Why is it that our summer holidays always disappear so quickly? Every year as we map out what we want to do, it seems that we think we'll have lots of time to do what we want to, but before … Read more

Genealogical research is booming, now that DNA testing has arrived. I have researched one of my family lines back to the seventeenth century, but am now at a standstill to determine which of two people, who lived at that time, … Read more

For a long time now, I have started my day with a quiet time alone with God, reading His Word and praying. In the nicer weather, I also like to go for a walk along the beach early in the … Read more

A few weeks ago, the Halifax Chronicle Herald carried an article about my latest writing project, collecting stories about special crossings of the Canso Causeway, to be put in a book of memories in time for the Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations … Read more

City laws in my hometown protect squirrels. Consequently, they multiply rapidly, and the trees, sidewalks, and, regretfully, the streets are full of them. Even though protected, many of them are killed on the streets. When confronted by a car, they … Read more

I have long been a student of nature and creation. I always enjoy the vastness of space with its innumerable stars flung in the heavens for us to watch. I love to observe the smallest creatures that live just beneath … Read more

As a bit of an "over-achiever", I have a tendency to cram my schedule too full. All it takes for me to go into "overload" mode is for there to be a funeral during an already busy schedule. Then when … Read more

"That was a good service." I heard these words several times as I made my way through the crowded foyer and out to my car. "A good service" — I pondered these words as my husband and I drove home … Read more

My husband grows Scuppernongs, a bronze or light-coloured grape, first discovered growing on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina by the early American colonists. He uses an arbour, which differs somewhat from the traditional methods used by grape growers, … Read more

I had been a Christian for a very short time when I was approached to become a Sunday School teacher. Having been raised in England during World War II, my knowledge of the Bible was very scanty, as all children's … Read more

When I was very young, I remember my dad taking our family on a vacation to the seaside town of Prestwick, which is situated on the west coast of Scotland. The town is famous for its sand dunes and was … Read more

I have a fascinating stone statue on my desk that catches my eye each time I use my computer. The figure isn't fancy, nor did it cost me a lot of money, but I keep it because it reminds me … Read more

My husband and I decided that we would like to take the Gospel message of love up the West Coast of Canada. The opportunity came when we purchased a sixty-five-foot boat with a business, which serviced all the small stores … Read more

Today as I walked back from town, I noticed some wire netting that covered a large circular window. The netting is put there to stop the pigeons from being able to perch on the ledges. Many businesses spend thousands of … Read more

A female cat started coming to our house, back in March 2003. She was pregnant and gave birth to three kittens in May that year. My family and I started feeding her and her kittens. Even though they were not … Read more

Some time ago, the pastor at the church where I was worshipping had resigned after several years of dedicated service, and the church was awaiting the arrival of a new pastor. Of course, both the congregation and the board talked … Read more

Recently, while waiting to check out my purchases at the grocery store, I overheard the man in front of me complaining about the pains and difficulties of getting old. When it came my turn, the cashier said that she liked … Read more

On Monday morning, I took our seven-year-old car to the dealer for a "Drive Clean" test, which is a requirement every two years in Ontario prior to renewal of our vehicle permit. This test was first implemented in Toronto — … Read more

When I was at high school, I was a member of the senior 4 x 100m track relay team. We practised our speed skills for ages, but the most important part of the race was passing the baton. No matter … Read more

"What's wrong with your legs? They're full of red blotches!" My friend didn't have to add that last comment; I already knew that my legs looked appalling, and they felt worse than they looked. They had started bothering me earlier … Read more

My daughters and I were working on a very complicated jigsaw puzzle. It was no ordinary puzzle. To begin, we read a short, suspenseful two-page "thriller" for clues (in "read-in-the-mirror" writing). We were then to assemble the puzzle and search … Read more

When I return from the grocery store, I always try to carry all the groceries into the house with as few trips as possible. Thus the heavy sacks weigh down upon my shoulder muscles, and cause my arms, shoulders, and … Read more

His words echo as clearly across the years as if it were yesterday. Our school principal was a giant of a man physically, besides being the pastor of the local Baptist Church. He was in the school system long before … Read more

When my oldest daughter was small, she used to enjoy watching "The Friendly Giant". Every day Friendly would say something like, "I'll pull up this little rocking chair for two more to curl up on," and Heather would grab Jimmy, … Read more

I have been an elder in my church for twenty years, but recently, becoming a Jazzercise fitness instructor has given me new insights into my role. Much advance preparation went into the learning of routines for the audition/examination. There were … Read more

One of my favourite books is Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. I think I first read it when I was about twelve, so the characters, episodes, and events were indelibly impressed upon my heart and mind. As I was recently … Read more

Most of my time in ministry has been in small rural churches. Our churches were wonderful, energetic, vibrant places, which often struggled against the reality that we were in rural or remote areas where the population was declining. Despite this, … Read more

I was preparing a talk for a Christian Living Class and had decided on a theme of "Manna, God's Food for Today". The idea was for us to explore together times when God had met our need by speaking to … Read more

When I was a child, I lived in what was known locally as "the forks of the river". In order to go into town, we had to travel a dirt road and cross the river over an iron bridge. … Read more

Four or five years ago, I planted a row of gardenia bushes along the property line in my backyard. When I first planted them, they looked like a few twigs sticking up out of the ground. I didn't have much … Read more

I belong to a church that would rather give to missions than repair our church buildings. In this they are not unique. Recently, though, our buildings have begun to show the need for some attention. So, over the last year, … Read more