Like so many others who have been sheltered in place for the past year, I’ve had plenty of time on my hands. I put it into writing. And writing and writing. I’ve wanted to revisit an old book and do a “before and after” rendition. The basic storyline and location remained, but the characters all …
I’m usually pretty good at finding my way around, but I remember one time when I was heading to San Francisco International Airport. I always allow myself plenty of time to get there, and that day was no different. Because of construction, I went a different route and ended up lost in a neighborhood that …
A few weeks ago, green spikes shot up from the ground with cylindrical pale-yellow tubes that soon opened into daffodils. I planted over a hundred bulbs last year and they all started rising and opening like glorious little trumpets around our yard. A few days before Easter, the apple and pear trees budded. Then “bud …
In a recent interview, I was asked “How and Why does Christian fiction fall short in addressing topics such as mental health, racial inequity, domestic violence, sexual abuse, etc.?” I was somewhat taken aback, especially since the topic was Redeeming Love. It also felt like one of those “when did you stop beating your dog” …
Last February, Rick and I traveled to South Africa to see the filming of Redeeming Love. It was so exciting to meet the actors, the director, the crew, and so many other people involved in making the feature film based on my novel. The sets were beyond my dreams, the costumes fantastic, the …
Years ago, I read John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charlie, and loved the whole idea of wandering the country and meeting all kinds of people. America is a melting pot of cultures, and I’m not just talking about those brought in from other countries to enrich our nation, but geographical areas that create unique styles in …
I saw a picture the other day of the Straits of Juan del Fuego where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. You could see where the waters collided and didn’t blend. Why? They have different salinity. Some doubted the veracity of the picture, but it reminded me of oil and water. They do not mix. …
When Rick and I were young, we got into debt. It was so easy to do. When I graduated from college, companies sent me credit cards. As newlyweds, we needed just about everything essential. We “needed” other things, too; nice dinners out, mini-vacations, sporting events, etc. It wasn’t long before all we could afford were …
I love working in the garden, even when I’m cutting away and pulling up so many plants that the yard looks barren when compared to spring and summer. Sometimes we must do the same kind of work on ourselves. Raul and Enrique came to prune the vineyard last weekend. These two wonderful friends have been …
Last year, 2020, was an historic year for all of us with challenges beyond our expectations. So many people have lost jobs, homes, property. We’ve relied on big box stores and Amazon for our necessities (though I don’t know why the same safety rules shouldn’t apply to small businesses). Activities have been curtailed, leaving people …