Meshing…

Since arriving in Texas, we have been staying with friends for a couple of weeks while our house is being refurbished. I am sitting on their back veranda. In front of me is a pool, palm trees, jacuzzi, and abundant flowers. The whole area is tiled with slate. I just love it here. The weather…

Rain

We have been traveling in Israel, Cyprus, Ethiopia, and many other places for the last 11 months and have gotten used to a Mediterranean climate. There are many wonderful things about it … The first thing is that I flat feel better in an arid climate. My sinuses dry up, my joints quit aching, my…

Oh, to be a Hermit…

… I always wanted to be one — in a modern sense, not the ancient idea — at least I don’t think so… Society today calls a hermit someone who just doesn’t want to be with people all the time — someone who draws strength from being alone and actually loses energy by being in…

In the Valley

A few days ago, my husband and walked through the Hinnom Valley to the Old City. It is down a steep hill and then up a steep hill, up, up, up to the Jaffa Gate. It was noon and very hot. About half way there, I regretted tagging along with him. I regretted leaving in…

Sale

My dear, longtime friend, Tara, posted this among her photos on Facebook taken from one of her trips. I loved it so much that I asked her to send me an attachment. It depicts southern culture in the USA. That’s where life is a bit slower–the people warm, sincere, and friendly. And you may mistakenly…

Queen of Fun

Our daughter is currently in Milan, Italy. She has been traveling with a team of young people through Europe for the last month. This experience is her “cup of tea”–community living, team work, group outreach, serving, and sharing the joy of the hope that resides within her heart with others. Here they are in a…

Focused

“I close my eyes in order to see.” ~ Paul Gauguin, painter We are trained from an early age to close our eyes during prayer. This ritual/habit probably began with the idea of reverence for God — and shutting out the world and all immediate distraction in order to focus on the one who hears…

Things are Blurry Now

I have always wanted to study the art of pottery making; so when we visited a potter’s house in Addis Ababa last week, my heart beat for joy. Actually, my hubby and I have visited this place three times over the years, and each trip is just as wonderful as the first. I watched in…