­

Be Nice!

A number of years ago—eight, to be exact—we were visiting our daughter and got into a discussion about the upcoming election. I told my daughter that she would make a good president, and suggested jokingly that she consider running. Then, just for fun, I went on to name different departments, agencies, or cabinet positions that members of our family would be suited for. I came up with one for my husband, our kids, and a few other family members—everyone but myself. That’s when I decided [...]

And the Banned Played On

A number of people commented on my blog post last week, about the t-shirt featuring titles of books that are well-known classics, but have been banned at different times and for different reasons. The caption under the books read, “I’m with the banned.” I was happy to see the response from someone who posted an enthusiastic “I’ll join your band!” Someone else said she found it ironic that books are being banned at a time when movies and videos are filled with explicit sex and [...]

By |August 19th, 2023|Columns, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off on And the Banned Played On

What this angry world needs

“What this angry world needs is a lot more hope.” That was the headline for an opinion column in our local newspaper last week. And it got me thinking. While I don’t argue with the value and importance of hope in our lives, I think there’s something else this angry world needs even more: respect. Treating others with respect is not necessarily the same as respecting them, although it would be nice to do both. But even if there are people who haven’t yet earned [...]

By |August 30th, 2022|Columns, Making a Difference, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off on What this angry world needs

A Big Little Hit

There was much in the news last week to spark outrage, no matter which side of the political divide you’re on. And, of course, that divide got deeper and wider as time went on. Which is all the more reason an unrelated incident in the news was so welcome and heartwarming. I’m referring to the Little League Regional Championship game in which a batter got knocked down by a wild pitch that hit him in the helmet. That, of course, wasn’t the heartwarming part. It [...]

By |August 15th, 2022|Columns, Making a Difference, Respect, Values|Comments Off on A Big Little Hit

A Grocery Store Special

“Isn’t it wonderful to find people who have kindness in their heart?” That’s one of several comments I received in response to last week’s blog post. The person who wrote it added that she enjoys telling people who are waiting on her what a great job they’re doing. She specifically mentioned a grocery store she shops at that employs baggers who have disabilities, and said they are all smiles when she compliments them on their work. This reminded me of a column I wrote years [...]

By |September 24th, 2021|Respect, Values|Comments Off on A Grocery Store Special

With all due respect

“Unity” is a word I’ve been hearing on the news a lot lately, ever since President Biden, in his inaugural address, called for unity between political parties. So far, however, it hasn’t been working out too well. Before we can achieve unity, or agreements of any kind, I think there are a few other words we need to put into practice – as individuals and groups, as well as communities and governments. I also think we need – if I may paraphrase a line from [...]

By |February 5th, 2021|Columns, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off on With all due respect

Imagine a World…

My weekly project last week was tackling one of the shelves in my office closet – the one that holds, among other things, notebooks, binders, and workbooks from some of the many classes I’ve taken over the years. Most of them have to do with writing or professional speaking, and I haven’t really looked at them in a long time. In a way, going through them was like looking at old scrapbooks or photo albums. In another way, it was a bit like looking in [...]

By |March 6th, 2020|Accountability, Achieving Dreams and Goals, Buried Treasure, Columns, Making a Difference, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off on Imagine a World…

Holiday Specials

My three all-time favorite Christmas specials were on this week, although I was only able to watch two of them: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” For the record, my other favorite is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but I was busy the night that one was on. These Christmas classics always take me back to my childhood, which is one of the reasons I like them so much. But they also have timeless and important messages, which is another reason I [...]

By |December 6th, 2019|Columns, Holidays, Respect, Values|Comments Off on Holiday Specials

Poultry Power

When I say the word “chicken,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Maybe you envision an actual rooster or hen. Or perhaps it’s a plate of chicken nuggets or Kentucky Fried. You might think of a childhood bully’s taunt, daring you to try something stupid or dangerous, and then calling you a chicken when you don’t oblige. Right now, the word “chicken” takes me back to Uganda, where I spent two weeks recently, visiting commercial and family poultry farms, a hatchery, a [...]

By |November 10th, 2019|Achieving Dreams and Goals, Columns, Family, Health and Well-being, Making a Difference, Respect, Uganda, Values|Comments Off on Poultry Power

A Mile in My Shoes

“I thought I knew every Elvis song there was,” my sister wrote the other day. But she had heard one that was new to her, although it was the choir at her church that was singing it. The song was “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” and the chorus goes, “Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. Before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes.” This isn’t a new idea, and it wasn’t a new idea [...]

By |September 28th, 2019|Columns, Music/Singing, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off on A Mile in My Shoes