Warm Thoughts

Autumn has arrived. Ever since my birthday in July, many have been curious and asking about my age, including the grandchildren and great grandchildren. I was born before, television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees, and the pill. There were no credit cards, laser beams, or ball point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, or clo...

The season of autumn is such a beautiful season of the year. For many individuals, it is their favorite season. It is a special time of the year to travel and see the miraculous transformation in the trees. The leaves change from green to browns and ambers and reds before tumbling to the ground in a kaleidoscope of colors. How thankful we are for the many blessings we experience at this time of ye...

The month of October is clergy appreciation month. It is coincidental that just a few days ago I received from a clergyman who faithfully reads this column every week. Special thoughts that he felt could be used in a future column. These thoughts are very special for this clergy appreciation month. Thank you for sharing! Rules from God. 1. Wake up. Decide to have a good day. Today is the day the L...

September has been older Americans month. When we celebrate grandparents day, we see our grandchildren go off to school, to colleges and universities, and the grandparents get some perspectives on successful grandparenting and successful aging. Recently, I read about a study by Dr. George Valant from the Harvard Medical School. The study found that a lot of successful aging is how we handle oursel...

Last week, we were reminded of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 that shook our nation. There have been many poems, songs, and prayers written that have touched our hearts. The following essay was an email which I received. It was written by an unknown author. Perhaps you received it too, following those events. You may wish to share these thoughts with someone who cares. Meet me in the stai...

The U.S. National Grandparents Day is the 1st Sunday after Labor Day in September. In 2010, it falls on September 12th, and in 2011 on September 11th, also the anniversary of the 911 terrorism attacks. Marion McQuade of Oak Hill, West, Virginia, has been recognized nationally by the United States Senate, in particular by Senators Jennings, Randolph, and Robert Bird and by President Jimmy Carter. A...

In the Warm Thoughts column of last week, we learned about what one learns when they go to kindergarten. Recently, I read an article entitled, “All I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.” I do not know the author of this gem, but I believe you'll enjoy it as we think about sending our children and grandchildren off to school and college. All I need to know I learned from Noah's Ark. 1. Plan ah...

Summertime, summertime, summertime. Good old summertime. Here it is, August, a time to reflect on summer joys and challenges. As an early riser, I have enjoyed the rising of the sun, the peaceful mornings listening to the birds sing, and as I write these lines, it is a foggy morning. A heavy dew is on the grass as one walks down the country lane. Soon school will begin, and many schools throughout...

Can it really be? August is here. June with its brief tranquil moments in July with its full moon and fireflies and celebration and holiday time is now a memory. August is time for the early harvest. Tomatoes ripening, the taste of roasting ears, new potatoes in the pot, fryers in the freezer, the aroma of baking bread and pies, and making pickles and preserves. August is vacation time with family...

My friend is celebrating another birthday and she wrote me and remembered that she too is having another birthday. She also wrote in detail about her senior moments. Our friendship has endured many years of joys and challenges. As time is fleeting so rapidly, each day is very precious, and I am reminded that today is the first day of the rest of my life. An unknown author helps us to be aware how...

New billboards are getting attention in Arizona. Some folks have reported seeing one or two messages. The newspapers listed all of them. Here is a list of variations of the Godspeaks billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. I have a dear friend who has retired to Arizona, and I wonder if she has seen a few of the messages. Tell the kids I love them. Let's meet at m...

A real faithful reader of this Warm Thoughts column sent some real gems of thought which I used in a recent column. It was like a Christmas or birthday present to receive them. Today is my birthday, and I decided I would share with you some more of the thoughts she sent me. Thank you for the birthday gift. And the Christmas gift too, as it is Christmas in the summer at the little home on the prair...

Have you read about the most creative job in the world? Let me tell you about it. Perhaps you have even lived it. This most creative job in the world involves taste, fashion, decorating, recreation, education, transportation, psychology, romance, cuisine, designing, literature, medicine, handicraft, art, horticulture, economics, government, community relations, pediatrics, geriatrics, entertainmen...

Today we celebrate Independence Day. It is a day of celebration for parades and families, and we see our nation's flag flying in the breeze. As a mother and grandmother, I save precious thoughts that my children and grandchildren have written. Recently, I ran across an essay that my daughter Kathy wrote when she was 13 years old and in 8th grade. On this Independence day, you too may appreciate th...

It seems that the readers of the Warm Thoughts column appreciate thoughts that may sometimes jog their minds. They also tell me they like essays and poetry. I really appreciate it when they share their thoughts. This column came from a very faithful reader of this column who apparently collects gems of thought. Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Let the words I speak today be soft and tender, for...

The month of June brings families together. There are still graduations, showers, weddings, birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries, and it is the month for Father's Day. Togetherness can strengthen the family ties. The summer is a time to do some summer reading as a family. Perhaps at the dinner table, read something out loud to your family. Tomorrow night, another member of the family can r...

It is interesting to know that Father's Day, which this year will be celebrated on June 16th, was, ironically, inspired by a Mother's Day sermon. Mrs. John Bruce Dodd, a Spokane Washington artist, is credited with fostering Father's Day. She got the idea while listening to her minister deliver an impassioned sermon on motherhood. Mrs. Dodd's mother had died young, so her father had to raise 6 chil...

The 2nd Sunday in June is children's day. The following Sunday we celebrate Father's Day. A great deal of concern has been focused on our children as the dawn of a new century is fast approaching. Children who have graduated this last year in the 20th century are told that they will be shaping the next century. What a challenge for our children and our grandchildren. Many years ago, an author by t...

It is gardening time. It was a beautiful spring day when 6 year old grandson Trevor and his old grandma decided to plant the garden and then plant flowers in the flower pots. Trevor patiently helped plant the potatoes, better boy tomatoes, carrots, and broccoli. After the completion of the gardening project, we watered the garden. I suggested to Trevor that if it did not rain, he could pray for ra...

When you read this warm thoughts column, it will be just a couple days before Mother's Day. Many families will be together on this special family day honoring their mother. Recently, I read an essay, a letter a mother wrote to her daughter. It touched my heart and no doubt will be taped on a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. And so I will share it with you, my readers. Dear daughter, although you a...

This is the last day of April. The month of April has been national poetry month. It is interesting that a dear friend in Florida sent me in the mail an original poem she wrote on her birthday. It is such a joy to be able to share with the readers of this warm thoughts column, the gems of thought and poetry. So thanks, Sarah Gray, for her precious thoughts. Little pleasures. Oh, the joy of little...

Last week, we learned some thoughts from the kids and computers. In the past, I've received some interesting comments from my readers in my peer group who are having a growing edge with all of this computer technology. I have been reading some perspectives on aging and how to be a kid again. And so I will share these thoughts found on the internet…perhaps it is the 1st draft. Be a kid again. Dot a...

Here I go again, in my thoughts about listening to the master teachers in my life, the children. As we continue to experience rapid changes in technology, I realize every day it is my grandchildren who will be teaching me the changes in this computer world we now live in. And so I listened to the comments collected from computer children, ages 10 to 15. These are students who spend an average of 1...

As families throughout the world look forward to celebrating the Easter season, I am overwhelmed with many warm thoughts and memories. Memories of the place where all the events of holy week took place are so real and meaningful to me. Many times I relive that experience of walking the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Sorrows, when I was there on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are all pi...

It was five years ago that I wrote the first Warm Thoughts column over a cup of tea. I can remember the moment as if it happened yesterday. The first day of spring in 1993 was a beautiful springy day. Surprise, surprise! On Sunday morning, following that first day of spring, I awoke to a winter wonderland and a real South Dakota prairie blizzard. However, my pioneer spirit urged me to go to church...