Southern Living Yankee

I am tired. Right down to the bone. Coffee didn't help. My body feels too heavy to sit up. I slump up, picture that. My fingers are like lead. Heavy and sluggish, I mentally whip them to press across the keyboard in little spurts of energy--like a car that won't start. But here I sit and try for it's Monday, and I know you'll be looking for me. And all I can say is "I'm tired." Are you tired, too? Then come sit with me. Just shut up. We don't have to talk. Just sit. It's good to be together, isn't it? WRITING UPDATE: Friday is my writing day. Thursday, my other day off from the library, I get a haircut (thank God--the bad hair days have stretched too long). I also go to a podiatrist with the goal of having him do something so my feet don't hurt and go numb after 15 minutes of walking. Can't walk, can't exercise. And we all know Bad Things Happen When You Don't Exercise. On Saturday I'm registered for a writers conference. I ...

Autumn in the Adirondacks. The picture doesn't do it justice, but now I know the crazy New England "leaf peepers" aren't so crazy after all. Mountains of blazing reds, orange and yellow . . . that's what we were driving through last Sunday and it was beautiful. I'm looking at real estate listings! I think our trees peaked this week--in the dreary rain, blah . . . I'm afraid Indian Summer will pass us by. Other odds and ends this week: Aaron moved to an apartment downtown Dayton. I came home Friday night after a delightful dinner reunion with Nancy Holmes--we were on the same floor in the women's dorm at Moody and had a blast catching up with each other-- and I walked into a mattress headed out the door. I knew he was talking about looking at some places . . . sure didn't see it coming this quickly, though. You know that nasty cold virus going around? I got it on Tuesday. I bought a quart of hot and sour soup from the Chinese restaurant, downed a sw...

We surprised Mom & Dad Hardy with a big 50th Wedding Anniversary party at their church on Saturday. How you can get a small town, and church family, and out-of-town family and me from not blabbing it is a miracle! But God pulled it off! They naively followed their sneaky son, Jim, into the church --and then it was too late. We heard a big "Uh-Oh" out of Dad and repeated shrieks and cries of delight from Mom. "Flabbergasted" and "spinning" are good words to describe it. :) The dear church people had the fellowship hall beautifully decorated with the embroidered panels you see in the picture; cascading white twinkling lights draped across the entire ceiling; candlelight, silverware, white linens and gold touched fine stationery decked the tables; brilliant autumn flower arrangements set off the windows and head table . . . all too lovely to describe. And then, you should have seen the food! Our great friends, Craig & Val Dixon from the "The Hot ...

I once met someone who's life only knew the last part of Psalm 116:1-4. (I've highlighted it in blue for you and then I italicized their words and questions to me). Please take a look and tell me what you would have said to them. Either send an email or click on the comment box below. "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord" . . . but He never answered. It's been ten years. I still believe in God, but why is he silent to me? Why do you love the Lord? I'm throwing down the gauntlet: What would you say to these questions? My biggest fear is that you won't say anything. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you ahead of time -- Thanks!