Health & Fitness

Another rainy day.  We’ve had quite a string of them recently.  When I look out at the rain, I try to remind myself that we were in drought conditions last summer and into this spring, and we need the rain desperately to replenish our parched earth.  I am reminded of my Old Testament class in

Healthy Adams County (HAC) will be partnering with many other local agencies to host Mental Wellness Day at the Adams County Farmers Market on May 16, 2026 from 8am – 1pm at the Gettysburg Rec Park. This family friendly event aligns with Mental Health Awareness Month and is intended to raise awareness about critical mental

It must have been in the early 1990’s that John Stoner introduced me to what Richard Rohr calls “the great comma.’  The great comma is the one that follows “born of the Virgin Mary,” in the Apostles Creed. There is absolutely no mention of Jesus’ life or teachings in the Apostle’s Creed which many Christians

I’m feeling rather down today.  The world is too much with me, and the tragedies facing others, and all the government abuses leave me feeling impotent and helpless.  I can contribute to local organizations that are addressing homelessness and other needs in our area, but is that enough to stand against the rapid erosion of

It’s still very cold, but the weatherman says it will get into the low 30s today, a welcome change.   Reading about the freezing temperatures in the South where so many are without power…well it is hard to imagine what that may be experiencing.  But then I think about those in Ukraine who have spent

The birds are screeching and flapping around the bird feeders this morning.  It’s been cold enough that little has melted, so our landscape still looks like a Christmas card, and it must be hard for them to find food. It is truly beautiful, and when my daughter took me to the dentist, I just gazed

I skipped my supper last evening, so engrossed was I in The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon that I literally couldn’t put the book down until the last page.  And when I read the author’s notes and discovered that about 75% of the story was based on fact, though greatly fictionalized, I was blown away.  The story

At this stage of my life, I find that I no longer take many things too seriously.  I confess to feeling a bit detached from all of the political machinations that would once have had me pulling out my hair.  But on the eve of my 89th birthday, I recognize that I have lived a

Life has a way of being overwhelming at times, especially if we choose to be thoughtful and discerning about how we interact with what is going on around us and others.  Sometimes it seems tempting to simply go with the flow and turn off our brains and our hearts, but for me, at least, that

I’ve been reminding myself that an attitude of gratitude may not make everything better, but it opens the way to seeing the positive in every situation, and there is always something for which to be grateful—being alive for one.   I’ve been fighting a nasty virus for six days now, and it doesn’t seem to be

 Most of us know the Serenity Prayer, whether we have attended 12-step meetings or not.  “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  This is an excellent prayer for all of us, as we all have

In our church discussion on Sunday, we were reminded once again that before we can really help or support anyone else, we have to take care of ourselves.  Since many of us grew up with the refrain of putting others first, we never really learned about self-care, what we can do or be without creating

With our annual yard sale in full swing, my daughter reminded me this morning that I don’t have to be there for the whole thing.  I could go home and let others carry the load.  It seems I am still needing to recover from my codependence.   We all like to be needed, but really… 

I am supposed to have a sermon ready for this Sunday if our scheduled speaker is not able to come because of health issues.  I’ve gone over the sermon notes that came with the lectionary, and they are really interesting, but they don’t sound like me or speak to me.  I swing back and forth between

Sitting down to blog, I stared at my computer screen without any idea about what to write.  That happens fairly often, it seems.  Blank screen.  Blank mind, so I reached for some daily inspirational readings.  Nothing.  Oh well, I thought.  No one is saying I have to blog every day.  That is an expectation I

 I came back from my senior’s exercise class utterly pooped.  But the sun is shining, the sky is a bright blue, the temps are in the 70s, so what is there not to like?  In fact, the days when my get up and go, gets up and goes, those are the days it is most

Sitting in the doctor’s office yesterday and looking at all the others also waiting to receive their treatments for macular degeneration, I was struck by just how unkind the aging process is to most of us.  It’s not that I want to live forever, but this aging business seems so unfair.  Intellectually, I can see

Healthy Adams County’s Physical Fitness Task Force is launching its 2025 Fall Walking Parties with a series of free, led walks across the county aimed at promoting fitness and community engagement; maps and full details are available at https://adamswellness.org or on Facebook, dogs on leashes are welcome except where noted, walkers should wear good shoes,

We humans prefer a manageable complexity to an unmanageable simplicity, so observed Fr. Bruno Barnhart.    I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around that since reading it.  We prefer a manageable complexity to an unmanageable simplicity.   As my granddaughter would say, that’s deep. Having just gotten back from my walk with my friend,

I rarely know what I’m going to write about when I sit down to blog.  Sure, there are times when an idea has been brewing, or a phrase has been bouncing around in my head, but that is no guarantee that I will go in a specific direction or even end up writing about that

 I awoke feeling a bit grumpy.  My eyes are bothering me, and I gave way to the fear that I may be losing my sight. But then I went outside for a walk and suddenly I was infused with gratitude, a gratitude that welled up inside and spilled over in thank yous to God.  Our

One of the really difficult challenges of our social media age is discerning truth from fiction when it comes to the news. There is so much misinformation floating around out there that it is hard to know what is what. The best we can do, perhaps, is learn as much as we can about our

After reading the morning paper, I checked my email.  Three people sent me editorials and meditations that focused on approaching life with a positive attitude, suggesting we all actively focus on the positive, rather than the negative, especially in our current political climate.  We’re not to ignore the many problems that face us, but each

Many of the books I’ve been reading recently have centered around sibling rivalry and the tensions that build up within families.  I suppose that isn’t surprising, as a significant percentage of our intimate relationships are family-related.  Speaking for myself, it was only later in life that I was able to accept my two sisters for

I’ve been recently reading several novels about WWII, not a good thing to be reading in today’s climate with the ICE raids, etc.  So when my daughter suggested Marie Bostwick’s The Book Club for Troublesome Women, I was glad for the change.  It was a good read, especially for this old woman, as it brought

 It’s a beautiful summer day.  Warmer than I’d like it to be, but my morning walk was still doable, and the flowers dancing in the morning breeze were perky and lovely. Looking up and down my street, I was once again aware that  I have so much for which to be thankful,  whether it is

In a significant expansion of its commitment to community health, WellSpan Health has announced a $3.5 million grant investment over the next three years to support nonprofit organizations implementing innovative housing solutions across its service area. Gettysburg-based South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) will receive $750,000 to support both ongoing and new affordable housing initiatives

It’s a beautiful summer day.  Today will be a hot one, but it is still early enough that the temps have not climbed to an uncomfortable state, and there is a refreshing breeze.  Our patio faces southwest, so it gets the morning shade, nice for sitting outside in the morning and enjoying God’s great outdoors.

I was going through some old blogs and found this one on gratitude.  It seems worth repeating.  Some time ago, I wrote:  I listened to some TED talks on gratitude.  By the time the program was finished, I was filled to overflowing, even close to tears. There was so much hope, so many possibilities for

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. There are different ways to keep your brain healthy. They include staying social, eating healthy food, getting a good night’s sleep and prioritizing your mental health. There are small changes that you can make to lower your risk of dementia. Staying physically active, managing your blood pressure, preventing

I pulled up a clump of wild daisies last week and planted them in front of the house where they bring me pleasure daily.  More than that, they remind me that both little and big things mean a lot. Just having a house to clean, dishes to wash, laundry to fold, friends to call, enough

While going through a pile of papers on my desk, I found this prayer.  I suspect it was something we had used in one of our worship services, but the source and author are long forgotten.  I also think I may have used it previously in one of my blogs, but it is certainly worth

It’s sad that we have to grow old before we can revel in a quiet, do-nothing day.  We’ve become so over-stimulated with our 24/7 technology that we don’t know what to do with even small slivers of downtime.  My friend’s grandson, who is only five, has been so exposed to some form of constant screen

Coming home from exercise class I was listening to NPR and a program discussing Trump’s attempts to overturn birthright citizenship.  In the end, I suspect, the showdown will come when the Supreme Court rules against him.  It is then we will find out if there is anyone strong enough to stand against him.  Up until

About ten years into our marriage,  my husband and I hit a rocky patch, and we began counseling.  We hadn’t gotten far into the issues when my counselor stopped me in the middle of a rant,  “We’re not here to change your husband.  We’re here to look at the ways you create your own unhappiness. 

Gettysburg CARES, the emergency shelter organization serving Adams County, has announced the purchase of a two-unit house that will provide transitional housing for local families in need. The property was officially acquired on May 9 following more than two years of planning by CARES Director Debi Little. CARES—short for Combined Area Resources for Emergency Shelter—is

Years ago, when I was a newbie in the 12-Step Program, I discovered the National Religious Press’s 12 Rules For Happiness, which helped validate the 12 Steps for me. Over the years, I’ve found many restatements of Jesus’ The Sermon on the Mount, which, if my information is correct, is the actual basis for the

 When I heard about the fires in the West, they seemed very far away, something that couldn’t happen here in Adams County, but after several years of drought, it has.  Two large fires are spreading rapidly in the state, near us. Towns that are very familiar and only miles away are being affected. People are

 Sorting through old papers is enlightening.  The older I get, the more it seems nothing ever changes.  Situations, clothing, music, and fads may change, but not human nature.  Each generation has to start anew.  Consequently, generation after generation, we humans keep asking the same questions and struggle with the same issues, how to discern good

I’ve always loved books.  As a kid, I hid in the bathroom with a book or snuck a book and flashlight under the covers when I was supposed to be sleeping.  Books have been my steady companions since I was an infant. I can’t remember a time when my Dad did not read to me.

It’s been days since we’ve seen the sun.  Mother Nature seems to be trying to make up for all the days it didn’t rain earlier this spring and winter.  Day after day, we’ve had drizzle with intermittent showers, which is allowing the water to soak into parched soil, and I am so grateful.  We’ve needed

I came back from exercise this morning reflecting on just how difficult self-care really is.  In our culture self care often focuses on appearances, dressing nicely, eating well, getting massages, doing exercises, shopping therapy, etc. all of which have their place,  but before any of those things can really fit into true self care we

Five of us went to Lancaster to join Mennonite Action in standing against war and supporting the victims of war.  It was an amazing experience as it eliminated all political partisanship by advocating and praying for the victims of war, not for Israel, not for Palestine, not for the US, etc.  We prayed for the

After winter’s cold weather, these sunny, warmer days are truly mood-boosting. I am fortunate enough to have my massage therapist work just two blocks away, so walking to and fro this morning was an experience of sheer delight.  Listening to the birds, noticing the maples in bloom and taking in other signs of an awakening

It’s March 10, 2025, the third anniversary of my husband’s death.  I’m feeling a little sad, but life goes on though good men die, as Edna St Milay wrote in her poem “Lament.”  I think I’ve adapted quite well, thanks to the help of my children, especially my daughter, who lives just 15 minutes away.

The safety and security of our Wellspan team members and patients is our highest priority. Following the recent tragic event at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, we have implemented enhanced security measures across all WellSpan campuses and facilities. Starting this week, our team members, patients, and visitors will notice that we have designated specific entrances

Spring is in the air.  It’s chilly outside this morning, yet it is a different kind of chilly than the chilly of a month ago.  The promise of warmer weather and the emergence of spring flowers and blooming trees brings hope to our winter-weary souls.  I finally got NPR on my car radio this morning,

My house cleaner is here this morning, chasing me from place to place as she works.  At this stage of my life and with my back issues, she is worth her weight in gold to me, and I find myself wondering why we demean manual labor and elevate desk work or intellectual meanderings such as

After a weekend of winter mix…snow, sleet, ice, rain, wind, the sun is shining, though the winds remain. At least the power is back on.  When it went off about 6:30 last night, I decided on an early bedtime. But all is good now and I am once again thankful for all those things which

I don’t usually blog on Saturdays, but after sharing a light supper of soup and chicken salad with a special neighbor and going out to breakfast with one of my church buddies, I’ve been reminded of how blessed I am to have so many precious friends.  When contemplating true riches, good and faithful friends stand

It’s taken me about four days to recoup my energy from our trip to Vegas.  This old body just doesn’t bounce back like it used to do.  Even so, I’m rather proud of myself for doing as well as I did, but I have to admit I was very grateful to take advantage of the

I overslept this morning, so when I got up, the temperature outside had already climbed to an amazing 23 degrees—a veritable heat wave.  The sun is shining, rays bouncing off the glistening snow cover. Lovely. So very lovely.  God has certainly graced us with a beautiful planet.  But, given the snow cover the birds are

It snowed yesterday.  All of the ugly remnants of our past snowfall are covered over.  Everything is pristine again and glistening in the brilliant sunlight streaming through the trees.  It is absolutely lovely and reminds me of the importance of new beginnings. I am still plugging away at Richard Rohr’s Jesus’ Alternative Plan.  For anyone

 One of the basic teachings of the 12-step program relates to denial and letting go.  If we are to change, we have to let go of the beliefs that have undergirded our lives and held us back.  For the alcoholic, the belief that alcohol will make them feel better and solve all of their problems