When I was five years old, I moved into my Ferry Farms’ neighborhood. I have lived here as an owner longer than I lived as a child. Indeed, the changes hit me as I reflect on the almost 40 years (separated by 20 years) of living in my neighborhood. Today more people walk their dogs than people walk children around the block. Today every sale of a house brings a wholesale teardown followed by a…
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We live near one of the top-ranked community colleges in the United States, Anne Arundel Community College. All of our nine students have attended AACC either as dual enrollment students during their high school years or as students obtaining their associate’s degree before transferring to another school. It was my turn in my retired educator status to enroll in some noncredit courses I was considering as part of upping the fun factor in my life.…
1 CommentLet’s go fly a kite! For some of you, the invitation to fly a kite conjures up long ago memories. It may be true that you would need a GRAND reason to fly a kite. I had two GRAND reasons recently to fly a kite when I saw a kite festival announcement on my drive to my nearby gym. I thought, “That sounds like fun.” I had been thinking about and sensing a call to…
1 CommentWhen I was young, I didn’t give much thought to marriage. I set my eyes on school and the Navy. While stationed in Rhode Island, I found a friend willing to risk deeper conversations with me. I recall one conversation with my friend, Tina, that served as a guiding, grace-filled word to my unfolding future. She asked me what I wanted in a husband. I thought about it and quickly answered. At the time, I…
5 CommentsI struggle to listen. I have spent years reading, teaching, and practicing active listening, but I still struggle. Some friends would claim I am a good listener, but I know my inner struggle to attend and listen. This struggle showed up powerfully on a recent visit to my 91-year-old mother. My mom, Maxine, is declining. She no longer can link my name to her memory, but when I walk in the room with my husband,…
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