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  The Everlasting Art of Transformation Transformation: to alter or change dramatically in form or appearance The word played out in multiple ways for me this week.    Everyone...even the grands  are working! First, my youngest daughter and her husband bought a new house. Actually it is an old house, but new to them. Built when I was in grade school, the house has had many additions and makeovers through the years. We spent several days removing wallpaper from the dining room, bedroom, and hall. There is more to go.    As we work, we talk about ways  the space can be further updated. Remodeled. Transformed.     It is a work in progress. Then again, aren’t we all?   On Sunday, my mother and I went with my oldest daughter to the theater to see a Broadway production of  My Fair Lady . It was a Christmas gift from Allison and well worth the wait. If you don’t remember the premise of the story, Henry Higgins boasts he can transform ...

  Fun, Full, Fantastic, February   I don’t know about you, but typically, I dread February.    It may be the shortest month of the year, but with long dark days, colder weather, and twenty Valentine movies I’ve watched way too many times, February seems to stretch itself out like a long desolate highway to nowhere.   The mood swing can become so prevalent it is often given a name. It may be referred to as “the winter blues,” or “February mood swings.” Of course the serious cases are treated as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).   Mood markers may include low energy, chronic fatigue, or even weight gain. Okay, that could define any number of disorders, but suffice it to say with limited sunshine, I dread February.   Usually. But…not so much this year.    We had a crazy, cold, bring-everything-to-a-halt snowfall the first week of the month, but other than those two or three days of cold, the sun is shining and so is my mood.   Sun and ligh...

THE KINDNESS CLUB My oldest granddaughter approached the principal of her school with the idea of starting a “Kindness Club.” The idea was to gather a group of students who would commit to writing encouraging words and notes to classmates, tucking them into their desks or lockers randomly.    I don’t know about you, but I think a year of receiving encouraging notes without cause is better than one fancy Valentine card in February.   The timing for me was interesting. My Bible study group is studying people in the book of Acts—Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. This week we examined Barnabas. We don’t often look at what some consider the minor characters in the Bible.    When Barnabas learned of Jesus he gave himself over fully to the cause of Christianity. He was, in our modern thinking, completely “sold out.” We know from the book of Acts he supported the growing church financially. That alone is major, but if you read the text carefully, you see he was...

The Groundhog Day Movie Challenge:  Making the Most of February   My youngest grandson called me as February approached. He was taking a survey. “Do you think the groundhog will see his shadow or won’t see his shadow?” he asked. I told him I hope he doesn’t see his shadow. “Me, too,” he said. “If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring will come and I can go barefoot outside!”   We talked a few minutes about how animals know more about the weather than we think. He’s five. And smart. Then he was off, tallying the marks on his survey. Everyone on his list, it seems, wants an early spring. And summer.   I don’t actually trust the predictions of a rodent but for some reason Groundhog Day shows up in my writing. The first time was in  Breathing on Her Ow n.  Here is the excerpt:    The radio alarm clock, set for 6:00am, sounded with  I’ve Got You Babe . It reminded Molly of  Groundhog Day . What would happen if Laney had the chance to relive that ...

  One Size Fits All   You’ve seen the sign in department stores. One size fits all? Not likely.  Unless of course it’s a stretchy knit cap or a scarf. Maybe a wrap of some sort.  One size rarely fits “all.” Most maybe, but surely not  ALL .   At least that’s what I believed. Then I came across this shirt.  I took a picture of it next to my Bible for comparison. It was advertised as a “one size fits all shirt perfect for travel.” I looked at it in the store and almost laughed out loud. Okay, true confession. I did laugh out loud. But I bought it. Here is a selfie I took of me wearing this shirt.   It is rare we truly find anything where “one size fits all.” And actually, this shirt won’t fit “all.”   Then one day, I was reading in my Bible in the book of Ephesians. The Ephesians were people in a place called Ephesus. The same way I’m known as a Cincinnatian because I live in Cincinnati. I digress.   I’m reading in chapter 4 when it strike...

  C is for Celebrate...Not for Covid   It isn’t every day a woman celebrates her 90 th  birthday. Nine decades of life. Nine/tenths of a century.    My mom, now nine decades young, celebrates  every day . She knows the secret to a happy life.   This past week (on Martin Luther King Day) my mom, Nora, celebrated her ninetieth year of life. She told me long ago she did not want a party.    “A surprise party for a ninety-year-old? Don’t do it!” She told me. “If you choose, you have my permission to give me a tasteful reception when I turn a hundred.”   I pictured the reception at church held for her dear friend, Velda, when she turned a hundred-years-old. Tasteful. I tucked away a plan for the year 2032 in my mind and set about thinking how to recognize mom’s 90 th .   My three daughters and I discussed several ideas. We decided to host a series of small celebrations. Each of my girls would treat G.G. to a small family dinner. We knew ...

  Homework? At My Age?   Did that title say something about HOMEWORK? Yeah, well, the truth is simple. If you don’t fully understand something, you need to do your homework.     We do a quick “google search” to find out how to install closet doors. We find a book to learn what we can about investments. We ask questions of friends and study the Bible.    Purposeful, meaningful homework is not only good… it is necessary.   I’m a teacher so I get it. I’m also a writer. I am working on a suspense novel. I offered it to some beta readers who gave me feedback. I cut and rearranged and kind of watered down some of the story, while I beefed up other parts.    Satisfied, mostly because it was “done,” I sent it off to a publisher.    And waited.   And waited.   The response was actually good. No, they did not want to publish the story as is, but they said they liked my writing. They gave me specific areas I needed to address. They e...