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

We were a young family living on a single income when I was still a stay-at-home mom, and I had fallen into the familiar trap of "just a little more". I convinced myself that if my husband's paycheque were only a hundred dollars more, life … Read more

This year when I started to work in our rock garden, I decided to take out about half of it that had been taken over by Gooseneck Loosestrife. Doesn't the name tell you that it doesn't know how to play nice? When we moved here ten years … Read more

On a recent trip, I drove from my house in the mountains of Arizona, USA, to a small town about 45 minutes away and considerably higher in altitude. On the way, I noticed a large herd of cattle scattered across a lush meadow, knee deep in … Read more

He was looking for the worthwhile, and his discovery on January 24, 1848, changed the lives of thousands. James W. Marshall was prospecting at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, USA, when he discovered gold. News of his find spread … Read more

A year ago, I wrote about Zoe, my son's Labradoodle, stealing — and quickly eating — a frozen pizza that was setting on the kitchen counter. Well, she's at it again. On Thanksgiving Day in 2022, … Read more

During the past two years, a water exercise class that I enjoyed was shut down due to the pandemic. Recently, because there were too few certified lifeguards available, its reopening was delayed. Lifeguards are essential to the safe and … Read more

"How are you?" "I'm fine, thanks!" We've all engaged in this social greeting formula — even with complete strangers. I did last week while hiking along the river. I came across two fishermen standing in the water. On noticing me, one … Read more

Are you ever amazed or surprised at what light reveals to your human eye? There is a small glass prism that sits on my kitchen windowsill. Sometimes, when the afternoon sunlight hits the prism just right, the bending of the light … Read more

As I walked in the park one morning, I was startled to see a woman bending over a faucet, water streaming off her head. Then, I saw the carrier by her feet with bottles of hair shampoo and rinse peeking out of the top, and I realized that … Read more

Recently, I heard the following advice from a scientist explaining digestion: Before eating, pause and take a few moments to be thankful. This allows your brain time to signal your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for … Read more

This past summer, I went on my first cruise. My daughter's family and I had planned a "last hurrah" sort of family trip before their two busy, active teenagers would soon be heading off to college and unknown parts of the world. One leg … Read more

I carried them out by the armload — a seemingly endless task. Our move was complete — except for moving our clothes. Although my wife doesn't buy fancy clothes — nor buy them from expensive stores — she loves new outfits — or at … Read more

One of the benefits of living in my lovely new residence is the privilege of meeting many people. I discovered that a woman who recently arrived had been a nurse at the hospital in Collingwood, Ontario, during the time that my son was … Read more

I listened with delight to my eighteen-month-old granddaughter's attempts to repeat the words with which her brothers and sisters were coaching her. As I saw the pride on her parents' faces, I remembered my own children's first words. I am … Read more

Sometimes, it takes a period of enforced inactivity to make us look at things from a different perspective. This winter, I suffered a bad attack of the flu. I thought that I'd soon recover and that "tomorrow will be better". But as the … Read more

"Money is the root of all evil." Though my standard of living would be considered rich by third-world standards, by American standards, I've rarely lived a comfortable lifestyle. Making the monthly bills match the monthly income has … Read more

Dents happen. They happen to our freshly painted walls, our cars, our fine furniture, and other things that we cherish. At least, these are the dents that we notice: dents in the things that matter to us. This past summer, I painted some … Read more

The Spark Sunday School Curriculum lesson plan for preschoolers focused on how the Old Testament story of God providing manna, quail, and water for the children of Israel throughout the forty years they wandered in the desert teaches a … Read more

Faith isn't a game, a pastime, a leisure pursuit, or even an extra-curricular activity. It's not even a lifestyle choice. It's an eternal lifestyle choice, which too many people take for granted and never take seriously. Everybody is big right … Read more

I have an admission. I'm often accosted by a complaining spirit. After all, it seems easier to complain than to look for the good in situations. When a car passes me in a downpour because I'm going too slow, and … Read more

Wintry days! Cold days! Sunny days! I love those kinds of days in northern Alberta. When it is really cold here, the sun shines. When it is cloudy, the days aren't as cold, but then, neither are the days so … Read more

During the years that we wintered in the desert southwest, I volunteered four days at holiday time as an escort for the Salvation Army. The generosity of the wealthy to those in need was overwhelming. For example, one businessman donated … Read more

Our sons, who are now 14 and 17 years old, have always had the habit of grabbing the first pair of shoes that they come upon as they head out the door to take out the garbage. For a number … Read more

How Anna loved finding coins! She would show me each one and then race off again, zigzagging, pigtails swishing, searching the sidewalk. It was our Saturday morning ritual. We strolled around town, window-shopped, and rested in front of the coffee … Read more

Exercise! Often when we hear that word, we cringe, knowing it is hard work. In the physical realm, I have determined to get into shape and lose weight a few times over the years. Getting started is the hardest … Read more

At Christmastime, I bought gift cards for my grandchildren. I bought inexpensive notebooks for the boys and scrapbooks for the girls and attached the cards to them. This added weight to the packages so they would not guess what was … Read more

The challenge every day for the follower of Christ is to strike a balance between what he believes, and how he behaves. (Perhaps at this point I should say that when I use the pronoun he, I am including everyone.) … Read more

I was recently reading a local sports columnist. He tells the sad story of Corey Hirsch. Corey lost out on a goalie job with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. He was demoted to a minor league team, … Read more

I witnessed poverty when I was invited to visit a mission field in the Dominican Republic about 10 years ago. This has affected me emotionally and spiritually ever since. Not being able to speak Spanish, my contacts were by smiling … Read more

One day centuries ago, a British lord overheard one of his kitchen servants remark, "If only I had five pounds, I would be perfectly content." He began thinking about this remark, and decided that he would like to see someone … Read more