As I'm writing this, I'm listening to Don McLean's song, "American Pie." It's being streamed over the internet from Radio Scotland and I'm reliving part of my past, remembering when the song first came out. Lots of theories have been … Read more

I had been working on a project for several hours and was so engrossed in what I was doing that I failed to notice the darkness creeping in around me. I had almost convinced myself to quit for the day, … Read more

I have fond memories of summer mornings. When we lived in our home by the lake, I was often awakened by the ghastly squawk of a duck swimming to his breakfast site. It was quite evident by the tone that … Read more

"Call 911! Call 911!" Eight-year-old Levi was scrambling to get help for his mother, Julia, who had slipped and fallen on the wet tile floor in their kitchen. Gasping from the pain as her knee buckled under her, she instructed … Read more

Over the past couple of years, we've concentrated at the church on building up our young families. We've helped young mothers through the wonderful MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) program. We've remodelled the church to include a new Family Centre. We … Read more

One of my clients has a couple of finches. They are such tiny little birds. I had never seen such little birds up close before. But there was something even smaller in the cage. There were about six teeny little … Read more

It's actually part of my "Blooming Idiots" clown outfit, but even on its own, my hat is quite outrageous! Every inch of its wide-brim straw base is covered with silk flowers of every size, colour, and description. When I … Read more

Years ago, when smoking was prevalent, restaurants usually had a container of free matches at the checkout till for a package or two to be given to or taken by their customers. It was good advertising. Every time you lit … Read more

Often as I'm working at my computer, a movement outside my window takes my attention away from my work. Usually I'm interrupted by the sight of a cyclist enjoying a trip through the countryside, but often it is the walker … Read more

My dad had an auto repair shop in Uddingston, near Glasgow, for many years and had to give it up when he was in his fifties. He was a workaholic, and it was going to kill him. He had also … Read more

It would have been funny if it weren't so annoying! We could see the mouths of the choir moving, but we could barely hear a word. A member of the audience sitting near us loudly drowned out the whole musical … Read more

My dad was an agnostic for most of his adult life. When I decided to become a preacher, he hit the roof. He thought I was wasting my life and talents, and he would have preferred that I had chosen … Read more

How well I remember being taught how and when to pull out the dandelions. But oh, how I loved the fluffy, soft, yet sometimes prickly little yellow "flowers". Many are the moms who have received countless beautiful bright bouquets proudly … Read more

Having been raised on Long Island in the suburbs of New York City, I was aware that the stars were hidden from full view. Even on the blackest of nights, the lights from the city obscured our view. Thus I … Read more

My weight still isn't what I want it to be. I struggle daily to make right choices, like fruit instead of chocolate, or a tall glass of water rather than a second helping. I am not what I want to … Read more

A couple of months ago, it was necessary for me to change Internet service providers. This was not an easy decision, as I had been with the one I was leaving since getting my first computer seven-and-a-half years previously. It … Read more

Brooke, our five year-old granddaughter loves the swing. "Higher, Grandma, swing me higher," she called out as I sent her flying in the air. "Hold on tight, Brooke, hold on tight," I yelled back. She giggled that happy voice I … Read more

When I was a seminary student, I was assigned to various churches throughout the year. This was to give me hands-on experience in pastoral ministry, effectiveness, and leadership. I can remember being attached to a highly successful church, whose minister … Read more

My hubby says we should be grateful and loudly thank God for leftovers. It means we have abundance (and that I don't have to cook!). That got us thinking about the other kinds of "too much" in our lives. Noisy … Read more

Two of our grandchildren, Faith and Mary Kathryn, have gone out of state for a few days to visit some of their family. My husband and I are finding it a very lonely time. Daily those two girls bring sunshine … Read more

Every day, I used to have the pleasure of driving nine miles along the coast road between Maybole and Dunure, in the west of Scotland. The scenery was outstanding — a mixture of patchwork fields, rolling hills, and always the … Read more

There are a few advantages to not having a dishwasher. I get plenty of time to think as I slow down to face the sink and the growing mound of dishes it holds. I get a feeling of accomplishment as … Read more

One of my friends is definitely a leader. She leads her husband and her children. Her husband is very easygoing and just accepts her as she is and goes with the flow. They have always wanted to learn how to … Read more

When I have the time, I love making chess sets. Over the years, I have moulded, modelled, and painted several different sets, which include soldiers from the Civil War, elves and goblins from Tolkien's books, and a medieval Scottish set … Read more

Our son's wedding was a very enjoyable day. We were all relaxed — all except the bride, who had those "I'm-the-centre-of-attention jitters". The bride had nothing to worry about; she was beautiful, and all went well! As mother of the … Read more

We love pancakes in our house. Along with bacon and eggs, they have always been a Sunday morning treat. One day as I was flipping pancakes, I thought about our lives. Often we are on the "hot griddle" of life. … Read more

Some of my earliest memories are of visiting Doctor Wilson's surgery in Springburn, Glasgow, where I grew up. The outside window had a plain sign depicting the surgery hours, with two tall glass bottles (one red, the other blue) at … Read more

After a night of heavy rain, I started out on my morning walk. Though busy dodging squirmy earthworms, I spotted a small tree clinging to life on the edge of a culvert. The rain had left its root system totally … Read more

When it rains, it pours. Here in Newfoundland, it does that very well. Just last week, we were inundated. As I watched with some trepidation, the small stream behind my house, which in the summer slows to barely more than … Read more

Many years ago, when I was a preacher in Scotland, two young women appeared at the manse door on a stormy winter's night. Both were slightly inebriated and had come to make a special request. One of them was a … Read more