Ever plan a simple, in-town date and have it turn out every bit as wonderful as a well-planned fancy night out in the big city? I love when that happens.   On a recent Friday night, my husband and I head for our local state college's Center for Arts and History to indulge in a poetry reading. Sean Thomas Dougherty is in town, an East Coast poet with a penchant for pool halls.   I get to reconnect with  some English professors from whom I've taken poetry and fiction classes a few years ago. It's a small but appreciative crowd at the reading.   Sean is wonderful to Continue Reading

I don't know why it irritated me so much. I was at the bank to open a checking account, and the clerk who was helping me was talking awkwardly around the lozenge she had just popped into her mouth.   The real issue wasn't the lozenge. It was her blasted inefficiency. We were almost to the bottom of the page in what felt like an eternal process when she realized she had used the wrong form.   We had to start over.   The bank clerk had just committed the unpardonable sin, at least in the eyes of a Westerner like me. She had wasted my most valuable commodity -- my Continue Reading

I hope you enjoy spring as much as I do. Fragrant blossoms, verdant countryside, melodious birdsong...everywhere, nature shouts of new hope and fresh beginnings.     So what's not to like about spring -- besides allergies, I mean? I'll tell you what's not to like.   Weeds.   Along with the fresh blooms, green shoots, and soft new grass of spring, the nemesis of the suburban property owner proliferates with evil tenacity.   Why is it that weeds seem to spread so much faster than the stuff you want to have growing? Not only that, they thrive without water Continue Reading

I hate to admit this, but I found myself acting out a negative cultural value recently.  Translation: I behaved in a way that is common to our society, but contrary to biblical principles. (Ever find yourself there?)     It all started after work one day last week.   I see that my Kindle cover has arrived, so I open the package, all happy that now I can protect my new device. But alas! The cover is too big.   Frustrated, I start searching for a better cover on line, despite being really tired. It takes some time to find what I am looking for at the right price. Continue Reading