My little ten-year-old friend Maggie, who lived in a second-floor apartment building, was asked to play a role in a play at school about a country girl living on a farm with a baby pig. "How," she asked me, "can … (read more)

Every now and again, for no particular reason, as I'm doing some ordinary task such as putting away leftovers or getting into the car — snap! Suddenly I'm in debilitating pain, and I can't straighten up. It's my back again. … (read more)

Twenty years ago, when I was forty years old — almost to the day — I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. This was quite a shock at the time, but over the years, I have realized that it was a blessing … (read more)

This summer, I have had the excitement both of moving house and of the safe arrival of a daughter. My wife Caroline gave birth to Zo

There are a couple of young men in our city who are planning a bicycle ride in the Rocky Mountains. Their plan is to ride 100 kilometres a day. Doing so, the journey will take them three long days. They … (read more)

On July 26, 2008, the Daily Devotional was written by Judy Miller, who titled it, " Looking! Hunting! Searching! " She spoke of searching everywhere for a lost item and then finding it when a light was turned on. Her … (read more)

During a recent holiday throughout Alaska, we were travelling from Chicken to Eagle on the Taylor Highway. In order to do this, we needed to have a pilot vehicle to go ahead of us. The Taylor Highway is really a … (read more)

The little girl in me could hardly believe it. In fact, she really didn't, until she landed on the soil, sniffed the air, heard the voices, and saw the sites of the Holy Land. I knew that Israel existed. I … (read more)

Recently, I was sitting on my patio on a hot day. My patio is made of cement blocks. Each block measures four inches by eight inches. There are grooves between each block. For a bug, no matter its size, it … (read more)

I saw my first coyote very early the other morning. It was beside the place where I like to fish. I had just put my fishing tackle back into the car, when I saw this thin-looking, ugly dog cross the … (read more)

I didn't have any choice, this summer. Our fence had to be repaired and re-stained. The repairs went fine. It was a bit of a challenge, but my knowledge and skills were able to meet the challenge, and when I … (read more)

An hibiscus tree has sat in a pot on my patio for several years. Last year, it did not bloom. It had become pot-bound, out of shape, and scraggly — really an eyesore. I had fond memories of this tree … (read more)

When I discovered that the word "stronghold" came from the Greek word "echo", some interesting thoughts came to mind. For instance, an old country song about lost love goes on about "the echoes of my mind". The dictionary defines our … (read more)

Every year, we stay with some of our grandchildren while the parents go on a vacation. Last year, one little grandson prayed every night that a certain toy would be in the store. He longed for this toy; he dreamed … (read more)

One day not so long ago, our eldest granddaughter, who is just six, asked me how old I was. Then she asked me how much older I was than she. I explained that I was almost 54 years older than … (read more)

When I was a bride, a friend and I both received copper-bottomed cookware as wedding presents. When I visited in her home, the bright copper bottoms hanging above her stove were the focal point of her kitchen. They were still … (read more)

We recently drove by some garage sales in our area. It seemed like everyone was selling garden lights — the ones that are connected together with cords that can be buried in the ground and plugged into an outlet. When … (read more)

They've been working on the main road next to our subdivision for over three years and they still haven't finished it. It's only about a mile long, but there are some nasty bends to negotiate, so the contractors are trying … (read more)

There is a cute commercial running on television right now. It features a gal munching down on a bag of cookies. Mighty Will Power shows up to save her from herself. (Let me say that he is one puny-looking superhero!) … (read more)

John Stuart's Surprise Package devotional of June 22, 2008, was about his receiving a package from Canada, following his Christian Candy devotional of May 6, 2008, wherein he divulged his love of chocolate. The "surprise package" … (read more)

When I was in high school, I belonged to the sprint relay team. It was an honour to be chosen, and I loved running around the bends of the 400-metre track. The coach that we had was superb. He was … (read more)

We are very blessed to have a Christian radio station in our city. My favourite day of the week to listen to the radio is Sunday. That station is on all day throughout our home. It plays in the garden … (read more)

My mother loved clothes and dressing up. On Sundays, when she attended church, she wore a hat, high heels, gloves, and the finest dresses she could afford. Wearing her finest to church was a symbol to her, to show honour … (read more)

My wife, Evelyn, and I had to sign a couple of financial forms the other day, designating our children as co-heirs. I guess we've reached that time of life when we have to think carefully about our future. It's not … (read more)

As the young, new, city-bred teacher in the small local school, living with one family and getting to know the others whose children were now my pupils, I readily accepted the invitation to dinner from the neighbouring farming family. Sunshine … (read more)

The fall has arrived and a new school year has begun. For many, this is a year of new challenges, with a new grade, new friends, new surroundings, and an opportunity to make a new impression — a new beginning! … (read more)

When my husband was studying for his master's degree, we often counted our pennies. Once when we got home from the store, we found a box of groceries on our doorstep. After we had put everything away, my husband said, … (read more)

Folks from my generation generally appreciate hand-me-downs, because we have spent most of our life in them. Being just a little younger than some relatives and a little thinner than others reaped us bags and bags of clothes that were … (read more)

How the time passes! It seems only a little while ago that I purchased my tomato plants, and then around the 24th of May, I planted them in my garden. This year, I did what was recommended: I rotated my … (read more)

Sometimes, I think that I have the best of both worlds. I enjoy my career, and at the same time, I get to serve the Lord in all that I do. The last time that I worked for myself was … (read more)