Technically, it was a burglary, but it felt like a robbery. A man and his nephew broke into our house nearly 40 years ago and took some $20,000 worth of silverware, jewelry and equipment. Heirlooms, wedding presents from parents, a
White Christmas
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow … . Uncle Joe was a test pilot in World War II
A Cup of Cold Water
Plates jammed with meatloaf, collards, macaroni and cheese, steam rising in the air, the green, yellow and brown foods pushing up against each other, each flavoring the others, mingling the tastes and aromas. My friend Marvin and his wife are
A Little Lamp
And a little lamp shines.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing Where have all the flowers gone? Long time ago Where have all the flowers gone? Girls have picked them every one When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn
Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Have you ever had a teachable moment? You know the kind—where you’re the student and someone or something else is the teacher. You may not like it at the time, but the lesson sticks with you.
Not Even the Hounds of Hell
God hurled a cosmic gift across the sky on Monday, August 21. Crickets and cicadas came to life. An eerie, organish light permeated the air. Streetlights came on at 2:47 in the afternoon. All climaxing in a dark, perfectly round
A Princess, a Friend, a Mother and a Father
Princess Diana called her sons from Paris shortly before she was killed in an automobile accident. Both of the boys cut the call short – they were eager to get back to whatever it was they were doing before she
The Good Earth
An angel carved of stone. Meditation benches. A stone altar. Lush greenery — trees, shrubbery, flowers. Friends and family nestled in sacred soil. A carved St. Francis of Assisi. Quietude permeating the air. The Memorial Garden gracing the back yard
To Kiss a Banana Slug
It turns out that if you kiss a Banana Slug, your lips will tingle. Yep, tingle. And if you go through with it, your reward is to become a member of the Banana Slug Club. The mystery becomes clear when