Chapel of Hope Stories

Dear Reader:

When I saw this vintage perfume diffuser it took me back to my childhood watching mother spray on perfume. She called it a ” diffuser” because she said during the war young ladies had to diffuse or add water to make it go farther. Daddy had sent it to her from Paris and even years after his passing she only wore it on very special occasions! I loved to smell it but when mother moved in with me and the family later in life-it was gone. When I asked her about it she said a moving man dropped the box it was in and the glass splintered. I don’t know who was sadder-mother or me-a keepsake from my daddy would have been so wonderful after losing mother.

Diffusion means the spreading of something more widely and is a main factor in just about every natural and man-made process. Things like breathing, air pollution, our human organs , hot tea leaves, perfume, smoke, balloons, etc. Cultural diffusion spreads new ideas, customs, beliefs, horizons, and even foods.

In every sense of the word Jesus was a “diffuser” -a person who spreads new ideas and knowledge.

Flowers and plants whose aromas envelope us in delightful scents-are simply practicing diffusion. Yesterday one our readers, Lynn Gamache, left me this comment by the picture of the luscious smelling Confederate jasmine, ” When we lead with the calm assurance that we are loved by a sovereign faithful God, then our lives should send a sweet fragrance to others as well. ”

I am a candle burner and relax in the evenings to different scented candles yet the smell of fresh rain after a dry period like we had last weekend is incomparable to anything else. In fact several stories have used metaphors comparing the fragrance of fresh rain to the eternal scent of God-I cannot think of a better comparison.

So until tomorrow… “A life without rain is like the sun without shade. “

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Today is May 1-Here in the South bare footing day and the day to say ” Rabbit Rabbit ” for a wonderful month ahead! And the only reason I have May flowers since we only had one April shower is grit and grind! In other words perseverance!

Dear Reader:

Don’t you remember waving your hand wildly when the teacher asked who wanted to be the “leader” that day at recess? Instead of counting sheep as a child to fall asleep, I would think up funny maneuvers to do as the leader in “Follow the Leader ” …so my classmates would all laugh and follow me willingly!

Now as an adult I turn to God as my leader to show me the way home-one of my most precious pieces of jewelry is a compass on a chain that has the inscription on the back…” So that you may find your way home. ”

I remember a line from Archibald Rutledge that has helped explain God’s role as a guide for us through life–” “God does not love us with words; He loves us by giving us everything we need plus all the beauty of this earth that helps guide us back home to Him. The ones who get lost are the people who are blind to the beauty and love around them”

Rutledge continues ” I am absolutely unshaken in my faith that God created us, loves and wants us… not only to be good, but to be happy. The human mind, proud and self-centered, may be inclined to reject this kind of proof of God’s love. But the human heart can hardly do so. And in things spiritual I do not know but that the heart is by far the better guide. ”

So until tomorrow-” When you are going through something hard and wonder where God us… remember the teacher is always quiet during a test.”

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

I gave all the Ya’s a potted rose bush one year as a gift-most of them died the Ya’s confessed to me. Except for Brooke”s-she proudly showed me her ” Survivor Rose” -why the sole success? She stuck it in the ground and forgot about it-letting Mother Nature nurture it- and now look. When it comes to gardening less really is best! Happy Official Birthday today Brookie!

Dear Reader:

While staring at my newly arrived six months car insurance notice recently, I asked that eternal question one more time. How can my car be getting older but my insurance continues to go UP? Doesn’t common sense dictate the laws of longevity should work the other direction with lower payments on a less valuable car? Yeah yeah I know-supposedly SC drivers are about the worst in the country but that doesn’t in

lude me -yet still I get the privilege for paying

for everyone else wreck?

I have come to the conclusion that if someone wants insurance there is nothing that can’t be insured-life, death, health, sickness, cars, ( for accidents, theft or vandalism) Homes, property, loans, you name it-it can be insured but it can also be revoked, nullified, or deemed non- existent!

Why? You see insurance is man-made but Assurance is God obtained. Insurance is revocable where as Assurance is undeniable. Insurance is costly but Assurance is free. Insurance has limitations where as Assurance is limitless. Blessed Assurance!

As the story goes composer Fanny Crosby listened to the beginning notes of the future hymn Blessed Assurance and wrote the first stanza immediately. ” Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.”

Blind from the age of six weeks she began composing when she was six years old. She was spiritual friends with Presidents-Van Buren, Tyler, Polk, and Cleveland.

So until tomorrow…Assurance is defined as full trust or confidence, and freedom from doubt. I ” doubt ” my car insurance is going to go down anytime soon but I am just as assured that God loves me.. He will be there for me no matter what the circumstance -even an insurance claim turned down because it was an ” Act of God!”

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh And speaking of Winnie-she just got a hair cut! Adorable!

Our birthday girl!

Oh my-it’s that time again-the sweet smell of Confederate Jasmine!

Brooke’s wild rose Bush!

Dear Reader:

It took me a good part of my life to realize that being alone and loneliness are two separate entities. Upon reflection I have always felt more lonely surrounded by people than ever being alone with myself.

In childhood it was any new situation I was thrust in among people I didn’t know, at least well, that made me feel the depths of loneliness-the first day of school, summer camp and homesick loneliness, big parties or large gatherings brought on feelings of insecurity and loneliness-feelings never felt by just being physically alone.

I am always surprised when people ask ” Aren’t you lonely?” upon discovering I live alone. I can honestly answer ” No.” In fact I am pretty content with my own company-after raising three children as a single parent-alone time is quite a remarkable gift-no more bickering, arguing, screaming… it was a wild ride… always yelling to hurry hurry hurry to the kids each morning not to miss the bus or their ride, packing lunches and then getting to school myself for bus duty! Believe me I covet my time now alone!

These days I seek solitude,,, if I go too long without a chat with my soul I feel off-kilter-like the nomadic tribe in Africa that would stop at intervals along their travails to wait for their souls to catch up with them.

Today with iPhones becoming seemingly like another human appendage connected to the human body… people are lonelier than ever. They are also beginning to realize that “likes” texts, emoji’s etc are nice or cute but don’t replace human bonding and established daily physical friendships! Virtual communication is not real life communication and this situation does leave virtual dependents lonely.

So until tomorrow-The secret… seek to understand that we are each connected in this universe to all other living things…with that knowledge loneliness is replaced with connection and solitude allows us to connect with our Creator!

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

* Sorry about the missing photos yesterday-battery problems-had to recharge over night!

Happy Birthday Eva Cate! Remember Boo Boo will always be there for you-no matter where you end up!

Dear Reader:

Don’t you love it when you take a chance… and it all works out? Yesterday when I heard on the radio that it was Give a Friend a Hug Day I knew the universe was winking-go for it!

This is Brooke-my long-time friend and “sister ” in every-way –

birthday week and I decided to surprise her by driving to Walterboro and sharing an early unexpected celebration!

I almost chickened out on the trip when the ” what-if’s ” started trying to talk me out if it by saying she could be gone-having a doctor appointment in Charleston or taking her husband Ted to one but after hearing it was Give a friend a hug Day-I felt like this surprise was going to work! And it did!

I opened the door-called out Brooke’s name and it was squeals of delight and laughter from that moment on!

We had her gift giving on the back porch-some earrings Brooke wanted, flowers and Honey I finally got your Christmas bird feeder to her much to her delight!

But the best part was HUGGING! Finally we got to hug and communicate without a mask-we agreed those gifts were the best of all!

We rode around to parks – gorgeous day – had a birthday lunch and just laughed-we hadn’t seen each other since last September for my birthday …draped in masks and distancing ourselves!

I took a chance and it paid off-sometimes the universe gives us a long overdue wink!

So until tomorrow… The world would be very dull if we never took a chance on happiness -especially with a friend you met on the first day of college, who became your roommate, friend, and sister for life!

” Today is my favorite day”

It is also’s Eva Cate’s official birthday-oh so many memories and so much to be grateful to still be here to watch my garden of grandchildren grow!

Eleven Years Old Today!

Don’t ever worry Eva Cate-if you get lost… Boo Boo will always find you-that is what grandmothers are for…

Dear Reader:

I was filled with such happiness yesterday-I didn’t have to water because we got the first substantial rainfall this month-and I used the time to casually stroll the garden instead of laboriously lugging water cans to the different garden areas. I was in the mood for a good laugh and found it in one of the humor sections in God’s Little Acre funny anecdotes! Enjoy! The title was ” BC”.

There once was a woman who was quite old-fashioned and particularly delicate about her language. While planning a vacation for her husband and herself she chose a particular camp ground park to ask about reservations.

She especially wanted to know about their toilet facilities but didn’t want to write the word “toilet.” After some deliberation she decided on the term Bathroom Commode but the term still embarrassed her so she wrote instead ” Does the campground have its own BC?”

When the owner received the letter he kept shaking his head in puzzlement… What was a BC? He asked some other campers and they shook their heads too until one concluded the lady must be asking about the local Baptist Church! So the owner sat down and wrote this letter back to the lady.

Dear Madam: I take great pleasure in informing you that a BC is located five miles north of the campground and can seat 250 people at one time. Since it is a little distance away, if you are used to going regularly-you might want to take a lunch along and make a day if it. Plan to arrive early and stay late. The acoustics are marvelous! Even a regular normal delivery can be heard.

Last time I went the BC was so crowded I had to stand up the whole time I was in there but I heard more seats are coming due to a fundraiser held in the basement.

It pains me not to go more regularly but it surely is no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, especially in cold weather.

Hopefully I will see you soon and just know I would be happy to accompany you-even sit with you to help you pass the time.

Remember we are a special community who believe in helping newcomers overcome shyness in the great outdoors their first time!

Sincerely, Campground Owner

So until tomorrow… whenever you get down just remember the code letters BC and have a good guffaw!

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Join me in my garden stroll!

Dear Reader:

A few years ago I came across this quote by CS Lewis ( while shopping) and like so many of his quotes it made me stop in mid-stream and take this picture.

” Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different.” ( I call it the “ambiguous enigma of time.”) And every time I experience it … I feel lost in time.

We get caught so caught up in our day-to-day life, that we forget this seeming constant routine is a delusion ( or at least a “red herring ” ) and that underneath all the repetitive activities of daily life…time is slyly and craftily changing us.

It takes unexpected benchmarks like out-grown clothes, holidays ( already again?) the start and ending of school, etc to remind us that everything has changed and that it is the change itself… that is the only true compass…the only constant in our lives.

With family it is photographs of special family gatherings that marks time in our genealogy. For Grandmother Boo it is the grandchildren’s birthdays!

Tuesday is Eva Cate’s birthday-a special one – she will be turning 11- the ” Tween” years are upon us! So this year she is more aware of her role as one of the “girls” -starting to hang out with the female cousins, aunts, mothers and grandmothers.

Since Eva Cate is my oldest grandchild she pioneers the rest of the siblings and cousins into the next stage of growing up-she is the compass for all of us! I do feel a sense of loss of time when I see her first Christmas and last year’s Christmas.

So until tomorrow…Let’s enjoy every day we can while making memories with family-because in a flash the memories will be the most precious possession we still have.

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Actually yesterday was a great favorite day-we finally got April showers for the first time in April-I looked out my screen window and I could swear the plants and flowers were smiling back at me!

Dear Reader:

It is true confession time and I hope you readers don’t leave me hanging on this observation turned reality. Was I the only one who wore the same outfit more than once on a fairly continuous basis in 2000 and even some now?

Please no negative judgments -the decision to ” double dip ” the same attire as the day before just started making good ” horse sense” to me. After all it is just me who has to look at me most days and the same look doesn’t bother me. To my way of thinking my physical features are permanently identical each day-so why not the attire covering it?

I think the idea started last winter during the pandemic when I was still having groceries delivered and rarely left the house except for oncology appointments and window pick-up medicines and occasionally fast food. We had a cold, wet winter and one morning while changing turtle necks while goose bumps popped out all over me-I stopped to think how silly it was to keep a daily ritual that no longer made sense to continue. How dirty could I have gotten sitting in a recliner, writing, reading and watching television.

At that point no one was coming in the house-items dropped on the porch were left until they left and I picked them up.

These days while I am getting out more-I am rarely seeing the same people every day so again why change an entire outfit unless I have been working in the garden on warm days and/ or planting in the dirt.

Another thing I have noticed people are largely unobservant-for instance last week my neighbor across the street bumped into me while we were checking the mail and complimented me on a blouse I was wearing-to my embarrassment the exact same thing re- occurred the next day. I could feel my face growing red as she complimented the blouse again . I decided to come clean and told her she had liked the blouse the day before and she started laughing and told me to wear it again the next day too so she could enjoy it again!

Don’t we all remember trying on a dress or gown -perhaps a new Easter dress when we were little or our first prom dress as we grew older-saying ( as we stared in the mirror) ” I am never taking this off” -guess what? With the pandemic some of us are doing just that! 😆

I will say I have given away more clothing to charity this past year than ever before and bought less clothing than ever before in my life. For me retirement is coming to mean less “attirement!”

So until tomorrow..

” When you are most simple-is when you feel really free. “

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

My hisciscus is returning! Hope the insects that destroyed it last year ( no matter what I tried) don’t return also…

Let’s not forget…

Dear Reader:

I realize that I am a day late sending this appreciation card to my beloved home planet-Earth Day was yesterday… but I felt a late ” thank you” was better than not sending one at all.

The older I get the more I appreciate how much my home means to me. I also realize that earth continues to teach us how our home is inter-related to the other planets in our galaxy. Take for instance the latest eruption from Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. For the first time in 800 years-this strip of land has been rocked by an eruption.

Volcanic eruptions are closely connected with life. Scientists are using the current eruptions in Iceland to better understand the possible history of life on Mars. ( Mars is a volcanic planet)

The learning doesn’t stop at volcanoes. Some of the most beautiful quotes about our home planet date back to 1972 when the first human eyes saw our ” blue marble” -earth-from the farthest point in space. The planet appeared so fragile seemingly just ” hanging in the dark void. It looked like it needed a big hug!”

NASA astronaut Ron Garson tries to explain his feelings seeing his home planet for the first time.

” As I stared down at earth-this stunning, fragile oasis, this island that has provided us life and protected us from the harshness of space-I was hit with a sobering contradiction.

” In spite of the overwhelming beauty-serious inequality exists on this potential paradise,,, one billion people don’t have clean water, the countless number who go to bed hungry, the social injustice, conflicts, and poverty that remains pervasive across the planet. I realized we are all traveling together on the planet and if we all worked together nothing is impossible. “

So until tomorrow… When we dismiss global problems as being too big-let us replace these negative thoughts of images of people we love . Were we examples of good stewards towards our beloved home planet?

Are we leaving it better than we found it? Every solution starts at home and earth thank you for providing the means for my life and loved ones to not just exist but thrive.

Much love… from an ardent fan! Love, Boo

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Dear Reader:

Jesus’ teaching style was one I emulated as a teacher-instructing through stories… or as known in Biblical times… parables. Jesus used simple word pictures/ parables to help people understand who God was and what His kingdom looked like…

He loved to use illustrations to reach the heart of His listeners through their imagination. Like a skillful artist Jesus painted lively pictures with short and simple words-a mustard seed, a well, a wedding, a flask of wine, a lost coin, a fig tree, or a priceless pearl. His parables were like buried treasures waiting to be discovered. Items from everyday life that all His listeners could easily conjure up in their imagination -and-most importantly retain in their memories.

Later famous artists, like Rembrandt would select parables that moved them spiritually and conveyed the power of a father’s love and forgiveness.

As a history major I soon learned the power of mnemonics in memorizing states, countries, amendments-historical dates, etc

Lyrics, acronyms, riddles, tunes, art were all wonderful mnemonics!

So as a teacher I looked for ways to help my students learn lists of information and one of the most fun was Will Cleveland’s Yo Millard Fillmore-how to memorize the Presidents in Twenty Minutes! I can vouch for the claim! 👍

I remember Will telling me that he got his children to come up with a funny picture for each President to help the imagination retain the information. ( On a long road trip) Later he got the most talented local artist Tate Nation to draw the accompanying illustration by each President. The three of us traveled to educational conferences around the southeast and had a ball!

So when my son Tommy saw where they had just published the new 30th updated ( through 46-Biden) anniversary edition I immediately got a copy!

On the copy of the book in the title photo you might see a giant ” washing” machine on the White House lawn where a ” ton” of dirty clothes wait to be cleaned-Our first President-Washington! And the fun begins!

So until tomorrow-I love how the new edition ends -with space for every child reader to create a visual clue that sounds like his/her surname-perhaps a future President in the making?

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

My newest addition to the side garden-Petunia Cha-Ching Cherry!