I smiled. Bluebirds splashed in delight. Among the trees and gardens of our two-acre homesite, nature provides daily lessons on the survival of the fittest, squatters' rights, and how wildlife play. We have a Bluebird house in the back, but the Sparrows moved in while Mockingbirds harass both as [...]
Summed up into two words. I don’t remember when these two words first entered my vocabulary or when they became an obsession. The words circle my thoughts. Other times, they become an engine roaring, propelling me forward. I used those two words when I decided it was time to [...]
Today, freedom occupies my thoughts. Who is free? Who is not? Why not? What does it mean to belong to a country, a state, a community, to myself? I remember my visit to the United States National Archives, gazing in awe at the Declaration of Independence through the [...]
How does your garden grow? As I created a mental list of gardening chores for today, a nursery rhyme popped into my head: Mary, Mary, quite contrary How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row. That took me [...]
We have much to learn from trees. I have always marveled at how trees can bend nearly to the ground and survive. Living near the Gulf Coast, I’ve watched trees as they brave the fierce winds of a hurricane, their branches arching to the ground. A few limbs may [...]
My sister sent me a text. Not unusual, except for her request. Can you send me a recipe from Mom for chicken and dumplings? A simple, straightforward request, right? Our mother never wrote down the recipe. Her mother never wrote down the recipe. I have never written down the [...]
Living on the edge of her future, a six-year-old swayed in the spotlight of the sun. Her voice, clear and unwavering, belted out the song. Standing on the edge of the stage, she feared nothing and no one. I don’t remember the song, but I do remember the girl. The [...]
The ocean and I have a love-hate relationship. I live in the paradox of longing for the healing powers of the salt water and fear of the ocean’s strength. Waves rush in, bringing hope and healing. The day water and I collided began as a fun afternoon splashing, laughing [...]
I know. Why is this post arriving on Friday instead of Saturday morning? Today marks a milestone—six years ago today, I posted the first Bits & Pieces (formerly, Inspiring Your Best). COVID gripped the world, and we locked our doors and shuttered the windows as uncertainty circled the [...]
Mundane, repetitive chores send my thoughts swirling and spiraling. I spent the day pressure-washing the deck. Not the most exciting way to spend my time, but the dirt and grime ran down the drain. I smiled. I let some thoughts, the negative ones, slide away alongside the grime. I [...]
