It’s a beautiful Spring day today. The sun is warm, the temps are up, the wind is calm. As I was folding kitchen towels a few minutes ago, I took a minute to enjoy the smell, the freshness, the bright colors of newly purchased, nicely folded “helpers.” That’s how I think of them. Little helpers that make my job easier. More pleasant. Kind of strange to feel so chipper about little things when just last night, I wanted to die.... Read more

Suppose I had coffee with Donald Trump. Suppose also that we got a little competitive and started a chess game as we sipped. About mid-point in the game, he had taken two of my pawns, one bishop, and one knight. I, however, had three of his pawns, a bishop, one knight, his queen, and both of his rooks. Clearly, I’m ahead in the game, but I’ve got a long way to go. He still has five pawns, one bishop, one... Read more

I will be getting together with a group of ladies today to pray for our country. As I type this, the GOP debate is running in the background and (thus far), the candidates are acting like adults. While that gives me the slightest spark of hope, the fact is, we’ve got a long ways to go toward civility, rationality, and common decency in the Republican Party. Beyond that, we need a complete spiritual overhaul in this country. We the RNC,... Read more

So I want to start a new trend here at The Broken Quill, called “Links for the Ladies.” These links will take you to something to read or watch, and they’ll be centered around issues that primarily have to do with women’s issues: feminism, friendship, marriage, motherhood, and even (gasp!) sex. Most will border on the serious side, but you know me – I’m not afraid of a good giggle. So let’s get started. I’ll comment as we go along.... Read more

In the case of Scalia’s death, I am not particularly leaning toward the possibility of foul play, but that’s not to say that my left eyebrow didn’t shoot up in suspicion when I initially read headlines and articles. First thoughts are sometimes silly thoughts. Or at least factually unfounded thoughts. There was no autopsy, and that’s concerning. But he was nearly 80 years old and truth be told, he did suffer with some chronic health issues. Also, his family did... Read more

Me and my non-toxic daughter. 🙂  Me and my other non-toxic daughter.  There’s a growing tendency these days, as indicated by a number of articles and article titles I’ve run across, to describe a certain type of person as “toxic.” Every time I read the word “toxic”, it conjures up pictures of a doctor’s office trash can reserved for used needles and … other yucky stuff. In some ways, the point is well taken. There is, and always will be,... Read more

I am hearing a lot of talk about the presidential candidates, and it doesn’t revolve around their policies or beliefs. Rubio has big ears. Millennials love Bernie for his unkempt hair and dress. I heard Cruz is “just weird looking.” Plenty of uncalled for comments have been spewed about Fiorina’s face. So are we a country made up of mature enough citizens suited to make an informed, well-thought out decision about our next Prez? Or are we third graders who... Read more

So, just real quick, for my own future benefit than anything, I’m giving a health update. You are welcome to listen in, but I’m mostly putting this out there so that, in nine years or so, when I get another pacemaker, I can look back and go aha, yes, I remember that.  Last post and the post before that was health related, and you are welcome to catch up there if you have no idea what I’m talking about. The... Read more

Chronically ill people live life by constantly pushing themselves. If we don’t feel like cooking, we whip out a recipe, dig in the pantry, and cook anyway. When we got up in the morning, if we feel like puking and feel a magnetic pull toward our beds, we battle through, get in the shower, and start the day. Go to Wal-Mart. Meet and disciple our friend. Do the laundry. Take care of ailing, aging parents. If we’re fatigued and feverish,... Read more

“The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.” ~Prov. 16:9 Once all the Christmas glitter and dust settled, my plan was to write a New Year’s letter to family and friends. But this here blog will have to suffice. On the 22nd of December, I had a routine pacemaker check, and it was discovered that the battery was nearly out of life. Surgery was scheduled for New Year’s Eve, and life rolled on – exactly... Read more