Friday Tidings

Okay, I am one of those die hard, hold outs, who clings to an ancient flip phone for my communications.  No, I cannot ask my phone questions, or view cute videos. Nor can I do my banking, emails, post selfies, or Facetime family and friends.  Yes, I am in the dark ages of digital communications. Smartphone users have the latest and the greatest. Me, not so much. But I am happy on my lonely island. But Nokia just announced…..hold onto your ever loving smartphone…..they are re introducing their dumb phone. There are enough people who desire a phone with a battery life longer than a few hours. (such as for those top-of-the-mountain phone calls to relay to loved ones that you are safe....) People are tired of broken screens and want to carry a virtually indestructible, compact phone. And then there’s this—the latest iPhone 8 will be retailing for ONE GRAND.  I am sorry smartphone users, that must really hurt. T

O ur mid-1960’s playground was equipped with 12-foot monkey bars with nothing but asphalt below.  Kids took turns on the swings and merry-go-round—with the object to swing as high or go around as fast as possible—again with asphalt to catch any mishaps.  No worries though, teachers routinely cleansed open wounds with iodine and a stinging yellow liquid we all dreaded—merthiolate.   Fiercely competitive tetherball and four-square games often would outlast recess. The coveted server’s corner was hard-earned and only displaced by losing a game. A pasture grass field adjacent to the playground worked well for fifteen minute games of kickball, Red Rover, tag, or for indoor recess the most formidable—dodgeball. Those small rubber balls could be thrown as hard as possible at the opposing side. Nothing like the sting and ball imprint on the side of the face for the next half-hour. Being chased or taunted was rather common for

Dana and Aria In a Romanian city, baby Anastasia was born. An ocean away in a tree-shrouded Washington town, beautiful Dana cradled newborn Aria.  Amazing joy comes to families as they welcome a child. Aria and Anastasia looked adorable wearing darling bows and the cutest outfits.  Dressing up baby girls is something special no matter what part of the world you live in. Dana, her husband CJ, Aria, and family Yet, within months both girls were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an incurable, terminal disease.  While it would be easy to spiral into despair, Aria’s family bonded even closer, friends surrounded them, and they purposed to make treasured memories. When Dana reached out to other SMA families she met Dani, Anastasia’s mother.  Anastasia As the disease affecting their precious daughters became more real, they encouraged one another through terribly frightening days.  Thousands of mile