Whispering Winds Blog

My Mom – from her Boss’ Perspective

I guess it’s natural to think about the special people in my life from strictly my own perspective. Obviously, that’s how I know them. I’ve written about my mom several times in this blog. Long-time readers of my blog know what she was like – at least from my perspective. A couple months ago, I came across something…

Marian

May 5, 2015

Celebrations, God’s Love, Reflections

Bread for the Journey, church bulletin, church bulletins, Elsie Korth, Henri Nouwen, Jim Jondrow, mimeograph, mom, perspectives, Pres House, Presbyterian Student Center, right-justify, shadow of consciousness, someone else’s perspective, stencil, twilight zone in our own hearts, work standards
A Roundtable Discussion that Makes My Day

Imagine starting your day almost every morning in a roundtable discussion with six other people plus yourself. In my case, the people are Joan Chittister, Henri Nouwen, God, Jimmy Carter, Christine Dallman, and M. J. Ryan – and, of course, myself. Wow! Quite a group of seven we are. Usually, everyone speaks up in the…

Marian

April 28, 2015

Blogs, Book Recommendations, God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, Reflections

“Christ in Our Home”, aggravations, Albert Einstein, Attitudes of Gratitude, Bread for the Journey, Christine Dallman, Christmas Mountain, Edward Hays, Henri Nouwen, Jimmy Carter, Joan Chittister, M. J. Ryan, Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, quiet, quietness, Revised Common Lectionary, roundtable, roundtable discussion, standing in line, The Monastic Way, The Personal Daily Prayer Book, Through the Year with Jimmy Carter
Getting Caught Whispering

On Thursday of last week I played the organ for the funeral of Wayne, a young man, age 64. He was the kid brother of Gary, a classmate of mine. Gary died a few years ago. Gary and Wayne grew up in the house in Cambridge next door to my grandma. We were never close…

Marian

April 21, 2015

Uncategorized

broaden perspective, Cambridge Historic School, Cambridge schools, church music, custodian, fourth grade, funeral, Gary Spaulding, Mrs. Schuster, volunteer fire department, Wayne Spaulding
Henry’s Story

Henry is one of my heroes. I knew Henry for a total of about twelve years, starting in 2000. He wasn’t a perfect person. He had one significant flaw that I knew of – not being punctual. He lived by his internal clock, not his watch. But he taught me more about forgiveness, kindness, and…

Marian

April 14, 2015

God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, Reflections

absolute commitment to serving God, accomplishments, Adventures in Hospitality, auction, auctioneer, clown, clown ministry, clowning, Country Comforts, forgiveness, friends, God’s love, God-given gifts, guardian, guardianship, heart transplant, Henry, Henry and Bob, Henry Hall, hospitality, kindness, legal guardian, life calling, life challenges, life changes, listening for God, love your neighbor, ministry, organ transplant, parsonage, Peter Rooster, reflections, rooster, serving God, spirituality, Willerup, Willerup United Methodist Church
Being Robbed

“I will not be robbed!” was the title of a blog post written by Linda Swanson for her blog, Journey in Process. Linda is a spiritual director who works mostly with missionaries all around the globe. She currently lives in New Jersey. She and her husband, Kevin, who is a pilot and a pastor, have…

Marian

April 7, 2015

Blogs, God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, Reflections

being robbed, blogger, blogging, Christmas shopping, concrete flower pot, God’s love, Journey in Process, life challenges, Linda Swanson, reflections, robbery, Schwinn bicycle, Schwinn bike, sense of security, spirituality, stolen bicycles, stolen bike, talking with God, thief, wallet stolen
Observing Holy Week – Jail Style

Last Thursday I participated in the women’s worship service at the county jail. I’ll be doing the same thing again this Thursday, Maundy Thursday. Women inmates have the opportunity to go to worship once every other week. The women from half the cell blocks are given the opportunity one week, the other half the next…

Marian

March 31, 2015

God’s Love, Jail Ministry, Lent, Life’s Challenges, Music, Reflections

Bread of Life, chaplain, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, communion, county jail, Cup of Blessing, Easter, first Last Supper, God’s love, gratitude jar, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, Holy Communion, holy meal, Holy Week, inmates, jail chaplain, jail ministry, Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Lent, life challenges, life changes, listening for God, Lord’s Supper, love your neighbor, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Potter’s Crackers, reflections, released from jail, sharing bread and wine, singing a hymn, spirituality, This Little Light of Mine, when i survey the wondrous cross, women inmates, worship service
The Goose Family is Home Again! Happy Spring!

I got up from my desk and walked over to the patio door. “Oh, look, Floey, the Goose Family has returned.” A goose made a big splash as it landed on the water. The honking got even louder as another goose landed. “That looks like Gilbert and Gloria. Let’s go out and welcome them.” “Who…

Marian

March 24, 2015

Celebrations, God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, Music, Reflections, Spring

Abbey, Cleland McAfee, Floey, friends, geese, Gilbert Goose, Gloria Goose, God loves us, God’s love, God-given gifts, goose family, Grace Goose, Gregory Goose, hymn sing, joy, kindness, Lent, lenten hymns, Lenten songs, life challenges, listening for God, love your neighbor, nature, Near to the Heart of God, reflections, seasons, spirituality, talking with God, whispering winds
Mindfulness – the Earliest Gift of Spring

I just got back from a walk with my dog Floey. It’s a beautiful spring day in southern Wisconsin. I felt the gentle breeze on my face, and smiled. The birds were singing again. A few weeds next to the sidewalk were beginning to show the first hint of green. Yes. Spring is really coming.…

Marian

March 17, 2015

Life’s Challenges, Nature, Reflections, Spring

birds singing, first robin of spring, Floey, grill, hamburger, listening for God, mindful, mindfulness, present moment, reflections, robin, spirituality, springtime, Thich Nhat Hanh
Why Was I Created?

Over the last few years I’ve had the practice of starting the day with reading from two or three devotional books by my favorite inspirational writers. This year I’m reading: The Monastic Way by Joan Chittister (a pamphlet that comes monthly, with the readings of each month based on a common theme), Bread for the…

Marian

March 10, 2015

Book Recommendations, Goals, God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, Reflections

called by God, change in my life, daily devotions, devotional book, failure, God’s love, God-given gifts, Henri Nouwen, Jimmy Carter, Joan Chittister, Korth-Jacobson LLC, life calling, life challenges, life changes, life purpose, listening for God, meaningless work, Monastic Way, reflections, self-employed, spirituality, talking with God, The Purpose-Driven Life, USA TODAY poll, wasting my life
Canine Wisdom

Floey came running over to me. Her tail was wagging as fast as it can wag, but she dutifully sat down and looked up at me. “Hey, Mom. Has it come yet?” she asked. “What’s that, Floey?” “My check for $50. Remember Ellen at ARVSS (Animal Rescue & Veterinary Support Services) where I came from…

Marian

March 3, 2015

Life’s Challenges, Reflections

Animal Rescue & Veterinary Support Services, ARVSS, canine wisdom, Certificate of Achievement, daily devotions, diploma, dog training, Floey, graduation present, Joan Chittister, life challenges, lost check, Monastic Way, patience, reflections, SIT-STAY, spirituality