The age old wedding rhyme, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, has it’s origins in Victorian-era Lancashire, England.  The wedding elements, mentioned were a reminding checklist for how the bride could thwart an otherwise impending curse.  The blue and old items were to combat the “evil eye” which would surely leave the unprotected

We moved into our neighborhood a little over 14 years ago.  I was elbow deep into the throws of motherhood with a 17 month old and a 6 week old.  There was no air.  My life was consumed with mothering.  There was no time for friends, no time for anything but surviving.  It

Have you ever stopped to ponder
The beauty that you see
Whenever you gaze upon
The lovely redbud tree.

It’s cherry blossomed cousins
Put on dramatic show
Their flowers come with presence
But their blossoms quickly go.

The redbud arrives in silence
No festival or cheer
Stately and with purpose

In November of 2017, I featured Beth Gully, Graphic designer and author, on my blog.   It was right at the start of the busy holiday shopping season, so I was thrilled at our timing for the post. At that time, Beth was promoting her Christmas themed children’s book, The Other Side of Christmas, An

Manners have always been super important to me.  I’ve tried to educate my children, in really top notch manners, but I have not been as successful as I had hoped.  I place high value on excellent manners, but I’m not sure other people do.  So I thought I would use my Perspective Group to see

I’ve had a bit of a writer’s slump the past few weeks.  Well, in truth, a slump all around.  I struggled with the post Christmas blues, the ominous presentation of a new year, the massive checked box of another decade under my belt, all nicely capped off with some unexpected health issues.  It’s been challenging….yeah,

The new year can be daunting for a lot of people.  I, for one, am one who suffers from anxiety and borderline depression when faced with the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.  Although my feelings of dread have subsided over the years, I still feel my annual let down after the excitement of

I am approaching a big birthday.  Needless to say, I’m not thrilled about it.  I’ve not been one to age gracefully in that I just dread the new higher number every single year.  It doesn’t help that my birthday is coupled with the let down from Christmas and my historical dread of the new

“Christmas time is here.  Happiness and cheer.  Fun for all that children call their favorite time of year.
Snowflakes in the air.  Carols everywhere.  Olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share.
Sleigh bells in the air, beauty everywhere.  Yuletide by the fireside, and joyful memories there.
Christmas time is here.

I had my mind blown a few days ago. It happens. Maybe not too often, but it does indeed happen. I was watching a video about Advent. Advent is the season of waiting and preparation for the birth of Christ celebrated by Christians in the weeks prior to Christmas. (For more, see my article