the tattered snap

the tattered snap

I grew up having an Advent Calendar.  It was a handmade wall hanging with a green gingham Christmas tree carefully crafted with hand sewn snaps.  The tiny red felt pockets below the tree held the precious ornaments that would soon adorn it.  On the back...
mini yet mighty

mini yet mighty

I’ve always been fascinated by hummingbirds. They visit flowers and quickly move onto the next, often flying away and returning later to discover where more nectar is hiding.  These mini creatures suck from 1,500 flowers and eat approximately 700 insects each day. ...
MESSAGE IN THE RECIPE BOX

MESSAGE IN THE RECIPE BOX

Sunday was a good day to make some soup.  The pitter patter of rain on the roof, the gray gloomy clouds darkening the sky, and the cooler temperature made me crave a delicious meal of homemade soup and bread.  I reached for my old-school recipe collection,...
TATTOOED BY GOD

TATTOOED BY GOD

“He tattooed me.”  This is a statement that a mother wrote to me in a sympathy card after my son Ryan’s death on March 22, 2021.  It had been a 19-month battle with leukemia amid Covid that left an imprint on many hearts and minds. Why would this mother...
MONOPOLIZING JOY

MONOPOLIZING JOY

Go to jail.  Go directly to jail.  Do not pass go.  Do not collect $200.  My tiny silver Scotty dog token had to leave his place of security and take the walk of shame tearfully passing the “Go” square, unable to collect the $200 needed to keep my...