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The beauty of real conversations
“True happiness arises from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions.” ~Joseph Addison A boxed set of Picture a Conversation(TM) cards by Debra and Martin Darvick Debra Darvick, a longtime pal of mine, has created a brilliant card deck that’s sure to revive what she calls “the endangered art” of simple conversation. I’m so enthused — and proud of my friend — that I want to share Picture a Conversation with you. A little background: For several years, Debra and her husband, Martin, have been designing and selling greeting cards that combine Martin’s beautiful photography with Debra’s inspirational messages. But that was just the beginning of this talented couple’s…
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Looking for hope in dark times
“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.” ? Kurt Vonnegut Sunset on Silver Beach, St. Joseph / Cindy La Ferle Every day this year, I’ve been reminding myself to limit my intake of news on current events. Despite our ongoing national turmoil, I keep looking for all that’s beautiful, respectful, compassionate, wise, and loving. I try to block out (or avoid) anything divisive, combative, abusive, or hateful. In other words, maintaining my optimism is…
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A bowl of cherries
“Life always has an unhappy ending, but you can have a lot of fun along the way, and everything doesn’t have to be dripping in deep significance.” ~Roger Ebert Cindy La Ferle
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A new season of parenting
A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard.” ~Sloan Wilson Note: This essay was published earlier this year (“A New Season of Parenting”) in Metro Parent magazine. It was written especially for friends whose children will be starting college this fall… It’s going to be a roller coaster year for a friend whose youngest child will graduate from high school in May, then head out of state to college in August. My friend is already working through some conflicting emotions. She gets a little teary at the thought of…
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Random acts of art
“The finest of pleasures are always the unexpected ones.” ~Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus Lately, on our daily walks with Coco at the Clawson City Park, Doug and I have spotted a few hand-painted rocks left along the trail, placed there for someone else to discover and admire. These charming pieces of art always stop me on the path, reminding me that life’s sweetest pleasures are often the ones we’re not planning or expecting. ~CL Photo by Cindy La Ferle
