It’s Five Minute Friday! I am joining Kate Motaung’s community where we gather to write like crazy for five minutes on the one word prompt. Today’s word is: sing Our granddaughter’s school held a Spring Sing in their new gymnasium. People filled the seats, the bleachers and the space along the…
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5 Questions About Vaccines
Over the past week I have been watching a documentary series, The Truth About Vaccines. Because one of my children had varying vaccine reactions—first to the MMR and then to the hep B—I continue to follow this issue. I am concerned about the health of the next generation. One of…
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The Women at the Empty Tomb
It is Holy Week, and as I reflect on God’s awesome plan of salvation, I am paying attention to the women that were present during Jesus’ life, crucifixion and death. The women of the New Testament show a devotion and spiritual sensitivity that inspires. It begins with the angel’s appearance…
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Women’s Rights & Midwifery
Women today have more rights than our ancestors. As we have made progress it is odd that the loudest voice in the current women’s movement is for abortion. I would rather support the right of women to give birth in the setting that they choose. Across the world there is…
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Searching for My Voice, Remembering to Vote
As I walked out of the post office an older gentleman was parking his car. When I got into my car he walked over to my window and tried to say something. His hair was white and he was a little bent over. I was a little surprised and wondered…
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A New Home for the Elephants & Family Day at the Zoo
We visited the Wichita Zoo with our daughter and granddaughter. We were delighted to see the new area, recently opened, that allows the elephants room to roam. Occasionally an elephant was in fairly close view. I was fascinated to see the elephants pick up sticks with their trunks and then…
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Making the Transition to Motherhood
It’s Friday and I am joining the community hosted by Kate Motaung. For five minutes we write fast and free. The prompt is: EMBRACE Five minutes ends at this mark: // Last week I was at the zoo with my daughter and granddaughter. At the gorilla house we saw two…
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Gratitude on International Women’s Day
As women in the United States we can give thanks for the progress that has been made in women’s rights and opportunities. My maternal grandmother and paternal great-grandmothers immigrated to Michigan from Finland. With great effort they raised families while managing subsistence farms. My paternal grandmother wanted to go to…
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Moms for Vaccine Safety
At the beginning of the 19th century, in the city of Chicago, the health of young children was in perilous condition. The health of both women and children needed focused attention. In 1916, for example, Chicago’s death rate for children under 2 years of age was 141.4 per 1,000 live…
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Petite Purple Irises and Stinging Nettle
It is the last day of February and my dwarf irises are blooming. I was surprised to see their purple petals as I returned home from a weekend trip. Winter isn’t over, but my tulip and hyacinth bulbs are sprouting leaves. What will our spring be like? My thoughts turn…