Another shot of my father taken the same evening the photo contest entry . . . modeling some of my “spare hair.” We convinced him that it wasn’t a good…
Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________ . . .
. . . the fact that I don’t have to wonder about the home’s history such as when certain improvements were made or why repairs were done a certain way. Since my parents built this house in 1959, I know all of that information — and have all of the paperwork, too.
It began with “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” in 2000. Before long, that stunning media debacle was matched by “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” and “Average Joe.” And now, premiering…
“Faith never knows where it is being led,but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”~ Oswald Chambers ~ The concept of faith is a fascinating one whether you…
What is the most difficult and challenging aspect of your job? For many people who are required, as part of their professional responsibilities, to draft coherent written reports, summaries, memoranda…
AppetizerWhat do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?These days . . . rice cakes.SoupOn a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is…
“The Sopranos” is simply the best show ever in the history of television. There is no series that compares or, for that matter, even comes close. There has been no…
“What used to make us stumble, God can use to make us stand. What once made us bow our heads in shame, He can use for His glory.” ~ Joanna…
We’ve all had the unfortunate experience of being an audience member when a speaker is struggling to get through his/her presentation or, worse, doesn’t realize that he/she has lost the…
This photo was taken at the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) in the heart of New York City on a hazy, late March morning. I was on the observation…
This Week’s Theme: Art A number of buildings in downtown Lodi boast murals, so I decided to feature some of my favorites. Even Lodi’s water tower features artistic touches: photo…
Appetizer Name something you think is “the best.” The Sopranos” is the best series ever in the history of television. (You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)…
“Let’s think outside the box, people!” Synergy Best practice
“Lower your expectations of earth. This isn’t heaven, so don’t expect it to be.” Max Lucado”Well, what did you expect?” Has anyone ever said that to you? Or have you…
Here in “Livable, Lovable Lodi,” we are blessed each Memorial Day by Cherokee Memorial Park’s annual “Avenue of Flags.” Today marks the fiftieth year that Memorial Day has been commemorated…
Any form of writing requires discipline. It requires devoting yourself to the task, setting aside a time and place to do it, and making a commitment to work diligently at…
The story is short . . . and not graphic. But every mother will relate.This actually occurred before I was a mother. And I did not babysit as a young…
As the years roll by, what will sociologists make of us? I find myself pondering that question sometimes when I think back to “the way life used to be” even…
This Week’s Theme: Colorful A barbershop quartet singing on Main Street in Disneyland in their colorful costumes. I snapped this photo during a visit in the summer of 1979. photo…
Appetizer Name a sound you like to hear. Music! All kinds, all day every day! Soup What is your favorite kind of cheese? Sharp cheddar which, fortunately, is now available…
A friend e-mailed me a list of random thoughts today. I don’t know where it originated, but some of them were so witty and/or descriptive of the week I’ve had,…
David Letterman used to do a regular bit on his old NBC show called “Brushes with Greatness” during which members of the audience would stand up and tell their story…
Since I first saw the quote for this week’s writing exercise, one of my all-time favorite Bible passages has permeated my thoughts:
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10
There are no accidents. There are no coincidences. Not one single person is living on this planet at this moment in time who wasn’t placed here as part of God’s plan. Each of us has a specific purpose, a particular path we are meant to walk, neither of which is necessarily easy to discern. We each have something to say, whether we do it verbally, via prose, poetry, musically, theatrically . . . We have each come into this world according to that plan for our life . . . and should leave it in the same way.
We are all equal. We are all worthy.
We are all modern-day Jeremiahs.
What mask do you wear? When do you put it on? For whom? Who is your audience? Do you have more than one mask and change them the way you do your wardrobe, depending upon the occasion? Are you ever without your mask? What is your biggest fear about letting the world see you without your mask(s)?