Living Underground

Dreams propel us to step out in faith and strive toward a goal. At twenty-two, Baldassare Forestiere left Sicily and came to America with dreams of being a citrus grower. He earned money working as a digger in the Boston subway. But the east coast is cold, and he sought warmth in California, intending to …

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A Time for Critical Thinking

What are the primary goals of advertising? To connect with us, gain our trust, spark curiosity, create a sense of urgency, all to invite us to buy whatever they’re selling. An advertising campaign is an organized course of action that promotes a product, service, or ideology, using a series of messages that share a single …

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Cockroaches

Have you ever wondered why God would create a cockroach? What was He thinking? They are nasty looking and reproduce at an alarming rate. How many millions of dollars are spent each year trying to eradicate these insects? They’re still here, there, and everywhere! They’d probably survive a nuclear disaster more readily than any other …

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What Is a Woman

There was a time when the answer to this question was a matter of simple scientific biology. And I don’t have to go into details because everyone on the planet knew. Now there are a growing number of people who want to ignore facts and make up their own definitions of who they are or …

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What Goes Around, Comes Around

With the Supreme Court decision on Roe vs Wade looming, women have taken to the streets, many carrying signs proclaiming their autonomy. The political environment is toxic. Half the states in the union are pushing through new laws to protect abortion on demand, among them those willing to transport pregnant women, pay for abortions, and …

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Lessons from Honeybees

Anyone who wants to live in a land of milk and honey should be thankful for – and willing to protect — honeybees (apis mellifera).  Without these industrious insects, there wouldn’t be fruit, nuts, and crops, let alone honey for us to enjoy.  One-third of the food we eat needs these amazing little busy-buzzing pollinators. …

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Passover Seder Feast

I’ve only had the privilege of experiencing a Passover Seder Feast a few times in my life.  Wednesday evening was a time of gathering as a church family and savoring the meaning of this special feast that commemorates the night the Israelites followed Moses’ instructions, killed a lamb and painted its blood on their doorposts …

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Favorite Secondary Characters – The Lady’s Mine

All my life, I’ve known many strong, capable women who inspire me.  Two examples are my grandmother and my mother. My grandfather died before my mom and dad married.  After Grandpa’s death, Grandma ran the ranch that included twenty acres of almond trees and twenty of raisin grapes.  When it became too much for her …

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Open Season on Human Beings

This blog isn’t about the unprovoked and continuing barbaric attack of Putin on the Ukraine. It’s not about his wanton murder of women and children.  This is about what’s happening on our home front. Governors Gavin Newsom (CA), Kate Brown (OR) and Jay Inslee (WA) have signed a letter urging states to enact laws to …

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Why I Wrote The Lady’s Mine

The simple answer to why I wrote The Lady’s Mine is I needed to rest from heavy issues.  Writing The Masterpiece involved researching childhood trauma and its impact on adult thinking.  We are shaped by our life experiences, but we can also choose another path, one open and bright with a future and a hope.  …

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