I use my mother’s china on special occasions.
It was the same special china that was used for all of our holiday dinners.
It was the delicate china with the tiny green floral pattern around the rim.
The rim that was etched in gold; the gold that seemed so real when I was a girl.

My mother allowed me to set the table when I was old enough to do that on my own.
There were always the instructions to be very careful with her good dishes.
I carried them to the table as if I was transporting an egg across the room.
In essence I was, and the care I took to carry them meant that I never broke even one.

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It had been a long day.
I came home with packages and groceries and placed them on my kitchen island.
I was trying to get ahead of the winter storm that is scheduled to arrive.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I had to purchase the little incidentals for our meal.

When everything was put away, I got my laptop and put it on the island so I could write.
My island has become my standing desk; more comfortable and better for my back.
My Bible was next to me since I use it frequently as I write.
My phone was there next to me, just in case.

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I heard an interesting news report as I was getting dressed.
At first I thought I heard it wrong.
Since it is a news radio station, the stories are repeated every twenty minutes.
I made it a point to listen with full attention to see if I heard the story correctly.

I did.
Companies that sell underwear are able to forecast the strength of the economy.

I was confused.
The two things seemed unrelated.
One has nothing to do with the other.
Apparently I was wrong.

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Every day I post a quote on my personal Facebook wall.
It is a quote that has impacted me in some way.
It is a quote that I have come across from a favorite theologian or writer.
Often the quote calms my spirit and I know it will calm another.

Sometimes, I come across a quote that is an offense.
I just don’t like it.
Then I ponder why I dislike it so much.
That can prove to be an exercise in futility or prove to be very fruitful.

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It is a common sight this time of year.
You will see them on the roofs of houses.
Their wingspan is anywhere from 63-72 inches.
They are an eerie sight as they are silhouetted against the fall sky.

I see them on my walk many mornings.
They definitely have preferred houses upon which they roost.
I see them roosting in the leafless trees.
They have the appearance of a sentry, ever watching, ever waiting.

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t was before the days of GPS.
It was before the days of Google maps.
Directions were given by word of mouth as you searched for landmarks.
Directions could be discerned by using a paper map.

I am not a map person.
I even have trouble with a directory in a mall or outlet center.
You are here means nothing.
You are here facing the store, or you are here with your back to the store?

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There was nothing I liked more as a little girl than a carousel.
I was never a roller coaster kind of girl, though I regrettably tried a few.
I liked the gentle motion of the merry-go-round.
I liked the way I could see the faces of those waiting in line.

I would scope out all the horses as I waited.
I would plan my route.
If everyone went left, I went right.
I would reach that beautiful horse straight away.

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I lost a bracelet.
It was not an expensive bracelet, but it was a favorite of mine.
It was silver with colored beads and charms.
There were three charms: an anchor, a cross, and a heart.

Faith.
Hope.
Love.
But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

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I ordered a dress from an online store.
I was excited to get it, but knew that I would have to wait over a week for it to arrive.
To my delighted surprise, the package came earlier than expected.
I quickly opened it, knowing the exact boots and scarf that I would wear with the dress.

Upon opening the package, I discovered that it was not my dress.
What should have been blue was red; what should have been my size was not.
The name on the package was mine; the invoice reflected the item I ordered.
The dress belonged to someone else.

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I was watching the children play on the playground while I waited for the light.
It happens to be a long traffic light in a school zone so it affords me a lingering glance.
The children were carefree, enjoying the fall day, being chased by imaginary enemies.
They tested their climbing prowess and their upper arm strength on the monkey bars.

Wistful for a moment for that time again.
Time to go to the neighborhood library, which is down the road.
Time to go to that “castle park” as it was rightfully named.
My children called it that since it seemed to have towers and turrets and a drawbridge.

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