In every direction, a mountain range graces the Irish skyline. The ancient peaks are rounded and clothed with patchwork vests of tan grasses, green forests, and pink heather. Distinct borders set aside each odd shaped patch of color from its neighbor. These borders are built of stones cleared from fields and stacked vertically, or more …
I gather flotsam into a pile, and hurry to drop them in my bedroom. Back to the kitchen, a stray glass waits for the dishwasher and the floor begs another sweep. The clock taps its fingers, ticking down the minutes until company arrives. The doorbell rings. “Come in, come in. So good to see you. …
“Mom, remind me why you have this.” I held up a six inch centerpiece. It was a plastic, old fashioned milk can the color of dijon mustard with plastic daisies the size of dimes glued into it. The arrangement conflicted with the signed paintings decorating the walls. “Do you remember that year I taught sixth …
As I sit on the porch before my day takes off, a Carolina wren flits from the potted avocado tree to the rim of the bird bath. Her tail, always cocked at a perky angle, strikes my funny bone. She hops this way and that until she’s comfortable with her surroundings before dipping into the …
What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have …
It’s the strangest thing to step out the back door with mowers thrumming in the neighborhood and motorcycles zipping on the interstate a mile away then to spot a dark speck circling overhead. The form is a red-tailed hawk unexpected in this environment, but there he is lazing in curves. His eyesight amazes me. He …
Are your thoughts disorganized from this unexpected and oddly threatening, yet quiet time? The mockingbird seems scattered in his thoughts. He cannot finish a song. He’s so enthralled with one, he belts it out until another distracts his perky little mind, and he quickly switches with as much enthusiasm as he sang the first. I’m …
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 Tada! The last puzzle piece snapped into place and felt so satisfying. The puzzle didn’t start out with such fuzzy feelings. 1000 random …
For the past eight years, during both democratic and republican presidencies, we’ve seen an increase in shootings, addictions, enmity between races and political parties, sexual immorality, gang crime, depravity in film and TV, denying life to babies, and contempt of God and Christians. I’ve also witnessed an increase in Christians praying for our country based …
Alicia folds into her assigned plane seat. Adjusting earbuds, she is soon lost in the music, oblivious to fellow travelers in her row. With eyes closed and head bobbing, she lip-sings one song after another during the flight. The album captured her the first time she heard it, and she has been listening to it …
Moving boxes, in addition to dozens of antiques collected over the years, crowded my friend’s living and dining rooms. Half the boxes had been loaded in the rented truck, but still no furniture. I handed a box to Philip, the next person in the box brigade, and I spoke my mind. “We can fit boxes …
Spring break has been rocking in our backyard. The music has been gloriously loud, so much chatter that I don’t mind being an observer instead of a participant. Just listen to the audio file above while you read. Robins dominate the crowd in number, but cardinals and other small songbirds chime in above the hubbub. …