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Keepsakes
I have been focused on spring cleaning. I don’t clean the inside and outside of my cupboards very often, but during this week of rain we’ve had, I did. I could not wash the windows inside and out, so I tackled the cupboards instead. It was a satisfying feeling, wiping out that last drawer. In…
Read MoreWhat Do Amish and Kenyan Women Have in Common?
A few months ago, I received an unexpected package in the mail. It was one of my faithful readers, who sent me a book as a gift, called Footsteps by Kirsten Johnson. It has taken me a while to get around to reading it, but I am so glad I did. I knew nothing about…
Read MoreThe 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…
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