There’s something about fall on the farm that stirs my heart. That comforting blend of nostalgia and joy that only comes from being surrounded by family, laughter, and the smell of harvest in the air. Recently, my family gathered for one of my favorite traditions of the year, our annual family dinner and hayride.

It was one of those afternoons when the air felt soft and golden, and the hum of the chicken coop mixed with the rustle of leaves in the breeze. My then 14-month-old granddaughter toddled across the yard, her tiny shoes crunching over apples scattered on the ground. She spotted empty buckets sitting near the coop and with great intention, set them side by side.

The morning sun peeked over the horizon as I loaded my golf clubs into the back of my SUV. My car was packed to the brim including snacks, drinks, grab bag gift, golf shoes, clubs, and more quarters and dimes than I’d carried in all my life. I laughed to myself, wondering if I’d brought everything except the kitchen sink. It was the start of a four-day golf retreat, and although I didn’t quite know what to expect, my heart buzzed with both excitement and a touch of nervous anticipation.

The other evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in soft hues of gold and lavender, I found myself sitting on my front porch lost in my thoughts. The world felt quiet, that beautiful kind of quiet that only comes when the day exhales. A soft breeze rustled the trees, and for the first time in a while, I felt still enough to listen, not to the world around me, but to the whisper within.

Not long ago, I found myself staring at my phone, heart racing, fingers hovering above the keyboard. I had put off writing a response for days because, deep down, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Setting boundaries never feels simple for me. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I don’t want to come across as unkind. And yet, I also know my needs matter and if I don’t honor them, who will?

Recently, I found myself walking through the old barns on the farm with my brother Jeff. The air carried that familiar scent of weathered wood, rust, and hay soaked into the walls over decades of storms, laughter, and long summer days. Jeff is preparing for a sale, letting go of some items the farm no longer needs, tools and treasures that have held their place for over a hundred years.

Recently, I had the opportunity to step into a whole new world: grape harvesting at DC Estate Winery in South Beloit, Illinois. Nestled in the rolling countryside where Illinois and Wisconsin meet, this Tuscan-inspired winery offers more than wine, it offers connection, community, and the beauty of slowing down.

Sometimes life’s sweetest surprises come when we say yes to something new. Last November, my friend Marilyn invited me to join her weekly Mahjong group. I had heard of the game before but never played. To be honest, I wasn’t sure my brain was up for learning something so complicated, but I decided to take a chance. That “yes” became the beginning of new friendships, plenty of laughter, and even a deeper bond with my sister.

Have you ever had an experience that left you both breathless and grateful all at once? That was me in Dubrovnik, Croatia, suspended 165 feet (50 meters) in the air at Dinner in the Sky, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combined fine dining, panoramic beauty, and a dash of courage.

Over a year ago, two of my girlfriends reached out with an invitation that sounded straight out of a travel magazine, “Would you like to spend a week on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea, sailing to Croatia and its islands?” My first thought? Croatia? Honestly, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. The cost seemed steep, and I couldn’t quite picture myself there. My automatic response was a hesitant no.

Some days are meant to test your patience, your sense of humor, and your ability to go with the flow, literally. Back in July, my friend Trina invited me and my daughter Hannah to see Teddy Swims in concert along the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan. We had Teddy on repeat for weeks, belting out his soulful songs in anticipation of what we thought would be an unforgettable musical night. Little did we know, it would turn into an unforgettable adventure.

Have you been feeling a little stuck lately? Maybe bored or even frustrated with where you are in life, not completely unhappy, but sensing there’s more waiting for you beyond the routine? That whisper inside you saying, “There’s something else, something better.”

Recently, my day began with sunshine and promise. I had a new local airport shuttle service, and everything seemed to be falling into place. We zipped to O’Hare airport lickety-split, with check-in complete, luggage weighed, boarding pass in hand and CLEAR sign-up complete, I had time to sit at the gate with two friends I was traveling with. We chatted with excited anticipation, ready for our adventure to begin. But oh… how quickly things can change.

If I asked you right now, “How are you doing?” I mean really doing, what would your honest answer be? Would you smile and say, “I’m good,” even if you’re barely holding it together? Would you whisper, “I feel stuck,” and afraid to admit you’ve been standing still for far too long? Or maybe, just maybe, you’d boldly declare, “I’m ready and I’m already on the path to transformation.”

If you had told me years ago that I’d be sitting here today, beaming with pride and writing about my son rocking solo parent duty for several weekends during the summer, I probably would have smiled and said, “Of course he will.” But watching it unfold in real life? It still touches my heart in ways I can’t fully describe.

Have you ever caught yourself saying “yes” when every fiber of your being wanted to say “no”? Or found yourself doing something not because it aligned with your heart, but because someone else expected it of you? If so, you’re not alone and it might be time to check in with your boundaries.

Recently, I found myself in a moment that left me shaking my head, feeling equal parts annoyed and fired up. I was with three wonderful women: smart, funny, vibrant women all in our second half of life. We had made reservations at a lovely restaurant with an enchanting view of a hidden city park. It was the kind of place where you want to linger, catch up on life, and watch the world go by through big windows.

Have you ever had one of those weeks that seems to disappear right before your eyes? You wake up on Monday, with a long list of things to do, a calendar full of appointments, a few goals in mind, and then somehow, it’s Sunday evening and you’re left wondering, where did the time go?