“This traffic is terrible!” my husband stated flatly. “I think we can turn right and bypass Main Street.” “There’s a detour ahead,” I replied. “I’ve seen the signs the last few times I’ve driven up to visit.” The traffic wasn’t surprising really. It was half past five and we were headed into the mountains, a …
Baby Boy
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas means different things to different folks. We don’t have many white Christmases where I live. Stores have been stocking shelves for Christmas since the end of summer it seems and we still had temperatures in the nineties. Church nativities started popping up around Thanksgiving and yard scenes …
Spent
“Why am I so sleepy?” I wondered aloud to no one in particular. I feel like the toddlers look when they’re needing a nap but not wanting one. When it’s half past five and it’s pitch black outside and the overcast and cold have sapped my energy, no amount of caffeinating can kick my sluggishness. …
Afterglow
I hear airplane, sounding more like air pain, from my grandsons every time we’re outside together. It doesn’t matter if they’re excavating the mulch bed or playing baseball, even the little boys sound off, eyes heavenward, searching for the flash of silver or the trail of jet exhaust. Thomas, who is four, has learned to …
Under Authority
Amelia would make an excellent podcast or talk show host. She pulled her little chair up in front of mine in the garage today while Ezra was napping and said candidly, “Yolly, I want to ask you a question.” “What would you like to know?” I asked. “What does a snake eat?” she queried. “Mostly …
Signs of Life
Four hundred pounds of grass seed lay dormant beneath the cracked red clay. Rain was just what it needed to germinate. A haze of green now blankets the field and I inhale deeply, releasing a prayer of gratitude with every glimpse. I am beyond grateful for the rain that soaked into the ground as I …
Humbled
Amelia and Ezra experienced their first Camp Lolly and Poppy last week while mom and dad cruised through their fifth anniversary. I’ve kept these two overnight a few times to prepare for our week together and little Ezra, at almost seventeen months, usually waved goodbye cheerfully and settled right in for the night. This time, …
Undeveloped Fruit
Many figs remain on the now barren branches of my fig trees but the fruit is no good. Either it never ripened or by the time it was ready, it tasted fermented. We were concerned when the harvest season began later than usual. During the first few weeks, we enjoyed gallons of delicious fruit, sharing …
Gain Your Footing
Our home was established thirty-four years ago when my husband and I married. We have inhabited many different dwellings but as the old saying goes, home is where the heart is and my heart is forever bound up in God-ordained oneness with Paul’s. In fact, these words were clearly communicated in our marriage vows. ““But …
Sleep’s Daily Miracle
“Bye bye,” repeated Ezra, waving to everyone in the room. He wasn’t leaving. He was ready for his nap. At only sixteen months, he’s adept at communicating. When he is hungry, he repeats, “Nak nak,” or he goes to the pantry and begins bringing out whatever he can reach. When he’s ready to play outside, …
A Fitting Reply 