A Y! Ok, I know he was being bad, but he was so cute! We tugged. Back and forth and then running. He was so happy! I passed other dog walkers... Continue reading

A friend’s daughter is turning 16 and asked a few friends and family members to write her a (short) letter about their memories of being sixteen and perhaps a little advice…here’s mine. I dedicate it to all the young women reading this…whatever their age. Dear Beauty, Sweet Sixteen! What a milestone! Hooray for you! On my sixteenth birthday, I got my driver’s license. Now that was sweet. Sixteen is a year of transition and wonder and enlargening circles and increasing freedom and more deeply stepping into the lovely young woman you are. When I was sixteen, most of the girls... Continue reading

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a few years ago. Now, I do like to dream but the resolution thing never seemed to work out for me. At the turn of this year, however, I decided to get more organized…with meal plans and grocery shopping in particular. I didn’t call my new, stay with the program, don’t try to figure out dinner at 5:30pm plan – a New Year’s resolution. But it was. I made my lists. I asked input from my family about what dinners they would like. I made a two week menu plan and posted it inside... Continue reading

Addicted to doesn’t mean the same thing as dependent upon. But it’s close, isn’t it? If I’m addicted to alcohol, my body will crave it, my mind will demand it, my cells will cry out for it. I need a drink in order to cope, to feel better or to feel nothing at all. Or, at least, I think I need a drink. I believe I need a drink. I turn to alcohol to help me, to save me. I depend upon it to do what it has done in the past…offer a momentary sense of relief. Or maybe it’s... Continue reading

I read on Yahoo news recently about a woman (Ms. Warden) in North Carolina who is spreading the word from her Subaru that Jesus will be returning on May 21st of this year. Another ministry devoted to deciphering the scriptures teaches that he’s coming back in 2016. I forget the exact day. December 23, 2012 is also a day being offered up for Christ’s imminent and triumphant return as is May 14thof this year. From the Spokesman-Review: “It’s a very jarring thing to be told you have five months on Earth,” admits Warden, 29. “That may interrupt any earthly plan.”... Continue reading