Hank Doesn’t
Earlier this year my book I Chose You came out and it's been well-received. I love that forty-forty people shared their stories with me about their special rescue pup. Yestersay my friend shared this status on her Facebook page.As a tribute to Kareen and Hank here's her story from the book. I Chose You, Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans is available at Amazon.com. Thank you to Kareen for letting us to meet Hank. "Attention Hank Lovers: It is with deep sorrow I inform you that Hank left this earthly life on the morning of Christmas Eve. Hank was the epitome of unconditional love. He was strong, resilient, a big hit with those who encountered him during our many walks, and so very loyal. He loved me like no other creature on this earth, a love I did not deserve. Jeff and I were with him till the end." [...]
The Cereal and Milk Miracle
This has not been the best of years, but it certainly has not been the worst. This is a story that happened decades ago, but as people are finding it harder to afford food for their families with the rising inflation it seems a good reminder about what the miracles that are still being performed today. As a single mom, I panicked every month when bill paying time reared its ugly head. How could I spread so little money so far? It was routine for my children to preface each request for whatever they wanted or needed to buy with, "Mom, I know you don’t have the money but " and I grew increasingly frustrated at having to say no. I vividly remember one harried day. Everything that could go wrong went wrong from the moment I awoke. That afternoon, I heard the phone ringing as I rolled into the [...]
A Time for Prayer
Earlier this year I spoke to the city council at the final meeting before the warming shelter in our town finally got everything in place to build the new shelter around the corner from my house. This is part of what I shared. Last week a 40-year-old man was found dead after the coldest night of the winter season. The police have not released his name pending notification of the family. If they can find his family. I don't know that he was homeless. They do say there was no foul play. I say there was plenty of foul play if he was homeless and turned away from the shelter because they were maxed out on space. They are maxed out every night during winter and since Covid probably every night of the year. There was not foul play by Day by Day Warming Shelter but foul play for years [...]
The Work of Christmas
Yesterday the Oshkosh Chamber Singers had two concerts. Unlike other groups I have sung with during Christmas, this was more of a religious service than one with a variety of songs ranging from traditional carols [...]
From My Grief . . . A Purpose
As writers we wonder if our words matter. Most of us will never earn a living wage from our books or articles. Sure, there are exceptions and I am happy for them. But it hasn't [...]
Count Your Blessings (Instead Of Sheep)
Favorite Christmas movie? Well, besides Die Hard which is a legit Christmas movie I just saw again. If you listen to the soundtrack there's no doubt. There are so many Christmas references, come on, his [...]