I jump on, and my brother says with great confidence, “It works just like a Haybine.” Ummmm…..as I think to myself….I don’t really recall ever running a Haybine in my farm days, but OK. He gives me a quick run down and let’s me go.  Still unsure, I grab the bars and start manipulating them and it begins turning in circles in a twerky, jerky, out of control way.  By now, I am laughing out loud and my brother is keeping me an arms length away at all times, assuring his safety.

Last week an important person in my family’s life had unexpected health issues that stopped us in our tracks.  In that moment, nothing was more important than being together.  Everything else melted away…troubles, responsibilities and day to day duties. Family and friends came together to lift up and support one another.

While doing research, I kept finding myself back at the same beautiful bed and breakfast, located in a quaint, historic city, and I booked my stay.  The city offered many attractions within a short distance that could either be found on foot or within a short drive.

I can’t remember next if she called me or I called her, but she made it into town, but had almost hit a cat that ran out in front of her car. She had to slam on her brakes to avoid running over the feline, and began telling me about her story.

There are so many amazing locations right in my own back yard, but I never thought of myself as being lucky to live near them.  I am close to one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and feel a sense of joy when I am near the lake front.  How did this escape my list of amenities and selling points of the area?  

As a life longer learner, I love experiencing and learning new things.  I can’t say I always enjoy everything I attempt, but I am willing to give most things, within reason, a try.  Disclaimer ……the older I get, the lower to the ground and less dangerous new challenges become…..haha.

Family traditions connect us to our loved ones near and far, and can last for years and even generations.  They build bonds and can cross miles and time zones. Traditions may come and go, but the memories remain in our hearts.

It’s both a mystery and a surprise on what our summer flower arrangements will look like.  They are all uniquely different year after year, yet include most of the same flowers and folage.  The selection of choices are varied, there are sturdy ones, fragile ones, tall ones, short ones, some that need lots of sun and others that require little, and some that depend on a mix of both sun and shade.  A few flowers seem friendly like daisies, or sassy like snap dragons,  others are delicate, and some that appear wispy.

Do you ever feel like you are in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight? Your goal is to get to the other side, but no matter how long you’ve been on your journey, you see nothing but overwhelm in the distance, and getting across seems almost impossible. If this sounds familiar, then you’re in good company.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in celebrating the Memorial Day holiday with friends and family, that we lose sight of the real significance of what the day really represents.  These military men and women weren’t seeking fame or fortune, but sacrificed their own lives and safety, out of love and duty, for the land we call home.

Over the years, perhaps out of maturity or age, I am learning to make right, what I have made wrong.  It is very humbling to ask for someone’s forgiveness, saying I’m sorry; hoping minimal damage has been done. Things we say in haste may have a profound affect on someone’s  life, without even realizing it.

My Mom wasn’t the picture you might imagine for a farmer’s wife, she always seemed so glamorous and beautiful to me.  She was a lady through and through, and it was important that her children were well-mannered and polite.  Going to church every Sunday was a must, no questions, no complaining…..it was a given.  We knew, even though Dad handled most of the discipline, it was under Mom’s direct order.

In life, everyone faces unwanted challenges and we choose to either conquer them or we don’t.  We may feel isolated and weary, and no matter how hard we try we can’t overcome them; but if we look hard enough there are always life lessons learned.  If we begin to see these challenges or hurdles as blessings or wishes, we come out stronger on the other side.  Sometimes climbing that mountain is the answer to the prayer.

As a young farm girl I have wonderful memories of being around the animals.  One of my favorite memories was the daily ritual of climbing on the long, silver, metal gate that separated the green pasture from the barnyard.  As my Dad herded the livestock back to the barn at the end of each evening, he would swing that gate closed, signifying the end of another work day; but to me it was the greatest ride in the world.d

She has always been the kind of girl that knows exactly what she wants, and won’t stop until she gets it (perhaps a little like a bull).  She is tenacious and driven, with a good head on her shoulders.  Throughout high-school her friends would be in a situation and would think WWHD (what would Hannah do), I always got a big kick out of that one.

Meditation is something I have tried a handful of times in my life, but never felt I was very successful.  I would close my eyes and think I was meditating, until my long to do list would go across my mind like a ticker-tape at the stock exchange.  

Being aware of the possibility of having perfectionist tendencies that I  may or may not possess, I have been attempting to let go and surrender.

Have you ever struggled with knowing what your natural gifts and talents are, or are you one of those people that has always known?  If so, consider yourself blessed.  I happened to be one of those people that didn’t know what mine were; or at least in my mind that is what I kept hearing.