Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.~Anatole France Experience fostering retired racing dogs led my husband and me to believe we could handle anything. Yet nothing prepared us for what padded into our lives the day we adopted Ray. Steve and I had inquired about a sleek, handsome boy who sported a black-and-white tuxedo coat. Retired due to injury, he had tran...

A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.~Agatha Christie I stared at the pregnancy test, willing the lines to appear. Then I saw the faint pink squiggles morph into two deeper pink lines. “Oh, my goodness! I’m pregnant!” I screeched to my husband who was waiting ou...

Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue.~Adam Clarke “Winter storm on the way!” the radio blared. I glanced out the window. Dark clouds were already forming above our small subdivision in rural Illinois. Just then, I heard, “Mom! Mom!” In blew my three bundled-up boys and a crisp October wind. “Mom!” cried five-year-old Robin. “There’s a cat down in the ground!” “Oh. You mean som...

My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.~Maggie Kuhn I was taking my fourteen-year-old granddaughter to soccer practice and I was running behind. As we backed down the driveway, she drummed her fingers on the armrest. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Coach’s rule is we have to run a lap for every minute we’re late.” “That seems harsh,” I said. “But don’t worry, sweetie. We’l...

Well, if he can re-gift, why can’t you de-gift?~Jerry and George, Seinfeld Now, since it is Christmastime and thus the season of forgiveness, I must confess, I have a dirty little secret. Before any of you get worked up, you better know that you all probably have one too. I am a closet re-gifter. (Gasp!) I know. Not only am I a closet re-gifter, but I actually have a closet that is just for m...