67 posts
Somebody's gotta do it. Grow the food we stroll down an aisle to select, buy and haul home, while grumbling about prices. But every now and then, if we're lucky, we get to meet one who does the work we call farming. Like last Sunday,…
Got five minutes? Then, keep reading. The temperature pushed ninety outside, as Poco and I pulled into a slot near Chipotle, where we planned to lunch. Then, we both laughed at the sign, CAUTION ICE, nailed to the post in front of us. Are you…
Turned back towards the news on TV when I heard a woman say, "I done cried already." It was the woman's response to the devastation around her. Well, I can't remember where she was from. But it was somewhere in the USA, where floods and…
Well, now and then I get a perk, like an upgrade on a flight, which didn't happen yesterday, as I flew to Phoenix to celebrate my nephew's retirement from the military. Nor did the United Club in Denver allow me to enter and hang out…
Keep alert. Why? Because God's all over the place. And often in places and people, where we least expect to find even a smidgen of holiness. Consider Paul, the Apostle, in prison but choosing to write letters of encouragement to those who were suffering outside…
"A penny for your thoughts." If you remember sayings like that one, you're getting up there in years. Like me. A penny used to buy something. But my thoughts weren't for sale, as far as I knew. However, today clever advertisers seem to take a…
But it was something. And I told her so. The woman, weighed down by stuff and years, looked for a bench outside Marshalls. She needed a place to rest while waiting for the bus to show up. Meanwhile, I stayed inside my cool car, observing…
What are you giving up for Lent? Well, I answered, "I was so into getting ready to fly to Ireland, I didn't give up anything but some money." And then I remembered reading something and added "I'm giving up on giving up." I don't know…
Showing up matters. Philip Yancey reminded me of this in today's GRACE NOTES. Since I'm more of a night owl, it takes awhile for morning to get my attention. At my age, I'm grateful when night ends and another day shows up. So I want…
"Tis the season to remember when God came as Jesus to a Bethlehem barn. But also that God still comes. Emmanuel. God with us. Recently, I told my son-in-love, Matt, about an encounter with a homeless man, who spoke four words that still speak to…
The older I get, the more I appreciate railings. And not just the wooden or metal kind. I'm referring to rituals that help steady me in shaky times. So, why this topic? Well, it came from a line in a novel our book group is…
This was a week to consider saints. Obvious ones like Saints Peter and Julian of Norwich. But also ones who lived among us but are now dead to this world, yet alive in another. That word dead always lands with a thud, even when I…
Saints below, that's how I saw them, maneuvered the unique wheelchair, customized for the man's small frame. A pair of child-sized sneakers, too clean, sat on the footrest. A blanket tucked around him left me puzzling about his ability to move without assistance. But these…
She came to mind a few days back, a plain woman who walked with a no-nonsense gait in her practical brown oxfords. She and her husband came from Norway and farmed the fertile soil around DeKalb, Illinois. They attended the small Swedish Baptist church, where…
A strange directive from Jesus to the twelve disciples, " Don't take anything with you ."Jesus gave them power and authority to cast out demons and heal all diseases. Then, he added," Don't take anything with you, not even a walking stick." (Luke 9, NLT)…
My purse landed with a thud beside Martha. We met to breakfast at the Ipswich Inn, where bacon's crispy and plump blueberries sweeten pancakes. Martha asked, "So what's in there?" The there referred to my purse not my brain, hopefully. It set me wondering what…
No, I'm not talking about our President, Joseph Biden, nor some new blend from Starbucks. Today the Church honors Saint Joseph. Think Christmas. If you were a church-going boy, he's the one you hoped to play in the Christmas pageant, since Joseph spoke no lines…
The older I get, the more I value and need routine. It keeps me from overthinking, or thinking at all. Like,what to wear? I decide the night before, when I'm more lucid, which isn't saying much. Since the pandemic took its deadly turn, and we're…
The accent helps. When Dean Robert speaks from the Deanery gardens of the Canterbury Cathedral, I listen carefully. The setting calms. And the daily lessons from the Bible, reflections and prayers help me turn around to Faith the Day, instead of giving into fear, anger…
The clock tells me it's morning, still the small lamp in the living room flickers off, then on, as if the auto-sensor can't decide. I know the feeling. Oddly, a Sven and Ole joke pops into my head. Sven was having a problem with his…
The doctor rests her stethoscope against my back saying,"Take a deep breath." It's a routine part of my physical. Not now. Nothing's routine these days, so I've rescheduled my annual physical and cancelled my membership in Weight Watchers. Until I rejoin, it's up to me…
Wonder what Saint Valentine think's of his day? A column in today's Globe by Renee Loth posed a question,"Does love belong in the classroom?" About half our states mandate sex education, "primarily focused on disaster preparedness, largely avoiding pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease." But…
To start with, Lucy's seven, not the age of a sage. I'm more than ten times her age. So what can she teach me about Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the fiery furnace? I know the story. The first time I heard it, Mrs. Miller, my…
This is not the title for the final post of a colonoscopy trilogy. However, my written lab report arrived stating, "No further tests needed." Gloucester appears to be celebrating with me by flushing hydrants all over town. Easy to say, "Life is good" when the…
The doctor might as well have added to his instructions "remain seated with seatbelt securely fastened due to turbulence." Prepping for tomorrow's routine colonoscopy is anything but routine. Yesterday, I heard there's a pill you can take. Too late, already invested in Gatorade, Miralax, Dulcolax,…
It's just a game, or so I've been told. You say something and other players ask questions, then determine if your claim is true or false. No problem, if it really is "just a game" but something's afoot in our culture, making it challenging to…
Chad leaned over during the hymn and whispered in my better ear, "Mom, it's time you start singing melody. You're starting to sound like Dad." What?! Moi? Someday I'm gonna buy him a baseball cap I saw on a friend in California. It read," MAMA…
Someone placed a sunflower in the hand of the statue of St. Francis, who's rooted in the garden outside our church. When I noticed the addition of the flower today, I thought Francis looked lost in wonder, which is how I've felt for the better…
Ogden Nash wrote, "Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you." Been there. Sometimes I'm asked to join an advisory group. "We need your wisdom", which is open to interpretation.…
Got my wish yesterday when I drove to the Farmer's Market at Stage Fort Park in Glosta, the draw bridge went up. Used to bug me. Little gets to me now, except a misspoken word like, "would." Turned off the ignition, put down the windows,…
What marketing guru came up with the idea, self-stick, personalized address labels can generate a desire to give money to the asking charity? All I know is I'm dealing with sticker shock. How many address labels does one need and I'm a letter writer? Most…
Friday, the physical therapist, measured, cut, then placed a wide strip of industrial strength Rocktape the length of my incision. Puzzled, which is often, Scott informed me,"It's what we use on professional athletes." That's about as close as I'll get to being an athlete, amateur…
March blew in with a powerful Nor'easter, leaving thousands without power, facing significant losses from prolonged power outages and damaging high tides. Storms startle and rattle more than windows and doors, leaving us longing for the ordinary. Friday morning, as I prepared to make coffee…
Billy Graham and I grew up together. Not literally, since he's 22 years older, but in the sense I don't recall life without Billy Graham and his invitation to get out of your seat, and walk down a literal or spiritual path to follow Jesus.…
Home. At our Ace hardware store, a small sign read: "My mind wandered and never came back." At Cake Ann bakery: "In honor of your New Year's resolutions, we've gone on vacation until..." From my brother, Dan, "Welcome to Iowa. Be sure you brought along…
Debated about putting up a tree this year, even though mine comes in three parts(A, B, C) with lights attached. It just felt like too much effort. Had to have a talk with myself. "Are you really ready to play it safe? To choose sameness,…
Drove up to Maine for Thanksgiving week, which is why I found myself away from my church yesterday. Don't talk to me about cold New Englanders. I felt warmly welcomed at a nearby Baptist church, chosen for convenience and my Baptist heritage. The minister ,…
Many B&B Inns show photos of cozy, welcoming breakfast rooms, where everything from yogurt with fresh fruit to hot foods from the oven or stove is served to guests. Currently, I'm staying at such an Inn, to be near my California family who are living…
A knock on the screen door interrupted my thoughts. Someone from the condo association's building committee, sent to inspect the safety of our deck. He, a rather large man, did his part to shiver the timbers. All I can say is, if the railings weren't…
No church today. I missed being there. No way to rise, stand or kneel without putting my knee at further risk. This week it decided to lock in place at unexpected times, leaving me hurting and tip-toeing. Even though the teaching in I Corinthians 12…
Nice. Really nice to have a drop in humidity and temperature today. Wind's coming off the water. Summer's thinking about heading south like my neighbors who'll soon swap New England for Florida. I still prefer seasons until about February. My California Grands started school this…
It happened this past week. It was our anniversary so I decided, last minute, no scrambled egg with toast tonight. Since it was early, no problem getting a table for one. Nearby, three chatted away. An older woman, probably younger than I, kept catching my…
Lily called to tell me Earth Day went well at her school. She'd done her part to make it successful. Grateful our children and Grands care about the earth, the air we breathe, what we swallow. From my perch the earth greens. Almost feels like…
Stuck. A feeling more than a reality on this Monday, but then feelings matter. Stuck trying to figure out how to do something with and for each grandchild that Jud and I'd planned to do. Not so easy to bring about without my other bookend.…
Looking back over my life's not something I spend much time doing. Today's about all I can handle. Reading Rachel Joyce's, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, left me wondering, identifying with Harold's arduous, amazing pilgrimage of redemption. Reflecting reminded me, of when circumstances, choice…
My car needed minor maintenance. For one, it needed a new headlight. After my two eldest Grands, Lily and Luke, pointed this out, I felt relieved to know I wasn't losing my eyesight. A woman, dressed like someone out of "Fargo", welcomed me to the…
So insignificant I started to toss it, when cleaning out the backseat, until I heard a plaintive,"No, Momo. I want to keep that in my memory box." We'd just arrived at our destination in Stowe, Vermont. Maggie and I'd driven together, the rest of the…
God gives treats, like Saturday night when Maggie and Poco slept over. After bedtime rituals: baths, teeth brushing, story reading, Maggie and Poco snuggled under the covers while I sang, some in unique Norwegian. In the middle of Jesus Loves Me, as I crooned "they…
"Follow the money." That's what our preacher preached last Sunday, egged on by another lesson on one of the seven deadly sins and the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6. You know, the one about "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"…
Went to doctor's office yesterday. Annual blood work, plus written and verbal tests from a "medicare specialist." If one more person speaks to me s-l-o-w-l-y, calls me "sweetie" and asks me to spell world backwards, Lord, help them..and me. Fortunately, I knew the date, day…
No surprise there. Surprised that yesterday's sermon focused on lust. Father Dean Borgman must've drawn the short straw, when they decided who'd preach on which of the Seven Deadly Sins. None would make you wave your hand wildly, hoping you'd get picked. Those of us…
Never was one to worry about wrinkles. Thought of them more like laugh lines. Quite a few years back, when my Daddy was about the age I am now, I caught him catching hold of the corners of his eyelids, pulling them up, as he…
Pulled part way into the driveway to pick up the Grands and their friend, JoJo. A small bulldozer maneuvered dirt and rocks, blocking my climb up the driveway. Chad and machine operator hard at work, building retaining walls, setting granite steps, working with dirt baked…
Flew south to vacation with the rest of the family a week ago. We've gathered at our favorite beach house in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Lobster's lost out to shrimp, a chilly ocean replaced with warmer waters and hot tea exchanged for iced, served sweet with…
Home. The day after I returned,Chad, Kristina and the girls whipped up a memorable birthday celebration. Lobster salad for lunch together in Essex, then Chad and Poco took me to Art in the Barn, while Kristina and Maggie headed for home. Party planners. Poco and…
Our ship docked in Tallinn, Estonia about 8:00 Friday May 20th. Actually, there's no such thing as about when on a ship. We tied up exactly at 8:00 a.m. The morning sun, up since 4:36, highlighted the towers and red rooftops of the medieval Old…
A couple of weeks ago, Maggie hopped off the school bus, grinning and eager to share her day. She and another eight year old girl had been playing "truth or dare" on the bus. It's a game that can enliven a party, pass the time…
The required fast plus no coffee contributed to my choice of an early morning appointment for "routine blood work." My diet of hot or cold water left me looking wane and feeling wobbly as I made my way to the receptionist's desk. After giving my…
Stalled . This Sunday's sermon, by Bryan Wilkerson at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Mass, was part of a series on ways we get stuck, stalled. Every now and then I head down to Grace, where Jud and I worshipped and served for many years. Bryan…
Friday night our Bible study group gathered at Roger and Karen Green's house with an assignment. "Come with choruses." We're not talking Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, but simple songs we grew up with on Sunday nights at church. Somewhere between then and now, Sunday night church…
This part of Southern California seems to be the land of lifts. Billboards highlight help for veins and sagging parts. Pick a part and there's a specialty doctor or clinic prepared to lift, tuck, snip and alter that part of your body, mostly for youthful…
Yesterday, the Lenten Ladies started up again. We'd chosen to read and discuss during Lent, Joan Chittister's The Way of the Cross. This practice, like Advent, helps us pause, reflect and learn. It's the gift of Slow. Holy Slow. Judy led and handed out Old…
The three youngest boys cleared the dishes and leftovers from dinner, while seven of us remained at the table, too deep in conversation for our own good. You could hear the dishes being slammed into the dishwasher as the boys did what was asked of…
Just hurry it up. Get in and out of the grocery store, then pick up the Grands at the frozen yogurt shop and get home. So I whipped my shopping cart with exactly 15 items into the 15 or fewer items line. Whew! Just two…
J-E-L-L-O! I know, I'm old but sometimes I miss jello. True, I could go to the nearest nursing home or check-in to the hospital to get my tonsils removed, either place would give it to me twice a day in red, green, orange or yellow.…
No grand alarm clocks this morning. Maggie and Kate returned home with their parents last night after having stayed the BETTER part of a week with me. Last Wednesday they arrived with suitcases, stuffed animals, favorite books and enough energy to provide daily workouts better…
Yesterday morning as I pulled up to Maggie's school in Ipswich, several teachers stood outside welcoming students, clapping and shouting, "It's science day!" Maggie jumped out of the car with her contribution, a box of aluminum foil to be used for some experiment. Can't remember…