What an odd mixture of Easter symbols we have in America...and probably all over the world. Bunnies, butterflies, baby chicks, eggs, flowers and green grass, chocolates in foil wrappings. And once in awhile, a picture of a man hanging on a wooden cross. But hey, isn't Easter really all about Spring and everything greening up, blooming, growing? No, not really. The deeper meaning of Easter Easter traces back to the life and death of a man called Jesus, who was... Continue reading

Have you ever considered the influence other people--real or imagined--have on how you think and how you live? It's worth thinking about because such individuals easily become our role models. After that comes trying to measure up to them. What we forget is that most of the time what we see is a carefully staged image. We already know that's true with celebrities, but we may not factor that in once we get on social media. Even when we don't... Continue reading

They're all around us, the people who drag us down and leave us mired in their words. Or attitudes. Some of us call them turkeys--and don't ask me why. It might be a neighbor or friend who harps on the same gripes, time after time. Or it could might be someone seated beside you and for whatever reason, you can't escape. It could even be (gasp!) someone in your family. A number of turkeys have their own talk shows, either... Continue reading

What are your thoughts when you see a flag flying, whether outside a home or at any public place? It seems that many consider the flag a visual offense, wherever it is--just by being there. And they're not all young, not all "radical," or whatever convenient label might come to mind. An area realtor told of a recent experience with an older married couple who were looking for a house. Both were Caucasian and judging by their clothing and their... Continue reading

Fathers come in all shapes and sizes and all personalities. One thing is common to all: Even the best of them have--or had--flaws because, well, they're human beings. Some dads provide for their family and are physically present, but they remain detached emotionally. Others live with one goal: Provide for their family and give them what they need, plus surround them with love. Perhaps the man who reared you and did his best to love you wasn't your "natural father,"... Continue reading

Many of us aren't sure about the answer. You know the kind of questions I mean. "Okay, if there really is a God, why would I think he cares about me?" "From what I know of God, he is more about Dos and Don'ts than about caring for ordinary people like me." "Don't talk to me about God. Not when innocent people get shot while walking down the street or riding their bikes. Not with little kids getting abused and... Continue reading

Have you ever identified with a fable or an old folk tale and been surprised by a flash of insight into your life? I have. I think this might be one of those. The story goes that somehow an eagle's egg got mixed in with the chicken eggs in a nest. The mama hen seemed not to notice. To her an egg was an egg. Period. So she sat contentedly on her nest, waiting for THE day her eggs would... Continue reading

Have you "had it up to here" with all things connected with the Covid 19 pandemic? Most of us would shout, "Yes!" Collectively and individually, we need a lift. Something like a catchy song that gets us all singing along and tapping our feet to its rhythm would help. That's what Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer gave our Nation in 1944. Exhausted Americans were scraping bottom. World War II had dragged on since the December 7, 1941, surprise bombing raid... Continue reading

We're grieving the loss of what we believed America is all about. That a mob would batter their way into our U.S. Capitol building makes us heartsick. "This is America!" we want to scream. "That does not happen here! Except it did. On January 6, 2021. Many of the folks in that mob no doubt considered themselves "good people," who were upholding truth, justice and what is right. Reportedly, many were Christians. Yet everyone with even a smidgen of Bible... Continue reading

A lot of us are thinking Christmas won't be the same this year. Some of us are feeling our necks and shoulders tightening as each day goes on. Why not take a break you'll remember? Sit for a moment and catch the sheer joy of these children--and adults--as you watch and listen to this YouTube of some years ago. First, a bit of background Their story began when James Barthelman and his wife moved from Nebraska to the tiny village... Continue reading

Some of us think we have no influence in the world because we've never held an important job, never been celebrated in any way. Let go of that lie! T ake my friend Alice, for example. This tiny, smiling woman--barely 5 feet tall--saw herself as "nothing special." Yet when Alice died six employees from her local Post Office attended--in uniform. One stood up to tell how much they would miss their friend. "Usually we get complaints about this and that.... Continue reading

Some people think profound thoughts must be spoken in lofty words Not true. The late Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian, was regarded as one of the greatest minds of the 20th century and attracted crowds wherever he went. On one of his frequent visits to the United States he scheduled an appearance at the University of Chicago. During the press conference held to welcome him, one questioner asked, "Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth you learned in all... Continue reading

Reality has a way of blasting away our self-delusions, doesn't it? It usually happens just as I'm patting myself on the back for maintaining a cheerful outlook on life. Bingo! Something goes wrong. Maybe I drop a glass and have to clean up the mess. Or I accidentally delete a piece of writing I'd been working on. More often, it's my balky computer acting up again. Small things, really. Just the drip, drip, drip of daily life. Some days such... Continue reading

It's hard not to feel the heaviness, isn't it? For months we've chafed under quarantine restrictions this Covid-19 pandemic pushed upon us. We live by new rules, trying to protect against exposure to this frightening, ever-changing virus. We long for someone who can lay out what will come next, but it seems no one can. Not even the multitude of Experts. Once we thought that was a lot to deal with Now many U.S. cities have become war zones. We've... Continue reading

How are you doing with all the restrictions of this Covid-19 quarantine? For many of us, peace and patience are wearing thin. We feel overwhelmed. For all of us, fear laces through every day and wakes us in the night. Some of us are good in a crisis, but a crisis has a beginning and an end. This Covid-19 quarantine situation may stretch on for months, but nobody knows for sure. And that makes it worse. How do we stay... Continue reading

Are we a nation of wimps or what? It's as if we assumed our technology and enlightened thinking guaranteed our society wouldn't have--shouldn't have--big challenges that dodge easy solution. That's understandable, I suppose, since for quite some time now, we've been strutting around feeling proud of all we have achieved. On our own. This Corona virus, also known as Covid-19, has knocked us off our perch and brought us down to reality with a deafening thud. Here's the shocker: As... Continue reading

The day started off to be a good day. Sunshine. Warm temps. Blooming trees. As I drove to my doctor's office a bit of anxiety caught in my throat, so my prayer held extra intensity. Lord, my times are in your hands. Please watch over me and our family. Keep me calm whatever he says and keep me safe, I pray. Good lab test results sent me floating out of the office, my mind shouting Thank you, Lord! Next I... Continue reading

I can picture you reading that title and asking, "Who, me?" Yes, you. And me. And everybody else. Think about it. Our long-ago friend, "Jim" had no degree, but he was a specialist in understanding people. I still hear him saying one of his favorite gems that summed up what makes us humans tick: "Nobody does nothin' for nothin'.'" That's a folksy way of saying every one of us gets some kind of payback from what we do. Or don't... Continue reading

Valentine's Day is big, but what comes after February 14th? Now, that's the real issue, isn't it? Over the years I've teased out the differences between what I thought as a young romantic and what I know now. Dreams vs. reality *The darling man I would marry would wow me with beautiful gestures of love. The darling man I did marry wowed me by quietly living out love. *Beforehand, I assumed marriage to the man I truly loved would be... Continue reading

Have you ever stood at the beach just after dawn and been mesmerized by what seems an endless expanse of sand? Ever been the first one to leave footprints? That's a perfect picture of each day you and I live. The hours stretch before us... Unsullied. Untouched. Ours to explore and enjoy. Ours to revel in and rejoice in and give thanks for. Here's a simple way to get your day off to a better start. Right away, as soon... Continue reading