Shade Tree Stories
musings and memories rooted in faith and family
Latest stories from Under the shade trees
- The House My Grandfather Built
(This is an update to a devotional I wrote two years ago.) I can’t believe it’s been two years since I watched the demolition of… - Telling Stories
“Tell me a story! Tell me a story!” When I was a little girl visiting my Granny, I often asked her to tell me a… - Thoughts on Alexander Hamilton’s Bio; Can we keep this republic?
I’ve been reading the very in-depth biography of Alexander Hamilton that was the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical about his life. It’s been quite… - Ministry of Presence: what I learned sitting with a dying woman, part 2
In Part 1, I mentioned Job and his three friends who came to sit with him during his time of intense suffering and grief. For… - Ministry of Presence: what I learned sitting with a dying woman (part 1)
Recently I was asked to pray with a nursing home resident who was nearing the end of her life. Other than her name, the only… - R-e-s-p-e-c-t; What does it mean?
I’m convinced that most people today conflate the concept of manners and respect, and I do not believe that the two are the same. The… - The Guitar
My grandfather and his brother Nathan were musicians in a band that toured. Well, actually, it was just the two of them, and by “toured”… - Sitting In a Cathedral
For Mother’s Day my husband took me to my grandparents’ farm. And when I say “farm,” I mean 110 acres that includes fields for growing… - No Easter Photos
When I was a little girl, there was no question that my family would spend Easter weekend with my grandparents and attend Sunday church services… - My Way
I had a very proud momma moment last week. I hopped in my daughter’s car for a short ride across town and, as she always… - Stubbornly Leaning
I was asked to write a devotional for a ladies group–“Growing in 2024.” Here’s what I came up with. (Rather, here’s what I think God… - Hot Dogs Instead of Steak
This Christmas was my second year singing Handel’s Messiah with a large choir and orchestra. If you aren’t familiar with The Messiah, it’s an oratorio… - It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas
I had coffee with a friend the morning after Christmas. “It just didn’t feel like Christmas this year,” she said. Many of her family members… - Shouting Alleluias and Cuss Words
I’ve been absent for a bit. Sorry about that. I had a long bout of a Covid-like virus in November and I’ve been scrambling to… - Being Present
I recently enjoyed a much-needed vacation to Hilton Head Island. I was blessed to spend some time relaxing on the beach and bike-riding on the… - What test scores and transcripts won’t tell you and letting God do the talking
My daughter is in the process of applying to vet schools. It’s a highly competitive field, and though there is currently a national shortage of… - It Matters So Little
Presidential hopefuls take the debate stage to brag about their accomplishments and bluster about the incompetencies of their opponents. At the same time, a frail… - Singing Children’s Songs
No summer of my childhood would have been complete without Vacation Bible School. Wafer cookies wrapped in a napkin, styrofoam cups filled with Kool-Aid, crafts… - Why do I have to learn this?
It’s back to school time! I don’t care how old I get, I’m always going to love the excitement that this season brings–the prospect of… - Christmas in July
“What about having Christmas in July?” That was a recent text I received from a nursing home volunteer. She had been crocheting teddy bears as… - Welcome to the shade!
My grandparents lived in a house with no central air conditioning. As spoiled as I am today, I probably wouldn’t last one summer afternoon inside…
Welcome to my blog!
I’m a life-long Kentuckian from a family of life-long Kentuckians who can trace our land back to Daniel Boone. I’m a wife, a daughter, a sister, mom of two young adults, a teacher by nature and by training, mom of three Boston Terriers, lover of good food, travel, and proper English grammar (though I may not always use it on this site). Most importantly, I’m a child of God– a work in progress striving to follow Him faithfully and love others fiercely.
Learn more about me
Marla and Pa, 1978
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