My March-April BookStack includes two non-fiction, one memoir, and five fiction reads. There’s quite a mix, with a dystopian classic, time-travel story, 1950s murder mystery, present-day “Romantic Comedy”, and a historical fiction account of a 1960s rock band.
Read MoreIt’s impossible to share all the information, inspiration, and interactions I encountered at this writing festival. Instead, I’ll search my notes and find some highlights—nuggets I uncovered throughout the week. Unlike elusive beach glass, with my journal and highlighter, I know I’ll find some treasures to share!
Read MoreWhen our first grandson entered the world two months into a global pandemic, my husband—now a “Papa”—and I were in awe of this eight-and-a-half-pound miracle, as were his parents and our other three adult children. On our first visit, while wearing masks and visiting outside under a canopy, we put our worries of the world aside and gave thanks for this gift from God.
Read MoreThings get better. Things get worse. In seven years, many things can change. Despite global pandemics, wars and rumors of war, contentious elections, devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires…our planet keeps spinning and circling and predictably falling in line with its moon and the sun at exactly the moment it's supposed to. I find that pretty miraculous!
Read MoreIn memory of my parents and the courage with which they faced a devastating diagnosis, I’m resharing a story I wrote for The Banner magazine in 2020. These events took place almost ten years ago, but it seems like yesterday. I can still picture my parents’ boat slowly submerging, and remember feeling helpless as I looked on from a distance.
Read MoreHave you heard the buzz about the New York Times game, Connections? Are you a slave to solving this daily puzzle, sometimes as soon as it’s available after midnight? (Not that I would know anyone like that! 😉)
Read MoreMy BookStack (an offshoot of my “Substack”) is the stack of books I’ve read, reviewed, and might recommend to you. Even though many of the books I “read” are audiobooks or on my Kindle, I like to imagine a BIG stack of books I’ve finished on my nightstand or bookshelf at the end of each month.
Read MoreRemember the days when we had the option of watching a television show (we had a choice of about four channels) OR reading something printed on paper? The simplicity of our former lives seems foreign compared to today’s barrage of information.
Read MoreWhether you watch it for the game or the commercials (or to spot Taylor Swift 🧐 😂), whether you’re a Chiefs or 49ers fan (or a “who cares?” 🤷♀️ Lions fan like me), you’re probably aware that Super Bowl Sunday in America is near.
Read MoreI’ve been writing on Substack since March 16, 2023 (but started blogging ten years ago!), so I thought I’d re-introduce myself to benefit my new followers (Hello there!) and others who want a taste of what Empty-Nest Joyride! is all about.
Read MoreA tiny taste of Lent through the Little Things, to whet your appetite.
Read MoreJesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and as Christians, we take it to heart. We instill the value in our kids, especially at Christmastime when messages of greed bombard us. And we pride ourselves in our cheerful and generous giving.
Read MorePerhaps you’ve heard the slogan ringing in this new year: Do More in 2024!
I don’t know about you, but the thought of doing more after the past few weeks of shopping, decorating, baking, cooking, and entertaining makes me want to crawl in a hole and hide.
If I did though, I would take a book with me.
Read MoreMy name is Migizi, but you can call me McGee, Gizi, or just Gee. My purr-son, Linda, has been moving slowly after hip surgery, so she enlisted my help to get the Christmas letter done. I’d rather wrap purr-esents, but because I want to remain her fur-iend, I agreed to write the annual Hanstra Year-in-Review.
Read MorePumpkins on the front porch are rotting. Thanksgiving leftovers are almost gone. It’s time to crawl into the storage closet under the stairs and bring out our Christmas decorations. As is our annual habit, we replace our normal decor with festive trimmings.
Read MoreIt was mid-December. We were all waiting. But we weren't waiting like the rest of the world.
In homes, they waited for Christmas. Young children counted the days with their advent chains and calendars, anticipating that wonderful morning when they would tear the paper, fling the boxes, and see their wishes come true.
Read MoreAs I walk through the few remaining rows of Christmas trees, I attempt to sort out my feelings. Growing up, there were hundreds of acres of trees. These few are all that remain. I should feel something, I tell myself. While a little part of me wants to cry, the emotion that’s bubbling up instead is joy.
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