December 14, 2025 Photo by JillWellington on Pixabay Life is ever full of surprises, but Christmas brings  extra  surprises and such. One of the best parts is planning and preparing surprises for our loved ones. As we grow older, we find that more joy comes with giving than receiving, and in preparing surprises and delights.  This is a reflection of God’s love for us, which is demonstrated beautifully in the Christmas story. It started with a surprise for Mary and Joseph when

October 19, 2025 Yesterday was an amazing day in America and in my own little corner of it. Millions of people across the country and the world gathered with flags, signs, and exuberance to say “No Kings in America.” From coast to coast, in small towns and big cities, communities marched, sang, chanted, and cheered for freedom, democracy, and justice. This is the American spirit like I haven’t seen or felt in months. This is true patriotism and love for our country. Despite t

September 19, 2025 To find our calling is to find the intersection between our own deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger. -Frederick Bueckner September is one of my favorite months, as it brings a sense of anticipation and new beginning. After an early cool front, the summer heat returned with a stubbornness typical for a Texas September. Now autumn waits at the doorstep with patience and confidence. I’d like to embrace this metaphor for all of us feeling the blistering h

August 3, 2025 The other day I woke up feeling buoyant after a good sleep and a joy-filled day with family and friends. The love and laughter that filled these walls lingered, lifting my spirit and energizing my whole being. It was testament to the power of connection, especially in times when so much feels broken and torn apart. Since I am a lover of words and meanings, I looked up the actual definition of “buoyant” to give me some insight: Buoyant: having buoyancy

July 13, 2025 It’s been just over a week since the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country, and the stories of heartbreak and...

June 22, 2025 Only in the soil of Sabbath tranquillity can we seed the possibility of a new day, a new week —even a new life —again and again, each time with fresh eyes, rested and refreshed, born within the completely gratuitous sanctuary of time. - Wayne Muller, Sabbath As I sit in the serenity of this Sabbath day, equally aware of the news of the day, I ask myself what I can say and share in this moment. For me, these are the questions: What do I see? What do I know? What

June 1, 2025 Photo from Pixabay Last week my husband and I celebrated 35 years of marriage, which brought us to pause and reflect on how we got here. Milestones are reached through a series of stepping stones, adjustments, decisions, and detours. Basically the stuff of life.  Love is like a mosaic of colored glass, many little pieces, some with sharp edges and imperfections, that reflect the light within us. The mosaic is created over time through the gentle handling of vulne

May 4, 2025 My neighbor Lou's bluebonnet bounty One of my mother’s family legacies is a passion for gardening. My grandmother had a...

March 17, 2025 Photo from Pixabay I have long resisted putting a television in our bedroom, especially in these years of menopause with...

Written December 23, 2021 Reposted Dec. 24, 2024 My childhood home was filled with music, especially at Christmastime. I developed an...

December 23, 2020 ~ Reposted December 24, 2024 My childhood bedroom was on the 2nd floor overlooking the backyard. I can remember many a...

December 16, 2024 December is the month when the trees are most vibrant and stunning around here. I’ve been struck by their brilliance as...

October 20, 2024 The only meaningful thing we can offer one another is love. Not advice, not questions about our choices, not suggestions...

August 18, 2024 August brings the hottest days of the year in Texas, so it’s good to be past the halfway mark. We’ve gone from daily heat...

June 17, 2024 Last month I wrote about home, and how we create, experience, and care for it. This month I’ve gained a new perspective...

April 2024 Eclipse photo by Danish artist and photographer “Danehrr22” on Pixabay April is one of the most beautiful months in Texas....

November 6, 2023 November has landed on our doorsteps with an air of anticipation as the holidays approach and plans begin to take shape....

February 19, 2023 I had a blog reflection started for Valentine’s, but it just didn’t come together. I was too tired and the time too...

February 12, 2022 This weekend holds a variety of special events to fill our hearts and lift our spirits. We each have our favorite...

December 17, 2021 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a...