December 23, 2025

It's 69 degrees and I've been pairing working in the yard,

with stretching and pulling my sourdough every 30 minutes.

The birds are singing, and the bluebirds are flying about.

A Blue Jay landed, with much to say.

It was carrying on so much that Polly hid under a chair.

I sat & listened until it flew off...then looked up the "sign".

I prayed last night for direction and clarity for something

weighing on me.

I fell asleep right away..., and had a dream about a room in my house

flooding.  I woke up...and had only slept for an hour.

So I looked up the "sign" for that too.

I've been experimenting with mindfulness, faith, and surrendering.

Being more intentional with my thoughts.

Practicing Philippians 4:8.

(my all-time favorite verse)

I enjoy testing things out.

To discover what works and what doesn't.

For me.

It's effective.

This year while I muttered, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

and "With God all things are possible."  while breaking old habits and patterns,

and talking to the cat...

 ...lately I've been muttering, "He will perfect that which concerns me."

while wondering why I've wasted so much time trying to "perfect"

things that really don't concern me.

And I still talk to the cat.

Paying attention, and taking notes.

Signs:

* Bluebird: 'Is letting you know to choose happiness at all time.

Life may not be how you want it, Bluebird encourages you to count your blessings.

It reminds you to take control of your life & not let anyone or anything

steal the joy you have found.

Place value on the pleasant things growing around you.

Your about to enter a new chapter.

Be open and embrace any change.

All will be well.

"There's beauty all around us if you look hard enough."

~Bluebird~

* Blue Jay: Spiritual messenger. Communication. Courage. Protection. Truth.

Clarity.

And...the *flooded room dream interpretation:

Being overwhelmed by emotions or life circumstances.

Represents inner turmoil, stress, or unresolved issues within 

your personal life.

Facing a major life transition, feelings of loosing control, or a

need of emotional cleansing.

That sums it up nicely.

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,

whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-

think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,

or seen in me-

put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:9

\

 

December 20, 2025

I woke up weary.

Went to Horse Camp training to open up 

more areas to volunteer in. 

Revived.

Turned into the Zoo on my way home.

Only visitor there.

Bundled up from the cold, immersed in the calm.

Reenergized.

 A mad dash through the gym shedding boots and layers,

and arriving to join my peeps at Tai Chi class.

 Amused by our mess ups

and mishaps.

Determined.

Having fun.

Laughing as we learn.

Renewed.

Very mindful lately of where my energy leaks are, and what fuels me.

I've been listening for the whisper. 

Deciding what I choose to put my energy into.

What speaks to my heart.

What drains me.

What fills me.

Repairing some leaks.

Knowing that no matter where the journey takes me...

I am never alone.

Trusting in that.

be well...

xoxo

💓

 

'This is where you learn to grow, to love,

to trust.

This is life.

Take all the time you need to be undone, and breathe.

Through all the changes, hold onto wisdom, love, and gratitude.

No matter where the journey takes you, 

know that you never go alone.'

 

December 14, 2025

It's the way my cat tries to beat me from room to room.

The perfect quote when I need it.

The gratitude of going through the "difficult times".

A small gesture at the right time.

Pause. Take a breath, and notice everything

that is happening .

Appreciate what is, and allow

what is going to happen to enter

naturally.

Journal notes...

Life is messy, unexpected, and complicated,

and filled with magic, and overwhelming beauty.

Be firmly grounded in truth.

'When we live in our head, we miss the importance

 of of what is happening right now.'

Surrender. Let go. Find your new beginnings,

a new way of seeing. 

A grace filled way of life.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The thing about magic, 

is you don't wait for it...

it waits for you."

~Jake~

'Amidst all the pressure to keep going & to keep going,

may you also take time to learn the art of being;

being Loved, 

being Held, 

being Seen,

being in the Presence of the one who calls you to rest.

Even in the pause you are still where you need to be.'

 

December 13, 2025

This morning...

I'm feeling cozy sitting at my kitchen table in my 

 comfy sweats and fluffy slippers. It's cold and gray outside.

Perfect for sipping hot tea, journaling, and waiting for my sourdough to rise.

 

During my meditation I revisited a memory of the 7th grade:

 My teacher pulled me aside as class dismissed.

I can still visualize the classroom, leaning toward her chair

as I watched her draw a picture of an iceberg and then draw a line across.

She pointed to the top of the iceberg and told me that it was me.

I remember thinking, "She's telling me I'm 

doing good. I'm on top."

She continued to explain that I was the whole iceberg,

& there was so much more to me than what was on the surface.

I remember feeling uplifted by her words,

even though I didn't fully understand them at the time.

That memory arose many times

during my life.

It etched itself into my subconscious.

I didn't understand the message then.

I'm starting to understand it now.

Journal notes:

What you know of the world is only the tip of the

iceberg.

Submerged beneath the surface or the visible world

are mysteries too vast for you to understand.

You must live by faith, not by sight.

Trust in the mystery.

Nothing is impossible.

'Joseph and Mary were asked to trust, 

no more, and no less.

God showed the wisemen a star as a compass,

but that's it.'

"God doesn't always give us specifics on how things 

will work out, but He will often give us a direction 

He hopes we will move toward."

Pack light and take lots of love.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"And the thing about blooming is,

nothing about the process is easy.

It requires every part of you to stretch upward,

with your roots firmly planted in the ground;

and in the sun, and in the rain, and wind,

you stand anyway, even against the pull of the soil.

And through it all, 

one day you will see all along you were transforming.

This took everything out of you, but the struggle

was beautiful and necessary for your growth."

 

 

Breathe to Heal

Pause. Be still. Breathe.

When it comes to healing and calming my nervous system,

the 4-7-8 breath has been my angel on the sidelines.

Always there to help.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Your nervous system heals in stillness.

Slowing down can be the single most 

productive thing you can do for your body."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"10 minutes can change your life.

* 10 minutes of sunlight boosts serotonin.

*10 minutes of walking lowers blood sugar.

*10 minutes of breathwork regulates cortisol.

*10 minutes of prayer calms the mind.

*10 minutes of stillness lowers inflammation.

Don't underestimate what a 10 minute habit can do."

~Dr. Josh Axe~

December 11, 2025

Up before the sun to journal, pray and meditate.

Kiddo sleeping over to work in town.

Jolly nurse making "bloop" noises while taking hubby's vitals.

Bad hair day remedied with a ponytail and sunglasses pushed back on my head.

Out patient surgery, with good results.

Watching the sunset over the lake

on our drive home.

Even among the craziness of life,

my life is pretty dam sweet.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Choosing to have joy

is not naively thinking 

everything will be easy.

It is courageously

believing that there is

still hope, 

even when things get hard."

"Some moments scream their silence.

They slow us down and teach us 

to see what lies beneath the layers."

 

December 10, 2025

She was a trick horse before she came to the therapy barn,

and had to relearn a new way of life.

I was tricked by a way of life before I came to the barn, 

and had to relearn what was most important to me.

That moment you realize growth happened

during the in between.

Journal notes:

'Allow your inner light to shine.

Don't let it be dulled by circumstances.

You can still shine when things are hard.

Your soul is a beacon to bring you back to joy

& remind you that you have everything you need.'

Untangle your thoughts so that they 

line up with the faith in your heart.

Get up and walk into a new life.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Comfort often traps us.

Staying home, staying routine, staying in what's familiar...

it keeps things predictable, but it also keeps things small.

If you want to look back at the end of your life

and say you lived boldly...

you'll have to choose growth over comfort

again and again.

Don't let comfort rob you of the truth of life,

health, and mission you were meant to step into."

~Dr. Josh Axe~

"A cheerful heart is good medicine..."

Proverbs 17:22

Joy changes your biochemistry.

It lowers cortisol, supports immunity,

and strengthens resilience.

If you want to support your health seek

out what makes you laugh,

what brings joy to your heart,

and the people who help foster that."
~Dr. Josh Axe~

"Running away from yourself is like trying to run away from

a lamppost with a bungee cord tied around you.

Sooner or later you are going to spring back

and have a mighty bump."

 

Somatic and Journal

 

This is my YouTube pick lately,

I feel like I am on the same page.

Tai Chi was really fun today, and I moved

up to intermediate. Nice surprise.

Who knew?

Journal notes:

'You waste energy trying to determine if your resources are

adequate for the day.

It's better to simply acknowledge your inadequacy when you awaken

each morning, and rely on God's sufficiency."

Self-assessment can lead to panic,

which quickly sends you into a downward spiral.

'A cluttered mind worries about yesterday, today, and tomorrow-

consuming you, making it difficult for God to speak to your heart.'

"Don't take everything personally-

it is usually not about you."

"At some point we  need to figure out how God wired us

& where we are going to throw our energy."

Be patient when things get weird.

You'll never have all the answers.

Much of your frustration & failure come

from seeking perfection in this life.

'Too often we fight for our rights,

not realizing how our methods damage our relationships.'

Commit to love well.

"Believe in miracles like you believe in your next breath."

"Change can take years-

before it happens all at once."

'When you start your day with gratitude,

you'll be open to the opportunities, 

not the obstacles.'

It's good to wait quietly.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When your present in gratitude,

you can't be anywhere else."

"Once you start seeing things to be grateful for,

your brain starts looking for more things

 to be grateful for." 

~UCLA neuroscientist~

"If thankfulness were a drug, 

it would be the best-selling product

with a health maintenance indication

for every major organ system."

~Duke Univ. Med. Center Biologic Psychology~

December 7, 2025

Sitting in the pasture giving Blondie some cuddles, then here comes baby.

 Mama-angus-cow #5 moseys on over next...

then soon, mama-red-white-faced-cow #55 

joins our huddle.

Their interest piqued by me sitting in the grass...

my interest piqued by their floppy ear tags flashing fives.

Of course, 

I looked it up as soon as hubby and I got back

to the pickup.

Number 5...

'means big changes and perhaps a period

of self-discovery and renewed personal freedom is coming your way.

You need to be strong and accept these changes with positive energy

rather than fear because ultimately these lessons will set 

you on a path that's meant to be.'

'encourages you to hold firm when it comes to self-belief,

freedom, and carving out your own journey in life.'

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Building trust from the inside out,

self-knowledge frees you from the prison

of self-absorption and the pain of constant self-questioning.

It lets you rest on solid ground."

...."Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less that the trees

and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you

conceive him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy

confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham drudgery and broken dreams;

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

~Max Ehrmann  1927~

 

December 6 2025

This afternoon we lingered at the farm

 savoring a beautiful day, and the simplicity of life

around us.

"Appreciate everything, even the ordinary.

Especially the ordinary."

be well...

xoxo

💖

Skunk :

Become more confident in your interactions with others.

Meet life's challenges with a calm and peaceful heart.

Courage to raise a stink to make right something that is wrong.

"Back off! Stop trying so hard

and everything will fall into place!"

~Skunk~

 

Peace

Today...I see life with a renewed appreciation.

Availability, connection, time together, love...

and family traditions are the real gifts.

From a loved one back home. (thank you!)

"When you are seeking answers, spending time in silence

can often be more powerful than any amount of questioning.

searching, or researching.

Soften and let go of the need to constantly move.

Go for a walk alone to feel fresh air on your face.

Sit quietly with a warm drink in hand.

Allow your mind the time it needs to clear.

There is a space within the silence.

When you give your heart the room it needs to speak,

it will."

be well...

xoxo

💖

"It is easy to get wrapped up in Holiday

expectations.

Remember that love is on everyone's

wish list."

 

Journal Dump

Today, I have a new soup recipe simmering on the stove.

A loaf of sourdough raising, and a batch of protein balls made.

The kettle is on for hot tea, and I'm getting snuggled in

to (finally) watch the movie

"Casablanca".

It's Molly-Mom recommended.

Some notes from my journal this week...

Give up striving to keep everything under control.

Faith often tells us to go in the opposite direction

of what basic instinct tells us to do.

Giving to life is our real need.

'Trust means you're ready to risk what you already have.'

God's not asking you to figure out all the logistics.

Bring what you've go. He'll take care of the rest.

'When we try to copy someone else,

we're no longer the incredible, unique person 

we were created to be,

but a poor knockoff of who they were created to be.'

'If you're worried that revealing your true self will 

change your relationships- it will.

Some will drift away,

but the truest relationships will stay.'

Negative thought patterns will grow weaker

practicing thankfulness.

You  can grumble, or you can praise.

Refocus on positive attributes rather

than the negative. 

Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities

that are not your own.

Live in anticipation of the cumulative effects 

of the small daily changes you make.

Fight the urge to become apathetic & lethargic

or to procrastinate.

"Take away what you are known for,

and whatever is left is who you are."

Be the most genuine, authentic you.

be well...

xoxo

💖

This quote made me tear up this morning.

It's a (good) thing. 

I can lighten up.

"You need not leave your room.

 Remain sitting at your table and listen.

You need not even listen, simply wait.

You need not even wait, just learn to become quiet,

and still, and solitary.

The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked.

It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet."

Thanksgiving

...was hosted by Brandon and Molly this year.

All Thanksgivings are special, but this one

was one of the best.

On the road trip there, I reflected on past Thanksgivings.

There were times Brandon would go to his Dad's and I 

would be invited to celebrate with my girlfriend and her family.

(The same family that played matchmaker & hooked

hubby up with my phone number, back in the day.)

Then there's the Thanksgiving that Brandon and I were pet sitting 

for his Dad and girlfriend when they went out of town.

 We had an invite to join those same friends,

but an ice storm moved in.

We had two choices.

Risk driving an hour to celebrate with our friends,

(and perhaps stay the night)

or risk a 10 min. drive to Walmart to purchase all that we needed

to have our own celebration at home.

We chose the latter.

A quick trip to the store, a thawed turkey with all the fixings for our meal,

and each of us selecting a movie to buy that we could watch together.

Mine...Eat, Pray, Love.

His...Zombieland.

A meal in the oven.

A fire in the woodstove.

Zombies & Zen and a kitten with the zoomies

who kept racing up the Christmas tree...

still ranks as one of my best Thanksgivings to date.

This one tucks right in beside it.

 Our families gathered and met, and stayed overnight.

Great conversations paired with copious amounts of laughter.

Pets to cuddle, football games, and an amazing meal.

Later, fun rounds of Shanghai Rummy, 

nibbling on homemade rolls & pie.

It's a Wonderful Life playing in the background.

Up early, and reconnecting at the kitchen table.

Getting to know little (quirky) things about each other,

sipping coffee, tea, and  Dr. Pepper.

 Brandon baking cinnamon rolls.

Then, a little Birthday celebration for Molly,

before we all headed back home.

It was perfect.

I'm swooning on a gratitude high.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"I am grateful for what I am and have.

My thanksgiving is perpetual."

~Henry David Thoreau~

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it,

and sometimes even travel around the world for it.

You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations

of your own blessings.

And once you have achieved a state of happiness,

you must never become lax about maintaining it.

You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming

upward into that happiness forever, to stay 

afloat on top of it."

~Eat, Pray, Love~

"I've never been good with farewells so...

that'll do pig."

~Zombieland~

 

Little Plan

Enjoy life, not make it what you want.

Love it. Dive into it.

Dance with God.

"Be curious. Go outside. Get to bed on time.

Hydrate. Breathe from the diaphragm.

Eat happy. Get a routine baggy enough to live in.

Be kind. Accept that not everyone will like you.

Appreciate those who do.

Don't be defined. Allow f**k-ups.

Want what you already have.

Learn to say no to things that get in the way of life.

And to say yes to the things that help you live."

be well...

xoxo 

💞

"Reminders we all need:

~ You can't pray away anxiety if your habits are building it.

~You can't heal fatigue if your diet keeps creating it.

~Your can't ask for peace while overstimulating

your nervous system nonstop.

God gives us spiritual tools.

But He also gave us a body.

We're called to steward both."

~Dr. Josh Axe~

"Tools to reset your nervous system, destress,

and protect your hippocampus (brains memory center):

Breathwork: Slow nasal breathing, box breathing (4-4-4-4 count)

Prayer & meditation.

Walks in nature, stretching, and tai chi

all calm the amygdala and help with mindfulness,

reflection, and relaxation." 

~Dr. Josh Axe~

"It's the small habits. How you spend your mornings.

How you talk to yourself. 

What you read and what you watch.

Who you share your energy with.

Who had access to you.

That will change your life."

 

Moo...d

Hubby had a few more cows to check on.

 I chose to stay behind with the herd.

I threw my jacket into the adjoining pasture of grass,

 and slid under the electric fence to sit and laze in the sun.

I take a deep breath, then exhale deeply.

The farm always seems to slow everything down.

Then the cows seemed to do the same,

and a lightness settles in my soul.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Gratitude reshapes your brain.

It enhances brain regions linked

to self-control and emotional

regulation, helping you bounce

back from stress and adversity.

Feeling thankful literally changes

how your brain responds to life."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"One who lives in accordance with nature

Does not go against the way of things.

He moves in harmony with the present moment,

Always knowing the truth of just what to do."

~Lao Tzu~

 

 

Singer Sunday

....wisdom, when spoken to the heart

is hard to ignore.

"We can only be said to be alive 

in those moments when our hearts 

are conscious of our treasures."

be well...

xoxo

💖

Bake Me Happy

 Historical downtown at night.

Christmas lights reflecting in windows and on rain-slicked sidewalks.

Drops falling as I stroll under a nature-print umbrella.

A gift from my kiddo. 

 Ducking into the warmly lit eatery for a baking class.

Sipping spiced chai as we wait to begin.

my first loaf of sourdough💞

A girlfriend walks in.

A surprise for us both.

A few women and an older man.

Uniting around a sizeable butcher block table,

mingling in black, flour-dusted aprons and super-sticky hands.

Story telling, laughter, and learning.

Stretching, folding and proofing our dough.

A freshly baked loaf and rolls to go.

I've been wanting to make my own sourdough.

Half to keep and half to give away.

I am making another loaf today.

be well...

xoxo

💖

" Fikabröd 

are the freshly baked goods

that accompany coffee."

"Who needs therapy

 when you've got floury hands and a warm loaf? "

"Behind every great sourdough

is a messy kitchen and a happy baker."

"What begins as flour and water

becomes nourishment through love and time."

 

 

Journal Dump

....because the times I didn't know what to do,

a new path was laid out inviting me to come forth.

 

Journal lately...

"You can find freedom from your old ways 

& rewrite the story of your life.

You hold the keys.

 If you want it badly enough to make the changes.

Find whatever it is that helps

you reset & get to freedom."

Be present. Here and now. Keep your focus on the path just ahead of you.

Wisdom's journey is to lead you on the right path.

Messages playing in your mind remind you of past mistakes & unkind ways

& judgements that drag you down.

Allow God to teach you who you really are.

Life feels wrung out & a little empty until you tune

into the deeper things, and nurture your inner life.

Change your negative beliefs about life &

take care of yourself.

Life can be smooth. Life is good.

you don't have to "awfulize" it, or yourself.

Remove yourself from being a victim of life.

Focusing on days gone by can hinder your faith.

Thankfulness is vital to your well-being.

'Smile, especially when you don't feel like it.

The physical workout of the muscles around your mouth

increases the positive enzymes in your brain chemistry.'

Swing into action.

Build your life around what you love

& nothing will ever be the same.

Keep calm. Love well.

You are meant to enjoy life.

'If you are satisfied with who you are,

you don't need to prove your worth to anyone else.'

"You are who you are when no one is watching."

Your soul becomes stronger with each change.

'Something new is awaiting to enter your life.

Let it be.'

"Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish

your opinions."

'Move toward what you want with fervor.

Step into your greatness. 

Let fear melt away as you step closer to 

the life you desire.'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Like Fall, dazzling us with her elegance,

with the grace of wearing change,

I hope that you might reinvent yourself again

and again."

"Settle into the glorious process of discovering

that change allows magnificent things to happen

to those with malleable hearts and open minds."