"There's jokes about lots of Dollar Generals in the South," I say to my sister when I see the discount chain's black and yellow sign. "Let's count how many we see before we get to Marilyn's house." My sister, two of her children, and I are taking a detour on the way to Florida and visiting our cousin's family. Our route leads us from Savannah to Camilla, more than two hundred miles on secondary roads through forest, farms, and small towns in rural Georgia. "There's a cotton field," my … [Read more...] about Pennsylvanians Drive Across Georgia, Counting Dollar Generals and Eating Boiled Peanuts
Seashine Pictures
While looking up the word seashore, I found a new word by accident: seashine. According to Merriam-Webster, seashine means "the shine of the sea, especially the light reflected off the sea." I'm going to Florida for the first time in a few days, where we hope to enjoy both sunshine and seashine at the seashore. Thinking about going there inspired me to share some of my sea pictures in a blog post with you all. (Plus, I really don't have time to write a long post this week!) Except for … [Read more...] about Seashine Pictures
The Mannequins
"Your mannequin scared me when I came to get your trash this morning," my co-worker, Amanda informed me yesterday. "He was standing in a different spot and wearing a green vest and I thought he was a real person!" "I'm glad you didn't think he was a burglar." I responded, a mental picture forming of Amanda wildly swinging a trash can at the fiberglass mannequin. "I'd have come in and found mannequin pieces everywhere." Mannequins are a recent addition to my office. My job includes … [Read more...] about The Mannequins
Teaching Zacchaeus, Reading Tactics, and Reflections
"Do you love money?" Jasper asked me as I tucked a dollar bill into my bag— the same dollar he had asked me for a few seconds earlier. Children's questions can put you in an awkward spot. This happened just last Thursday. I was substituting for another teacher in a kids' Bible club that I used to help with weekly. When I was a regular volunteer, I would sometimes teach Bible stories and object lessons, or keep things organized with the children. Last year, I decided it was time to move … [Read more...] about Teaching Zacchaeus, Reading Tactics, and Reflections
Flying with the Snowbirds
"We're going to Florida, but we're NOT going to Sarasota or Pinecraft," my sister and I agreed when we began planning our February Florida trip. "Absolutely not. That's where all the other Mennonites go, and we're going to be different." "Not Sarasota, and not Pinecraft. All the plain people go to Pinecraft to visit other plain people and play shuffleboard." "What a silly reason to go somewhere on vacation." "We can see plain people at home in Lancaster County." "We can see plain … [Read more...] about Flying with the Snowbirds