Give away...

...love 

like you're made of it.

Do things that last.

notes...

Blondie came without her side-kick...

it was nice to have some quality time

with the old girl...

then her pesty little brother showed...

for his heap of love too..

 reciprocating it with signature slobbers. 

 

experience the joy of being loved

constantly & perfectly

~Jesus

learn how to fall in love

again

challenges draw something out of you

that easiness could never ignite

prayer is like a powerline 

that plugs you into the source

stay connected

turn the volume down 

on your doubts

stay focused on (love) your purpose

it's a process 

with all it's ups and downs

that will ultimately get you there

what really matters is the right state of mind

abundance is something to be

not seek or await

in this moment 

you have plenty

the way you think

can multiply your blessings

or shrink them

as relentlessly as you may try

you cannot think one thing (lack)

and experience something else

thinking about what you do not want

can never bring you what you want

"For as he thinks in his heart,

so is he."

~Proverbs 23:7

what you receive will be the result

of what you believe

be well...

xoxo

💖

"My love language is when people's 

words line up with their actions."

~unknown

"Be the reason someone feels welcome,

seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported."

~unknown

"Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you."

~Proverbs 4:25

 

When you open...

...your mind,

the beautiful parts become more evident.

notes...

Trying to think of a name for the squirrel that

flattens out on or under the wicker chair...

Flat Stanley?

The coon is back. 

I read it is not good to relocate them,

 I love animals....

I decided to leave a dish of food out.

I was sitting on the porch

 writing in my journal,

 and something flew up and brushed my arm.

A bird landed on the pillow behind my back,

it startled me...and I startled it when I jumped.

I'm pretty sure I made my best loaf of sourdough this morning.

I decided to make a fresh "start" last week...

my last loaf was definitely meh.

Love sees the perfection in the person

& in the moment

take time to be still and

consider how beautiful

life really is

the more you give and receive love

the more you'll see truth

you are hugely responsible 

for creating your own reality

'you don't know how your story will end

or where a chapter will take you

don't let the unknown keep you from 

living

give it everything you've got

your story is written as you live

so live fully.'

love the people around you authentically

grow more into the person you want to be

tomorrow

your self-concept 

influences your attitude toward life

"Your true self-worth is based only

on what God says about you,

not on how you feel about

yourself."

filter out the junk that steels your joy

dance with God,

knowing that whatever you need 

one way or another

will always come

love can change a flawed perception

love is it's own reward

unity is our protection

you choose your conduct

your happiness & health are 

up to you

retelling old stories can 

hold you back from healing

you don't heal the past by dwelling there

you heal by living in the present

thank your hurts for all they taught you

be gentle with yourself

your in charge of noticing

that life is really in charge

you are not what others think of you

you're not even what you think of you....

you are an original masterpiece

whether you understand it

it is the truth

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Nature makes us aware of the preciousness

of life.

Nature tells us that life is precious

not only because it is,

but also because it doesn't have to be."

"Speak to yourself as you would to the one you love

the most.

Honor and respect your mind, body, and soul.

Take care of yourself by catching negative self-talk

and reframing self-judgements.

You deserve kindness, love , and approval.

Say something loving to yourself each morning.

With practice, your thoughts toward yourself

and others will change.

Love will emit from you powerfully

and you will become irresistible."

~Emily Silva

 

Love finds us....

...where we are,

not where we were.

Blondie, 62 and Buddy

notes...

There was a knock on the door...

Ellie came to visit.

We had left the gate open to the road...

Blondie and Buddy kept with us as we drove back...

we sped up, they sped up,

we sped up, they did the happy dance

and sped up too.

We almost didn't win.

T1 likes to come up an nibble on me.

your renewed heart 

will be better

than before

be forward thinking

God meets you where you are

uses your story

and guides you into a better story

you are a mosaic 

of those who have loved you

give up the desire to have full control-

you don't

attempting to control things

will never solve the problem

it only makes things wonky

and ends up controlling you

you get to choose who &

what you allow in your life...

(thoughts, habits, beliefs....)

explore different solutions

make choices to improve the

quality of your life

you are designed to change

when you choose to

the way you live

will influence future generations

Be very careful, then, how you live-

not as unwise but as wise...

Ephesians 5:15

let go of beliefs 

that do not serve you well

believe that change comes from you

get better at things you 

know will help you

ask

seek

knock

request

search

action

deep breath in...

exhale...

be aware of your moments,

be well...

xoxo

💖

"I asked, "How can anyone who really knows me

ever love me?"

Only to discover it was the only way

anyone ever would."

"Yes, there are reasons no one could ever love you,

and you can be sure that the people who

love you know them all."

"It's not easy--loving someone through

the chinks in their armor--

especially when the love they return

is so often trapped inside."

 

Blondie's walk...

....from one end of the farm

where she was sorted out from her herd...

(Buddy's happy to see sissy)

 

(Blondie followed by Buddy)

...back home.

 Where she will stay, 

and enjoy living her life

out on the farm.

It's a very happy day.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Farm animals feel pleasure and sadness, excitement.

They are far more intelligent than we ever imagined."

~Jayne Goodall~

Thank you hubby!

xoxo

💝

 

A Journal...

...with my hopeful thoughts & treasured memories.

And my camera ready to capture the small moments

that make up my story...

Buddy

Blondie

Price

Truth

💝

and create magic

when I simply sit and enjoy the moment in time

for the beauty that it is.

Notes...

what's important is not that you know what to do

but who it is you follow

waste your time with God

never stop looking for what's not there

reflect on the moves you've 

made to get here

love looks like letting go of old ideas

hold onto the time you have

find love right where you are

there's a natural unfolding of things

let go of control

and surrender to what will come

do the best you can

to end all suffering

stop it

when you let go

it goes away

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Fill your paper with the breathing

of your heart."

~William Wordsworth~

"Life is a series of things you do for the first and

the last time, the difference being that you know

when it's the first time."

"It is said that nothing lasts forever,

but there are moments in our lives

when we thing something will,

and it is the memory of those moments...

that lasts forever."

February 3, 2026

...take a cue from nature and 

allow the day to unfold without rushing.

Blondie and Buddy

Words from a friend that hit me in the feels...
"Welcome back!"

Journaling...

A renewed mind is present focused.

Train your mind to see God in every moment.
A lilting bird song, a loved one's smile,
the morning sunrise.

"Do not allow the cancer of bitterness to continue
in your heart. 
Life is much sweeter when the heart is tender
not tainted."

You don't need to meet every need.

You face nothing alone.
Nothing.

The remedy is simple.
Fix your eyes on what is unseen.

"The Lord will fight for you;
you need only be still."
Exodus 14:14

Let Him sooth you from the inside out.

How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts
when today's is set before you.

Don't edit the extraordinary out of your life.

Do not hesitate to love deeply.

"Love isn't something we do.
It's something we become."

be well...
xoxo
💝

'Mornings provide that feeling of freshness.
The air smells clean and feels like a new beginning.
Everything is renewed and fresh.
Be present with this feeling.
Nothing else matters at this moment.
Be here now, ready to take on the new day.
Right now is your chance to begin again.
Let go of worries and regrets.
Today you have the gift of a fresh start.'

 

Contentment

Contentment is simple, sweet and slow.

It's that space within a moment that can leave

the mess of the outside world, 

and allow my heart to feel a mix

of peace and joy.

Buddy

Contentment is...
sitting on the floor,
  devotionals scattered around me,
Polly stretched out napping on my lap,
sipping coffee, and watching the snow fall outside my window.

The smell of bacon filling the house, 
something hubby fixes every Sunday morning.

 Blondie and Buddy.

Kleenex tucked into my coat pockets...
and memories of my gram always having one tucked into hers.

Coming into a warm home after farm chores on a frigid day.
Changing into our comfy sweats, and making a
pot of soup and cornbread together.

Mugs of hot chai, candles flickering, streaming "feel good" movies.
Hubby covering my lap with his warm blanket.

Journaling...

Do not focus on the circumstances that weigh you down.
Look to brighter times through eyes of faith.

What you believe shapes how you respond
 to the challenges that arise.

Ditch the desire for instant gratification.

Celebrate every piece of progress.

'Life doesn't tend to follow our plans.
It's more like exploring opportunities 
as we follow a trail of breadcrumbs.'

"No miner strikes gold with with first swing of the pick."

"Most prisons are of our own making.
A man makes his own freedom too."

How you perceive is how you respond.

Release the pressure to be perfect.

'Your life isn't meant to be a series of 
disappointments, nor is it intended to be
ordinary & stuck in a rut.
Stuff happens. You're not perfect.
God knows that.
Trust Him.
He has a  plan to get you through.'

'Peace is not something that happens externally;
it's an inside job.
Peace is based on your state of mind.'

'It's not how you start something that counts,
it's how you finish it.'

All big things come from small beginnings.

Clear away misconceptions.
Love more.

Love is an anchor for your soul no matter what happens.

be well...
xoxo
💖

'If something dulls your spirit, walk away,
shift the attention, or let go.
Choose things that light you up.
Be more aware of your needs.
Surround yourself with what brings you
peace, joy, and vitality.'

"Your own life is the greatest teacher you will ever have.
As with any teacher, however, you must be willing to pay
attention- with all your senses."

"Did you know cuddling or being in a loving
relationship can literally change your
gene expression?
It activates repair genes and turns off inflammation."
Love truly is medicine."
~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"A fit body, a calm mind,
a house full of love.
These things cannot be bought;
they must be earned."

 

January 7, 2026

Yesterday I started off on the wrong note.

So I packed my book, journal and snacks, and 

went off grid.

This morning I felt great.

 I sat down at the table in the stream of sunshine,

with my coffee, and suddenly broke into tears.

I started writing, had a realization, a break-through,

and then a come-to-Jesus-moment.

I sat in stillness....chased off the stray cat in the backyard,

finished my coffee...then

put a loaf of sourdough in to bake.

...those moments of clarity that come in the

seemingly mundane.

What if the moments we don't give a second thought to

were the moments that mattered most of all?

Journaling lately....

"Change the world from where you are, 

while your moving toward where you wish you were."

Start. Just take a step.

"Sometimes the 1st step isn't to fix the painful things in 

our lives or anyone else's

but to mourn them. It's an important 1st. step in our

own healing."

'Knowing who you are, what you want & what you love

will serve you faithfully.'

'Clear objectives is 1/2 the battle. 

If you can't see it in your mind,

or feel it in your heart,

it may not be your dream.'

"Be a practical dreamer backed by action."

~Bruce Lee~

Practical means you believe the dream is possible.

"If you think a thing is impossible,

it's impossible."

Stay present and aware.

You'll know when a certain path isn't working.'

Sometimes the harder action is making the first move.

Every moment is a new moment to start again.

We strengthen what we put our attention on.

"Keep your mind on the things you want

and off those you don't."

'You don't have to have all the answers to begin.

Just begin.

Sometimes you have to begin to find the answers

you were looking for.'

be well...

xoxo

💓

"Your daily habits literally

dictate where you will be in a few years.

You don't have to do anything 

extraordinary on a daily basis.

You just have to do a few ordinary

things that love you back,

consistently."

"Maturing is realizing you prefer a quiet life.

You don't chase after friendships or relationships,

your happy with the few friends you have,

no drama, just working on being the best version

of yourself, not comparing your life to others,

and learning to enjoy your own company

instead of relying on others to be happy."

~Dr. Will Cole~

 

January 1, 2026

Sun shining, birds chirping, hens giggling,

the first sip of coffee,

the first journal page of the new year,

it all seemed extra special this morning.

Buddy

I'm mindful of what it takes to feel my best,

and discovering more as I go.

Zeroing in on my passions,

and continually releasing the non-essentials.

Being mindful. Bringing my full self to the moment.

They all add up.

Journal notes:

Welcome the New Year with confidence.

'God is not the author of fear. You are.'

"...there comes a point when we must simply admit

that what shows up in our lives is a function of our thoughts."

"Our efforts to construct an impressive facade 

distracts us from learning

and growing."

It takes time to recognize what is essential,

and what is trivial.

'Power is from God. Not us.'

The passage of time is an unstoppable force.

If your life is in total chaos,

now's a good time to set priorities.

Start with one area of your life.

Dedicate to staying on task on a daily basis.

Even when the process is messy,

trust that God is good.

There's no fast forward to change.

'God's plan for you is so awesome, so amazing,

that you have to get it in stages.

You get it in pieces to digest a bit at a time.'

Give yourself fully to the process of becoming.

Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year.

"He wants us to live in grace and walk in love,

but at first it is a gangly, wobbly wreck."

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Romans 12:2

'We get in life that which we focus on.

continual focus on darkness leads us further into darkness.

Focus on the light brings us into the light.'

You are precious and wildly capable of amazing things.

'Get humble, be rooted, and get ready because

it's about to get good.'

"There is more to know and more to see,

And all of your life's most colorful stories

will prepare you for who you need to be."

"What do you plan to do with your one wild

and precious life?"

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You were put on earth to be a vibrant

disco ball of energy, not a dimmed light in the corner."

"The sixth love language is when someone 

takes candid photos of you 

without you needing to ask."

💖

"Did you know cuddling or being in a loving

relationship can literally change

your gene expression?

It activates repair genes and turns off

inflammation.

Love truly is medicine."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~