On Christmas

Links to Christmas stories and personal reflections. An Advent Meditation – The importance of silence in the Christmas season. A Christmas Meditation – Thoughts on the Christmas Story. A Christmas in Time – An internet-obsessed man is transported back in time to be a character in the Christmas story. Epiphanies – A grandfather shares a … Continue reading On Christmas →

What is Love?

Paul was getting married. He was engaged to Mary, who was obviously able to put up with Paul’s quirks and antics – at least according to Jim, Paul’s best friend. Paul invited Jim to the wedding to support him on his joyous day. Jim had never attended a Quaker wedding, much less a Quaker service, … Continue reading What is Love? →

Ode to Joy

Here are some of the things that bring me Joy. Being with my wife. Chocolate Chip Cookies. Coming home. Completing a project. Dogs. Doing my best. Eating a good meal. Having a good conversation. Hearing a good joke. Helping someone. Kittens. Listening to good music. Peanut butter. Pizza. Playing trumpet. Pretzels. Puppies. Reading. Seeing people … Continue reading Ode to Joy →

The Peace Pipe

“This will give you peace of mind,” the ad said. “What is peace of mind, anyhow,” Mort wondered. Every automobile and appliance Mort had purchased ended up disappointing him, even the expensive ones. To Mort, the saying, “you get what you pay for,” usually meant that paying more only bought more headaches, more hassle, more … Continue reading The Peace Pipe →

Hope Chest

Not that long ago, a hope chest was a piece of furniture used by an unmarried young woman to store clothing and household items to be used after she got married. Presumably, the chest and its contents represented her hope for the future. All the good people of Westville ever wanted was a better life. … Continue reading Hope Chest →

Beautiful

“It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania!” Thus spoke Pete Wambach on his daily radio program for over 20 years. I grew up in Pennsylvania, so I remember it well. Fred Rogers used to sing his title song, “It’s a Beautiful day in the Neighborhood” for his children’s show. “The night is beautiful, so the faces … Continue reading Beautiful →

Real Harm

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” – John Stuart Mill My last post touched on the concept of elder abuse – exploiting people in their declining years. It should be clear that abusing the young … Continue reading Real Harm →

Suggestibility

As our parents aged, we noticed they became less able to make good decisions. My father was once a man in charge, making major decisions for a Fortune 500 company. But, in his last few years of life, he relied on me. Whenever I would try to explain his finances or some decision I had … Continue reading Suggestibility →

The United States

Once upon a time, in grade school, we had to memorize “The American's Creed,” written by William Tyler Page in 1917. I still remember parts of it. “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent … Continue reading The United States →

Of Cabbages and Kings

Once upon a time, there was a king who imprisoned a man because that man publicly protested when the king married his half-brother’s wife. It came to pass that the king held a lavish banquet at which his wife’s daughter danced seductively for the king and his highest officials and wealthiest nobles. The king was … Continue reading Of Cabbages and Kings →