Little Pasture on the Prairie

My daughter’s birthday is a week before Christmas, which she loves. “I get twice as many presents!” she often reminds her brother, who has to wait until June to get a second wave of gifts.

CANDLES AND MIRRORS:

Horses Can’t Play Basketball! “Come on, DeAnn. It’ll be fun!” My brother strode happily to the barn, the basketball bouncing on the frozen ground before him as he adeptly switched from right hand to left. I followed reluctantly; the feeling of dread chilled me more than the December temperatures.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Last week marked my tenth wedding anniversary to the Man of the Ranch. As is our custom with momentous occasions, we celebrated by staying home, doing our chores, and since it also happened to fall on Thanksgiving, eating turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Those of us who dwell west of the Missouri and east of the Rocky Mountains know something about wind I’d wager the rest of you don’t. That’s a bold statement, I know, and I’m sure there are folks in Chicago, for example, who’d disagree, but I stand by the statement.

Giving Thanks

Would you like to sleep better, have a healthier heart and less aches and pains? How about a lower blood pressure, a higher self -esteem and enhanced relationships?

Stray Thoughts: I Gave Thanks

I gave thanks: -for the change sweeping across the nation.A little change beats a whole lot of stagnation.-because things are bad and were becoming worse.America is on life support…but it’s not in a hearse. -for the era of a new president because hope will always trump discontent.

Stray Thoughts: Time Alone

When a couple gets together it can be magic, with near perfect agreement and communication and the ability to finish each other’s sentences.But as time goes on, we begin to notice a need.Not a desire, but a need…to have some time alone. Ironically, time alone is necessary for connection.

Caring for expectant moms

Lately my teenager has been fascinated by medical dramas. Although my “doctor self ” is usually rolling my eyes throughout the program, it’s often a good conversation starter.One recent show featured a pregnant woman who experienced one medical crisis after another.

CANDLES AND MIRRORS: Ankle deep history

Margaret blushed crimson as she realized that her dress had lifted above her ankles for a moment. What would her mother think of such impropriety? Though the scene is from a historical fiction novel, it accurately portrayed the social norm of the late 1800s. Women were to keep their ankles covered.

Stray Thoughts: When not a veteran

I have attended many Veterans’ Day observances in my time.There are speeches read, poems recited, and applause given.There is almost always someone who issues a call to the audience, saying, “Can we have all veterans stand to recognize your service?