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In a fraught world, there is something refreshing about the simple reminder that thankfulness is not only a good and a beautiful way of living, but a source of peace, a life-giving force and a means of extending good will to loved ones, strangers and even enemies.

Thanksgiving: when we are thankful for the blessings of our lives.

So here we are at Thanksgiving. If last week’s weather forecast held, there is probably some snow on the ground, a little later than normal but it’s here. The weather forecast for the next three months calls for wetter and colder weather, typical of a La Nina year.

On Thanksgiving Day, will you ring a family member’s doorbell with some disease in your heart? Or invite someone into your home with that same disease? Or come to a community meal wondering how welcome you will be there?

Delayed. Canceled. Overbooked. Snowed in.

People don't celebrate Black Friday like they used to.

Ever heard of euphorbia plants? Of course you have, if you’ve ever purchased a poinsettia this time of year to brighten the house. Euphorbias (pronounced yew-for-bee-a), commonly called spurge, are a genus of plants that one writer described as shape shifters in the garden meaning that they come in many different forms and unique colors. As a genus of over 2,000 species found on every continent except Antarctica, they have adapted to a wide range of habitats and add unusual shapes and colors to garden plantings.

In mid-October, my wife and I strolled around the rim of our Paradise Creek retirement community. It was a lovely fall day, with many leaves having turned shades of yellow, orange and red. We met a host of kindergartners on a nature walk. Each kid carried a clipboard with a checklist for recording their discoveries. I asked one boy what he had found. “A brown leaf,” he replied, beaming with pride and joy.

When it comes to changing mayors after one term (or less) Seattle has nothing on Spokane. 

I often write about getting older and all its aches and pains, insults and strange noises – and, sadly, some of the losses that come along with it.

I want to thank the gentleman who recognized me at Costco last week and asked how to control the box elder bugs he’d been trying to control this fall. I haven’t dealt with them and welcomed the chance to do some research.

I felt ridiculous reaching out to a chaplain over a chicken.

Turnout may not have been great in last Tuesday's election but it was better than usual, all things considered.