The piercing whine coming from the hall could mean only one thing—something I cooked in the kitchen had set off the smoke detector. But what? The bigger surprise came in the when of it all. Our smoke detector had quit working a while ago. When had my husband installed a new one without my knowledge? […]
Historical
Book Pick–Author Lauraine Snelling
Few books that I read merit my attention to the point of me saying,“ I couldn’t put it down.” This week, though, I finished book one in the series Under Northern Skies by Lauraine Snelling, The Promise of Dawn. I have to say this story was one that kept me eager to sit and read […]
- Historical
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Book Pick #3- Author Karen Barnett
With summer winding down and fall gearing up its transition, you and your family would do well to spend some time at a national park before inclement weather and colder temperatures threaten to make the trip less appealing. The National Park Service is now one hundred years old and is considered one of our nation’s […]
After A Conference
This week I had the privilege of attending the Oregon Christian Writers conference at the Jantzen Beach Red Lion in Portland, Oregon. Featured speakers included Brian Bird who writes screenplays for the popular Hallmark Sunday night movie, When Calls the Heart and Francine Rivers, who is a best-selling, multi-published […]
Book Pick #2–Author LindaThompson
Part two of my August book line-ups My father served in the Army during World War II, but beyond his experience and the history I learned in school, I didn’t know much about the conflict. My husband, however, is a history enthusiast, and often will show me something new he’s found on the internet—usually live […]
Hug a Soldier This Fourth of July
Check off list for the Fourth: The barbecue is ready. The dogs are ready to grill, The tote is packed for the beach. The sunscreen and hats are loaded. All that remains is to hug a soldier. The soldier is the one to whom you are indebted this Fourth of July. He carried […]
Birthday Bash
This week I entered a new decade of life. To celebrate I invited several close friends to join me for a Mad Hatter High Tea at the castle on the hill in Eugene, Oregon, otherwise known as the Shelton-McMurphy-Johnson house. My guests came dressed for a party. Many of us wore our favorite hats. […]
Celebrate
In our culture we celebrate numerous events—holidays, parades, political rallies, concerts—in many ways. These occasions take on various forms, dependent upon the theme of the event they are commemorating. St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving are among the most popular. Often participants, as well as onlookers, identify themselves with memorabilia like a hat, a sign, […]
God’s RSVP
I am sending invitations for an event I’ve planned for the end of next month. Each one contains an RSVP because the venue I reserved requires a head count and a guarantee of a minimum number of guests in attendance. As the yays, nays, and maybes trickle in, I am amazed at the complicated, busy […]
The Simple Shamrock
God’s Gift to a pagan people Did you remember to tuck your shamrock in your pocket this morning? Do you know the three-leafed clover was once used to teach the concept of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? If your memory hasn’t been nudged by these clues, it’s St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, March 17, 2019, […]