Author Archives: joyocala

Fifty-seven years ago today, I delivered my first child, a son.  What an experience!  What did I know about being a parent?   Absolutely nothing. But, with the help of God we managed, and he grew.  There were bumps in the … Continue reading →

        Immanuel means God with you.  Do you only think you “feel” God when your life is going GREAT? The accolades are pouring in, the job promotion came, the proposal was spectacular, the graduation ceremony was full of honors, the contract was … Continue reading →

I love to read, and for recreation I like to read mysteries.  One of my favorite authors is Jane Haddam.  In her book Cheating at Solitaire the victim as well as several of the suspects are celebrities of the Kim Kardashian variety.  … Continue reading →

Michael M.1969-2017 Michael’s DashThe first date on Mike’s tombstone will be the date of his birthThe next date will bring us to tearsWhat matters most though, is the dash between those years.A Tribute by a Loving Father, David M. Mike, … Continue reading →

Today commemorates Lawrence, a Deacon and Martyr. It’s believed that Lawrence was born to Christian parents on December 31, 225 probably in Valencia, Spain. He once traveled to Rome with a teacher who would become Pope Sixtus II. Sixtus was … Continue reading →

            When I was in college, I read a cute article that consisted of the punchlines of what the author felt were the ten best jokes.  My roommate and I were very successful, both in reconstructing nine of the jokes, … Continue reading →

I have many reasons to feel good about this time of year. The FedEx Cup playoffs begin in professional golf. The top 70 in year-long points on the PGA tour begin their quest for Player of the Year. Before you … Continue reading →

On a trip to Women’s Shelter to serve dinner, I had an opportunity to see first hand the difficulty of mothers trying to handle several young children while being under great stress themselves.  Mothers in a shelter have lost their … Continue reading →

        I’ve lived in Florida for over 50 years.  Flat, green Florida has a treasure of beaches.  Beaches along the panhandle, calm, shell-filled beaches along the Gulf Coast, turquoise waters surrounding the Keys and waves galore (even some surf worthy waves) on the … Continue reading →

Patti, one of your favorite bloggers, is away tending to family needs today. We all have experienced her ability to express her faith. Looking back, I found Patti’s very first blog. Yes, Patti. You certainly can do this! As I … Continue reading →