I know, it’s the 4th of July. But instead of a usual 4th of July post, I’m going to tell you something fun that happened last week. Something epic in our life as a couple. Last week we watched three movies together. Three movies in a theater. Three movies in four days! And while those numbers might not be staggering in your world, they are in mine. It’s the first time in our history as a … [Read more...]
Security Blanket Reads
We’ve had a long 16 months of stressful events. Not all of those events have been bad. Many have been happy things—like weddings!—which produce stress nonetheless. During such seasons of life, even if we run first to Jesus, most of us grab hold of something familiar, something that makes us feel secure. No unlike the way our infants and toddlers reached for their pacifiers or blankets when they … [Read more...]
Suggestions for Portland, Oregon trip?
For the past several years, my husband has traveled extensively for work. Once the kids were all in college, I began to go with him more often, usually when the trips entailed more than a couple nights and/or were to places interesting to me. But I confess, I’m a reluctant traveler. It’s not that I don’t enjoy experiencing new places, it’s the actual traveling part i don’t like. (Planes, trains … [Read more...]
Ending and Beginning (In Life and Writing)
I think it’s this way with most authors—by the end of a project you are weary of it. The story. The characters. It feels as if it is the most horrible thing you have ever written, but there it is. Done. Finally. This is especially true, I think, if the story has been more difficult to wrangle than usual. And so during those very final days and hours, it’s hard not to want to shove aside the … [Read more...]
A Growing Season
It’s spring! Do you know what that means? Green grass. New leaves. Colorful flowers. The beginning of a season of growth. The truth is, I don’t pay a lot of attention to that kind of thing. Both of my grandmothers were amazing gardeners. One even owned a greenhouse! I, however, inherited the brownest thumb you can imagine. I even kill the aloe vera plants my mother insists don’t require much … [Read more...]