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The moon is hanging steady at two in the morning, But the gears are turning without a warning. On Sunday, March 8th, we lose an hour of sleep, To trade the dark for a promise we keep. We’re "springing forward" into the light, Stealing a March on the edge of the night. Then we count the sunsets, one through twelve, Into the closet where the winter coats dwell. By Friday the 20th, the balance is…

On January’s whistling, the heavens turned dim, A tempest awakened, nature’s grand hymn. The air thickened quietly, chilling our core, As winter ruled boldly, from mountain to shore. Branches weighed low with crystalline tears, Sparkling like jewels, in starkness so clear. Streets transformed into slick, icy seas, No footprints to follow in the still, biting freeze. Yet from the depths of…

With the holiday season just around the corner, I am consciously reminded of the 60 years I shared with my one and only soulmate, Bob.  The following words come from the card I gave him to celebrate our unforeseen  last Christmas together: To My Husband–So Glad You’re My Person: I love you every day, but special seasons like this give me another reason to tell you how much you mean to…

There’s something about typhoid fever that makes you think of a 19th-century novel. In the days before antibiotics and modern sanitation, this was one of the most feared diseases. A typhoid infection is caused by Salmonella typhi, which thrives in contaminated food and water. Some historians even think the mysterious plague that devastated Athens in 430 BC was typhoid fever. Thousands of years…

Dickinson is a surname with some serious roots. These roots stretch back centuries across the English countryside. It’s one of those names that carries both simplicity and history. Like many English surnames, it all started with a very practical purpose. Its purpose was to tell people who you were related to. So, where does Dickinson come from? It’s a patronymic surname, which is a fancy way of…

If you’ve ever heard the last name Boulogne, it sounds unmistakably French — elegant, old-world, and a bit rare. You might be surprised to learn something interesting. Its simpler, more American-sounding cousin, Boling, actually grew out of the same roots. Yep — Boulogne and Boling are branches from the same family tree! From a French Seaside Town The name Boulogne began as a place name. It was…

So apparently we’re meant to find charm in the most dreaded workplace in America—the Department of Motor Vehicles. After watching the first episode, I’m dreadfully disappointed. CBS is one of my favorite broadcast stations. I have watched many of its TV sitcoms and anxiously looked ahead to the next episodes. Not so with DMV. There’s nothing fresh or funny. I wonder who or why it was decided that…

I’m giving it up for one of my favorites–Jeremy Allen White. He’s an actor on a serious climb with every acting endeavor he’s been in. Now, he lands in the spotlight in a big, bold fashion. You might know him best as Lip Gallagher in the 11-year TV Series “Shameless.” He also gained recognition as Carmy from The Bear. That gritty and emotionally raw chef-drama earned him a ton of buzz. My…

Well, here we are — the U.S. government is officially shut down. Again. I wish I could say I’m surprised. At this point, it feels like déjà vu. It’s accompanied by a side of frustration. Let’s be real: this isn’t about whether the government can’t work — it’s about whether politicians will work. Congress missed the deadline to fund the government again. They’re too busy pointing fingers. They…

Introduction Pastor Steve Forrester opened this morning’s church message “Hope Beyond the Wilderness.” He began with a prayer for the persecuted churches around the world. He prayed specifically for the churches and Nation of Nigeria. His requests of us today were to kneel in prayer for all those afflicted by these horrendous acts. He also asked us to help spread the word. Help is greatly…

Every election season seems to bring more tension, more outrage, and more finger-pointing. This is the mid-term season we are experiencing. What used to be spirited debates have turned into shouting matches, with insults flying faster than ideas. As voters, it’s easy for us to feel overwhelmed—or worse, disillusioned. A better understanding of how politics got so toxic might just be the first…

The “Pledge of Allegiance” is a sign of patriotism, respect, and unity. It is often recited at schools, government meetings, public events and ceremonies, and military and civic organizations.  It is a way for individuals to express their loyalty to their country and its values. Reciting the pledge serves as a reminder of the principles that unite citizens and fosters a sense of shared identity…

As a child, my parents routinely repeated the following eight popular proverbs to me:  1) “Money doesn’t grow on trees” – this phrase, they were trying to impart the value of hard-earned money, the importance of thriftiness, and the need to respect the effort it takes to earn a living. 2) “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”– My grandmother cautioned me never to spend money that I…