Warm Thoughts

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...

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.

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...

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...

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 aut...

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.

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...

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, pediatr...

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 d...

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.

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, anoth...

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 h...

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. M...

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 n...

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.

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.

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 ...

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 stude...

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...