At age three and a half to four and a half Regardless of what the weather appears like to me  Everyday he wakes up Patters into my room if he’s not already sleeping with me and says, ‘Grandma Beth! Grandma Beth! It’s a sunny day outside! Let’s go play!’   Edan waking up next to me, with the ubiquitous Iron Man on his pillow, ...

when someone says 'may I have a word with you?'  you know they don't mean it what can we possibly say in one word? and for that matter what might have been the word that  the grieving parent implored the Christ to say: 'just one word from you and my daughter will be healed' My mind wanders to one word that if I became deaf  ...

OK. I can’t stop myself. I’ve tried. I’ve tried to ignore my inclination to surrender to this show like millions of other Americans, tried to ignore my desire to write about it. But I give in. It captivates me. I’ve been waiting for months for the new season to premiere, and even when I found I knew none of the contestants I still waited like a ...

''Dang girl, you write good!'' Thank you for sharing these lovely reflections with the world. So glad you went home from that fire circle 'fuller' than you ! Love to you!

This post is for last week's writing prompt: One Single Impression: Spectacle   If I could see with the eyes of love Nothing could be a spectacle. Nothing could be outside the circle.   If I would see with the eyes of love All would be spectacular. All would be insanely lovely. All would be inside the circle of Joy. ...

'Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling'--Samuel Johnson This post is an attempt to write with my left brain about a right brained experience.  It happened over 10 years ago now, so I have the right to call it 'my best day' as it's not the only day I can recall with my middle-aged memory--I have days to ...

About 13 years ago I had a dream that I will live-into for the rest of my life. In the dream, I'm part of the life of a retreat center or monastery of some sort.  The center is on an island and on top of a large plateau or mountain with ocean surrounding.  I can remember walking to the edge and looking downward and outward and feeling ...

This post is in response to Steve Pavlina's post: ''How to be a Man''.  He put out the challenge for someone to balance his strong post by writing about how to be a woman.  In the interest of not living in the shadow of being either an untouchable goddess, a long-suffering mother, or a bitchy, edgy vixen, I  offer the few points ...

This is the first of what we hope will be many blog posts by a new voice on the VTH: Holly Holbrooks.  She is an Americorp-HOPE volunteer in Bend, OR and on her way to medical school.  She is an inspiration to everyone whose life she touches.  I am DELIGHTED that she wants to share her Walk to medical school with all ...

When a stranger appears at your door,feed him for three daysbefore asking who he is,where he’s come from,where he’s headed.That way, he’ll have strengthenough to answer.Or, by then you’ll besuch good friendsyou don’t care.   These words by Rumi-esque Arab-American poet Naomi Shihib Nye have echoed in my heart since I read them on Spiritual ...

''We don't have to be each other's cup of tea, but tolerance lets a variety of kettles peacefully share the stove.'' NPR This I Believe essay: True Tolerance by Joel Engardio This week I had an email dialogue with my oldest 'surviving' friend--the one that has never let my lapses in communication phase her.  T. is an evangelical Christian, ...

  The advertising guru who developed the most recognized campaign ever for Oscar Mayer died this week.  Since a kid, I've loved the Oscar Mayer song...I.....wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener...that is what I'd truly like to be-e-e; cuz if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener....everyone would be in love ...