We’re on the freeway, trying to get somewhere on time, and brake lights are flashing up ahead. What is it about people who slow down and even stop to see someone else’s misfortune or tragedy? I confess I’ve slowed down and looked, too. Then wished I hadn’t. Is it human nature to gawk? Is there …
Have you ever heard of ASMR? I hadn’t until a cab driver turned on a radio talk show. It was a long ride and Rick and I got to hear quite a bit of the program. Apparently, many people are becoming addicted to an “autonomy sensory meridian response” they get by making and/or viewing YouTube …
I collect quotes, notebooks full of them. Some are from famous people, some infamous, most from lesser or unknown. I never knew a man who was good at making excuses, who was good at anything else. (Benjamin Franklin) I’ve been through some horrible things in my life – a few of which actually happened. (Mark …
I read recently that our governor is planning to sink $400M into a satellite system that will study climate change. It’s all well and good to have your head in the clouds if you mind what needs to be done on earth, but our California roads are in sad disrepair, and, unfortunately, most of the …
All summer, I’ve attempted to keep our front and back lawns green. We have a sprinkler system, but there are still dry areas that look less than healthy. Rick or I hosed those areas diligently, then groaned over the rising water bill. There’s a lot to be said for other kinds of ground cover, unless …
I’ve wanted to visit the Creation Museum since it opened. Fortunately, the delay in getting there lasted long enough for The Ark Encounter to open as well. Rick and I managed to grab a week and head to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport and a hotel within easy reach of both sites. It was the end of …
Every summer, I look forward to the Sonoma County Fair. I remember the days when my parents would take me and my brother to the much larger Alameda County Fair. We had to go through all the exhibits before getting to the carnival. My mom wanted to look at every home arts display (quilts, dresses, …
Some church pastors and leaders are questioning whether teaching the Old Testament is necessary, that seekers might be confused or put off by details of history. I understand. My parents took me to church when I was a child. I liked the Old Testament “stories”, but didn’t have a clue who Leviticus was and why …
Leaders, whether in politics, academia, sports, entertainment or the church, face constant temptation through three avenues: power, money and sex. I sat on a jury a few years ago and heard a case about a priest who had abused numerous underage girls. The higher ups moved him to another parish in order to protect the …
We’ve been plagued by yellow jackets this summer. Colonies start in spring, grow through summer, and continue to expand during fall. Their nests are built with chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva and built in the eaves of our homes (as well as wood piles, tree cavities, dense ivy…) They even use abandoned rodent burrows. …