Leslie Fowler Doyle

The Magic of Life

Learning about life and its little gifts

  • New Year, Old You

    Are New Year’s resolutions all they are cracked up to be? It’s January, it is very cold and dark, and I am very motivated to stay under the bedcovers until spring. I want to exercise more, eat better, and have… Continue reading

  • Shepherds and Scientists

    Thoughts on who came to see the Christ Child As we approach the blessed time of Christmas, there are so many aspects and layers to consider in the Nativity. One thought worth mentioning is who visited the Christ Child when… Continue reading

  • Male Pattern Humor

    How the other half jokes A couple of weekends ago, fathers from all over the world were celebrated by their families on their special day. We, too, celebrated my husband’s love for us and enjoyed our time together. While I… Continue reading

  • Seasons with Reasons

     In my last blog, I was extolling the virtues of winter as the time for rest and rejuvenation. However, if you are like me, you love the warmer temperatures, longer days and the general feeling of optimism that comes from… Continue reading

  • A Time for Everything

    3 There is a time for everything,    and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2     a time to be born and a time to die,    a time to plant and a time to uproot,3     a time to kill and a time to heal,    a time to… Continue reading

  • Organic Anniversary

    Many people celebrate their anniversary with the three Cs: champagne, candlelight and cuddling. We recently celebrated our anniversary, and we did have the three Cs, but we also increased our knowledge of the three Ms: manure, mushrooms and mulch. My… Continue reading

  • Southerner in Exile

    We have lived above the Mason-Dixon Line for almost 22 years now, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We have a wonderful community of friends, go to a great church, and our adult children will probably stay here, and so will we. My… Continue reading

  • In Celebration of August

    “I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know. Twilight is the border between day and night, and the shore is the border between sea and land. The border is… Continue reading

  • Writeable Moments

    I have had the pleasure of working with students from kindergarten to college and beyond.  I have noticed in recent years that colleges and graduate schools want essays (read: narratives) to personalize otherwise common applications. Most candidates of these schools… Continue reading

  • The Gifts from Guests

    Yesterday morning, our most recent guests left. I can still see my dear friend waving at me as they drove away, until I could see the last trace of their car. Although they were gone and there was a hole… Continue reading