We are entering the dandelion season in Northwest Ohio. These plants are the bane of most home-owners’ lawns. Nonetheless, I was saddened this week when Crayola announced it is going to ‘retire’ the dandelion shade of yellow in its boxes of crayons.            Will I miss it? Not personally since I rarely use crayons. But there is a ...

by Fr. Herb Weber The birds were loud and effusive in welcoming me as I stepped out to pick up the morning paper. My day, already good, became joy-filled with their voices echoing in my ears. And I was thankful for their sound. You see, each time I hear such birds I recall my dad’s words from some forty years ago. Not long after I was ordained, ...

by Fr. Herb WeberAfter Mass a child and her dad came up to say hello to me. I crouched down so I could talk to the little girl face to face. Looking up at the parents, I saw life from the vantage point of a small child. Parents – all adults – looked very big and tall. Like a wall, their very presence blocked my view of others in the room. I wanted to see more.People have ...

by Fr. Herb Weber I like roundabouts. There, I said it. I know they are challenging to some people and a source of controversy for others. But I like not having to stop at each intersection. And I especially enjoy timing my entrance into the flow of traffic. It requires a balance between courage and caution.In short, roundabouts are good for those who ...

by Fr. Herb WeberI looked at David, my Navajo guide, and noted, “Listen to the silence.”He said nothing but seemed to be asking what else I might have expected. This was the second or third time that morning I had commented on the silence.We were deep in the Canyon del Muerto, the northern canyon of the National Park known as Canyon de Chelly. David was about my age and had ...

   Last week I was driving on a small country road when I came to a one-lane bridge. I stopped and looked and, sure enough, there was a car coming from the other way. I allowed that person to cross before I ventured onto the bridge.It struck me that there aren’t many one-lane bridges left. When I was growing up, including the first years after getting my driver’s ...