• Gardening - Herbs - Nature

    Garlic and Rosemary

    April showers and sunshine turn my thoughts to the garden. I have started some tomato plants from seed, and next I will start some basil.  It is a pleasure to walk outside and see the trees and bushes bud, and then flower. The perennial plants are beginning to sprout. The…

  • Faith - Flowers - Gardening - Nature

    The Promise of Spring

    The snowdrops by the door lift upward, sweet and pure, their delicate bells; and soon in the calm blaze of noon, by lowly window-sills will laugh the daffodils! Celia Thaxter (1836 – 1894) The snowdrops and crocuses are blooming in my yard.  The cherry tree is still barren but soon it…

  • Abortion - Children - Family

    The Gift of Life

    On March 4 the Wall Street Journal had an article that caught my attention. In Aging Japan, One Town Holds the Secret to Making More Babies. The article was written by Miho Inada. Inada explains that people, including Japan’s leaders, are going to Nagi to see this place where parents have…

  • Children - Family - Grandparents - Parenting

    Choosing to be Informed

    This past week I attended a meeting about our upcoming school board election. My husband and I were saddened to learn about the declining level of math and English competency.  That wasn’t the only concern mentioned. Violent behavior has increased. Teachers are stressed. The school board recently voted to go forward…

  • Faith - Family

    Joy Beyond Grief

    Many years ago, I received a small blue book in the mail. On the cover page is a little note. In memory of Steven. A Lamaze instructor, a colleague of mine, sent the book after my son passed away. The title of the book is Heaven, and it was written by…

  • Book Reviews - Faith - Family - Grandparents - Women

    Tending the Family

    Family relationships are a vital part of our life. The fifth and sixth chapters of Ephesians focuses on the family. Chapter five begins with Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love . . .  In our human, imperfect nature we have problems in family relationships. We make…