It was Easter Morning 1999 and my husband, who had been a vibrant, stirring, muscular man, was now reduced to a skeletal figure forced to lie supine on a hospital bed. Our three children, all in their twenties, were fulfilling their Sunday church responsibilities in music and media and would join me in my vigil … Continue reading Standing on Holy Ground
God’s angels from their creation as heavenly beings down through the ages act as messengers, ministering spirits, and beings of intervention. As messenger, the archangel Michael brought the most astounding news to a Jewish teenage girl that she would be the mother of God’s Son (Luke 1:26-38). As ministering spirits, angels attended to Jesus after … Continue reading Angels Watching, Angels Intervening
Depression comes to us all at different times in our lives. For some, the despondency is so severe that thoughts of taking one's own life become a real possibility. Suicidal thoughts and actions occur to all ages and come to individuals of all socioeconomic strata. As we look from the outside upon those whom we … Continue reading Sunrise Hope . . .
I would like to invite you to come to the premiere of my newest musical composition SING HALLELUJAH, GIVE HIM YOUR HEART! I am excited that it is coming about, but I also want to give God the glory for helping me write the musical score. My prayer is that all who hear it may … Continue reading An Invitation for You
A few years ago I wrote a short poem as a note of condolence to my physician who was mourning the unexpected passing of her friend's young adult son. I sympathized with her as I realized the grief of life's end can be especially wrenching when hearts ache over a young life cut short. She … Continue reading Your Life’s Song
This lyric explores the many excuses we give for not showing the Gospel of God’s love to the lonely hearts we encounter every day. The story is based on the Bible’s New Testament parable or illustration of Jesus about a farmer who is sowing seeds. It can be found in the book of Matthew in … Continue reading Plant the Seed
This is a poem of reflection, as I share feelings of sadness with all those who have ever suffered a broken relationship, especially one of many years. One for me, one for you; It will never be the same, Dividing up the spoils of life As though it were a game. One for me, one … Continue reading One for Me, One for You
If you can imagine a guitar pickin' country song which pours out grief over a lost love while moving along to an easy tempo, give my modern ballad lyric a read and maybe even a listen should your head and your heart hear a melody which matches its soulfulness. Presenting . . . FOREVER IS … Continue reading Forever Is Such a Long Time
Having been a mother of teens and teacher of teens, and now being a grandmother of teens, may I humbly share with you my reflections on how to reach out to the defiant adolescent in your home. Certainly there are no fool-proof prescriptions for dealing with children during the transitional years from childhood to adulthood. … Continue reading How to Reach Out to Your Rebellious Teen
I would like to share with you a Classy Gospel Lyric I've written about putting faith into action, showing that you really believe what you say you do. My lyric is based on the Old Testament story of Joshua who became the leader of the tribes of Israel after the patriarch Moses died. Joshua instructs … Continue reading You Gotta Get Your Feet Wet!
Here's a poem I sent to WHAS Radio personality Milton Metz after his last evening broadcast of "Metz Here" in 1993. I still have my scribbled rough draft and his gracious handwritten thank you note. Milton Metz's Personal Note METZ HERE! As we heard "Metz Here" Over the years We shared many laughs And cried a … Continue reading Metz Here!
As a writer and lover of words I consider myself a wordsmith, not a numbersmith. Well, I guess there's really not such a word as "numbersmith"! But I think you know what I mean: bankers, accountants, financial planners, scientists, engineers, and other people who like to think about numbers. However, I think I can blow … Continue reading What a Difference a Zero Can Make!
I have a few notes that my mother left behind that, at first glance, might not seem all that important: a hand-written list of foods she was going to prepare for a family holiday tucked among the pages of a church cookbook. And a thin strip of paper peeking out from the leaves of her … Continue reading Remembering My Mother’s Final Days
No matter what day of the week it is, if one or more of my young grandchildren and I are together having fun, we call it a Nonny Day. In STINKY STORY I'm sharing with you a letter I penned and mailed to my four school-age early readers. Even though I was not physically with … Continue reading Stinky Story
Hi! My name is Timmy. I’ve just got to tell you what happened to my Nonny. That’s what I call my daddy’s mom. She called me the other day and said she got caught on an elevator with some other people and firemen had to rescue them! I thought she meant that the elevator caught … Continue reading Two Too Many!
Resting on my writer's shelf are twelve manuscripts which I expect to turn into a children's picture book series. These books will be for little ones in the early stages of reading. As they decipher the mystery of the printed pages of my books, young readers will be introduced to wonderful visions of playing, learning, … Continue reading Changing Direction
The following quote is attributed to David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of the nation of Israel: "Ezekiel 37 has been fulfilled and the nation of Israel is hearing the footsteps of the Messiah." He was referring to the twentieth century nation of Israel formed on May 14, 1948 when Jewish people from around the globe … Continue reading Footsteps of Messiah
If you happened to catch my blog in early December, you may recall that there was a seven inch papier-mâché Wise Man from the family manger scene who was noticed to have a red polka dot tie under his chin when it came time to pack away Christmas decorations one year. As you and I … Continue reading That Wise Guy With a Bow Tie!
May God bless you and your family during this holiday season. My family and I celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. However you choose to celebrate, I hope you find happiness and a sense of comfort, peace and strength. Here are some quotations from the Holy Bible that depict the life of Jesus Christ. … Continue reading Holiday Greetings
Here are four lines of poetic verse which I have written to send as an extra greeting of the season to you. The first two lines embody the birth of the Baby Jesus foreshadowed by his death. The last two lines present the message of the Gospel or Good News. This Good News is that … Continue reading Love Lies In A Manger
Christmas is the season for singing Hallelujah! Hallelujah is the transliteration of the original Hebrew word which means "Praise Yahweh" [pronounced YAH way]. Transliteration is another way of saying we convert sounds and the writing system of a language foreign to us into something we can pronounce and write in our mother tongue. Yahweh is … Continue reading Sing Hallelujah!
Our family worships on Christmas Eve as we give thanks for and share food, as we hear the Christmas story read and reenacted, as we give gifts to one another, and especially as we play instruments and sing together. Family Christmas Eve Greetings in Photos By Connie Carlisle Polley, 2018 conniecarlislepolley.com
SPOT THE TURKEYS is an outdoor game my family has played while celebrating the Thanksgiving season. You could easily adapt it to other times of the year as SPOT THE SANTAS, SPOT THE EASTER BUNNIES, etc. Use your imagination to come up with other variations and have fun! Game Coordinator: Use twenty 8" by 11" … Continue reading Spot the Turkeys (Santas, Easter Bunnies, etc.) Game Instructions
If I asked you to participate in the game of FIND THE MISFIT in the following list: The Three Kings, a Wise Guy with a Bow Tie, Wise Men from the East, and The Magi, what would you answer? Let’s examine a familiar Christmas carol, the Holy Bible, cultural history, and family tradition. Then let’s … Continue reading Wise Guy With A Bow Tie!
During Thanksgiving week out-of-town family members travel to my house. While they are in town we have a special family day when those who live nearby and those who live at a distance have a chance to be together. We talk, laugh, share good food, get my out-of-the-box Christmas tree set up, and have creative … Continue reading My Family’s Thanksgiving
My Christmas Cactus always starts blooming around Thanksgiving. To me it is the symbol of life and beauty in the midst of winter. Find life and beauty wherever you are and share it with others. Connie Carlisle Polley, 2018conniecarlislepolley.com
I recently lost a cousin who was my age. We both married fairly young, pursued middle class careers, raised children in suburban homes, and later lovingly invited grandchildren into our lives. Her death has caused me to reflect on what I have accomplished thus far in my life and what my future goals are. The … Continue reading The Silence of a Tomb
Nonny's Blog 