Blog inspiration
July 6, 2022
NOTE: This post first appeared on the Windtree Press blog on June 28, 2022. I’m sharing it here for my fans who don’t subscribe to the Windtree Press blog. In light of so much loss this year, I wanted to share the role my father played in my life for understanding death, grief, and most […]
March 20, 2022
Spring is definitely my most favorite time of year. After the darkness of winter, I am always ready for Spring. This year that is especially so. With two years of COVID protocols, a war in Ukraine, still difficult political divisions in the U.S. and across the country an uptick in violence, mental health crises, and […]
January 4, 2022
In my counseling days, three decades ago, I used to work with families with severely disabled children–it may be physical disabilities or cognitive disabilities. I had a phrase for families who had done all the hard work, of learning to help their child and each other, but had a problem taking the next step. That […]
November 25, 2021
Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. For me it has always been a very special holiday. In fact, growing up it was my favorite holiday because I knew family would get together, share a meal, and we would literally give thanks together. I celebrate Thanksgiving as a time for reflection, prayer, gratitude, listening to others, […]
March 18, 2021
The first signs of spring, the daffodils are now blooming in my yard. I’m seeing the buds of the rhododendrons grow larger as they prepare to splash their multiple pinks and purples and whites sometime in April and May. My heart loves spring and searches for a return to truth, beauty and even a memory […]
August 31, 2020
“When everything is moving and shifting, the only way to counteract chaos is stillness. When things feel extraordinary, strive for ordinary. When the surface is wavy, dive deeper for quieter waters.” — Kristin Armstrong The word “stillness” is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the absence of movement our sound.” I’ve never liked definitions that […]
April 18, 2020
The past month has been crazy. Every bit of news is scary. COVID-19 pandemic, the stock market crashing, the unemployment rate nearing 18%, politics heating up, and divisiveness and anger still driving the news cycle. It is a time when a lot of people are choosing to hunker down and stay safe. Others are closing […]
February 14, 2020
Valentine’s Day in the west has become a day of romantic celebration of love. However, it has not always been that way. Depending on which accounts of history you read, Valentine’s Day may be related to a pagan ritual for early spring. It is celebrated as friend and families day in some countries, rather than […]
December 24, 2019
I’m writing this post on Christmas Eve 2019. This is one of my favorite times of the year as I anticipate the candlelight service coming this evening. NO matter where I am in my heart, I don’t think I’ve ever missed a candlelight service in adulthood. It is a time where my heart will be […]
December 21, 2019
Winter Solstice is upon us this evening. Where I live, in Corvallis Oregon, the winter solstice occurs at 8:19 PM today, December 21, 2019. This longest night of the year will last over 15 hours. Unlike so many people who curse the darkness and crave the light, I embrace the darkness of this time of […]
February 22, 2019
Seventy years ago The Ink Spots had a hit song titled Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall The primary two verses were as follows: Into each life some rain must fall But too much is falling in mine Into each heart some tears must fall But some day the sun will shine Some folks […]
January 4, 2019
Wow! What a whirlwind December became. I hope that all of you reading this found some sanity among the chaos of the winter holiday season. I was able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas dinner with extended family. For the first time in nearly 50 years, all of my sisters live within 2 hours driving distance […]
