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The Crocuses are Blooming at the Bridgeside Retreat
Last autumn I planted several dozen white and purple crocus bulbs next to the walkway and around the mailbox. When other crocuses in the area started blooming, along with our daffodils and the irises were growing, I thought the crocuses were not going to bloom. Then last week they started poking through the ground and…
Read MoreBook Review: Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi
I breathed deeply and reveled in the beautiful morning. The vehicles hummed by on the pavement, the sun burned the mist off the river, and the birds busily ate breakfast. ~ Marianne Jantzi If you are interested in Amish life and you are tired of those Amish fiction books produced by the mass market, then…
Read MoreA Peaceful Pause
Like many others, I am more engaged in this presidential campaign year than I have ever been before. I won’t start a whole debate about who is the best prospect we have because I know this year people have very strong feelings one way or another. Nor will I point fingers at the people who…
Read MoreGood Friday
By the time I awoke this morning, we had already had our Good Friday rain. You may be wondering what I mean by this, so let me explain. When I was growing up, my mother claimed that it rains on every Good Friday, even if it is just a few raindrops. She said this rain…
Read MoreThe Fulbright Decision
The Fulbright decision came through on Tuesday, and it was not the one I was hoping to read: “Dear Ms. Furlong, “The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has asked the Institute of International Education to inform you that you have not been selected for an award for the 2016-17 Fulbright U.S. Student Program.” When…
Read MoreStanding at the Crossroads
Photo by Saloma Furlong Have you ever found yourself at a life crossroads when you know if you take a right, your life will turn out differently than if you take a left or keep going straight? It seems David and I find ourselves in that place about every 7-10 years. That is where we…
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David, Bernie, and The Donald
David Furlong with Bernie Sanders This summer when David was still recovering from his knee injury, we were driving down 116 when I asked David to write a guest post for my blog. It was soon after Bernie Sanders had entered the race for the president. And that’s when I was hit by the idea…
Read MoreAnnouncing the Winners for the Three-Book Giveaway of Bonnet Strings
The winners to the three-book giveaway of Bonnet Strings that I announced on January 22 have just been drawn. I am happy to announce the three winners are: Doxiemutti Wilma Mary Ellen Wagler (because there was another Mary Ellen, I used your email to find out your last name. I hope you don’t mind). To…
Read MoreBonnet Strings: A Three-Book Giveaway
I am offering a giveaway of three copies of Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds. Simply leave a comment, and I will add your name to the drawing. I will draw for the winners on Saturday, January 30. This giveaway is inspired by several things, most recently a review written by someone…
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