Christmas Cheer is the name of these three Kureme azaleas. I've had them for about 30 years, and they've never bloomed at Christmastime - until this year. I'm delighted, but the recent weather has them so confused since they're usually Spring bloomers. This Encore azalea is not confused. It blooms periodically all year and has … Continue reading Six On Saturday: December Highlights
Holidays
Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 7: April 12-17, 2022
I’m sharing only scriptures to ponder with the photos this week. TUESDAY, APRIL 12: FOUND Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the LORD while he may be FOUND; call upon him while he is near; Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse him: "We FOUND this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the … Continue reading Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 7: April 12-17, 2022
Squeamish About Blood?
A teenager sat with me in a tiny room of the residential treatment center. She was admitted to the program a few days before, and like the other adolescents there, if her parents had good insurance, she might stay there for up to three years. She showed me the scars that ran up the length … Continue reading Squeamish About Blood?
King Cake Season Begins
It looks like Covid-19 has another cultural casualty this year, and I have mixed feelings about it. All across the Gulf Coast region, large and small communities are canceling their Mardi Gras festivities. It is the sensible thing to do since the crowds could end up being superspreader events for the virus. But the economic … Continue reading King Cake Season Begins
Lessons From Hanukkah
Most Christians will let Hanukkah slip past their notice this week. This year, 2020, the holiday begins on the evening of the 10th of December and continues for the next eight days through Friday, December 18th. After all, what does a Jewish holiday have to say to us? A lot, actually. Gentiles should become familiar … Continue reading Lessons From Hanukkah
Six On Saturday: Autumn Leaves
On this gray day in late autumn, when the Thanksgiving leftovers aren't yet finished, and Christmas decorations are still in the attic, we are sort of in limbo. That's not a bad thing when a pause is needed. Catch your breath today. Do only what's absolutely necessary before the whirlwind activities for the next festivities … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Autumn Leaves
Valentine’s Day: What Love Is This?
Ebenezer Scrooge is famous for responding to others' greeting of “Merry Christmas,” with his trademark, “Bah! Humbug!” Many people feel this way about Valentine’s Day. I get it, with our cultural commercialization and high-pressure focus on an idealized romantic love. But, far be it from me to throw cold water on this holiday. After all, … Continue reading Valentine’s Day: What Love Is This?