January 30, 2026 Photo by StockSnap on Pixabay As January began and the holiday wrappings and decor were being put away, trouble was brewing. Just when it felt like maybe we could shelter ourselves for a few weeks from all the drama on the outside, it showed up on our doorstep. There was no way to not see what was happening in Minneapolis and not feel the immense pain and anger. Holiday reverie was over. A different reality was settling in - oppression and aggression by by ou

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

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

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...

March 2, 2022 As I contemplated what to write this week, a message about solidarity was delivered to my work inbox. It is one of the...

November 4, 2021 Don’t you love this season of holiday baking, cooking, and celebrating? It’s cold and rainy here today, and I am...

October 1, 2021 Jazz music is playing as I sit at my kitchen table surrounded by books, pens, and notepad. I pulled a few of my mother’s...