Christmas Lights and Quiet Thoughts

Christmas Lights and Quiet Thoughts

Our family has the tradition of lighting Advent candles on the Sundays before Christmas, then reading  Scripture. The soft glow of the candle is peaceful and silent but it reflects a powerful message of hope and love. I wish that our world would stop for a moment and absorb this quietness and peace. Doesn’t Scripture […]

Mother and Daughter Detectives

Mother and Daughter Detectives

I’ve heard women say, “I don’t want to become my mother as I grow older.” What? How sad. If someone  tells me I’m like my mom, I consider it a huge compliment. My mother and I were best friends. I think you’d have liked her. If you never had that privilege, you can get just […]

One Woman’s Junk

One Woman’s Junk

Yesterday, I dusted my furniture. The wood of piano, tables, bureau, all looks bright and shiny. Why do I put off this chore, since I enjoy the dust-free furniture so much? I’ll tell you–it’s moving the stuff I have sitting on top. Many people would look at all the small objects and wonder why I […]

The Magic of Music

Last night, I was privileged to hear junior and senior high school choirs in their annual Christmas concert. There’s something almost magical about beautiful music. The choirs sang traditional Christmas songs with new and lively interpretations, an excerpt from one of Handel’s oratorios, and a couple of their favorites. The stirring climax came when a […]

The Mystery of Good and Evil

The Mystery of Good and Evil

Moonlight Can Be Murder. is a book of contrasts: friendship and distrust, love and hate, danger and safety, light and darkness. Ned and her friends Pat and Jackie decorate Granger’s Mansion for Christmas with red ribbons and candles, flames leap up Ned’s fireplace casting flickering shadows on the wall, Jackie plans a Christmas party, and […]

A Battle Cry for Freedom

A Battle Cry for Freedom

  “A day that will live in infamy,” President Roosevelt said. And, indeed, it has and will. A surprise attack by Japanese aircraft against the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor triggered the United States’ entrance into World War II.  As I watch old film clips and read first-hand accounts, I can imagine the shock […]