FROM DEPTHS TO HEIGHTS They were dead tired. Several days travel by foot, over rocky hills, traversing dangerous rushing streams, sleeping on uneven ground, added to the wear on their bodies. It didn’t help that she was pregnant, very much so. As their story is told, they finally made it to their destination, a tiny
GETTING READY FOR NEXT YEAR The last week of the year is a good time to get ready for next year. At least that is what I have found in my life. Some of my retired friends plan for their big adventures – perhaps a trip, extended times to spend with grandchildren, etc. They get
ALL LIT UP My sisters and I would eagerly sit in the back seat together while mom and dad drove around DeLand to see the houses all lit up for Christmas. The DeLand Sun News would publish a list of the “best-decorated houses”. It was quite something to see the displays. Barbara and I and
LIGHT A CANDLE “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” A single candle does have amazing power. The light from a single candle can transform a pitch-black dark room. I hear what the proverb is saying. I understand the physics. I get the focus on the positive. But, I think I will do
I DON’T HAVE ANY WRAPPING PAPER For years and years, I wrapped all Christmas presents in the Sunday comics. It probably started because I was a bit rebellious and wanted to do my own thing. It was colorful. It didn’t cost me anything. The presents stood out in the pile under the tree. And then,
DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS? Someone told me last week, at their house, they hide a pickle in the Christmas tree. The children, without touching anything, try to find it. And a prize goes to the child who does. I’m not sure if they eat the pickle afterwards. At another house, they always read
I RANG THE WRONG BELL It was Christmas Eve. I was in the handbell choir joining others ringing well-known Christmas carols. Each of us had two or three bells to play and music in front of us. I had even circled the notes corresponding to the bells assigned to me. We had rehearsed each piece
IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS My dad and I would drive out on Marsh Road with our saw. Our job was to bring back a Christmas tree for our living room. We did this year after year. We never found a perfect tree. Now these were short-needle scrub pines, not the tree-farm grown spruces from up north. Ours
BARBRA AND I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, have a Merry Christmas. We are sitting here waiting for the scones to come out of the oven.
THEY SERVE BECAUSE THEY CARE I noticed this t-shirt on someone at the gym this week. She allowed me to take the picture. It says, “Public serves because Publix cares.” Publix is the largest employer in the state of Florida. They are a grocery store chain with stores all over the state. Personally, I have