2026 & time still marches on …

I’d like to think I’m prioritizing living over writing.

I miss the results of writing. 

I don’t miss the process. 

That’s not totally accurate. 

I miss parts of the process. I just never could justify how much time it took. 

Tonight I attended the launch party for my niece’s book. I’m proud of her. She has a two-book deal with a major publisher. Wow!!

I’m grateful to be proud of her & not jealous. 

I’m grateful I could be part of her encouragement & her celebration. 

As with many of my co-workers over the years whom I mentored then they rose in the ranks above me, I’m proud to be a witness. 

I’m grateful to know & accept that is enough. 

It’s Feb. 28 & I’ve posted nothing this month

And that includes today! Sigh. 

Big Cedar reflections to come …

 …I hope 

Belated New Year post

OUR first fish of 2026 was caught by me! I couldn’t (wouldn’t) do it without Gene. Even on a slow day with not enough sunshine, no complaints from me catching a couple of 4-pounders on Jan. 1. We drove back to the farm to see a great sunset. 

Note to self: Don’t wait until dinner time to eat black-eyed peas at Cracker Barrel. They aren’t on the menu — & that was just the start of our bad luck, as they were out of much of what we wanted to order from the menu (salad, carrots, cornbread)!! We were grateful they could feed us anyway. Fortunately, we had bought a can of peas, just in case, & were able to eat them later. 

We finished the day with a visit to Mom to drop off some fillets from yesterday’s catch, plus a phone call with Gene’s sister & her son.

Grateful & blessed.

#ichoosejoy

#anothergoodday

#anothergoodyear

#onedayatatime

Just another day (blessed)

I pray to be willing to accept that it’s ok for the start of a new year to be just another day — one day at a time. I don’t know where I got the idea that the transition from one year to the next is such a big deal. I think my newspaper background is a factor; making a big deal out of & finding a story/meaning in things, especially transitions, while many people around me are just living life as it comes, taking it as it is. 

I’m the one who wanted to end this year fishing w/Gene & starting 2026 that way, even tho it means I won’t do other things (& sleep will suffer). 

That said, I am feeling more peace & acceptance & less anxious about how things are & how they might go. I’m seeing that no matter how hard I try or how little I do, things work out. They work out best when I pray, act in faith & trust God. I don’t understand it & I don’t have to, altho it would be nice if I could explain it, to share experience, strength & hope. It’s not magic; it’s acting in faith on promises of God & recovery. How did I get here? I gave up on trying to figure things out (after seeing again & again that my figuring was faulty & never worked) & shifted my focus to letting go & trusting God. Along the way, I embraced Scriptures that made it OK to not understand (Proverbs 3:5-6) & to have peace amid storms & confusion & concerns (Philippians 4:4-6). My life is far from perfect. And that’s amazingly OK. I am blessed, grateful, loved.  

Christmas blessings

As I wrote to a friend upon my return home today after Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, yesterday & today on the road visiting, worshipping & celebrating: 

My victories/blessings were living in the moment; having gifts ready to give by time I got out of the car where they were to be given; & being joyful & grateful rather than frustrated, disappointed & self-pitiful!

 

Another day of thanksgiving

Sunday morning, I was excited to think of sharing that I was grateful my #30daysofthanksgiving ended on the first day of Advent. 

I was going to reflect on the days I was grateful even though I didn’t take a picture or post on social media.

Instead, at the end of a very good day, I was feeling more overwhelmed than grateful. 

About 11 pm, after trying to figure out my #30day pic & which Advent lesson plan to use, I paused to pray. I prayed to be still & be real. To feel. I lifted up concerns. 

And the clearest answer I received was to let it go. Quit striving to tie up loose ends of November or figure out what to do next. Let it go. Don’t fret about posting on social. Let it go. 

So, I took a deep breath & let it go. This wasn’t my idea, my will or my way. It was an act of faith. 

I woke up today aware of the need to continue to pray & trust God & act in faith — even when (especially when!) that means letting go of … 

I pray for willingness & ability.   

My hope & trust is in God. 

#ichoosejoy 

#hope  

#love

#peace