Tag Archives: Mental Health

Z — Zebra Zeal

Posted on April 30, 2026 | 10 comments



I love zebras. They are striking creatures—bold, beautiful, and unforgettable. If I were going to be an animal, that is what I would choose. Black and white. No in-between. No gray areas. Just yes or no, clear and certain.

Wouldn’t life be easier if everything were that simple? Maybe. But real life rarely works in neat stripes.

Relationships fall apart. Families disagree. Friendships strain. People see the same situation through completely different eyes and walk away with opposite conclusions. Life can be messy, complicated, and sometimes painful. There are seasons when nothing feels black and white at all.

As we come to the end of the A–Z Blogging Challenge, I find myself reflecting on this journey—the posts, the reactions, the comments, and the kindness from readers along the way. Every note of encouragement has meant more than you know. I truly love hearing from those who stop by to read.

These posts take time, thought, and heart. I try to write each one with a little Crackerberries flair—and with a certain zeal.

You know, the name Crackerberries came to me more than twenty-five years ago. It was once meant to be the name of my dream restaurant. That dream took a different shape, but dreams do not always disappear—they sometimes reinvent themselves. So now I have my virtual restaurant over at Crackerberries Kitchen, and this little corner of the world for the stories you might have heard if you had ever pulled up a chair at one of my tables.

The challenge may be ending, but this year has rekindled something important in me: the zeal to write.

I plan to keep going—at least once a week—so if you get the chance, check back throughout the year. There will be more stories, more laughter, and a few surprises waiting.

Thank you for reading from A to Z.

Cheers,

10 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Furry friends, Inspiration, Nature, Opinion, Pondering, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Y — Yes

Posted on April 29, 2026 | 5 comments


Let your yes be yes, just like your no is no.

Isn’t it frustrating when people tell you they’re going to do something—and then don’t follow through?

We all understand that life happens. Emergencies come up. Plans change. A sincere yes can turn into an honest apology: I’m sorry, something came up.

That’s life.

But when it becomes a pattern—again and again—it stops being an exception and starts revealing character.

It’s the coworker who can’t seem to log in on time… even when working from home.
The friend who shows up late to every lunch.
The volunteer who signs up with enthusiasm but vanishes when it’s time to serve.

And yes—even the Christian who walks into church every Sunday after the announcements are over… late, again, as if time—and other people—don’t matter.

Individually, these may seem small.

Repeated enough, they’re not small at all.

They erode trust.

And trust matters.

Common sense and common courtesy are where integrity begins.
Show up when you said you would.
Return the call, text, email.
Pay the bill.
Finish the task.
Keep the promise.

These aren’t heroic acts—they’re daily evidence of character.

So here’s the harder question:
What have we said yes to… that we quietly let fall through the cracks?

I know this about myself: when I say I’m going to do something, it doesn’t leave me alone until it’s finished. It wakes me up in the wee early hours of the morning until the blog is written, the letter is sent, the task is done.

Not because I’m perfect—but because my word is supposed to mean something.

And that’s where the tension is.

We are quick to reach for grace—and rightly so. We are imperfect people serving a perfect God. We fall short daily.

But somewhere along the way, grace has been stretched beyond recognition. It’s no longer covering weakness—it’s excusing patterns. Repeated lateness. Broken commitments. Half-hearted follow-through. Chronic inconsideration.

At some point, “life happens” stops being the exception and starts becoming the habit.

Kindness and carelessness are not the same thing. One requires intention. The other thrives on neglect.

And when someone asks for help, “it depends” may be truthful—but it reveals something deeper. Love that waits on convenience isn’t really love—it’s preference.

Jesus didn’t say, “Love your neighbor when it works for you.”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself…” (Matthew 22:37–40)

If that’s the standard, then our words shouldn’t be casual—and our commitments shouldn’t be optional.
A life marked by love should also be marked by follow-through.

So today’s reminder is simple:

When you say you will—do it.
When you can’t—own it quickly. Find a way to make it up.
When you give your word—honor it.

Because in the end, your yes is not just a word.

It’s your reputation.

Simple right?

Cheers,

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Inspiration, Opinion, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

X — eXtreme Measures

Posted on April 28, 2026 | 9 comments



X has always been a difficult letter for me.

There simply aren’t many words to choose from, and “X marks the spot” felt a little too easy. So this year I’m leaning into something that feels far more fitting for the times we’re living in:

eXtreme measures.

Because if we’re being honest, that’s exactly where we are.

The other day Tall Cool ☺ne filled up the gas tank and walked away $80 lighter. Tomatoes? $4.99 a pound. And deep down, we all know the truth.

It’s not getting better anytime soon.

Even with a shift.
Maybe a little change (no pun intended).
But most definitely not without… eXtreme measures.

And then there are the everyday moments that make you stop and shake your head.

After Sunrise Service on Easter, we went fishing. On the way home we passed a truck pulled over on the side of the road. An older gentleman—about our age, maybe older—got out, picked up a piece of trash, walked about fifty or seventy-five feet ahead…

…and tossed it right onto someone else’s property.

I couldn’t believe it.

Who does that?
What makes someone act so carelessly… so small?

It’s easy to point fingers.

It’s harder to look inward.

Because the truth is, we’re all navigating a world that feels stretched thin. We hear whispers of another pandemic. Prices keep rising. Paychecks don’t. Stability feels less like a promise and more like a fading memory.

And whether we like it or not, getting through what’s ahead is going to take more than wishful thinking.

It will take discipline.
It will take preparation.
It will take intentional living.

It will take eXtreme measures.

But not just in how we spend, save, or prepare.

In how we live.
In how we treat others.
In how we anchor ourselves when everything around us feels uncertain.

So let me ask you something.

What eXtreme measures are you taking?

Have you made your peace with God?

Because at the end of the day, that’s the one measure that matters most. The one decision that outweighs every rising cost, every uncertain tomorrow, every fear we carry.

Salvation isn’t passive.

It’s a choice.
A step.
A surrender.

And there is no more powerful, life-changing, or truly eXtreme measure you can take than that.

Today is the day of Salvation.

Don’t wait.

Cheers,

9 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Inspiration, Nature, Opinion, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

V — Value your Voice

Posted on April 25, 2026 | 7 comments

I’ve been sitting with the letter V for a while now—reading through my own words, tweaking, polishing, getting ready for today’s post. And I’ll be honest… I’m a little proud of how far I’ve come.

Not just in writing—but in voice.

Because voice doesn’t just appear. It’s built. Over years. Through life. Through lessons you didn’t ask for but learned anyway.

And if you’ve ever written something and quietly wondered, “Does this even matter?”—then you already understand the pull of validation.

We all want to be heard.
We all want to know our words carry weight—
that they land somewhere meaningful.

But here’s where it gets real…

There’s a difference between voice and validation. And if you’re not careful, you’ll trade one for the other.

I look back at my early writing and—wow—the growth is undeniable. Eighteen years of blogging. And if I pulled out my journals from the ’80s? Let’s just say humbling might be the kindest word.

Back then there were no blogs, no “publish” buttons—just pen, paper, and honesty. Stuff you didn’t want to share with anyone, stuff from the heart. (And yes, journaling stuff from the heart is still my daily routine.)

What’s changed? It isn’t just how I write.
It’s what I value.

Because as we grow—older, wiser (hopefully), a little more grounded—our values don’t disappear. They shift. What mattered at 20 doesn’t sit the same at 40… and at 60, the values from 40 and 20 are history. I can only imagine what 70 or 80 might bring if I’m blessed to get there.

Values?
They shape your voice.

They decide what you speak on, what you stay quiet about, and what you’re no longer willing to pretend doesn’t matter.

Here’s the part most people don’t say out loud:

You can have a strong voice and still crave validation.
That doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.

But if your voice depends on validation…
that’s when you start losing yourself.

Not everyone will agree with what you value.
Not everyone will understand your perspective.

Some will support you.
Some will question you.
Some will scroll right past without a second thought, because they don’t care one way or the other.

And still… your voice matters.

Because it isn’t built on applause.

It’s built on truth.

Your truth.
Your growth.
Your lived experience.

So yes—respect the fact that we all seek validation in different ways. There’s no shame in that. Just don’t let it become the filter that edits your voice down to something smaller, quieter, easier to digest.

Say what you mean.
Stand in what you value.
Let your voice reflect the life you’ve actually lived—not the one that earns the most approval.

Because in the end…

Values matter.
Voice matters.
And the courage to hold onto both?

That’s where the real story lives.

What about you? Where is that voice that wants to speak on something you value so much but you haven’t had the courage? Let it out…say it loud, say it proud!

Cheers,

7 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Inspiration, Journalling, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

T — Truth or Tattoos

Posted on April 23, 2026 | 5 comments

Ink fades, truth remains.

I’ll say this gently—I don’t quite understand the excitement around tattoos these days.

Before anyone tenses up, hear me out. I’m not against them. I actually have one myself—a tiny, slightly questionable Rolling Stones tattoo on the top of my foot. A little souvenir from a younger, wilder season of life. That version of me has long since moved on… and if I’m being honest, the meaning behind that ink has faded too.

And that’s really where this begins.

When people talk about why they get tattoos, I often hear, “It reminds me of where I’ve been.” And I do understand that—to a degree. There’s something meaningful about remembering where you started and how far you’ve come. Growth matters. Your story matters.

But I keep coming back to this:

We’re not meant to stay there.

We’re not called to live in old chapters on repeat. God’s Word points us forward—toward renewal, restoration, redemption. It calls us to become new, not to permanently anchor ourselves to who we used to be.

Scars feel different to me. You know, the kind that are ugly and are imbedded in your skin from accidents, falls, battles, the kind that make-up doesn’t cover up.

Scars come from living. From healing. From surviving something that once felt like it might take you out. They carry weight because they weren’t chosen for display—they’re simply part of the life you’ve lived.

Tattoos, though, are chosen reminders. Permanent ones.

And I can’t help but wonder—especially for the younger generation covering themselves in meaningful designs—has there been a pause to consider how those choices might feel years down the road? Not just how they’ll look on aging skin, but how they’ll sit emotionally… even spiritually.

Because what feels deeply meaningful today might not hold the same truth tomorrow.

And that’s really the heart of it.

This isn’t about judgment—it’s about perspective. It’s about asking whether we’re holding onto moments we were meant to grow beyond, or stepping fully into who we’re becoming.

Because truth doesn’t need ink to last.

It shows up in how we grow.
How we change.
How we keep moving forward without constantly looking back.

And that kind of truth only deepens with time.

Even when it’s uncomfortable

Truth sounds simple… until it isn’t.

We say we want honesty—real, unfiltered truth—but when it starts pressing against our comfort, something shifts. Why is it so hard to simply tell the truth? Is it fear of what people might think? Or fear of how they’ll respond?

Because if we’re honest…

Truth isn’t always gentle.

Sometimes it lands heavy.
Sometimes it reveals more than we’re ready for.
Sometimes it asks something of us.

And maybe that’s why we tiptoe around it.

But here’s the thing—truth, told the first time, stands on its own. It doesn’t need managing or maintaining. It doesn’t require layers.

Lies do.

Truth is steady. It’s real. It doesn’t bend.

And yet…

We live in a world where truth is often filtered.
Where stories are shaped before they ever reach us.
Where even in our homes, truth gets softened—out of love, out of protection, or simply to keep the peace.

But there’s another layer we don’t always like to admit:

Sometimes we say we want the truth…
but we’re not sure we’re ready to feel it.

So where does that leave us?

Maybe it’s not just about telling the truth—it’s about how we carry it.

Empathy matters.
Kindness matters.
Tone matters.

We can offer truth gently. We can speak it with compassion.

But we shouldn’t reshape it into something easier just to make it more comfortable.

Because truth—even when it feels heavy—is still truth.

And beneath all of this—beneath tattoos, memories, stories, and the versions of ourselves we cling to—there is a deeper truth still:

A storm is coming.

Not one you can see on the horizon, but one that brings everything into the light.

Jesus is coming.

Not only in comfort—but in judgment.
Not only in promise—but in fulfillment.

And He will come for those who have remained faithful.

That truth isn’t meant to scare us or leave us fearful—it isn’t meant to wound the heart. It’s meant to awaken it.

Because here’s the grace in it:
It’s not too late.
Not too late to face the truth.
Not too late to live it.
Not too late to choose it.

Truth isn’t meant to scar us—it’s meant to shape us. To refine, not to harm. To bring clarity, not damage.

Truth doesn’t bend to fit us…
but it will always invite us to rise and meet it.

Are you ready to accept the truth?

Cheers,

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Inspiration, Journalling, Opinion, Pondering, Random, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

R — Resilient

Posted on April 21, 2026 | 2 comments


Bend… but don’t break.

We all carry a backbone inside of us—some a little sturdier than others, some tested more times than we care to count. And when life presses in, when the weight feels unfair and the stories around you get louder than your own, it’s easy to wonder if you’ve got enough strength left to stand.

But here’s the truth we don’t say often enough: resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about refusing to stay down.

Everyone has a story. Some wear theirs like a badge, while others quietly carry it like a stone in their pocket. And yes, there will always be voices trying to measure suffering, as if pain could be ranked or compared. But your struggle? It matters. Your breaking point? It’s real.

Still… you’re here.

Scripture reminds us that God is faithful—He will not allow us to face what He hasn’t already equipped us to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). And that one word tucked into that promise—believers—it matters. Because resilience, the kind that holds when everything else gives way, is rooted in something deeper than willpower.

Maybe right now feels like sinking—like you’re stuck in that red clay kind of struggle, where the harder you fight, the deeper you go. You’re tired. Frustrated. Wondering if you’ll ever get free.

Look up.

See that hand?

That’s Jesus—steady, patient, unshaken. He’s not rushing you, not scolding you. He’s simply waiting… for you to reach back.

Now let’s be honest—grabbing hold doesn’t magically erase the storm. The struggle doesn’t disappear overnight. Life doesn’t suddenly turn easy.

No sir.

But what does come is peace—the kind that settles chaos without needing to explain it. A quiet assurance that even in the middle of the mess… you’re going to be okay.

I know trials. I know the kind that leave marks you don’t talk about. And I know there are more ahead—because that’s part of this life. But I’ve made peace with that truth, because my future isn’t tied to temporary battles. It’s anchored in eternity.

So let me ask you something…

Do you want to be resilient?
Do you want to rise—buoyant, steady, unbreakable in the places that used to shatter you?

Do you want that promise—no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain?

Then don’t just sit in the struggle.

Reach.

Ask.

Because resilience isn’t just surviving…
—it’s knowing exactly the ONE Who is holding you while you do.

Just leave a note in the comments below and I’ll pray for you. Or….

We can pray together.


Cheers,

2 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Inspiration, Opinion, Random, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

P — Perspective… or is it Prestidigitation?

Posted on April 18, 2026 | 5 comments



Perspective.
Persistence.
Perseverance.

We’ve heard these words countless times.

Perspective, especially, has been written about, preached on, and analyzed from every angle. And rightly so—there is, as Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us, nothing truly new under the sun.

And yet…

Each of us moves through life convinced that our version is the version.
It’s like a family reunion with 28 different potato salads.
Aunt Marie insists hers is the best.
Uncle Mike adds his own twist.
And Tall Cool ☺ne? He doesn’t even like shrimp and grits—
but somehow Jody is still convinced:
“He’s never tried my shrimp and grits.”

Bless it.

Because in the end, shrimp and grits is still shrimp and grits,
and potato salad is still potato salad.

So perhaps—just perhaps—
it isn’t perspective that deserves our scrutiny.

Maybe it’s prestidigitation.

(Try saying that twice without stumbling.)

Sleight of hand.
Distraction.
The subtle art of directing your attention here…
while something entirely different unfolds there.

I came across the word in my old scrapbook dictionary. It stopped me. I looked deeper and found it still surfaces in unexpected places—even in games like Dungeons & Dragons, which says something about how long it’s been since I’ve rolled any dice.

But bring it back to our table.
Isn’t that what’s happening all around us?
We hear one narrative.
We see one angle.
We’re presented with one version.
But are we truly getting the full picture?
Or are we being guided… redirected…
captivated by something deliberately placed in front of us?

Because behind the table—
beneath the surface—
just outside the spotlight—
That’s often where the truth resides.
And if we’re honest, some days it’s easier not to look.
People hesitate before turning on the news.
Before asking the harder questions.
Not because they don’t care to know—
but because they’re beginning to question what they’re actually being shown… and told.

And then, just like that—

Surprise. A revelation!

Something unexpected pulled from the hat—
and no, it’s not a rabbit.


This isn’t limited to headlines or broadcasts.
It shows up in schools, in communities, in churches—
even within our most personal relationships.

So I’ll leave you with the same question I had to ask myself:
What’s your perspective?

Because it may not be about seeing more clearly—
it may be about recognizing what’s been hiding in plain sight all along.
Cheers,

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Humor, Inspiration, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

H — Honesty

Posted on April 9, 2026 | 5 comments



“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” — Thomas Jefferson



Honesty isn’t soft. It’s not polite. It doesn’t always come wrapped in kindness or tied with a bow. It’s the first chapter in wisdom—and most of us keep trying to skip ahead. We say we want truth, but what we really want is comfort. We ask questions we don’t actually want answered. “Do these make me look…?” Then we act surprised when we don’t get the answer we’re hoping for. That’s not honesty—that’s permission to stay comfortable.

Character, though—that’s the real thing.

Reputation is just the shadow it casts. And shadows shift depending on the light.

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” — Genesis 2:18

If I’m being honest (and that’s the whole point here), being a “helper” doesn’t always feel noble. Sometimes I want a helper because sometimes it feels like I’m the one who just does it all. But if I had a helper I’d still do it all because it’s easier than explaining, teaching, or trusting someone else to get it right. That’s not help—that’s control dressed up as sacrifice.

I’m not sugarcoating. It doesn’t protect anyone. It weakens the spine. Truth, spoken right, builds it.

So maybe the helper isn’t about “housekeeping”. It isn’t about sweeping floors or straightening rooms. Maybe it’s about clearing out the places where we’ve been avoiding the truth—about ourselves, about others, about what we know needs to change. Because if we’re honest… we already know. I know.

So what are you avoiding right now?
Where have you chosen comfort over truth?
And how long do you think that choice will hold?
Because honesty doesn’t wait forever.

He has a way of showing up—uninvited, undeniable, and right on time.
The only question is…
will you meet Him there,
or keep pretending you didn’t hear Him knocking?

Cheers,

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

G – Good Intentions and Grace

Posted on April 8, 2026 | 4 comments



So over the weeks—not just this past weekend, but most weekends—Tall Cool ☺ne and I find ourselves up to our eyebrows in projects. It’s kind of our rhythm. I start my mornings with Bible study, journal time, paying bills, and maybe a letter or two, and then move on to breakfast. Every once in a while, Tall Cool ☺ne wanders into the kitchen and whips up his specialty grits (which, let’s be honest, deserve a standing ovation).

A couple weekends ago, we were given a few pieces of furniture, which meant rearranging—and rearranging always invites cleaning. Once I get into that mode, it’s hard to stop. So naturally, I turned my attention to the back room… the one that looks like a cluttered mini Walmart on a good day. It’s also home to the cat box, and I’m convinced our cats treat litter like confetti at a wedding. Messy doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Tall Cool ☺ne has the Chuck Norris total gym setup for the days we don’t walk. (It doesn’t get used nearly as much as one might think -meaning we walk more than I’d like.) I was tired of stepping over it, around it, and pretending it belonged there. So I decided—on a burst of motivation and confidence—to fold it up and reclaim the space.

Surprise, honey!

What I didn’t realize is that there are two levers. Not one. Two. I wrestled with that thing for a solid twenty minutes before finally asking for help. (Note to self: next time, ask first and save the lesson.) Tall Cool ☺ne was… less than impressed. After a brief lecture and a demonstration, the machine was properly folded and tucked away like it had been all along.

And there I stood—room cleaner, pride slightly bruised, intentions still intact.

Because here’s the truth: I had good intentions. I really did.

Have you ever started something you knew was a good idea… only to realize halfway through that maybe it wasn’t? Or at least not the way you went about it?

Give yourself some grace.

Not every good intention lands perfectly. Not every effort turns out polished and praise-worthy. Sometimes it looks like struggle, frustration, and a small dose of humility.

But it still counts.

Because showing up—with willing hands and a heart to make things better—matters more than getting it right every single time.

And sometimes, grace looks like laughing at yourself, learning the lesson… and still calling it a good day.

What good intentions have you started and wish you hadn’t? Or better yet, what good intentions did you start out with and find it went a whole different way? Do share in the comments below.

Cheers,

4 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

C – Creatures of Habit

Posted on April 3, 2026 | 12 comments

 

There are two things people hold onto longer than they should:

Old sweaters…
and the phrase, “that’s just the way we’ve always done it.”

We are creatures of habit, and one of the hardest things for any of us to do is change. Over time, routine starts to feel less like a choice and more like a rule. Before long, we stop questioning it altogether.

It’s easy to make an idol out of routine.

I’m doing this challenge mostly because it’s something I’ve done for the past twelve years. Not because I expect a wave of new followers. Not because I think I’m suddenly going to make a bunch of new friends. And certainly not because I think I have some uncommon wisdom the world has been waiting for.

Although, if any of that happens, I won’t complain.

Mostly, I’m doing it because it’s what I’ve always done and it’s the only time I actually take the time to post regularly….Gosh I want to do more of this!!

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Well, that’s just the way we’ve always done it”?

Around here in the South, that line gets used so often it might as well be embroidered on a pillow somewhere. Tradition can be comforting, but sometimes it quietly keeps us locked into patterns we stopped thinking about years ago.

Think about holiday meals for a minute. Thanksgiving, for example: turkey, stuffing—or dressing depending on where you’re from—gravy, rice, collard greens, macaroni and cheese — the same sides every year.

Why?

Because that’s the way we’ve always done it.

Now we’re coming up on warmer weather, which means spring cleaning. Winter clothes get packed away, summer clothes come out, and the cycle continues.

But this year I’m trying something a little different.

If I didn’t wear a sweater all winter, it isn’t going back into storage. It’s going to Goodwill. Because honestly, if I didn’t wear it this year, why would I think I’ll wear it next year?

(I’m using that as my example… but I really am going to try.   Just like blogging all year, not just April.)

So here’s the question worth asking: what habits do you keep simply because that’s the way you’ve always done them?

Take a look at your routines. What’s one small thing you could change that might benefit you—or maybe someone else too?

Turns out spring cleaning isn’t just for closets.

Sometimes it’s for habits too. Surprise your spouse, or yourself.  Do something completely different than the way you’ve always done it.

Share some things with me that you are going to do different instead of because that’s the way you’ve always done it.  I’d love to read them.

Cheers,

PS Happy Good Friday.  † HE IS RISEN ♥  

12 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Authors, Blogging, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

B – Balance

Posted on April 2, 2026 | 14 comments



As we get older, we’re constantly trying to balance what we have to do with what we actually want to do.

When I was younger, I pretty much did whatever I felt like doing. I didn’t think much about the responsibilities waiting around the corner. Bills? Chores? Cleaning the cat box? Those things felt like someone else’s problem.

Now, adulthood has politely (and sometimes not so politely) informed me otherwise.

These days I go to work to pay the bills. I clean the cat box because, sadly, I don’t have a dog trained to handle that job for me. (Yes, we actually did once. And yes, it was both impressive and slightly gross — Poor Dallas) I pitch in (or maybe I should say, Tall Cool ☺ne pitches in) with the everyday chores that keep a household running. That’s just part of being a grown-up.

But if I’m being honest, I’d much rather be doing the fun stuff.

Give me a quiet morning journaling, a little time cooking in the kitchen, or an afternoon outside enjoying the sunshine playing in my flower garden. Those are the moments that refill the tank.

And that’s where balance comes in.

The real trick to getting older gracefully isn’t just managing responsibilities—it’s making sure life doesn’t become only responsibilities. We all have things we must do, but the secret is learning how to sprinkle in a little more of what we love to do.

Tip the scale just a bit toward joy. Throw that element of surprise into your day just because you can!

Maybe that means taking a walk before tackling the to-do list. I’m really looking forward to that 5AM walk this morning and hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pink Moon! Maybe it’s baking brownies for no reason other than the smell filling the kitchen. Maybe it’s setting aside ten quiet minutes with a notebook and your own thoughts.

Whatever it looks like for you, the goal is the same: keep life from becoming all duty and no delight.

So I’m curious…

How do you find balance between what you want to do and what you have to do?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your tricks for keeping the scale from tipping too far in the wrong direction.

Cheers,

14 Comments

Posted in Writing

Tagged , , , ,

Smoke and Mirrors

Posted on March 28, 2026 | 2 comments

I’ve been working on my A-Z posts because I really hope to have them all done before April 1st! Wouldn’t that be a SURPRISE?… I’m close…I really am close.

Yesterday or day before Tall Cool ☺ne was reading/listening to me jabber about one of my polished posts. He commented, “That’s a lot like a post you did awhile back.” He has such a good memory.

I searched and searched for that stupid post and could not find it. Come to find out it was posted on MYSPACE (which I don’t even know where that platform went anymore). I tried to find me but I had no luck. The good thing… (and I guess bad thing) I keep hard copies via paper zone as well as a folder on my desktop of everything I’ve ever written and posted. So here it is, a little more refined. This is a foreshadowing for an upcoming post for one of the letters I’ll be using in the A-Z Blogging challenge.

Smoke and Mirrors (circa 2015)

“Smoke and mirrors” — a way to distract from what’s really going on. A trick to make something look better, cleaner, or more impressive than it actually is.

Magicians use it to create illusions.
Companies use it to sell products.
And people? We use it too.

In today’s world of cyber reality and virtual friendships, we convince ourselves we truly know people. But the truth is, we only know what’s shown to us. As Brad Paisley put it, things are “so much cooler online.” And he wasn’t wrong.

Filters, edits, and carefully crafted posts turn reality into something else entirely—a polished version of the truth. A red herring. A distraction.

So here it is, plain and simple: writing means risking being known.

(This lets on how old this post is…my book was back in 2014) Pre work at home so I had lots of time to “HOBBY”.)

Last week, I got dropped by a publisher I had signed with to sell my first book. Just like that—gone. Since then, I’ve been trying to regroup, to get myself back together. My social media activity has slowed, and that’s been harder to adjust to than I expected.

Part of my “job”(AKA real life now hobby) was to promote my book daily online. But here’s the honest truth—I don’t care what the experts say: virtual friends can feel like smoke and mirrors. I can’t verify a single book sale that came from any social media promotion.

We all want to be seen. We all want attention. So we chase it—liking, following, sharing—across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Blogger, and a hundred other platforms. (Half of these weren’t even heard of when I wrote this)

But let’s be honest.

Most of those people don’t really know you. And most of them don’t really care. The “like” button often isn’t about connection—it’s about visibility. A quiet trade: I’ll like yours if you like mine.

There are friends.
And there are followers.
They are not the same.

Now, to be fair—this isn’t true for everyone. But if you want to measure real friendship, ask yourself:

How many people reach out to you personally—not just clicking “like,” but actually checking in?
How many would get out of bed in the middle of the night and drive hours to help you?
How many would give something of themselves—a pint of blood, a kidney—if you needed it?
How many would stand in harm’s way for you?

That’s the difference.

Don’t confuse online connection with real-life relationship. Yes, everything can look better online—but sometimes it’s just a polished illusion. Smoke and mirrors.

Meanwhile, out here in the real world, there are people—real people—who aren’t hiding behind the smoke and mirrors.

Find them. Hold onto them! Be real, have fun!

Cheers,

2 Comments

Posted in Inspiration, Opinion, Pondering, Random, Uncategorized, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Shut Your Pie Hole

Posted on March 25, 2013 | 1 comment

woordsWe all have moments when someone says something and by the time we think of a witty reply it is too late. What about those moments when we do reply, and then realize that no reply would have been better? Oooh, ouch!

Our tongue is like a two-edged sword. It can build someone up or it can bring someone down. Unfortunately, like anything negative, it is easier to bring someone down with one harsh word than it is to build someone up with ten positive words.  It is human nature to lash out and strike back when someone hurts us with words. Anyone can fight that battle. It is easy to impulsively speak back to someone using reckless words to degrade or slander them. With so many social media networks, cyber bullying  is viral, while people on the opposite side of a keyboard are “so much better on-line”. People tend to say things more openly than they would if they were in person. Sometimes that can be a good thing but most times it turns out bad.

If people are not well grounded in personal relationships (with spouse, parents, friends, etc.) the Internet may become their main form of communication. They are quick to grasp that instant gratification from social network acquaintances. The true value of personal relationship is suddenly lost in cyberspace. It is easier to say things on-line that would not be said in person. People can be honest without fear of immediate confrontation. When virtual relationship become more important than real relationships, it is time to back away from the keyboard and re-evaluate priorities.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when communicating on-line:

Don’t write what you won’t say face-to-face.

Remember once it’s out there, it’s out there forever, whether you delete it or not. Someone saw it, someone saved it, someone remembered it, someone will share it, and you will pay the consequences for it.

Understand the impact on others of what you write. Put their feelings above the temptation to write something negative.

Be respectful.

Remember what Thumper’s mom told him. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

The true art of being good at communicating on-line is not only saying the right thing at the right time, but not saying the wrong thing at the moment of temptation. It might sound easy, but if it were, everyone would be doing it.

1 Comment

Posted in Furry friends, Inspiration, Opinion, Quotes and Thoughts, Random, Uncategorized, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,