bosak
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Readers share the one question they would ask God
Recently I listened to a speaker who posed an interesting question. If you had the chance, what one question would you ask God? The speaker’s talk went on to explore much of what is unexplainable in the world but I was stuck on the question. …Read More
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Lenten sacrifice should be a true test
For many Christian religions, we are now in our second week of observance of the season of Lent — a 40-day period of prayer, fast, penance and good works leading up to the feast of Easter. As a cradle Catholic, Lent, along with all its …Read More
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‘Talk to the Paw’ dog trick has owner seeing stars
As a way of frittering away the long, cold nights of winter, I decided I would teach Issy the Terrible (my terrier) some new tricks. She made no pretense that her preference was to lie on the couch, curled up on a blanket, but after …Read More
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It’s all relative for National Family Week
In case you didn’t know, this week in National Family Week. There was a time when the ideal family looked like something out of “Father Knows Best” or “Leave It to Beaver.” There’s the father who comes to the table and then reads his evening …
Pampered pets are part of the family
I ran across an ad the other day for April as National Pet Month. I laughed. In my house, every month is pet month and pampering is the expectation. While I try to keep the words “spoiled, rotten dog” out of my vocabulary, I do …
Take time to appreciate loved ones
You know that old saying, familiarity breeds contempt? While we might not be contemptuous of those we are closest to, we certainly might develop a propensity, over time, to become indifferent. Elie Wiesel, writer and Holocaust survivor, noted that the opposite of love isn’t hate …
Take time to reflect on power of forgiveness
For all Christian believers, tomorrow — Good Friday — is one of the most sacred days of the year. A precursor to the Easter resurrection, the events of the day of Christ’s death on the cross provides one with a poignant pause for reflection. A …
While away winter with some good books
The two best times of the year for hunkering down and reading a good book seem to be summer, out on our lounge chairs, and the dead of winter. Well, here we are in the dead of winter, so here are my recent picks and …
Choosing right vocation is part of life’s journey
When talking about vocations, most people assume it only refers to ordained ministry or the religious life. But everyone has a vocation in life. Some would call it their life’s work or their passion. Others might say it’s their career or profession, such as medicine …
Liverwurst sandwich ‘proves’ Santa exists
I must admit, I was always suspicious of Santa. It wasn’t a matter of not wanting to believe; I did, desperately. But I never believed all those Santas who filled the department stores and stood on street corners were valid. Santa, of course, would never …
3rd century saint might be prototype for Santa
I love Christmas as a religious holiday but, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of the secular celebration. Impossible traffic, hoards of snarky people, cheesy decorations and the pressure. There’s pressure to do everything; make everything perfect; and get it all done now. …
Comfort foods warm body and soul on cool days
At some point in October, it hits me; I’m sick of making dinners on the grill. There’s something about shorter days and that defining nip in the air that makes us yearn for comfort foods. This year, I hit the wall earlier than usual and, …
Holiday chaos turns laughable
We all have them — those moments in life that, at the time, seem horrible, disastrous, total chaos. But then, with some hindsight, become times that can be classified as “one day we’ll laugh about this” occasions. I recalled one over Christmas as I celebrated …
Creativity isn’t merely an extracurricular activity
After school enrichment programs have become part of the fall-out of a failing economy. And with them, so goes the effort to foster creativity in today’s generation of children. The loss of funding for what those in charge deem unimportant could mean that potentially millions …
Thanks to hubby, empty-nester returns to class
The time has come to clear my basket of a couple of bits and pieces that somehow just never made it as a full column. Jessica Bates of Lowell received the surprise of her life from husband Larry at their daughter Julia’s graduation party this …
Memories of frozen turkey, football
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that provides the perfect backdrop for family traditions and brings back memories of loved ones now gone. In the Bosak family, as far back as I can remember, Thanksgiving was celebrated each year at my aunt and uncle’s, both …
‘Good reads’ make longer nights bearable
Bummer! Daylight saving time has ended. We gain an hour, but we’re plunged into darkness an hour earlier. Trying to find the plus in this miserable time of year, I look forward to spending these long, dark evenings with a cup of hot tea (OK, …
Simplicity can lead to a more meaningful life
Back in the mid-90s, a book hit the bestseller list and was a run-away success, selling millions of copies and changing the lives of readers all around the world. The book? “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy.” The author: Sarah Ban Breathnach. Almost …
Shelter dogs give gift of love
Today dawned, cold and damp, the chilliest day of the season so far. As I write this though, my feet are toasty warm, albeit numb. Why, you ask? Because my dog, Isabella, is lying across them and, after 30 minutes with the weight of a …
Olympic dreamers always go for the gold
Are you watching the Olympics? Isn’t it awe-inspiring what the human body, coupled with the focus and determination of the mind, can do? There’s an old saying that records were created to be broken, but watching these world-class athletes, you have to wonder, just how …
