Biography
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A Different Person Then
The Bird Girl, Sylvia Shaw Judson, Savannah, Georgia “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”— Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Weren’t we all different people then? We are the sum total of what we’ve experienced through the years. If I think back forty years, or even twenty, I’m…
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Let August Finish
The Last days of summer. Photo by my son “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Annie Dillard Suddenly, the calendar has sped forward to the end of August. The hot days at the beginning of the month will soon cool and slide into the evening chill of autumn.…
Aging with Grace, Annie Dillard quote, August, Autumn, changing seasons, Childhood memories, end of summer, fall, family memories, Gratitude, life lessons, living in the present, nostalgia, passage of time, savoring the moment, seasonal reflections, September, Simple Pleasures, slowing down, Summer Memories -
The Pull of Home
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”— Jane Austen Home is my favorite place. I’ve worked to create a space where I genuinely want to be. Because of that, I cannot envision having a job that required me to travel all the time. Given a choice between another hotel room and my…
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The Bent Gate and the Beautiful Tree
Stanley Britsh Primary School All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Julian of Norwich One person will look at this photograph and notice the bent post in the wrought-iron gate. Another will be captivated by the brilliant colors of the tree beyond it. Is it…
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Happy Birthday USA
Where liberty dwells, there is my country. Benjamin Franklin This photo was taken a few years ago at a Fourth of July party. To me, it captures the true spirit of the holiday. The Fourth of July is, above all else, a birthday celebration for our country. It isn’t about politics, military strength, or choosing…
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A Corner of Peace in a Busy Life
Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time. Herman Hesse A few years ago, I placed a comfortable chair and reading lamp beside a window in our bedroom. The window catches the morning sun and looks out onto a large flowering tree that changes with the…
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The Light She Left Behind
“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” — Anonymous When I read this quote, I immediately think of my grandmother. I have written about her many times over the years, perhaps because her influence remains such a significant part of who I…
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My Heart Recognized It as Home
What is handed down by tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. Gustav Mahler When I read this quote, I thought about my ancestry. I did not grow up with my French heritage as a strong influence in my life. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I…