Author Archives: Andi

A post by Regie Hamm, one of my favorite bloggers. I can definitely relate to his post. I used to visit my great-grandmother who was born maybe less than 20 after the Civil War. Her daughter, my maternal grandmother, would tell us stories of traveling through the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin by covered wagon. GrandmaContinue reading “LETTER FROM A GRANDCHILD …”

I have a lot of questions concerning God’s will for my life. I know some of you may have the same questions. How do we know when God is opening a door? Is it even a door? How do I know if I should step through it? How do we know that we are makingContinue reading “God’s Will”

Decision making isn’t my cup of tea. It tends to be painful. Always has been. Even if it’s a small decision like, “Where do you want to eat?” Holy cow…don’t ask me. Just take me. I’ve been divorced for a decade now. I own a home. I work out in the often not-so-nice world. AllContinue reading “Making Decisions”

Trust in him. ♥️ Andi Photo credit: Casoli, Italy, I believe my father took this picture.

Original post: November 26, 2021. The innocence of a child. Is there anything more beautiful? Such wonderment in simple things. I bought this little mermaid for my granddaughter. The jewel is her birthstone. It was very inexpensive but this tiny treasure means a great deal to her as she loves the sea and it’s mysticalContinue reading “The Little Mermaid 🧜‍♀️”

Today I was shopping at one of my least favorite stores, which I happen to frequent more often than I prefer. When you live in the boonies like I do, you don’t have many choices. My once young children called it the “Blue Store”. I was heading near the pharmacy department to pick up someContinue reading “What would you have done?”

Psalm 69:3I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. With the many struggles I am currently in the midst of, I have grown weary. My eyes yet burn from the tears shed yesterday. My energy is waining. I want to hide and sleepContinue reading “A Weariness”

Psalm 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The heart is, in my opinion, the greatest organ in the human body. Granted, it cannot function without the assistance of other vital organs, butContinue reading “My Heart Trusts”

Original post: October 29, 3021. Edited. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV) For everything there is a season,and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; aContinue reading “There is a Season”

Walk through any toy department and you will find an array of unicorns. They are usually white with pastels sprinkled about them in some fashion. I’m not a fan of pastels. Nor am I a lover of unicorns. In fact, I do not like them at all. I don’t know why. I just don’t. I’mContinue reading “Unicorns and Little Girls”

Why is it when everything goes well after a difficult time, we put Jesus back in the drawer and forget about him until the next trial brings us down? We still have pretty much the same stuff going on in our life as when we were going through the bad time. But then, we prayedContinue reading “How Easy It Is To Forget”

JAMES 1:12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Just as winter fades into spring, and spring into summer, it appears to be my season of trials once again. I desireContinue reading “Blessed is the Man”

So my sweet granddaughter lasted one day without eating meat. Yesterday, her mommy made her a non-meat meal. She was, however, upset that her parents were eating pork sandwiches. Denae’s update: So today we had a conversation about God creating animals and the differences between farm, pet, and exotic animals. But the heart-crushing part cameContinue reading “A Lover of Animals – An Update”

If I asked my readers who loves animals?, I bet most of you would raise your hand. We might not prefer the same type of animal, but that’s okay. My son, Jet, once had 36+ snakes of various kinds in our home along with tortoises, hissing cockroaches, scorpions, tarantulas, iguanas, and a bearded dragon named,Continue reading “A Lover of Animals”

I am grateful for the room I have in my basement that allows for a large play area for my grandchildren. They can easily (and happily) stay down there all day long with the many toys, books, and movies they have access to. There’s nothing quite like the imagination of a child. When a childContinue reading “The Imagination of a Child”

Original post: Children, March 28, 2021. Edited. I watched two young children play next to me as we waited for our flight to Florida. When these two little girls met for the first time, within 30 seconds they became best friends. It was obvious they came from very different backgrounds and heritage. Their skin wasContinue reading “Instant Friends”

Original post: April 9, 2021. Edited. My dad listened to Rod McKuen a lot when I was growing up. I have a Rod McKuen playlist on my phone. Listening to it takes me back to a good place in time and gives me peace. There’s a particular song I really like called Blessing in ShadesContinue reading “Blessings in Shades of Green”

Original post: November 13, 2021. Edited. Life’s challenges will either make you or break you. I’m teetering today. Trying to excel in all aspects of life is probably just a little too aggressive. But where do you draw the line? How do you not try? And when trials bombard you in a variety of ways,Continue reading “Life’s Challenges”

Another post written by my daughter. Enjoy. ♥️ ~Andi He walked into her life and he was everything she ever wanted and everything she didn’t know she needed. This love was different than she had … When Ocean And Forest Meet

All things bright and beautiful,All creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful:The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings,He made their glowing colors,He made their tiny wings. The rich man in his castle,The poor man at his gate,He made them, high or lowly,And ordered their estate. TheContinue reading “All Things Bright and Beautiful…”

God blesses us in both seen and unseen ways. If we only knew of the times he protected when we didn’t even realize we were in danger… Or, the many times he provided food, clothing, or that much needed friend at just the right time. How many strangers have crossed our path who ultimately addedContinue reading “More Than We Ask For”

I have hesitated about writing this. I wondered if I should just keep this treasure to myself. But this morning I woke up thinking about this after a lengthy time of it being silent. This morning, I felt I needed to post it today. Why? I do not know unless someone somewhere needs a messageContinue reading “My Mom”

Genesis 1:1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:4And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God. I will beContinue reading “The Artist is Exalted”

A few days ago I wrote about my brush. You know, the one with missing bristles. Well, I just want to say that brush was a lifesaver today. I have this valley in my yard. A deep valley with steep hills. It’s a pain in the arse to be honest. I had to drop fourContinue reading “About that brush…”

If you’ve read my posts long enough you know that I’m quite enchanted with sunsets. I love sunrises as well, but if I have to choose, sunsets win. Last night’s sunset did not disappoint. Ezekiel and I sat on my front porch swing. It was a most perfect evening. As we talked, I noticed theContinue reading “A Stormy Sunset”

Original post: October 20, 2021. Edited. A long time ago, somewhere in the middle of my marriage, my husband said, “I don’t need you. I want you, but I don’t need you.” I will never forget how that made me feel. Those words cut through my heart like a knife. It took my breath awayContinue reading “Needed vs Wanted”

I love the sun. It makes me feel so amazingly wonderful. I feel healthy. I feel more energetic. And, youthful. My skin rejoices with a new healthy glow. When God created the sun, he said it was good. And it is!! As the sun goddess sat on her throne today, I witnessed…I mean, she witnessed…manyContinue reading “The Sun Goddess”

Philippians 4:6–7Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Praying you might have a peaceful rest this night. ♥️ Andi Photo:Continue reading “A Goodnight Prayer”

Original post: November 13, 2021. Edited. Life’s challenges will either make you or break you. I’m teetering today. Trying to excel in all aspects of life is probably just a little too aggressive. But where do you draw the line? How do you not try? And when trials bombard you in a variety of ways,Continue reading “Life’s Challenges”

I spent Easter weekend at my oldest daughter’s home. It was a wonderful time spent loving on my grandchildren and having some long overdue quality time with my daughter. When I was getting ready to go to our Easter dinner at my son-in-law’s parents’ home, my daughter watched me as I put on my makeupContinue reading “My Hairbrush”

I collect skunks. It’s a lot of fun actually, because skunks are a challenge to find. I have found an array of antique skunks. Salt and pepper shakers, an ashtray, pins, and figurines. I have several Pepe Le Pew Christmas ornaments, salt and peppers, and a cookie jar. I even have a light switch cover.Continue reading “I ♥️ Skunks”

Original post: March 23, 2021. Edited. (adj)1. smitten2. state of nervous excitement3. how I feel aboutcha I feel alive again. Is it because of the lovely trail walks with its touches of greens, purples, and yellows, or the warmer temperatures and open windows, or the tiny bit of tan on my cheeks? Do I haveContinue reading “Twitterpated”

…that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… A day for rejoicing! Happy Easter! ♥️ Andi

There are two times during my life when the world came to an eerie silence. The first time were the days following the 9/11 tragedy. Especially those first three days when the skies were void of any air traffic. The second time were those two weeks of Covid lockdown. Fear kept us quiet. No oneContinue reading “The Loudest Silence”

💔♥️ Andi Photo credit: newsroompost.com

Original post: September 23, 2021. Edited. Life is full of situations that can teeter one way or another. We can make a bad situation worse though simply by not thinking things through. Sometimes when we see a loved one hurting at the hands of another, we get angry right away along with them. We talkContinue reading “Minimize the Ugliness”

Original post: March 13, 2022. Edited. My youngest daughter and I took Nyx for a walk one lovely Sunday afternoon. For most of that day, I’d been going through my jewelry, trinkets, and keepsakes; sorting and pitching as I went. There were a lot of journeys down memory lane. Happy and sad journeys. Much ofContinue reading “There’s No Learning in Easy”

Original post: April 18, 2021. Edited. Life is meant to be colorful. Otherwise, why would God have created our world so beautifully? When you look at the blessings of the ability to see in color, and the endless array of color, how could we choose to not live colorfully? A colorful life isn’t by chance.Continue reading “Paint Your Canvas”

Yesterday I went hiking with my daughter, Charlie, and my dog, Nyx. It was a gorgeous day after lots of windy, cold, and rainy days. It is a beautiful park with many nature trails. About a mile into our walk, along the creek, I rolled my ankle, and in the slowest of slow motion, IContinue reading “A Little Walnut and A Great Big Fall”

Whoever said aging was graceful, didn’t age, otherwise they’d know there’s nothing really graceful about it. Trying to get out of bed is anything but graceful. Not to mention putting on my jeans or socks, or trying to retrieve something I’ve dropped on the floor. Which is pretty often. My body doesn’t like to bendContinue reading “This Point in My Life”

There is great power in words. We know what it feels like to have a harsh word spoken to us with sarcasm or in anger. It cuts like a knife and leaves a scar forever embedded in our heart. Our mind marks it unforgettable. Knowing how words have the ability to leave a lasting impression,Continue reading “If I was dying…”

I’m a dreamer and a pretend planner. I want to do this and that. But do I? No. Because I’m afraid of absolutely everything. I might talk big with all my ambitiousnesses. But in reality, I’m a horse, tied to a little plastic yard chair, believing she is powerless against the almost weightless anchor. Today,Continue reading “Fear Keeps Me Tied”

Jeremiah 1:5aBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you… God knew me before he formed me in my mother’s womb. Just as he knew you. He designed us just as he wanted us to be. And we are perfect. We should embrace who we areContinue reading “A Gift Given”

Have you ever thought about how much time and energy we spend pitting what is fair, and what it not, against each other? We are bombarded daily with situations and issues that first run through the filter in our brain to be categorized as either fair or unfair. Depending on which it is labeled determinesContinue reading “Unfairness”

Original post: April 1, 2021. Edited. Tonight was the Celebration of Life for my father. It was held at his favorite Italian bakery, La Casa del Pane in St. Pete Beach, where he visited every day. Except for Mondays. They are closed on Monday. These wonderful people prepared lots of authentic Italian food for thisContinue reading “Story Time: A Night of Remembrance”

Original post: March 30, 2021. Edited. These were my thoughts after Dad passed. My father passed away at 12:30 pm. Life support was removed at 12:23. He was on his own for a mere seven minutes. The hospital staff was beyond gracious. They kept Dad comfortable and pain free as he crossed that thin lineContinue reading “That Thin Line”

Original post: March 28, 2021. Edited. On my way to St. Petersburg for a second time that month to meet with my sister and say our goodbyes to Dad before his final journey. After my parents divorced, my father bought a sailboat and set sail out into the Atlantic. This was quite a shock toContinue reading “Setting Sail”

Original post: March 28, 2021. The night before my dad was to be taken off life support. Two years ago. My brother did not make this second trip to Florida. He had said his goodbye and was good with that. I flew down from Indiana. My sister drove from North Carolina. This was our timeContinue reading “Sisters ♥️”

Original post: May 6, 2021. Edited. Time. I will continue to write about it until there is no more time. And I’ll probably write about it many more times. Everything runs on time until we run out of time. Time is of the essence. Time out. A waste of time. Good time. Outta time. ChangingContinue reading “Make Time”

Original post: August 20, 2021. Edited. I went to the farmers market one Saturday morning a couple of years ago and came across a booth of homemade jewelry. I’m a sucker for stuff like that. I try to get ideas so I can make my own jewelry. Right away I saw a stone that caughtContinue reading “A Raw Emerald”

Original post: April 30, 2021. Edited. Today was quite breezy. In fact, it’s been windy for the past several days. I love the sea breeze in my hair, but here at home, the wind blows my hair in my face when I’m trying to work outside so I have to pull it back. While IContinue reading “The Need for Stress”

On December 28, 2018, I had a hip replacement. This event happened that day as well. A second chance… The surgeon stopped by my room while making his rounds for the day. He told me that my hip replacement was much more complicated than he expected because of the severity of the damage so theContinue reading “A Second Chance”

Original post: May 3, 2021. Written by my youngest daughter, Mattea, as she reflects on the home where she spent her first eleven years…before divorce moved us to another home. This place was gorgeous and I spent much time outdoors, planting and perfecting, or walking through the woods, dreaming and reflecting. Sweet house, oh…dear, sweetContinue reading “Dear Sweet House”

I’m not sure where you live, but I live in Indiana, and I’m a little tired of sunless, cold days. This morning when I took Nyx out, it felt warm. Well, warmer than it’s been. A welcome 50 degrees. Today was my Friday. So glad. I’m home in my recliner, watching Second Hand Lions, andContinue reading “Thunder”

This is one of my most favorite verses in the Bible. Leaning on my own understanding has probably been my greatest downfall in life as I knew what was best (for me) most of the time. My history proves I’ve been wrong, a lot. I’m aware that I would think and act on a whim.Continue reading “Lean not…”

Work was hard on Monday. Really hard. And when I got home…well, you know…I was sad and homesick. I wrote about it here: https://coffeewithandi.com/2023/03/20/homesick/ I felt very alone that night. I had no one to talk to and I wondered where God was. He seemed quiet…and distant. I wanted answers to the recent questions I’veContinue reading “Where is God?”

Yesterday, I had to make a quick trip into town. On my way back to work, I saw an animal sitting in the road. I could not tell what it was until I got near it. By then it had safely crossed the road. Still it took me a moment to realize what this littleContinue reading “A Squirrel’s Tale”

I’ve written numerous posts about how time doesn’t wait on anyone. It just doesn’t. Back in the Old Testament, God answered Joshua’s prayer for time to stand still. And it did. Joshua 10:13And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in theContinue reading “Time”

Work was exceptionally tough today. I’m afraid I’ll have to search for another if things don’t turn around very quickly. Yet, I have no where to go. I seem to have this knack or special superpower for finding (and accepting) jobs that are internally messed up. And I’ve only been here since December 1st. PleaseContinue reading “Homesick”

I am sharing a moving post written by my daughter. She’s an exceptional writer. ~ Andi Years of building a reputation I could be proud of gone in a blink of an eye. Mistakes were made, trust placed in the wrong hands. My life went up in… Reputation Is Delicate

I have visited Maine on several occasions. Every time I leave I say I’m coming back. I don’t get there near as often as I’d like. I’d probably move to Maine if it wasn’t 1,200 miles from my children and their families, and the all memories we share here in west central Indiana. I trulyContinue reading “Torn Between Two Lovers”

I read a short devotional this morning that sent a little zing through my heart. Not a good zing. A worried zing. Am I guilty of this? I have been striving to be closer to God. But how diligent am I? The example in the devotional was this: Say you were asked to please comeContinue reading “Zing”

Is there any better connection between generations than music? My daughter, Charlie, and I were on the phone tonight sharing songs that we thought the other might like. When she called, I was listening to my Keane station on Pandora. On this station, Pandora plays similar music to Keane, like Coldplay, Louis Capaldi, and U2.Continue reading “Music: Bridging the Gap”

When we were growing up, we looked so forward to certain milestones in our youth. We couldn’t wait to become a teenager! Thirteen seemed like it was going to miraculously open new “grown-up” doors for us. Then at thirteen, we looked so forward to sixteen and the ability to drive a car which, no doubt,Continue reading “Don’t wish….”

As the autumn breeze brushes against my skin,It whispers softly to me,Of dreams and schemes and mysteries,And takes me to places I long to be. Spring rain falls gently from heaven above,With my arms outstretched I twirl around,I raise my face to greet each drop,And I find myself dancing in Paris town. Dreaming a simpleContinue reading “Dreams”

Original post: May 8, 2021. Edited. I read a heartwarming story of kindness shown to a young man with cerebral palsy. His mom stated that some days are more challenging than others. This particular day was a good day as she took her son grocery shopping. He smiled happily throughout the store. The cashier noticedContinue reading “Love Wins”

I know I posted something similar to this in the past, even in the recent past, but I genuinely think it cannot be emphasized enough. There are so many things in life that we put on the back burner. We always think that there will be a tomorrow to do these things. But honestly, thereContinue reading “What are we waiting for?”

John 1:5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 8:12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a lightContinue reading “The Light”

My family moved to Indiana in the late summer of 1977, as my father was transferred here. Then he was transferred to North Carolina in 1982, and my whole family went with him, without me, as I was married at that time. Indiana, at that time, did not observe daylight savings except for a coupleContinue reading “Daylight Savings”

Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? We were not designed to carry the weight of our own burdens let alone the weight of others. I have this tendencyContinue reading “Give it to God”

Original post: August 17, 2021 Everyone loves Grandpa. He isn’t blood to us but closer to us than most blood relation. We claim him as our own. And we love him dearly. Grandpa used to live in Florida until just recently. He’s getting up in age now so he moved up here to be closerContinue reading “Grandpa and the Pucker String”

Original post: April 10, 2021. Thank you, MH. ♥️ Things got tough when I was away in Florida. Not only was I trying to comprehend the loss of my dad, I was trying to deal with family who were also trying to comprehend the loss of him as well. The day after my dad passed,Continue reading “Be the Cream”

Original post: March 7, 2021. Edited. For Sheryl. Yesterday, my daughter and I took a long country drive. We drove to a small farming community just for curiosity’s sake. In the middle of farmland were rows of houses, some with white picket fences, and large mature trees dotted the small town. There was a loneContinue reading “Days of Old”

When we pray, our prayers are often based on our very human side which is filled with emotion. We see everything up close and very personal while God sees a much larger picture with a much greater purpose. We know that God has all power. We acknowledge that He has the ability to pull usContinue reading “But Even If You Don’t”

EMOTIONS Is there shame in expressing sadness, heartache, or pain,To look through the sun and only see rain,Is it absurd of me to feel such emotions,Must I drink from the well of those “feel good” potions? My feelings are genuine and very real to me,Please don’t condemn because you can’t see,That the positive and negative,Continue reading “EMOTIONS”

Sharing this powerful post written by one of my favorite bloggers. ♥️ ~ Andi Last night my son Tyler who is 20 years old told me some things that his mind has been telling him. These are unpleasant thoughts and he has been … Secrets 3/9

Before she goes bed, my lovely 6 year old granddaughter, Belle, knocks on my bedroom door. I answer and she asks to come in. I say yes, of course. I know why she’s come to visit. She always finds me in my recliner, writing. First she says, “I just want to hug you.” We hugContinue reading “Butterfly Kisses”

Original post: September 14, 2021. Edited. We all have one. You know…that one friend who knows the right things to say at the right time. The one who can lay it all out for you to see, and no matter what it looks like you understand because it finally makes sense. Even criticism of theContinue reading “That One Friend…”

And God created the sun on the fourth day. Genesis 1: 14-19. “And God saw that it was good.” I love the sun. Not only does it supply the vitamin D my body requires but it is good for my soul. The sun has a warmth that compares to nothing else. The sun can makeContinue reading “The Sun”

I graduated high school in 1979. I look back and the 70’s was a blast to grow up in. We didn’t know about politics and all the grown up stuff. We just knew how to have fun. We weren’t afraid of things back then either. We weren’t afraid to walk up and down our roadContinue reading “My 1970’s”

~ Our God is an awesome God ~ Last night, on behalf of my friend, prayers were lifted to our Father and with compassion, He honored them. My friend is here. Exhausted, but with us. My heart is filled with love and gratitude. I cannot fully express how I feel. To know that you prayedContinue reading “God Listens”

I believe there is power in prayer. I believe there is strength in the prayer of a single faithful person. But I also believe in leaning on others when times are exceptionally difficult. I have a group of friends who are my prayer warriors. My warrior sisters. When something urgent comes up I call onContinue reading “Praying ♥️”

I love this picture of my girls. It was taken at my 60th birthday party almost two years ago. These girls are pretty amazing. Similar, yet very different from one another. One thing they have in common is their laughter and their ability to find almost everything funny. They have the greatest sense of humor.Continue reading “My Girls”

My daughter, Charlie, gave her niece, Belle, a magical garden for Christmas. Belle painted the pieces first and then Charlie helped to plant the wheat grass. When the pieces dried, Belle arranged them as she wanted and then added gems to the display. I added a tiny string of lights when she was through. TheContinue reading “The Little Garden”

Original post: July 29, 2021. Edited. We all have a past. Some of it is exceptionally good while other parts might be a little on the shady side. We are human and we make mistakes, bad choices, and wrong decisions. And often all at once! Sometimes we are caught up in something so off-color weContinue reading “Don’t Let Your Past Define You”

Original post: July 19, 2020. Edited. Birthdays and Christmas were big when the kids were young and still at home. Christmas was so much fun for this Mrs. Claus. I tried to get most everything, if not everything, on their wish list, or what was spelled out in their letters to Santa. I have aContinue reading “Worth More in the Box”

We each have a boatload of things on our mind. Finances, child rearing, employment, what’s for dinner, family issues, school, world events, health, appointments, our current administration, religion, maybe even addictions, etc. Any one of a million things could be on our mind at given moment. And if you are like me, it’s not justContinue reading “What’s on your mind?”

This thought has been haunting me for several days now. Tonight, I’m drowning in it. I watched a program about the poisoning of our environment. Our water. Our air. Our land. Our food supply is becoming smaller and less healthy. Our world is contaminated inside and out. For once being the country on top ofContinue reading “Staring Death in the Face”

Part 2 When I penned Life.Is.Not.Fair. yesterday, I did not intend for it to be a Part One. But after reading a comment by Nate on that post, I certainly looked at the parable in a different light. It is light in which the parable was actually intended. So I will expand on that. IContinue reading “Life.Is.Not.Fair.”

Original post: July 19, 2020. Edited. I was raised in Waukegan, a city north of Chicago. I say it’s a suburb of Chicago and we lived in a suburb of the suburb. If you can follow that. It wasn’t city yet it wasn’t completely country. If you can follow that too. The area we livedContinue reading “A Rooster Crows”

Sometimes, many times, we feel we are getting the short end of the stick. We wonder why do these things always happen to me? It’s so easy to feel every bit the victim. But reality is…life is not fair to a single one of us. Not one. I read the parable of the laborers inContinue reading “Life.Is.Not.Fair.”

I can say that I come from a long line of nappers, but I cannot say I come from a long line of apron wearers. I think though, that I have officially started that line. I wear aprons, along with all three of my daughters and my daughter-in-law, and now my granddaughters. Sometimes my goofyContinue reading “Aprons”

Gale force winds swept my life off track.  I tried and tried but couldn’t get back The girl I knew was no longer, blown away by life’s tempest. All … Hiraeth **Hiraeth was written by my daughter. I was greatly moved by her words. She is quite a talented writer and I am very proudContinue reading “Hiraeth”

When I was in my early twenties, I heard a preacher discussing eternal life. He said that some people think when you die you are dead all over like a dog named Rover. I don’t share that sentiment. I believe in life after death. Eternal life. I believe that we have a soul from theContinue reading “The Breath of Life”

Original posting: February 14, 2021 One very sunny, but chilly winter day, I ran to the grocery store. I picked up a few things and got in line at the checkout counter. This was long before there were self-checkouts, and at a time when a pandemic was something you only read about in a scienceContinue reading “The Scarf”

My dad gave me a gift. The love of music. Early Saturday mornings, my brother, sister, and I would wake up EARLY to Here Comes the Sun, or Tommy, Can You Hear Me?. My father was one of those people who couldn’t stand for anyone to be in bed if he was up. Even ifContinue reading “Music.”

Originally posted on December 16, 2020 December 11, 2019: A FaceBook Memory If you want something, or someone, and it’s good and it’s right, you won’t want to let it slip away. Life isn’t by chance, let the blocks fall as they may, or if it’s meant to be it’ll just happen. It’s about workingContinue reading “Opportunity”

Philippians 4:13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. I finished a devotional this morning about this particular Bible verse. Paul wrote this during his imprisonment. While many of us use this verse to validate that God will help us through any and all of our desires, this is not exactly what PaulContinue reading “I can do all things…”

I’m just a little ole’ country girl from the middle of nowhere. I write because I have to get all this words out of my head before my head explodes. It’s like overfilling a balloon and having to let a little of that air out. That’s my head. But truthfully I share things, sometimes hardContinue reading “Thank You!”

When it comes to grammar, these three are the most troublesome for me: commas and the correct use of affect and effect. I’m sure you’ve maybe caught my mistakes/ misuse of these throughout my posts. All I can say is oops. 😬 Commas…if I think there should be a pause, I will stick in aContinue reading “The Troublesome Three”

Still sitting here in the cold. Power is not expected to come on until this afternoon. The office does not have power either so I won’t be going there today. It’s 60 degrees in my home. Windchill of 16 outside. The two little ones are running around unfazed that it’s cold in here. I’m hopingContinue reading “Smile”

Last night I felt like giving up. Actually, I still sorta feel that way this morning as I sit here in the dark. We are experiencing a power outage. I’m talking about giving up on my new job. It’s much more extensive and complex than I believed when I accepted it. Not sure if itContinue reading “Meltdown in the Drive-Thru”

Truth. We do know that we will die at some point, yet how do we live? We live like there is no end in sight. That’s fine as long as we’ve found that hope in Jesus and live accordingly. Live to make the world a better place. Love God first and foremost. Be kind. LoveContinue reading “If we knew…”

My joy, my heart. ♥️ Two of my grand babies are here. Tiny slippers in the hall along with daddy’s. Sleeping babies, safe and sound. Little voices greet me in the morning with sleepy eyes and hair that needs brushed. Sweet hugs and kisses complete my morning. My joy, my heart. ♥️ Andi

I have a fever. A seriously high fever.But, no…I don’t want any medication. Don’t take my temp. Don’t take me to the doctor. Don’t feed my fever (starve a cold). Don’t wrap me up and give me chicken soup. Just take me outside so I can enjoy this beautiful day. It’s the only way toContinue reading “Fever”

My two favorite things. ♥️ Short and sweet! ♥️ Andi

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. ~ John Burroughs Good Morning to my friends! I have been writing here quite a bit lately andContinue reading “Too Short”

When I say I am proud, I don’t mean to sound arrogant. I am proud of many things. I’m proud to say I’m an American. (Regardless of the current shameful condition of our county.) I’m proud of those who work diligently for the good of mankind. I’m proud of the accomplishments of others, especially thoseContinue reading “I Am Proud”

During my years as a mom I have wondered how to explain the love I have for my children. I mean really explain it. It’s so fascinating to me how life begins and grows. I have six children. Two from my first marriage and four with the second. And although they have similar traits, theyContinue reading “Love For My Children”

I am did not write this but thought it was worthy to share with you here. Have a blessed day! 😊 When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.Continue reading “Dare to…”

Puzzles are intricate and they have to fit together precisely to create a complete picture. That’s how life is as well. All of the pieces, made of your life choices, decisions, dreams, goals, trials, etc., fit together to create the picture of your life. Sometimes when we want something so badly, we try to toContinue reading “Your Perfect Puzzle”

Time has a way of maintaining (and rekindling) relationships. Time isn’t always lost. I am fortunate to have very close friends from my youth. Several friends, in fact. And I treasure each of them. When I went to my 40th class reunions (I have two) about 3.5 years ago, I was able to reconnect withContinue reading “Le Tre Amiche”

Job 12:7-107 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD hasContinue reading “God’s Creation”

A New Day A new daybright, sunnyenlightening A new bondfriendship, peacesharing A new outlookhopeful, promiseforgiving A new viewreminiscent, reflectinglearning A new dreamexcited, youthful,yearning A new lifestyleoptimistic, positivehealing A new heartgrateful, true,loving I wrote this poem on March 8, 2015. Pictures are from our walk yesterday. A beautiful day to be outside. Hope your Monday wasContinue reading “A New Day (a poem)”

Tick…Tock… The clock never stops… I was watching Dr. Phil this afternoon when I fell asleep. As I started to wake up I heard him in the background talk about the hours in a person’s life. It got me to thinking about my hours. Time spent and time left. So I did some figuring. SayContinue reading “Time of Your Life”

…that Jesus is with you ALL the time… Would you…. Do the things you do? Say the things you say? Work the way you work? Teach the way you teach? Live the way you live? Would you? After the fact, I usually realize what I’ve done. Then I thank God for His patience as IContinue reading “If You Truly Believe…”

This is in reference to my recent post called Toxic Relationships. I actually took this from a comment shared on that post. The comment: “Sometimes it seems to be more difficult to walk away than stay.” What do we do when it seems easier to stay in a toxic relationship than leave? For one, maybeContinue reading “Fear”

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Jesus spoke in parables so we can better understand heavenly concepts by means ofContinue reading “A Parable”

I have learned so many life lessons and I certainly relate to how many older people are more patient and understanding than they were in their youth. I find myself much more tolerant and slower to speak than I was just 10 years ago. Not that I am tolerant of things that God finds intolerant.Continue reading “Choosing Battles”

Make sure you’re not saying “It’s complicated” when it’s actually TOXIC. The more words it takes you to explain your relationship, the less healthy it probably is. ~ Steve Maraboli I’ve been there. When anyone asked how my marriage was I used wordy sentences to make people believe it was a great marriage. I didContinue reading “Toxic Relationships”

The blanket is itchy and scratchy as it is made of wool. It’s not large enough to keep my whole body warm so I have to choose between feet or arms. This blanket seems more like an inconvenience than anything. But, it’s not. And I will keep this blanket forever. This blanket has been inContinue reading “The Blanket”

When Chelle was just a little girl, she ran through her yard singing out “Andrea! Andrea!” She said it was her favorite name. We lived hours apart and in different states. It wasn’t until my father was transferred to the town where she lived that we finally met. It was the fall of 1977, theContinue reading “Pink Roses”

Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked what he would receive in payment if he turned Jesus in to them. They paid him thirty pieces of silver. At the Passover meal, Judas knew that by dipping his hand in the bowl with Jesus, he was the one who would betray Him and yetContinue reading “Dipped in the Bowl”

Even though today was a gorgeous snowy day, I do miss the warmth of the summer sun. Sending you a sweet reminder that winter isn’t forever. Spring will be here before you know it! ♥️ Andi

I made some big life decisions this year. I couldn’t do this before because I viewed myself as being selfish for even having these thoughts. But if I do not take care of myself, there is no way I can help you. This is not selfishness. It took decades to realize this even though IContinue reading “Protective of Me”

Do you have dreams? Ambitions? Goals? How are you doing on making them reality? Me…I got plenty of those swirling around in this crazy head of mine. But I’m not fairing so well on making them reality. It’s not but my own fault though. Not blaming anything or anyone but myself. Just as we findContinue reading “What’s Holding You Back?”

Who is the right one? Is there such a person? I’ve spent a lot of time over the years wondering who is the right one for me. After my divorce a decade ago, I was hell-bent on finding that one right person to complete me. To be my companion, confidant, soul mate. I jumped intoContinue reading “The Right One”

I bought a Roku last month and am enjoying TV in my room. What I like most are the old programs that I have access to. You know like Johnny Carson, Love Boat, Family Affair, The Donna Reed Show, The Odd Couple (Tony Randall and Jack Klugman), even shows like The Rifleman. I’m still discoveringContinue reading “Priorities”

Have you ever done quirky things to ward off bad things happening to you? I’m not a superstitious person, but maybe I am tad OCD on occasion. According to the Mayo Clinic:Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsionsContinue reading “Jinxed”

Selah. A word which ends verses in the book of Psalms. Since Psalms means songs, Selah could have been a musical point of pause. There are several thoughts on its true meaning, as I discovered. Regardless, I have always been attracted to this word. Selah. Pause. Breathe. Silence. Lift up. Exalt. Forever. Whatever Selah actuallyContinue reading “Selah”

I cannot believe I’ve been writing this blog for three years! Who knew I had so much to say?! If this was my real job, I’d be in heaven, juss sayin’. But if I didn’t have readers it certainly wouldn’t be much fun. I appreciate YOU! Thank you for being here and reading my stuff.Continue reading “Happy 3rd Anniversary!”

We really don’t truly appreciate our health until we don’t have it. I was taught this lesson twice so far this year. So during the holidays, the severity of my unhealthy lifestyle hit me hard. We typically never have sweets in this house but that’s not all I need to avoid. And I know this.Continue reading “Health”

When I witness the goodwill of others, I see YOU. When I look up into the beauty of the ever-changing sky, I see YOU, in all your glory. Once when at the airport, I witnessed two young girls meet for the first time, both from very different backgrounds and heritage, and they loved on eachContinue reading “I See YOU”

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. ~ Aristotle Friendships, like family, can be difficult at times. But as with family, even through difficult times, love remains. I used to think that it takes two to make a friendship, but I have another take on that. If someone chooses not toContinue reading “Friendships”

“Don’t lose the GOOD in search of the PERFECT.” – unknown We are so busy searching for the perfect in our jobs, our hobbies, our sports, etc., that we overlook all the good in our everyday lives. All those beautiful things that are right under our nose and in plain sight. The good in lifeContinue reading “The Perfect…”

When I was struggling with my fear and doubt, I came across two things. These two things were my inspiration for the posts on fear. First, I decided to look at a coloring page that my granddaughter, Belle, had given to me. She likes to roll her artwork into a scroll and stick them inContinue reading “Two Things”

Part Two Choosing God Over Fear Honestly, I have spent my entire life being scared. Scared of being around other people. Scared of people not liking me. Scared to make decisions or stepping outside the box. Scared of saying or doing anything that would give others opportunity to talk about me. Scared of all theContinue reading “FEAR”

Part One Fear is a horrible thing. I will not watch horror films because I cannot stand to be scared in the least bit. Maybe it goes back to young years when my dad scared me with a clown statue we had. I wrote a post about that on April 6, 2020. The link isContinue reading “FEAR”

Originally posted on July 30, 2021. Edited and updated. We have all sorts of well-meaning people telling us how to walk through our life and critiquing how we walked years ago. How does that even make sense? You should have…should never be included in conversation. I know people have the best of intentions most ofContinue reading “Shoelaces”

I thought about the title of my blog yesterday and it made me think of a talk show…although I have been the only one participating. For fun, this is how it would possibly go if I had my own show and a special guest speaker. 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎶 Announcer:Continue reading “The Coffee With Andi Show”

2023 is fast approaching and we will enter it with a lot of uncertainty in our personal lives and in our world. The last two or three years have been the strangest ever in my lifetime. I personally was blindsided by the unimaginable that occurred and is still occurring in our world. Years ago, NewContinue reading “This Little Sign”

I am sharing this post written by a fellow blogger. I thought it was quite interesting. What are the odds of one man (Jesus) fulfilling all prophecy? Please read and let your heart be amazed! godstillspeakstoday.com/2022/12/23/christmas-math/

Friday. Two days before Christmas. While it is a comfortable 69 degrees inside my home, it is a cool -9 degrees outdoors. Winds are steady at 24 mph which creates a windchill of -36. I don’t need to worry about anything blowing away outside as everything is frozen to the place they occupy. With tempsContinue reading “A Slight Panic”

Yesterday I began a five day Christmas devotional on YouVersion. It is called “All is Calm”. This morning one of the first sentences struck me and honestly, it’s all I thought about as I sort of listened to the the rest of the devotional and scripture verses. Why are we instructed to read and rereadContinue reading “Be Amazed”

Forty years ago I was given my purpose in life. Although I find it to be most difficult at times, it has been my greatest adventure, my greatest love. Motherhood. Nathan was born forty years ago today. It is hard for me to acknowledge that I have a forty year old child. I was fortyContinue reading “My Purpose in Life Began 40 Years Ago”

The name Karen has certainly gotten a bad rap over the past several years. I’m not sure how it got started or why that particular name was chosen to represent women who are privileged, obnoxious, demanding, and angry. But to suggest that all Karens are alike is well, kind of…Karenish. I have a close friendContinue reading “Be Like Karen”

I started my new job as the clerk-treasurer in my tiny town. Yesterday morning, I was asked by my friend how the new job was going. I replied, “I’m not sure.” Last night after work, I responded again, “I’m still not sure.” His reply, “All you need to be sure of at this point isContinue reading “Trusting God”

Origin post: April 26, 2020 Where flowers bloom, so does hope. Matthew 6: 28, 29 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 11:28-30Continue reading ““Why are you anxious?””

December 1, 2022 – My First Day Gone Angie had texted me that my office was depressing with me gone. She went into my office and stood there in silence. Soon, Kelly came in, and stood with her. Then another coworker, and then yet another. They all just stood there together in my empty office.Continue reading “Feeling Loved”

Often when we come upon a difficult time in our life we talk about the need to get past it in order to heal. What does that mean to get past it? Today I heard something on a Hallmark movie that struck me in a remarkable way. The situation there, of course, was related toContinue reading “Go Through It”

A week or so ago, I wrote about the wait. Waiting for God to lead and direct while I try to be patient. Currently, I’m trying to understand the timing while acknowledging that God has closed one door and opened another. Do not question when God answers the prayers you’ve been praying. So why doContinue reading “A Bittersweet Transition”

We base many things in life upon our feelings. And I know that my feelings change frequently. Like falling in and out of love. Fall in. Fall out. How does that happen? Why does that happen? Perhaps it is when we base the relationship on feelings alone. Feelings come and go like the breeze. OhContinue reading “The Most Important Decision”

Will I ever tire of white orchids? I think not. Many years ago, I wrote a poem about white orchids. It was also about love. If you have ever had either, you know the beauty, and the frustration, of both. When I worked for a florist several years ago, my sunroom became the orchid rehabContinue reading “Orchids”

regiehammblog.wordpress.com/2022/11/16/two-minutes/ I’m sharing a post written by Regie Hamm. He’s quite a writer and I always look forward to reading his stuff.

“If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭ It always seems slow, doesn’t it? Waiting on God to answer. Everything in our world today is at the tip of our fingers. Instant gratification has become the norm in every area of life. And often weContinue reading “Wait For It”

When we think of peer pressure, we often pin that concept on high school kids. Maybe middle school kids as well. But that is certainly not the case. People strive to fit in all through their adulthood too. I was an awkward teen growing up in Waukegan, Illinois. It was a difficult time of figuringContinue reading “Peer Pleaser”

Original post: July 18, 2021 All life was created by God. And when God created man He saw that man should not be alone. So God designed something wonderful. He created woman. And from those two, God created family. God looked over all of His creation and said it is good. Today we see theContinue reading “You are Beautiful”

Original post, April 20, 2020 “No, I can’t.” I’ve told myself this a thousand times. “I can’t do this anymore.” It’s horrible to feel that low. I’ve been in that place many times. I know how it is to feel helpless and alone. It’s very difficult especially when you have the responsibility of a home,Continue reading ““No, I can’t””

Vote because your voice needs to be heard. Don’t fall under the banner of “my vote doesn’t matter”. If you don’t vote, don’t complain. I find it a privilege to vote. It is a true honor to stand up for this country that I love so much. In all things, God expects us to doContinue reading “V*O*T*E”

Original post: April 30, 2021 Today was quite breezy. In fact, it’s been windy for the past several days. I love the sea breeze in my hair, but here at home, the wind blows my hair in my face when I’m trying to work outside so I have to pull it back. While I wasContinue reading “The Need for Stress”

Original post: July 17, 2020. When my youngest was about two and a half years old, she began saying a strange thing. We heard “butt chicken”. It sounded funny so we laughed whenever she said it. That encouraged her to repeat it. It got to the point where she was saying it quite often (we’dContinue reading “Butt Chicken”

Depression is a very real thing. It’s something that is hard to see or understand. It often runs deep and dark. It can be disguised by laughter or hidden by an outward appearance of happiness. Listening to what someone is not saying is probably key to recognizing depression. I do not live in that darknessContinue reading “Depressed or Depression?”

I like change. I just don’t wanna be there when it happens. ~Monk If you ever watched Monk, you’ll find humor in that quote. I talk about change a lot. I am one who doesn’t particularly like change. Even when I see a beloved actor age or die, I consider it to be a changeContinue reading “Change”

I wondered if my parents had gotten rid of these pots. We had two. I’ve seen these in antique stores and thought about purchasing one but it wouldn’t be the same. Then my sister sent me this picture yesterday. She asked if I would like the other one. Why, yes, I would! It’s hard toContinue reading “The Pot”

…O C T O B E R. I posted this one year ago today. The breathtaking photos are so worth sharing again. I truly am sad to see October go. I’ve fallen in love with the color of autumn gold. I recently bought a t-shirt in that color. In a pretty white font, the printContinue reading “My Favorite Color is…”

There is a place I go where I find peace. It’s not just one place, or two. It’s many places. It’s wherever the breeze finds me. It’s where I hear birds and tree frogs. It’s where I watch squirrels dart one way and then another; seemingly, without rhyme or reason. I find peace at myContinue reading “There is a Place…”

Golden streaks of autumn sun,Shoot through the forest trees,Enhancing every color scheme,Contained within the falling leaves. A spider’s web hangs gracefully,Created skillfully through the night,Glistening with the morning dew,A chef d’oeuvre of pure delight. The air is crisp and clean these days,It refreshes my very soul,And awakens a youthful spirit within,Once again…I feel whole. GrapesContinue reading “Autumn Morn”

I noted in my last post that I am still willing to learn the life lessons that God presents to me. Actually, I’m excited about learning. I was taught a great lesson just this morning. A lesson in which I discovered myself to be in error concerning a topic I preached most of my adultContinue reading “Made Complete”

Our God is an awesome God. Or better yet, our God is THE awesome God. My sweet Belle was the inspiration of this simple post today as she sang this song to me this morning while wearing her Princess Belle dress. There’s nothing more precious than hearing a child praising God in song. I failContinue reading “Our God is An Awesome God”

Today would be my dad’s 81st birthday. Sadly, he left this earth before either of us were ready. It’s hard to let go of unfinished business. He and I had much left undone and unsaid. As I was going through the treasures that I was given after he passed away, I found this rock. ThisContinue reading “A Different Drummer”

Today I enjoyed a special treat by a special friend, Pam. She invited me to a flower arranging class with her. Actually, her husband treated us. He knows her love for flowers and he did this for her and she asked me to come along. This was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.Continue reading “Flower Arranging”

Mother’s are extraordinary. Moms are really super heroes often disguised in food stained aprons, messy hair, and unshaven legs. Their energy and will to persevere comes from deep within the center of the earth. That same place where my boys once said I made chili. Moms are resilient. A mom sometimes runs off little toContinue reading “The Strength of a Mother”

I took my lunch at 1:00 as usual but I did not go to my usual spot today. I went to a different park. It’s the park where I ran my first 5k. It’s where my family shot fireworks for the community on the 4th of July. And it is the only park here withContinue reading “Pokémon Go – AWAY!”

I took the day off for an appointment. I could have just missed half a day but I never miss work and I need to start some self-care. I didn’t get paid but taking care of me has to be a priority. I haven’t been taking care of myself as you recall in recent posts.Continue reading “What a Difference a Day Makes”

Ezekiel and I started a Bible study today on forgiveness. I have my own thoughts on this topic. I think there is a difference between “letting go” and “forgiving”. God forgives us when we ask for His forgiveness. Does He forgive us when we don’t ask? Why would He expect us to do something thatContinue reading “Forgiveness: Food for Thought”

I was lying in bed this morning, thinking. I’ve been trying to figure out me and what’s changed over the past couple of years. Mostly, the last year and a half. Three words came to my mind: I gave up. I was pondering the questions of why am I feeling so bad, mentally and physically?Continue reading “I Gave Up”

Ezekiel and I had a discussion a couple of nights ago about how to make dreams come true. He said, “You need to break a dream into goals because you’ll never get to the top of the stairs without steps.” That makes sense. I told him I created a quote and had it specially madeContinue reading “The Guitar”

As some of you may recall, I have the yard from hell. It has caused me much grief and has aged me about 8 years. At least. I dropped 12 ash trees two years ago. My yard has never recovered. The damage from the trees falling and from removing them has greatly damaged my yard.Continue reading “God is Funny”

Psalm 71:8My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. My Christianity has taken me on journey through hills and valleys and unpaved, tumultuous pathways. I have seen the best and the worst in Christians and in church organizations. I have felt both safe and unsafe by things taught fromContinue reading “Praising God”

I went to my usual napping place at lunchtime. A beautiful day after a couple of stormy nights. My parking spot in the park is in a shady nook of the circle drive which is covered by a canopy of heavy leafy branches on the edge of the thick woods. I open my windows, layContinue reading “Signs of Change”

My dad’s mother’s family is from Naples, Italy. I do not remember my grandmother as she passed away when I was about three years old. Sadly, my dad lost both parents about seven days apart, in separate hospitals, and both from heart disease. As I grew up, I thought Grandma looked like Judy Garland. SometimesContinue reading “Through Our Heart Line”

I love how nature teaches us things. Like… Patience. There’s no rushing nature. Seasons come and go on the schedule that God set. The ocean tides work along with the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. What does this teach us? I don’t know. I just find it interesting. Animals often make better parentsContinue reading “Yellow Jacket Twist”

2 Kings 6:16 In today’s world, we are forced to choose sides. Every matter of life seems to be divided right down the middle: right vs wrong, good vs evil, choice vs control, and of course, the CDC vs science. (Insert laugh track) There seems to be no middle ground and both sides feel theContinue reading “Those Who Are With Us”

Is there shame in expressing sadness, heartache, or pain,To look through the sun and only see rain,Is it absurd of me to feel such emotions,Must I drink from the well of those feel good potions? My feelings are genuine and very real to me,Please don’t condemn because you can’t see,That the positive and negative, togetherContinue reading “Emotions”

I was scrubbing my bathroom sink with my long-time friend, Bar Keepers Friend, to get the orange tint off from around the drain. I wondered, Really? Does anyone else have to do this? Am I the only one who has to scrub their sink? When I was a young girl my mom would wash ourContinue reading “The Only One”

Ten years ago I was with my father at his home in Casoli, Italy. When he asked me to visit him there I readily said yes. Casoli is in the Province of Chieti in the region of Abruzzo. My dad fell in love with Italy as it is part of our heritage. His mother’s familyContinue reading “Italy”

Holding grudges. Have you ever thought of the ramifications of holding a grudge? Is it really harmless giving someone the silent treatment and ignoring them for a period of time? What’s the point? What do you expect to get from it? When you think about it…holding a grudge is silent revenge. And it is mostContinue reading “Silent Revenge”

I woke up this morning to a text that my son, Ezekiel, sent to me. It was beautifully written to say the least. I’d love to share it all here but it was written to someone in particular and that I must respect. My children are all blessed with the gift of writing and IContinue reading “My Colorful Friend”

Tonight after I published my last post, I was notified that it was my 500th post. A huge milestone. Never have I dreamed I could write so much. The strange thing though is that I don’t feel I’ve even started. This mind of mine is deep and intense. I feel everything and with great passion.Continue reading “500 Posts”

I am cleaning and reorganizing my basement. In order to accomplish this I have to get rid of things. Sort, toss, donate, organize and store. This is particularly difficult when it comes to sorting through things that once belonged to loved ones. Those loved ones being Mom, Dad, and Chelle. Besides the remarkable amount ofContinue reading “Life Condensed to a Single, Plastic Tote”

I never quite know when, or how, a topic to post will come about. It might be something I hear in passing, a special moment with a family or friends, a memory, a news report, a scripture verse, or an overwhelming feeling. Today was no different. It hit me quite suddenly. I was sitting atContinue reading “Turn Around”

Friday nights are reserved as date night with my youngest daughter. I decided to take her to the outdoor mall we used to go to often. Once-upon-a-time, the kids and I spent a lot of time there, especially at Barnes and Noble. We began our night at JC Penney’s. I spent a boatload of moneyContinue reading “Mall Days”

Always thinking. That’s me. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what ifs? Mostly this thought has been centered around losing people in my life. I guess this has been on my mind since my ex-father-in-law passed and was buried today. He was a good man and loved by everyone. Melvin was patriotic. A veteran of theContinue reading “What if…”

As I rejoice in the reversal of Roe vs Wade, I see that many others have resorted to violence and destruction once again. Those who mandated vaccinations now scream “my body, my choice”. Those who who have divided our world between the vaxxed and the unvaxxed, and often restrict the unvaccinated from receiving life savingContinue reading “Woe to Those…”

“If you are not afraid, why would you need courage?” That quote was in my devotional this morning. Today I learned something about fear. As I am a fearful person and the weight of the known, and unknown, weigh heavy on my heart, I discovered something of great importance. It is written numerous times throughoutContinue reading “Fear vs Courage”

Customer service. Why does every job lead me here? Every job I’ve ever had has been in customer service. Well, except when I worked in the activities department of a long term health care facility. Am I just getting old and tired and impatient, or is everything messed up and every one in a constantContinue reading “My Brain is Tired”

A few years back I went out with a man whom I’ll call Jay. Jay and I had gone out a few times and I guess I wasn’t ready for dating, or we weren’t right, or whatever. So he went out with someone else. He jumped into that relationship with both feet right into theContinue reading “The Best Date”

When we discuss children often we refer to the mother as the main person of interest in their lives. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am perhaps what many would consider old fashioned in my view of the structure of the family. That’s okay. I don’t mind. Because I believe in God’sContinue reading “Fathers”

I’m currently in the process of writing a post about my journey to Italy in June of 2012. Hopefully soon, I will be ready to share it with you. Tonight I watched Under the Tuscan Sun. I believe it is one of my favorites. I love Italy. I love the language. I love the people.Continue reading “Under the Tuscan Sun”

This time of year sends my heart back to Minnesota with my family. The summer vacations there were fun for us three kids. We’d pack up our station wagon in anticipation of the long drive to our grandparents’ house. Sometimes we’d pull our pop-up camper. This was long before the seatbelt laws and we’d haveContinue reading “Wishin’ for Fishin’”

Matthew 19:14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” My oldest daughter is pregnant with her second child. A precious boy! We are so excited. He is my second grandson. My granddaughter, Dakota Chez (pronounced “shay”), is named after aContinue reading “Dakota Chez”

I am overwhelmed this morning with the dire situation of our country and our world. As a mom, I still want to protect my children, even though they are all adults. I would prefer they would all be under one roof again. My roof. I simply cannot turn off the mom in me. I textedContinue reading “Place of Prayer”

Life moves quickly. Years become decades within minutes, so it seems. I’ve lived six of them now. Our years are a compilation of numerous beginnings and endings with lots of middles. Those middles are where life is lived. Last week was bittersweet. Last week we laid Mom to rest after almost seven years. When Mom’sContinue reading “Beneath the Twilight Magic”

For the last month or so, I have been doing daily Bible studies on YouVersion with a friend of mine who lives two states away. This has been blessing in my life. We finished the last seven day study just as I was getting ready for a journey. An almost 700 mile journey. A journeyContinue reading “The Giant in My Life”

Many of you know that I am divorced. Actually, twice divorced. Not proud of it. But it happened and I cannot go back. Nor should I. Whether or not the divorce has just cause, it’s detrimental to the individuals, the children, and to society as a whole. (I know there are serious circumstances that requireContinue reading “Marriage, Divorce, and the Aging Game”

How many things have you had to break in before you got the best, most comfortable use out of them? You know…like breaking in a pair of shoes. At first it can be rough with blisters on your heels or maybe your little pinky toe turns a shiny red, but soon the shoe feels likeContinue reading “Breaking In…”

The Covid period in our lives hurt us in many ways. We suffered in similar ways, and in different ways too. But the raw truth is, we all suffered. I cannot imagine the difficulty of being a mom of younger children during this time. Motherhood (and fatherhood) is difficult enough without explaining (and/or enforcing) thingsContinue reading “Happy Mother’s Day 🌸”

Last night I began going through tubs of old pictures. I was by myself and having a blast reminiscing. I thought I’d include my kids by taking pics of the pics and texting through a group chat. The pictures I sent weren’t the best quality with the glare but it was still fun. And awayContinue reading “I Once Was a Jedi”

After writing my last post, REST, I went outside to sit on my back porch to reset my circadium rhythm with the early morning blue light of the sun. I have been reading more about the benefits of this lately. Today is my first day. It’s a breezy morning and a little cool but notContinue reading “Breezes”

Our lives are so very busy that we don’t even realize just how busy until we are worn down, burned out, and broken; mentally, physically, and spiritually. It happens. In order to serve God to our fullest, we need a day to wind down. Even God, who spoke life into existence, rested. We might wonderContinue reading “REST”

I’ve been having a daily devotion with a friend of mine on YouVersion. Today we were given a great example of time. Well, time and priorities. The example includes three parts; a bucket, rocks, and sand. The bucket represents time. The rocks represent our most important priorities. The sand is all the extra stuff thatContinue reading “Time”

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love coffee. I once drank as often as Lorelai Gilmore at Luke’s Diner. I have since calmed down a bit. But I still love it. I’ve tried all kinds. StarBucks blonde pour-over. Door County. Dunkin’ Donuts. Off-the-beaten path cafe coffees. Jamaican Blue Mountain. Costa Rican. Italian espresso.Continue reading “Coffee, Coffee, Coffee”

~~A friend loves at all times.~~ Praise God for providing that special someone in your life who lovingly walks behind you…steadying you, picking up your broken pieces, pushing you, holding you up, and gluing you back together. Ecclesiastes 4:10For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is aloneContinue reading “That Special Someone”

I cannot imagine a life without Jesus. A life without hope. I know sometimes my life may not reflect the wholesomeness of a Christlike spirit but that is the reason Jesus came to us; to make us perfect through our sinful imperfections. He shed His blood and rose from the dead to seal this promise.Continue reading “HOPE”

We live in a world that is currently hell-bent on forcing sexual perversion upon our littles. The forces are great, but our God is greater. God’s will is for us to protect the innocent hearts of our children. Stand up to the plate. Praise God for truth. Praise God for answers. ♥️ Andi

We thought we were the good children in our families. The good sisters. Turns out we were a tad bit mean. I had a wonderful visit with a couple of girlfriends with whom I grew up with on Bonnie Brook Lane. They are sisters, traveling together, and they stopped by my place for the night.Continue reading “The Mean Sisters”

I love it when people question my ability to cope with life. Actually…I don’t love it. It’s true about walking in someone else’s shoes. They really don’t fit. So maybe I do often wear my heart on my sleeve. At least I don’t hold everything in. I believe what I share may help others toContinue reading “Coping”

The other day, I watched a video of men at the border of two countries. (No. Not our southern border. I cannot bear to see that atrocity any longer.) What I saw were civilian men having to remove their shirts at a checkpoint. Most of the men were about my age. Some were a littleContinue reading “Sameness”

One year ago today, at 12:23 pm, my dad was taken off life support after six hellish weeks of being poked, prodded, intubated, tested, and drugged. At 12:30 pm, he was pronounced deceased. It took a mere 7 minutes to go from life to death. With every breathe he struggled to take on his own,Continue reading “My Dad: The Most Influential Person of My Life”

John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Jesus didn’t say we might have trouble. He stated a fact. “You will have trouble.” And boy, do we ever. We have struggles in ourContinue reading “T R O U B L E”

The Scientist. Coldplay. This song means much to me. I’m sitting in my car on this cold morning listening to my special playlist of Keane, Coldplay, and Jack Johnson when this song came on…and so this post was born. The first time I heard The Scientist was when my second oldest made a music videoContinue reading “Take Me Back to the Start”

Friday night is date night with my daughter. We do stuff like an old married couple. Out to dinner and then shopping. But we enjoy this time together. When we walked out of a store and into the parking lot, I could not help but notice the awesome sky. It was so unique. I droveContinue reading “A Unique Sunset”

Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. I went to my usual get-a-way at lunch today. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, I will enjoy the beauty of this park. The grass. The trees. The frog songs coming from the wooded pathway. The birds soaring highContinue reading “The Sky: An Ever-Changing Masterpiece”

Psalm 119:37Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. I left FaceBook over a year ago. I downloaded all my information and it was “Ciao, baby!” I left for many reasons. For one, I didn’t appreciate that I was called out for being a bully which went againstContinue reading “Find Your Focus”

My youngest daughter and I took Nyx for a walk on this lovely Sunday afternoon. For most of this day, I’ve been going through my jewelry, trinkets, and keepsakes; sorting and pitching as I go. There have been a lot of journeys down memory lane. Happy and sad journeys. Much of what I have isContinue reading “There’s No Learning in Easy”

O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. God knows all and He deals with us accordingly. In the Old Testament, there are many examples of how God dealt with His people as individuals and as a whole. Today we are a scattered people throughout the world.Continue reading “Psalm 69:5”

I tell you there is nothing greater than truth, yet nothing is harder to find. I believe that we are so overrun with untruth that we will never find truth again on this earth or in our lifetime. I’m not talking about our close intimate relationships, although those can be tough challenges as well. I’mContinue reading “TRUTH”

I am very passionate about many things. For one, I love this country and all that it stands for. I can’t really give financially to the many issues that need support so I try be supportive with prayer, participation, or by simply being a presence. I believe we have a right to peacefully protest. MuchContinue reading “A Peaceful Protest”

Sunday, March 6, to be exact. I can never sleep in. I laid in bed for over an hour wishing myself back to sleep. It just doesn’t happen. So I got out of bed before 7:00 and let Nyx out while I made coffee. I noticed the night storm tossed my trash can into theContinue reading “A March Morning”

Helper. What does that make you think of? First thing I thought of was Hamburger Helper. I grew up on that stuff. I guess that box of ingredients helped the hamburger taste yummier. Not to mention it was quick and easy. Then there’s a movie called “The Help”. A very good story, with very goodContinue reading “The Helper”

My kids…how I love them. When they are happy, I am happy. When they are sad, my heart breaks. Whatever they feel, I feel. And intensely. I still worry about their needs. Are they fed and warm? Are they making good decisions and choices? Are they feeling loved? I cannot turn the mom in meContinue reading “You Don’t Have To Feel It…”

No words necessary… Sunday. The first day of a brand new week. Make it a good one. Find your peace. ♥️ Andi

God created all of nature, for us, as it gives Him great pleasure to watch us love and care for it. He took great care in its design so that not only do we find great enjoyment in it, but it fills the depletion that daily living takes from us. When you think that thereContinue reading “Majestic is His Name”

I am currently overwhelmed with some really tough situations. I am burned out. My mind completely exhausted itself but not before it depleted (and defeated) the physical part of me. I don’t know where to start from here because I’m sure I’m not asking the right questions. I came through a very dark week. LotsContinue reading “Burned Out”

I originally posted this August 22, 2021. I feel it needed to be shared again. ♥️ Words just can’t express the joy that enters the home when a baby arrives. There’s nothing like a baby or two, or even six, to fill a home with love. My first three bundles of joy were born inContinue reading “A Parent’s Happiness”

**this is a revised version of an earlier post. I read a daily devotion a few days ago. I receive this devotional by email every morning and I scan through it to see if I want to read the whole thing. I read this one on decision making in it’s entirety yet I did notContinue reading “H.A.L.T.”

John, my blogger friend, posted something this morning that inspired this post. It’s already been on my mind for such a long time. It’s time to come out. John has had to overcome so much in his life. From my understanding there was a great amount of family dysfunction in his home and life wasContinue reading “Childhood Reflected in Adulthood”

I guess I’ll first clarify the Denise I am referring to. Denise is a popular name in my family. My middle name is Denise. My sister is Denise. I guess we were named after my dad because it’s feminine for Dennis. And as if there weren’t enough Denises in our life, my brother went outContinue reading “Denise”

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It’s a beautiful day. Give thanks to our Most High for what you haven’t expected but received! ~Napz Cherub Pellazo You will be blessed the moment you realize you already are. ~Bryant Mcgill Be grateful for this dayContinue reading “Psalm 118:24”

Would I never love again because I might lose that person? Would I never have another dog because losing them hurts so much? Whether loss is through death or someone’s decision to walk away, the pain is horrific. But a life lived without love carries a pain all it’s own. So I will keep onContinue reading “Would I?”

With the death of so many lately, and most recently, of my daughter’s beloved dog, Amber, grief has become very real. Not surreal, which is dreamlike. More like a bad dream, or even a nightmare. When I was grieving, my youngest son, Zeke, told me to let myself feel everything. He told me there’s nothingContinue reading “Feel the Real”

Depression is a very real thing. It’s something that is hard to see or understand. It often runs deep and dark. It can be disguised by laughter or hidden by an outward appearance of happiness. Listening to what someone is not saying is probably key to recognizing depression. I do not live in that darknessContinue reading “Depressed or Depression?”

I woke at 6:00 on my day off. I guess it’s okay to stay on schedule. But I didn’t get out of bed until after 8:00. I write a lot in bed so it was time worth spent. But then I had to get up. Now I’m sore. I opened my blinds and it wasContinue reading “My Morning”

If I could talk to my younger self, I would make that young girl understand just how short life really is. I’d tell her that every minute of every day counts for, or against, something. I’d insist that she be true to others but especially to herself, and not to worry so much about whatContinue reading “If I Could, I Would”

I never understood how people could say that they are ready to die. Working in long-term health care I heard that a few times. You’ve heard it in movies and read it in books. But how can they say that? How can they feel that way? I always felt there was just too much lifeContinue reading “Things Familiar”

Born September 16, 2007, Amber had a destiny. Her destiny was Charlie. We brought her home after choosing her from a litter of wild, dirty boys. Amber was lighter in color, as the boys were more like an Irish setter in color and less of my idea of what a golden retriever should look like.Continue reading “Charlie & Amber: The Tale of Two Hearts That Beat as One”

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you might recall that I worked for a florist for seven years. For those of you who don’t know, this wasn’t your ordinary flower shop. It was a unique gift shop as well. Ours was the only floral shop in town and the gifts were unique fromContinue reading “The Backside of Valentine’s Day”

“Just be glad you’re not a tree.” My father once said this to me. I thought it was silly. I was complaining about a situation where I felt stuck and his point was that I wasn’t stuck. A tree is bound by its roots. Stuck exactly where it is planted; no matter what weather assaultsContinue reading “Being Stuck”

Time is ticking. And the older I get the faster that ole’ clock spins. I think the best years of my life were between the ages of 30 and 55. Maybe that’s how it is with everyone. You have kind of settled down by then. Maybe you have your own home and are raising aContinue reading “Preparing”

Just sharing a poem I wrote almost a decade ago and just found tonight as I was going through my old laptop. Hear me whisper… with your first awakened thoughtswhen the house is yet quiet and stilland your heart begins to stir within when you sip your first morning coffeeas the steam moistens your lipsandContinue reading “Hear Me Whisper”

Our world changed very fast in the last two years. I believe it’s slowly been edging towards this for a long time, but once it came together, wow…life as we knew it was gone. Shattered, dismantled, broken. How have we held up mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? The world, the WHOLE world, changed so quickly. WereContinue reading “Psalm 141”

I had another reminder yesterday to never put off what I should do. I’m not sure why this was such a difficult task for me. And truthfully, I shouldn’t even refer to it as a task. It should be considered a mission of love. I met Charles in 2020 in a long term health careContinue reading “Charles”

Don’t wait til tomorrowTo share your heart;Don’t wait til the sorrowFinds it’s place to start. If you have something important to share with someone, don’t wait. An I love you or an I’m sorry carry much weight in life if left unsaid. So, say it. We are not promised tomorrow. We aren’t even promised thatContinue reading “Don’t Wait”

i walk down a wintery pathin silence i reflecton the many lives i’ve livedand of the many hats i’ve worn…and i wonderhow do i feel about it all? i look upward into a snowy skyi enjoy the touch of snowflakes upon my lashes and upon my cheekand for that moment, i am a little girlContinue reading “i wonder”

Another ending to another year. Besides last year, I don’t think I’ve hated any other year as much as this one. Come to think about it: 2020/2021 = one freakishly long year. Looking back there are beautiful highlights in the dark places I had to visit. My dear friend provided me a place of comfortContinue reading “New Year’s Eve”

Looking back at our past is normal. Granted, there are things back there we’d rather just forget. Regardless, they are our history and an influencer of who we are today. Good and bad memories. Lessons learned. And lessons that still need to be learned. Looking back can be hard. Especially when the scene is wrappedContinue reading “Looking Back”

From my family to yours…. Enjoy this day with your loved ones and be grateful for the time shared together. ♥️ Merry Christmas!🎄🎁 🌟 Andi Oh! And I’d like to introduce to you the newest addition to our family…my granddaughter, Juneau Rae. 😍

I personally do not observe Christmas so much as a religious holiday as a fun family holiday. Not that I don’t acknowledge that Jesus was born of a virgin in a manger, because I do believe, and am beyond grateful that He came to us. But we were never given a date (by Him) inContinue reading “John 3:16”

We have this invisible chain around us called time. We are truly bound by it. Time tells us when to get up, work, exercise, pay bills, pay taxes, take our meds, go to bed, etc. We truly have no concept of what eternity is. It is not bound by time. It is continual, never ending.Continue reading “Bound by Time”

When I was growing up, on December 19th we would get our Christmas tree. Dad would set it up in the garage for a day or two to let the branches relax. That was such a long wait for us three little people! But now for the past seven December 19th’s, I’ve eaten a KlondikeContinue reading “The Original Klondike Bar”

When you were young you may have fallen in and out of love often. As a young girl, I was in and out of love a lot. Probably daily. My hands were my love meters in school. Oh, how they would sweat when I was near someone I loved. And forget trying to talk toContinue reading “The Warm & Fuzzy of Love”

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, a family had a vision and that vision became a flower shop. It began in 1908 and was family owned for three generations before it was sold in 2011. Sadly, it closed in February 2020. It served the community for almost 112 years. I had theContinue reading “Not Your Ordinary Flower Shop”

Whether you choose to include Santa in your Christmas holiday or not is totally up to you and totally fine either way. In my opinion. No matter who you are I’m quite certain you feel the magic in the air, if only just a smidgen. Make-believe is certainly a huge part of childhood. Santa isContinue reading “The Magic of Santa; The Truth of Christ”

I’ve had my share of living in anger. Many times for good reasons. Some not so much. And then others because they gave me an excuse. An excuse to do nothing. An excuse to avoid people or situations. An excuse to walk away from God. Dwelling on anger is a stealer of life. It robsContinue reading “In Anger”

We had a Christmas party at work yesterday. All of us women packed the conference room with our plates of food and left the handful of men to eat in the waiting room. The food was delicious. Being a pitch-in we got to try everyone’s favorite dishes. Conversation was fun with stories about a dogContinue reading “At 60”

The innocence of a child. Is there anything more beautiful? Such wonderment in simple things. I bought this little mermaid for my granddaughter. The jewel is her birthstone. It was very inexpensive but this tiny treasure means a great deal to her as she loves the sea and it’s mystical mermaids. She has a routineContinue reading “The Little Mermaid 🧜‍♀️”

A little over a year ago I worked in long term health care. I so enjoyed my time with the elderly. There is something special in each one of these people. And their hands are as unique as they are. Tonight, I am reflecting on hands. I am thinking of all the life lived throughContinue reading “The Hands of Time”

Genesis 1:1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:4And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God. I will beContinue reading “The Artist is Exalted”

When it comes to hardship and difficulties the world can seem pretty big. We feel lost and buried beneath the weight of it all. Distance from loved ones can seem, at times, to be a million light years away. But in other aspects, the world is pretty small. What once took days, weeks, or evenContinue reading “Perspective”

Life’s challenges will either make you or break you. I’m teetering today. Trying to excel in all aspects of life is probably just a little too much to ask of oneself. But where do you draw the line? How do you not try? When trials bombard you in a variety of ways and from every.single.directionContinue reading “Life’s Challenges”

Give me the country over the city any day. To me it’s worth the longer drive to the grocery store, to a restaurant, to well…anywhere! Hilly, windy roads lined with wild flowers, beautiful ponds, decades old fencing, a covered bridge, and even cows make a country drive more inviting. Plowed fields or a colorful woods,Continue reading “Give Me the Country”

John 1:5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 8:12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a lightContinue reading “The Light”

I knew if I wanted to enjoy the beauty of the Pathway it would need to be tonight. A harder frost is lurking around the corner and that would take out the last of the color. Add in an autumn breeze or a cold rain, and the trees will be buck naked in no time.Continue reading “An Autumn Walk”

For some reason my life seems to center around this particular date. I began to compile a list of significant events because they all seemed to have one thing in common. They all happened on November 1st. It’s not all been good, but they are highlights; meaningful in one way or another. Here are aContinue reading “November 1st”

Butterflies and roses,gifts from a friend. Treasures I’ll keepfrom now to my end. Dragonflies, rainbowsbring tears to my eyes, Of both joy and sorrow,of hellos and goodbyes. The moment you left usmany hearts broke. But loving kindnesswas the story you wrote. So I’ll treasure these giftsand remember your smile. And the warmth of your love,I’llContinue reading “Butterflies & Roses”

Yesterday, I was told that I am a sociopath. Hmm. So I did some research. Basically, all the references said the same thing. I will be referencing The Very Well Mind in this post. Sociopathy SymptomsA sociopath typically begins to symptoms of the disorder before the age of 18. This includes behaviors like: • HavingContinue reading “A Sociopath”

How do we use scripture? Do we hunt and peck for verses to suit our own purpose? To rationalize what we want to believe? Or, do we try to rightly divide the written word? Do we use scripture to make others feel guilty? Or, ourselves more righteous? To use scripture with loving intent is decentContinue reading “Using Scripture”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV) For everything there is a season,and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and aContinue reading “There is a Season”

…O C T O B E R. I hope you enjoy October’s last days. Even the rainy ones are beautiful to me. Just like today. Be grateful for the change of seasons. Each is unique and filled with delightful pleasures, beauty, and blessings. My love is autumn in October and I’m sad to see itContinue reading “My Favorite Color is…”

I love being something special to someone. I just can’t be someone’s everything. Nor should anyone expect that of anyone. God is our everything. Or, should be anyway. Everything else is a bonus in life. Gifts. Treasures. Blessings. Embrace the fact that you mean something special to someone. (Or to many someones.) What a beautifulContinue reading “Something Special”

Plan as we may, sometimes life has other things in mind. I guess that would be God showing us Who is really in charge. Regardless, life is an adventure. How we view our adventure is totally up to us. We can be depressed because we don’t get our way or because multiple things seem toContinue reading “One Adventure”

You’ve heard it said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And that is most definitely truth. But I see beauty in the eye because the eye shares the beholder’s story. I didn’t notice eyes as much I have since mask-wearing. I was more of a mouth reader. But the eyes truly areContinue reading “The Beauty of Eyes”

A long, long time ago, somewhere in the middle of my marriage, my husband said, “I don’t need you. I want you, but I don’t need you.” I will never forget how that made me feel. Those words cut through my heart like a knife. They took my breath away and made me feel weak.Continue reading “Needed vs Wanted”

This morning my two year old grandson was holding his thumb with his other hand and almost in tears. I asked him what was wrong. He said his thumb hurt. I examined it and didn’t see anything that would explain his pain. I asked if I could kiss it. And he said yes. So IContinue reading ““Gama Fixed It””

Sometimes answered prayer is lying at the feet of someone else’s tragedy. That’s a hard realization. But I was prepared to step in to nurture the wounds and love broken hearts. I have been shown my purpose. When your prayers are answered, handle them with the greatest of care. Be ever so thankful for God’sContinue reading “Answered Prayer, Part 2”

An important thing to remember is that God doesn’t work on our timeline…unless it’s HIS timeline. He will always be better at seeing the whole picture than we are. We tend to be selfish, shallow, and impatient. But God doesn’t give in when He knows the timing isn’t right. We have much to learn duringContinue reading “Answered Prayer”

Life can change in a heartbeat. Or with that next phone call. It can stop on a dime. Life isn’t consistent. Nor is it fair. We live in an imperfect world where selfishness rules the land. These are tumultuous days both publicly and privately. Only with God’s help and direction can we accomplish the tasksContinue reading “Life”

Humility is needed in all areas of our life. But I guess when I think of humility I think of our relationship with God. Since God should be first and foremost in our life this is where my focus is. Before I continue please know that my friend referenced in this post is one ofContinue reading “Humility, Part 2”

Humility (noun)1. The quality or condition of being humble.2. The state or character of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a low estimate of one’s self; self-abasement.3. An act of submission. I have been humbled greatly over the years with one circumstance after another. And today I stand before you clothedContinue reading “Humility, Part 1”

I was introduced to Bill earlier this year by Steve, one of my best friends, and as it turns out, one of Bill’s too. It wasn’t until recently though that Bill and I have become better acquainted. I first met his lovely daughter, MaCayla, at the county fair. On October 1st we had our lastContinue reading “MaCayla”

The monarch butterflies you see today are the the fourth generation of the season. The Methuselah generation. They are heading to Mexico soon if they haven’t started their journey already. God amazes me. He gave to one of the most fragile of all living beings the innate ability to travel thousands of miles to aContinue reading “The Monarch”

…tears from heaven. 💦 Andi

I sat in a parking lot for an hour and a half waiting for my daughter who was in karate class. I could have gone for a walk or something, but I didn’t. Instead, I was involved in conversations with friends that ended up burying me deep with their hardships and burdens. All on topContinue reading “When is Enough, Enough?”

Do you know what your spirit animal is? Do you even know what it is? I think Brainfall best describes the spirit animal. I found this definition on their website: In many spiritual traditions and cultures such as Native American cultures, a spirit animal refers to an animal which guides a person on a journeyContinue reading “My Spirit Animal”

I know I already posted today but really I cannot keep from posting another. Not tonight. Not when the sky is adorned such as this. Why do I love the sky so much? Well, it’s ever-changing. It’s mysterious. It beautiful and sometimes sinister. It’s romantic. The sun, the moon…connections of hearts. The same sun thatContinue reading “Why Do I Love the Sky?”

This time of the year you have to be mindful of farm equipment traveling down the roads around here. Typically, you don’t have to follow them for too long before they turn into a field or farm. Most days I do not follow anyone on my way to work through these country roads. But onceContinue reading “Driving the Speed Limit”

Returning from an outing, we took the back way home on a hilly, windy road…my favorite kind of road. As we drove along, I happened to notice a tree on a front lawn was marked with a thick red ❌. The tree was unique in form, but healthy looking. It stood near the road andContinue reading “A Marked Tree”

I cannot begin to tell how much I enjoy this cooler weather…and this park. Lots of good memories here with my children, our dogs, my second 5k, and my solo time of trail running. Yesterday, I parked in my usual spot under the trees at lunchtime. Typically, I eat my lunch, write, and then takeContinue reading “A Walk in the Park”

When I was in the third grade my eye doctor put me in glasses. I wore them for awhile and then my parents took me to another doctor. I’m not sure why. We found out that the lenses in my glasses were nothing more than window glass. I no longer wore glasses at that point.Continue reading “Note to Self:Put Your Glasses On!”

Life is full of situations that can teeter one way or another. We can make a bad situation worse simply by not thinking things through. Sometimes when we see a loved one, family or friend, hurting at the hands of another, we get angry right along with them. We might talk smack about the “wrongdoer”.Continue reading “Minimize the Ugliness”