The simple act of receiving a Christmas card means someone remembered you, that you are cared for, and that you are not invisible. When my friend Barb initiated a wonderful tradition in sharing the joy of Christmas cards with homeless individuals, the initial goal was to collect 80 cards. As it turned out, 80 was … Continue reading Making it Merry Again
Category: Inspiration
Culture, geography, history and inspiration – Chinese Immigrants in Canada
From as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by other cultures and eager to know about countries around the world. This fascination has led to traveling, learning about global holidays, attending pow-wows... ...writing to overseas pen pals, learning Scottish Highland dancing, volunteering at a First Nations wilderness camp... ...AND writing about other … Continue reading Culture, geography, history and inspiration – Chinese Immigrants in Canada
Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code
Lonely Lily or The Shepherd’s Call, a tiny thin book published in the U.K. in 1893, gently tells a sweet but powerful story of faith. It is written for children, but nevertheless fascinated me with its suspenseful telling of the inner journey of hearts, from despair to comfort. I am struck by how much more serious … Continue reading Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code
Faulkner’s Favorite – Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes
I regularly recommend this novel as one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the pleasure of this story! Actually, the full title of the novel is El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha (The Ingenious Low-Born Noble Don Quixote of La Mancha). And, apparently, … Continue reading Faulkner’s Favorite – Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes
Just As I Am – words of hope and life
My thanksgiving that I am accepted above, just the way I am, prompted by the beloved hymn... J ust as I am, without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to Thee E ternal Lord, everlasting Father, O Lamb of God, I come S inful, powerless, … Continue reading Just As I Am – words of hope and life
My Favorite Books of 2017
Here are the books I enjoyed reading the most in the past year. They fall into various categories of fiction and non-fiction, old and new, and are listed in the order that I read them. The only thing they all have in common are that they are generally positive and upbeat! I Remember Nothing by … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2017
Thunder and Lightning and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
While listening to a radio program which mentioned Santa’s reindeer in the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, something occurred to my mom about Donner and Blitzen. In her native German language, donner means thunder, and blitzen means lightning. We were both curious to know if the creator of the song chose these names because of … Continue reading Thunder and Lightning and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
He Lifts his Voice, the Earth Melts
One of my mom’s favorite verses of scripture is Psalm 46:6, so I decided that for Christmas I would make her a poster of the scripture that she could hang on her wall. I added my visual interpretation of the verse, using pictures that displayed the chaos and terrors of today’s world in contrast with … Continue reading He Lifts his Voice, the Earth Melts
Snail-mailing kindness and hope
Although I love being able to text and email, there is really nothing like a card or letter to hold in your hand and a handwritten message inside. (I guess the only thing better is being there in person, but it isn't always possible, right?) I have been greatly inspired and encouraged to revive my … Continue reading Snail-mailing kindness and hope
Goodnight Poems of Eugene Field
A while back I was browsing the shelves of antiquarian books at Fair’s Fair on 9th Avenue, and ran across a beautiful set of books, The Works of Eugene Field. Two volumes particularly caught my eye, A Little Book of Profitable Tales and A Little Book of Western Verse, and I perused wonderful pieces such … Continue reading Goodnight Poems of Eugene Field
Happily Writing 