Off and on, I have worshipped in one Episcopal Church or another. Episcopal services share something with Walmart and McDonald’s — they are always recognizably similar. Many times, I have watched the vicar bless the bread and wine and repeat these words: “The Gifts of God for the People of God.” Recently, I visited a…
Vines in My Gardens
All morning, I have been out in my garden, trying to whittle away some of my Morning Glory vines that have thwarted the growth of my Carolina Jessamine. “Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is one of the most beautiful vines of the South. It covers fences and trees in open woodlands and along roadsides throughout the…
Advent Calendar
Day 1 – Light the Hope Candle Day 1 – Darkness to Light 1 In the beginning God created the heaven a darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw…
Hope Garden – Planted for Advent – Red Winter Berries & Yuletide Camellias – 4 Seasons Garden – Perennials & Roses
For years, I have wanted to look out my glass doors during the winter and early spring and see the seasons change from inside my home, This year, as I prepare for Advent, I have planted some things that will eventually shriek against the wintry sky, Advent is celebrated before Christmas, and I have decided…
Hope & Advent + Faith & Light – The First Sunday of Advent is Hope Sunday – #Advent
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 I have begun my preparations to Celebrate Advent, and today, I want to tell you what I will do on December 1, which in 2024, is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent takes place during the 4 weeks…
How to Prepare to Celebrate Advent – The Season of Light – #Advent — A Free Advent Calendar
This year something fortuitous has happened. Advent begins on December 1, and that is a much more tidy day than it has been in many years past. Advent ends on December 24. Therefore, in the year of 2024, Advent takes place during the first 24 days of December. I think that is special Many years…
Camellias – Exquisite Flowering Shrubs – Signature of the Deep South
There is a restaurant in New Orleans named The Camellia Grill, but the grill part of the name is a bit misleading. The Camellia Grill is one of the finest places to eat in the South. The patrons are served by waiters in white jackets and black bow ties. White linen tablecloths, cloth napkins, and…
Myth and Memoir Writing – Understanding the Difference Between Magical Thinking and Harsh Truth – #MemoirMonday
On Mondays, I like to create a special post about writing a memoir. I call those posts #MemoirMondays. My goal for today is to explain that a memoir must be truthful– But it should not be a harsh account of reality. That is one of the differences between writing for an encyclopedia and writing a…
The Church of the Nativity, an Episcopal Church in Water Valley – My New Home Church
A quaint little Episcopal Church building sits in the middle of the town of Water Valley, MS. Although the current structure was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1984l The church body dates back to 1869. Water Valley is a town filled with old buildings and history, and I am pleased to say that today, I…
The Tapestry of Carole King’s Music: A Message and a Lesson for #MemoirMonday
After several years without melody, I have returned to the songs that have become part of my soul. I recently subscribed to Amazon Music, and I added to my Playlist: Folk music of the 60s, but Amazon also began playing music from Carole King’s Tapestry Album–which I consider to be music of the 70s. From…