Building Things—Bits of Glory

NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO, we built our house. Ourselves. Hammer, skill saw, nail pullers to undo mistakes. Learned as we went. Slow, hard work that became hazardous to my health. Stress and overwork sent me to the doctor. Long story there, but misdiagnosis and wrong...

Kinship on the Margins

  My son Lee stayed two nights with us this week. Daughter Rachel came for a few hours on Wednesday, and daughter-in-law Sue Beth left last Sunday after a week’s visit. Our granddaughter April, a teacher, lives with us during the school year. Kinship. When...

Matters of the Heart

The word HEART has multiple meanings: GRETA’S  VALENTINE-SHAPED HEART pounded as Hans neared the group of girls. Would he pick one of the others . . . or come to her?        Genesis 34:3—His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman...

Of Ants and Sandhill Cranes

  Here I am again at Orange Lake Resort, Kissimmee FL, enjoying the “good life.” I am, however, well aware of the army of ants that make and maintain all this wealth and luxury. In no particular order: •  Cleaning ladies •  Service responders •...

What's New about New Year's?

NEW YEAR’S DAY, AS WE KNOW IT, IS OBSERVED ON JANUARY 1, a relatively new date based on the modern Gregorian calendar. The earliest observance by the Chinese originated in 2000 BC from an ancient Chinese legend of the monster Nian and fell on the first day of...