I recently returned from a visit to New Mexico, my childhood stomping ground. While there, I had a fabulous time visiting my Elder clan AND enjoyed a “Big Girl Sleepover” with my Mom. We watched a whopping nine Christmas movies and gorged ourselves on chocolate cake and ice cream—almost every night! My pants were a little tight on the way back to Iowa.
If you live long enough, you can become an expert on the history of women’s pants. My all-time favorite style are wide leg pants, though they tend to be a bit noisy, what with the way the legs slap into each other. I bought my first pair in 1976, my next pair in 1998, and my latest pair in October, 2025. I’ve had to wait 20-25 years between cycles. If I don’t make another cycle, my son has promised to lay me to rest in my current wide leg pants. (He’s such a funny guy!)
About this time, you’ve probably figured out that I’m not exactly a spring chicken. And as strange as it may seem, my noisy wide leg pants have become a reminder of God’s care throughout the seasons of my life. He brought me through turbulent teenage years to life as a busy mother of four to my current stage of chasing grandkids and writing stories. I am SO blessed, and I’m SO thankful for His goodness and faithfulness.
How about you? Is there something a bit zany that calls you to thankfulness? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Email me: joy@joycleveland.com
BOOK STUFF:
• I’ve never been in a real live swamp, but lately, I’ve been glopping around with my current writing project, Falling for Eden. I’m still hoping to finish by December 31, but I may have to shake off the extra mud first! (Code for scene deletion.)
• I just finished reading Rescued Heart, a story of Sarah, by the amazing Angela Hunt. Sometimes we forget that the people in the Bible were REAL, just like us. This beautifully-rendered story brings Sarah’s anguish and humanity to life as she waits for the child that God promised. Highly recommend.
IN OTHER NEWS:
• We may be looking at “white stuff” this week.
• When I returned from New Mexico, guess what my husband cooked me for dinner? You’ll probably never guess, so I’ll just tell you: Hamburger Helper! And yes, it tastes the same as it did when I wore my first pair of wide-leg pants back in the ’70s.
Happy Thanksgiving, Friend!
Until next time . . .
