Bah Humbug

December 24, 2015

‘I knew that waiting to shop until the last day was a mistake. This traffic is cwaaazzzyy! These people do not have a clue about driving. My driver’s education instructor warned me about this….he said….shop early or pay the price.’ One can only listen to this Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas CD for so long.’

Believe

December 24, 2015

Believe that tomorrow (Christmas Day) is a monumental one in history….that miracles can happen….and that life is good. While you’re at it, believe, like Berkeley, that you can handle anything and come out on top.

Friends

December 23, 2015

Best friends always have your back.

Faith

December 22, 2015

Whether in a boat….or on a board….at some point in every life, the waves will come crashing down and throw you to the ocean floor. Who do you turn to when the next breath feels like it might be the last? Photo by Dave Irey

Play Day

December 20, 2015

Teri had just returned from a vacation in Marco Island, Florida. She was sharing photos with her book bulb buddies when she came across this picture. ‘This was the best day of the entire trip. I learned two important things that day in the dolphin pool. The first is that dolphins seem to smile more […]

Delight

December 20, 2015

Lindsey and Marshall know firsthand how profound the word delight is. Synonyms include enchant, captivate, thrill, amuse, and entertain. When a very young cowboy met these kiddos Friday night, he recalled the same feeling of joy as a new parent so long ago. How fortunate are these two parents and what great delight they’ll savor […]

The five toughest words

December 20, 2015

Craig began speaking this morning about forgiveness. He talked about how everyone has experienced relational ‘dings’/ bumps in the road with family or friends. Craig said that he was ‘ridicuously rebellious’ in his teen years and that his father became obsessed with work and emotionally absent from the family. You could hear a pin drop […]

Finally a solution

December 19, 2015

The XMark Theatre chain has long been recognized as a leader in movie management circles. They brought us reserved seating with waiters, free popcorn and drinks, and online purchasing of tickets. Their latest invention was announced by Cody (head usher) tonight as he introduced the film Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks. He reinforced the […]

Young at Heart

December 19, 2015

“You don’t have to act your age. You don’t even have to feel it. And if it does attempt to elbow its way into your life, you do not have to pay attention. If I am out shopping and I hear music playing in a store, I start to dance. If I want to sing,I […]

Clarity

December 19, 2015

Allison comes often to this secluded shore at dusk. It’s where, she says…..’I can sort things out and tap into my soul.’ Free from distractions, Ali can spend two hours writing in her journal and taking walks on the beach. She phoned her mom last night and said that this alone time near the water […]

The Gift of Children

December 19, 2015

This is just too good not to pass on to all. Something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It’s nice, The government recently calculated the cost of raising a […]

Appreciate

December 19, 2015

Have you ever seen anything in your life more wonderful than the way the sun, every evening, relaxed and easy, floats toward the horizon and into the clouds or the hills, or the rumpled sea, and is gone– and how it slides again out of the blackness, every morning, on the other side of the […]

Guilt Trip

December 19, 2015

‘You think that I don’t comprehend….that I do not know that you are going to Mexico again. I’m not blind, you know. The suitcases by the bed once more. Do you not realize how much I loathe that boarding place? It’s really like an animal prison and yes, I feel like an inmate the entire […]

The Call That Changed It All

December 19, 2015

It was an autumn day much like this one The year was ’88 We were content and carefree—-no worries-no complaints Yet something was missing Until the call that changed it all “It’s a girl”, the caller said And our hearts skipped a beat How were we to know The missing piece was here…. The daughter […]

Emil’s Robe

December 19, 2015

Each morning I slip into Emil’s robe fetch the paper and peruse the news between spoonfuls of raisin bran and cheerios It’s as regular as a heartbeat One early morning it dawned on me that the man who now inhabits Emil’s robe doesn’t fill it out the way he did Oh, it fits fine…..that’s not […]

Complacency

December 17, 2015

Joshua Foer speaks about a concept called The OK Plateau. Individuals get good at certain skills and then rest on their laurels and fail to keep improving. While others continue climbing and reach the summit,some get hijacked by the saboteur of complacency and never reach the peak of their potential.

Gone fishing

December 16, 2015

John and his seven year old son Ryan love to fish together. The path to their favorite spot winds through a forest where they often see chipmunks,woodpeckers,and an occasional deer. They usually bring a bucket of fried chicken and fish with worms and Power Bait. Today,the sunfish and crappie were biting and John netted a […]

Turnaround

December 16, 2015

Grant was seventeen when he became involved with the wrong group of kids at school. By nineteen,he was heavily involved in drugs and had been arrested twice. While in rehab,he finally realized that it was now or never. A counselor named Barbara encouraged him to use his gifts in art and to begin a practice […]

Whatever it Takes

December 14, 2015

Gretchen gazed wistfully at the skiers gliding down the slopes she had traversed last March. A freak accident and a torn ACL had sidelined her for months. Her rehab was arduous and doctors cautioned her to be patient as she regained her strength and confidence. It was difficult not participating in the sport she loved […]

Choices

December 14, 2015

It’s never too late to turn it back around Yeah I know you can Don’t bury your demons deep in the ground When it all falls down The only way is up, up, up The only way is up, up I watch your spirit break As it shatters into a million pieces Just like glass […]