Story of the Week, November 19, Near Miss
Hello, angel lovers. During this special time of year, TV and Hollywood seem to suspend the usual crime and violence and concentrate on heartwarming programs, both the old favorites and new G-rated entries which may turn out to be classics.  The problem is remembering when such fare appears, and gathering the family together to watch it. Thus I was thrilled to stumble across a website titled “A Guide to Good Holiday TV.” The listings started a few days ago and will continue until December 26th. Some of the shows are re-run several times, but it gives us all a second or third chance to tune in. One inexplicable annoyance: along with the nice family-fare list, this site

Story of the Week, November 6, 2009, Pool Party
Originally published 2008 in WorldNetDaily, but I thought you’d appreciate it. A Florida mother experienced what she is calling a miracle when her young daughter was presumed drowned in a pool, and three strangers brought the girl back to life. Meagan Durocher, who will turn two later this month, fell into a pool at Bristol Pines in Naples, Florida, Saturday evening while attending a party for her uncle, Naples Police Officer Steve Walden. The girl was underwater for more than a minute, according to one witness. Kathlene Durocher, Meagan’s mother thanked Naples Police Officer Benjamin Vasquez, one of the people who immediately came to the child’s aid, but has been

How sick is sick?
From Guideposts.com With the seasonal blast of flu viruses—and many doctors’ offices still without the vaccine— is there anything we can do to avoid getting sick?  A few nights ago, the TV news featured a rabbi explaining that hugs had been discontinued at his synagogue for fear of members passing the virus to one another.  He was followed by a minister recommending that his congregation use fist bumps to greet one another instead of shaking hands.  In some Catholic parishes, dispensing wine in a common cup at communion time has been halted for the time being, the newscaster informed us; a practice carried on during both the Black and Bubonic plagues.  The whole

Story of the Week, Oct 22, 2009, Brilliant Blue
Hello, angel lovers.  Just a few announcements today and an extra blog (I blog occasionally for Guideposts.com). —I know you like to be aware of good resources.  I’ve got friends, a married couple, who would be great to have on your list.  Bob and Cheryl Moeller are primarily marriage experts (parents of 6 and a dog) and conduct retreats and marriage preparation classes, as well as speaking around the country,  You can also enjoy their newsletters, blogs and e-books.  Bob is a minister and appears regularly on Christian television in our area, and Cheryl is a humor writer (and you know how I love good humor.) and former literary agent.  Sign up for their newslett

Story of the Week, October 9 2009, Surprise from Heaven
Hello, angel friends.  I am happy to announcement the publication of my latest book, MOMS GO WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD.  Nope, it’s not really an angel book despite the title.  It’s a book of (hopefully) humorous essays on mothering (along with a prayer now and then.)  My editor felt that much of today’s humor is trashy, and wanted a book that offered G-rated material.  I felt that we all need more laughter in our lives right now.  So we put our heads (haloes) together, and I wrote this for them.  Read a review at http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/10/joan-wester-anderson-moms-go-w.html You can order it at amazon.com, from the publisher at 1-800-586-257