Perspective

A string of petty annoyances happened last week. My author web site caroleduff.com got flagged for malware; the living room smoke alarm associated with our security system alerted low battery even after we replaced it; making a simple checkup appointment turned into a...

Frontiers

Rain fell softly over the Rockfish Valley that morning in May, and fog hovered over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The weather forecast called for a break in the rain from mid-morning to early afternoon, enough time for our guests and us to visit The Frontier Culture...

On Being Late

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15 (NRSV)   Thursday late afternoon, headed northbound on route 151, I waited six cars back from the attendant holding a Stop/Slow flip sign. Streams of...

Models, Mentors, and Mercy

Mothers Day. Fathers Day. Mothers and Fathers, models and mentors. Model: example, replica, ideal Mentor: adviser, guide, coach   Although I wrote here about my mother as one of my mentors, I think by definition she was more of a model to me. In some ways, I...

Observation

The instructor’s house nestled on a woodsy hill overlooking an expanse of lawn. Eight students gathered in her cozy family room, and she opened with an introduction game. Names and details changed—except mine. “Say your first name and something you like to do,” our...