Some of you know this already, but for those of you who don’t: I come from a family of practical jokesters. I’m not exactly sure where it started. I do know that my Grandpa Gordon was well-known in his circle for shenanigans and my brother made a pretty good name for himself, too. As all […]

My thoughts flow pretty freely whether I have a pen in my hand or I’m pounding on the keyboard. Some days, the way I process looks a little different. If I have the words readily formed, my Mrs. Winkler typing skills are at their finest. If I have vague ideas without formed words, one of

I absolutely despise talking on the phone. It probably ranks up there on my Top Ten List of Least Favorite Things: liver and onions, hair on the floor (even if it’s mine), jello, opposums, and talking on the phone rank at the top. Those who know me best (Katie and probably my sisters) assume that

I’ve been intentionally watching the sunrise and sunset more often in the past year. Standing in my west windows in the evening and simply being in awe of the painted sky is definitely on my list of favorite things. Similarly, if I’m fortunate enough to still be home in the morning, I’ll set myself up

It all started several years ago. And it was so subtle I hardly even noticed at first. I grew up in a family that valued dogs (pets in general), but they definitely had their place; and it wasn’t in the house. Our German Shepherd, our Collie, the calico cat, and all the others hold very

Here I am again. Another year has come and gone. What’s the saying? The days are long, but the years are short? It’s so true. January 1 is always such a mixed bag for me. When I begin each year, I raise the bar on my expectations. I wouldn’t be called a junk food junkie,

It’s Christmas morning. The house is peaceful and still. We don’t have kids at home anymore, so the chaotic living room floor is no longer in play. The weather isn’t very cooperative. I prefer cold temps and snow; neither have arrived. Kenny took a quick hike around the property to check raccoon traps and received

We often create sentimental attachments to memories. For many years, the drive to Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA was long, winding roads with twists, turns, steep drops (without guardrails), coal mines, train cars loaded with coal, homes that clearly shouldn’t be lived in, etc. These were all landmarks that connected the dots to our

From September to February, I’m primarily a woman with endless hours, days, weeks, and even months of free time. Aside from my standard work hours Monday through Friday, teaching on Wednesday night, and church Sunday morning, my calendar is pretty open. This is made possible by “man’s hunting season”. My husband has a borderline addiction

“This is where we’re sleeping?” I didn’t say the words out loud, but they seemed to be very loud in my mind. I was accustomed to cold floors and less-than-ideal conditions (by the standards of many). I remember ice on the inside walls of our house growing up. But this? Let’s be clear. I didn’t