Author: JOY journal

After a long career writing for local newspapers — and, on rare occasions, for publications such as The Washington Post — Nora is enjoying a second wind as an innkeeper. She still blogs and does writing projects of special interest. She lives in Appalachia with her husband and a dog named Finn, who is beside himself with joy when the family's daughters have college breaks.
community, spiritual life

Is there a faith/church balance?

JOY journal

Readers interested in balancing individual faith and church accountability may enjoy this shortened version of a news feature I did for weelunk.com. It focuses on one young man's regional fight to bring a global pattern of sexual abuse within one church into the light and toward an end. Just going to the grocery store can… Continue reading Is there a faith/church balance?

recipes

Moo-free salmon bake

JOY journal

“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” Charles de Gaulle, French resistance leader and lover of democracy The thing I have missed most since going dairy free is cheese, particularly all those creamy sauces that put the "comfort" in comfort food come snowy weather. Thanks to my vegan friends out there,… Continue reading Moo-free salmon bake

books

Top 5 Christmas reads

JOY journal

"The only other sound's a sweep of easy wind and downy flake." Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" Are there certain books you make time for, no matter how busy the holiday season? I know I have a handful that I come back to time after time. So, if you're looking for… Continue reading Top 5 Christmas reads

spiritual life

Why does God matter?

JOY journal

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” C.S. Lewis, British author It wasn't a game of stump the teacher. The kid -- eight years old and messy haired -- looked at me in all sincerity and… Continue reading Why does God matter?