Author Archives: joyocala

My husband, Rich, likes to ask about the origin of strange sayings. Things like “To Pick a Bone,” “Shake a Leg” or “On the Wagon.” I bought him a little book with many of these sayings explained in it. However, … Continue reading →

Seeing an Advent Wreath in the home of my Episcopalian best friend first made me pay attention to Advent. Mrs. Brewer explained how the four candles were lighted in the evening during the season. I made my own Advent Wreath … Continue reading →

A few Sundays ago our closing hymn was “Soon and Very Soon.” It’s a wonderful, energetic song, and everyone left the sanctuary in a positive, spirited mood. It also brought back memories of when I was teaching. One of the … Continue reading →

This seems like a good time of year to reflect on the busy-ness, the cumber of our lives. Our daily lives are cluttered with a mish-mosh of stuff to do. Yeah, it might give us a false sense of accomplishment … Continue reading →

A white ceramic nativity set . . . it’s my favorite Christmas decoration. I set it up early in Advent and enjoy it right through Epiphany. You see this lovely set belonged to a favorite aunt. When she died, it … Continue reading →

According to Wikipedia’s definition Advent means: a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second … Continue reading →

Sometimes life can really throw a curve ball. As old as I am, with as many of life’s experiences as I have had, I know my family and friends have had curve balls thrown at them also. Not sure that … Continue reading →

When I was a little child, we did take the “Over the River and Through the Woods” trip to get to my grandmother’s house. No, it wasn’t in a horse drawn sleigh, unfortunately. It was in an old Chevy, always … Continue reading →

I like Thanksgiving, but it’s an odd holiday. It is religious in its roots and significance, but it isn’t a church holy day. The church calendar doesn’t set the date. It’s set by the various countries that observe it–second Monday … Continue reading →

For many of the years that Paulette and I lived in Winston-Salem we would host a Thanksgiving dinner at our house for my sister and her family and our dear friends Jim and Marguerite (Magee) Drummond. Fondly thinking back on … Continue reading →