Creative Writing for the Creator

Supernatural... The first time it happened  was on Christmas Eve, 2011.  We left central Texas and started heading north toward my husband’s hometown. A four-and-a-half-hour drive ahead. After about three hours, it started to snow. Our brother-in-law had warned us about the weather, but we wanted to visit family that holiday, so we kept going, thinking we would get there safely.  Then ice, wind, and snow started to make it increasingly treacherous to move and harder to see the road ahead. We were caught smack dab in a blizzard. A barely visible sign read “Windthorst 10 miles”. We passed several vehicles parked by the side of the road, unoccupied. Where were the drivers? Then we saw a truck, a car, and a few people around them. They were trying to tie chains to the bumpers of each vehicle. We figured the truck was supposed to pull the smaller car out of the accumulated snow around it. My husband and my son decided to stop and help. Leaving our truck, they walked up to the ...

Mankind, with its peculiar characteristics, never ceases to amaze me. Looking back into primitive societies, I can’t help but notice how far we have come in all our artistic works, discoveries, and knowledge. The human brain, in its intricate neurochemical and physiological pathways, is our natural command center for experiencing reality, learning, and expanding our skills, from basic survival to complex and luxurious lifestyles. It is paramount to reflect on what being human means and how we came to be. To dive into those considerations, we must go back to the origin and creation of mankind and the universe. The more we learn about ourselves and other creatures, the more we realize there is an Intelligent Design or source from which all we see and experience originates. From DNA to galaxies, there is no haphazard or accidental creation. This Intelligent Design and source of all creation is an Intelligent Creator . And I believe this Intelligent Creator is God.  God, the Creator...

 I glance with sleepy eyes into my backyard. By the creek, I spot this unsightly tree Its “oh-not-even-a-week-ago” bare branches  are now barely adorned in white! And, oh, I suddenly sense a fresh-linen scent as the gentle breeze frolics around  the timid and scantily dressed new petals! Ahh, the  early signs  of Spring springing! It is early March in central Texas and Winter is saying goodbye to my now wide-awake eyes. More than ever, I am reminded of the early signs of God’s revelations. All around, early signs: blooming in His creation and springing from His Word. Creation and salvation (or judgment) are revelations of the same wonderful, gracious, loving, and almighty God. Are we to be as unsightly trees, skeleton-bare branches, out of focus in the wintry distance? It is urgent we bloom with the abundant life which only springs from Christ! Then, and only then, will the gentle but mighty breeze of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit move within and around us to...

 Queridos Brasileiros e Compatriotas! A Eleição Presidencial será  AMANHÃ!!! E sem cada um de nós, brasileiros,  o Brasil não existiria. A Constituição do Brasil ainda nos concede  a suprema liberdade de VOTAR, para escolher aqueles que vão NOS representar. Se sabemos que nossas decisões hoje  determinam o futuro das próximas gerações,  como subestimarmos o poder do nosso voto?  Cada VOTO, como cada minúscula gota  d' água  nos oceanos, faz com que as ondas se formem e cresçam,   alterando a superfície do planeta. Cada VOTO, como cada pequenino grão de areia  nas praias, desertos ou montanhas, molda as paisagens da Terra. Nosso VOTO é nossa VOZ. Nossa VOZ tem PODER. Poder para transformar o mal em bem, remodelar, reformar, restaurar, preservar, purificar, dignificar, magnificar, glorificar. Nossa VOZ é nosso VOTO. E cada VOTO tem um PODER tremendo. É incrível o que cada cidadão pode fazer por sua nação! Devemos nos orgulhar de ...

Tonight, above the horizon, I see a celestial body A sphere of bright amber light Slowly rising    Under this extraordinary luminary   I swoon As I see its honey-hue reflection  Rising with sweet but fierce passion In my beloved’s smoldering eyes: Oh, Honeymoon!

“Passione per Gelato?” (what a title for a blog post!) I don’t blame you for thinking that. After all, this is a bilingual blog in English and Portuguese…  So why Italian now? Well, be patient with me. Keep reading, and you will soon find out where this is leading. I will start this true story from the beginning: Once the pandemic restrictions were eased, we decided that 2022 would be the year to travel to Brazil, my home country. After over five years, my husband and I would, at last, visit my family! A second honeymoon has been on our bucket list for years. And a second honeymoon in Brazil would be even more fabulous! We planned it all for the end of July, and off we flew! Our first night would be at the fancy, world-famous Copacabana Palace. Oh, and luxurious this five-star hotel was: from its intricate architecture to the spa, pool, three restaurants, exquisite food, and attentive staff... all in the details and welcoming little surprises at every corner. The ...