Breaking the Sound Barrier
Yesterday, I took two drives through the country with my mother-in-law to our hair stylist. Only one trip was planned, but it seems we somehow showed up to our hair appointments four hours early the first time. I’m sad to report that I was the one who put the wrong time in the shared calendar. […]
Perpignan vs Hairy Underarms
I was alone on a train in a foreign country. The clacking of the rails and rocking of the train car would have normally put me to sleep. However, I was surrounded by strangers who mostly spoke Spanish, not French. I have no problem telling you that this small town farm girl felt very alone […]
That’s What Dads Do
My dad was a farmer. His specialties were corn, soybeans, wheat, and pigs, but most of my memories revolve around the pigs. West of the house, across two fields, was “The Other Place.” That’s what we called it because we were very creative back then. There were a few grain bins, a large shed, and […]
Throw the Pie Crust
I remember well the kitchen in our South Milwaukee parsonage. There was not a lot of counter space, but there was enough. The day had arrived when I decided I was going to master making pie crust. Every time I used a store-bought crust, the weight of failure attached itself to my leg as I […]
Through the Fire
When I was little and would get a splinter, my mom would grab a needle. As the terror grew in my heart, I would watch her light a match and hold the needle in the flame for a bit. After the needle cooled, then she would begin gently digging for the splinter. She explained that […]
Thermostat or Thermometer?
According to smart-energy.com, 75% of couples argue over where to set the thermostat. While my husband and I have come to terms with this dilemma after 41 years, I still struggle with other people’s thermostat choices. But, hey, if they want to set their thermostat at subzero temps, more power to them! The thermostat determines […]
They “Took the Bullet” for Me
Do you have someone in your life who would “take a bullet for you”? When describing a special friend, my students would sometimes use that phrase. It indicates that one person would volunteer to experience the pain of being shot and even dying to protect another. That’s how I feel about our veterans who have […]
Beauticians to Babies Anonymous Response
Below is a response from a reader who wants to remain anonymous but would also like his message to be tagged onto the last blog entry, “Beauticians to Babies.” Please be sensitive and tactful if you choose to respond to this person. ~Donna My deepest, darkest secret is portrayed in this blog entry. The number […]
Beauticians to Babies
Beautician. Hairdresser. Stylist. If you ask me, those terms are deceiving. My mom made regular trips to the beauty shop, which was fine because she was beautiful. However, I am leery of calling Kim, the lady who cuts and colors my hair, a beautician because that is laying an insurmountable task on her shoulders. She […]
What I Learned From a Mouse
I was in our rather small bathroom with our three children, approximately one, three, and five years of age. We were getting ready for church and the clock was ticking. Ponytails, curls, and taming some pretty wild cowlicks were demanding my attention. My husband was comfortably sipping coffee somewhere else in the house, going over […]