The Healing Power of Water

There’s something about the ocean that is magical. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore, the salt spray, and the tide heals and energizes. For almost forty years I have lived with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread muscular pain, and affects my sleep and mood. Near-constant headaches are a pain in the neck. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.) Exercising, eating well, and minimizing stress help, but the only thing I’ve found to manage my flareups is the ocean. Many years ago, my husband and I took our kids on a beach vacation in Florida. The day before we were to return home, I suddenly recognized how […]

Read more...

A Hidden Life

Last fall I watched a gorgeous movie titled A Hidden Life about Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. Franz, his wife, Fani, and their three young daughters lived outside the small village of St. Radegund and were important members of the tight-knit rural community. In 1943, he and other able-bodied were called up to fight for Germany. When recruiters asked him to swear an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler, Jägerstätter refused and was arrested and taken to prison in Linz where the most “dangerous” prisoners were housed. His family was ostracized and belittled by their friends […]

Read more...

NEW EVERY MORNING

The other day my husband and I looked at each other across the table and said “good riddance” to 2019. It was a difficult year filled with almost insurmountable heartbreak. Sadly, we had to go back to 2006 to find a year we were sad to see end. Still, we never completely gave up hope. Each of those years also brought joys beyond measure. We’re grandparents four times over. We adopted our little schnoodle, Fitzgerald (“Fitzenheimer” to his friends), and we had success in our careers. My first book came out in 2006, followed by a long string of other writing projects. In 2019 I had the privilege of working […]

Read more...

THE BROKEN TREE

On my way into town I often take a shortcut through the countryside. On the south side of the road stood three trees, strong and proud, and oh so beautiful. The other day I drove past the property again and found this heartbreaking sight. I had to pull over to the side of the road because my tears were obstructing my vision. This fallen tree reminded me of my own brokenness. It also reminded me that I am not alone in my pain. In Psalm 34:18, David wrote these words: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I felt closer to God that day […]

Read more...

TODAY’S QUOTE: The Open Door

This morning I woke up in my usual fibromyalgia fog and stumbled down the stairs to brew some java and get ready for a long day of writing. My first task is always to let out Fitzy for his morning tinkle. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the entryway and the front door was WIDE open. I was pretty freaked out. We moved out to the country for the peaceful wooded setting which means we have a plethora of wildlife, some we enjoy and some we don’t. Actually, we delight in it all (except for bats) if said critters stay in their own zone outside. All morning I have […]

Read more...

Fitz the Rescue Dog

Five years ago we met this little cutie at an Underdog Rescue adoption event. We were going through a painful season in our life and needed a pick-me-up, so we thought it would be fun to snuggle with some puppies. Well, let me tell you, the event was like a three-ring circus – literally! There were three enclosures containing various breeds of dogs: One for the retriever types, one for bulldogs and those with special needs, and one ring full of little white fur balls running in circles. It was sheer insanity! We petted many of the dogs, but we ended up at the back with the little guys. As […]

Read more...

KISS Rocks

  Back in the 70s and 80s I was a huge KISS fan. I mean, who didn’t like to play air guitar to “Rock and Roll All Night” or slow dance to “Beth?” Not only did I love their music, but their vibe and costumes were awesome! When I was a freshman at a small Lutheran school in Northern Minnesota where nothing unsavory was allowed, my besties and I dressed up like our favorite rock band. Whew, did we get some disapproving looks! Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser, I admire KISS for much more than their musical chops and fashion sense (although I still want a pair of […]

Read more...

Young Dr. Doolittle

I have long been an animal advocate. At Sunny Hollow Elementary school back in the 60s, my friend Carrie and I performed our own rendition of “Born Free” at the annual talent show, she playing the piano and me positioned on top of said piano. The introduction was especially moving. While she tinkled the ivories, I pled my case to the audience: There are animals living in zoos and they are living in cages. That’s just not right, because they were here first! (Or something equally passionate.) Pictures of beautiful wild animals — from Arctic foxes to zebras — flashed behind us in living color (This was long before Powerpoint, so […]

Read more...

The Tick Magnet

We adopted our little Fitzgerald a few months ago from Underdog Rescue, a nonprofit pet rescue, rehabilitation, and placement organization.  He is one of the best things that ever happened to me (more on that in a subsequent post). We are together pretty much 24×7. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is a real tick magnet – even with preventative meds from our vet. Maybe it has something to do with him being a stud at a puppy mill for two years… get it… chick magnet… Anyhoo, last night I was innocently watching “Shark Tank” and petting Mr. Fitz when lo and behold I found a tick stubbornly […]

Read more...

Remember My Voice

The human voice is the organ of the soul~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   On my six-hour drive down to visit my daughter and her family, I listened to a wonderful documentary on Minnesota Public Radio: The Vietnam Tapes: Letters from a Willmar Soldier (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/30/mpr_news_presents). Dan Kleven and his family from Willmar, Minnesota sent cassette tapes back and forth while he was deployed during the war. He drew vivid word pictures about life in combat and they kept him tuned into daily life on the farm. One of Dan’s best friends also sent him audio letters to stay connected. The documentary was fascinating. Not only did the tapes keep a family sane and connected […]

Read more...