A couple of months ago, I opened my email and saw this subject line: Your Grandmother's Powerful & Brave Article Hi, Susan. Thank you so much for sharing your grandmother's article about her experience with and recovery from breast cancer. It was so kind and generous of her to write the article to encourage other women at a time when there were not many supportive resources and - as you said - the word Cancer and the condition were not spoken about. I teach bioethics, and I'd like to share the article with students in my fall class because they will be unable to imagine how different things were not so long ago. I hope that offering the article for them to read would be okay with you? Wow. Yes! Please do offer the ... Keep Reading...
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LETTER FROM READER: Young mother’s nightmare
It was Fall, and she was three years old. She went to Sunday School in the sweetest little long sleeve dress, but when I picked her up an hour later, there was green paint all over those beautiful sleeves. My heart sank. Carbona Stain Devils weren't around back in the mid-1980s, and I had no idea how to get out the tempera paint. I tried, but no luck. Final answer: My wonderful mother to the rescue . . . The dress was precious with short sleeves, too! So when I received this letter, believe me, I felt this Mama's pain! Hi Susan, I thought you might have an answer as to what product to use that would take out paints on children's clothing. Not sure why, but some of the paints that are used ... Keep Reading...
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LETTER FROM READER: Success story—and thank you
On New Years Eve 2015, I received an email. The subject line: Getting stains out of an old blanket As I clicked on the email, I was sure it would be another (always welcome!) request for "how to" advice—but it wasn't. It was a success story! And Kim—a total stranger—wrote to say thank you. Made my day! Kim had discovered one of my posts via a Google search (thanks, Google!)—and then followed my linen care instructions all the way to CLEAN! With her permission, here's the back story... I had a baby blanket (that had never been used but had been in storage for 18 years) that was made and given to me by my grandmother to put in my hope chest. I wasn't able to have kids, so in the chest it stayed ... Keep Reading...
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Letters from Readers
How to have envy-of-the-neighborhood ferns If you've been a reader here for awhile (thank you very much!), you know I love huge, cascading ferns on my front porch. Sadly, this first year in our new-to-us old house, porch ferns weren't at the top of the to-do list . . . but they will be in the Spring! One of my favorite things about this early Fall time of year is seeing the seasons blend together. One on its way out; the other on its way in. Today is the first in a series of letters from you readers. I love the fabulous confabs we have! Over the course of the next few weeks, I look forward to sharing more letters with you. Today's letter is from Jeff. I really don't think he ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Success {not what you think!}
Inspire. Encourage. Challenge. Interior design of the Soul. It's the tagline I chose for this blog—for myself, and for you. But last Friday, when I saw "challenge" as the word prompt for Five Minute Friday, I just couldn't bring myself to write. The week had been too challenging. So has this one. So last night when I went to bed, I wondered what word prompt today would bring. I hoped this morning there would be a word I could write about; a word that fits my reality. Weary — scream — heavy — resigned — noise — anxious — turmoil — struggle — quit I could work with any one of those. Instead, I saw START They're all first world ... Keep Reading...
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Hello to Fall
The breeze picked up just slightly this afternoon, and I saw them. Falling leaves. 🍂 It's about time! Like many of you, I've been waiting for this season to arrive, and here it is—on the calendar. But with the exception of a few leaves as eager for this day as I am, it doesn't feel like Fall yet with temperatures in the 80s and 90s and no rain in sight. But it's happening. All around, ever so slightly, nature is beginning to shift its focus. It's saying goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall. I captured these last week when I picked up the camera and headed to the farm. Reminders to self: Watch for those tiny bursts of cool breezes. Pay attention ... Keep Reading...
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Goodbye to Summer
I lost it. Summer 2019. I have no idea where it went. It flew by in a blur of travel and emotion and stress . . . . . . and Autumn 2019 arrives in two days. Two days! It's been a long time since I joined the party at Pink Saturday, but Beverly and her husband are celebrating 49 years of marriage, so it seems as good a time as any to drop by to say congratulations—and thank them for the wonderful example of commitment they are to the rest of us! So in honor of a party I often joined when I first started blogging, here are some (very random!) Summer pinks for you . . . But this pic is my favorite because it holds a special memory from earlier ... Keep Reading...
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SELF CARE: Camera in hand
Last week for the first time in a very long time, I picked up the camera. Not the phone camera. The camera. It had been so long I had to re-familiarize myself with the buttons and settings, but it felt good in my hands. I wonder why I put it away over a year ago? I wonder . . . Is there something you know is good for your spirit that you've set aside, too? We were traveling cross country from Tennessee to Colorado (and back again) in less than a week, but we made time to slow down just a tad along the way, and I was really glad I stuck in the camera before we left. I've got so much to learn about photography, but even in my learn-as-I-go state, I managed to capture a few ... Keep Reading...
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I’m seeing things again…
You know how sometimes a word or song seems to be everywhere you turn? Magazines, books, tv, radio . . . there it is — again. For the past little while, I’ve been watching damage done by someone’s lack of humility. This verse keeps showing up. I could easily be tempted to read its words as a promise that “they’ll get theirs” one day. . . . but I’d better read it (with gratitude!) as a reminder to closely watch myself. To approach relationships and situations with humility and gentleness and self-control. Just in case you need this reminder today, too . . . you’re welcome. Is there a verse or song or quote that’s been front-and-center for you lately? ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Start
On your mark. Get set. And we were off . . . flying with the wind for mere seconds, racing toward the finish line. For a couple of years, I was a sprinter. 40-, 60-, 100-yard dashes. The shorter the better. But Life’s not a sprint, is it? ... Keep Reading...
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Is it just me, or is this GENIUS?
I grew up in Austin, Texas, so I'm a city girl. But every move I've made since leaving home has taken me to a smaller town. This post may prove I don't get out much! When I see a new-to-me idea that I think is brilliant, it makes a BIG impression. Last year about this time, Little Man (our older grandson) began playing youth football in the big city where he lives. Of course, this Nonna and Poppa (aka Renaissance Man) had to go watch him play. It was a big deal! But this isn't a "football" post—other than to tell you that his team won every game last season except the two we attended; one was lost in the final minute. So sad! Little Man's not sure he wants us to come ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Testimony
It's been quite a week around My Place! On multiple levels (and in multiple places) I've been privy to some heavy discussions in my community. May I just remind us all that Satan is alive and well—and we can't ever forget it? Lots of disappointment, hurt feelings, and mishandling of too-long-ignored issues. Lots of name-calling. Sometimes . . . too much keeping quiet; not taking a stand. Too much choosing "sides" and forgetting community. It's Five Minute Friday, and today's word prompt is bursting with expectations and preconceived stories. Having grown up Baptist in the South, I could give you the "I was raised in a Christian home and became a Christian when I was 10 years old" ... Keep Reading...
