by Olivia | Mar 23, 2015 | Books in Process, Lens on Life, Uncategorized
In a few days, my daughter will be a quarter of a century old. She’s my youngest. Hard to believe! It’s a exciting time for her. Recently she got engaged, and a couple of weeks after that started a new job after being a well loved and valued employee at...
by Olivia | Mar 17, 2015 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
Today is the second anniversary of my brother’s death. A few months ago I officially passed the point of living longer than he did, but I’m not sure I’ll ever live as fully as he did. The last few years of his life were not easy, but he was...
by Olivia | Mar 9, 2015 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
Every year about this time my friend threatens to roll me in Bubblewrap until Easter. It’s for my own good, she says. For the last few years, it seems that as soon as Lent begins, I start hurting myself. It started the year I was hosting a simple weekly bread...
by Olivia | Mar 2, 2015 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
I have a theory—admittedly untested—about people who love snow. The theory is based purely in anecdotal evidence among people I know, whether casually or well. Most people (notice the qualifier) who love snow either a) grew up in a place where significant snowfall was...
by Olivia | Feb 23, 2015 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
My mother grew up going to church. My unchurched dad responded to an altar call as an adult. These are two very different faith stories. Together they raised my siblings and me in a church with Sunday school, Sunday afternoon children’s programing, Sunday...
by Olivia | Feb 16, 2015 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
Parents pushed to the edge by a screaming toddler—or a recalcitrant teen. Kids pushed to the edge by one more math problem. A minor scratch that you ignore becomes inflamed. A rude coworker dominates yet another meeting. Every irritating situation has a tipping point....
by Olivia | Feb 9, 2015 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
Have you ever wondered what your ancestors were like ten or twelve generations ago? I’m fascinated by those genealogy television shows that trace census and military and property records back and discover amazing details. That’s a bit of what happened to...
by Olivia | Feb 1, 2015 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
It’s 1918 on the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Sunday school, hymns, and threats of shunning disturb a fragile peace between the Pennsylvania Old Order and the more progressive “Marylanders.” And with family on both sides of the border,...
by Olivia | Jan 19, 2015 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
Have you ever literally stumbled onto something you didn’t even know you were looking for? About a year and a half ago I had that experience with yoga, of all things. I attend some regular exercise classes at the local gym. You know: weights, resistance bands, cardio...
by Olivia | Jan 12, 2015 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
Wonderful Lonesome, which released September 2014, is a free download right now (Amazon and Christianbook.com) until January 19. It’s the first of a set of historical novels called Amish Turns of Time. The second book, Meek and Mild, is just weeks away from release....
