Have a Heart

Have a Heart

There’s an annual phenomenon afoot this month. It’s February and we’ve again become a nation of pink. Pink is everywhere in stores advertising all the essentials for the celebration, this weekend, of the heart, of love, of all things sweet. The universal symbol for...
Could someone please turn the lights back on?

Could someone please turn the lights back on?

Has anything changed in your life these past twelve months? I know – really dumb question. More to the point, what still exists of your pre-COVID lifestyle? What habits have been interrupted? What joys have been dimmed? What people and celebrations have been...
Sorry to keep you!

Sorry to keep you!

Have you ever spent a day at a spa? Or a morning or afternoon? It’s very popularity, I think, is that it provides a legitimate slow-down, a break from the routine, an occasion to soak up some pampering, to buck the workaday rush-out-the-door with decadent, scented...
Remember when?

Remember when?

Before words, it’s expressed through loud crying (very loud crying!), red faces and crocodile tears. When words emerge, it’s expressed more distinctly, but no less loudly: “MINE!” and later, in a few more words: “IT’S NOT FAIR!” These are the unpolished, vociferous...
How heavy is that stone?

How heavy is that stone?

Who inspires awe in you? Here’s a (partial and in random order) list of people of whom I am in awe: farmers, gardeners, Olympic medalists, those with PhD’s, First Responders, Medical Personnel, teachers, mothers and fathers, long-time married couples. The best among...
Presenting Prophet Phil

Presenting Prophet Phil

Amid the maelstrom of crises and bitter divisions and inequality and politically charged turmoil we continue to be some of the silliest people on the planet. I mean for an entire day every year national focus swivels to ‘hear’ the prophetic voice of – are you ready...
A fresh-out-of-the-oven, crusty baguette, please!

A fresh-out-of-the-oven, crusty baguette, please!

I have a few quirky tendencies – well, okay, quite a few. One of the insignificant ones is that I don’t do fast food. I know, I know, you’re wondering how I manage, and what planet I may be from. And no, it’s not a Canadian thing. But even as I write I’m reminded...
“It’s in there!”

“It’s in there!”

A guy goes into a florist to buy a bouquet of roses. The clerk notices his wedding ring and thinks, ‘These flowers are an apology for something. He’s in the doghouse.’ A wife prepares her husband’s favorite meal, lights some candles and puts on a special dress and he...
Did you RSVP?

Did you RSVP?

“There’s nothing worse than someone else’s good time.” Maybe this was the thinking of the elder brother in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal son and why he was so angry about the feast thrown to celebrate the one who had disgraced the entire family, the one who squandered...
And the answer is  .  .  .

And the answer is . . .

One day, I’m really going to do it. It can’t be that hard. After all, it is a finite set of tales. Plus, I think it would be cool to appreciate the frequent references when hearing them in conversation or in a book I’m reading. They are often fairly brief, inserted to...