The Staying Barn

One spring day many years ago, a farmer decided to build a fine log barn. First, he gathered large stones. He chipped and fitted them together for a firm foundation. The farmer cut many trees, chopped off limbs, and smoothed the trunks. Notch and groove, groove and notch, the logs rose straight and true atop […]

The Comfort of Quilts

The Comfort of Quilts

  This morning, as I got out of my comfortable bed, I thought about the things that keep me warm at night–quilts. And then, I thought about how life is much like a homemade quilt. Some of the colors are bright, some are dark, but they all go together to make the quilt. Some of […]

Fathers and Dads

Today is Fathers’ Day, a time to celebrate those dads in our families. I had a great father and I’m blessed that my son is a great father too. I’m grateful that both Dad and Matt are fathers not in name only, but in being vital parts of their families.  No one would deny that […]

Tell Me a Story

Tell Me a Story

Most of us like to listen to a good story. Some of my earliest memories are of Dad’s stories about when he was young, and then, Mom’s stories which we put into a couple of Etta Bend books. Storytelling is the oldest form of entertainment. Can’t you just see early day people gathered in round […]

Grab That Thought

Grab That Thought

  John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough defeated the French and Bavarians on August 2, 1704. Who knew? And, today, who cares? But, if you were the Duke or his British soldiers at that time, you cared a lot! If any one individual was ever the inspirations for stories of intrigue, mystery, action, or romance, it was […]

What Does My House Say About Me?

What Does My House Say About Me?

No, I really don’t have conversations with my floors and ceiling, but if it could talk, what would my house say about me? A few years ago, a popular television program aired called If Walls Could Talk. Do you remember that show? It was one of my favorites because old secrets were found tucked away […]