Category: History & Government
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Voting Election 2024
For months I have struggled with how to manage this election. I have hesitated to share my opinion because I try to respect others’ personal opinions, but I also have a right to share my thoughts—that is what we are guaranteed by our US Constitution. This election year feels precarious. I feel…
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Diving in with thoughts
A few months ago, I wrote a piece and decided I needed to share it with my Congressman for a fair opportunity to reply. Therefore, I wrote my Congressman a letter and included the piece for his review. What I received weeks later was a form letter, or at least…
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Looking for an American President
Have you ever considered how a help wanted ad would read for the next American President? I did. Let me begin with who I am: a Midwestern female who grew up on a family farm, went to college, earned a journalism degree, married, returned to college and became a high school teacher,…
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Yes, 2021 arrived, now a few musings for a new year
For a week, I have thought about how to look at 2021. One challenge that showed up in my inbox was to identify one word for the new year. Immediately one popped up: Resilience. Why? Think about the history of our country. How many times has a challenge presented itself and the very principles that…
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Thoughts from Quarantine 2020
Waking up this morning, I feel Christmas sneaking in on me. There are clouds and the possibility to see snowflakes in the air, and it is cold–24 degrees. And yet, I am in quarantine. Christmas has been central to my life forever. Growing up on the farm, Christmas was a time we developed…
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Sometimes one needs reminding in order to move forward
First, let me restate that I am a Christian and that my denomination of choice is United Methodist. Also, let me include the framework of my personal study—a year-long Bible study that pairs an Old Testament reading with a New Testament reading. For my study, I am using the Wesley Study…
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Words do hurt! Words mirror hearts.
One week off from writing, and I struggle to focus on what words I should share. Words are powerful tools and they can also be powerful weapons. I pray that my words are tools for positive change in one’s life, not a weapon or hurtful to those who read/hear them. Not only…
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A few personal notes in lieu of holiday-focused rhetoric
Plowing on through the year-long Bible study, I am now into Deuteronomy and Acts. I am struggling with remaining open-minded enough not to get bogged down by the minutia of the Old Testament laws. But I also admit that I am doing everything I can not to frame the current national…
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Reflecting on changes since 9/11
Yesterday I tried to gather thoughts for sharing, but I just could not find a thread to bring them together. Today, this day especially, a thread begins weaving thoughts together. As an American, one cannot escape the memories of 9/11. But there are other days that are cemented in…
Susandoodles 