Marci and I are celebrating twenty-four years of marriage this month. So we decided to mark the occasion by traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for a three-day, two-night getaway. Charleston is a lovely city, with a rich history, distinctive urban … Continue reading
A High School Prom can feel as though it is equal parts coronation, wedding, and money pit. It involves the special dresses and accessories and traditions… And, to be honest, it can be overwhelming. But I’m really proud of the … Continue reading
There were twenty-five of us who signed up to hike a four-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to a geological feature known as Charlie’s Bunion on our Free Day in the Smoky Mountain Retreat. That’s a pretty … Continue reading
I love our church’s Spring Break trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for many reasons. The change in scenery… the opportunity to practice spiritual disciplines… the community and camaraderie… All of these are lovely. But on our recent drive from … Continue reading
After the snows of late-January and early-February, I seriously thought that we’d have total snow cover through most of the month of March. But Spring surprised me. Spring is lovely like that. It feels like a surprise every year! Warm … Continue reading
Presidents Day is a weird holiday in the United States of America. Its celebration seems to be mostly centered around (1) Sales on mattresses and cars, and (2) the Closure of public schools and post offices. In our household, though, … Continue reading
We recently completed the process of shooting Olivia’s senior portraits, and we’re thrilled with how they all turned out. Our friend Jana was the photographer, but hiring her for the job wasn’t just a case of nepotism. She’s a legitimate professional, and … Continue reading
Dear Cor, Sometimes, I worry you ended up with a birthday at the worst time of the year. The weather can be so hot and humid (like it was at the beginning of this week). And the start of the … Continue reading
You’d be surprised how many Americans confuse “Ohio” and “Idaho” (and “Iowa,” too, for that matter). I guess it’s the vowel sounds. And perhaps the stereotype we’re all in some sense backwater. But the regions are very distinct: in climate, … Continue reading
Olympic National Park has been within range of our base of operations in the Pacific Northwest. But just barely. The southernmost portions of the park can be reached with about two hours of driving. Some of the more interesting sites, … Continue reading