Articles in this growing up genre are bibliographical in nature and mix humor with challenges faced and lessons learned.
I composed the article below after my fifth colonoscopy in 2018, and I have had #6 since then with additional findings. That keeps me on the “high risk” list and grants me the privilege of returning about every 3 years to repeat the procedure. Given that a much younger acquaintance (mid-thirties) recently had colonoscopy #1…
The broken angel is back by popular demand. This angel ornament topped the Christmas trees of my childhood. Mom and Dad purchased her their first Christmas together back in the 1950’s. Mom kept the angel wrapped in soft cotton in the off season. She alone unboxed the decoration at tree-trimming time. Dad’s job was to…
There are those days where we need rust remover for the soul. I started my day mired in the gunk that grinds mental machinery to a screeching halt. So many negative thoughts ping-ponged between my ears! The worst part of it all? I was trying to have my morning quiet time—reading Scripture, praying, conversing with…
Families, like religious organizations and corporations, have their own languages. Outsiders hearing certain well-worn expressions may have little clue as to the actual meaning. The Nichols family members, offspring of “Pop” and Perditia Nichols, often speak of taking someone “out on the hill.” That sounds like an outing in the woods, possibly a snipe hunt…
As the creek dried up each summer the remaining pools of water offered a peculiar olfactory experience. Stagnant water stinks, my friend. Angel Fork Angel Fork (aka Little Browns Creek) added much flavor to my childhood. We called her “The Creek”, and invested many hours discovering her treasures. Turtles, crawdads, lizards, minnows and the occasional…
Once children can count beyond the number of their fingers they graduate to serious pastimes like playing Hide N Seek. Our two-story home with multiple closets offered numerous spots for concealment and my daughters loved to play the game, especially against Dad. Is there any activity more fun than waiting quietly for a chance to…