Author: Jody Lee Collins

Now that I'm retired from 25 years of elementary teaching, I am able to spend time in my happy place--at my desk where I read and write as often as I can. When I'm not at my desk, you can find me in my other happy place--the garden, watering, weeding and worshipping. My husband and I live near Seattle and close enough to my two grown children and grandchildren that I'm able to hug them often. That is my greatest joy.
Life in General, Spiritual Practice

The Intrigue & Wonder of a Tape Measure, or How God is Rearranging the Furniture of my Life

The first verses of Isaiah Chapter six begin, “In the year that King Uzziah died….” and proceed to describe just what it was like when God’s presence filled the temple. What a way to worship. (Go ahead, read it. I’ll wait.) Anchoring a year by identifying it as when so-and-so has died seems an odd way to mark time, but I get it. This year, … Continue reading The Intrigue & Wonder of a Tape Measure, or How God is Rearranging the Furniture of my Life

Jody Lee Collins3 Comments
On Reading, Spiritual Practice

The Light Shines in the Darkness {and the darkness does not overcome it}

My husband and I sat for a few moments in the waning daylight of September’s first day, swatting away persistent mosquitoes and chatting about unfinished summer projects. The bittersweet end of August that sidles up to the beginning of Autumn always surprises me by the quick demise of sunlight and sudden arrival of the evening. Honestly, it wasn’t dark like this at the same time … Continue reading The Light Shines in the Darkness {and the darkness does not overcome it}

Jody Lee Collins4 Comments
Life in General, Spiritual Practice

Random Ramblings the Week of My 70th Birthday

I got a notice from the Neptune Society this week. Seriously. I felt like calling or emailing them to say, “I’m turning 70 this week. I am not dying.” It’s weird to do the math confirming I am, in fact, entering my eighth decade and realize I feel maybe 35 inside. Know what I mean? I wrote a poem about just that called “Age is … Continue reading Random Ramblings the Week of My 70th Birthday

Jody Lee Collins2 Comments
Life in General

Bill & Jody Get (and stay) Married-An Anniversary Story

July 14th, 1973. I’m not sure I can find a just right photo that sums up the time machine vibes of that day so very long ago, but I also didn’t want to let the day pass without writing a little something. I say ‘time machine’ because my wedding dress was made of cotton eyelet and my bridesmaids wore yellow checked gingham. My cake topper … Continue reading Bill & Jody Get (and stay) Married-An Anniversary Story

Jody Lee Collins3 Comments
Life in General

Lucy & Ethel Italy Travelogue–A Photo Essay

FULL DISCLOSURE: long post ahead but there are lots of great photos. The thoughts below are directly affected by a post-Europe travel brain and my best attempt at gathering my thoughts. Paragraphs may be rather random. “May be?” They are. People travel for different reasons. To see the world, visit friends, taste new food, for adventure or sight seeing, to fulfill a long held dream … Continue reading Lucy & Ethel Italy Travelogue–A Photo Essay

Jody Lee Collins9 Comments
Life in General, Poetry

“I Am From”–An Interview & Poem

I recently had a chance (in the middle of the cacophony of home renovations) to chat with fellow writer Alyson Shelton who invited me to join her Instagram Live series sharing an “I Am From”  poem. “I Am From” poems originated with writer George Ella Lyon**, a poet and teacher in her home state of Kentucky. The text of my poem is below.  But for … Continue reading “I Am From”–An Interview & Poem

Jody Lee Collins2 Comments
Spiritual Practice, The Church Year

What Can I Give up For Lent? A Noneatarian Response*

Ash Wednesday this year is March 2nd, beginning the liturgical season of preparation for Easter, the season of Lent. Lent is the forty days of prayer and fasting observed by many faith traditions. The observance derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants. Priests and pastors recite either, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or, “Remember you are dust, and … Continue reading What Can I Give up For Lent? A Noneatarian Response*

Jody Lee Collins2 Comments
Spiritual Practice

My Heart-God’s Garden

There are times in the dead of winter that I have a hard time imagining ANYTHING will every be growing or blooming in my flower beds. Then Spring and Summer come and it’s an  EXPLOSION of color that can’t be contained. Somewhere in the middle of all that green there are plants vying for sunlight and air, wishing for water to nourish their leaves and … Continue reading My Heart-God’s Garden

Jody Lee Collins5 Comments
Book Reviews

Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

“Personally, I know little about God, whoever he is. If he is. I realize, however, that to some, he’s downright awesome. From Gram’s description, I picture him like a raptor with a sky’s wingspan, exhaling love’s oxygen on his hatchlings, feeding them comfort and truth and power straight from his beak.” -Sugar Birds, Cheryl Bostrom I haven’t stayed up until midnight to read a book … Continue reading Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Jody Lee Collins1 Comment
Living the Season Well, The Church Year

Can We Celebrate Santa Claus & the Savior?

Weaving together the wonder of Christmas involves one part honoring the birth of our Savior and one part honoring the life of a saint. Nicholas, to be exact. Yes, we know whose birthday it is, but the fact is we get all the presents. It would be easy to blame our culture and their cashing in, literally, on the character of Santa Claus, but let’s … Continue reading Can We Celebrate Santa Claus & the Savior?

Jody Lee Collins3 Comments