"With God's Grace Our Worst Past
Becomes Our Best Future"
Becomes Our Best Future"
Fishing with my father was anything but boring, but my mother dreaded every fishing season. “Your father is a veritable Mr. Hyde when he fishes,” she would say, generally including an emphatic gesture like hitting Dad with the newspaper, pretending a fly had landed on his shirt. “It’s safer to cuddle up to a rattler than be stuck in a boat with your father. He’s done a lot of crazy things—the craziest was the day he brought home a trout he caught at Butternut Creek.”
Dad squeezed Mother’s hand. “I suppose she’s right.”
They shared the tale that symbolized their sixty plus years together.
“Butternut Creek is so narrow,” Dad said, “you could toss a stone from one side to the other. And the trees like to hold hands across the creek. I cast my line, and I was the first to get a hit. By the force of the pull, I knew he was a big feller.”
Downstream, Eddie, Dad’s fishing buddy, was about to cast when he saw Dad struggling to hold his line. “Looks like a keeper, Cal,” he shouted. “Better use the net!”
“I left it in the truck!”
“Your father was always forgetful,” Mother interjected.
Dad could see the truck in an open field about a quarter of a mile downstream. It might as well have been two miles away. Eddie raced to retrieve it while Dad battled the trout. Long minutes later, Eddie plunged into chest-high rapids. For an agonizing second, Dad thought his amazing catch of the day would become catalogued with the other trillion stories of the one that got away.
“Got him!” Eddie shouted as he emerged triumphantly. They stopped at the water’s edge and shared an emotional moment sans tears and embraces. Eddie simply stated, “Got to have a picture of this one, Cal.”
“Well, I don’t own a camera,” Dad moaned.
“Cal, we’ve got to have proof. Nobody’s going to believe we actually caught this fellow.”
“Well, neither one of us has one. At least we know what we caught.”
The men trudged home with no lasting memento to herald their deed.
Mom came to the rescue.
As much as she despised fishing, she understood what this catch meant to her husband. “Put the fish in the tub,” she said. “I’ll find us a camera.” The next day she borrowed one from her employer, and the picture found its way into Dad’s brag book.
I think that’s the way they lived their life together, coming to the rescue for one another. Isn’t that what love is?
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ENEMY
12/7/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHY DO WE NEVER LEARN
12/5/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
GROWING UP CAN BE FUN SO IS GETTING OLDER
12/3/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
RETURN TO WALHALLA
11/30/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SAVED BY THE LAMB
11/28/2018 1:01:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SOARING WITH BROKEN WINGS
11/19/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
11/16/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
11/14/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HAIR CALAMITIES AND HOT CASH
11/9/2018 10:55:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
NEVER TOO LATE
11/5/2018 8:33:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MEET ME IN GALVESTON
10/26/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Not So Good Good Old Days
10/22/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HARVEST OF BLESSINGS
10/19/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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10/5/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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10/3/2018 3:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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10/1/2018 3:56:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PUTTING GREEN WHISPERER
9/14/2018 1:10:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The God of the Mundane
8/30/2018 9:29:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHEN I WAS THREE
7/16/2018 11:52:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
He Passes By
6/15/2018 8:50:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bryan's Homecoming
6/8/2018 1:11:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMERGENCE
6/1/2018 1:31:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PURSUIT OF PEACE
5/30/2018 2:39:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Live Long and Prosper
5/24/2018 12:13:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE REAL DEAL
5/16/2018 7:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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5/11/2018 1:06:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOMETHING NEW
5/4/2018 11:23:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED TAKE A BUBBLE BATH THEN TRY AGAIN
2/26/2018 8:29:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
12/24/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FOOTPRINTS
12/20/2017 12:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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11/29/2017 9:25:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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11/17/2017 3:59:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
HEADLINE HYSTERIA
10/31/2017 6:41:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
COUNTRY ROADS
10/12/2017 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STUPIDITY IS NO EXCUSE
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WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/CREATED TO BE SALT PART B
5/30/2017 7:25:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/ CREATED TO BE SALT/PART A
5/20/2017 1:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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4/13/2017 1:08:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FIFTY-FIFTY CONUNDRUM
4/6/2017 1:53:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE ROCK OF OUR FUTURE
3/31/2017 7:28:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
3/14/2017 8:30:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
PASS THE LOVE, PLEASE
1/17/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
STRANDED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1/10/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE WITH A BUMBLEBEE
1/3/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE FATIGUES
12/27/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/24/2016 11:22:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
LOVE IN A SUITCASE
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FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
12/14/2016 8:42:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM
12/13/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
KERI'S CHRISTMAS WISH
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Raising a Child With Autism
11/30/2016 8:33:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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CONFESSIONS OF A GARDENS SLUGGARD
11/16/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
GRANDMA PRAYED WHILE IRONING
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FOLLOW WHICH LEADER?
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ROYAL LEGACY
10/18/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE
10/11/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
9/28/2016 12:30:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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9/20/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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9/13/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A TEENAGED ROBIN HOOD
9/5/2016 7:36:16 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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8/31/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THE CHOICE TO FAIL
8/24/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TROUBLE
8/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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8/9/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT PRAYING
7/26/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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7/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT WISDOM
7/12/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
OF PETS AND PERSISTENCE
7/5/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
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6/10/2016 6:56:27 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Blessed to be a Blessing
5/18/2016 7:57:49 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Mama, I Can't take a Bath 'Cause There's a Fish in the Tub
5/4/2016 9:18:13 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOUR GRAPES OR BLESSED FRUIT
4/28/2016 7:28:32 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IT'S WHAT THEY DO
4/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MEET JOHNNIE ALEXANDER
2/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FROM LIGHT TO BRIGHT
1/15/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SURRENDERING TO THE CALL
1/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY QUEST
1/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY INTIMATE JOURNEY WITH MY HEROINE BY NIKE N. CHI
12/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
When Art Imitates Life: An Author's Book Journey
12/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Settled By Faith
11/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING
11/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
From Little Golden Books to Summer's List
11/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Roundeau
THE EDUCABLE MOMENT
11/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
There's love in them there casseroles
11/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Searching for God With All My Heart
10/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
I RUN TO YOU
10/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Sweetening Our Sour Grapes
10/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FALL THAT LIFTS
10/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Walk With God
10/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Disappointment and Discouragement
10/6/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STIRRING TRUTH
10/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: Meditations on the Road
9/11/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
DIALOGUING OUR FEARS
9/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHY A BOOK OF PRAYERS?
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AND NOT TO YIELD
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FAITH WORTH THE FIGHT
8/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CANT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER
8/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE WINDING TRAIL
7/31/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Flavorful Church
7/28/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Commitment Phobia
7/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God knows our hearts
7/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God Had Other Plans
7/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT
7/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God's Writer: Jan Elder
7/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE CURE FOR THE WEARY SOUL
7/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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7/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
OF THEE I SING
6/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A HUNGER FOR GOD
6/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
What Do We Ask God For?
6/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BUCK STORM SINGER/SONGWRITER/STORYTELLER
6/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
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6/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Dream Come True of Being A Writer
6/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR
6/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Meet Shannon Vannetter Christian Author
6/5/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
6/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMPTY NETS
5/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bucketwish
5/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Loyalty that Springs from Spirituality
5/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Wonderfully Made
3/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Lighthouse of the Carolina's Author Carol Heilman
2/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HAPPY NEW YEAR
1/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
