When I was a bride, a friend and I both received copper-bottomed cookware as wedding presents. When I visited in her home, the bright copper bottoms hanging above her stove were the focal point of her kitchen. They were still … Read more
When I returned to my hometown after many years, my friend was still attending the same church we had attended as youths. He had been blessed with a moderate amount of wealth and social success, so I asked him why … Read more
Weddings are social highlights enjoyed by all and celebrated in many ways in my home town. Some are performed beside the fish pool at the courthouse, others in churches, and some around the Big Oak, a tourist attraction in our … Read more
The principal of my rural school in the nineteen thirties and forties was convinced that the today's Scripture was the answer to all child-rearing problems. The parents, who supported him completely, backed up his theory of "tough love". In those … Read more
In a hospital where I worked, there were many invisible people. They were people the institution could not have functioned without — but they were invisible, even to other employees. These were the cleaning people, the security guards, the kitchen … Read more
I've never been to the point in life that I did not have sufficient food to eat. However, I've been on enough diets to know the feel of hunger pains. One thing I've learned from these moments is that true … Read more
I had calculated sufficient time to drive the distance to my friend's house for a party. What I hadn't considered was roadblocks. I spent considerable time manoeuvring around two of them. The party was almost over when I arrived. This … Read more
As much as I'd like to be a "ray of sunshine" or "a babbling brook" all the time in my Christian walk, I must confess that I have my periods of darkness. During these "dark nights of the soul", I've … Read more
"Scrapbooking is my passion", my friend said. "I love it. I could devote all my waking hours to it." Several more times during the party, I heard others describe their love of "scrapbooking" as their passion. Hearing their comments reminded … Read more