He had quite a grip, As he pulled me from the ground. I smiled at him in genuine thanks, And I was glad that I was unbound. Then, he asked if I wanted coffee, And I admit that he was really cute. But the fabric used in his cloth belt Was made crudely with some... Continue Reading →
When Things Go Off the Rails, You’ve Got to Stay Calm
Rodin Museum, Paris, France May 2023 I thought the class I took in the Summer was my last writing course for the Master's degree in Religious Studies. According to the system used by the university, I was set to graduate in December 2024. I tried to tell the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) that the... Continue Reading →
Dreams Are Persistent Entities, Thankfully!
Amsterdam, May 2023 As Carole sat and waited for the restaurant to open, she remembered her dream of one day owning her own restaurant. But cancer intervened just when she had the occasion thirteen years ago, and all of her money went into medical bills to stay alive. She hadn't thought much about the dream... Continue Reading →
Returning to Walkable Spaces and Neighborliness for Our Health and Joy
Daily writing promptHow would you design the city of the future?View all responses Sometimes, the past is the best place to find answers for the future. Progress isn't always what it seems, especially when it leads to habits that result in unhealthy living. In the future, I would return to simpler means of getting around.... Continue Reading →
The Importance of Our Names to Our Feelings of Value and Worth
Daily writing promptWhere did your name come from?View all responses My favorite uncle named me Regina. I never knew this until he had passed away. I would have wanted to learn why he chose this particular name for me, but I like that it means queen in Latin, Italian, and Spanish, all of which I... Continue Reading →
The Cruelty of Mocking: Don’t Let Them Steal Your Joy!
Mark 15:16-20 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him... Continue Reading →
Seeking the Power that Emanates from Jesus: A Devotional
Amsterdam, May 2023 Mark 8:30-34 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”n But he kept on looking around to see... Continue Reading →
Seeing Beyond the Walls for Our Soul’s Benefit!
Image credit to Sarah Whiley Walls are built to divide and keep some sights or people from each other. But travel teaches us that behind every gated wall and national border are people who are just like us, struggling every day from the moment the alarm bell rings until lights out at night to live... Continue Reading →
It’s Been a Rough Year, But I am Hanging in There
I haven't blogged as much as I wanted to lately as I fight off different health issues. Today, I am taking antibiotics, prednisone, and albuterol for an upper respiratory infection and congestion. But, I decided that you can let the problems in your life control you or decide to soldier through. Ironically, I make this... Continue Reading →
The Desire to Make a Difference Motivates All I Do.
Daily writing promptWhat motivates you?View all responses In high school, I had a nickname, "Little Monster," that kids screamed into my face or used to tease boys about me being their girlfriend. As you can imagine, it made me feel like I wanted to disappear. I ran home every day and grabbed a book in... Continue Reading →
Help from Heaven 