If you know our family, whether through friendship, family ties, or simply by reading the column or blog, you know of the unexpected gift we received 4-1/2 years ago.  Thinking

Here on the reservation, things are nearly back to normal.  Oh, the tree is still up and the warmth of Christmas still lingers in my thoughts, but real life encroaches

After taking an extensive and much-needed break from blogging and social networking over the holidays, Monday has come, bringing that yellow bus, a new column begging to be written, and a

Chaos.  Uproar.  Shouting.  Banging.  Plotting.  Planning.  Clacking.  Calling.  Praying. It’s full-bore Christmas season at the Schrock household.  As The Mister diligently labors, unhindered by the sounds of shouting and the

The year 2008 was a hard one for our small town.  Those of you who follow the blog regularly have read of those events.  The piece I’m sharing today is

One of my favorite things about the Christmas story is the baby.  Anyone with a true maternal heart (or a paternal one, for that matter) will be drawn to a good

It’s the season of birthdays. We celebrate the Babe of Bethlehem with color and sound and joyous events. Families gather, and hearts are full. Speaking of families and speaking of

In this season of consummate beauty, there is little that can compare to the sounds of Christmas.  Last night, we, along with friends, experienced a beauty and sensory overload.  Mannheim

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, here’s what’s looking good to me today: You’ve heard of the recent sounds in the night (i.e., the skittering of ugly,

Across the street from my husband’s office in a small, small town stands the coffee shop, a community gathering place for friends and strangers alike. Right there on the corner of the