Author Archives: jottingjoan

In retirement, I have purchased way more sewing machines than I need. Too many need repairs – by my hubby. He trolls the Internet for hours looking for ways to solve mechanical problems. We may have white hair and hands … Continue reading →

Growing up is so hard to do. Yet, somehow we figure it all out: crawling, walking, talking, everything – including the difference between left and right. As pre-schoolers, my big brother, younger sister and I studied the flexibility of right … Continue reading →

Through four decades of beginning new churches in central Mexico, Jacob Weibe has put up several “roof only” churches. Walls cost too much for most congregations. This summer the Huichol people, one of the poorest native groups, made and laid … Continue reading →

“Why must it always be us against them, neighbor against neighbor and friend against friend. Why must it always be us against them?” those lines from a song written years ago by the late Robert Hancock of El Dorado echo … Continue reading →

“I have never seen so many dishes broken,” hubby commented. “It’s inevitable. We only use glass plates and cups,” I replied. Also, it depends on how you define ‘breaking.” English has more than 40 ways to use breaking or break. … Continue reading →

“It’s all part of a parent’s growing up” my mom said the first year none of her five children could make it home for Christmas. Many parents will grow up this month as their children leave for college, a new … Continue reading →

My parents insisted we try new foods and eat whatever foods graced the table at home or away as company. The absolute test came a few months after we moved to Utah and a neighbor invited us to supper. That … Continue reading →

Three wives all reached the same decision to put their husbands in a nursing home for dementia, though their motivations were varied. Firm medical advice, stress and justified fear all forced them to make the most difficult decisions of their … Continue reading →

At every reunion of the Jefferson class of 1959, folks puzzled over Wayne Hostetler. “We haven’t seen anything of him since graduation. I heard he went to Colorado.” Only speculations kept his memory alive among the remaining nine members of … Continue reading →

Hubby and I like to share experiences: traveling, ethnic meals, audiobooks, and hobbies. We didn’t exactly share sciatic nerve pain (SNP), we just both have had episodes. I began with nagging pain after years of typing at work. I tried … Continue reading →