Michele

I practically ran out of work today. I was ready to sit on my porch and watch the predicted storms roll in for the evening. Kenny was going to be home a little later due to a work obligation. My plan was to intentionally drag my feet regarding the evening chores: chickens need attention, and […]

Grandma’s flowers were always gorgeous. Actually, both of my grandmas had the ability to grow just about anything. Whether it was the vegetable garden or the flower bed, in retrospect, they were practically works of art. I often found myself at one house or the other, and work was frequently involved. However, as I pondered

The view from my porch never gets old. Bird watching has become a spectator sport, including two pairs of binoculars. The hummingbirds create hours of entertainment. The bees quickly move from one flower to another. The rabbits feast endlessly on the clover. There’s an intermittent visit from a chicken, although I prefer they stay away

She was having a fun conversation with a little girl who appeared to be about four years old. As they strolled along the water’s edge, I couldn’t help but listen. Even with the waves crashing in the background, her accent was one I recognized; however, she spoke clear English. She demonstrated no hesitancy as she

I didn’t see it coming. It took me completely by surprise. Moving slowly along the shoreline, attempting to catch a glimpse of a perfect shell, there it was. I threw off my shoes with haste, determined to snag the treasure. Just as my fingertips broke the surface of the water, the shell grew legs. Simultaneously,

I don’t know about you, but for years I struggled with silence. Maybe it was partially because I grew up in a busy home with lots of people in it and silence wasn’t really a thing. Or it could be because I have some combination of ADD or ADHD or one of those other acronyms.

“Once upon a time” is usually how fairy tales begin, but I was never really a fan of fairy tales. So it makes sense that my life didn’t follow that type of storyline. My life has been more of a lesson in what NOT to do. And truthfully, with each passing milestone and year, I’m

The oldest is 73 and the youngest is 29. We’re introverted and extroverted. We’re married, single, and divorced. From the Midwest and from the West Coast. You couldn’t write a better script. And yet that’s often where God does His finest work. Trust is an issue for lots of people. The postal service doesn’t deliver

March 17, 1988, was a super important day in my life. I became a mom to my first son, Brandon Kent. There hasn’t been a dull moment since. Almost immediately, he challenged my ideas. He was incredibly smart, very active, and a genuinely very happy kiddo. Becoming a mom during my senior year of high

Jeri Lynn, Melanie, Anne, Becca, Angie, Melisa, and Carrie. Those names will forever hold sweet memories for me for a variety of reasons. From kindergarten to my junior year of high school, these friends were a part of seasons of my life that are priceless. We had sleepovers, went to church camp, cried over boys,