Category Archives: Uncategorized

Three Christmas Stories: A Country Club, A Surprise and A Skillet

Christmas 2020 has, for me, been low key, slow and easy, but much less exciting than Christmases of the past. Raising four children, I tried to make Christmas bright and shiny and happy and delicious! Some years worked better than others. My biggest energy endeavor was holiday lighting. I would string outdoor lights over ALLContinue reading “Three Christmas Stories: A Country Club, A Surprise and A Skillet”

This is the story of fear, the diving board and the escalator

This is a story about fear, a diving board and an escalator. Celeste Holt December 10, 2020 I stand on the one meter board, shivering in the morning shade as our early dive team practices were not yet graced with the sun’s warmth. My coach is a robust, over tanned, gray haired woman who rarelyContinue reading “This is the story of fear, the diving board and the escalator”

The Story of Lady Di, Big John and Ashley Judd

A Labor Day Story for you! This is the story of Lady Di, Big John, and Ashley Judd In the spring of 1993, I introduced two dear friends to one another. Joel Tomlin, father of 5, sold real estate with me at Pilkerton Real Estate in Nashville, Tennessee. Joel had an extra ticket to TheContinue reading “The Story of Lady Di, Big John and Ashley Judd”

Pilgrimage Preparation Post #5

St. Olaf’s Way ~ Summer 2019 Pilgrimage Preparation Post #5 Bless Everyone You Meet This simple word “bless” has taken on a more complicated connotation for me in the last few years. It can be, as one friend reminded me, “a loaded word”. Let’s take a look at it. On a very simplistic side, if someone sneezes,Continue reading “Pilgrimage Preparation Post #5”

Pilgrimage Preparation Post #4

St. Olaf’s Way ~ Summer 2019 We hear much about the benefits of gratitude. Psychology Today has an article boasting 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude. Gratitude in life has been said to change your brain chemistry, lower your blood pressure and “turn that frown upside down”. However, I know and you know that being toldContinue reading “Pilgrimage Preparation Post #4”

Pilgrimage Preparation Post #3 ~ July 11, 2019

St. Olaf’s Way, Norway ~ July 11, 2019 Pilgrimage Preparation Post Day #3    No complaints, everything a lesson for the Good, finally A pilgrim does not complain, a pilgrim does not complain, a pilgrim does not complain, a pilgrim does not complain. This is tough when we are traveling. Buses are crowded and late, weather is unpredictableContinue reading “Pilgrimage Preparation Post #3 ~ July 11, 2019”

Pilgrimage Preparation Post #2 ~ July 10, 2019

St. Olaf’s Way, Norway Summer 2019 Pilgrimage Preparation Post day #2 As we took the first steps of our journey on The Tochar in Ireland in 2011, we came upon a series of signs. These signs were Rules of the Road for Pilgrims. Every 5 – 10 miles of hiking through very rural terrain we wouldContinue reading “Pilgrimage Preparation Post #2 ~ July 10, 2019”

Pilgrimage Preparation Post #1 ~ July 9, 2019

St. Olaf’s Way, Norway Pilgrimage Post #1 Summer 2020  On July 17, 2020,  I will set out with the Furman University alumni crew from The Center for Vocational Reflection for my fifth pilgrimage. We will gather in Oslo, Norway to walk the pilgrim path of St. Olaf’s way. I first experienced pilgrimage in the summer ofContinue reading “Pilgrimage Preparation Post #1 ~ July 9, 2019”