When my daughter was young she once said what she loved about going to a Lutheran summer camp was not having to explain what a Lutheran was. I completely understood that sentiment. I like to use the following analogy. Lutherans and Catholics have the same relationship as Americans and Canadians. Lutherans are relatively small in … Continue reading A Tale of Two Countries →

I curse. Lots. I don't even realize I am doing it sometimes. Well, most times. I don't take the Lords name in vain nor do I say damn or hell or other words considered taboo by my god fearing card carrying Lutheran parents. I am however quite colourful in other ways. You know what I … Continue reading Choosing our words… →

We have all heard the phrase "Perception is reality". People use it all the time, often to justify behaviour. But what does it really mean? Where did it come from? When in fact the two words are in actuality, opposite. Kinda. Perception is basically my thoughts on any given matter whereas reality is just that. … Continue reading Perception →

That is how I feel everyday now. Somehow it's easier to walk through life when someone walks beside you. Even if he spent most of his time in his chair. Everything is different. I can't explain it. I don't sit in my chair by the window. It doesn't have the same comfort. I don't watch … Continue reading Two steps forward, one step back →

Many years ago in an airport I met a woman in her eighties who was returning home from a cruise. She wasn't with an old friend or a family member. She had taken the cruise with a total stranger. Another older woman, also a widow had met her the day they boarded the ship. The … Continue reading Never say no →

When I was raising children this was often the beginning sentence of late night calls to my mother. My Mom was an immigrant with a grade seven education. Don't let that fool you. She was an avid reader and just as nut nut about current events as my hubby. If something was happening in the … Continue reading Mom… The baby is sick… →

I am a lot like my father. He joked and laughed with people all of the time. He flirted with every waitress even into his late eighties. When I was younger I found it odd. Now I am the same way. We don't like to be reminded we are like our parents because we immediately … Continue reading Talking with strangers →

I was very young when I first came to understand the concept of the weekend. My earliest memories were of small town Lomond Alberta. They are limited but I vaguely remember wandering about the town quite a bit, completely unsupervised. When I got up each morning the older kids were already gone as was my … Continue reading The Weekend →

I was walking down the street many years ago, navigating my way through a throng of business people all hurrying back to work after lunch. It dawned on me that there were very few smiles. Everyone was intent on where they were going or chatting with their companions. For the most part their faces were … Continue reading Smile →

Years ago I was in a match play tournament at my home course. These golf tournaments are set up in a double knockout format with an "A" side and a "B" side. It usually lasts over the course of three to four months. You are given two weeks to set up and play a match. … Continue reading My kids are mediocre →