Just look. That's all I had to do while relaxing in a lawn chair on the deck in the backyard of my brother's farmhouse. I quickly discovered that looking can be quite adventurous, for while looking, I began noticing what I didn't see the … Read more

The sun beat down on the worn trail and glinted off rocks that contained specks of fake gold. Birds chirped. A bee buzzed in the distance. Leaves ruffled in a slight breeze with a hint of pine in the air. God's beauty surrounded me, and I … Read more

For many years, my mother adopted and daily cared for a small, neglected, historic cemetery in California, USA. On days of celebration — Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veteran's Day — she and another couple set out American flags … Read more

I have a guitar bought years ago with money that my father gave me some time before he died. I cherish it because it serves as a remembrance of his love for me. Like the guitar that I bought and wrote about in `June … Read more

I don't know anyone right now who isn't worried about the future because of the war in Ukraine. We're all hoping and praying that it doesn't escalate because it's the nearest we've been to a nuclear conflict since the 1960s. The threat of … Read more

On this Canada Day, I think back to when our family became Canadian citizens. Having come to Canada from Singapore, which, at that time, was a British colony, we were British subjects, so transferring our citizenship to Canada, with its … Read more

His comment came during one of the most taxing times of a school year. As I stood outside my doorway during the changing of classes, a young man — whom I had previously taught — passed my way. I normally spoke to him first, but this … Read more

I had students coming to my home to help ready my garden for planting, but I had no tools. At the time, I was working as a greeter at our downtown credit union, right inside the front door. A friend said that he'd bring me something to … Read more

I bought a new-to-me summer home a few months ago. It has fourteen Venetian blinds! I love being able to look out all those windows, but cleaning the blinds has become a bigger job than I had anticipated. I don't think that they've been … Read more

I had been trying for at least six months to make a change to my bank account. I had spoken with the bank numerous times and answered dozens of questions, filled out paperwork, and sent everything in, and yet, I had still not had … Read more