Benjamin Franklin once noted, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” While I don’t necessarily agree, his quote seems appropriate this week. April 17th was a red-letter day…and not in a good way, unless perhaps you are receiving a...
Writers write. That’s what I tell myself as I notice the new growth on the viburnum hedge just under my window. It’s what I remind myself when neighbors stroll by with their Labradors and miniature poodles. And it’s what motivates me as I confirm my next writing...
The older I get, the more sensitive I am to the passing of time. Today is March 15. Halfway through the month. As I pull out my calendar, I mentally scroll through my schedule for the rest of this month. Things to do, places to go, people to see. Still, March 15th is...
It’s only November 2nd, but I’ve been playing Christmas carols for a few weeks. And I’m looking forward to the start of the Hallmark channel Christmas movie weekend marathon that will begin this Friday. Yup, I’m one of those people. 😳 Hi, my name is Ava and I’m a...
You’d think I’d learn by now. I mean, how many times do I have to experience the same lesson before I get it? Five years ago, I heard what no woman wants to hear from her doctor. “The radiologist reviewed your mammogram and has recommended additional pictures.” As I...
Are people with religious convictions the only ones who live by faith? Some say that’s a no-brainer. The answer is yes, and by the way, anyone with religious faith has no brains. That’s one answer. But the fact remains that every single person on the face of the earth...
Cleaned out my bookshelves the other day (to make room for more books!) and came across a little paperback that’s been around for twenty-five years: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things, by Robert Fulghum. Here are a...
I’ve been thinking lately about stewardship. That’s not a word we use much in our culture anymore. It’s one of those words that seems to have fallen out of favor. Most people haven’t noticed. But maybe we should notice. A steward is someone who has the responsibility...
Who doesn’t want to be happy? The right to pursue happiness is even written in the United States’ Declaration of Independence. Then there’s the popular post floating around the internet. Perhaps you’ve read it… “Someone once said, "There comes a time in your life,...
I’m a person of strong opinions. It’s rare that I don’t have an opinion on a subject – just ask my husband! Lately, though, I’ve been wondering about the art of disagreement. Without meaning to, I’ve come up against passions that run high and emotions that run deep on...
How Do You Approach Waiting? Have you ever drawn the proverbial line in the sand and said, “I’m done waiting....
The Shape of Rescue What does rescue look like? Rescue doesn’t always appear in the form we expect. That’s...
Unappreciated? Ever feel as if you’re unappreciated? It’s happened to most of us. And during this COVID-19...