Andrea was ten years old and bothered about something. Perhaps she broke a household rule and endured the discipline process we used in those days: “time out” followed up with a heart-to-heart talk about motivation sprinkled with some Bible verses, a spanking if necessary, topped off with hugs and kisses. We were sitting on the [...]
I thought March was the month of crazy weather, but in the Poconos it seems April is unpredictable, especially up here on the Pocono Plateau. Now my favorite Ogden Nash poem is even more meaningful. Always Marry An April Girl by Ogden Nash … Praise the spells and bless the charms, I found April in [...]
Today is my 51st birthday. I work at Spruce Lake Retreat where we share a time of staff devotions on Monday mornings. It was my turn to lead today; the topic was maturity. Perhaps you will find some encouragement from these thoughts as you walk through the day. Jean Vanier was raised in a traditional [...]
Of course it was raining when I was supposed to meet Ali at Dunkelberger’s for the makeover photo shoot. And of course I neglected to bring quarters for the parking meters. And my assignment was to find a pretty outfit and smile for the camera. So I was nervous. Yesterday when I left the salon, [...]
Almost every day I receive an email from Mikey’s Funnies. Most of them are clean humor; now and then he throws in a profound insight. I encourage you to spend time pondering today’s thought: If we were put on this earth to help others, what are the others here for?
I’m still enjoying the book of poems by Maya Angelou. Today’s poem reflects the attitude I am learning to adopt for myself. Here’s a glimpse into what it takes to be an attractive woman, regardless of the clothes or makeup on your body. Being self-confident is everything. Every step I take, every molecule of air [...]
Today’s journal entry included this poem. The sands are shifting. The desert is changing. Light and shadow are trading places. The prickly thing has a glow about it I’ve never noticed before. I want to paint my room in desert colors. I’ve never liked the desert motif but now I do. I don’t want to [...]
I’m reading Maya Angelou these days… trying to find some female authors to inspire me… just finished one of her autobiographical books The Heart of a Woman. We don’t have much in common yet we have everything in common because we are women. Her ancestors were slaves in America; my ancestors probably profited from her [...]
Are you feeling just a little crabby right now? Perhaps you can’t wait for Christmas to be over but you don’t dare admit it to anyone, maybe not even yourself. Maybe you love everything about the holiday, but you’re really tired. Or maybe you are sad about some things, happy about others, and anxious about [...]
Today I started a new book. “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner, copyright 2008. I’ve read the front and back covers, the introduction, and the first chapter. Sounds like it should be a male version of “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, copyright 2006. Both authors are journalists with rainclouds over their heads in [...]
