Fear can be a good thing. It protects from danger, preserves life in the face of enemies, and keeps offspring safe from harm. While wild animals fear humans, it’s common sense for humans to fear wild animals as well.
Wildlife is just that…wild life. Our role is to respect, protect, and care for the creatures we share this earth with.
Read More…We stopped a couple of times along the way for some amazing mountain vista views. We weren’t sure if we were looking at Denali or not, so we texted our Alaskan cousins who replied, “You’ll know it when you see it! (IF you see it.)”
But at 20,310 feet—nearly four miles high—how could we not see it?
Read More“How did we get so lucky?” I asked my husband, as we took in the view. From the porch of our Minnesota cabin, “our lake” looked stunningly blue through the white birch and pine trees.
Our cabin on the lake was an unexpected dream come true at the end of last summer. And although it’s already given us many happy moments, and promises years of delight in the future, it hasn’t come without some pain and struggle.
Read MoreEllie was feeling the weariness of carrying another baby. With three little girls already, she hoped this fourth one would be the boy her husband so wanted to help carry on the farming someday. Of course, she wouldn’t trade her girls for anything, but it was common knowledge that a girl couldn’t become a farmer. Farmwife? Yes. But farming was a man’s job.
Read MoreHere in southwest Michigan, Spring is springing! She’s donned her redbud trees with purple jewels (I wonder why they aren’t called Purplebuds?). My favorite tree of all–the dogwood–holds its blossoms in tight little fists, ready at any moment to open that door, throw open its hands with pink and white whisps and yell, “Surprise! I’m here!”
Read MoreBy the time we got to picture day, my anxiety had rubbed off on everyone. We were all uptight, cranky, and not in the mood to smile. My kids were unruly and mischievous. In response, I was impatient and irritable. The only thing that rose higher than the pitch of my voice was my blood pressure.
Read MoreBecause there were three full chicken coops on the farm, I spent my Saturdays gathering eggs. While my friends laughed about Saturday morning cartoons at school on Monday, I grumbled about the injustices of being a farmer’s daughter.
Read MoreHow was your week? Here's a rundown of mine, some recommended memoirs, and a story about work and rest.
Read MoreA story of seed-planting, bean-snapping, and tending to all that we love. When we realize our loved one's days are numbered, we’re reminded to tend to them with loving care.
Read More(An excerpt from LENT through the LITTLE THINGS by Linda Hanstra)
The older I get, the more I find myself searching for things.
“Where did I put that jacket?”
“Why aren’t my keys in my purse?”
And the most common: “What happened to my phone?”
I now have a solution!
Read MoreOur annual "Christmas Letter" (a.k.a. Year in Review) is brought to you by the blizzard of 2022. When blizzard warnings, bomb cyclones, and plane delays/cancellations foil Christmas plans, there is still one thing you can count on.
Read MoreLike a teaspoon of salt can flavor a whole pot, trying one idea will lead to more. Soon you’ll be inventing your own zesty ideas. Are you ready to stir things up? Let’s go!
Read MoreIs your empty nest dull and bland? Are you looking for ways to spice things up? There are countless ways to add zest to your nest and I’ll share 20 of them in this post and the next! These are activities you can do alone, with your spouse, your family, or your friends!
Read MoreHow do you handle your big milestone birthdays? Are they days to be concealed or celebrated? As I approached another “big one”, an unexpected surprise on the shores of Lake Michigan along with childhood memories, brought inspiration and peace.
Read MoreWhile I had some ideas for how I’d spend my time in retirement, I looked forward to a blank slate. I figured once my days were free, I could explore the endless possibilities and decide which ones to pursue.
Unbeknownst to me, God had already drawn up some big plans and I was about to receive a message on that empty slate.
Read MoreAre you making way for ducklings in your nest? Is your college kid returning home for the first time and you don’t know what to expect? Do you have a “boomerang” flying at you and you’re not sure how to catch it?
Here are five tips to help you avoid potential pitfalls and conflicts, forge lasting relationships, and discover the benefit of the “Boomerang Bonus”.
Read MoreOur theme song for the week has been, “And another one gone, and another one gone. Another one bites the dust!”
The four of us are isolating together, much like we did two years ago on Easter Sunday, when both of our girls were sent home from college in March 2020. Our bucket-list vacation followed by a five days of COVID isolation during the holiest week of the year, has spurred reflections on our ever-changing Easter traditions, and the ever-constant reason we celebrate.
Read MoreNext winter, when I’m retired from my school job, every day will be like a snow day! I can sleep in. Take a long bath. Read lots of books. Watch lots of shows. And even though I might deserve a life of leisure after 35 years as a speech-language pathologist, I’m already a bit uneasy about the prospect of that much downtime.
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