Are you familiar with the Broken Window theory? It was authored by two social scientists, James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, who basically asserted that each problem that goes neglected in an environment affects peoples’ attitudes toward that environment potentially leading to additional neglect, or worse. We’ve lived in our current home for over ten years. …
During this summer while it was so hot and dry, I had an itch to do something, but was afraid that anything I might try to plant would be doomed. I had been eyeing my birdbath for a very long time, considering turning it into a planter. It was a gift for my first Mother’s …
This gardening season has been particularly discouraging for me. It’s normal for me to feel this way in late summer, but this year it started much earlier, in spring. While dwelling on the details, I realized that oddly, they all started with D. Death To begin with, there were plants that should have come back …
At an auction many years ago, I spotted an old rusty water pump with graceful curves that I just loved! My sweet husband bought it for me but then it laid in storage for awhile, waiting for me to figure out its purpose. One day, while sitting on the front porch, I was looking at …
When was the last time I rocked my children or sang their last lullaby? There are so many lasts that I wish I could remember. Most likely I wasn’t aware that it would be the last time as it occurred. Our younger child, a Sophomore in college, decided to spend her Spring Break with her …
I find this empty nest stage of life rather amusing. For so many years our lives revolved around our kids’ needs and schedules, but now that they’ve both grown up, my husband and I are like a ship without an anchor. There are many options available to us, but we’re drifting in the Doldrums waiting …
The emergence of my favorite plants from their winter slumber, and catching the scent of damp earth, make my green thumb awaken from its winter rest. I feel like I understand how it feels for the sap to start rising in the trees, as my energy level starts to rise and my mind brims with …
My garden is like my own little church. When I’m out there weeding and sowing, I feel a peacefulness and closeness to God. I find myself praying and singing, and it comes as naturally as the birds’ songs. In my garden chapel, the beautiful foliage of Swiss Chard is the stained glass – it’s so …
There’s nothing like Valentine’s Day to put a spotlight on our marriages, and with all of the advertisements for flowers, jewelry, and chocolate, it’s hard to ignore the holiday. It’s great timing for the launch of a new book about marriage especially for Christians. After all, what better gift for our spouse than a strong, …
If you were to make a list of all the advantages of homeschooling, your list would be very long! With homeschooling comes a lot of freedom and the ability to do things that schools just can’t. Involving animals in your homeschool is just one of them. Maybe the first reason to do school with a …