Author: Arla

Ruffed Grouse White Pine Frosting We have snow. Lots of snow. Not sunshine, really. Each day a gray sky shuts out the sun. People are starting to feel that hibernation might be a good choice. What's with this lethargy? And a certain dreary dullness? The snow is beautiful though. There is something nicely legitimate about… Continue reading Gray Days

Words are probably my favorite thing. Reading and writing and talking. Words are also my enemy in the middle of the night sometimes. Words heal hearts. They also hurt, wounding spirits and reopening wounds. Words are life or death. Jesus is the Word made flesh. He lived here and left his words for us that… Continue reading Writing and Speaking Lessons

With snow falling, again, I scribble here for you. Last year at this time we were both sick. We couldn't know then how much of our year, our energy and money and time would be taken up as repercussions thereof. Why even reflect on it? Why indeed! Except that we came through to this new… Continue reading Old Year, New Year

We have a Christmas tree this year. You all helped us with that. I've always been enamored with Christmas trees and lights because they "strike joy" during our long darkness. But we were raised to consider Christmas trees, especially, somewhat superfluous and maybe even "worldly". This year when the new cards began to arrive I… Continue reading Christmas Trees and Snow

Jesus came and gave Himself for us ... We were/are sin-broken and hopeless. But He bought us back. I'm thinking about the miracle of that this year. Flinging my soul there again. Oh yes, we've been healing and walking on, but, it's the full redemption that is ahead when He comes back for us that… Continue reading Christmas, Again

And it's kind of a lazy afternoon. I've been doing a puzzle, (thanks to my secret sister from church), and listening to Gaskel's Cranford on Audible. Oh, I could be working on half a dozen other chores or projects, but I happen to know that this hour is precious and passing. I saw today that… Continue reading Bitterly Cold and Snowy Day

Because people do read my scribblings, so I hear. It's so much easier to talk or write with an awareness of an engaged communicator on the other side of a live conversation. Of course there's a simpler way to say that but, go ahead, you edit it yourself to your hearts content. We've moved the… Continue reading Must Post Something

It's a mixed up life. Here are a dozen pictures to prove it. We've had snow for a few days the week before last. Now it's 70 degrees, clouds and sunshine intermittently. Most of the leaves are on the ground unlike the days it was snowing. Then, the leaves were blazing and blushing in all… Continue reading Capricious Fall & Feelings

I found a little known story in Joshua 22 that blesses me. (I got down off my high horse and began to follow the daily readings from the Sunday school quarterly for my morning read. It's been great, honestly.) This particular story is all about misunderstanding and conflict between people and how communication not only… Continue reading Pleased

Fall, the best time of year. No wonder people have fests and campfires and potlucks. It's finally cool enough for sweaters on our walks. And the amazing coloring of the trees. Harvesting and canning. And the way the sunlight, slanting through the trees, makes dancing pools of gold on the walls and floor indoors. And… Continue reading Favorite Season