rita buettner commentary BlogOpen Window Waiting on our hydrangea and learning a lesson in patience Rita BuettnerJune 28, 20172 min read What is it about hydrangeas? I can’t say they’re my favorite flowers because I’ve said that about azaleas and forsythia and roses and tulips, and I’m obviously very fickle.But we did have hydrangeas on the tables at our wedding, lovely blue blossoms I cut from the bush in my parents’ yard and inserted into dollar-store […] BlogOpen Window My journey from Platform 9¾: How I first encountered Harry Potter Rita BuettnerJune 26, 20173 min read As a young newspaper reporter in Southcentral Pennsylvania back in July 1999, I was assigned to go to a bookstore on a Friday night for a book release party. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was coming out, and dozens of children were expected to attend—in costume and full of excitement.I had heard of […] BlogOpen Window Summer reading, a drawing of the Easter Bunny, Father’s Day, and water balloons (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerJune 23, 20174 min read ~1~ Summer is really here! We went to sign up for summer reading at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The boys’ aunt (my sister) works there, so we always register there. It’s a terrific program—and I would say that even if we didn’t have an aunt working there. We always stop to see the fish […] BlogOpen Window Why I love my Catholic faith Rita BuettnerJune 21, 20173 min read I love that as Catholics we can go to any Mass anywhere in the world and—even if it’s in another language, it’s the same. I love the beauty of our faith, the statues and the symbols, the bells and the candles, the holy water and the music. BlogOpen Window Movies, baseball, cousins, Dutch Wonderland, and our noodle jar (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerJune 16, 20173 min read You know when you get a haircut and no one notices for weeks? Or they finally notice and it has been so long that it’s already time for you to get another? BlogOpen Window You don’t have to have a glove Rita BuettnerJune 15, 20173 min read Our sons were still full of energy, bouncing around the house, begging to go outside and play in the heat. I saw only one option. BlogOpen Window Special delivery: Giving and accepting hugs and kisses Rita BuettnerJune 15, 20172 min read How often do I look for ways to spread love and affection among the people I encounter? BlogOpen Window Welcome to summer break, a trip to the Orioles game, belated birthday cards, dragon eggs, and a broken elevator (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerJune 11, 20174 min read This week’s 7 Quick Takes broach the summer break baseball, a broken elevator and more. BlogOpen Window Thoughts during an evening at baseball practice Rita BuettnerJune 9, 20172 min read I can’t tell whether he’s one of the better players on the team. That doesn’t matter. I know he’s right where he needs to be right now. And so am I. CommentaryThe Domestic Church Here comes the bridesmaid Rita BuettnerJune 7, 20174 min read God doesn’t care whether we’re immaculately dressed in fancy clothes or wearing an old bathrobe with sausage grease on the sleeve. Previous 1 … 88 89 90 … 93 Next