“Run for your lives!” Heart racing, a young dark-haired man sprinted for the opening of a mine shaft a quarter of a mile away. Two men with him tore through brush and tangled weeds, lungs bursting as they struggled to outrun death. The furious monster behind them hounded their steps, breathing down their necks, threatening to strip them of their very existence. The shaft appeared –– a … [Read more...]
Grammy Elisabeth’s Ginger Molasses Cookies
There is something about spicy ginger cookies that makes me think of crisp fall mornings, harvest approaching, and grandmothers. As a young girl visiting my grandparents’ farm, I used to dunk ginger cookies in tea, sipping the dark liquid from the sweet confection. Inevitably the cookie would fall apart and leave a mushy mess in the teacup. But I enjoyed it while it lasted. In Love, Mary … [Read more...]
The Dream
“Someday I want to write a children’s book.” When I graduated from high school, we seniors were asked to share some of the things we wanted to accomplish in our lives. I don’t remember imparting any lofty goals such as discovering a cure for a horrible disease or brokering world peace, but I do remember my dream of writing and publishing. I used to regale a couple of high school friends with an … [Read more...]
God & Westerns
I love westerns. To be precise I love old westerns. I have neither the time nor the patience (nor the stomach) for most modern westerns where the bad guy is unbelievably barbaric & bloody but supposedly with good reason. The good guy is mostly good but either wishy-washy or a little bit bad to make his goodness palatable. No thanks. I watched John Wayne theater Saturday mornings when I … [Read more...]
The Christmas Quilt
My grandmother was accomplished in all manner of needlework. She could knit, crochet, tat, embroider and sew beautifully. My mother bragged that her mother would go window-shopping, then come home to draw up a pattern and make one of the outfits that had caught her eye. Growing up, I remember Grandma’s dainty doilies and tea towels scattered around our home. Mom often bemoaned the fact that, … [Read more...]
A word for a friend…
Last Friday I learned my friend Karmen died. I was on the telephone with my daughter when my husband handed me a belated Christmas card. Glancing at the last name in the return address, I thought, “Oh good. I was wondering why I hadn’t heard from her before Christmas.” But it was signed Josh & Mike. Confused, I read the note on the opposite side of the card. “Sorry for the late card. … [Read more...]