My mailbox doesn’t have the mystery it did years ago.  Bills and generic advertising fill it instead of newsy notes and interesting exchanges.  But letter-writing enthusiast continue to write, and recipients still get excited when they receive letters addressed especially to them.    A letter expresses more than just words. You can’t hide from a…

A group of friends in Columbia were out walking recently, at least six feet apart, when one shared his dream from the previous night.  “Normally I do not remember my dreams upon waking, but twice recently I have dreamed that I tested positive for the virus.  They told me there was nothing they could do…

This year – 2020 – will be remembered in many ways by the pandemic affecting untold millions around the world as it continues to expand.  This pandemic has taken over every aspect of our lives requiring seclusion, if not total isolation, as we seek to remain healthy and safe.   Poetry can be a healing balm…

Columbia and the University of South Carolina lost two important members of their religious community who died recently within two weeks of each other – Dr. James Cutsinger, 66-year-old religious studies professor and scholar on February 19, 2020, and Father Marcin Zuhuta, 42-year-old Catholic pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, the Catholic student chapel on…

Recently I have been rereading Columbia native Dr. Charles S. Bryan’s book “For Goodness Sake: The Seven Basic Virtues” published in 2006 as his “Valentine” to the members of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Bryan also gave a copy to my husband soon after it was published.  The book’s very brief chapters, language, and easy explanations belie…

“It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy,” according to Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer Brother David Steindl-Rast, co-founder and inspiration for Gratefulness.org.   “Gratefulness can change our world in immensely important ways. If you’re grateful, you’re not fearful. If you’re not fearful, you’re not violent.  Grateful people are…

Just when I thought the world must be falling apart, I’m amazed to discover a dear old friend is back – on national magazine covers, in newspaper articles from coast to coast and starring in movie theaters across the country.  I got to know my old friend in the early 1970’s through his totally unique…

“We all have something unique or different about us,” according to Padgett Mozingo, experienced public relations professional, wife and passionate mother of two children, a 15-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter.   Padgett is sharing Lila’s story and that of her family as she navigates the process of creating a South Carolina nonprofit organization, Limitless Purpose,…

“We need the tonic of wildness … We never have enough of nature.”Henry David Thoreau, Walden When was the last time you stepped outside and headed to the woods for a walk into open spaces?  Either a leisurely stroll through familiar territory or to strike out into the unknown?  What encouragement would you need? Getting…