uptomytoes

Category: Thankfulness

  • Life on the Stump

    There once was a glorious old oak tree that, for years, we affectionately called “Grandpa’s Tree”. It stood on a bit of a hill overlooking the river. In its prime, this mighty oak provided peaceful shade and a quiet place to read a great mystery, ponder life and love, and offer heartfelt prayers to God. …

  • Be The Hero

    When I taught AP Literature, we studied literary heroes, read epic poems, and discussed heroic and not-so-heroic characters. I was talking with a friend, and the subject of heroes came up. I shared that I sure wish God would bring a hero who could step into my wonky world and fill in some of the…

  • Bits and Pieces

    The other night, my oldest daughter and I walked around a bookstore for about an hour. We like to take pictures of all the books we want to read. We took a fair number of pictures but bought nary a book. I’m sure Barnes and Noble loves us.  We had been chatting, discussing, and pondering…

  • Not Exactly What I Was Looking For

    One morning recently, my oldest daughter and I were having our weekend morning coffee together time. We talk, share, and lament the lack of sleep one or both of us had the previous night. This particular morning we decided to get on the ferry and head to a beach where you can find shark teeth.…

  • When You Lose It

    Over the years I’ve lost a lot of things…the biggest being my marriage and the second is probably sleep. But there have been a few other things lost along the way…I’ve lost my mind a time or two, lost my appetite (could stand to do that a bit more), lost my courage, lost an argument,…

  • Where else would I go?

    I have written a lot lately about being loved. It’s a place I haven’t felt God leading me to leave yet. I’m on this journey to have my hope restored, my broken heart repaired, and to learn to trust again. Without the love of Jesus, I do not believe it would be possible. Even with…

  • Dogeared and Dearly Loved

    Dogeared: (adj.) Having many pages with corners that have been folded down, usually a sign of heavy use. I never used to fold down the corner of book pages. It would be shocking to me to ruin the clean, flat, perfect look of a page. Now, I almost take pleasure in bending that little bit…

  • Asking A Lot

    On the second floor of my home is a little room barely big enough for a twin bed and a very small dresser. We call it the tiny room. I’m not sure what it was designed for, but for a while, I called it my “junk drawer.” You know, that kitchen drawer that becomes the…

  • A Little Message

    A few days ago, my youngest daughter had to use my writing desk for a test. Right in front of my desk, a window looks out on the road. The light comes through sheer lace curtains in the most beautiful way, particularly at sunset. I absolutely love it. I was a little worried she would…

  • Inside-Out and Backwards

    Last Sunday, as I sat next to a dear friend at church, something felt off. During announcements, I leaned over to her and whispered, “My shirt feels odd. I think something’s wrong.”  She smiled kindly and rather indulgently, “You put it on inside out.” I leaned back and stared at her. She smiled again and…