Food, Family, Friends and Fellowship

My brother called last Thursday morning to wish me a happy Thanksgiving and inquire if I had plans. More on the plans in a few paragraphs, but we somehow got on the subject of foods eaten during our childhood. The not-good-for-us foods. My brother didn’t remember the Velveeta macaroni and cheese mom and dad made from scratch during lent and his better half bellowed a big “Ewww” when I recounted how dad made fried-in-butter bologna sandwiches on Wonder cardboard whiteRead more

Of This Star

J ingle, jingle O ur hearts full Y uletide joy T insel on tannenbaum O vercome in peace T he world changes H e comes E vermore with grace W ide-eyed wonderment O f this star and gifts R ejoice L oudly sing D ay of joy and lightRead more

With Open Wings

As I sit on a cloudy afternoon, listening to a feline snore, I think of the past few days and the people I truly adore. I feel the love of family and friends and the season of His birth. The hugs, the smiles and hopeful wishes for peace on this great, colorful earth. Surrounded by a gentle spirit and the gift of open wings, the knowing glance of an expectant child while the church emphatically sings. Never mind the giftsRead more

Christmas Eve from the Pod

Gibbs? Yeah, whattya want? Well aren’t we Mr. Grumpy Pants… I’m busy sleeping in my Christmas present. You mean OUR Christmas present, right? Mom bought the new cat tree for the both of us. Whatever… Gibbs! Why are you acting like the cigar you left in the litter box? I guess I’m a little down today. Why today? It’s Christmas Eve. Santa is going to leave something for us tonight, although he has big shoes to fill. Mom outdid himRead more

Dear Santa,

This Christmas… I have a very long wish list, but it’s not all for me I do not desire pretty boxes under the faux needles of a tree I do not desire jewelry, a new bike or clothes or an expensive SoundTouch system they call Bose No, my list is for the intangible things that only the heart of Santa can bring The miracles that make small children beam and the positivity that encourages people to dream The things youRead more

Three Kings Follow the Wonder

We’re on Week 3 of Christmas Carols for One-Liner Wednesday, a weekly blogfest hosted by none other than Linda G. Hill. Check out how you can join in the one-liner fun at the end of this post. Before we get into the lyrics of this carol, let’s gather its history from Wikipedia: “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi“, is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. At theRead more

On Being Gracious

Many years ago, a friend and I were talking about how hard it was for us to accept compliments from others – saying things like, “Oh, you didn’t have to!” or “This old rag?” or “I’m really not that awesome” in response to kindness. This past Sunday, our church’s pastor talked about how it can be difficult for us to be gracious in receiving and that “we should never deny someone the opportunity to be a blessing” with their wordsRead more

Giving Love

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  ~Mother Teresa~ As you run around the next 19 days, finishing your Christmas shopping and running up the credit card…remember the words of Mother Teresa. Put love in your giving instead of a price tag or the goal of a perfect gift. Your loved one may prefer a fuzzy, warm red heart rather than another electrical appliance, navy blue tie or Santa coffee mug. This postRead more

Nothing and Everything

It’s 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon and I have nothing. Nothing in the “inspiration to write something cute and funny” department. Nothing in the “I have a story for you!” department. Nothing in the “here’s another poem or cat photo” department. And, yet… I have everything. I have everything in a job that affords time off during the holidays. I have everything in friends who invite me into their lovely home for Thanksgiving and present a royal feast of turkey, stuffingRead more