Goodbyes and expectation: returning to reality
When my daughter visited our cabin in September, the goodbyes were especially difficult for me—the only consolation that we’d meet up the following week when my husband and I traveled for appointments and planned to spend two nights at her home. Not surprisingly, when the moment came to say goodbye the second time, it proved…
View your surroundings with fresh eyes: resurrecting potential
Recently, we hosted our daughter for the weekend at our little cabin in the woods. To view the space through her eyes for the first time reminded me of the reasons my husband and I fell in love with the mountain retreat when we, too, first laid eyes on it. Yet it’s too easy to…
Looking ahead: a healthier future
During a recent hike, my husband and I descended roughly 500 feet into a canyon. And what goes down, must go up or vice versa. Since moving to the Mogollon Rim in Northern Arizona—elevation approximately 7,400 feet—I wonder if this may be why I sometimes struggle with breathing on inclines. Another consideration may be that…
Living your best life: an act of balance
Recently, I updated my profile picture on Facebook. In the photo, I’m standing on the deck of our cabin, the forest in the background. A friend commented: Living your best life. And I had to ask myself: Am I really? One of my friends lives with chronic health problems. How often do I encourage her?…
Better time management: keeping the balls in the air
In a recent post, I talk about guarding our time by creating boundaries. Lately, however, my own boundaries have blurred—causing my list to “overfloweth.” Yet each task is something I’m “called” to do, which means choosing which one (or 10) must get the axe. But do I really have to eliminate something? Maybe the real…
Oh what a view: going all the way
Since moving to the mountain, my husband and I love to hike the Arizona Trail. Each time, we’re wowed with the breathtaking views—meadows, canyons, wildflowers, tanks (ponds for wildlife) and miles of forest. And whenever we revisit a trail we’ve previously explored, we typically travel another mile or so further to experience even grander settings.…
Maybe it’s not about us: asking the whys
If you missed my Facebook post on Aug. 19, feel free to “grab a cuppa” (my silly new phrase), and settle in. Because this is my platform to talk about a life-changing event that occurred 18 years ago on Aug. 19, 2004. If you need a refresher, or this is your first time joining me,…
Give up the fight: winning the battle
Not too long ago, I awakened from a dream in the middle of the night. I rarely dream anymore, so I considered it noteworthy; e.g., perhaps a solution to a tricky scene I’m writing; or maybe an insight to help navigate a relationship. While I don’t recall the dream’s specifics, the underlying message lingered upon…
When 1 bad egg ruins the bunch: slowing down
When my husband and I prepared for our latest adventure, we organized a moving sale. The half-day event took hours to arrange, but the big-ticket items—sofas, tables, chairs and daybed—sold well. However, when we learned our new cabin was fully furnished, we needed a quick way to unload a few more pieces of furniture. Enter:…
Take ‘em or leave ‘em: managing deadlines and schedules
I’m all about deadlines and, consequently, schedules. While many of my deadlines are self-imposed, a few of my writing and/or editing projects are geared around due dates set by the publisher and/or client. Since transitioning to self-employment, I’ve found it a challenge to create a daily set schedule that not only encompasses these projects, but…
Pressing through: why we need stressors
One morning recently, a sense of joy—and even contentment—filled my spirit. Yet my circumstances hadn’t changed. My husband and I are still navigating #allthefeels accompanying a big move and transitioning to self-employment, working on a 20-year-old fixer-upper cabin and commuting an hour to the closest major services. The only difference I could pinpoint was regaining…
No trespassing: guarding our time
During Bible study, we’ve spent time discussing the importance of—and how to—guard our prayer time. This prompted me to ask the question: What if I take that concept and apply it to other areas of my life, too? Like building relationships, pursuing new passions, developing and/or honing fresh skills and knowledge, working on my health…