I'm at SheLovesMagazine today, writing about what happens when I try to be my own architect, laborer and general contractor all rolled into one. A small suburb of my hometown contains several homes designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. They were built in the 1940s when the area was completely rural; getting there meant you… Continue reading Wild Landscapes Wanted — a SheLoves post
Blog
An Invitation to Hospitality
I'll be honest. The concept of hospitality tends to make my eye twitch. It brings to mind big tah-dahs and endless lists of to-do's. I have to clean the house until it's spotless. I have to spend money on special groceries I can't afford. I have to make a guest list that includes people who… Continue reading An Invitation to Hospitality
Sorrow Doesn’t Wear A Watch
There’s only one place busier than a restaurant after church, and that’s a grocery store. I grabbed what I needed, headed to an express lane, and that’s when I spotted them—a young couple from my church who had become first-time parents six weeks earlier. I avoided eye contact but not until after I noticed the… Continue reading Sorrow Doesn’t Wear A Watch
The True Meaning Of Casting Your Cares On Him
I'm featured at Kindred Grace today, where I admit that one particular Scripture has often made me roll my eyes. Credit: JenniMarie Photography My four-year-old niece was spending the weekend with me. Whatever I did, she wanted to help. Including when I began loading several large tote bags into my car. She wrapped her arms… Continue reading The True Meaning Of Casting Your Cares On Him
Not So Young—And Nestless
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash I hope you'll visit The Redbud Post, where I'm featured in this month's online magazine. Then stick around and check out all my Redbud sisters' thoughtful articles, as well. Gathering my thoughts on Empty Nest Syndrome all started with a trip to the eye doctor where my blurry eyes… Continue reading Not So Young—And Nestless
There is a Season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
King Solomon and The Byrds tell us the same thing. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Spring in Michigan (the snow forecast for the last April weekend notwithstanding) is particularly welcome this year after such events as the polar vortex and bomb cyclone. One of my favorite… Continue reading There is a Season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
The Solid Place
While I’ve always liked the idea of a devotional, I never seem to get out of it what I hope to. I start out strong and then I miss a few days, or become overwhelmed by all of the information and I end up either not finishing it or not really taking much from what… Continue reading The Solid Place
Life Before ATMs & amazon
I like that I can pay my mortgage on my phone, buy stamps from my couch and have groceries delivered while I'm in my pajamas. However, I’m old enough to remember when those kinds of errands were often relegated to Saturdays. This was a weekly occurrence at my grandparents' house and I often tagged along.… Continue reading Life Before ATMs & amazon
What if voting is the most loving thing we can do?
One of my earliest memories of catechism and CCD (which I never knew stood for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) was being introduced to what some call "the wedding scripture." Love is patient... Love is kind... The teacher brought the scripture to life when he suggested we substitute our own name for the word love. Patricia… Continue reading What if voting is the most loving thing we can do?
Essential Beauty
I planted these beauties early last spring when it was still too early for anything to survive in the ground. But pansies are such sturdy little things, they can survive the ups and mostly downs of a late winter/early spring in Michigan. They flourished all summer and when the first few frosts came, they still… Continue reading Essential Beauty