#SoCS: Anyway Times Two

Gibbs and Hoshi fill in for the human…discussing chicken, Christmas and being a cat, among other things. Anyway… What did you say, little peanut? Nothing…maybe something…I said “anyway. Anyway.” And what is that supposed to mean? I dunno. I heard the big, tall one say that. You mean “mom,” the human? Is that what we call it? I didn’t know. I only know it gives me food and cuddles and lets me sleep under the covers. SHE is not anRead more

My Brother Tried to End Me, Part 2

Raspberry Mountain. The glorious, the not so glorious, and the ugly. One week after the adventures on Pancake Rocks Trail, my brother tried to end me. Again. Not intentionally, of course, but what started out as a beautiful day with a beautiful view almost ended in disaster. “Come with me,” he said. “You can hike this,” he said. “Great views at the top,” he said. Brother was correct that I could hike up Raspberry Mountain and the 360 views wereRead more

Good Question!

I don’t know that any of us could answer that question other than with the easy answer: Wine. Wine was not in that cup, but perhaps Jesus was also a fan of tea. Hmmm…I wonder. I am 100% sure he didn’t know what pumpkin pie/chocolate chip baked oatmeal was in his time. His loss. Yum. Anyhow…this is not a religious one-liner post, but more about what’s brewing in my cup of life. I’ll be somewhat off the grid as ofRead more

Heavenly Music

A recent Facebook post by a friend: “What if, when you get to heaven, you don’t like the music?” My answer: “I think Jesus might like a little Journey and ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.” Or perhaps “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum would be more to his liking. Here’s hoping I get to heaven because I fear hell plays heavy-metal, head-banging music, 24/7. Very loudly. Readers, have a wonderful Wednesday and let me know in the comments what song you’dRead more

What Lingers Forever

When in grade and high school, I earned “nicknames” from a certain few. Twiggy, Jolly Green Giant, and variations of my last name. At the time, I was thin and tall for my age (5’9″ by 9th grade) and my last name was not a simple “Smith” that everyone knew. I also was picked on for wearing glasses and an overbite, neither of which helped with personal esteem or confidence in self. I was never self-assured in school, never partRead more

A Social Media Christmas?

Question… What if the birth of Jesus had been witnessed on social media? What would people have posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and elsewhere? Perhaps a picture like the one above with the hashtag #HolyMotherofGod! How about #miracle or #Hehascome Maybe #smellyanimals or #furrybeasts Or #threehandsomewisemen, #aretheysingle There might have been video of a baby crying or donkeys braying. Images of things that we probably should never see. Or Joseph telling the guy with the cell phone, “Hey! GiveRead 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

Do You Still Have an Issue?

Natasha and I have been discussing technology lately. How our age and lack of IT abilities keeps us frustrated from time to time. Like dealing with the new WordPress block editor. Like not being able to play TV shows on CBS All Access via the cell phone when it worked the day before. Like taking two hours to hook up a TV monitor to a laptop that perhaps should have taken 10 minutes. Like how technology changes at warp speedRead 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

A Stimulating Face Palm

I was emailing back and forth with a peer on Tuesday. Peer congratulated me on a work-related accomplishment and then asked if I got “the $5,000 check yet.” (She was referring to the latest stupid plan to help people who are struggling financially in the U.S. by allowing them to take a loan of $5,000 from their future Social Security payments. I’m not going to discuss my opinion of this stupid plan here, as this is only an explanation ofRead 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