Alive and Growing
Have you noticed how fragile the family unit is these days? Who do you know who is called toxic, ghosted, and denied access to their grandchildren? What family do you know who has lost a child to suicide? Who in your circle has a daughter who has not spoken to her mom in 15 years? …
On Thursday evening July 14, I sat in a local church listening to the heart of a missionary couple. This couple, William and Larisa, called to the Middle East, does grass roots ministry with the flexibility and nimbleness of a four year old on a jungle gym. And they have eight children in tow! Yes, …
The power of red is unmistakeable. Recently I read about a photographer who entered many photo contests and never seemed to win. He did some visual research of the winning entries and noted they all contained a pop of red. What to do? He started entering photos with — you guessed it — a pop …
This week I have been attending a photography workshop on creating a Fine Art Book. Yes, I am capitalizing those three words. What I am learning is beyond just printing up a book of pictures. Oh yah! Streeeeeeetch! Do you hear my brain stretching? It is… We are meeting at the Pacific Rim Institute for …
Wednesday morning found me winding my way down Mukilteo Boulevard toward a favorite trailhead. It is mostly a residential neighborhood except for one cluster of commercial buildings. J-Lee Floors has been there for years. In front of this store is a signboard that read, “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.” I like that. …
Have you ever been around someone who is so secure in their identity that the more you are with them the more they affirm who you are? My Uncle Gene Horton was like that. Physically, he was one of the biggest men I have ever known with large hands, a big smile, and the curliest …
Many years ago as a twelve year old girl, I accompanied my father to a nearby city where he had been asked to preach. Before the service, we were invited to dinner at a parishioner’s home. While my dad and the host visited and I sat and listened, the man’s wife prepared the dinner. I …
Yesterday as I parked my car in the downtown corridor, I saw it on the car in the next stall. Right there starring straight at me with a halo over its floppy ears was the graphic design of a dog with a caption proclaiming the goodness of the dog. It is a registered trademark so I will …
When you have a history as an academic librarian, you tend to live with books scattered throughout your space. Last night as I was de-booking a corner, I found an old diary (as the Brits say). Paging through the year 2004, I found some notes, actually gemstones, on how our brains work. Unfortunately, I did not …
It was a long weekend in the land of limited wi-fi. Rather than drive in pursuit of service, I just frolicked in all the greenness pressed up against the Cascade Range. The pre-written posts were allowed to languish on my computer. This morning I was in the mood for something fresh. It had been a …