Bears bounced into my life on day one of my existence. According to family, Uncle Justin strolled into the Portland, Oregon hospital, carrying his gift for the first grandchild in the life of his parents. This small bear began his journey early, as my father’s work took him around the country continually, and bear and… Continue reading Messages from the Bears
Yesterday, while entering the grocery store, a most unusual experience happened. As a woman passed me in the aisle, I heard her quietly say something. Three or four seconds later my aging mind finally translated her comment. This unknown person had simply said, “I like your sweater.” The Lord sometimes cranks up my brain rather… Continue reading The Unheard “Thank You”
A recent trip found me wandering around the streets and lanes of the small, flourishing town of Chippenham, England, with its lively market. Nestled on the banks of the River Avon, tourists love to take a quick drive out of London and relax and enjoy part of the Cotswolds. Well, I suppose not all inhabitants… Continue reading Wolf & Four Companions (Eye Catcher)
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” is a six-word story allegedly written by Ernest Hemingway many years ago. As I read the half-dozen words, my heart immediately cried out, as I envisioned a mother weeping at the loss of her baby. Whether a piece of short fiction created by a great writer, or just an… Continue reading For Sale – Baby Shoes “Never Worn”
Growing up as a wee child in Wisconsin and other northern states in the spring and summer, I experienced many opportunities not available to youth in some other spots in the USA. My father was a civil engineer, working for the USGS, the mapping department of the federal government. This job required him to be… Continue reading Blueberry Memories
While eating breakfast recently, my eyes suddenly focused on a strange sight. Several customers were clustering around the next table with their phones pointed to an unusual object. The waitress had just placed a large platter of pancakes before the customer. What was going on? A waitress informed us that there is a special deal.… Continue reading Pancake Challenge
Lonely – Need a Friend? Busy day? Overworked? Occasional tear? Maybe need a pair of listening ears? Do any of these phrases strike a chord with your state of mind, as you read this opening thought? I collect bears, umpteen bears, bears of all sizes. There are fifty, ranging in size from a couple of… Continue reading Snuggle Up – Care Bear Days
Do you know someone who is tired, sad, depressed, over-worked, uncertain, in pain, or basically in need of support? Have you ever experienced any of these mental, emotional, or physical dark moments in your life? My guess is that I am not the Lone Ranger who has quietly shed a tear of sadness or disappointment… Continue reading Be An Encourager
My eyes took a second blink. There on the asphalt was a wee dot. Yes, it was Abraham Lincoln staring up at me from the copper spot by my car door. I started to enter the car, but then stopped and bent over. Somehow, I just could not resist the opportunity to capture a penny.… Continue reading A Lonely Penny
Discouraged, depressed, hurting, or just plain lonely? Do you feel like a crocodile is nibbling on your toes? I recently read a stanza of a poem, written by Annie Johnson Flint, which might be helpful. Annie experienced a life of tribulation, pain, and poverty. Her mother died in childbirth when Annie was three, leaving her… Continue reading The “Red Sea” of Your Life
Kathryn Ransom 