Gifts|Grandma Gets a Thong

Helen Otten, my mom, died April 3 at the age of almost 93. I’m posting this in her memory. I’m also reminded of the importance of family. The twelfth day of Christmas is Jan. 6th–Little Christmas, The Feast of the Magi. Actually, it’s all the...

Thanksgiving | Inclusion and Interdependence

Thanksgiving Week: Day 1 I love the story of Thanksgiving. It is a story of inclusion (click here) and interdependence. A group of pioneer families risk it all and travel to a strange land. They gratefully accept the help of the Native Americans who look different,...

Smokey the Bear, Aaron, and a joke

Smokey the Bear and Aaron In 2018 Smokey the Bear celebrated his 65th birthday. Last weekend, as our family was trying to keep our house available to prospective buyers, we took a road trip to Clifty Falls State Park in Indiana. (click here for a related post) Between...

Why do we go to school?

Why do we go to school? Is it to go to magical places? Is it to make friends? Is it to keep kids off the streets? Is it to give Mom and Dad a rest? Or someplace for the kids to go while she/he works? Is it only to learn to read and write? When our country was founded,...