A friend of mine collects Coca-Cola memorabilia, but it must be vintage, not a reproduction. Many people shop carefully for the products of designer manufacturers, because having a designer handbag or luggage is a status symbol. For … Read more

You may be familiar with the exercise of filling a jar to the half-way mark with water, putting it in a prominent place, and, upon rising, seeing if you view it as "half-full" or "half-empty". Some may even check on it throughout the day, … Read more

My kitchen was a catastrophe. Christmas baking had left detritus on every visible surface. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and every countertop was covered with cookie sheets, flour siftings, eggshells, butter wrappers, and dirty mixing … Read more

At almost every meal, it sat on the table. I remember many things about my paternal grandparents — probably because I stayed with them most of the time when I was small. My grandmother served as my first babysitter, and I gladly … Read more

A couple of years ago, I was at a conference. One of the people there was a long-established and well-respected medical doctor who had a busy, downtown practice, full of corporate executives. One of the lines I heard during a break was … Read more

At a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Base in Belize, where my husband, Terry, and I volunteered in 2016, I had several responsibilities: baking, preparing a cabin for the weekly guest speaker, washing and drying the kitchen cloths and towels … Read more

The saying in my city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is that there are two seasons: winter and construction. But now, whether it be road repair, maintenance, or construction, it continues year-round. The sight of police officers guiding … Read more

Calving season is upon us once again, and we're all praying for cows and calves in our Cariboo House Churches prayer times. I must have been 12 or 13 the first time I saw a calf being born. The strange … Read more

I have just heard once again those words that I have heard nearly every day for forty-two years: "What's for supper?" Sound familiar? When we were first married, Larry went out and bought two weeks' worth of frozen meals right off the … Read more

Today, when Caroline renewed her driving licence online, it reminded me of the time 51 years ago when I received my provisional driving licence. I learnt how to drive, and then I passed my test on October 3rd, 1973. Today's event also … Read more

I went through a period of my life when I wasn't sure exactly where I fit in. My parents were divorced when I was a little girl. No one could fully explain the who, why, or when to me. All I knew was I didn't live with Daddy or my sisters … Read more

The other night, as I was searching on YouTube, I found a documentary entitled, "Made in China: the Amazing Story of the Bible in China". As I watched, I was startled to hear the narrator state … Read more

I can see them now — all daintily lined up on stools. But that was only the beginning. In a time that many don't remember — although it wasn't too many years ago — most women's work was at home, not in the workforce. They cooked, … Read more

I have been in a holding pattern for many months now, like an airplane that's awaiting the okay to take off. The only trouble is that I don't know where I'm supposed to go or what I'm supposed to do next. The control tower is silent. I … Read more

Each year leading up to February 14, there is a rush, fueled by the chocolate and floral industries, to purchase candy and flowers for the ones we love the most. No flowers declare love more than the roses! But they are also the quickest … Read more

At this time of the year, stores are filled with pink and red merchandise. The pressure is on to buy chocolates, a stuffed animal, or various other novelties to express love to someone. At the very least, the vast assortment of Valentine's … Read more

The words "Pro-D Day" (or "PD Day" in some places) will certainly stir up different feelings with anyone who has children in the school system. "Pro-D Day" stands for "Professional Development Day", and that is the day that the children … Read more

A few months back, I was working on a possible breakthrough to help me change professions, but it failed. I was broken, unhappy, and in my despair, I told my uncle, "I feel God is blocking my way." My uncle gently rebuked me before … Read more

By nature, I am an impetuous person. My body and mind are currently a little slower, but that's okay when writing — or reading. These days, they would say that when I was young, I had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So, waiting … Read more

Have you ever gone into a circus fun house that has mirrors? They're not like regular mirrors that help us see a true-to-life reflection. I remember how they distorted my image and changed my shape and size. These mirrors made me appear … Read more

I just returned from leading a weekend retreat with ten members of my youth group. I selected the theme of "Becoming" and chose Romans 12 as the Scripture passage. Over the course of the weekend, I was invigorated by the sincere desires … Read more

When I was young and foolish, my boyfriend and I slipped away from our church picnic to find a secluded place. Walking along a dirt road from the picnic area, we came across a beautiful, verdant field filled with lovely plants waving in … Read more

As I looked through some of my favourite recipes online, I came across a recipe that I loved. The name of it is "Cranberry Hootycreeks", a gift-in-a-jar cookie recipe. I … Read more

I have cherished memories from my earliest days, memories I return to more often the older I get. One of the greatest treats of childhood was taking the train from Summerside to Coleman on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The train was … Read more

I was just about to sink into the relaxed quiet at the end of a busy day when the telephone rang. It was a nurse calling from the local nursing home. She explained that one of the residents was near death and that her family was asking … Read more

"I need a book of stamps," she said, and I knew why. She needed to make connection points. For as long as I can remember, Mom has used postage stamps — for one, to mail bill payments. She is and has been a snail-mailer. She doesn't like … Read more

In early January, I started a devotional about recent events that caused me a great deal of aggravation: – I miscalculated the credit card purchases for a remodelling project in my daughter's home and discovered that I will have to pay … Read more

Recently, I went for a walk in the park with my wife, Caroline, and I fell over. This left me with significant injury, but not enough to go to hospital where I would be told nothing was broken except my pride! So, my body is not as young … Read more