Frost and Friendship

Frost is spread over rooftops this morning. Fingers of tree shadows stretch across brown leaves on lawns. In its final two days, November is saying good-bye in a chilly way. This is the day I need to bring one of my plants inside. All summer, I thought it was a geranium, but now that it […]

Those Paper Sack Vests

This morning, my mind drifts back quite a few years to headbands and paper sack vests. Kindergarteners and Thanksgiving! It was a fun time and I have no idea whether children still do this or whether it is now frowned on, but we celebrated Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, and Indians. In the process, we learned some American […]

The Warmth of a Friendly Home

Are there times when you long for the warmth of a friendly home, the sincerity of a smile, the familiarity of people and a certain place, the knowledge that you are welcome? Do you ever turn to a well-loved book to recapture that comfort? I do. I go to Mary Roberts Rinehart. How many times […]

Small Courtesies, Day Brighteners

I remember a nice surprise in my mailbox a while back. Among the bills and circulars was a small, white envelope with my name on it. Inside was a simple thank you note from my neighbor, telling me how much her little daughter liked the two children’s books I gave her. What I gave was […]

A Past Day with Cozy Critters

Sometimes, it’s nice to look back and remember some particularly good times. When the Cozy Critters got together, there were good times a-plenty.  This is a remembrance of one of those times, a few years ago. Good friends, all.  When four friends meet on a fall day, bringing with them their outlooks on life, the […]

What Would You Do?

What Would You Do?

Two hours later, we were dirty, tired, and discouraged. “I’m willing to call it a day,” I said, flopping down on the floor beside Ulysses who was lying down by the door.             “Same here,” Pat said. “I need a bath.”             Jackie looked around at the ruins of the living room. “There’s too much […]