Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't travel light. I go nowhere without bags of clothes, reading material, art supplies, and crafts to make. My motto is "Let your bags be heavy and your heart be light." Now, if I were to travel far … Read more

Many families have a heraldic device and motto. The heraldry shield of Moulton is a red and gold crest, with three stars and the Latin motto Regi fidelis (faithful to king and country). One of my relatives has the family name Kelly, the … Read more

In grade school, I attended the Day School Gospel League (DSGL), a meeting for children held weekly after school by Christian ladies of the community to teach gospel stories, lead hymns and songs, and encourage Bible memorization. In … Read more

It is election time in Ottawa — and elsewhere — for city councillors, school trustees, and mayor. The candidates' signs have popped up along the roadways and front lawns like dandelions! There is always lots of cynicism among voters on … Read more

I have an old black and silver combination lock, used so often that the black paint on the dial is chipped and worn. My dad used it on his tool box for years, and I used it on my high school and university lockers. Now, I keep it in my gym … Read more

I read the PresbyCan Daily devotional each morning, and I pray for the PrayerLine requests that are often for Christians in foreign lands who are facing persecution and trouble for practicing their faith. I admit to feelings of guilt at … Read more

Beginning in the early 1800s, the Ottawa Valley in Canada was settled by British and European immigrants, many coming from Scotland. Economic hardship and recession in their homelands led them to endure dangerous sea voyages to Quebec, … Read more

The scavenger hunt is a common game played at summer camp or youth events. Each team of players is given a list of items that they must collect and the first team to successfully complete their list wins the prize. A more difficult version … Read more

The society that we live in offers an abundance of choices — at times, too many to take in. I find big-box stores to be overwhelming to enter, with their cavernous ceilings and seemingly endless rows of goods piled high. Finding what I … Read more

As an avid reader, I have always been a fan of the great detective, Sherlock Holmes, the literary creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I eagerly read — and watched film versions — of how he observed, made deductions, and uncovered crimes … Read more

"This is the last will and testament of me, in this city, in this province or state, dated this day. … I hereby revoke all wills and codicils previously made by me." If you recognize these words, you have written, benefited from, or … Read more

Imagine the face of the family dog, caught red-pawed doing something that it knows is wrong, rolling eyes, hunched shoulders, tail tucked between its legs, all signs of guilt and an anxious pup! It's funny to watch; it makes me laugh, even … Read more

While helping my elderly mother clear out her house, I came across two precious items belonging to her own father, who passed away before I was born. A small black leather case, well worn, holds a set of opera glasses, made in Rochester, … Read more

How often have I been captivated by the masked man, the man of mystery, in stories and film? The Man in the Iron Mask was reputed to be the wrongly imprisoned heir to the throne of France, and was restored to his reign by the Three … Read more

Do you ever feel like giving up on the Christian life, as if God doesn't hear your prayers, or even care? Growing up in a Presbyterian church in Ottawa, Canada, I learned a lot about prayer. I memorized the Lord's Prayer in Sunday School, … Read more

As two weary years of COVID-19 restrictions and limitations on in-person worship for our churches have dragged on, how we groaned inwardly and longed for those heavy storms to pass! My own church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, sought to … Read more

We live in interesting, often disturbing times. In my city of Ottawa, Canada, we have witnessed an unsettling and often astounding protest in our downtown core by truckers and their supporters, loudly demanding freedom from all pandemic … Read more

Gazing at a favourite painting can bring feelings of joy and pleasure, bringing back good memories of a happy time in our lives. Perhaps, the painting holds significance for our family, or maybe, we just like the colours. As an artist, I … Read more

Is there anything cuter than a chuckling baby — happy, curious, and squealing with delight with every new toy? A baby exudes love, trust, and dependence to everyone in the room — often being the centre of attention. But how quickly the … Read more

A beautifully crafted stained-glass window is a marvel to see. Warm, clear sunlight streaming through the coloured panes illuminates Bible people and stories. Often, the figures are angels, with adoring faces and luminous robes, announcing … Read more

Decorating the Christmas tree is an integral part of the celebrations each year. I once helped out at a commercial Christmas tree farm near Ottawa, Canada, in December. It was an impressive operation: planting spruce, balsam fir, and pine … Read more

I well remember gazing at the black and white television screen, watching the careful, steady steps of Commander Neil Armstrong moving down the ladder of the Apollo lunar module to step onto the silvery powder surface of the moon on July … Read more

Have you someone in your life who is angry and resentful, who really knows how to bug you, who knows your weaknesses and how to exploit them, who pushes your buttons? I have certainly worked with such people in my career; one individual … Read more

After having knee replacement surgery in January, 2020, I began the physiotherapy appointments, and quickly realized that I needed to re-learn how to walk. Over the years, my disintegrating knee joint and the resulting pain had caused me … Read more

I have been fascinated with archaeology ever since I was young, immersed in our family's National Geographic magazines and books. I spent many hours looking at the finds in Egypt and South America. In recent years, I have enjoyed watching … Read more

I will be the first person to admit that I am not a good gardener! I'm just not good with plants. I've been known to kill perfectly hardy house plants. At home, I am relegated to weeding and watering the garden, which is probably just as … Read more

Some memories of summer camp days linger — long, warm days at what was then known as Gracefield Presbyterian Centre, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. As camp counselors, we always planned games for our young campers. One was a group race, … Read more

I live in a busy, distracted society, in which many have no belief in the Lord God, His Son Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. There are so many things vying for my attention: my job, social media, following the news, spending time with friends … Read more

When I was young, there were many heroes to look up to. One of them was the American boxer, Muhammad Ali, who raised his gloved hands in victory and declared, "I am The Greatest!" As a child, I wondered what made him great. Was he a great … Read more

After attending Bible college, I went to Malawi in the summer of 1986 on a short-term mission trip. I stayed with a missionary couple in the city of Blantyre and experienced their Christian ministry in that country. One day, the … Read more

Each morning seems to come with a new, tasty selection of temptations! When we were children, my siblings and I were usually tempted by what our parents told us that we couldn't have, or especially by the things that we wouldn't share with … Read more

The city of Ottawa, in which I live, has many embassies and consulates, housed in stately mansions, lovely old homes, or in ordinary office buildings. The red diplomatic license plates of their cars are a common sight on our roads. … Read more

The forests of eastern Ontario are susceptible to fires in the hot summer months, especially if there has been a drought. The usual fire ban prohibits campfires and the burning of brush; even a cigarette butt tossed aside can ignite the … Read more