When I saw that Amanda Barratt was tackling a novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ill-fated love, I knew I wanted to read it! While I was familiar with the pastor’s part in the conspiracy to kill Adolph Hitler and his ultimate martyrdom, I had no idea he’d been engaged. Let me begin by saying this wasContinue reading “Book Review – My Dearest Dietrich”
Category Archives: Love
Appalachian Thursday – WV Quiz Results
Last Thursday was WV Day. To celebrate, I sent out a quiz to help readers determine if they could pass as a Mountaineer. The results were interesting! The first question was whether or not you’ve ever used an outhouse. I was amazed that almost EVERYONE who took the survey had done so–92%. Only one personContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – WV Quiz Results”
Appalachian Thursday – Mother’s Day Started in WV
Yup. That’s right. The woman who invented Mother’s Day was born in Grafton, WV. Anna Jarvis campaigned for the holiday in honor of her own mother Anna Reeves Jarvis. Mother Anna was a social activist who organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs during the second half of the nineteenth century. The clubs raised money to helpContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Mother’s Day Started in WV”
An Anniversary Reflection
On Saturday, my husband and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. That means, as of next year, I will have been married for half my life. My wedding day feels like yesterday AND a lifetime ago. It wasn’t fancy–shoot, it was in the (literally) one-room country church I grew up attending. And if you wantContinue reading “An Anniversary Reflection”
Show Don’t Tell (a new take)
It’s a common refrain among writers. Don’t tell readers what’s happening–show them. Imagine the difference between watching a movie and having someone tell you about it. The telling can get tedious fast, but watching it . . . And so, when writing a story, the trick is to pull readers into the action so thatContinue reading “Show Don’t Tell (a new take)”
Live Like You’re Dying
You’ve probably heard the advice to live like you’re dying . . . because you are. And it’s true, so far as it goes. We’re all going to die one day. One day. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Or do we? I have a friend who has a fatal illness. She’sContinue reading “Live Like You’re Dying”
Car Commercials and Birthdays
It’s that time of year. The time when car commercials begin subtly hinting that this year a Jaguar or new SUV would be the perfect gift. And while I wouldn’t say no to a Jaguar (even if it DID have 981 miles on it), that really isn’t my idea of a good gift. Rather, thisContinue reading “Car Commercials and Birthdays”
Appalachian Thursday – Glad for Montana
No, not the state. I often brag about how the people of Appalachia are pretty fantastic. Well, this week, a young man named Montana helped prove my point. I’ve mentioned before that my Dad has Parkinson’s Disease. Every six months or so I head home and we go visit his neurologist at the WVU MedicalContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Glad for Montana”
The Church in the World
This year, our church opted to do something a bit different in place of our usual homecoming. We hosted a party for the community. Instead of focusing on our history, reminiscing, and then feasting in the fellowship hall, we invited the neighborhood to come out for free BBQ. And it was great! This wasn’t aboutContinue reading “The Church in the World”
Why is Asking for Prayer Hard?
Pride. That’s the short answer. Last week I asked a group of friends to pray for me as a sort of last resort. Why in the world would that be my last resort?? I tried all sorts of things to resolve my challenge on my own. When nothing worked and I began to feel desperate,Continue reading “Why is Asking for Prayer Hard?”
