Recently I came across a couple of new accounts on Instagram that piqued my interest. One was from a woman here in the States who downsized her family's home from a five bedroom, four bath to a two bedroom, one bath. The other, a woman in the UK, moved with her family from a new build in the city to a several hundred years old cottage in the country with acreage. To read their back stories was a glimpse into the mindset of what it looks like to feel the need for change. They

Oh, yes, the dolls...,or as my children used to refer to them: "those creepy dolls Grandma used to have in her dining room." They weren't really "creepy" they were just... unique and definitely an acquired taste. Mom had come upon them on an outing with my dad to some little hill country town or other. They weren't the kind of dolls for playing with, but rather were an artist's rendition that was more artwork than anything else. What you would need to know about my mother (an

While scrolling mindlessly along the other day, taking a break from housework, I came to a complete halt after seeing this quote by Charles Spurgeon on the Instagram site: The Grace Scripts. "We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and our blessings in sand." "Wow," I thought, "Isn't that so true?!" It gave me pause. This was a real thought-provoker. I could see myself in that quote, faithfully throwing up a quick, yet heartfelt "thank you" to God when things work ou

I hate to admit it, but the last couple of weeks I have become somewhat of a gratitude amnesiac. One of my all-time favorite devotional books is New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp. In it he often refers to himself as a grace amnesiac, someone who often forgets how profoundly God has permeated every aspect of his daily life with grace, and how that "amnesia" can affect his attitude and behavior. Well, the past few weeks I have had a bout of amnesia myself. Not about grac

I ran across this term while reading my daughter-in-law's latest Instagram post: still life. Unfortunately it referred to the image of several antibiotic dosage cups and paraphernalia dotting her kitchen counter. All the kiddos and Mom have been battling some wicked ear infections the past week. I couldn't help but think about the contrast between a still life capture, be it on film or canvas, and motion pictures. Do you prefer one over another? I do, but I'll get to that in

Are you a dreamer? I am. I think I was born a dreamer. I've always thought about the future. Who I'd be. What I would do. Where I would live. What my life would look like. If I could pinpoint one event that really sent this musing into high gear, it would have to be a Halloween party waaaay back in elementary school. One of my classmates hosted this gathering in her home. I remember distinctly the girl's grandmother being there, dressed as a friendly witch, stirring a "caul

I observe it numerous times throughout the day from my kitchen window. Sparrows clumped in a group, pecking feverishly at fallen seed on the ground, suddenly "start" when one reacts to some random sight or sound, and off they all fly without knowing whence it came or why. There's something quite educational about observing birds... even my little backyard flock. We have a large deck at the rear of the house, and on the top rail of the northernmost side I keep three shallow bo

It was quite by happenstance that I stumbled across her Instagram account, a follower of a follower of an account I sometimes frequent. I had never run across her before, this young mother, living out and loving her dream of raising her little family in the rural English countryside. Seems odd to say it, but within just a few frames, monologue skipping lightly over the videos playing beneath, I was taken in by it all, feeling somehow deeply connected to this woman as a fellow

It all began some ten or so years ago. My son and daughter-in-law called to say they'd like to come over for a visit and discuss some things with us. When they arrived they had a bottle of wine in tow, and we knew this was going to be an evening of deep conversation. It happened to be a Thursday. That was the inaugural evening of what would become a tradition of sorts for Tom and me. We cheekily began referring to those evenings as "Thirsty Thursday," a time of regularity set

I noticed it from across the street where we were having lunch, the little second-hand shop that looked so cute and inviting. I wandered over to it after we had paid our bill, and there in the display window was the most perfectly imperfect old dresser. It was white and chippy and distressed in all the best ways. My mind went immediately to work on how terrific this would look as an entry table for our eldest daughter's wedding reception. I could see it all in my head: a pit

I've been writing this blog for about six years now, so I'm fairly sure I've mentioned the topic of perspective before, but I was reminded of it again this past week in several different ways, and it, I think, has become the impetus for me to live a radically different life. I used to say the sectret of a happy life is contentment. I still believe that to be true. I also used to say the sectret to a happy life is thankfulness. I also still believe that to be true. To be hones

'"But" is a versatile word in English, primarily functioning as a coordinating conjunction to express contrast, exception, or contradiction...." (definition: AI Overview) I think I mentioned before that I've been trying to make my way through a one year Bible reading program called "Follow the Word," a program being used by my daughter's church in Cypress, Texas. Anyway, last Friday's reading took me through Exodus 3 and 4, the portion of Scripture where God "calls" Moses to

"The distinction that makes us Christ followers is in the turned cheek and in the second mile." That was part of a wonderful sermon message preached last Sunday at my church. Following Jesus is counter-cultural. Pastor explained that Jesus came into the world at a time when the Romans ruled with a heavy hand and harsh punishments... a time when the religious leaders of the day also demanded adherence to laws, hundreds of them, where breaking just one of those laws meant you h

This past Christmas our daughter Sarah gifted us a journaling Bible. Included with it was a folder, "Follow the Word," on reading the Bible together in one year. St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress (the church where she is the Director of Christian Education) is also doing this together as a congregation in 2026. I've really enjoyed going through this reading plan so far. It's different from the way I usually do my reading. It keeps me on track, it's more chronological, and e

It's been quiet here this past week at the casita. Too quiet. Just seven short days ago this little house was filled with so much life and love and laughter. It was glorious! The whole crew came in to celebrate Pulliam Christmas with us over the New Year's holiday. Fifteen precious souls stretched these walls and grew this cottage to overflowing in all the best ways. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was busy. We scooched past one another with, "Exuse me-s" and "Oops" and "Sor

Have you ever noticed how light pierces the dark? It doesn't just dissipate it or dilute it. It pierces. Where once there existed a void, a vast inky blackness, a single struck match... a tiny flame... immediately overpowers it, defeats it, sends it recoiling back from whence it came. I believe we were made to love the light, to crave it. Light equals life. This time of year lights shine brilliantly all around us. Oh, how I love it! They twinkle from the boughs of our trees,

Two weeks ago I was walking down at the soccer fields near my house. I like to go there on Fridays to do my prayer walking because the mile-long sidewalk that skirts the fields is nice and level. I can think about what I'm praying without having to look out for uneven surfaces or potholes like I do when I walk on the street. Usually. That Friday was different. I had quickened my pace as I was approaching my last lap. There was a young man heading toward me traveling in the op

That time of year has rolled 'round again. Lights are going up all over the neighborhood. Stores are playing Christmas music on repeat, and the Internet is rife with blogs and "grams" hosting virtual holiday home tours. As I write this, the dining room of my own little casita has our seven foot pencil tree perched in the corner, yet bereft of ornamentation, eagerly awaiting tiny hands to fill it profusely as high up as their small arms can reach. This approaching season spar

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 I've never been a fan of spending too much time looking backward. After all, life is forward motion, but every once in a while, I travel those roads back to see with fresh eyes the beginnings of God's story of my life. This week my oldest, my firstborn, had a birthday. Sometim

(Jesus said) "... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew28:20 "You've got to be brave." My children and grandchildren have all heard me say this to seagulls at the beach when offering morsels of bread by outstretched hand. The reward is there for the taking if only they are brave enough to conquer the fear that I mean them no harm, only good. Some hover for a moment, then dive in to take the entire slice. Others hover and approach tentatively, b