A friend and I took a nature walk during her recent visit to my community in Central Coast California. I chose Henry Cowell State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, home to the centuries old Redwood Grove that features a self-guided nature path. As we strolled we both … Continue reading →
Last week I attended a staff retreat in Cincinnati, Ohio, where my daughter Julie runs her online business Brave Writer (bravewriter.com) for home school families. I am one of her teachers and what a privilege it is to be part of such a great company. But most of all … Continue reading →
My friends Carol and Don gave me this darling Christmas ornament to remind me that Charles is now with God in the room the Lord prepared for him. “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am … Continue reading →
Last week my friend Kathleen and I walked along the Struve Slough in my hometown of Watsonville on the central coast of California. It was one of those lovely days when everything seemed ‘right.’ The temp was warm but not too warm. The breeze wafted through the shrubs and … Continue reading →
My mother was ‘on’ me all the time as a child. “Smile and say something nice,” she’d prompt. I remember being annoyed. Maybe I didn’t feel like smiling or saying something nice! So there. But here I am (age five) with Mom (on the right). She must have just … Continue reading →
Well, I decided to get into it–the Christmas season, that is. Decorating has always been Charles’ domain and this year I dreaded even opening the boxes of lights and ornaments in the garage. But then I realized I didn’t want to surrender the holiday to feeling sorry for myself … Continue reading →
Yesterday, October 11, would have been Charles’ 87th birthday, but he flew to heaven in March so we didn’t get to celebrate the day with him in person. I love this photo, taken at one of our favorite get-away spots: Cambria, California along the Central Coast. We LOVED to … Continue reading →
Recently my daughter-in-law Michiko and my daughter Julie and I reserved a room at a hotel in Los Angeles near the site of my niece’s wedding. We got a great deal (big discount) online and were quite pleased with ourselves–that is until we arrived. The building was in a … Continue reading →
As I care for my husband whose journey is taking him down the road of Stage 4 cancer I am realizing the importance of silence. Not an easy thing for me–a communicator both in writing and in speaking. But now that we’ve said about all there is to say … Continue reading →
Joseph was engaged to the love of his life. He must have been ecstatic at the thought of taking beautiful young Mary as his bride, building a life together, and raising a family. Soon they would exchange vows, and then be alone, away from the whispers and nods … Continue reading →