One spring break in college, my boyfriend and I traveled with our moms to Treasure Island, Florida, where his parents owned a condo. As soon as we walked in, my eyes landed directly on a poster of a shore bird in flight and though that photo could have been snapped at a thousand different locations, the caption read: Sanibel-Captiva. "Where's that?" I asked, pointing to … [Read more...]
Curiosity Journal: March 21, 2012
Each Wednesday (or thereabouts) I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.:::ReadingHey, I finished grading papers! Maybe soon I'll read something written by a person over the age of 18?PlayingOur weekend away with friends was so relaxing, so rejuvenating, so restful.They know … [Read more...]
A Day Away
Saturday we spent the day at a friend's house tucked into the waking woods.Forsythia bloomed sunlight-bright against leafless brown bark. … [Read more...]
A Sacred Pathway
On Friday, before speaking at a MOPS group about slowing down in our fast-paced world, I stopped to snap a couple of photos. Days of rain had given us nothing but gloomy gray skies, but that morning I awoke to the sun's yellow bloom against sea-blue sky.I gazed, amazed, at a backdrop of red and yellow leaves, as if awakening in Technicolor Oz after several tiring, … [Read more...]
Tell me, what is it you plan to do?
"Come quick!" my daughter exclaimed as she threw open the back door. "There's a monarch butterfly on the driveway!"I grabbed my camera and ran out. … [Read more...]
Curiosity Journal: August 4, 2011
Each Wednesday (except this week, when I missed my deadline) I’m recording a Curiosity Journal, a recap of the past week. Tag words are: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing. ::: Some of you have mentioned that you’re keeping a Curiosity Journal, as well. Leave your link in the comments so that we can visit and enjoy your weekly review. … [Read more...]
His Handiwork
New life springs from decay; the rotting birch offers its fading strength to a cedar seedling. A monarch drinks deep of summer's sweetness. Cloud formation streaks across blue sky. Evening light brushes watercolor rose along textured storm clouds. The Heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.(Psalm … [Read more...]
Hello, Sunshine
Blue. Beautiful blue! It's really you! And not just blue. Shadows, too. Shadows. Blue. It's true. Hello, Sunshine. I've sure missed you. … [Read more...]
Sunset Kids
(location: Muskegon State Park, Michigan) … [Read more...]
Food on Fridays: First Harvest
(alternative button below)Here at the Food on Fridays carnival, any post remotely related to food is welcome. Recipes are enjoyed, but you can just describe your system for composting, tell us about the first time you ate Ramen noodles, or reveal how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop (the world may never know).In other … [Read more...]
Creative, Creation-Lovin' Kids
Many of these ideas complement topics in a message I gave to a MOPS group a few weeks ago about getting kids out in God's creation and encouraging creativity. I offered this for their newsletter, and now I offer it to you.Inspiring creativity and a love of God's creation in kids doesn’t mean you have to move to a ten-acre farm in the country and raise goats. This summer … [Read more...]
Rainy Days and Wednesdays
On Thursday morning I'm speaking at a local MOPS group about getting kids outdoors in nature, enjoying God's creation.When I awoke this morning, the gloomy skies were dribbling down rain on our already drenched lawn. I wasn't particularly motivated to work on my talk and stated as much on Facebook.Immediately two friends responded. One pointed me to photos of her daughter … [Read more...]
Bike Lock Debacle
As you now know from the title of my forthcoming book, we seek to live a slower life—a "not so fast" life. Plenty of people are living far simpler and slower lives than we are, but we're making choices that do set us apart in our suburban area. One simple choice is to use our bikes as often as possible.When my four kids and I head out through the neighborhood on bikes, we … [Read more...]
Yesterday in the Fading Light
Yesterday in the fading light, the sun slipped low and peered up at the cloud-folds. They acted as a scrim to the softening sunlight, rays shining warm shades of orange and pale rose along the edges of stray cloud-trails.I was driving west on a country road and slowed the car down to take it in.No cars behind me, so I stopped completely at a four-way stop and waited.The … [Read more...]
Frost Etchings
Morning sun slants across the wall.I slow down enough to notice.Intricate frost etchings -- up high in the top pane -- overlay the simplistic, monochromatic modern art.Soft shadows soothe.Frost feathers the window pane. Delicate wisps and swirls delight.How odd that the best views were found in the bathroom.None of the other windows or walls in the house offered the same … [Read more...]
