Are you one of those people who reads magazines in a doctor’s office? When I say “reads” I’m using the term loosely. I generally just thumb through, mostly looking at the pictures, and that’s only if I’ve forgotten to take a book to read.
Michael’s radiation appointments go so quickly that I don’t bother with a book. But the other day I had a few more minutes than usual so I picked up the nearest publication. It was one I don’t think I’d ever looked at before, though the cover boasted it was 30 years old – Self magazine. In my few available moments I learned that plaid is apparently in. That’s good news for my old flannel shirts. The beauty writers told me how to choose an eyeshadow shade based on my eye color, and how to pluck my eyebrows according to the shape of my face. (What shape is my face, anyhow?) I even read how to slim down by Saturday. Hmmm…I wonder if that promise would stick if I didn’t read the article until Friday? (more…)
As I write this, Michael has been a hospital inpatient for five days. Absolutely everybody — from the chief neurosurgeon to the young lady who brings the breakfast trays — has been wonderful to us. So I have no real complaints. But I do have a thing I’d like to mention to any hospital administrators who just happen to be fans of my writing. Think of it as constructive criticism, OK? I’m only trying to be helpful. (more…)
Advent is a time of waiting. Boy, don’t I know it.
As other people light Advent candles and wrap Christmas gifts, Michael and I are waiting. First we waited to see if our family doctor agreed that Michael was having a gallbladder attack. Then we waited for the results of a CT scan because something on the ultrasound looked a wee bit suspicious. Next we waited to see an oncologist because the CT showed things that were downright scary. Now we wait for Tuesday, when Michael will have a biopsy. Then more waiting until the physician can tell us what kind of cancer this is and how we will fight it. And so it goes…and will go for some time. (more…)
I think it must be a guy thing. Impeccable timing, that is. Case in point:
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Well, except for the fact that Michael was beginning to get sick from a gallbladder episode. My daughter and daughter-in-law both helped with the cooking. Noel made a zesty potato casserole embellished with red peppers. Taylor cooked cranberry pomegranate sauce, butternut squash soup and apple pie cookies. All that was left for me was the turkey, dressing, green bean casserole and rolls.
The only downside was that lots of cooking meant lots of dirty dishes. There were the plates and the silverware. The dessert plates. And all of those pots and pans. Especially all of those pots and pans. (more…)
I truly appreciate a dedicated employee when I see one, but every now and then it’s simply…well…not worth the effort.
I did my Thanksgiving grocery shopping after church yesterday. But I was in town again today for a doctor’s appointment and realized I wasn’t quite finished. So I stopped at Kroger and picked up two lemons and one lime.
I proceeded to the checkout. The girl, ever helpful, asked, “Do you have your Kroger card?”
Now I do have a Kroger card…somewhere. I have a purse with multiple compartments and two wallets, each with several places for credit cards and such to live. I thought I knew just where that darn Kroger card was, but I was wrong. Other people were in line behind me and this was supposed to be the express lane. I didn’t want to hold things up, but the girl was patiently waiting. She said something hopeful, urging me to find that pesky piece of plastic, but to no avail.
“Look, don’t worry about it,” I said, stuffing everything back into my purse. And I paid the entire, un-discounted bill — $1.32.
Gee. Wonder how much I would have saved with that Kroger card?
Do you need some kind of Christmas music/drama program but you’ve waited too late and now you’re in a state of pre-holiday panic? Never fear! What follows is a super-simple music and drama program that any church can do. And to leave room for your own creativity, I’m not even going to tell you everything. 
“Wandering Pilgrim”
CIRCUS GUY: (spotlight on him as he pantomimes walking a tightrope while circus music plays)
Ta-da! Another success for the Flying Farina Family! (more…)
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:33
OBJECTS: a loaf of homemade bread, a package of yeast
Today we’re going to look at a parable of Jesus that is such a short little story that it’s told in just one verse. He said the kingdom of God is like a woman who took yeast and mixed it all through a lump of bread dough. That’s it; that’s the whole story! What on earth does it mean? (more…)
I’m not 100% sure, but I think South Carolina church potlucks might be better than Kentucky church potlucks. Or maybe it’s just those Mennonites. I need to conduct further research into the matter before I reach any sort of conclusion.
It’s a bit unnerving to swim in a pool right next to an alligator pond.
It’s also unnerving to drive around a completely new city where there’s not a gas station to be found while about to run out of petrol.
A vacation at the beach is fantastic. A vacation at the beach is even more fantastic if you don’t have horrible poison ivy all over your ankles. (Poor Michael)
The people who get to the beach super-early in the morning really do get the best shells. (And one day that was me! Huzzah!)
If you’re ever on Sullivan Island, SC, don’t miss enjoying a meal at Poe’s Tavern. (more…)
Ah, Saturday. The day when people set the alarm later or turn it off altogether. The day when they pull the covers over their heads and snuggle in for a few more minutes…or hours, as the case may be.
I, however, am a morning person. And Saturday is my day to catch up on all the housework I’ve neglected through the week, plus hopefully save a couple of hours to do something fun. I always say I’m going to get up almost as early on Saturday as I do the rest of the week. If I sleep too late then I lose the entire morning and the rest of the day seems to evaporate in small increments. If I’m not careful, I’ll be mopping the floors at 10:00 p.m., and that’s not the something fun I had in mind. (more…)
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:31-32
OBJECTS: a tiny seed and the plant that results (or a picture of the plant)
Today we’re going to look at a really short little story that Jesus told about the kingdom of God. He compares the kingdom to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is a tiny seed. When you think about it, all seeds are tiny compared to the plants they grow into, aren’t they? (more…)
