Scraggly Pessimism or Bright Eyed Hope
I read that this year’s 75-foot-tall, 11-ton Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrived at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The tree, donated by Al Dick (from his front yard in Oneonta, New York), will be lit on Friday, Dec. 2. The headline that stood out first about the tree was “it is a symbol of…
My Treasures Hunt Treasures
As a child, I never realized that my grandparents weren’t the hands-on-type. But, when we became grandparents, we knew we wanted “up close and personal” relationships with our grands. From the get-go, we set out to be doting, over-the-top-in-love in words and deeds. Before our first grandson was born, I had a hope chest of…
The Show Must Go On
While we’ve had an uncanny year where “the norms” have become hanging close to home, socially distancing, zoom meetings, AND wearing those “wonderful” masks that I often forget and have to return to my car for one. Many famous and everyday famous because they were beloved family members and friends have passed on. But the…
He Made an Unlikely Shift
Shhh!! I’m headed back to Austin. I’m surprising Bryson on his 14th birthday. I know I talk about the youngest the most. After all, he’s my youngest. I’m certain he’s the last. I wouldn’t have gone to Austin last week, were it not for his last football game of the year. I just couldn’t miss…
Living in the Land of the Living
It is the 16th of November, and the year is 2010. A gentle breeze comes in our bedroom window as if to say: “It’s a wonderful world out here!” The melodious sounds of Oklahoma’s many varieties of birds capture our attention. In the near distance, we see the fish doing back-flips in our little lake,…
You’re a Grand Old Flag
Yes, it’s grand, but here at my home – it’s tattered and torn. It’s been up every day since Covid-19 showed up — as a reminder daily to pray for my country. No doubt, my flag has suffered from high winds and rain. From it being caught on my garage door light fixture, there were…
Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater
I was stoked to take a delicious pumpkin cake roll swirled with cream cheese to my family in Austin. I had purchased one before and my guests and I loved it. But, not in the case with my Austin crew. There aren’t pumpkin eaters around there, but there sure are a lot of pumpkins. The…
If I Were God, I Would Have…..
Good thing we’re NOT God because we would have sure messed things up many times over with OUR ideas, thoughts, and desires. Garth Brooks sang “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” And I agree, I thank God for not answering many of my prayers because if He had answered ‘yes’ to all those prayers, no…
Time to Get Our Hope Up
In my neighborhood, the large, imposing and the small, non-intimidating campaign signs have been removed from their lofty positions on our yards. I’ll admit – I’m pleased to pass by my neighbors’ homes without “judging” them one way or another based on their choice of candidate. Now, we can get back to the business of…
They’re God’s Rough Draft
I couldn’t be here in Austin without a tale from my youngest grandson, Bryson. He introduced me to my new grand-guineas. At first sight, I thought they were white turkeys. Four of them. They were a gift from a friend to the family. Is “gift” the operative word? I’m not sure. Because the guineas are…