I started this new year with mixed emotions: optimistic, yet cautious. The past few years have had some bad surprises. Are more to come? The whole world was shaken by the pandemic that started early in 2020, when everyone’s lives were suddenly and drastically changed: Families lost jobs and loved ones, and adjusted to work …
I imagine that hearing from me after so long might be perplexing, so let me explain. For several years I blogged regularly – I had so many things I wanted to write about – homeschooling, country life, gardening, my spiritual journey… but my blog became neglected and somewhat forgotten. If you’ve been a subscriber since …
Two gardeners faced off at the clearance rack. They eyed each other and planned their attack like the lawmen and outlaws at OK Corral, ’cept one grasped a dibble, the other a trowel. ”Who gets the wilted lily, you or me? And the leggy petunias in a pack of three?” They began to argue and holler, …
Morels are funny-looking little mushrooms, and very well camouflaged. I was so excited one spring when I finally developed my “morel eyes.” I’d gone hunting for them the previous few years without any success. Maybe I was out too early, or too late, but I just didn’t find any. Several years ago, one of my …
Tips for parents who have suddenly found themselves trying to finish the public school year at home.
Have you ever thought you were doing something for one reason, but with hindsight saw something else? My husband and I went through a difficult period earlier this year that was made a little easier when I began to consider that there might be more to the story. Our family used to live on the …
My sister and I have matching rings that were a special gift from our mother. She surprised us with them several Christmases ago. These rings connect us together, along with a few other women who came before us. William J. Hatley, and Emma Ingram grew up only a few miles from each other in a …
The day we had anticipated for so long was finally here. For months our daughter had been going through all the steps to make her dream become reality. Although I saw it approaching as she completed each step, I was still surprised that our baby had become such a confident young woman. When I wrote …
Some of my childhood memories involve fruit trees, so my love for them must have started young. I remember when I first learned to ride a bike and called my mom out to watch. Maybe you guessed it – I rode right into a cherry tree! At that same house where we lived when I …
A new school year is looming upon us and many parents are deciding whether to take the plunge into homeschooling. I understand your fears as I was once in those shoes, but now that I’ve completed that journey I can assure you that, yes, you can do it. I’ve heard many people say, “Oh, I …