By nature, I am an introvert. In a crowd, I keep quiet, not because I am shy, but rather because I don't feel that I have anything to say and because I prefer to think rather than to speak. Still, there have been times when I decided to … Read more

Fred Rogers, the "Mr. Rogers" well known to generations of children, gave them comforting advice. He told them that if they were afraid or in trouble, to "look for the helpers" who would be able to help them. I recently took a solo trip … Read more

My one-year-old miniature dachshund, Simon, is a great little fellow and has fit in well with my other dogs. He has so many positive qualities, but he is still not trustworthy. If I leave him alone in the living room for a few minutes … Read more

My granddaughters and I, plus two of the dogs, had to spend the day in Whitehorse, Yukon. One of the dogs, Simon, was having surgery, which meant that we had to be on the road by 6 a.m. in order to arrive at the vet's by 8 a.m. The other … Read more

I could hear the giggles of my friends, my confidantes, my extended family from across the parking lot as I approached our favourite outdoor café. They were discussing a newly published article about how spending time with good friends … Read more

Whenever I pray, for the times when I remember, I always say, "Lord, help me to bridle my tongue today," because words are powerful and are incapable of being retracted after they are said. I also discovered that presidents and other … Read more

This present year is like none that we've ever known. When we pay attention to the news, we are informed of all the families who have lost someone they love — a hard and harsh reality. We hear about doctors, nurses, long-term care … Read more

When I think of the word "gossip", I think of Rachel Lynde from Anne of Green Gables. She constantly snooped, made judgments, and then scattered her version of the "news" to other people around the town of Avonlea by flapping her … Read more

When I lived in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, some years ago, the local Ministerial Association invited a prominent minister to lead a series of evangelistic meetings. The speaker wasn't Billy Graham, but he was well-known, and so, his visit … Read more

You may remember that a few years ago, there was a plush toy, "Tickle Me Elmo", based on the Muppet character Elmo from the children's television show, Sesame Street. When Elmo's tummy was squeezed, he shook, vibrated, and giggled. … Read more

Have you ever had a day when it seemed that everything went wrong? One Saturday, my husband and I attended an information session at the Huronia Museum, where we listened to an elder share her story of the indigenous way of life. We also … Read more

"You must take the blue pill in the morning. The pink pill is for bedtime. But remember that the red pill is the one that you take at noon." This is the type of conversation that I hear on a regular basis as I visit shut-ins in their … Read more

I like to laugh. A funny joke, an amusing story, or some old-fashioned, silent, slapstick movie usually has me creasing with laughter. I also love being in the company of family and friends, when we share funny stories, do daft things, … Read more

Not long ago, my sister and I had a lot of fun using the photo booth software on her Mac computer. This program allowed us to take pictures with special effects that can turn our faces into the most ridiculous-looking images. Our photos … Read more

Have you ever seen a double rainbow? I have. I have seen many rainbows in my lifetime, but only two double rainbows on two separate occasions. There are seven separate colours in a rainbow. Although it can be difficult to always see all … Read more

My pierced ears are graced with a pair of carved, silver eagles' head earrings, a gift from a friend whose life ended quickly and unexpectedly last year. When I became a hospice volunteer over eighteen years ago, Alice had already … Read more

I once knew a man who was fond of saying, "I would rather keep quiet and let people think I'm smart than open my mouth and show them how stupid I am." Barney Fife of The Andy Griffith Show never … 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

Who could believe the summer had slipped away so quickly? Less time would now be spent on the swing set and riding bicycles in the neighbourhood. The swimming pool was being covered until the next year. The new school year … Read more

Recently, I had surgery to remove a whopping seven-pound mass from around my right ovary. According to a friend who was in the operating room viewing the surgery, the mass had the looks of a seven-pound ham with a variety … Read more

As my parents and their siblings have been passing away one at a time, I have been reminiscing about them and the fun times we had together as a family. We lived closest to my mom's side of the family, … Read more

Before I came to pastor in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, I had been a part-time chaplain, as well as a full-time parish minister, at a local hospital in Scotland. I used to go around my assigned wards — cardiac, oncology, and … Read more

Joy to the world! the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. At this time of … Read more

An interesting thing happened on the first day my little dog and I had to pass by a picket line on our daily walk. From half a block away I could see a cat sitting on its haunches, and as … Read more

One day, a couple, visiting in a small town, stopped in a quaint little shop to browse around. In the center of the store was a display of teacups. Some were small, some large, some were quite ornate, others were … Read more

A few thoughts on the rocky road of getting along with people. Disagreement and conflicts are inevitable. With the present emphasis on individuality, being assertive, and standing one's ground ("I ain't takin' no guff from nobody!"), it is becoming more … Read more