The really great news for me is that I made it well into my ninth week of lockdown without opening a package of Oreos. Finding a glimmer of hope and happiness seems to be the key to survival during this time, isn’t it? Celebrating the smallest of successes? Lucky for me, I also have a happy place I can go to, so Oreos don’t have to be my answer. (Besides, the package barely made it into week 10.) How about you? Do you have a happy place where you can retreat for a physical, emotional or Continue Reading
Reflections on the border wall
I have hated the concept of a border wall since I first heard about it a few years ago. In my mind, it’s an ugly symbol that says we don’t want you, you’re not welcome here, and we don’t care about your problems. This is contrary to how I’ve always viewed the United States, not to mention my own Christian values. Then I moved to Arizona, and the environmental issues, and the voice of Arizonans further stoked my disappointment in the construction of the wall. A majority of them do not want it. Continue Reading
Holiday Traditions
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” ― Gustav Mahler Earlier this month, I opened my old address book and sent out a couple dozen Christmas cards. Even though I stay in touch with lots of people through social media, this is a holiday tradition I love, and I always include a brief personal note. It’s not about the card, but rather the connection I enjoy preserving. The holidays are filled with traditions. Some we anticipate with great excitement like the Continue Reading
The Eight Phases of Moving
Today, I filled up the back of the car and dropped off a load of donations at our charitable resale shop. Phew! That’s the last of it, I am sure. Except I said that last week when I dropped off a batch of can’t find room for you stuff. And the week before that for items that didn’t make the cut. I am almost convinced that we have made as many trips to the resale shop here as we did in Lansing, before the move. All of this has made me ponder the many phases of a move, whether it’s across Continue Reading