Author Archives: joyocala

Translated that means Best Friends Forever.  I had one when I was in grade school.  We did everything together.  We walked to school;             we went to Brownies and Girl Scouts; we went shopping locally and by bus to the nearest … Continue reading →

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.2     Worship the Lord with gladness;    come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God.    It is he that made us, and we are his;[a]    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his … Continue reading →

I am sure you have all heard the song The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow from the musical Annie.  The song is sung by the character of Little Orphan Annie who has experienced a terrible life in an orphanage along … Continue reading →

You may find it hard to believe that my driving these days is being compared to that of a grandpa or grandma.  I don’t even have any grandchildren! It wasn’t always this way (ask my wife). As I’ve gotten older, … Continue reading →

Every park in Chicago had a concrete water fountain, even the tiny Fellger Playlot where I could get a welcome drink on a hot summer day on my way to Grandma and Grandpa Szlavik’s home. It was just less than … Continue reading →

Edith was 97 years old when she died. I knew her primarily at the communion rail, where when I would present her with the Blood of Christ, she would look me straight in the eye, give me a big smile … Continue reading →

Several hundred years ago in England . . . . . the custom of the handshake began. It conveyed being unarmed. Indira Gandhi once said, “you can’t shake hands with a closed fist”.  Some ethnic or cultural differences are known. … Continue reading →

Remember the little poem we learned in grade school., “30 days hath September, April, June and November.”  Actually, that has come in handy many times throughout my life.  In any event, today we complete the month of September.  For us … Continue reading →

Hm? I will answer emphatically, yes, I experience a full realm of emotions. Generally, the Suzy Sunshine in me is smiling and happy, but I can cry, I can get my feelings hurt, I can feel anger. I’ve experienced fear. … Continue reading →

I have written about gardens and tending to my garden often during my time writing this blog. I love having a garden; having growing plants just outside the door; being able to eat fresh vegetables, even if only one or … Continue reading →