Things are Looking Up

In my life, bouts of mild depression have always come and go; this is normal for me. I'm so much better than I was when I was first diagnosed with severe depression around 25-30 years ago, but life is still sometimes a tightrope. I find it helps, of course, to pray and read my Bible daily, watch my diet, and make sure I get my exercise, which is mostly walking. Lately, even with all that I've been a little down and looking for something to bring brighten my mood.

I tell you this not to gain sympathy or pity, but to encourage. Sometimes when depression tries to creep back in, I start to feel like I don't measure up; like I'm not as good as others. I want to close myself in away from people and not even go outside. I know, however, that this is the opposite of true, and of what I need to do. 

I know from years of walking on this side of the darkness I was once in that I am not the only one. If others can be encouraged by reading about my struggles and victories, I have to share.

So, in looking for something to perk up my mood, I decided to re-watch (for the 4th time I think) the original Downton Abbey series that was on Masterpiece Classics and aired on PBS for six consecutive years starting around 2012. I have all six seasons on DVD, plus the 3 full length movies, but they are also on Prime.

Success! Clouds of despair have been once again dispelled. Watching this has helped me out of the slump I was in. I had my 1 or 2 (or occasionally, 3) episodes to look forward to every evening. I find that a little treat like this keeps me going. I can do my chores around the house as usual and have the energy to get through the day, knowing I have my "show" to look forward to. 

I finished the series Saturday night and last night I watched the first full-length movie. I am feeling so much better! I have 2 more movies to go and I'm already thinking about what will be next.

In other news, because I still have a determination to have a daily walk since March 2025, I'm still walking! I managed to do this even when I was feeling down, because deep down I know I have to in order to prolong my mobility. In spite of not feeling like it, I've managed to walk 6 days out of 7 for the past month, so I'm still getting walks in for my health. I'm so thankful I'm able to do this, but it's not like I'm bounding with energy. At my best I'm not a high-energy person. I struggle some days to get out there and put one foot in front of the other over and over again until I've walked for at least 30 minutes. Other days, I walk 2 miles. Most of the time, it's 1.5 miles; that's my average.

I'm on a quest to read all the Mitford books (by Jan Karon) and I do off and on, but the next one I needed was not in at the library. Instead, I read a book I bought at the library book sale, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Delightful book, set in England.

Now I'm reading The Thursday Murder Club.

I also went on a short little shopping excursion with my daughter and grandkids last weekend. We checked out our town's brand-new Aldi and walked through a local flea market looking for treasures, which is a favorite activity. 

So, things are looking up.

I haven't taken as many pictures while walking lately, but I'm posting a couple. I hope you are all doing well. I'm actually fine; pressing on in spite of occasional blues.

Until next time, blessings, friends!

"I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 NLT

Shielded in the Storms

I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still walking daily; as much as the crazy winter-spring weather will allow. Stormy weather and extreme cold, back-to-back this week, teamed up to keep me indoors some. I may be investing in a walking pad for those days so I don't lose momentum. 

In my last post, there was snow on the ground. We only got the one snow this year, sadly. It's long gone, of course. I think it was mostly gone when I posted in mid-February. 

The creek finally got replenished with all the spring rains we've been having. I'll post a video of it that I took the day after the first big rain a couple of weeks ago. It was back to being a real babbling brook. I love the sound of it. Somehow it perks me up and brings me joy.

As I've said before, I'm all about the joy. I try to immerse myself in things that bring me joy; books I love, good music, flowers, and just a good walk in nature. Of course, I also try to hang around people that bring me joy, like my family and friends. These are all helping me a lot lately to rise above the dark days when they come, which are happening not nearly as often as in years past. Focusing on the good and the joy that is around me is so important for my mental health. 

Anxiety tries to invade, with the thunderstorms and threats of tornadoes that are prevalent in this season, but I pray scripture out loud (don't laugh; it works!) on stormy days and I distract myself with a good movie or book to take my mind off it. 

Another thing that helps me lately is being thankful for the blessings in my life. I'm thankful for my family and friends, of course. I'm also thankful for little things, too, like my weekly sugar-free caramel macchiato over ice, beautiful sunsets, and babbling brooks.

If you really look, you'll see something to be thankful for. 

Hope this brought someone some encouragement. Until next time, blessings, friends.

"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7 NLT

*PS. The above scripture is a good one to pray during storms. God IS my strength and shield in storms.

Joy in a Cozy Winter

I had great joy at the snow we had in January. I love the cozy wintertime, spent indoors mostly; reading or watching movies. It's my favorite season. 

However, I went through a whole week of not getting to walk because of the snow, then missed 3 days over this past weekend. So, I finally walked this morning; almost 2 miles! To be precise it was 1.93 miles. I will have to walk a little further next time I'm feeling good enough to walk that far and make it 2 miles.

It felt good to get outside about 8:30 this morning. It was just cold enough to be a little invigorating. I love walking on a chilly morning.

The snow that came in January is now...gone. There were still mountains of dirty snow on parking lots here and there, but the rain all day Saturday washed all that away. I love snow, and winter in general, but as a person who now walks almost daily for my health, I found that it caused a break in my walking routine. 

Don't get me wrong; I'm not looking forward to Spring (I hate tornados, mosquitoes, & wasps, remember?)! I just don't want another weeklong break in my walking. I may have to invest in one of those walking pads from Amazon for days when I can't get outside.

I don't have much to say this time. I just knew I hadn't written since the end of January and it's Feb. 16 now. I've been busy; Bible study, reading, watching the Winter Olympics, and spending time with grandkids. All good things.

I'm just over here soaking up the winter while it lasts. I love the cozy vibes of a winter evening. A good book or a movie and a cup of tea. LOVE it. It brings me joy.

I'm posting some pictures of the snow after I started walking again. Most of the trails I could only go about half as far as normal for the first few days I was back to walking because I didn't want to risk a fall. 

I hope you are having a good winter, and if you enjoy reading and winter activities, like I do, you probably are.

Blessings, friends!

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

Books I Read and a Very Cold Walk

It occurred to me that I haven't posted what I read from October through December 2025, so I want to post that here, since I was doing that in 2025. I will probably not be posting what I read in the future unless it's an extraordinary book.

I was on a reading slump in 2025; I came nowhere near hitting my goal of 35 books. I think the final count was 22. I was busier with other activities like a little volunteer work, some Bible studies, and watching some TV series. Therefore, I didn't spend as much time reading. 

In October I read Longing, by Karen Kingsbury; third in the 4 book Bailey Flanagan series. It's a really good story. I recommend this series. I also read Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. This book is really good but be warned; it's about a school shooting. I didn't read it when it first came out because I just couldn't; it triggered my anxiety since I worked in a school. Now that I'm retired I'm glad I finally read it; it was very well done. 

In November I only read one book: Loving by Karen Kingsbury. It's the 4th and final book in the aforementioned series. 

Finally, in December I read Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. If you're not familiar with his work, it's fantasy; one of the DiscWorld books. It is also hilarious; especially if you like British humor (or should I say humour?).

I'm not setting a reading goal for 2026. I want to just read for pleasure at whatever pace I want. So that's the 2025 books I read, done and dusted as the Brits say.

On to current events: I wasn't going to go for a walk today because it was so cold. Then I checked tomorrow's forecast which said the high was projected to be 29 degrees, so I changed my mind. I had already skipped yesterday, and I try to never skip 2 days in a row, let alone 3.

It was 39 at about 4:00 pm, the warmest it would be today, so I wrapped up very well and headed for the walking trails. Since it wasn't windy, it was not too bad. It helps that I was listening to some fast-paced music on Spotify to put some pep in my step.

There was ice on the creek! It was 14 degrees when I got up this morning, and I guess it just didn't all melt during the day, even though it was above freezing in the afternoon. I tried to get pictures, but it doesn't show up well. They are posted at the end. I walked 1.5 miles and headed home for my warm and cozy living room. 

Tomorrow I will probably walk at a local church that has an indoor walking track above their gym. I made a rule to not walk outdoors if it's below freezing. I love cold weather, but even I have my limits.

That's it for now! Blessings, my friends!

"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2 NASB

Ice on the creek

Ice, bottom right

It was cold, but I was bundled up well

The creek had ice in places

New Year News and Goals

Hi. Happy New Year! I just realized I haven't posted a blog in almost a month. I did little posts here and there, but not a blog post. Life has been busy.

As my smaller posts showed, I had a good Christmas. My daughter and family who live across town were over for Christmas Eve, and New Years Day my son who lives in Atlanta came to visit. I didn't see my younger son, from Houston, but I did have a phone conversation with him and his wife on Christmas Day.

I never take my Christmas tree and decor down until at least Epiphany, January 6. Here we are at January 9. When I woke up this morning, I knew; it's time. *sigh*

So, today the "de-Christmasing: started. It is a grueling process; not fun like putting Christmas up, joyfully, with Christmas music or a Christmas move playing. 

No. It's torture. And since I have decorations in every room, it Takes. a Long. Time. I will persevere, though, and probably finish tomorrow. I was tired and sad and hungry and had to call it a day.

Enough of that. 

It's a new year! A fresh new year (well, only 9 days old). I wrote down some things I would like to accomplish in 2026. I'm keeping it simple at 3 things.

#1-I'm reading the Bible through with the Bible Recap again. I did it last year and really enjoyed it. This year, I'm making notes of my thoughts and questions about the reading each day. I learned so much last year, and I know this year will be even better.

#2-I want to work on my family photo album more. I've been decluttering duplicates and putting little journaling captions about who's in the pictures and what the event was. I didn't work on it much last year. This year, I plan to work on it once a week.

#3-I started walking for my health last March, and I want to continue it this year and walk farther. I feel so much better, and my stamina and energy level is up. I have been walking 1.5 mile most days and 1.75 one or two times a week. I have been pretty consistently walking about 6 days out of 7. This year I hope to walk 2 miles at least twice a week, 1.75 miles twice a week, and 1.5 miles twice a week. 

I do a different path on the 1.75 mile walk; that path is a little more hilly and makes a big circle. On the other one, it's a long mostly level path that goes under the bypass and ends up at a small lake. I think it would be 2.25 miles or so if I walked this whole path, all the way to the end and back. Someday I will do that, but so far I have been turning around when I get too tired or I've reached half my goal for the day.

In other news, I took some pictures on the walking trail. Wednesday, I walked late in the day (again!) and got a sunset picture AND a picture of an owl. It's not a great picture; you can't really see that he was looking right at me because it was quickly getting dark, but he was. 

Today I walked 2 miles! I have been close to it a few times but came a little short of that goal. I usually turn around at around .75 of a mile or so, but today I turned around at 1 mile! I wanted to take a picture to commemorate my milestone but there was just a brush pile there. LOL! When I got back to the car my watch showed I had walked 2.01 miles. Yay!

I have included the pictures at the end, as usual. 

I hope you are well, friends, and you all have a happy new year!

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV

Jeremy and Jennifer, Matt, Zoe, Rhett, and me (not in that order)

Jeremy and me Jan 2

Sunset January 7 2026

Owl, at home in tree, Jan 7 

Art at the end of the trail

My one mile (one way) mark.

Catching Up With Friends and Other News

The Christmas season is zipping along a little too fast for me. I want it to stay Christmas for a long time, but it always is gone so fast. Some great things have been happening, though. I'll list a few of them.

On December 5 I got to go with my daughter and my grandson's 4th grade class to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" in Branson. I've read all the Narnia books and seen the movies many times, but I had never seen a live stage play of it. It was a wonderful performance! I love going to theatre productions.

By going to the play, we missed the Christmas parade here in town, which made me sad. I did get to see a parade though; I went to my hometown over this last weekend and saw a great parade there, led by my favorite high school band (the one all my kids were in when they were in high school). I also saw my cousin, and several friends I hadn't seen in quite a while. It was so good to see everyone! I miss my friends and family in my hometown. I wish it wasn't so far away. 

I am watching a Christmas movie every day that I can. Last week I watched "Prancer," a movie from the 80s that always warms my heart. I've also seen "The Family Stone" this month and I watched "Elf" Friday night. I also plan to watch "White Christmas," "The Holiday," and "Christmas Vacation" in the next few days. Love these movies.

My house is finally all decorated, and I'm pretty much finished shopping; I just have to wrap everything now. (Amazon is the way to shop!)

I missed walking Thursday, because I was so busy getting ready to go out of town. Then I was driving for half a day Friday, so I didn't walk. Saturday I walked around the lake in the city park in my hometown. Then Sunday I was driving a half day again. I finally got back home and to my favorite place to walk, but I had to wait until late afternoon when it warmed up to 44. It was 19 degrees when I got up this morning. That's too cold for me!

I took a picture of the sunrise Thursday morning because it's about as far southeast as it will get, which, as y'all know, I find fascinating (and yes! I do get up in time to see a sunrise sometimes!).

I also got a picture of the sunlight hitting the creek where I was walking this afternoon. 

Apparently, I like to take pictures. LOL.

I hope you are all having a blessed Christmas season. In all the hustle and bustle of this time of year, remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

"Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel, which translated means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23 NASB

I'll Do It Later

Just after my previous blog post, around the week of November 17, it was very windy on my daily walk. It was before the rain finally came a day or two later, and the wind was most likely bringing in the colder and rainy weather. This particular day was pleasant, but the wind was making it "rain" leaves. It was such a warm fuzzy moment, rounding the curve in the path and getting bombarded with leaves. I felt like I should take a picture or short video of the falling leaves. It was picturesque moment. I paused, but then I kept going. "I'll take the picture of the leaves on my way back," I thought to myself.

I went on to my "turning around place," at around .78 of a mile and headed back the way I had come. When I got to the grove of trees that had been pouring leaves down, I stopped in my tracks. 

Not one leaf was left on any of those trees. Not ONE. The trees were completely devoid of leaves.

My heart sank, much like it did a few years back when I came home, excited to see my little daffodil in bloom, but it was gone. (Heartfelt: Just a Daffodil). I felt the same sense of loss that I did on that day back in 2018. It grieved me in my spirit.

I realized the lesson immediately. If you put off doing what you know you need to do, you might not get the chance; it might be too late.

Was it a tragedy that I didn't get a picture of the falling leaves? No, of course not, but I was short-sighted to think the wind would not blow all the leaves away before I got back to that spot, 10 minutes later.

God uses moments like this to teach me to listen and obey when He prompts me to do something. Instead of a picture of leaves raining down on a fall day, I might miss out on helping someone in need or helping someone pray to place their faith in Jesus. 

What He prompts me to do, but I don't, He will get someone else to do. 

Just a tiny wake up call to be listening and obeying when the Spirit puts something on my heart. I thought it was worth sharing; one, to admit I messed up. Two, to encourage others to learn from my mistake.

To not end on a sad note, I will add that my family and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you all did, too.

Sunday afternoon I went for a chilly walk and got some cool pictures. The sun was definitely on its way down; I almost waited too late to go again. I liked the way the sun was distorted by the clouds. Also, on a whim I took a picture with "Happy Dog." He had 2 sticks in his mouth that day. 

Blessings, my friends! 

"The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you." John 14:26 CSB

No leaves left

Sun behind some clouds

Happy Dog & Me