Z Is for ZZZZZ's

 

Yay! We did it! April A to Z Challenge Finale is here.

I've been writing about things that just make life better.

Our final letter is Z and Z is for ZZZZ's

I love a good nap.

Not a long, drawn-out, wake-up-confused kind of nap. Not the kind where you wonder what day it is or why it’s suddenly dark outside. Just a good, solid 20–30 minutes. Our daughter can take a LONG nap - not me.

I've learned that 20-30 minutes is my sweet spot.

I settle into my favorite chair (you know the one - I wrote about that chair this month!), turn on a little white noise, set a timer, and close my eyes. Sometimes I even put my sleep mask on. Room cool. Everything just right.

And then… rest.

It doesn’t take long, but it makes such a difference.

I wake up clearer. Lighter. Ready to keep going.

Truth be told, I don’t always get a full, good night’s sleep. Most of the time I don't actually seem to need as much sleep as many others. So when I do get a great night's sleep, those nighttime ZZZ’s are a gift. But on the days I don’t?  A tiny little nap can carry me through. Now I just need to convince the church to give all employees a nap map and a 20 minute siesta time haha!

20 minutes is a small thing.

But like so many of the things on this list, it’s one of those simple rhythms that makes life better.

Rest isn’t lazy. It’s necessary.

And sometimes, the very best reset is just a few well-timed ZZZ’s.

Do you ever take power naps? How many hours of sleep do you need per night?

It's a Refreshing May Hodgepodge

 

I am joining up with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond and all of our friends for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I apologize for two posts today -- The April A to Z Challenge is coming to a close. I'm going to make it through Z (tomorrow). Yay!

1. Are you feeling more reset, restart, or full speed ahead as we move into May? Tell us why. 

I took my second final on Monday night and I have about four weeks before summer semester begins. I guess that means I am in "reset" mode . . .or maybe another option would be "refresh" mode. I know that wasn't an option, but it would fit, right?

2. Painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theatre, music...what's your favorite form of art? Elaborate.  

I think my favorite is theatre, but I do love architecture! I also love to read, but I'm not sure the books I read are classified as art haha!

3. What time is dinner at your house? How do you feel about leftovers? 

We normally eat dinner around 6:00 or maybe 6:30. Neither of us likes to eat and then go to bed a short time after so we've never been the kind of folks who eat dinner at 8:00 p.m. We eat leftovers all of the time, but I have a strict limit on how many days something can hang out in the fridge and still be edible. Mark, on the other hand, will eat thing FAR longer than I will. Nope. Not happening.

4.What's the last thing you fell down a rabbit hole investigating? 

Trips, maybe? You start looking at one trip and then you realize the dates don't work . . .so you find another. . .and it goes on and on. 

5. And now for a question from the book Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me...

At what are you 'self-taught?' 

I have no idea. Others taught me the basics of cooking, but I did work hard on my own. I guess I am self-taught in the area of preparing large quantities of food - cooking for 15-20 people every week has honed that skill. What else do I know how to do . . . .Many years ago, I participated in smocking classes and sewing classes. I've even taken a photography class (long ago) so I'm not self-taught in any of those skills.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I need to clean out my pantry! My pantry isn't large but I've been thinking about painting the walls and shelves a dark and moody color - like dark blue?? I don't have anything else in that color scheme, but just wanted to do something totally crazy. Do any of you have cool pantries that you've painted a fun color? If so, please share with me! Let's be honest, I will be doing good to just get it cleaned out.

Y Is for Yesterday's Memories

Today is the next-to-the-last day of April A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'm going to be honest. I didn't know if I could pull it off this year. I'm glad I tried!

During the month of April, I've been sharing about the things that make my life better - some things have been small, like a Diet Pepsi. Some things have included people. Let me just say that a variety of things makes my life better!

Yesterday’s memories don’t always come clearly.

Sometimes they’re soft around the edges—more feeling than detail. Glimpses instead of full scenes. A laugh I can almost hear. A room I can almost picture. Moments that feel familiar, even if I can’t quite hold onto them.

I find myself drifting back there every now and then.

Back to when my mom was alive—the first fifteen years of my life. Those memories feel the most hazy, like looking through an old window that’s been gently fogged over time. I wish I could recall more, hold onto them more tightly. I can't remember her voice. I wonder if I sound like her? But even in their softness, there’s something steady there. A sense of being loved. Of being cared for. Of something foundational that shaped me, even if I can’t name every detail.

Our mom holding me - my oldest sister in the back right-
she died a little over a year ago
Becky is in the front right

my momma was pretty!

Back to when my dad was alive—those first twenty-five years. His voice is clearer. His advice, steady and consistent…even when I didn’t want to hear it. Even when I didn’t agree.

Especially then. My sister and I say quite often, "I wish I could talk to daddy about that."

We loved to swing - my daddy and me

This is the sandbox my
daddy built for me - it
was amazing!

It’s funny how time has a way of reshaping those moments. Things I once pushed back against now feel like gifts. Words I didn’t fully appreciate then have settled into something deeper—something I carry with me, often without even realizing it.

And then there are the memories of growing up in our neighborhood.

Hours and hours spent with neighborhood kids - at one time there were 17 kids on our street (and just around the corner). We were riding bikes, playing kickball, playing softball, singing in the swing, playing Barbies and staying outside or at the neighbor's house until we were called home for dinner. No schedules. No screens - except the ones on our windows! Just the freedom of playing and the simplicity of those days.

just the girls in our neighborhood

Those memories feel lighter somehow. Easier to step into. Full of laughter and movement and a special kind of joy.

Not every memory is easy.

There are sorrows tucked in there too. Losses. Changes. Moments that shaped me in ways I didn’t ask for.

But when I allow myself to step back—really step back—and look at it all together, I see something I might miss otherwise.

I see how every piece mattered. Yesterday's memories make a gorgeous multi-colored quilt.

The people. The conversations. The love. The disagreements. The laughter. The loss.

All of it.

All of the memories.

The colorful pieces and crazy shapes are woven together into the person I am today.

Taking time to remember doesn’t pull me backward—it grounds me.

It reminds me where I’ve been. Who has loved me. What has formed me.

And on the days when life feels a little too full or a little too heavy, that kind of remembering has a way of making everything just a little bit better.

So today, I’ll linger there for a moment.

Not to stay—but to remember.

Because yesterday, in all its imperfect, beautiful pieces…

is still a gift.

What are some of your favorite memories - especially from your childhood?

X Is for eXtra Grace!

 

X is the 24th letter of our alphabet . . . 

after today, there are only two more . . .

Y and Z

But for now, X is for eXtra Grace.

At work, I hear this phrase a lot: “Err on the side of grace.” If my boss, the senior pastor, has said it to me once . . .he has said it 1,000 times. I've told y'all about that phrase many times.

It’s definitely good advice. It’s the kind of advice that sounds simple…until you actually try to live it out.

Because if I’m being honest, I really love the idea of extra grace—for me.

I love it when someone assumes the best about my intentions. When they give me the benefit of the doubt. When they overlook my mistakes, my forgetfulness, my less-than-best moments, and choose kindness anyway.

Extra grace feels like a deep breath. Like room to be human.

But extending that same extra grace to others?

That can be harder than I want it to be.

Sometimes it’s hard because I’m tired. Sometimes it’s because I only see the surface of someone’s behavior, not the story behind it. Sometimes it’s because I’ve already decided what I think—and grace requires me to loosen my grip on being right. And let's face it. I like to be right! I'm a number one on the enneagram!

If I’m really honest, it’s because grace often feels unfair.

Why should they get a pass? Why should I overlook that? 

But “err on the side of grace” doesn’t mean pretending things don’t matter. It doesn’t mean ignoring hurt or avoiding truth.

It means choosing a posture.

It means deciding, ahead of time, that I will lean toward kindness instead of criticism (this is also VERY difficult for me). Toward curiosity instead of assumption. Toward patience instead of frustration.

It means remembering that I rarely know the full story.

So what does extra grace look like in real life?

It looks like pausing before I respond—especially when I feel irritated.

It looks like asking a question instead of making an assumption (why, oh why . . . can't I remember to pause and breathe and ask a question before I start making assumptions).

It looks like giving someone a second chance without making them earn it first.

It looks like softening my tone, even when I have something hard to say.

It looks like remembering a time when I needed grace—and letting that memory shape how I show up for someone else.

And sometimes, it looks like extending that same grace inward.

Because I can be my own harshest critic. Back to the Enneagram . . .a 1 on the Enneagram is a perfectionist and she has a constant voice in her head that criticizes everything she does . . .I'm using she instead of me/my/I . . .because it is ridiculous!

I can replay conversations, second-guess decisions, and hold myself to a standard I would never expect anyone else to meet.

Extra grace for others matters.

But extra grace for myself?

That matters too.

Maybe that’s where it starts.

Because when I remember what it feels like to receive grace—real, undeserved, generous grace—it becomes just a little bit easier to pass it along.

So today, I’ll try again.

I’ll err on the side of grace.

I’ll add a little extra where I can.

And I’ll trust that even when it feels small, grace has a way of making life better—for everyone it touches.

What about you? Do you extend grace freely? to others? to yourself?

W Is for "Waiting Conversations"

We are closing in on the finale of the April A to Z Blog Challenge. All month I've been writing about "things that make life better."

Today is W for "Waiting Conversations" . . .and then we only have X, Y, and Z!! (of course, those three letters are some of the hardest to write!)

I’ve come to notice something about conversations—the most meaningful ones don’t always happen in the middle of the noise.

They happen in the waiting.

At the end of a gathering, when everyone else has headed out the door and someone lingers just a little longer.

In the quiet pause after a question that wasn’t easy to ask.

In a hospital waiting room, where we are more vulnerable.

In the moments when you can tell someone has something on their heart, but they’re not quite ready to say it yet.

Those are what I’ve come to think of as "waiting conversations".

They don’t force their way in. They don’t compete for attention. They just…wait.

And if we’re paying attention—if we’re not rushing to the next thing—we get the privilege of being there when they finally unfold. My problem is that often I am rushing to the next thing, but I'm trying to be more aware.

I’ve had more of these conversations than I can count. A young adult hanging back after everyone else leaves. A friend who says, “Do you have a minute?” and you can hear in their voice that it’s not really a minute they need. A moment when someone starts with something small, but you can tell there’s more just beneath the surface.

These conversations aren’t efficient. They don’t fit neatly into a schedule. They often come at inconvenient times. They are often interruptions . . .but good can come from an interruption.

These conversations are holy in a way that rushed conversations can never be.

Because waiting conversations require something from both people.

They require courage from the one who speaks.

And they require patience from the one who stays. Patience is not always my virtue . . .so I'm still learning.

"Waiting conversations" remind me that not everything important can be hurried. Trust is often built in the pauses. Sometimes the best thing we can offer someone isn’t advice or answers—but simply our presence, our willingness to sit in the moment and not rush them through it.

In a world that moves fast and values quick responses, waiting conversations feel like a quiet rebellion.

They say: You matter enough for me to slow down.

They say: I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

And every single time, without fail, they make my life better.

Not because they’re easy—but because they’re real.

So maybe today, I’ll pay a little more attention to the moments in between. I’ll notice who lingers. I’ll resist the urge to hurry along.

I want to be the kind of person who is available for others . . .because so many people have made themselves available to me over the years.

Just in case you haven't realized it yet, some of the most meaningful conversations in life…

are the ones that are simply waiting to happen.

Has someone been there for you when you needed to have that conversation? Do you make yourselves available to others?

Sunday Stealing . . .Stolen from Maggie!

 

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

This week, we're stealing from Maggie, who claims she stole these questions from Takupon. Alas, neither of them blogs anymore.

I am answering these questions on Saturday afternoon! I have completed one final exam and made an 88.75 which makes me have an average of 92.65. 92 and above is an A. I plan to do the extra credit to make it a solid A. I need to be studying for the other final right now, but my brain is mush.

Five Things You Didn't Want to Know but I'm Telling You Anyway

1) Has anyone ever told you they would love you forever? 

When our children were little, I remember them telling me how much they loved me and they would always love me! Have you ever read the book, "Love You Forever"? Be prepared to cry. The question made me think of this book.

2) Who is the last person you were in the car with?

As I am typing this . . .I was just in the car with me, myself, and I! I went to pick up handmade fried pies from Mama Suz's Fried Pies in Pelham, AL. The wife and young adult son of an old friend of mine are the owners. We are taking an assortment of fried pies and ice cream to our supper club tonight. The problem is . . .I've already had a shower and I now smell like "fried." Oh well . . .I am not taking another shower. Mark will be riding with me soon. I will drive my car to supper club. He drives a big old pick up truck and my Lincoln Nautilus is so much easier to maneuver and park . . .plus I prefer to drive :-).

3) Do you have big plans for tomorrow (Monday)? On Monday, I will go to work and attend meetings for most of the day! Hopefully, I will take my second final after work on Monday . . . unless I study enough tomorrow afternoon to take it tomorrow night.

4) How long do you typically spend in the shower?

It depends on whether I'm fully awake or not. I usually hop in and wash my hair and rinse and then add cream rinse. After that I wash the body, rinse, and rinse my hair . . .and I'm done! Now . . .if I'm not awake . . .I might stand in the shower and try to wake up.

5) What were you doing at 7 AM yesterday (Saturday)?

Let's see . . . I folded clothes. I studied and studied some more. Around 10:45 a.m. I took my final. Then I rode my stationary bike, showered, and picked up fried pies.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

V is for Visiting with Old Friends

 

This month, I’ve been writing about things that make life better—and this one? This one is extra special (maybe I should have saved it for X - eXtra special??).

Visits with old friends.

Last year, we got a phone call on a Friday. Completely out of the blue.

“Our route is taking us through Birmingham tomorrow… could we stop by?”

Of course, the answer was yes.

These aren’t just casual friends. These are the kind of friends who lived with us for several weeks back around 2006. They were in between houses, and instead of staying in a hotel, they stayed with us. We shared space, meals, conversations… life.

These days, they live in another city, another state. We don’t see each other often.

But here’s the beautiful thing about old friends like this:

You don’t have to catch up.
You don’t have to ease into conversation.
You just… pick up right where you left off.

And the laughter?

It comes quickly—and in abundance. We laugh more with these friends than with anyone else.

There’s something about shared history that makes everything easier. The stories, the memories, the inside jokes… they’re all still there, just waiting to be picked back up and enjoyed again.

We laugh with other friends, of course.

But with these friends? As I said above, we laugh more.

It’s the kind of laughter that fills a room. The kind that makes your cheeks hurt and your heart feel full.

Their visit wasn’t long. Just a stop along the way. We walked to a nearby restaurant and ate lunch together.

But it was enough.

Enough to remind me how important those deep, lasting friendships are. Enough to make the day brighter. Enough to make life better.

Because visits with old friends aren’t just about time spent together—

They’re about remembering who you’ve been, celebrating who you are, and being deeply grateful for the people who have walked alongside you through it all.

And now that I've thought about Jan and Hayden, I need to talk to Mark. We need to meet in the middle and spend some time together!!

I was the photographer.
We are always doing something
silly when we are with them!

We drove north and met them between our house and
theirs - maybe in 2018 or 2019?

Do you keep up with old friends?

U Is for Unexpected Free Time

 

At this point in my life—working full-time and carrying a full load of classes—free time is rare.

Not just rare… minuscule.

Every hour tends to have a purpose. Every day has a plan. There’s always something that needs to be done, or a textbook that must be read, or a paper that needs to be written, or a project that needs to be finished.

So when unexpected free time shows up?

It feels like a gift. It IS a gift.

Today, I had several hours completely to myself. No obligations. No immediate deadlines pressing in. Just… space.

And I didn’t waste it. On top of having a chance to catch my breath, it was a gorgeous day (I'm writing on April 10th).

I got a pedicure.
I went to the mall—an actual store, just wandering a little. I never go to the mall.
I wrote a bunch of blog posts to try to get ahead (future me will be so grateful).
I called my sister in the middle of the day, just because I could.
And I even stopped at the grocery store and bought something fun—a sumo citrus, which felt like a tiny celebration all on its own. (If you've never eaten one, run to the store right now. Seriously. They are "in season" fruit and they are delicious!)

None of it was extravagant (actually the Sumos are kind of extravagant - $).
None of it was life-changing (my feet would beg to differ).

But all of it together? It was life-giving.

There’s something about unexpected free time that feels different from scheduled rest. It’s lighter. Freer. A little bit like found treasure.

It reminds me that even in a full, busy season, there can still be pockets of joy tucked into the margins.

You just have to notice them… and take them when they come. I'm thrilled that I am writing about Unexpected Free Time on a day where I actually experienced free time!

Sometimes, a few unplanned hours can make your whole week better.

If you were given three hours unexpected free time today, what would you do?

T Is for Texts from People You Love

 

This month, I’ve been sharing things that make life better—and this one might be small, but it carries a lot of weight.

Those unexpected texts from people you love.

You know the ones.

“The video of you interviewing Hannah was excellent.”
“Congratulations! Laura just told me you got accepted!”
“You’re amazing.”
“Thank you for being brave and sharing hard stuff out loud. I love you.”
Or a sweet little video: “Happy birthday, Gran! I love you.”

They don’t come with warning. They just show up.

And somehow… they always seem to arrive at exactly the right moment.

Right when you’re second-guessing yourself.
Right when you’re feeling a little tired or unseen.
Right when you didn’t even realize how much you needed encouragement.

A simple message. A few words on a screen.

But they have a way of cutting through the noise and going straight to the heart.

They make me pause.
They make me smile.
They remind me that I’m loved, seen, and supported.

And more than that—they leave a mark. Joy that lingers longer than the moment it took to read them.

It’s funny how something so small can make such a big difference.

So here’s my gentle reminder (to myself, too):
Send the text.

Tell someone they did a great job.
Celebrate their good news.
Remind them who they are.
Say “I love you” out loud and send the video.

Because chances are… it will arrive at just the right moment.

And it might just make their whole day better.

Please share with all of us -- did you stop and send a text of love or encouragement?

It's Hodgepodge Time

 

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

This is a hard question . . .I guess the most "out of this world" place I've ever visited would be the catacombs in Rome. The Catacombs of Rome felt completely “out of this world” because of their eerie silence, endless tunnels, and the sense of stepping into a hidden layer of history beneath the city. Walking through them felt less like being in Rome and more like entering a timeless, almost surreal underground world.

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

"It doesn't taste like dirt. It tastes like earth." Just typing those words makes me laugh. That is a quote from our friend, Mollie, when she and Mark were trying beet juice at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. I know that isn't where this question was supposed to take us . . . but it is a quote and it is one of my favorites. Mark and I both think beets taste like dirt. I didn't even try the beet juice, but the beet juice was such a beautiful color, he thought it was some other flavor - until he tasted dirt!

3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

I am answering these questions at 5:22 a.m. I don't have a strong opinion about anything at this time of the morning EXCEPT I really enjoy my COLD Diet Pepsi at this time of the day. NO ice, but ice cold.

4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

Mark's keurig is used every single day so that is probably our most commonly used kitchen tool. He is making a cup of coffee as I type. I guess one that I use everyday would be my knives. Mark does a good job of keeping all of them sharpened for me.

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - 

What is your greatest extravagance? 

To be honest, I guess I have a couple of "extravagances" (is there a plural of extravagance?). I love going to the nail salon for a pedicure. I also love having my house cleaned by someone else. Some people would say that our trips are an extravagance, but I look at them as experiences we share together! With Mark's financial background (CPA, CFO), we've always lived within our means and I am very thankful for his wisdom.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I went to my 50th high school reunion on Saturday night! I need to write about it! I guess that means I am officially old. I don't feel that old!

S Is for Sunshine

 

This month, I’ve been talking about things that make life better, and today’s is about as simple as it gets.

Sunshine.

I don’t control it. I can’t plan it. But when it shows up, it makes everything feel a little brighter (pun intended).

On April 10 in the afternoon, the sun was streaming through the plantation shutters, casting the prettiest pattern across the rug. It caught my attention right away—one of those small, quiet moments that makes you pause and just take it in.

I love having the shutters open so I can see the world outside—blue skies, green trees, a day full of sunshine and possibility.

And sunshine on my face? That’s just divine.

Now, I’ll admit, I’m a little more careful than I used to be. There was a time when I’d sit out for hours chasing that golden brown tan. These days, I’m wiser (and a bit more sunscreen-friendly), but I still soak up the sunshine in my own way.

Because it makes me happy. Have you ever noticed that it is like your bones can feel the sunshine soaking in?

Sunshine lifts my mood. It softens the edges of the day.

It simply makes life better.

And here’s a little family quirk that always makes me smile—when our son steps out into bright sunshine, he sneezes three times in a row! Like clockwork. And I’m pretty sure our oldest granddaughter has inherited that same sunny surprise.

Just one more reason to smile on a bright, beautiful day.

What about you? What is your favorite thing to do on a sunny day?

R Is for Reading Your Bible

We are on Day 21 of the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

I am counting down the days.

I am also continuing on with the theme "Things that make my day better" (or a variation of that!).

My mother-in-law gave me the Bible below many years ago. If this Bible were not in this Bible cover, it wouldn't be together. It is literally held together. This Bible, in this cover, was in the middle of the damage from the fire. The piece of 8 1/2 by 11 paper that was tucked into the Bible was wet . . .the Bible was not. When I took this photo, it looks ashy (is that how you spell ashy?). Discovery is a spiritual weekend for Junior High students put on by High School and College students (plus a lot of adults). My Bible was evidently falling apart in 2004 . . .

I don't know about you . . .but I write in my Bible.

I've seen the Bible where you can actually draw and illustrate. Maybe some day I'll buy one of those.

My two textbooks for my New Testament class are below.

This semester, I’ve been reading the Bible a little differently.

I’m taking a New Testament class, which means a lot of the scripture has quite literally been read to me—slowly (except when I put the speed on 2 haha), thoughtfully, and with intention. There’s something powerful about hearing the words instead of just scanning them on a page. It forces me to sit with them a little longer.

But it’s not just the format that’s different—it’s the depth.

We’ve spent time really digging into the synoptic gospels, noticing the differences, the nuances, the way each writer tells the story with a slightly different lens. I’ve read these passages before—many times—but not like this. Not with such close attention. Not asking these kinds of questions.

And now, as we move further into the New Testament, I can feel that shift continuing. I’m not just reading to check a box or to say I did it for the day (I'll be honest - some times I am). I’m reading to understand. To notice. To wrestle a little.

And it’s making a difference.

Because here’s the truth: reading the Bible is something we know we should be doing. It’s one of those foundational rhythms of faith that we talk about often. We encourage it. We believe in its importance.

And yet… so often, we don’t do it.

Or we start and stop - I've done that a million times. Or we rush through it. Or we let it fall to the bottom of a long list of responsibilities and distractions. Or we read just enough to write our Sunday School lesson or our curriculum for our small group. Life gets full, and somehow this thing that we say matters so much quietly slips to the side.

I get that. I’ve lived that. Sometimes I'm still living it. I am just being totally honest with y'all.

But being in this class has reminded me what a gift it is to stay in the Word—not just occasionally, but consistently. To slow down enough to really see what’s there. To hear familiar stories with fresh ears.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be academic. Most days, it won’t look like a deep textual analysis.

Sometimes it’s just a few verses.

Sometimes it’s reading a passage you’ve read a hundred times and noticing one small thing you never saw before.

Sometimes it’s simply taking the time to open up the Bible or your phone app or your devotion book.

Reading the Bible has a way of grounding us. Of re-centering our perspective. Of reminding us what is true when everything else feels loud or uncertain.

It doesn’t magically fix everything.

But it does make every day better.

And maybe that’s the invitation—especially in a busy season, especially when life feels full—not to add something overwhelming, but to return to something steady.

To open the pages.

To read.

And to let those words, however familiar they may be, meet us right where we are.

I know that everyone who reads my blog is not a Christian. Some of you may not believe in God at all. Please know that you are loved by me no matter what you do or do not do.

If you ever want to talk about it, let me know.

If you are a daily Bible reader, please share some ways you find joy in your reading. It is ok if you want to be honest and tell me you read your Bible so you can check it off your to-do list. No judgment.

Q is for Quiet Moments

 

We are on day 18 of the April A to Z Challenge and our

star letter for today is "Q" - such a fancy letter.

My theme is things that make life better and Q is for Quiet Moments. There are no photos - just words.

Our world is loud.

Not just in volume—but in voices. Competing voices. Constant opinions. Notifications chiming, headlines shouting, people talking over one another, each convinced they have something urgent to say and that WHAT they are saying is t. It’s a lot. Some days it feels like there’s no off switch—just a steady hum of noise that settles into the background of our lives until we almost forget it’s there.

Almost.

Because the moment it stops—or even softens—we notice.

This semester has been heavy for me. The kind of heavy that sits on your shoulders and follows you from room to room. Assignments, deadlines, responsibilities… all good things, but all demanding space in my mind. It would be easy to fill every spare second with more noise—TV on in the background, scrolling just to “check out” for a minute—but I’ve noticed something surprising.

When Mark is away for a night and a day, I rarely turn the TV on.

The house gets quiet.

And instead of reaching for noise, I find myself reaching for something else. I write. I read. I study. Not because I have to (though often I do), but because the quiet makes space for it. The absence of noise feels like an invitation—one I didn’t realize I needed.

It’s not dramatic or profound in the moment. There’s no grand revelation. Just a steady, gentle rhythm of focus and calm. And somehow, in that quiet, things feel a little more manageable.

But quiet moments don’t only come in long stretches.

Sometimes they show up in the middle of the chaos.

In the middle of a stressful day—when the to-do list feels impossible and my mind is racing—I can pause. Just for a moment. Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. As I breathe in, I say a breath prayer - "Breathe in Holy Spirit," and as I breathe out, I say "Breathe out self." I might close my eyes, even if just for a few seconds.

That’s it.

A quiet moment.

And it helps.

It doesn’t erase the noise waiting on the other side of that breath, but it softens it. It reminds me that I don’t have to match the pace of everything around me. That I can step out of the rush, even briefly, and find a little stillness. I just have to remember to do this!!

Those moments matter.

They don’t demand attention the way noise does. They don’t compete or clamor or insist. But they make life better in quieter, steadier ways. They give us space to think, to feel, to breathe.

In a world full of competing voices, quiet moments are a gift.

And sometimes, they’re as simple as choosing not to turn the TV on… or remembering to take one deep breath right in the middle of it all.

Do you need noise all of the time or do you enjoy quiet, too?

Sunday Stealing from Cry Baby

 

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

This week, we're once again stealing from Steph, aka Cry Baby. She loves Taco Bell and asking questions like these.

More Questions from Steph

1) Are you the sort of person who can nap or sleep anywhere, any time? No. I have a hard time sleeping on airplanes or in a car, but I love a 20-30 minute afternoon nap on the days that I am home! I go non-stop almost all of the time and so a sweet nap is a luxury.

2) Have you ever walked in your sleep? I don't think so. I have talked in my sleep and I have tried to scream in my sleep.

3) Do you chat with your Uber/Lyft/taxi driver? Guess what? I have never ridden with an Uber or Lyft driver. We did have a driver pick us up at the Amsterdam airport (pre-arranged through our TA) and we had a driver pick us up at the boat and take us to the airport in Basel. Mark and I did talk to the first driver - all the way to the hotel. There was another couple in the car with us on the return trip and we talked to them instead of the driver.

4) Do you remember what you did on Valentine's Day? We didn't celebrate Valentine's Day this year! We actually decorated our golf cart and participated in the neighborhood Mardi Gras parade and lunch.

5) How many laptops have you owned over your lifetime? Great question - maybe five or six? I actually have three right now. I have my old one that has a lot of documents saved on it. I have the one I am typing on right now and both this one and the old one are actually work computers. I know I've had at least two more work laptops because I have worked at the same place for over 20 years. I purchased a personal laptop a few years ago after I started back to college and I use it, too. I had a tablet at one time - not an apple product. Technically, I still have it upstairs if I needed to find something old.

6) How many countries have you visited? 1) Israel-4 trips; 2)Switzerland; 3)Ireland; 4)Austria; 5)Germany-2 trips; 6)France; 7)Italy; 8)the Netherlands - Amsterdam and St. Maarten; 9)Turkey, 10)Greece, 11)Egypt 12)the Bahamas - I just googled to see if the Bahamas are an actual country and according to Chat-gpt . . .they are. We have plans to visit England for the first time later this year with a few days back in Ireland because we loved it so much the first time.

7) Did you/will you go to work today? I am typing this on Saturday so I will not be going in to the office. I do work on Sundays so when you read this, I might be at work.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

P Is for Porch Time . . .or Porch Sittin'

 

We have about a week and a half left of the April A to Z challenge. Will I finish??

P Is for Porch Time . . .or Porch Sittin'

I have shared many of these pictures over the years. Mark and I are blessed to live in a home with multiple porches and a neighborhood where other homes have porches, too! Early mornings and late afternoons often have neighbors gathered together for a cup of coffee or an afternoon cocktail.

I shared this photo just last week -- the younger generation escaped to the screen porch after Easter lunch.

Our son and daughter-in-law hosted an evening gathering on their ginormous back deck - a deck counts as a porch, right?

We love to have our steps decorated for various seasons. Mark has a green thumb and a big watering can and he keeps all of our porch plants thriving!

Mark wants to replace the wooden steps with brick steps. I asked AI to generate a photo for me and it did and I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't sure the brick steps would look good, but they do in the AI picture (which I'm not sharing today).

We decorate our porch for Halloween because everyone (almost everyone) in the neighborhood decorates! We had a Harry Potter theme this year.

Here is a shot of our screen porch. We have a fishing motif :-).

Another view of the front porch is below -- the front porch is L shaped and we have Pottery Barn Palmetto chairs to the right of the steps. To the left, we have a wooden "glider" that will hold a couple of people - maybe even two adults and a small child. To the back on the left, we have a teak table with six chairs. From my favorite chair (check out M post), I can see the table through a window. It is totally yellow due to the pollen.

Here is a shot of the front porch to the right. We actually have a different rug out there now and different plants in the pots.

Great shot here -- below you can see the glider and the teak table and chairs.

Here is a different view. Mark will eventually wash everything, but the pollen is still coming down. The glider is instead of a swing.

Here is a view from the garage toward the house of the screen porch.

A view of the downstairs porch from the street (below).

We have been known to spend porch time on other porches! Below is Susie's porch (Mark's sister). Her porch is really nice and has lots of seating.

Here we are at the farm of a friend and we are all sitting outside on the porch. Long conversations, lots of laughter, and even some silence happened that weekend.

Look at this - Mark and I were having porch time in Austria. This was a cool, family-owned hotel. Our friends, Susan and Mark, were in the room next to us and they were on their porch, too!

We even used our porch and front sidewalk for a covid baby shower.

I didn't even talk about our top porch! There is a door from the loft area upstairs onto that porch. We used to sit up there more often, but right now, the chairs up there aren't that great. Because of the Alabama heat (and mosquitos), we have at least two ceiling fans on every porch.

One thing that makes me very sad is the fact that I am horribly allergic to pollen - pretty much all pollen. The weather here has been so nice but I can only stay outside a few moments at a time. I told Mark that it isn't fair that some people have NO allergies and can be outside as much as they want.

Do you have a porch? Do you get to enjoy the outdoors all you want or are you like me . . .and have lots of allergies? (Yes, I am on meds and shots, but my allergies are over the top bad).

O Is for One-on-One Conversations

 

Y'all . . .we are moving on through this month of April and the April A to Z blogging challenge. I've tried to write ahead of time because this semester, time has been at a premium.

Today's letter is O and we are going with One-on-One Conversations.

There is something sacred about a one-on-one conversation.

In a world full of noise, group texts, and hurried interactions, sitting across from just one other person—really listening, really being present—feels like a gift. These are the moments that make my life better… even when they aren’t really about me at all.

Some of the most meaningful one-on-one conversations happen on Tuesday nights.

Everyone is gathering their things, saying their goodbyes, heading out the door—and then it happens. One of the young adults lingers. Not by accident. Not because they forgot something. But because they need a moment. A real one. A conversation that won’t happen in the middle of a crowd.

Over time, it’s been different faces, different stories.

Sometimes it’s about relationships—questions, heartbreak, confusion, hope. Sometimes it’s heavier. A parent with a difficult diagnosis. News that changes things in ways you can’t quite put into words yet. And in those moments, there’s no script. No fixing. Just listening. Just being there.

Mark always seems to notice when it’s happening. Without making a big deal of it, he quietly steps into another room, giving space for what needs to unfold. It’s a small act, but a meaningful one.

Those conversations stay with me.

Not because I said anything particularly wise, but because I was trusted with something tender. And that matters.

But one-on-one conversations aren’t only found in those heavier moments.

Some of my favorites are the everyday kind—the ones with our two adult kids, when we get them one at a time. There’s something different that happens when it’s just you and one child, no competing voices, no interruptions. You hear things you might have missed otherwise. You see them more clearly.

The same is true with close friends.

A good one-on-one conversation can be life-giving. It can be laughter that comes easily, or honesty that comes slowly. It can be catching up, checking in, or simply sitting in the comfort of being known.

Not every conversation has to be deep to be meaningful.
But the space to be—to speak, to listen, to connect—that’s what makes it matter.

One-on-one conversations remind me that people don’t just need answers.
They need presence.

And I’m grateful for every single one.

I've tried to ask a question at the end of every post, so here goes ....are you the conversationist in your family? How are you at making small talk?

N Is for New Notebooks (even when you don't really need them)!

 

April A to Z Challenge Continues with the letter N!

N is for New Notebooks (even when you don't really need them)

There is just something about new notebooks.

I don’t care how old I get—or how many I already have stacked in a drawer—I will never outgrow the thrill of fresh school supplies. Crisp pages. Clean lines. Possibility sitting quietly between two covers. It feels like a new beginning every single time.

Yes, I’m “old”… but I’m also still a student. And maybe that’s part of why I refuse to let go of this simple joy.

Now, let’s be honest: I am a paper snob. Mark is a beer snob. I, on the other hand, am a paper snob!

Not all notebooks are created equal, and I will stand by that. The feel of the paper matters. If it’s too thin, the pen bleeds through and ruins everything. If it’s too slick, the ink doesn’t settle right. But when you find the one—that perfect balance of weight and texture—and pair it with a really good pen? That’s magic. Pure magic.

Most days start the same way for me: with my steno notebook.

There’s something wonderfully grounding about sitting down and writing out a daily to-do list by hand. Not typing. Not tapping. Writing. I list everything out, big and small, and then throughout the day I get the deep satisfaction of marking things off. Mark loves to laugh as he tells people that I have been known to add something to the list just so I can check it off immediately—and he is correct and I’m not even sorry about it.

Each steno notebook lasts me a couple of months, depending on how many pages I fill (and how ambitious I’m feeling when I make those lists). And when I reach that last page? There’s a strange mix of pride and excitement—because it means I get to start a new one.

And then there are my class notebooks.

Even now, I still take notes the old-fashioned way for some of my classes. There’s something about physically writing things down that helps it stick better. Page after page, thought after thought—it becomes more than notes; it becomes a record of the journey.

This semester, I have filled an entire notebook with notes from my New Testament class. Every page represents something I learned, something I questioned, something I wrestled with or understood more deeply. That notebook isn’t just paper and ink—it’s growth. It’s time spent leaning in. It's time listening to my professor as my mind is blown with new information.

So no, I don’t need another notebook.

But I will absolutely buy one anyway.

Because sometimes a blank page isn’t just a blank page.
Sometimes it’s an invitation.

What about you? Do you love new school supplies? What about notebooks? Do you make lists?