Tag Archives: family

Patient Optimism

Posted on January 11, 2023 by mitchteemley

Originally posted on Liza Hartman Design:
“An optimist understands that life can be a bumpy road…” – Harvey Mackay “Choose to be optimistic. It feels better.”  – Dalai Lama Creating an illustration is a lot like baking a cake. Similar…

Posted in Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Don’t Look for Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2022 by mitchteemley

The percentage of people, who celebrate Christmas only on December the 25th is probably pretty small. Why? Well, apart from watching Hallmark Christmas movies starting in June, it’s because they celebrate it when they can. My wife and I flew … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Home for the Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2022 by mitchteemley

We woke up to snow this morning. So, on the one hand we’ll have a white Christmas. Yay! On the other hand, as soon as I’m done posting this, I have go out and shovel our driveway in -8° weather … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Us…Together

Posted on December 15, 2022 by mitchteemley

We’re transcontinental. After we moved our little nuclear family to Ohio almost eighteen years ago, our youngest child Beth moved back to California to attend college, stay, and start a little clan of her own. Meanwhile, our extended family members … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 24, 2022 by mitchteemley

Our Thanksgiving Tree (beautifully decorated and photographed by my wife Trudy). On Thanksgiving Day we’ll add strips of paper with our family’s 2022 “I’m thankful fors” artfully calligraphed onto them (also Trudy’s work). And, yes, soon thereafter the tree will … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Mint and Grief

Posted on July 6, 2022 by mitchteemley

Originally posted on where waves grow sweet:
A couple years ago, I planted mint in my herb garden. Having heard of its invasive properties, I kept it in its plastic pot, wrapped thoroughly in mesh fabric to block the drainage…

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

A Tale of Love

Posted on June 17, 2022 by mitchteemley

Once upon a time there was bold young princess, and a dashing young prince. They met, and the rest is, well…the story of our daughter Beth and new son-in-law Sergio. This is a pretty Facebook-y photoblog, but many of you … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 101 Comments

Real Diversity

Posted on May 16, 2022 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week “Modern writers have suggested,” G.K. Chesterton argues (and it’s hard to believe he wrote this almost 120 years ago), that because of its lack of diversity, “the family is a bad institution.” And yet ironically, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments

My Final Summer with Grandpa

Posted on February 22, 2022 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir While raindrops hang from bare branches outside my office window, reflecting grey winter skies, I’m thinking about summer. And not just any summer, but my final summer with Grandpa Frank. Pencil-mustached Frank McLaughlin, former air ace and … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Don’t Love Your Family!

Posted on January 10, 2022 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week My title is a ruse. But it makes a point: There’s a widespread belief that loving your family and friends is the greatest virtue to which you can aspire. This is either true or false depending … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments