“All Aboard” Revisited – Part Two
Grandma’s journey took her across Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and California. Ours included all of those states but California PLUS Wyoming and Montana. Hers lasted nearly a year. Ours, only two and a half weeks. Hers was limited to where there were railroads in the Western states. Ours was charted with Google...
“All Aboard” Revisited – Part One
If you have been within earshot of me in the past few months, you’ve heard me talk about All Aboard! The Adventures of Miss Ratcliff. My most recent (7th) book was a work of the heart and a mini-memoir of my paternal grandmother. The nutshell version is this: A young, single, pioneer school teacher took a year off to travel by train...
Living the Good and Beautiful Life
I have always appreciated a great challenge and I’ve succeeded at more than a few over my lifetime. Oh, but I’m not finished. There’s always room for improvement. Right? The Good and Beautiful series written by James Bryan Smith provided my most recent life challenge, and he really speaks my language! His books are filled...
Before the Red Ink Dries!
How often in our Christian walk do we praise God, serve others, and care for our families UNTIL our paths are suddenly obscured by unknown circumstances? My husband and I were on our way to Wichita last week and I was reading as he drove. Breaking the silence – my eyes still on the book in my hands – I emphatically said, “Max Lucado is...
Celebrate Your Blessings!
“Make a list of your blessings,” the author suggested. “During the next week, see if you can unpack 100 things for which you’re thankful.” Challenge accepted! I can do that, I thought. God has blessed me big time. So, I grabbed a notebook to start my list. #1 Family (kids & grands & more) #2 Friends #3 Jim...
You Have a Nice Day!
Mine was a petty purchase. Not one to break the bank. Just a small fountain drink to quench my thirst on a steamy hot day. As I walked toward the counter I reached for my wallet, but the cashier simply smiled, waved her hand, and said “You have a nice day!” My drink was on the house.“What a blessing,” I said to the...
Doe. A deer. A female deer.
A couple of years ago, I saw something in nature that gave me a new perspective on life and death; on caregiving. It was Day 12 of my husband’s fight for life. I was en route to the hospital where he was battling Covid Pneumonia – a long, battle with many ups and downs. His recovery was sometimes in question. That morning as I...
Nature vs. Nurture
I seem to have the most random thoughts and a crazy propensity to share those thoughts. Please tell me I’m not alone in my vulnerability. Does your mind flit off in unexpected directions? Or are you one who keeps a tight rein? I guess I choose to celebrate the randomness of life. Here’s my latest quandary for consideration: How do...
Welcome, I’m Elaine. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, a choreographer of words, a challenger of the status quo, an admirer of all things colorful, and a lover of life who finds great comfort and joy in knowing I’m completely adequate to do whatever it is God calls me to do!
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