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A Thousand Little Dots
Her name was Betty Ruth Flynt but I called her Barf. You can’t buy good friends like that–ones who will lovingly call you, “Barf.” I figured since I was not allowed to utter the middle name “Ruth,” that “Barf” was the next best choice as her initials were just asking for it. Junior High. What…
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The Year (Day) to the Left of Sixty
Twenty-something years ago I started writing a series of short essays/devotionals which were to be compiled into a book titled, “The Year to the Left of Forty.” They’re still in my desk file drawer with a couple of additions and a scratched-in retitle — yes, you guessed it — “The Year to the Left of…
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83651
I love it here. The June sun is so bright on our western-facing house that in the late afternoon it’s nearly impossible to see the face of the person standing on our front porch when I answer the doorbell. There is often a breeze floating through and when it turns to wind it powers across…
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Small
A while back there was a meeting called. It required one free day without rain, a semi organized plan, and the motivation to not chicken out. Location: Where the Pacific Meets the Shore Participants: Sovereign Creator God and Me Agenda: I. Sitting Still II. A Little Nostalgia III. Scenery IV. Perspective If you are familiar…
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All the Apple Pies
Even a brand new S.O.S. pad can have trouble scrubbing off certain greebage (a wonderful word coined by my beloved) from oven racks. The baked-on crud doesn’t want to give up. I am woman though. Hear me roar. In classic early morning style, as I bent over the kitchen sink at 4:45 a.m. doing chores…
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Trees of Life
To plant a tree is to begin a memory. I’m a big believer in the power of growing plants along with growing the family. A measure of a kid or two or three or four can be marked right along with the rings of a tree I’ve left here and there across our pathway. And…
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Turbulence, T-Shirt Tags, and Trains
International air travel. An acquired taste. The few places I’ve ventured to out of my home country can be counted on one hand — at least I think they can. Let’s see. England, Scotland, France, Monaco, Italy, Ukraine, and Ecuador. Oh, wait. Mexico and Canada. And I did not fly to those two. And clearly…
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Hot Tea with Cream and Sugar
During my childhood in times of distress, illness, worry, or just general agitation I could count on two things from my mother — a warm washcloth to the face and a steaming cup of tea with cream and sugar. You have your stuff. I have mine. To this day my blood pressure lowers a dozen…
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Donkey Kong New Year
Back when social media was more fun and frolic than politics and pandemic, there were a few words written by a younger me (subtract 10 from what you think I am now) on straight-up Facebook, not buried in a blog. I’ll put them here just for fun but you’re excused to skip over and go…
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O Christmas Tree
It’s easy to blame 2020 for many a habit or “quirk” as I like to call them, but if we’re honest, a few of those tendencies were already firmly established before this year rolled around and we’d best just own up to it. Yes, I speak of myself. You’re off the hook. I have a…
Beyond Lashley Lane
Plain talk about life from a Christian perspective woven together with humor, practicality, and God willing, a bit of encouragement
Beyond Lashley Lane 