Lyn Misner is an Idaho native who loves learning new things – preferably by reading and studying and not by going through difficult circumstances. But, as with most people, she hasn’t been able to avoid the latter.
She is a mother of five adult children who differ from each other in nearly as many ways as possible and amaze her in the various paths their lives are taking. Her children’s greatest and most appreciated accomplishments are the eleven grandchildren they have given her. She is also a widow who misses her husband every day but who has found the re-inventing of herself as a single person to be a great adventure.
She is a retired middle school teacher and a two-time cancer survivor. Her hobbies include travel via the scenic route, reading, sewing and quilting, and genealogy. She enjoys watching old movies from the mid twentieth century, listening to 50s and 60s music, and viewing beautiful scenery.
She believes in the strength and power of women. A favorite quote that hangs in her office is: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Meade)
Of the almost innumerable choices we make daily, perhaps the most consequential are the ones that impact those around us. The words we choose to use, our tone of voice, and the intent of our communication frequently have far-reaching and perhaps unintended consequences in our relationships with others. Certainly we should be aware of the…
One of my passions is doing genealogy research. I can spend hours going through stacks of old books in libraries or trying to decipher centuries-old and faded handwriting in online images of documents. One of the document types I consult frequently is census records. In the United States, census records began in 1790 but only…
Women are amazing. At least I have never come to know one who isn’t worthy of numerous superlative adjectives. Of course I don’t know everyone, and my circle isn’t a particularly large one these days. Nevertheless, I think I have met enough women of various backgrounds to justify my claim. The thing I find interesting…
Recently a friend told me about a trip she had made a few years ago to a country in Europe. She thoroughly enjoyed her sightseeing. However, she was dismayed that so many of the small old churches were no longer open to the public. Fortunately, sometimes she could find a caretaker who would let her…
One morning during my teen years, my father reminded me I had not done my household chores of the previous evening. As I gathered my books to head for school, I casually replied that I hadn’t had time. He paused for a moment and then said with his penetrating look, “You had just as much…
This month, we are delighted to share an experience from Lyn’s daughter, Ellen. Have you ever had an impulsive idea pop into your head and acted on it without thought? I’m sure most of us have, and with varying results. One warm summer night this last August, a spontaneous notion turned my small corner of…
The virtue words don’t seem to be used in our conversations much today. In fact, use of the word virtue itself is quite uncommon. I come across those virtue words such as loyalty, bravery, honesty, diligence, patience, humility, temperance, and integrity most often in social media memes. It is far too simple to pass along…
During the Renaissance, the idea arose that a person could study and become learned in all the knowledge of mankind. Leonardo da Vinci is often listed as a quintessential “Renaissance man” though there have been many other examples, even before the Renaissance era. The current term for someone who is greatly knowledgeable in many fields…
As a youngster I often walked the quarter mile up our country road to visit my grandparents. As I look back sixty years at those visits, I have come to realize that it wasn’t just the stick of Juicy Fruit gum from Grandpa’s pocket or the slice of fresh homemade bread that kept me returning…