“Hey Sally, you’ll want to aim just right of the hole.”

It was the first hole of our final day at a four day women’s golf retreat in Edgerton, Wisconsin, and I was standing on the green with three other women, including my longtime friend Marilyn. The moment I heard her offer that simple piece of advice to Sally, it all came streaming back to me. She had done the same thing last year. Not just for me, but for others. And before we even finished that first hole, I was about to experience it myself.

Rain was falling again on the third morning of my four day women's golf retreat in Edgerton, Wisconsin. Our 9:34 am tee time had been pushed back, and none of us knew exactly when we'd be able to get onto the course. So we waited. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, word came that it was time to go. Get your clubs outside!

I watched the ball fly across the green.

Then, it was hit back again to the other side of the green.

At this point, I'm not sure any of us knew whether to laugh, cry, or simply pick up the darn ball and move on to the next hole. I’m happy to report, we chose laughter.

The water rushed through Ketchikan Creek with a force I could see and hear as I stood watching hundreds, then thousands, of pink salmon moving through the water. Some seemed to hover for a moment, gathering strength, while others propelled themselves forward with everything they had. Again and again, I watched them attempt to move upstream, only to have the current push them backward.

And then they would try again.

For the first twenty minutes, we saw nothing.

My friend Trina and I were on a whale watching excursion during the cruise portion of our recent Alaska trip, scanning the water and hoping for some sign that the whales were nearby. Our tour actually came with a money back guarantee that we would see whales, but as our boat continued across the water without a single sighting, I started wondering if we might be collecting on that promise.

Then our captain spotted something in the distance. A spout.

The air was thick before I ever stepped onto the first tee. It was one of those hot, sticky summer mornings where you can almost feel the humidity resting on your shoulders. Dark clouds lingered overhead, threatening rain at any moment, yet somehow never quite committing. It wasn't exactly ideal golfing weather, but there we were, clubs in hand, determined to make the best of it.

There is something magical about summer evenings in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. As the sun begins to sink behind the trees, the lake takes on a golden glow and the air feels just a little softer. After a day filled with boating, swimming, tubing, skiing, surfing, fishing, and family time, there is nothing better than gathering together on the deck, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.

There is something magical about a summer Friday evening.

The sun hangs a little lower in the sky, casting that beautiful golden light that seems to invite you to slow down and savor the moment. The birds are chirping, the breeze is gentle, and for a few hours, life feels a little lighter.

The elevator doors opened and suddenly it felt like we had stepped into another world.

Above us stretched a brilliant blue sky. Around us stood tall buildings reflecting the sunshine, and below us the city buzzed with its usual Sunday energy. Rows of striped lounge chairs faced a giant movie screen, and colorful flowers framed the entrance to the Rooftop Cinema Club. For a moment, I just stood there taking it all in.

There’s a quiet moment that arrives for me every January, a pause between what was and what’s about to be. That’s when I sit and listen, not for a list of things I should do, but for a feeling, a nudge, a word.

For many years now, I’ve let go of New Year’s resolutions in exchange for something gentler and far more meaningful: a word of the year. I don’t chase it. I don’t force it. I let it find me. And every year, it does.

There are moments in life when we can almost feel the pages turning. Not the chapters we read in a book, but the ones we live, the ones filled with change, courage, and the desire to rediscover who we truly are. Over the last year, I felt myself standing right in the middle of one of those moments.

A few weeks ago, I shared about the women’s golf retreat I attended for the first time this fall, an annual four-day getaway filled with fairways, laughter, and a whole lot of dimes and quarters. I was a substitute for another gal who couldn’t make it, and when asked to join, I didn’t hesitate. Without overthinking it, I said yes. Though I’m far from an avid golfer, I was reassured it was mostly for fun and as it turns out, that was absolutely true.

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.

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.

There’s something magical about girlfriends, palm trees, and a lanai under the Florida sun. Add a splash of spontaneity, a couple of cocktails, and a night filled with laughter, and you’ve got yourself a story worth telling. Well, let’s just say we added a little sparkle to our usual rhythm.

Ah, the holidays, a season of bright lights, cheery sounds, and a sense of togetherness that warms even the coldest nights. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending our local park district’s annual holiday tree lighting event with my daughter and two-year-old granddaughter. It was a magical evening filled with community, connection, and joy.

The holiday season has a magical way of bringing people together, filling our hearts with warmth and joy. This year, I had the privilege of starting the season in the most beautiful way, attending the Carthage Christmas Festival with friends new and old. It was an evening that perfectly blended tradition, music, and community, leaving us all inspired and deeply connected to the holiday spirit.

Over a year ago, my good friend Marilyn began encouraging me to attend events with a women’s group she was passionate about. Time after time, life seemed to get in the way: scheduling conflicts, prior commitments, you name it. But Marilyn didn’t give up. She kept extending the invitation, confident it would be the perfect fit for me.