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If Heaven Is Joyous, Pets Will Be There

If Heaven is a happy place, then my dogs will be there with me. Last week, it became time to put down our quiet, dependable collie/beagle mix, Buddy. A year earlier, years, we had to bid farewell to Ralph, our loopy, goofy, Lab/Aussie mix, also age 12. Eventually, I will make that journey. If, as I hope, I get to Heaven, it won’t be heavenly without Buddy and Ralph. I have no idea how that will work. Heck, I have no idea how souls, angels, hell, devils, purgatory, Valhalla — any of that stuff works. I used to “know.” The kindly black-clad Benedictines of my childhood ...

I’ve Only Got Two Shoulders

Every time I start writing a column, I end up explaining how hard things have been lately. It seems like they’ve been just plain hard for eons. First, there was COVID, then there was more COVID, then there was politics, and division, and anger, and war. It gets a little heavy to hold up on two shoulders every now and again. However, I just realized that the Lord only gave me two shoulders that are of a somewhat reasonable size for a purpose. There’s only one burden meant for those shoulders - and it’s easy and light. As it says in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who ...

Charles Atlas, Muscles And Genders

There is an amusing side to asking, “What is your definition of a woman, Denny?” I do not answer right away. I have to wait until I stop chuckling. I chuckle because I remember how at age 12 or 13 this testosterone-overloaded boy first really noticed that some of the kids on the school playground were ... well ... different. They had curves! And those former “just kids” began to look at some guys differently. Some guys had muscles! Note the use of “some.” I did not have bulging muscles. My muscles were pathetically small and smooth by comparison with the ...

Writer Takes To The Road To Visit People’s Convoy

It’s a long road from Randolph to Hagerstown, Md. My trip actually began when the Canadian Truckers Freedom Convoy started to roll toward Ottawa in January. When U.S. truckers started talking about organizing a convoy in solidary a few weeks later, I began paying attention and following ...

The Passing of a True Shepherd

I have been fortunate, in my life, to have served under, with, for, and alongside some truly great leaders, not just of organizations, but of men, women, and children. I have watched some of these people serve others willingly, unconditionally, unbegrudgingly, without judgement, and always with a smile on their face. Some of these people have made a huge difference in my life, in the life of my bride, and the lives of my children too. You can say some of these people can be compared as shepherds leading flocks toward their destination, watching over them every step of the way, ...

Americans, Grocers, Grapple With Ongoing Food Shortages, High Prices

Are you stocking up on food? Because I did a deep dive into high food prices this week and some experts are warning that it's only going to get worse over the next year or two. I got walloped at the grocery stores last week, spending double what I normally do. Granted, that included toiletries and some cleaning supplies, but seriously? $400? I didn't even buy a ribeye. "We're going to continue to see price increases, probably for the next two years or so," says Phil Lempert, an analyst and food trends expert perhaps best known as the Supermarket Guru. Experts blame Covid for our ...