Arkansas and Oklahoma are blessed with many beautiful old barns. When I say old, I mean those that were built from the ground up, not pre-fab or metal. It is painful to see a barn that is 80 or 100 years old slowly crumbling with no one to care for it. When it’s gone, […]

Boxing Day and All is Well
In many countries, this is Boxing Day. This special day after Christmas is a tradition started by elite Britishers of giving gifts to those who serve them throughout the year. The gifts are boxed and I suppose that’s where the name comes from. This is also St. Stephen’s Day, in honor of the first […]

A Warm Circle of Friends
Jane’s Christmas party yesterday brightened and warmed a cold December day. Jane’s house is always welcoming and yesterday, it was doubly so. Decorated trees filled every room, a fire blazed in the fireplace and atop the mantel, ornaments and ribbons. An aroma of food drifted in from the kitchen, but you know what was best […]

Christmas Lights and Quiet Thoughts
Our family has the tradition of lighting Advent candles on the Sundays before Christmas, then reading Scripture. The soft glow of the candle is peaceful and silent but it reflects a powerful message of hope and love. I wish that our world would stop for a moment and absorb this quietness and peace. Doesn’t Scripture […]

The Comfort of a Dear Friend
Comfort–it’s that feeling that all is right with my world–a friendly arm around my shoulders, a snug blanket on a chilly night. I’ve always found a great deal of comfort in the familiar, predictable things–places I’ve been, people I know and love, and books that bring up happy memories. I’ve finished reading some good, exciting […]

Mother and Daughter Detectives
I’ve heard women say, “I don’t want to become my mother as I grow older.” What? How sad. If someone tells me I’m like my mom, I consider it a huge compliment. My mother and I were best friends. I think you’d have liked her. If you never had that privilege, you can get just […]

