The year 2020 and COVID-19 have surely given me a new perspective on many things. Let's step back a bit to 2019. We had a family vacation, and I was able to visit family in California and in England. Those three events gave me memories …( read more )

As we prepared for our long trip, my husband purchased a product to put on the windshield so that rain will bead up on it. He got the car ready as I packed. When we travel, we always take turns driving. As we left, with my husband driving, …( read more )

In mid-April, we in Ontario, Canada, experienced an ice storm that lasted three days and covered the previously showing grass with snow and then freezing rain. Over that same period, our mountain ash tree was inundated with robins that had …( read more )

Seasons in life are just as real as seasons in nature. Yes, some seasons are quick, while some are much longer, and at times, we wish that they would just move on. For me, the season was fall, with winter looming in the not-too-distant …( read more )

I can remember as if it were just yesterday the anticipation of the arrival of the Sears Wish Book. Growing up, we lived in the country, so trips into the larger city were few, especially in the winter. This, I believe, added to the …( read more )

The area where I work is dotted with large lots and homes. There aren't many fences, but there are a lot of dogs that all remain on their property as we walk by. Recently, I was on a walk with a lady that I support, and three dogs were …( read more )

The tree was a gift from my parents when we bought our first house 17 years ago. It was a mountain-ash that fit into their vehicle to be brought to us. The tree has grown substantially over the years to a present height of about 25 feet. …( read more )

For the past few weeks, I have been using my road bike more than my trail bike. Both bikes have a side mirror attached to the left handlebar that allows me to see traffic as it approaches from my left. Due to hand and arm placement on my …( read more )

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is presently hosting the Pan Am/Parapan games. Many of the activities are taking place in Toronto, but some are also taking place in the surrounding cities. I have been noticing signs along the highways for the …( read more )

Within one week, three members of our family went through various tests and major health concerns. The past few months since then have gone by in a flurry and a blur. I became so preoccupied with life events and family health issues that …( read more )

The driveway at the place where I work is flanked by two deep ditches, one on each side. We have stakes marking the edge of the ditches for people coming and going from the driveway to navigate. A few days ago, though, as I backed into my …( read more )

Jesus taught that obedience and answered prayer are related: Obedience is a word that is known to everyone, whether they are Christian or not. It is a word that we learn from an early age. Parents teach obedience to their small children; …( read more )

At this time of the year, churches all over the world are placing red and green cardboard boxes in their foyers. These are not ordinary boxes, but very special ones. Most people refer to them as the shoeboxes, but these boxes will never …( read more )

As the fall draws along, road construction is also in high gear to get roads completed before the winter season. For the past few weeks, on the road that I travel twice a day when I'm working, the paving company has been busy putting down …( read more )

Life runs along mostly predictably for many of us. Yes, we have things tucked into the far corners of our minds about health and retirement and so on. But when a family has a medical crisis, these thoughts instantly find their way back …( read more )

Recently, a co-worker and I took a person we support to the Goodwill store to purchase a music CD. As we got into the van, he inserted his CD into the player. As we travelled along to our next destination, what we were treated to was music …( read more )

I grew up in a home that had a china cabinet with a row of china cups behind the glass. They were brought out once a year to be dusted or washed, and maybe one other time to serve tea in. Recently, I was talking to a friend about going …( read more )

We have had a Yellow Labrador Retriever from the age of six weeks. We brought him into the house as a pet for the boys when they were little. Well, if the truth be known, it was I who wanted a Lab, as we had had a black one when growing …( read more )

A gentleman whom I see on a regular basis shared with me that he was quite excited about the possible purchase of a sailboat that he was going to see at the end of his work day. A few days passed until I saw him again. After greetings, …( read more )

The seed of doubt that was planted in the mind of Eve by the serpent in the Book of Genesis still has the ability to rear its ugly head in our minds and hearts today. Just like sin, doubt can creep right in, in a way that we aren't even …( read more )

I can't help but notice all the banners flying around on cars for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. As the matches begin today, the stadiums will be filled with people waving banners in support of their country's team. Coincidentally, …( read more )

I decided to crochet small blankets and donate them to the Women and Children's Crisis Centre. I intended to make them by doing granny squares, as I knew the pattern off by heart. Pastel wool and crochet hook in hand, I began to make …( read more )

Many years ago, my mom tried to teach a class how to knit. Ten others learned to knit from her, but I didn't. The reason for this is that everyone else, including my mom, was right-handed, and I was the only left-handed person in the …( read more )

The life of a superhero is one that we are all familiar with, whether from books, television, or movies. What stands out most about superheroes is their invincibility. No matter how far they fall or whatever they run into, they have the …( read more )

For the past few weeks, I have felt the Lord speaking to me on the subject of having a tender heart. At first, I didn't understand what this meant, so I have been praying and searching the Scriptures to help me figure this out. Along the …( read more )

My first job was in a Christian organization. Even though I didn't know the Lord, I worked at this agency for nine years. It was here that I met my husband to be, and we were married at the church across the road. The man I married had …( read more )

When we returned home from our southern holiday this winter, our two houseplants were totally bare of leaves, and we held some doubt as to whether they were still alive. One of the plants I have had for fourteen years and another like it …( read more )

People have always had a need to communicate with each other. Various ways of communicating have been used, such as smoke signals, carrier pigeons, post, pony express, telegraph, telephone, radio, and television. In the late twentieth …( read more )

This past winter might go down in the history books in some places as one of the worst winters for snow. As we entered spring, it seemed that winter didn't want to let go. We would get one warm day, and then, it would snow again that …( read more )

Our sons entered into a contract with a radio station to advertise their computer business. When they met with the salesperson to go over what they wanted in the ad, he reminded them that it was to be no longer than thirty seconds. Thirty …( read more )

I am blessed to attend two different churches; I attend one with my family on one Sunday and another on the next Sunday in my job as a direct support professional for adults with developmental disabilities. The two buildings are totally …( read more )

It seems that this winter has brought storms and weather in severity that some places haven't seen before, or for many years. The Great Lakes in North America contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water. For the first time in decades, …( read more )

I admit it! I love to watch the Olympics! Call me an Olympic junkie. Today, watching the opening ceremonies, I am soaking it all in. I wonder what it is about the Olympics — summer or winter — that draws me in. From an early age, I have …( read more )