When was the last time you saw, felt, smelled, or did something that left you speechless and made your heart soar and your brain do a happy dance? When did you last experience awe? I bet your mind is now going to your latest vacation or flipping back through the major events and milestones ofContinue reading “Find Your Awe”
Author Archives: juliefj1
A New Year, New Possibilities
Wow. The 2000s still sound like a sci-fi movie to me. I have Zager and Evans to thank for that! In the Year 2525, released in 1968, it predicts the end of the world and warns of the dangers of technology, medical exploitation, and, basically, greed, corruption, and power struggles. Their words, as pessimistic andContinue reading “A New Year, New Possibilities”
Holiday Stress 1, Christmas Spirit 0
I was listening to a radio call-in show the other day. The topic was “How is your holiday spirit?” Not surprisingly, most callers (and those who emailed in) said their Christmas spirit was low compared to other years. Some were hoping that once they put the tree up, that would change. Some said they wereContinue reading “Holiday Stress 1, Christmas Spirit 0”
A wake-up call
I was having a great game. Things were going my way; my shots were landing where I wanted. Suddenly, I felt a “twaaaang” around my right hip. What the heck was that? Oh well, the adrenalin surged, and I kept playing. The strange sensation was forgotten, and I finished the game. Just before the nextContinue reading “A wake-up call”
Helping the homeless: a mission of love
As I sip on my steaming cup of morning coffee, I appreciate the beautiful November weather. It’s mid-month, we don’t have snow, and temperatures are a few degrees above zero. But it’s chilly, and the harsh wind is a reminder that soon those temperatures will drop and the snow will come. My heart goes outContinue reading “Helping the homeless: a mission of love”
And the veil lifts
As the dark of night slowly descended upon the earth, the veil between life and death began to flicker, casting forth shadows that danced around the forest trees. A soft humming could be heard in the autumn air, and calmness settled over those gathered in the clearing, waiting to be reunited with loved ones goneContinue reading “And the veil lifts”
Bionic Generation
The producers of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, starring Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner, respectively, sure had foresight when these two iconic TV series first aired in the 1970s. Who would have thought that just a few decades later, “bionics” would be so commonplace? (Do you realize that Lee Majors isContinue reading “Bionic Generation”
One stitch at a time
A couple weeks ago, on a warm autumn afternoon, I spent a few hours helping sort, tag, and bag more than 300 hand-knit or crocheted blankets and about 200 toys—all for kittens. Say what? You heard me, for kittens. I recently became a volunteer with Knittins for Kittins (K4K), a non-profit organization whose members createContinue reading “One stitch at a time”
Perfect Strangers
The other day at the grocery store, there was an older fellow behind me with only two cartons of milk in his cart, while I had several items. I asked him if he would like to go ahead of me, but he said no because he wanted to stand and rest a bit. I guessContinue reading “Perfect Strangers”
Mercury is where?
The other day, during a lunch out with a couple of friends, our conversation went from the weather and smoke from northern fires to some of the annoying things that had been happening to each of us lately. “My boss has been a real pain in the butt,” said one. “It doesn’t matter what IContinue reading “Mercury is where?”
Wanderings Art 