Month: November 2019

I was hired on a short-term contract to catalog a prison library in a federal penitentiary with an inmate crew to help me. The men lived in the cell block that my husband guarded. "Anything that you tell me will go straight to him," I … Read more

Quail scurried through the breeze-toasted grass that carpeted the hillsides dotted with green-leafed oak trees. Today, their three-syllable call didn't sound like "Chic-a-go." Instead, I heard, "Let it go." Looking at the creek, I wished … Read more

I have never mastered the art of ice-skating, so it amazes me to see tiny tots staggering around the rink, somehow keeping their balance on two razor-thin blades. Red cheeks and sparkling eyes are almost hidden under a helmet with a cage … Read more

Quite recently, I've started to watch a cable channel which is totally dedicated to auto mechanics. I know practically nothing about cars, but I find these programs fascinating. Each program usually begins with an experienced mechanic … Read more

Reflecting on my trip to Israel last November, I recall that one of my favourite sites was the ancient village of Magdala in Galilee. A most recent and fascinating archaeological discovery was a first-century synagogue with part of its … Read more

As I grabbed my ringing telephone, I heard my daughter saying that Frank was in the greenhouse. Dropping the receiver, I made a dash out of the house, arrived at the greenhouse, and confirmed that Frank had indeed broken in and was … Read more

When Jesus burst onto the scene, He said, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15 NIV) Repentance. It's an unpopular topic. And it certainly flies in the face of our do-whatever-makes-you-happy … Read more

I grew up looking at mountains. Raised on a mountain just outside the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there was not a day that my eyes could escape looking at mountains. People come from all over the world to behold … Read more

Have you ever been handed counterfeit money? Some photocopied counterfeits are easy to spot, but others are really well crafted and hard to detect. Law enforcement officers and banking staff know what counterfeit money looks like. They … Read more

Something happened, and this potential devotional was stored a few years ago in "My Documents" on my computer, and was just re-discovered now. Perhaps it was for such a time as this! An upsetting experience happened in the local Anglican … Read more