Dr. Hannah Thuku Kolehmainen A heavy haze hangs over our heads Leaving me heaving and hanging my head. Smoke from infernos, in lands far away, Is drifting downwind, so the weatherman said. Though it drafts fiery sunsets and moonrises here Enflaming and sparking this poetic thread, We sigh for our Oregon sweet summer days Begone smokeyhead, begone with your …
It all happened so fast, so I’m not quite sure why I recall it in slow motion. My boys were fooling around and laughing. They rarely play together so I relish these times. I was standing by the kitchen about to open the fridge. James, moving at his usual 300mph dashed by the kitchen counter and grabbed an orange then flew …
I sat patiently at the small table. I was in a Thai restaurant I’d wanted to visit for sometime. I was in the mood for quiet so I ordered my dish to-go. I was going to sit in my car and savor the goodness. The rapturous flavors and amazing textures blow my mind. Every time. …
Succulent strawberries, so shiny they look fake, Drip juicy goodness to stain your favorite t-shirt. They are followed promptly by God’s gift for July birthdays: Ravishing vanilla cake with raspberry filling; As rich, rare, and radiant as my ruby birthstone! Hot on their heels come brilliant bursts of blueberries. I oblige my happy belly, fresh or …
My friend Faith sent me an email with a sweet story about a man who returned home for a neighbors funeral. The neighbor had greatly influenced the young man’s life in the absence of his father. Towards the end of the story was the statement: “every night someone thinks of you before they go so …
Cece had just come into a large sum of money from a house sale. She was excited to pay off an large loan she had. At the title company she opted for collecting the money by check instead of a direct deposit. When it came she did a happy dance, fondled it in her hands …
I just completed journaling my life for the last 7 years in one volume! I visualize myself at 94, rocking rhythmically on a squeaky pine chair. The sun is warm against my wrinkles and my weak eyes are closed as I listen to a granddaughter reading me a story. The story of my life. I …
Consider that your concept of God is one of the most important things about you. It determines how you view Him. It determines how we view ourselves and others around us. I am learning that in many ways I have created God in my own image and to my measly understanding. I pick and choose aspects of …
Giant windmills by the Columbia Slowly doing the breaststroke, Over rolling buff hills that are sunning Past town after town and its townsfolk. Truck trailers, travel trailers, Zipping past chugging railers. Dams and rest stops, hot springs and buttes, Punctuate stories of curses and Aslan Tumnus, and horses and wardrobes of fur Grip us, spellbound, unfolding The Plan. Truck trailers, …
If there’s anything the Lord made clear, it’s that he strongly dislikes hypocrites. Last night I was one and I sure got what I had coming. I am a gardening nut. I could garden all day and all night if I could. But life interferes. A few days ago, I helped a friend, who has …