SimplyLife

I've been an avid reader since 1st grade when my mother patiently helped me through the Dick and Jane books. Once letters made sense on the page, a whole new world opened up.Oh, the adventures I've had between the covers of books!   Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, The Adventures Sherlock Holmes, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jane Eyre , and SO many more. About four years ago, the purchase of a Kindle e-reader began a whole new adventure in reading. Yes, my bookshelves were stuffed despite regular donations to the Friends of the Library. Inventive shelving had come to an end. It was either change my ways or be overtaken by piles of books. Reluctant to go to an e-reader, I finally broke down and ordered a basic Kindle. This past Christmas my husband upgraded me to a Kindle Paperwhite with a touch screen. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE books. The smell of paper, the feel of it, the turning of the page, gilt-edges on old volumes...all of it...is loved. However, the pragmatic side ...

We just returned from visiting our six-year-old twin grandsons last week. It's tough living more than 2,000 miles away. Reasonable airfare is also tough to find and our travel money has to be used wisely. Our priority for the last six years has been to build a strong relationship with our grandsons even if we can't be physically present on a regular basis. Technology has made it a whole lot easier, but that's not the only means to building close ties with those little boys. Since today's families tend to be scattered, here are some things I've learned along the way as a long distance grandparent. 1. Consistent Contact - You can do this in a number of ways and the variety is enjoyable.  Phone calls, Skype or Face Time, cards, email. Use them all. What a great gift to video call grandkids! We can do that for free, and what fun to see their school work, new shoes, or anything else that's happening. We've set aside Sunday afternoons for many years to conne...

If you're like me, most correspondence is done through email. Whether it's a note to my family, friends, or business correspondence, it's usually an email. I think our writing etiquette and skills have gone by the wayside because of the instant nature of email. We tend to be extremely casual, not particular about spelling, and we can easily say things in an email we'd never dare say in person. Your employer probably has specific rules about corporate email, but many carry over to personal email. Here are a few tips on getting it right in the electronic letter. 1. Take the time to spell out words and use proper grammar. This is not a text message. If it's worth writing, it's worth doing right. My personal opinion is that we've become lazy writers. We abbreviate everything. There are other problems too. Many don't know the difference between they're, their , and there or your and you're . Those distinctions are important. Carelessness now co...

There's a purple petunia growing outside my front door. It's been blooming since early February. I didn't plant it. The green leaves appeared without my notice until the blooms were turning their faces to the morning sun. The little plant makes me smile every time I look at it. Planted by God's hand, it's putting out new growth and more flowers. It's watered regularly now, which will lengthen the blooming. It survived cold temperatures without a blemish of frost. The plant even persevered through the repainting of our house with men tramping through flower beds and digging ladders into the ground. The petunia is just for me. A blessing from the Heavenly Father who knows how much I love flowers. Why else would it appear? He does that all the time for each of us, but we need to be looking for the little things He provides that let us know He cares for us. The petunia the small plant on left. Irises now dwarf it. The little plant was easy to miss and mistak...

At some point along the way, we'll probably write a letter to a manufacturer about shoddy merchandise or maybe a stray foreign object we find in a can of beans. It could also be unsatisfactory customer service or repairs. Whatever it is, the offending service or goods needs to be reported to the  organization. Bad stuff doesn't endear customers to any company. Customer service departments want to know about problems so they can be fixed. Emails are perfectly acceptable and actually help maintain a record of correspondence. Small plastic part we found in a bag of pancake mix. How do we write an effective letter of complaint? The tips below will get you on the right track. First , direct it to the appropriate person or department. Usually that's the customer service department and most information is easily found at the company website. Don't address it to the CEO of a large company because you're going straight to the top.  Companies have a system in place fo...

When was the last time you received a thank you note? When was the last time you sent one? In our overdrive lifestyles, the time-honored handwritten note of thanks seems to be disappearing. Is it unnecessary? How about a text or an email? Aghh! There are still valid reasons to actually sit down and write out a note. Here are some for your consideration: It's the polite/considerate thing to do when someone has taken the time to give you a gift. Your Aunt Mabel won't be talking to her friends about the lack of gratitude young people have today. Instead, she'll be bragging on her niece who writes such lovely notes. Who doesn't want some good mail? Your note will brighten the giver's day. You'll feel better too. You've done a good thing. Thank you notes are gender and age neutral. Men should write them as well as women. Children should be introduced to writing them in grade school. I'm a lover of good pens and quality note cards. Pick up a nice ge...

Next week begins the Lenten season. The Church has long remembered the 40 days before the Son of God's supreme sacrifice for us by observing some form of self-denial during this period. Many give up meat or desserts. Some give up TV shows, social media, maybe Farmville, or attend special church services. None of this is bad or wrong. But in the end we have every intention of picking up where we left off. We won't give up sweets forever and how would that really change our lives spiritually? I've participated in giving up something for Lent on occasion. My church tradition doesn't really make a great deal of Lent. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing I have the self-discipline to get through 40 days without touching a cookie or a piece of candy. The act doesn't change me. That first bite of dessert after its absence is heavenly. In fact, I can hardly wait. The question I have to ask myself is how has that made me more like Christ? Plainly it hasn't. So ...

Cochise County is called the "Land of Legends" and the Western history you'll find in its mountains, canyons and towns bear that moniker out. The county is named for the famous Chihuahua Apache chief, Cochise.  A legendary chief who was never defeated in battle, he at last made a treaty with the U.S. government in 1872. An excellent article on Cochise is found here . His last home before his death was Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains. He and his Apache army raided the area with impunity, killing ranchers, settlers, and Butterfield Stagecoach drivers.  Some of his faithful followers took his body back to the Stronghold and buried him in an unknown location. A single white man knew the grave site, but never revealed it. The Stronghold is about 35 miles as the crow flies from Casa Wallace, but alas, no roads that make it a short trip. Instead, we take the I-10 east and exit at Dragoon Road to make the trip of 1.5 hours to the remote mountain area. After passing ...

Accountability is one of those words we avoid. It's downright uncomfortable and we tend to become instantly defensive. It's kind of like using "budget" in a sentence. Both of these words have negative connotations, but both are in reality good. Everyone has a budget--some are bigger than others, but we all have financial limits. Accountability is everywhere in the work world, from a timesheet to using the company credit card. As believers we need to be accountable for the life we live. The word is defined as t he state of being accountable, liable, or answerable. (dictionary.com) Humans don't like to answer for their actions. Watch the news and see how people work so hard to squirm out of being responsible for their own behavior. Accountability is living a transparent life, one full of God's light shining unhindered to a very dark world. Everyone will stand before God one day and give an account of his or her life. Romans 14:12 says, "So then,...

If you're a new puppy owner and don't have a crate, you don't have all the tools necessary to train your dog. The crate isn't about punishment; it's about a safe place for that four-footed ball of fur with the wagging tail.  Here's why you need a crate: 1. Dogs naturally love a den and the crate can provide that space of comfort and safety for the new addition to the family. 2. A crate will help you housetrain the new puppy with less stress on you and the dog. 3. It's a safe place for napping and getting away from the bustle of the household. (No--not you, the puppy.) Puppies are babies and need their rest. 4. A crate-trained dog will travel better whether in the car or in the air. Here's how to start crate training your new puppy: 1. Purchase a crate that comfortably accommodates your dog at his anticipated adult size.  If you're bringing home an 8-week old Labrador, don't purchase a small crate that fits him this week. Puppies grow...

God knows us so well. We're anxious, fearful people--ever worrying about life. No wonder  He says, "don't be afraid," over 300 times in Scripture. I did a little research on anxiety and it's everywhere. The Anxiety and Depression Assoc. of America reports that over 40 million adults in the U.S. struggle with some sort of anxiety disorder. From occasional bouts of worry to debilitating lifestyles of fear, worry often accompanied by depression permeates our culture. Christians are not immune.  We toss and turn in our beds, minds fully engaged and sleep elusive. God says, "Trust Me and don't worry. Tell Me everything that's bothering you. I will take care of you." But do we believe Him?  Richard Foster in his book, Freedom of Simplicity says "The pressing question today is not, "Is there a God?" but "What kind of God is there?" Is God cruel or is He good? In short, can He be trusted?" Anxiety has trapped me fro...

Every region in the U.S. has its own unique flora and flavors, and the Southwest is no exception. You won't find strawberries and tomatoes growing without a lot of assistance in the high desert. But there are native fruits and vegetables that are surprisingly tasty and have the stamina to thrive in tough Arizona soil. Tomatillos  (pronounced toe- ma -tee-yos) are small green fruits that look like little tomatoes--hence their Spanish name tomatillo. A member of the nightshade family, it's a near relative of the Cape gooseberry. It's also called a husk tomato because the fruit is wrapped in an inedible husk that browns as the fruit ripens. The tomatillo has a high pectin content making it suitable for preserves. The fruit has a bright, rather sour flavor and is used in salsa verde. Tomatillos grow wild on the roadsides near Casa Wallace. I haven't harvested any since wild plants produce tiny fruits but salsa verde is great. Here's a link to a recipe for making you...

If your dog is getting gray on his or her muzzle and is over seven years old, you've got a senior canine in the house. Just like us, there are signs that age is creeping up on them.  Joints may be stiff, hearing and eyesight may decline. Older dogs may lose some of that keen sense of smell and not be as interested in their kibble. A dog's lifespan is dependent on breed and size. Usually extra large dogs have a shorter time with us, such as Great Danes. The expected lifespan is 6-8 years for them. Other large breed dogs may live to age 10. The little guys, especially terriers may see 16 though, so be aware of what is typical for your breed. Just as you paid special attention to that puppy, now is the time for a little extra care for your aging dog. Here are some ways to make sure your dog is enjoying his old age. 1.  Regular vet check ups and immunizations. Preventative care and early detection of problems are important, just as it is for us. 2.  Older dogs still n...

Management expert, the late Peter Drucker once observed that the four most difficult jobs were: President of the United States, a university president, hospital administrator, and you guessed it--pastor of a church. I can hear some of you saying "Are you kidding? He only works on Sundays."  Well, that's not quite true, is it? The research shows that pastors are burned out, prone to moral failure (and not just sexual), and their marriages are often troubled. Who in their right mind would want to be a pastor? It's a tough gig, and God most definitely needs to call you to the pulpit. It's not for the faint of heart or the thin skinned.  There's also this warning from James: Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NLT   The job is 24/7/365, shepherding the flock of human sheep who, if we're honest, aren't great at following. The church is full...

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of talking to the ladies of our church about that first Christmas. Our little group is going through a lot of changes--mostly moves. People we dearly love are moving away and things are changing. All things we don't like at Christmas. I like my family around, lots of comfort food, and time to slow to a crawl. That's a perfect Christmas - savoring the moments and doing everything the way we've always done it. I think most of us want the familiar traditions of home and hearth for the holidays. But the first Christmas was nothing like that. A very pregnant Mary was enduring an uncomfortable three or four day trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I can't imagine riding a donkey or even walking 70 miles while nine months pregnant. She and Joseph were obeying orders from Caesar Augustus. A decree had gone out for people to return to their hometowns for a census and to pay taxes. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in G...

A Christmas short story for my faithful readers. Did you ever peek at the presents before Christmas? Here's one boy's misadventure about that very topic. The packages have been arriving in the mail almost everyday. There was one that came today from Grandpa and Grandma Harding that Mom whisked upstairs to her secret closet.  We're not supposed to go anywhere near the secret closet starting the week of Thanksgiving. But it's not really a secret since my brother and sister and I know where it is. In the hallway between Mom and Dad's bedroom and my brother, Jerry's room is a closet with a special lock at the top of the door. I can't reach it and neither can Jerry or my sister, Darla. My hand can just brush the bottom of the deadbolt if I stand on tiptoes, but I'm not tall enough to pull it back. Not yet, but maybe next year. I wish I could open that door to see what's really in there. Mom says peeking will ruin Christmas. What? How could knowing ahe...

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell of the miraculous circumstances and birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I never tire of reading about the angel visiting Mary, Joseph, and Zacharias. Or of the verses about the shepherds being scared out of their wits by an angel invasion, and taking off for Bethlehem to verify the angel's proclamation. And of course the passage about the wisemen heeding the angel's warning in a dream, sneaking out of Judea by an alternate route. Read the first couple of chapters in Luke and Matthew to see for yourself. Austin Miracles do happen during the Christmas season, although technically Jesus was most likely born sometime in September. This year marks six years since our own early Christmas miracle, which was actually a double miracle. Our grandsons turn six this week. And yes, the birth of a baby is always a miraculous thing, but quite frankly these boys are exceptional miracles.  Because of Twin-to...

I caught up with a childhood friend recently who's been giving back in a whole new way. Rather than writing a check, she's been on flights to Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Africa to offer the gift of her time, resources, and nursing skills.  My friend, Gail and I grew up in a small country church, singing duets for special music on Sunday mornings. When missionaries visited, it was a big event. After the slideshow of the work in that exotic, foreign country, we'd rush back to the table where pottery, toys, and other curiosities would be on display. Going to the mission field seemed to be the height of adventure and one that was totally out of reach. That was then.  Gail in the middle Gail, who's an RN discovered that foreign mission work isn't out of reach at all. In 2009, she made a short-term mission trip to Mozambique with Children's Relief International. Due to government regulations, Gail wasn't able to use her nursing skills on that ...

Their eyes melt your heart. That puppy breath, squirming warm little bodies just begging for you to take them home. Little Fido makes the perfect gift--right? WRONG!  Christmas is one of the worst times to get a puppy and shelters experience buyer's remorse with an increase in returns during the holidays.  Reputable breeders won't have puppies available for Christmas, but pet stores and puppy mills will. If you're willing to plop down a few hundred or more for this four-footed gift, you'll want a healthy and happy dog, not a sickly one or one that may have major health issues. Here are reasons why you shouldn't surprise the kids or your beloved with a puppy, kitten, or other animal during the holidays.  1.  It's Christmas and it's crazy.  Everyone is hyped up and the routine is askew. A puppy added to all the packages under the tree will find himself buried in paper and dragged around the house amid the chaos of Christmas morning. Not a good introduc...