She had a ferocious sound to her voice that I recognized. This was NOT the day to mess with her. “Excuse me, sir. Did you say, ‘When will he be returning to work?” That’s when I figured it out. She was the mom of the patient in the CCU. The minute I became a mom […]

It was on his t-shirt: JESUS LOVES YOU………..but I’m his favorite. I couldn’t resist. I walked up to him and said, “I really like your shirt. I’m gonna need to find one of those”. He said, “It’s always a conversation starter”. While the shirt may get a chuckle out of most people, I honestly had

This picture brings a flood of emotion. Good, bad, and everything in between. I love and appreciate my friend, Leslie. She’s a sweet gift to my life and makes my heart happy (GOOD). On this particular night, the world was literally hours  away from declaring a state of emergency due to Covid (BAD). And my

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