Category: The Sunday Sermonette

Starvation. It has plagued us since the beginning of time. A lack of rain, flooded fields, or bug-infested crops can cause it to raise its skeletal head. Its horrors, though, cannot always be blamed on Mother Nature. The draconian polices of dictators can wreak disaster on millions, turning food into a weapon itself. Based on […]

     Fog! Its misty-warm shroud can engulf the Mississippi Gulf Coast, especially during late spring and early summer, when hot, moist air above the Gulf of Mexico meets the Coast’s cooler land surface. This scenario holds true for the Atlantic Ocean, too. When warm air blowing off the Eastern Seaboard comes in contact with the […]

       Aristotle. Dickens. Thoreau. Beethoven. Van Gogh. And Einstein. If you like taking a daily walk, you are in good company. Many of the world’s greatest thinkers, writers, musicians, and artists found walking essential to their God-given creativity and the inspiration they found in His natural world. Not that I’m in the same league […]

Berlin. The leafy beauty of the Unter den Linden. The magnificent baroque palaces. Museums filled with tantalizing art treasures. The canals and bridges. And the monumental Brandenburg Gate. But history has not always been kind to this city. The Nazis may have marched triumphantly into Poland in 1939, but by 1945,  Soviet Armies were triumphantly […]

  On my walk, in the morning stillness, I spotted thee,     Motionless on warm concrete beneath a sprawling tree. Thy azure-blue feathers are now at rest, where soft winds once stirred,     Now hushed is thy song, dear little dead bird. The tune thou warbled sweet and clear,     Now, alas, has faded from […]

An Ode to the dear country I love! Thank you, Father God, for allowing me the privilege of living in it, when so many want to destroy it from without and within with words, actions, and deeds. MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE – THE BEGINNING.  My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, two […]

She was “the safest ship afloat” and “unsinkable.” Still, on her maiden voyage, she hit an iceberg and sank. The RMS Titanic? No, the SS Hans Hedtoft, owned by the Royal Greenland Trading Company. She was a midsize cargo-passenger liner that left Copenhagen on January 7, 1959, with ninety-five passengers and crew bound for Julianchaab, […]

“Come on, Andy! Jump!” Dad said, as he encouraged me to do just that, jump from the side of the Hotel Biloxi’s pool into his loving arms. And I did! However, my four-year-old self didn’t land as planned. My chin slammed into his forehead with bloody results. Mom quickly gathered me up in a beach […]

Ray Harryhausen. To movie buffs, his name alone conjures images of massive, undulating tentacles, eerie flying saucers, gigantic crawling bugs, and a smorgasbord of Greek mythological characters, including a fearless army of clattering skeletons. All of which were created by him from miniature, life-size models he sculpted and built from scratch, using wood, metal, and […]

When I was a child, if I refused to eat what was on my plate, one of my parents would say, “If you get hungry enough, you’ll eat.” Most of the time, I gave in and ate, even though I didn’t like it. But one Sunday after church, I heard a story that changed my […]

Ever heard of the Polish artist, Ludwik Stasiak? Neither had I until one of his paintings came up for auction on a European auction site I follow. The painting was a simple landscape that only sold for a few thousand euros. Curious about who the artist was, I googled him, and one of his most […]

Answering machines! Are you old enough to remember the thrill of rushing home from work, hopping to see the machine’s blinking red light indicating that you had messages? Then, replaying the day’s messages, recorded on a cassette, listening with awe and wonder, that such a device had been invented? Another added treat was recording your […]

     My dear mother was an excellent cook. She could make something special out of almost nothing. But let me be clear—the rich aroma of Boeuf Bourguignon, the spices in German bratwurst, or the sweetness of Viennese pastries never filled my mom’s kitchen. Instead, her kitchen was filled with the comforting, down-home smells of southern […]

How honest are you about being dishonest? Have you ever looked back on your life and seen where dishonesty worked against you, causing you great mental anguish and others to distrust you? The Good Book reminds us that honesty is wiser because “the wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such […]

It was a lovely spring afternoon when a dear friend called, telling me to check a post on a popular media site. I did and was shocked. An individual, whom I knew only through other friends, had attacked my reputation, and that person’s words cut even deeper due to their posting on a public platform. […]

     The magnificent ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo in the early fifteenth century, is regarded as one of the most famous works of art in the world. Michelangelo was considered the greatest living artist in his lifetime, and ever since then, he has been included in the pantheon of the world’s greatest […]

At 2:18 on the morning of April 15, 1912, the lights on board RMS Titanic flickered and went out forever, plunging her luxurious interiors into darkness, along with over 1500 passengers, all clamoring for a spot on her rising stern. The screams of those aboard echoed through the inky blackness of the starry nighttime sky. […]

In the last dark days of World War II, as the Third Reich imploded, there were still touching stories of empathy shown to those whose lives had been uprooted by Nazi racial hatred. One such story was that of Wilhelm Hosenfeld. Wilhelm was a Catholic schoolteacher from a small German village who, like many German […]

In today’s world, trouble wraps itself around us with vicious tentacles. Earthquakes. Horrific tornadoes. Wars. Fatal illnesses. Personal trials and tribulations. The senseless murder of children and adults. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were hounded by trouble as well. They often turned to God to help solve their problems, but it was too late. […]

In the last years of my dear mother’s life, her mind slipped away day by day. I could hear it in what she said, see it in what she did, and recognized it in what she no longer remembered. Oft times, she didn’t know who I was, but never stopped thanking me for watching over […]

Do we ever stop maturing? Maturity is a delicate dance between what you know and what you still need to learn. It is not measured by age but by experience. One of maturity’s milestones is when you stop complaining, stop making excuses, and start making changes. Change is not easy. Ask Father God to help […]

Last week, I was rereading the story of poor old Jonah. Remember him? He was commanded by Father God to go and preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh. In the Old Testament narrative, though, we are told that at first, he didn’t follow God’s commands. Running from God, Jonah boarded a boat but […]

Have you seen the Facebook reels of Punch, the baby macaque monkey whose search for love and companionship has touched so many online? He was born in July 2025 at the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo. Not long after, something unusual happened: his mother abandoned him. This can happen in groups of monkeys when the […]

Greetings! Oft times, we allow past experiences to determine our future actions. If we had one bad experience at a local restaurant, we vow never to return. If we go out socially or to church and no one speaks to us, we tend to think all social events and churches are like this. It is […]

In shadowed halls, where whispered struggles dwell,       I wander down a lonely path, my weary heart knows all too well. Although my strength doth often falter, still I reach for what is true,      And lean on Father God, my faithful, merciful guide anew.  When unkind life assails me, and trembling doubts arise,      […]

In the Old Testament, Watchmen stood on Jerusalem’s ancient walls, searching the horizon for those who might attack the city. Because of their crucial tasks, these men had to be reliable, honest, and trustworthy. Reliable and honest in what they saw and reported to their commanders. Trustworthy that what they did report was accurate, whether […]

Photography irrevocably changed the way we see the world. No longer dependent on artists to dab paint onto a canvas, thus creating their version of the world, photographs allowed us to view it as it really is through the camera’s eye. The oldest surviving photo was taken around 1826, and the camera that took it […]

     Dachau. That one word conjures hellish visions of walking, starving skeletons, tethered to the gut-wrenching stench of decaying bodies and human excrement. Private John Lee, one of the American infantrymen who helped liberate the camp, later recalled, “We entered and the smell hit us first—it was like nothing I had known. Then we saw […]

In the Book of Chronicles, there’s a man named Er. It states that he was wicked, which led to his death. Thousands of years later, that is all we know about poor old Er. That is his legacy. That is how he is remembered. Each of us is creating a legacy, the imprint we leave […]

Around this time each year, I notice the silent changes that show Old Man Winter is releasing his grip on the Coast and that Miss Lovely Spring is not far away. My azaleas are overflowing with tiny specks of pink, a sign they’ll soon be in full bloom. Meanwhile, Mom’s sixty-year-old camelia bush is dropping […]

     What do you recall about seventh grade? I have never forgotten attending Gulfport’s Bayou View Junior High School in 1965. As a shy and withdrawn student, I envied the football players, the cheerleaders, the rich kids, and the popular kids. I also navigated the hallways with fear and trembling because of them—nerdy kids always […]

Rudeness is easy, takes no effort, and tells the world you are weak and insecure. Kindness, on the other hand, is not so easy, especially when dealing with rude people. However, showing kindness indicates self-discipline and strong self-esteem. A kind person is someone who has studied Life and has chosen to be kind over being […]

     Little Alice was an orphan, living in a world of poverty, hunger, and crime. After being left on the front steps of the New York City Foundling Hospital, she lived there until 1919, when a Cajun-French couple from Louisiana adopted her. She was just three years old. When she passed away at 99 in 2015, […]

TBR? Ever heard of it? Truth-by-Repetition. Since the early 1970s, scientific studies have shown that repeatedly stating something increases its truth value. The more a particular theory, or group of ideas, or popular beliefs is discussed, the more likely society, as a whole, will accept that they are true. Perhaps activists, politicians, and advertisers have […]

“Words, words, words!” sings Eliza Doolittle in the classic musical, My Fair Lady. Saying the right words at the wrong time can be devastating! Timing is everything. As you waltz or stumble along life’s pathway, be careful what you say, when you say it, and to whom you say it. Check the motives behind your […]

We may have longed for it in December, but got our wish in January. Last week, we were reintroduced to snow, the rarest of Gulf Coast weather occurrences. The fluffy, crystallized wonder lacquered everything it touched with its shimmering whiteness. While sipping a cup of cocoa and sitting by the living room window in Mom’s […]

     It always began just before dawn. Dad would nudge me and say, “Rise and shine, son. It’s time.” Thus began one of my favorite childhood memories. “Hooray!” I squealed. “We’re going crabbing!”      The day before, Mom gave me a shiny quarter and told me to bike to the nearby mom-and-pop grocery. That quarter […]

In light of the recent unpleasantness in our country over illegals, you might question whether or not Father God cares for everyone. Of course, He does. He cares for all His creations regardless of their age, nationality, ethnicity, or social status. When I see pictures of riots in the streets on the Evening News, I’m […]

Are there times in life when you want to give up due to the pressure to succeed or to make your life count? Are there times you want to run away, take a voyage to nowhere, and never come back? If so, please consider Francesco Queirolo’s masterpiece, “The Release from Deception.” It reportedly took the […]

I remember many things about my first day in Mrs. Broadus’s First Grade classroom at Fernwood Elementary School in Biloxi. I was very excited about starting school! Mom and Dad packed my leather school satchel with Pink Peral erasers, a pair of little metal scissors, a box of #2 Ticonderoga pencils, a 68-count box of […]

In life, while carving your way through its stone-hard architecture, there are times when you must struggle to see the fresh light of day. But, in the end, when you do, how delightful it is to peek back through the stonework of life and be happy you kept on carving. Ponder this and go forth. […]

Another year is passing, A new one now awaits. Say goodbye to all your sorrows, Be taught by your mistakes. Keep modest your resolutions, Let simplicity rule the day. Pray for peace and love, Keeping hate and evil at bay. Pray for those you cherish, And those who’ve lost their way. Lift up the hurt […]

Greetings. I wrote the following journal entry while visiting Granny when she lived in Jackson, Mississippi, at 214 Boiling Street: “Christmas ’72 has come and gone. Mom, Dad, I left for Granny’s house early Christmas morning and spent the night with her. She looks well and is in good spirits. I did not feel very […]

One of the greatest joys of Christmas is shared memories. I enjoy hearing Christmas stories from my family and friends. The excitement in their voices as they carefully unwrap their memories is truly heartwarming. As they do, the moment overflows with loving Christmas traditions, precious memories, and the magic of the season. Now that Mom […]

For many of us, just hearing the word Christmas brings back memories of earlier days, special places, and people we love—some of whom may no longer be with us. Do you remember the twinkle of Christmas tree lights shining on Shiny Brite ornaments? The scent of cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove? A warm, gooey […]

     For years, Christmas Day meant piling into the car with Mom and Dad, heading west along roads both familiar and new. After Dad was called Home in 1997, Mom and I kept the tradition alive. One Christmas in the early 2010s, before time began to steal pieces of Mom’s memory away, we rode north […]

“Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening—the last evening of the year. In this cold and darkness, there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet…. She crept along, trembling with cold and hunger—a very picture of sorrow, the poor little thing!” Thus […]

The old WWII song, “Accentuate the Positive,” comes to mind when you are attempting to make constructive changes in your life. First, banish the negative things or people that prevent you from being the person you want to be or doing the things you want to do. Remove their negativity — cruelty, deceit, hypocrisies, jealousy, […]

On a beach walk last week, I spotted a pair of rubber boots, their newness glistening in the afternoon sunshine. Peering inside them, I discovered some toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soap, and a spray can of deodorant. There was also a five-dollar bill tucked into the mix.      Often on my walks, I see homeless people shuffling […]

Sincerity and truth, like a Vermeer painting, are rare in today’s culture. People smile bright Pepsodent smiles, but their smiles hide everything from lies to flattery and deception. Don’t be deceived. Look for sincerity and truth in those you love and call family and friends. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted November 27, 2022)

     As the sparkling chandelier dimmed in Biloxi’s Saenger Theater, I had no idea what the musical Cabaret was all about. Then, a slow syncopated musical vamp filled the theater, and suddenly the screen came alive with a misty montage of partying people.      From one corner of the screen, a diminutive Master of Ceremonies, […]

In the early days of sea travel, lighthouses guided ships to a safe harbor. Without them, those ships would have crashed onto the rocky shore. Have you ever thought of yourself as being a lighthouse? The painful events of your life, which you endured and that educated you, could serve as a lighthouse for your […]

Throughout history, many things have been deemed worthless, only to be valued later. Some seemingly useless things helped change the world for the better, shed new light on the past, or fill our eyes with beauty. Let’s dig around in history’s trash bin for some worthless things. “Ha! Throw that worthless trash on the floor!” […]

A Special Sunday – We took communion at church this morning. The observance was not much different than all the other observances of communion. But today, as in times past, it was – for me – a special time. It was a time to come before the Holy God of the universe – the same […]

    I love a true story, and here’s one I hope you find of interest. It’s about a group of women, The Forty Thieves, who, swathed in sable and mink, wearing diamond rings as elegant brass knuckles and stylish hats to hide their stolen wares, earned the respect of London’s most feared underworld crime bosses […]

Knowledge is simply information you glean from the local library. Wisdom is the ability to discern the best knowledge and the strength of character to act upon it. Therefore, wisdom is the application of knowledge learned to make good decisions in life. Wisdom and knowledge are two essential character traits that we should all strive […]

     “In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit.” Like any good writer, J.R.R. Tolkien knew that an eye-catching opening sentence is what captures a reader’s curiosity. In his “Lord of the Rings” saga, the reader instantly wonders what a Hobbit is, and why it lives in a hole in the ground.      […]

Many historic Firsts have cascaded down the corridors of time. Many were awe-inspiring. Many have improved mankind. And many were downright astonishing. Come, let’s take a walk down time’s dusty hallways. The first printed book was the Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1450. The first hourglass, instrumental in keeping time, was invented in the 8th century […]

As a child, I loved playing with dragonflies! I’d see one buzzing around, wait for it to land, then grab it and hold it in my hand. I was fascinated by its bulging, yellow-green eyes, its tiny mouth viciously chewing my index finger, and its lavenderish, diaphanous wings, rapidly beating the air. With that in […]

Dear Ones, please think of yourself when you read this. Father God gave me the words, and now I give them to all those who are struggling in these fascinating but frightening days. Big hug. When doubts and fears arrive, and darkest shadows fall, When hope seems a mist, if even there at all. When […]

Expecting God and Jesus to speak to you during church rallies, meetings, and conventions is good. But the most uplifting moments spent with God and Jesus are when they speak to you in a gentle whisper, in the quietness of your humbled heart. Ponder this and go forth. Originally posted October 23, 2022)

The Sunday Sermonette- Beauty Born Of Pain. In the mid-sixties, I took art at the Gulfport Recreation Center. The building was located east of City Hall, where the current fire station is. The art classes were taught by a frail-looking dynamo of energy, Mrs. Effie Gridley. She taught hundreds of children and adults the art […]

     In the apocalyptic days that followed Hurricane Camille in 1969, I was thankful for many things. Thankfully, our little house in the College Park Subdivision was not damaged, although we had many downed trees. Most Coastal residents couldn’t say the same, though. Due to Camille’s tornadic winds, her tsunami-like waves of water—or combinations of […]

Have you ever heard a song that sticks in your mind, and you go singing it throughout the day? Hopefully, it puts a smile on your face and a skip in your step. But there’s an inner song, deep within your soul, that God composed just for you. Today, ask Him to hum its tune […]

The last words of people have always fascinated me. Sometimes, in the closing moments of our lives, we find the most clarity and say the things we most want to say. I’m sure “When the Roll is Called up Yonder,” we all wish to be surrounded by those we love, like old friends and dear […]

Tis the season for ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. One of my many fond memories of my college days was the Haunted House in the creepy, cobweb-infested attic of Ross Hall on the campus of William Carey College, now a University. It was created via the Theater Department and […]

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,” says the Good Book. Bitterness and anger are a lethal concoction of human emotions. Like an out-of-control vine, they can wrap around your heart, squeezing the love out of it and plunging you into the depths of depression. They can also lurk, waiting for the right moment […]

Having lived off and on in the same house for over sixty years, its walls echo with memories—some make me laugh, others tug at my heart, and a few are burned (literally) into my mind. My childhood Sundays were wrapped around a peaceful routine. Mom, Dad, and I would come home from church, and upon […]

The Temple Mount’s Southern Wall, the Great Pyramid, the Parthenon, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Lincoln Memorial—what do these monuments have in common? They each began with a cornerstone. This stone guaranteed the alignment of the edifices of these magnificent buildings. Since the days of old, builders have used cornerstones in their building projects. It […]

     When I was a child riding in the back seat of Dad’s 1959 Nash Rambler, I often looked out the window at the mountainous clouds climbing upward toward Heaven. In my childlike mind, the clouds were my best friends, charming me with cloud pictures of fascinating creatures, flying ships, and laughing giants, all waving […]

In the 1970s, Wednesday Night suppers at dear old First Baptist Church, Gulfport, were hot-ticket items. The Fellowship Hall was a bustling beehive of clattering restaurant china and well-worn stainless steel cutlery. The tempting aroma of fried chicken, cornbread, and turnip greens beckoned from the kitchen. The room echoed with high-pitched laughter and bubbling conversation. […]

Several months ago, I trimmed Mom’s sixty-year-old nandina. With my trusty shears, I slashed away with all my might. Imagine my horror when cleaning up my mess, I saw a bird’s nest in the pile of branches. I picked it up. Thankfully, no eggs or baby birds were nestled within the woven architecture of its […]

    Remember this old story? At the dawn of the last century, a weary missionary made his way home after decades spent in Africa. He poured his heart into sharing Jesus’ love, offering comfort and mercy wherever he could, and telling others about the plan of salvation. Yet, after forty years, not a single soul […]

In times of spiritual light or darkness, I need thee. In times of wealth or poverty, I need thee. In times of sickness or health, I need thee. In times of war or peace, I need thee. In times of political turmoil or political tranquility, I need thee. In times of disbelief or belief, I […]

Resurgence After Evil. In many hearts, Evil lies!         It crouches and lurks in the darkness, awaiting a prize. Wicked whispers haunt its every thought,     It cares little for the suffering it has wrought. Evil laughs at the families it has crushed,    And is thankful for the voices it […]

In the late 1950s, Mom, Dad, and I lived at 5204 Greater Avenue in Biloxi. The late summer nights were warm because our house had no air conditioning. Lying in my little bed, I fell asleep to the steady rhythm of the attic fan. Many nights, as sleep hovered in both eyes, I took one […]

It had been forty years since my last mission trip with FBC Gulfport, so I was definitely due for another. My time in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, turned out to be a real blessing for me and everyone who went. I’m grateful I had the chance to go. Before we left for Spruce Pine, I […]

The days were black, but the nights were blacker. Depression is a dark force, squeezing the light out of a person with its unrelenting tentacles of fear and doubt. For me, the early 90s were dark times. Through a series of poor choices—my choices, not anyone else’s—my life, as in a dream, was squeezed between […]

“Andy, ever take a personality test?” As we rode home from a long, delightful weekend, a dear friend asked me this question. When I said I hadn’t, my friend sent a link to an online test I took once I got home. I had to answer a series of questions created to examine what made […]

When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent languid summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo, wholived in Jackson, Mississippi at the time. Early mornings crackled with the smell of frying eggs and bacon, but the afternoons were awash in the sickly-sweet smell of pink cotton candy and hot roasted peanuts. […]

Mom, Dad, and I moved into our brand-new house in June 1962. And nearly every Saturday since, it’s been dusted and vacuumed. A few months back, I hosted a small gathering for a few dear friends, and one of my guests exclaimed, “How do you keep everything so clean and dusted?” I told him that […]

No matter how many times Life chops you down, you can always begin again. The new beginning can be difficult, though, so never give in, never give up. Talk to God and Jesus. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they […]

The Sunday Sermonette – Pocahontas and the Polka. Pocahontas Maria Price! Was she a thrilling character in a dime-back novel? A femme fatale hiding behind a fan of feathers and lace? Or Native American Royalty? No. She was my great-great-aunt on Mother’s side of the family. Her mother, enthralled by the deep friendship between Pocahontas […]

     My crusty, old Uncle Charlie from D’Lo, Mississippi, never threw anything away. Having lived through the tough, rough times of the Great Depression, he learned to value things long after their newness had worn off. I recall visiting him in the 1960s, then again in the 1970s, and once more in the early 1980s. […]

Due to the broken pieces of yesterday, sometimes it’s best to dance in your own fantasy than to drown in the quicksand of reality. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted July 31, 2022)

In the 1950s, Gulfport’s Angelo’s Italian Restaurant was nationally known for its spicy spaghetti and meatballs, scrumptious stuffed flounder, and delicious salads. Owned and operated by Mr. Angelo Xidis, it was THE place to dine. Many a Sunday after church, Mom, Dad, and I would savor the food and take in the restaurant’s atmosphere. As […]

Trains, planes, airships, ocean liners, fast cars—the 1930s had them all, along with major players on the world stage. Mussolini promised to make the Italian trains run on time. In the depths of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt promised a “New Deal” for all Americans. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain promised “Peace for our time” […]

“Andy, what is another word for dictionary that starts with G and has eight letters in it?” Mother asked, sitting calmly in her old rocker, seemingly oblivious to the storm raging just outside our living room window. As the green oven of July melts into the fierce eye of August, and August evokes memories of […]

If you stroll through the arched simplicity of St. Peter’s Church in Wormleighton, England, tucked away in a hushed corner lies a charming piece of history—cat paws preserved in the church’s 12th-century floor tiles. Something tells me that the furry feline who wandered over the freshly laid clay knew instantly that it had wandered too […]

Mississippi’s own William Faulkner wrote: The past is never dead. It’s not even past. That may well be. However, your past should never dictate your future. Past mistakes or failures, where you come from, or who your family is—don’t let these things dictate where you are going. Talk to God, He can help. Ponder this […]

     To paraphrase the Bard, “February is the winter of my discontent.” It’s my birthday month—another year older. Then there’s Valentine’s Day—nothing special there. And lastly, it’s the month of Mother’s passing. So, you can imagine my joy when dear friends invited me to cruise with them aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas in […]

When I was a child, I spent many happy summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo, who, at that time, lived in Jackson, Mississippi. Many a summer morning, I’d look out my bedroom window at her plum trees, hoping that by some mysterious alchemy in the night, the tart, yellow-green plums had turned a juicy […]

     What would my 50th Theatrical Anniversary be without some discussion concerning costumes? From evening tails to afternoon formal wear, from tattered Victorian dressing gowns to dapper 1930s golfing attire, and from long, flowing night shirts to just BVDs, I’ve worn a myriad of character costumes. One in particular stands out.      In the winter […]

Do you have a favorite chair? My mother did. It was more than a piece of furniture; it was her sanctuary. It sat by the window for years, its sturdy arms enveloping her in a cocoon of peace and security. That chair, her confidant and companion in the later stages of life, remained steadfast as […]

Performing on Coastal Stages over the past fifty years, I’ve worn my share of theatrical masks and makeup. Portraying Camelot’s Merlin required a long white beard, a mane of white hair, and over-the-top eye makeup. Cabaret’s Emcee called for jet-black hair slicked back with hair oil, long fake eyelashes, ghostly white skin, a dash of […]

Sometimes, accepting God’s NO requires more faith than His YES. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted June 19, 2022)

            Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son is among the most touching in the New Testament. The son in the story represents a person living in rebellion against those who loved him. The son insisted on living his own life and demanded that his father give him his inheritance early. When his father […]

One day, millions of years ago, our little friend in the snap was attracted by the smell of resin oozing from a tree, perhaps a prehistoric pine. Deciding to rest his weary wings, he came to rest in the resin and found himself trapped. As the resin fossilized, forming the amber, our little friend was […]

     Fifty years ago this month, a bug bit me. I was not the first bitten and certainly won’t be the last. Fifty years later, though, that bug bite has not healed. The species of bug? The Theater Bug! And even after much theatrical water has flowed under many theatrical bridges, I haven’t forgotten how […]