He helped shape me into the woman I am today, and taught me unconditional love, humility, bravery and how to love deeper. Even though I miss the days he was a mama’s boy, I take pride in the independent man he has become.mom

f internal feelings aren’t aligned with external actions, trusting your inner voice helps guides our growth through love and joy. The amazing thing about life, each of us already come equipped knowing our own truth, it’s whether or not we choose to pay close attention that matters.

Every year, I pull out my favorite cold weather things, and always stumble across the same familiar t-shirt. I have treasured this shirt for twenty, possibly twenty five years. It is well worn, with frayed edges, even has a hole or two, but still takes up residence and space, in my closet, and my heart.

My sister was recently in town for an extended period, and hadn’t spent that much time at home in many years.  She stayed at my parents home, but I usually saw her everyday. We had a few unplanned adventures that reminded me of our younger selves, growing up on the farm.

Have you ever noticed when you express gratefulness, how things always seem brighter? I have a daily gratitude practice that begins my morning on a positive note. It may be as simple as being thankful for the new day, a warming shower, a cozy bed, or deeper gratitude for a loved one’s improving health.

The start of her senior year, she was pumped to kick off her final season, and as usual trained hard all summer preparing for pre-season training. I was excited and yet sad this would be her last year. I spent many hours watching my children play soccer, and wondered what would ever take its place.

I put in my $20 and started pushing buttons, but it wasn’t clear to me on what constituted a win. I continued pushing the buttons as I watched my money dwindle……..then all of a sudden I hear a machine that is blaring and practically yelling…..I look up and it’s mine……..it’s so noisy I look around to see if anyone is noticing. It’s loudly announcing I have ten, and then another five free spins. At this point I have no control over the machine.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I beg to differ; I possess two drawings that are worth so many more. When my children were in high school they both had the same art teacher, three years a part, and the same assignment…….a floral, pencil drawing.

re there fears you are facing in your life? I confront plenty in mine, or should I say, I allow them to get into my head and self-doubt usually sets in. If I can turn that self-doubt into determination, things work out as they should, and I am reminded just how awesome and powerful it feels to conquer that fear.

With that small act of kindness and attention to detail, I knew this man had a good work ethic, and would be my handyman and seal-coat guy for life. I was wrong, after a few years he was no longer able to seal-coat my driveway, it wasn’t profitable. I was sad to hear the news, but understood his decision.

As a farm girl, having an abundance of sweet corn was a definite advantage.  Dad let us kids sell the plentiful corn, and what we made in sales was ours to keep.  His only condition was we had to do the work. From painting the signs on big scraps of plywood and strategically placing them down the road, making sure they were visible from both directions, to gathering the bags, setting up the stand, picking the corn (the ripe ones, of course) and loading up the #80 wagon and hauling it with the John Deere 110.

During my recent trip to Galena, my days were filled with activities and events, and I wanted to include things that would make my trip memorable by experiencing something new. After hearing about an upcoming surprise a bride was giving her groom, I knew that was the adventure for me too….in a hot air balloon.

During my recent solo maiden voyage get-away to Galena, IL., one of the challenges I anticipated facing was eating alone in restaurants.  Friends told me to bring a book, but I thought if I was looking down at the pages of a book, I might miss life.  I decided to face it straight on, without any distractions.

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?