I had quite a day Sunday. After church and lunch with Kay, I traveled to Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus (no jokes, please) and Neptune, in that order. And somehow, I made it home by 5 p.m. Before I embarked on my journey through our solar system, one I’d made once before (or was … More A rousing trip through the solar system, making a new friend — and finally getting to meet one for the first time

Happy National Birth Mother’s Day to the woman who carried me for nine months during trying, uncertain times, gave birth to me, then gave me up to protect me and give me what she hoped and prayed would be a better life. At least that is why, deep in my heart, I believe she made … More Happy National Birth Mother’s Day to Betty, who loved me enough to give me up

Kay and I went to a Texas Rangers baseball game with two good friends Sunday, always a great way to spend a few hours. We went not so much for the game as for what came after it — and besides, the team I’ve spent my life rooting for above all others (you know who … More Spending time at the ballpark with friends was special — and then Nolan Ryan showed up and we saw a great film about his career and family

Six years ago this month, I had a phone conversation I’ll always cherish. I’d talked to Jim Waller in Ironton, Ohio, several years earlier, but I wanted desperately to chat with him again. He had lost his wife, Helen, since we last spoke and was about to turn 87 in a few days. Mr. Waller … More Paying tribute, and saying thank you, to a great man: The late Jim Waller of Ironton, Ohio

I’ve been singing praises with the wonderfully talented choir at The Welcome Table Christian Church in southwest Arlington for a few weeks now. We rehearse for 45 minutes to an hour on Thursday evenings, when I’m allowed to cut away from my editing for The Dallas Morning News for a while to drive less than … More Thankful for my two new homes — a church and a choir

A few days late, I wanted to share what a special Easter weekend we had. I hope you and your families did too. From Good Friday through Easter Sunday and beyond, it was a weekend filled with fun, fellowship and rewarding outings for our family. On Good Friday evening, I was able to take a … More Beautiful church services, cherished symphony, scenic hike and a ballgame make for a memorable Easter weekend

Brenda Marie Holzer has a beautiful family — a husband she’s been married to almost 31 years and two sons and a daughter, all young adults. As a paraprofessional with the school district in Yorkville, Illinois, she’s worked with disabled children, sharing her huge heart with youngsters who need extra love, care and guidance each … More I’ve never met Brenda Marie Holzer — but now I wish I had

Not sure it was my first rehearsal last Thursday evening that made it official. It must have been three days later, during the first service in which I stood at the front of the sanctuary at The Welcome Table Christian Church not five minutes from our house, cradling a black vinyl folder holding sheet music … More Making music to honor God — and the woman who brought me into this life

Almost six weeks ago, I was heartbroken to learn that a dear friend whom I’ve known since our college days at Texas A&M had died when she developed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) that resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism. I attended her memorial service in her hometown of Taylor in central Texas on Feb. … More Celebrating the life and birthday of Denise Richter, a wonderful Aggie friend and longtime fellow journalist, taken from us when she had so much more love to share

I’m still on Facebook. Shouldn’t be after I made a commitment to leave and even wrote an op-ed about it five months ago, but yet I linger — although I’ve had little time to spend keeping up with everyone. I really will be leaving. It’s just a matter of time. How long, I don’t know. … More A moving celebration of a friend’s life, the beauty of nature, and the moments when nature and fate intertwine