Monthly Archives: February 2024

In Our Father’s House

Posted on February 11, 2024 by mitchteemley

My cousin Ellen passed away five years ago this week. Ellen had responded to an altar call many years before, following a performance by my Christian comedy act Isaac Air Freight. And so did our mutual grandmother, by the way … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 47 Comments

Happiness Delayed

Posted on February 10, 2024 by mitchteemley

“As nearly every Hallmark movie ever made has taught us, well-intended deceptions can only delay happy endings.” ~The Wishing Map φ

Posted in Humor, Movies, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Well-Intended Deception

Posted on February 10, 2024 by mitchteemley

Painting by Alex Garant The Wishing Map is a full-length fantasy that is being posted episodically at this site. To read the previous episode click here. To read the entire novel, begin here. Gina was searching for her brother Zack. Meanwhile, Zack was … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sixty Years Ago Today

Posted on February 9, 2024 by mitchteemley

On this date in 1964, over 73 million people watched The Beatles storm the Ed Sullivan Show stage, officially launching the British Invasion! But 1964 was an iconic music year for other reasons too: The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Barbara … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture & Entertainment, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Only in the Winter…

Posted on February 8, 2024 by mitchteemley

The world is born in the spring rejoices in summer and bundles its blessings in autumn ∗ But only in the winter does it learn who it is ∗

Posted in Poetry, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

In the Bleak Midwinter

Posted on February 7, 2024 by mitchteemley

There’s something about midwinter. Perhaps because it’s too cold to go outside, we’re forced to look inside and assess what we see. “Do I like who I’ve become? Is this who I thought I would be?” January’s vows have vanished … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Running On Empty

Posted on February 6, 2024 by mitchteemley

Photo by Warren My Real Memoir We’d moved to a custom-built home in the Coyote Hills, sandwiched between the abandoned oil refinery I’d explored as a kid and the Los Coyotes Country Club where my band had played from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

How to Overcome “That Guy”

Posted on February 5, 2024 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week Have you ever crashed head-on into the old you, and discovered how much you dislike that worldly, self-absorbed person? I have. And, truth be told, there’s still far too much of him in me. 1% would … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Ever Green

Posted on February 4, 2024 by mitchteemley

Some lives are leafy limbs compelling eyes to gaze at them to acknowledge their convulsive beauty Naïve in their baseless joy they reign a scant and unremembered season And then they die never having truly lived Other lives are barren … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Poetry, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Love and Death

Posted on February 3, 2024 by mitchteemley

Image by Efraim Stochler “Have you ever thought you were about to die, and suddenly realized, everything that matters most in life is tied to death?” ~The Wishing Map At this very moment, each us is dying. Even “in the midst … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments