It's something we'd really like right now, isn't it? A firm foundation The assurance that when we take a step forward, we're not going to fall. That the earth around us isn't going to cave in. That everything happening during these crazy days is eventually going to settle down. I have no idea what that will look like. I hope you're hanging in there okay, friends. If you've lost someone to this unseen enemy, I'm so very sorry for your loss. If you've lost a job, I know these are hard days for a lot of people, but we'll get through them—together. If you're worried, you're not alone; please take comfort in that. During this unexpected stay-at-home time, my Renaissance Man and I are ... Keep Reading...
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“Why do they call it GOOD Friday?”
Last Sunday, via Facetime with our grandsons, the youngest asked (with rolled eyes and shrugged shoulders), Why do they call it GOOD Friday? I mean, he died! It's an age-old question, isn't it? And last weekend, our grandson (whose 8th birthday is today—now that's a good Friday!) took his turn asking it . . . Good Friday: The term we Christians use to acknowledge the day Jesus died on a cross. Willingly. His crucifixion amidst jeers and and hatred was the beginning of a series of days that would forever change history. It was part of a plan of unbelievable love for mankind — every one of us . . . . . . but it began with immense ... Keep Reading...
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CANCEL EASTER? Maundy Thursday Reflections
There it was in print on Instagram: Since we're canceling Easter this year . . . Wait, what? We're canceling Easter? Is that even possible? As I read further, I realized what the writer meant was that her usual Easter lunch with extended family will not take place due to the social distancing requirements we're all experiencing. That's happening in a lot of families, isn't it? But CANCEL Easter? A lot of things have been canceled lately, but Easter? I don't know what your brain did when you read those words, but mine sent up all sorts of red flags! During this time of worldwide pandemic, with all of the uncertainty, stress, and hopelessness so many people are ... Keep Reading...
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Facing the week ahead . . .
Palm Sunday 2020. It feels "off" this year. Everything feels "off" right now. Our church sanctuary sat empty today. Yours, too? Within its walls there were no palm branch-waving children placing their bounty at the foot of the cross. No songs of hosanna. No communion. No reading of Scripture. The great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel! (John 12:12-13) No black drape hung as a symbol of the days of darkness and mourning in the week ahead. Especially this year, when there's already so ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: now
Words once used by an expert on the early Remington typewriter to demonstrate his touch typing abilities (and for years later by instructors as a typing drill) seem amazingly appropriate today. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. When I saw today's Five Minute Friday word prompt, that's the phrase that popped into my head. Strange, I know, but I'm going with it. If you're not familiar with Five Minute Friday, it's a weekly link-up that provides a one-word writing prompt—and encourages writers to write free-style (unedited) for five minutes. START NOW. It looks different from "then" and surely different from "next", but today we're in the "now". ... Keep Reading...
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I declare today VIRTUAL BEAR HUG DAY {Who needs a hug?}
I don't know about you, but I know a lot of people who just need a big ol' bear hug about now. Here we are—92 days into 2020—and most everything we "thought" we knew about the year ahead (back on January 1) is off the table. Am I right? Instead, we're in the middle of a global pandemic, and every day seems to bring new recommendations, challenges, and stresses. Since social distancing doesn't allow giving those much-needed bear hugs in person, we're just going to have to get creative about our caring. How about this? I declare today—April 1, 2020—VIRTUAL BEAR HUG DAY But feel free to observe it every day until this COVID-19 crisis is behind us! To get you started, ... Keep Reading...
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When last we were together here . . .
When last we were together here—two weeks ago—we lived in a different world. A world where, dare I say, many of us were mostly oblivious to (or disinterested in) a virus making people sick in China. And I may have heard something about Iran. But I was flying to Texas for my parents' Diamond Anniversary! And for several days, Mother, Daddy, Sister and I had a lovely time celebrating, digging through family photos, reminiscing, laughing, and staying up too late. Yes, I know how fortunate I am to have parents who continue to stick it out together through good times and bad! But by the time I returned to the airport a week later, everything had changed. ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: table
Tonight for dinner, Lord willing, I'll be in Texas sitting around my parents’ table. Their 60th wedding anniversary is next week, and Sister and I are celebrating with them this weekend. Sixty years . . . What a commitment! Yes, I know how rare that is—and how fortunate my siblings and I are. So when I saw TABLE was the word prompt for this week's Five Minute Friday, I knew I had to write this post! START Our days began with breakfast around the table. Good food (unless oatmeal was on the menu), devotional thoughts, and family. Mom, Dad, younger sister and brother, and me. Our days ended almost every day with supper around the table. Good food, review of the day’s events, and family. ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: before {Is anything as it seems?}
This post has been in my head for a couple of weeks. Ruminating. Jostling for attention . . . I still can't explain what happened. I'll never be able to explain what happened. Last August Renaissance Man performed the funeral of a dear friend; a man who spent his entire life giving of himself to others, sharing the hope of the Gospel with those who needed to hear it. We all need to hear it. J.B. was instrumental in worldwide disaster relief efforts, but on the home front, he was an acclaimed woodcarver and sculptor, and I was asked to help coordinate a display at the post-service reception to showcase the many facets of our friend. At our home in Tennessee the ... Keep Reading...
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Are new lines of faith a good thing?
Right there in front of God and everybody, my heart lurched at the words of the hymn. I questioned them. As my voice continued singing, my mind wondered about those seven words. Did my heart mean what my mouth sang? Called as partners in Christ's service, called to ministries of grace, We respond with deep commitment, fresh new lines of faith to trace. May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend, Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God's chosen end. In my experience, faith tends to grow during times of hardship loss suffering questions disappointment feelings of inadequacy obedience leaving my comfort zone trust all of the above There's ... Keep Reading...
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The END of Life As We Know It
This post first appeared here January 16, 2012. I've reposted it on occasion—to give myself a check-up on how I'm doing. I feel compelled to reprise it again this year. How are you doing? Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. I can't help but wonder . . . Is the opposite true, too? Is it possible that life in its truest and best form actually BEGINS the day we stop being silent about things that matter? The day we give voice to someone who has none ... When we value the life stories that came before ours ... ... and let the generation after ours be born to tell theirs. When we stop worrying about awkward situations ... Keep Reading...
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1700s linen with a story (aka PROVENANCE): Part 3
Since I know many of you readers are life-long learners, I hope you've been enjoying Janet's story and getting a peek into my thought process for deciding how, when, or IF to clean a piece of vintage (or antique) linen. If you've missed the first two parts of this story, you really will want to read them first. Otherwise, this third and final part won't be nearly as impressive. 😉 Take your time. We'll wait . . . 1700s linen with a story (aka PROVENANCE) 1700s linen with a story (aka PROVENANCE): Part 2 We left off with me instructing Janet how to check her piece for stability and colorfastness. And then I continued . . . At this point, IF there are no additional holes in your ... Keep Reading...
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1700s linen with a story (aka PROVENANCE): Part 2
Welcome back to the saga of the stained antique linen and the ultimate question: What to do with it now? This is not a story to start in the middle, so if you missed the first part, go read it. We'll wait. After receiving Janet's question and photos—and asking more questions of my own—it was time for the next conversation. Janet, thanks for sending the additional pics. I'm now ready to share my experience and thoughts with you. But before I do, you should ask yourself the question: Will it be "the end of the world" if this family piece I may be about to wash gets ruined? While that's a rare occurrence, there is always some level of risk to laundering a vintage textile. If you aren't comfortable with any ... Keep Reading...
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1700s linen with a story (aka PROVENANCE)
You readers are nothing if not consistent! For the past EIGHT years, the same blog post has received the most views. It's your all-time, top-ranking, most read post here at My Place. STORAGE STAIN REMOVAL: How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace I'm not sure I could say this is your favorite post, but it's probably not much of a stretch to say it's been the most helpful. Perhaps its because you love beautiful old linens but feel overwhelmed about cleaning them—and need a little encouragement and hand holding. I'm always happy to do that! So in appreciation for your consistency and questions about how to remove storage stains from old beauties, I think now's a good time to share another reader letter with you. ... Keep Reading...
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Choosing to embrace 2020
Happy New Year! Isn't that what you expect me to say on this first day of a new decade? Honestly, I'm glad to see 2019 end. It was a year of much loss, great disappointment, and tremendous uncertainty. I wish I could tell you that with the turning of the calendar page—the stroke of midnight—the proverbial slate truly did become clean, and today brought 20-20 clarity and no residual effects of a rough few months. But it didn't. Today there are still things that weigh heavy on my mind and heart. Still disappointments, questions, and lack of clarity. Still occasional feelings of "it wasn't supposed to be this way." Ever felt like that? I've lived long enough to know that today's sunrise ... Keep Reading...
