Freedom That Bears Fruit

This piece was written for the July issue of the Lee Creek Baptist Church newsletter, Grace & Peace. With each year that I spend in the garden, I am more willing to prune fat, full, leafy plants. Itโ€™s one thing to pinch off dead and yellowed leaves when the seedlings are young in spring. Itโ€™s … Continue reading Freedom That Bears Fruit

America the Beautiful

One of my favorite places to visit growing up was Plattโ€™s Nursery just up the highway from our neighborhood, where its greenhouses were perched on one of the highest points in town. Mom would take us there each spring to pick out impatiens, petunias, and hanging baskets. When the family-owned business shut down a few … Continue reading America the Beautiful

The Card Lady

This piece was written for the May issue of the Lee Creek Baptist Church newsletter, Grace & Peace. A few years ago, I heard the story of a woman who went into the hospital, only for no one from her church to come visit her. No one checked in. No one sent a card. Instead … Continue reading The Card Lady

Catmint, Coneflowers, Strawberries & Cream

"Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." ~ Psalm 34:10 Good things in May: The hot, still weather finally breaking and receiving so much rain in May Planting a little pollinator garden of catmint, tickseed, and coneflowers Discovering a new instrumental artist, The Folks Helping Bonnie hang the new curtains she made for … Continue reading Catmint, Coneflowers, Strawberries & Cream

Where the Green Train Goes

Jared and I were talking to a dad from our church recently, and he was telling us about how he reads to his kids before bed most nights. On the way home, I told Jared about the books my dad would read to us at bedtime, and how weโ€™d all sprawl across the living room … Continue reading Where the Green Train Goes

On Leaky Toilets & Ordinary Days

Dear Maggie, One night last fall, our bathroom toilet flooded. It burst its banks and flowed out into our hallway and down the seams of our wood floors. It might have run clear to the Arkansas River had we not thrown down towels to stop it, creating a wet sort of dam. The toilet water … Continue reading On Leaky Toilets & Ordinary Days