Month: March 2005

My husband and I recently had occasion to go to the United States. Ronald dreads going across the border because he has had several bad experiences. On one crossing, he had to wait for hours while his car was searched. … Read more

As I waited for my husband to come out of the drug mart, I noted the sign inside that read, "We have all you need for Easter!" Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and cards made up the displays in the store. … Read more

My mother-in-law was a beautiful-spirited woman who enjoyed the great outdoors. One of her many pleasures in life included picking berries. On one such occasion, her whole family went on an outing to pick some wild ones. Everything seemed fine, … Read more

Beginning in winter and continuing through until spring, the farmers in the west of Scotland plough their land. The ground is hard, but the farmers are determined to have the soil exposed to the elements, so that it will break … Read more

My patient husband has doggedly tested (not by cooking — just eating!) the recipes for sixteen cookbooks. Occasionally, he has faltered. After several weeks of casseroles, he mournfully wondered if he would ever see roast beef again. One complicated recipe … Read more

I arrived at work, but since we had no parking lot, I was left on my own to find a spot. I found one away across the street, but it presented me with a challenge, as I had to parallel … Read more

After what has seemed a long winter, comes the month of March. On the farm, while the apple trees are still dormant, it is time to prune the trees. The sap has not yet begun to run, and while it … Read more

The other night, I was flicking through the cable television channels, trying to find something to watch. I usually do this after a stressful day, in order to help me wind down. Eventually, I came across The Learning Channel and … Read more

Several years ago, my husband treated me to the concert of a woman whom I much admired. She'd certainly "paid her dues". For years and years, she had scrubbed floors by day and sung in smoky bars by night, until … Read more

There's a place I look forward to visiting — perhaps because I'm familiar with its landmarks and all that they represent to me — but I dislike the journey enough that I don't go there nearly as often as I … Read more