It has been six months and a few days since the October fires destroyed 6200 North Bay homes and 1800 other structures – 5300 of those homes were in our hometown of Santa Rosa. Most have been cleared, the 1.6 million tons of debris piled just north of town. The sight of mountains of concrete …
The first few weeks after a manuscript is accepted and begins the process of publication are a relief. The work that has kept me occupied for almost two years is finished. Relief gives way to a sense of freedom. No more getting up early and working all day. My time is my own. I always …
Cameron Moberg and I were finally able to carve out time to get together in San Francisco, where I was able to see his work in the Mission District first hand and not on the internet. He also gave me a lesson in the art of painting graffiti. We had planned to do it outside, …
Readers of my recent novel, The Masterpiece, have asked what happened to Roman’s landscape, based on a line Grace drew to get him started on a new project, and “The Indwelling” – an oil painting of Mary pregnant with Jesus. Over the course of writing this novel, all kinds of ideas floated in my head …
When Billy Graham passed on recently, I felt bereft. Our country has lost a great man of God. Our older saints are passing away, and so many of the young are leaving church and faith, lost and worshipping the things of the world. What will happen to America in the days ahead as we deny …
When I am comfortable and happy, and feeling life couldn’t be any better, I know the Lord is about to shake me up. It can be a major disaster such as a firestorm that puts thousands out of their homes, or an unexpected health problem. It can be friends or loved ones moving to another …
When I became a Christian, I thought all my problems would magically go away. God would take care of everything with a snap of His fingers. The truth is my life fell apart within weeks of being baptized. I’ve shared this story before, so suffice it to say accepting Jesus and asking Him to be …
One might think that after forty-eight years of marriage, a couple would know all about how to have a good and long-lasting marriage. Rick and I have been through good times and bad, mostly good, and know more will be coming as we grow old together. It doesn’t matter how long a couple has been …
Every few years, I attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference as a participant. Set in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, You can’t help but feel inspired in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains with towering redwoods and blooming dogwoods. And it’s a short drive to the Pacific Coast. The atmosphere is …
I love wildlife, all kinds, even rats. Our children had a menagerie over the years: fish, turtles, possums, birds, dogs and rats. No cats, though. Rick is allergic, and they seem to love him and want to be on his lap. We could use a good cat right now. While two handymen were putting in …