Isn’t it funny how time flies? It doesn’t seem like ten years since I published my first book, but I recently passed that milestone. September 1, 2013, was when I published Acting on Faith, my first novel. I’ve come a long way since then, now with more than 50 books published. That journey, and the one in which I am still engaged, has taken my life in a different direction from anything I might have expected. This past summer, I knew…
As tempting as it is to compose a maudlin, sorrowful essay, I am instead celebrating my mother’s life. She passed away on Sunday morning, one month to the day before her 97th birthday. I loved my mother deeply. She was a kind, thoughtful woman who I think deserves to be lauded for putting up with me, her oldest and always rebellious son. She and my father did their best to raise me to be a righteous, Christian man. Unfortunately, until…
Today is Funny Friday! Today, I’m going to give a story from my life. There is an element of sorrow to it, but the humor involved made what was a sorrowful situation much more bearable. I once had a black-and-white cat named Minnie. Some family friends brought her to my house as a kitten when I was six. I believe she was part of a litter of farm cats that they were trying to get rid of. Naturally, I begged…
Anyone who knows me well understands that I do not like winter. When I lived in Japan, people would not understand when I told them, given they knew I was from Canada. Being from Canada is exactly what has made me so contemptuous of the colder months. There are some definite benefits to living in a colder climate, such as fewer venomous creatures, less extreme storms and the like, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Thus, you will…
We have come to a new year. I don’t look back especially fondly on 2022. There were good times, certainly, but we lost my soulmate dog in November, and I just don’t think that’s something I can easily recover from. As the days go by, I don’t see him as often from the corner of my eye, and I don’t as often plot out strategic shutting of baby-gates or placement of cat food to ensure he goes where he is…
I love Christmas. The season seems to bring out the best in just about everyone, from friends and acquaintances ready with friendly greetings and holiday wishes, to strangers who wish you the best of the season while shopping in stores or passing on a busy street. My first Christmas celebration with my wife still ranks as one of our best. She was three weeks away from giving birth to our first child, a son, so we limited the length of…
Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans out there! I’ve included an image of my little turkey from last year. Hard to believe how time has flown! Thanksgiving is such a great holiday–we get to gather with our family, express how thankful we are to have them, and eat delicious food! I look forward every year to turkey, broccoli rice casserole, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, rolls (Sister Schubert or Hawaiian sweet bread!), and a few other dishes. My husband does all the…
In Canada, they call it Remembrance Day. In the U.S., they call it Veterans’ Day. For both countries (and many other countries), it is simply about honoring those who have served their country and protecting its rights. We would like to take a little time to honor some family members who committed themselves to serving their countries. Lelia My father was in the Army Reserves and could have been called to war, though he was not. He has told me…