#SoCS: Profound and Pink

She steps out into the morning sun, a growing child of five, taking in the warmth of spring and new beginnings. The child heads to her love, a pink bike that sits in the corner of the yard, the one thing that brings adventure to her life as the tires spin across the grass and gravel. The sun beckons her down the block, across the cracks of sidewalk cement and slowly, across decades, she ages into her real self, theRead more

Be Who You Are

Cheers to being who you are! The title of this post comes from a Sunday sermon, but I’m not here to impose Jesus upon you – although, what I’m about to say not only comes from who I am, but also from my spiritual heart. Many of you know who I am to some degree – Biker chick (both Harley and bicycle); cat lover; animal lover; beer and chocolate taste-tester; lover of outdoors and all things Star Trek and NCIS;Read more

Steadfast in Hope

Yesterday, during church service, Pastor Shawn talked about being steadfast in our faith during life’s trials, and the everlasting hope that it can bring. Whether you are Christian, of a different faith, or not religious at all, there is a message here, one I’ve tried to intertwine in a sonnet. I hope you find its value. We walk this path between hope and despair In life, in trials, our choices not plain Fueled by action, sentiment or prayer Minds veerRead more

#SoCS: Undone

Who am I that I breathe and live upright? Under constellation of blazing stars Staring at the morning’s first rays of light Living in a world filled with mixed bizarre Who am I to be counted in the fold One of his sheep that grazes over time A child from a rib, neither young nor old Waiting for forgiveness of one’s own grime Who am I standing here in pondered pause Faith borne of hope in a fragile abode WhileRead more

Visible in Love

“What if the only example of God’s love your neighbor will ever see is you?” ~Pastor Shawn Whitworth~ For Christians and non-Christians alike, loving a neighbor or another human being can be difficult at times. We are humans, after all, with egos, steadfast opinions, self-righteousness, fearfulness and unwarranted condemnation that allow us to flow along with inappropriate behavior toward others rather than love unconditionally. During Easter week, I am reminded that Christ died for our sins and gave us eternalRead more

#WATWB: Reparation in Evanston

Addressing and eliminating systemic racism in America has been a constant struggle for over a century and it feels that in the last year, we’ve taken a step backward while realizing the pervasiveness of racial bigotry that still exists in this country. However, there is always hope in the future. It is the Evanston, Illinois, City Council which gives this suburb of Chicago faith in action. Reparation is a positive step for the city and as it states in theRead more

Thinking…

“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” ― Dale Carnegie I think a lot when I’m on the bike. Reflective, as in a shadow’s outline. In 2020, that process was not always beneficial. Politics, pandemic and my own gloomy thoughts and self-righteous opinions stuck deep in parts of the brain while the limbs and heart were tryingRead more

#SoCS: I Have Questions

In the end, it’s not about how much we do, but how we do it. I’m not stating anything new or profound. Mother Teresa said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.” My beginning as a blogger started in March of 2013. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve been dazzling and/or boring you with the written word for almost eight years. Lucky you. ItRead more

A Change in Leadership

“Let us then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.” ~Thomas Jefferson~ Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take an oath of office as our next President and Vice-President in Washington D.C. This day will look historically different as there will be no crowds on the National Mall, andRead more

With Freedom’s Light and Voice

My country, ‘ tis of thee,Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;Land where my fathers died,Land of the pilgrims’ pride,From every mountainside let freedom ring! It is election day in a democratic country. Of all days in the United States, it is one to reflect on our liberty and freedom. Given to us by our forefathers after a hard-fought battle, liberty and freedom of voice, choice, faith and the ability to live our lives in equality is a constitutionalRead more

What is Truth?

What is truth? How do we determine truth? A definition of true is “in accordance with fact or reality,” while the definition of truth can be “a fact or belief that is accepted as true.” In recent years, there has been an incredible amount of anxiety over what is fact and what is fake; what is true and what is a lie. In my mind’s eye, I do not always see a belief that is accepted as true as factRead more

Football and Grace

I woke up the morning of September 11th and scrolled through the news feed on my phone. Acknowledging the 19th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, I zoned in on a story that did not receive widespread attention. It centered around the start of football season in America and a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans and an action that left a disheartening shadow. At this game, during the national anthem, the Kansas CityRead more