The crisp chill of winter has bid its farewell where I live in Bochum, Germany. In its place, spring has heralded its arrival, with fresh breezes rippling through grasses scattered with colourful bursts of daffodils, awakening the world …( read more )

Inside her roughly built pioneer cabin were treasures. Carefully folded deep inside an old trunk, my great-grandmother's homemade blue Victorian wedding dress rested. Beside it sat her high button black leather shoes and her Bible. I …( read more )

When I was young, back in the Alaskan bush, we had to fly in and out of mining camps as my father and grandfather were prospectors. There were no year-round roads, due to seasonal melting of the permafrost. One time when the plane didn't …( read more )

Early this year, my daughter, her husband, and baby granddaughter came to live with me. A business opportunity in town had presented itself, and they decided to buy it and move home. How wonderful is this! was my first thought. My …( read more )

From the time of birth, pain is a fact of life. The actions that we take and the people around us are critically important to what happens with our pain. Soon after babies learn words like "mommy" or "no", they learn "ouch", or "it …( read more )

As a long-time pastoral care volunteer at the local Long Term Care Facility, I have had occasion to comfort residents who were having a tough time coping, either mentally, physically, or spiritually, which I have always done to the best of …( read more )

Years ago, I had a favourite black velvet pant suit. I wore it everywhere and any time the occasion called for it. It was very well made, and it stood up remarkably to all the wash and wear. But alas, it finally began to fade, and I …( read more )

I had received a commission to do a large, framed, stained glass mosaic of an eagle and had worked diligently on its creation until it was completed and ready for framing. I was very pleased with the result and heaved a sigh of relief, for …( read more )

As I look out of my living room window early in the morning, I see a seagull standing on the rooftop of the neighbour's two-story building. What is he looking for? Another sea gull? He looks so alone, taking stock of his domain. The ocean …( read more )

One winter long ago, a neighbour of our church phoned to complain that the church was not doing its share of clearing the sidewalks of snow. I had taken the phone call, so later after work, I went to see what had happened. As I saw it, the …( read more )

Do you find yourself making lists as Christmas approaches? … things to do, places to go, and things to take … menus, grocery lists … lists of names and gifts … If you're like me, crossing off an item gives us a feeling of …( read more )

Every year as Advent arrives, I hear the song, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord", from the musical Godspell, playing over and over in my head. It's a loud, happy, euphoric song, and that's appropriate: what could be more joy-inducing …( read more )

At the time of writing, here in southern Ontario, Canada, we are experiencing a very hot and dry summer. The grass in our yard, as well as in the neighbourhood, is turning brown, and vegetable gardens are in dire need of water. In …( read more )

Looking back over the years, I note the number of times when I have felt ill, weak, and off balance. As I write, my health speaks to me of pain and frustration. I feel as if I just can't do it. I don't trust my own ability to get the job …( read more )

One of the places that we visited on our cruise last February and March did not have a large enough harbour to accommodate our ship. So we dropped anchor offshore, and then, people were taken to the shore in small boats. We stayed on …( read more )

For the past few months, I have been trying to return to my pre-surgical level of fitness. It has required a great deal of patience. At times, it has been very frustrating and discouraging. Often at the end of my hour of exercise, I felt …( read more )

What if this Christmas we specifically celebrated Baby Jesus as the promised Shepherd and made shepherds our season's theme? What would that be like for you? Here's what I imagine: I see a Christmas tree decorated with fluffy sheep, …( read more )

It was Sunday evening, and we were already tired just thinking about the following week. I had committed myself to entertain four days in a row, Thursday through Sunday, ending with a benefit for a cancer patient in one of our local halls …( read more )

My Bible fell apart. It was at the Bible discussion that I lead at the local Long Term Care Centre. I opened it to the passage that we were looking at that morning, and about half an inch of pages, still stuck together, fell out. The …( read more )

Snow-shy birds recently back from warmer climates sang me awake to a crystalline glaze frosting every surface. I walked outside with my golden canine companion across crusty puddles that crunched and crackled underfoot. Elliot sniffed …( read more )

When the weather channel posts what's been going on around the world, most of us sigh, perhaps pray for the people involved, and then put the disasters out of our heads — not the smartest thing that we've ever done. Rather, we ought to …( read more )

We all know about labels and what they are meant to do: They tell us what's in packages, how to use their contents, and any number of details that we may or may not want to know. Often what we do want to know is not there, but that's …( read more )

Computers and I get along to a point. The trouble begins, however, when I don't know how or where to find something within a specific program. As most of my readers probably know, computers have lots of hidden features, but unless I know …( read more )

When I first started a Bible discussion at the local long-term care centre, they used a course specifically designed for seniors. There was a lesson for every week with a title, a recommended Scripture passage, some ideas, some questions, …( read more )

Last year, I read about a man who had four thousand light bulbs on his house and in the trees on his property. People came from miles around to see it. "It was beautiful," was the general consensus. "After all, that is what Christmas is …( read more )

My pierced ears are graced with a pair of carved, silver eagles' head earrings, a gift from a friend whose life ended quickly and unexpectedly last year. When I became a hospice volunteer over eighteen years ago, Alice had already … (read more)

Summer means freedom to roam, travel, and spend quality time with family and friends. My mother always had the parlour ready to welcome guests. We children were not allowed to sit in that room, ever! Mama would get out her … (read more)

My husband and I often visit flea markets, yard sales, and "junk" shops, just looking to find something of special interest that someone else has discarded. The old saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure", takes on a new … (read more)

The snow continued to fall gently, mounting higher and higher, causing the earth to appear unsullied, freshly created. As its abundance grew, the winter sport enthusiasts busied themselves hauling out snow machines, snowshoes, cross-country skis, parkas, toques, boots, and mitts … (read more)

As season leads to season, one year after another, comes the season of Christmas, heralded by Advent, when we sing: Prepare the royal highway; The King of kings is near! Let ev'ry hill and valley A level road appear! Then … (read more)

A recent series of severe storms left our backyard and green areas littered with debris that had been torn from two very large poplar trees. There are large pieces of broken limbs many feet in length, small twigs just a … (read more)

During a trip to the outer banks of North Carolina, I had an opportunity to visit the Wright Brothers National Museum. It was interesting to see the actual spot where the brothers launched the very first successful flying machine in … (read more)

The ten-kilometre Sun Run is being advertised on our local television station as I write this. To run for a cause seems to give one enough energy to finish, even with muscles screaming and lungs straining for air. The runners … (read more)