An unusual sense of foreboding hovered over the gloomy low-ceilinged parking garage. I drove cautiously to the second level before finding an empty spot, and was relieved it faced the outside light. An older grey sedan pulled in on my left moments later, and out popped an equally older, short, wiry man whose wrinkled, weatheredContinue reading “For That Veteran”
Category Archives: Musings
A Beautiful Meeting
There he was…dark haired, mustached, tall and lean…just as in their youth. She’d heard, then saw him looking for tools in the workroom, his mannerisms reminding her of Dad, purposeful and precise. Decades pulled them from each other, stretched like taffy. Previous grand gatherings dwindled with growing families, varying interests, different friends, the pandemic; allContinue reading “A Beautiful Meeting”
Overcoming Again
She lay flattened on the floor, the wind knocked out of her from the never ending battle. She awakened each day this way, a lingering shred of hopelessness refusing to let go. Was she a mother sorrowing for her adult children, their choices hurting them? A wife caring for her ailing husband? One enduring herContinue reading “Overcoming Again”
The Father’s Care
“Go! Into the house now!” her father thundered. His elder daughter’s defiant eyes flashed as she stood daring to glare at him. “Go now!” he growled, not with menace but authority. She spun on her heel and fled, slamming the door behind her as she stomped into the house. She, with her mother, had selfishlyContinue reading “The Father’s Care”
Fading
Wispy like clouds…that’s how she felt. Stretched for so long it seemed holes were holding her together. No wonder an emptiness invaded. Not depression really, just a void. It was a strange experience, more tolerable the older she grew. Watching changes in her loved ones and friends added to the taste of life distancing…becoming lessContinue reading “Fading”
Our Tombs
The door slammed shut blocking any trace of light entering the pitch black room. He might as well have been dead and buried; the crushing experience was the same. Isolated, abandoned, rejected, ridiculed, he could only cower in a tight ball thankful he could still breathe. He had been beaten and bloodied…again. The boy wasContinue reading “Our Tombs”
In Glowing Winter Moonlight
Three o’clock in the morning was a ridiculous time to be awake. Frosty thoughts tripped over Rachael’s sleepy mind as she closed the weather app and set her phone down. “Happy New Year,” she frowned shaking her head at the bedside clock flashing <10:00>. “Just great! Who knows when the power will come back on?”Continue reading “In Glowing Winter Moonlight”
The Strength of His Hand
She wasn’t completely sure who they were, this darling couple and others who came to visit time and again. They called her Momma or Auntie or Nona… who were these people? Her once short coifed hair had grown long and limp, the slow loss of curl and shine reflective of the persistent fading of herContinue reading “The Strength of His Hand”
Heart Song
As if from the LORD: Shhhh…can you hear the vibration? Beyond the noise of screeching, thumping, whirling? Beyond the voice of opinion, fear, confusion? Can you hear the music My sacrifice brings, conquering earth’s cacophony to touch your heart? Be still…listen. Quiet yourself that your soul might hear My still small voice whispering Love toContinue reading “Heart Song”
The Man on the Curb
Traffic slowed. The right hand lane emptied at flashing lights ahead. At the stoplight an enormous white pickup sat at a slight angle blocking the right hand turn; a man sat on the curb nearby; three police cars parked parallel to the sidewalk faced him and the truck. No other vehicles evidencing an accident wereContinue reading “The Man on the Curb”
Singing to a Flat Soul
Barren as the windswept plains So my soul feels on this day Homeward bound to unknown things Earthly cares a’jumblingTugging on my heart LORD, help me set aside the thoughts Of things I cannot understand And look to You to guide my day Taking burdens from my hands As I trust in You Keep meContinue reading “Singing to a Flat Soul”
Unfettered Praise
The world did its best to silence the voice of Truth, to silence the purposes of Love, of Life. Yet there they stood, hundreds gathered…each one masked in obedience to man’s law of the day. The players of wind instruments had a measure of freedom…faces bare only when their instruments were at their lips. AllContinue reading “Unfettered Praise”
Broken for You
“Broken in my heart…then offered to the Father…” These were the words that highlighted her mind as she slowly awakened. Correlations came as she pondered why Christ’s body was broken for mankind. The ultimate offering of self for the uplifting, the nourishing, the restoration of life for others. What exactly did those words mean personallyContinue reading “Broken for You”
Turkey Trot
While returning home from a glorious trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada, dear husband and I were enjoying a leisurely drive through Northern Idaho. The beauty of mountains and pastoral scenes surrounded us in peace and quiet as we drove into the gathering dusk. Without warning our reverie was jolted as something banged against our frontContinue reading “Turkey Trot”
Freddie
She was petite in body with an inviting and generous spirit that radiated from her quiet demeanor. The mother of my dearest nursing school friend, Freddie was a pastor’s wife who had a penchant for small owls that trapped themselves in her fireplace, working with young children, and collaborating with her family to write andContinue reading “Freddie”
Taking Down the Tree
Such a glorious thing, that tree that springs up in our living room each December. Aglow day and night it needs none other to bring light into the room. The ambiance feels warmer than a cozy blanket or sweater. It seeps deep into one’s very being…and longings…of past, present, future. Glad ornaments festoon the branches,Continue reading “Taking Down the Tree”
Winter’s Celebration
Frosted white trees splay in celebration, their shimmering coated branches reaching for the heavens and cascading towards the earth. They are fat sparklers’ explosions, fireworks frozen, the surrounding fog evidence of their jubilance…and that a great burning light has been here. Dark green conifers bearing white loads of snow march through groves of jubilant trees,Continue reading “Winter’s Celebration”
The Broken Lantern
A newly crafted lantern, shined and bejeweled through hours of careful attention, sat proudly on the shelf in all its glory, waiting to fulfill its purpose. The shop hummed busily with browsers, many hands touching, grabbing, turning, checking the lantern from all angles. Did it meet their needs, was it just right for their intent,Continue reading “The Broken Lantern”
Holiday Book Gift Guide 2022
Merry Christmas blessings and Happy Holidays to you and yours! The Holiday Book Gift Guide, and link below to nearly eighty books written by members of a Christian writer’s group, was graciously compiled by friend and fellow member, Lana Scroggins. Many different genres are included, each book with the author’s brief description and link forContinue reading “Holiday Book Gift Guide 2022”
Kansas Wind
It skips across the rolling plains Down grassy streams, o’er rippled ponds Bends trees and landscape to it’s will Then swirls away to somewhere Oz Clutching steering wheel tight Rocking through buffeting sounds Will we also fly away Spinning up and round and round To land in someplace OzNo Munchkins seen along this path NotContinue reading “Kansas Wind”
Those Things Between
What are those myriad things that wash against our souls, tidal waves lapping, churning, that retreat only to return again? Crests that are braved leaving us weathered and worn before the relief of calm, sun’s piercing light scattering the grey, blowing the gale away? What when those tides are words and looks, voice inflections, orContinue reading “Those Things Between”
Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022
Transplanted seedlings we were once Or perhaps some started here In this valley verdant greenWith rivers, mountains, trees and streamsDeserts near for those who would Leave this vale where they did start Planting new shoots far awayIn climes calling to their hearts Yet our roots are intertwined No matter how far they have grown NotContinue reading “Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022”
Seat Belt Gymnastics
A love hate relationship has developed toward a certain two inch black belt, no matter its promises to increase my safety when I am buckled in. During our cruise along Interstate 80 I have begun a crash course of in-car gymnastics…or is it wrestling?…with a seat belt that is bent on ratcheting my neck intoContinue reading “Seat Belt Gymnastics”
Before Saying, “Aye”
How enlightening are word searches. Looking up the word “aye,” I was intrigued by some of the synonyms listed in Webster’s online dictionary: “Synonyms-Adverb (1)- always, e’er, eternally, ever, everlasting, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently, perpetually Synonyms-Adverb (2)- all right, alright, exactly, OK (or okay), okeydoke (or okeydokey), yea, yeah, yep, yes, yo” This ancientContinue reading “Before Saying, “Aye””
When Life Falters
Air thick, like tree trunks without roots her steps were faltering. Would she topple over taking one step to the next? She could see, talk, move her limbs…well, you know the drill…check heart rate and rhythm, squeeze fingers, touch nose, see numbers of fingers in peripheral vision…it was just her legs and equilibrium that wereContinue reading “When Life Falters”
Dew Upon The Arbor 