I may be the world’s worst texter. Just ask my daughter. The only thing worse than the mistakes I make typing are the ones I make dictating. I’ve said some pretty funny things to people because I thought dictating a message was a better option than typing one. Just for the record, for me, it’s not. There is one …
I have carried my fair share of guilt during my lifetime. I’ve felt guilty for eating too much junk food or too many cookies. I’ve felt guilty for making a mistake at work because I was rushing. I’ve felt guilty for choosing to spend the day vegging instead of getting yard work done. But the guilt that weighs heaviest …
Last weekend I volunteered at James Madison University for the CHOICES program. CHOICES is an open house for students who have been admitted to JMU. Some have already decided to attend JMU, others are still considering options. It’s a great day of presentations about majors, financial aid, scholarships. It includes tours of the Honors College, ROTC, and the awesome …
The other day I was sitting at a traffic light. I noticed a group of six people standing in a circle on the sidewalk. They each had their head down, gaze fixated on their cell phone. Fifty feet down the sidewalk, two other individuals – one sitting, one standing – one thing in common. Their faces turned down staring …
Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world. That’s a million-dollar word that simply means a fear of snakes. A Gallup poll found that 51% of Americans fear snakes; that’s a higher percentage than people who fear public speaking or heights. In fact, fear of snakes is the second most common phobia in the world; 1/3 …
Knots. Who knew there were so many? One source says there are billions of knots documented since the beginning of time. According to The Knot’s Manual (yes, that’s really a thing), knots date back at least 15-17,000 years. Ancient humans used knots before axes and wheels. They also used knots to create fishing nets and to tie things. Some historians think …
As for me and my house… You’ve probably heard the saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” You can find it on mugs, wall hangings, Bible covers…you name it and it’s probably been printed on it. But do you know where it originates? Joshua 24:15: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, …
It is winter in Pennsylvania. One of my favorite things is to sit inside and watch a beautiful snowfall. To see the world transformed right before my eyes. I love going outside in the snow: walking, playing with the dogs, even sledding. I just don’t want to be outside for long during a storm. I’d rather watch from the comfort of …
Every year at Christmas I write my daughter a letter. I started when she was six months old. I write about the experiences we had during the year, what she’s learned, how she’s grown, and I tell her how very proud I am of her and how much she is loved. I kept them in a special box …
When she was little, my daughter had a blanket that she carried with her everywhere. The buttery yellow blanket with her name embroidered on it was a gift from a dear friend. She would hold one corner of the blanket in her right hand as she sucked her thumb. Over time, that corner would become dirty, and lose …