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Category: Letters from Lila

Posted on January 27, 2025January 28, 2025

A Poetic Reflection on Loneliness

Photo of a snow storm in the country

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, surgeon general cited loneliness as a public health concern with the publication of Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.

Continue reading “A Poetic Reflection on Loneliness”
Posted on August 27, 2024August 29, 2024

On Making Pepper Jelly

Pepper jelly jars in a windowsill

The grief of losing a child is unfathomable. Lila wrote a poem March of 1997, six months after losing my older brother, her first-born, to the ravages of his alcoholism September 24, 1996.

Continue reading “On Making Pepper Jelly”
Posted on February 26, 2024February 26, 2024

Who Needs Anger?

Lila wrote these two related gems over a decade ago. Still fresh. Still profound.

Note: The featured photo is a painting by Francisco Goya (1746–1828) titled, “The Third of May 1808”. Though over 200 years old, the work of Goya is relevant today.

Continue reading “Who Needs Anger?”
Posted on April 25, 2023April 26, 2023

Breaking His Heart at the Used Book Sale

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lila wrote this thought-provoking poem on the back of an envelope in 1984.

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Posted on April 25, 2022April 25, 2022

Lila’s April Poetry

Spring Field

Lila gives us two poems written in different decades that encourage us all.

Continue reading “Lila’s April Poetry”

Posted on December 27, 2021December 28, 2021

Be Careful What You Wish For

Hairbrushes for Sale

As we start a new year, we sometimes make resolutions and wishes when we don’t have proper foresight.

“Be careful what you wish for,” is from the Aesop Fable, The Old Man and Death.

Lila wrote a 23 word poem at age 89 that addresses this thought.

Continue reading “Be Careful What You Wish For”

Posted on August 23, 2021August 24, 2021

Soup Carrying

Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup on Shelf

Look Out For a Soup Carrier

Here’s a letter of advice written by Lila in the early 1990’s to my brother. She based her advice on the book East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Just for a moment, pretend Lila is your mom. You will profit from this life-changing advice.

Continue reading “Soup Carrying”

Posted on March 29, 2021March 30, 2021

Relationship Advice

A pile of plastic bags

Lila wrote thirty-four word poem that gives us wise relationship advice. You will never look at a plastic shopping bag the same way again.

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Posted on December 21, 2020February 25, 2022

Love in the Time of Covid

Full Moon Over Field

“I don’t feel like reading anymore.” Those six words made me stop talking on the phone with Lila. Something was very wrong. Her back was hurting, her stomach was upset, and she was fatigued. Her appetite was gone.

Continue reading “Love in the Time of Covid”

Posted on February 11, 2020December 5, 2022

Why I Pray and Vintage Cherry Squares

Old woman in prayer

When you’re as old as Lila (age 91), you have wisdom. When Lila was in college in her 50’s, she asked her religion professor, Dr. David McKechnie Hay, for a list of the most important books he had ever read.

Continue reading “Why I Pray and Vintage Cherry Squares”

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About This Site

Life on a small family farm in the Middle of Nowhere, Iowa. Illustrated vintage recipes of Grandma’s you forgot to write down. Poetry & Essays from Lila.

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