Author Archives: joyocala

 There are countless sources to go for answers these days. In our younger lives, we had the good ole’ dictionary or set of encyclopedias. If you asked anyone under the age of forty what an encyclopedia was, you would either … Continue reading →

I heard a song this week, it was new to me but perhaps you’ve heard it.  The chorus was so simple, yet so profound. My heart is an open spacefor you to come and have your wayI’m open; I’m open. … Continue reading →

Geologists study fractures in the earth’s crust, fault lines, to determine earth movement and possible earthquakes.  Are there faults, fractures, in your personality make up? I’m trying to think if I have any faults. (that’s a joke, we all have faults … Continue reading →

We officially entered the season of Lent this week, the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.  Lent actually begins with Ash Wednesday and is a season of reflection, repentance and reconnection.  We reflect during … Continue reading →

The Lenten season is an important part of my spiritual life.  It offers a time of reflection and an opportunity to further explore my relationship with God.  This importance reaches back to childhood when I would give up Reese Peanut … Continue reading →

There is a Swedish Christmas carol Nu är det jul igen. Here’s a paraphrase of part of it. Now it’s Christmas againAnd Christmas lasts well till Easter,But that was not trueBecause in the middle there is Lent. It’s kind of … Continue reading →

Here’s how John R. Powers describes Lent in his humorous book, The Last Catholic in America. “Lent was a time of ‘give ups.’ At the beginning of the forty days, fathers would give up smoking and swearing, mothers would give up … Continue reading →

 Consider yourself for a moment to be like a messy house. For some of us that is no stretch of the imagination! There is cleaning and there is cleaning. Cleaning in the first sense is nothing more than shoving things … Continue reading →

Today’s the day – Presidents Day.  Makes me think about grade school, that was when we had separate days for Washington and Lincoln.  A favorite memory was cutting silhouettes of each from black construction paper to decorate the room.  They … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day is here.  This day, like Mother’s Day tends to be a big commercial boon for card companies, florists, candy manufacturers and the list goes on.  It is traditionally a Christian (for St. Valentine) and Roman tradition celebrating love.  Engagements are made … Continue reading →