I was outside with my three-year-old daughter just at dusk.  The sun was setting, and everything blushed gold for just a bit.   “Look at the grass. It’s covered with polka dots,” she said looking around, in among the glow.  As I remember this, flipping through an old notebook, I am back inside that moment, breathing slow,…

As kids, my sister and I would tuck our lanky little girl legs under the silage feed line edges to play in the cow pasture.  It was a place beyond our normal yard, a place for adventure.  We walked along the crick and pretended the rocks were our tables.  We were detectives in search of…

Parker Palmer has a quote I love: “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” When I read this, I think of one of my favorite teachers, Dr. Lynne Herr. Lynne learns for the sake of others–sometimes internationally–and is brave in a way that dares us all to be. Thanks Lynne for…

Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. J. R. R. Tolkien (Gandalf) Once, I lost my daughter at a wedding…

She will not worry. She will brave this new season one day at a time.” MHN I have a favorite tree. In our small little town, it is practically invisible most days of the year. It doesn’t have twisty branches. It doesn’t provide sweeping shade. In many ways, it is just some random tree. But…

Recently I went shoe shopping, a quick stop on a way to a conference event. I couldn’t find shoes that fit for my size eleven boney-long feet, but I did buy a pair of multi-colored polka dot socks.  The brand said simply, “Happy Socks.”  Who doesn’t need a pair of those? I paid the cashier,…

Today is one of my favorite days each month, book club! Food, friends, book talk. . . this might just be my gratitude Graceland. I am so thankful for Kate. At nearly every book club, after it feels like we’ve exhausted the discussion, Kate says something wise and insightful, something that makes me better, and…

Diane Harpster is a Nebraska artist friend of mine. Like me, she loves color and quotes. This year’s gratitude party giveaway is a wall calendar of her art . To enter to win, comment here on the blog, Facebook, or Twitter with one-three gratitudes. You can also send them in a direct message or an…

Martyr says: ‘Life is pain.’ Trickster says: ‘Life is interesting.’ Elizabeth gilbert, big magic: creative living beyond fear I used to have this wine glass that was, ahem, really more the size of two wine glasses.  It sat flat on the table, no stem.  It’s side was etched in tall skinny lettering, “THIS IS MY…

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Willie Nelson “So kids, before I kiss you good night, tell me one thing you’re thankful for,” I say as I stand in the glow of the doorway, half in and half out. “Family,” Charli says, smiling. “Cheese,” Oliver says, smiling bigger. “Both fantastic…