Family – Long walks and dark chocolate

A Tranquil and Quiet Start

November 15, 2025 1 Comment

On this beautiful fall Saturday morning, I’m grateful. Looking out my window, the leaves are fluttering on the trees, and some are giving up their lifelong perch and floating gently down to a ground already covered with their neighbors. The sky is blue with a wisp of white here and there, and the app on my phone promises a high of 71. The perfect autumn day! It inspired me to create a quick poem 🙂

Looking out my window, here, I feel such gladness, joy and cheer.

Leaves are falling gently down, they reach with silence, the covered ground.

Winds blow softly through the trees and dismantle the ones that are left, with ease.

A sky of open, endless blue, touched softly by a faint white hue.

A morning crisp with lingering chill yet whispering warmth that soon will fill.

Inside we are blessed with a tranquil start, the result of quiet and peaceful hearts.

A day began with prayer and the Word and assurance that our prayers are heard.

Leftover coffee, some still in the pot, smells awfully delicious, though none of its hot.

In the background, Christmas carols play, Their echo weaving through the gray.

Stirring the heart in a tender way,as autumn quietly slips away.

This day will pass as quickly as ever, no matter how slowly you choose to endeavor.

So, take a breath, take a pause, and savor all the joy it draws.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” – Psalm 118:24

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Inspirational, Photography Tagged With: Autumn, blue sky, fall, Family, God, joy, leaves, love, peace, thankfulness, tranquility

When ‘Someday’ Becomes ‘I Did It

November 10, 2025 3 Comments

With God’s help and the support and encouragement from my husband, family and friends, I finally published a book. It’s a short, funny children’s book based on a poem that I wrote and posted right here, many years ago. It’s titled, “If I Were a Turkey“

I’ve learned that sometimes you just need to finish something, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real. I had talked about this idea for so long that it became easy to stay in that safe space of “someday.” But there’s something deeply satisfying about crossing that line, seeing the final product, and realizing it’s yours. It’s proof that you followed through and that you can do it again.

The fear of failure can quietly hold us back from the very things God is calling us to do. Yesterday after church, I spoke with my granddaughter Cali about her lesson on Moses and the burning bush. It reminded me how God can call us in many different ways—often when we feel the most unprepared.

Granted, publishing a book isn’t anything like what Moses faced, but learning new software programs certainly wasn’t my idea of fun either. I had to figure out Canva, BookBrush, Kindle Publishing, and several other tools that were completely new to me. There were moments I felt overwhelmed and frustrated, but with prayer and encouragement, each task was slowly accomplished.

Moses had a profound fear of failure and a daunting task before him. Yet God’s response was simple and reassuring: I will be with you. Moses didn’t need to be perfect or confident; he just needed to be willing.

Each of us has been given gifts and talents by God. They are not meant to be hidden away in fear but used in faith. When we trust that He will equip us for what He asks us to do, our fear becomes smaller and His strength becomes greater.

Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:12

Filed Under: Christian, Inspirational, Poetry Tagged With: Bible, Christianity, Daily Post, encouragement, faith, faith journey, Family, God, Jesus, love, Thanksgiving

Misguided persistence

September 22, 2019 2 Comments

“Stop nagging!” We have all heard it and we have may have said it to someone else. If you look in Webster, the definition is “persistently annoying or finding fault with someone”.

When I think about nagging, I am reminded of summer evenings, sitting outside trying to relax while being persistently and relentlessly pursed by a gnat. It buzzes around your face, your ears and nose, awaiting an opportunity to settle in and bite. It is this incessant, relentless pursuit that sends you running for the house or bug spray. You will do whatever it takes to make it stop.

That is exactly how I have found myself behaving with certain family members at times. They won’t sit still and just do what I want, what I think is best, so I continue with the constant buzzing, thinking I will get a different result. Meanwhile, my victim wants to shoo me away, to render me speechless or probably even smack me at times. When they think they have peace, there I am again. There is a reason the book of Proverbs says, “it’s better to live in a corner of a housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife”.

I used to plan a big long perfect tailored speech, assured that if I could just get my victim to sit still long enough, they would finally get it! They would finally open their eyes to the truth I was so anxious for them to discover. Now, might be a good time to clarify that I am not talking about teaching your children wrong or right, or lovingly steering them in the right direction. I’m not even talking about a good discussion with your spouse. Remember the definition for nagging is annoying and finding fault.

The constant nagging wears people down. It never results in good. You never figure out just the right way to verbalize things to get your way. You ultimately do more damage with your words, especially when they accuse and find fault. Remember, it’s just annoying buzzing. Eventually, they will learn to run and hide.

I believe that God looks at the heart. For example, say that I am firmly convinced that my child should do something because I think it’s in their best interest. And say that I am right in this case, because I’m not always. What if she does it for me, but only for me. That’s nice and it feels good for the moment but has her heart changed on the matter? If her heart hasn’t changed, will it last? If she hasn’t received the conviction for herself, in her spirit, she won’t be doing it because its something she believes in. So, in turn it doesn’t feel genuine, because it isn’t. I might feel good, but she doesn’t because she is betraying her heart. She may be wrong, but until she realizes it, it doesn’t matter.

I have learned the hard way that I get more flies with honey. If I just go about the business of loving my family members, like Jesus does (unconditionally), and pray for them, eventually things work out and never the way I would have done it.

What if I did win? What if my nagging paid off? Then I would feel worthy of the credit. I did it, I fixed her. But, the glory belongs to God and He will have it.

So, the more quickly we learn to surrender outcomes to the One who truly knows best, the easier it will be for us to relinquish our delusions of having control. When someone you love makes a choice for themselves or because God touched their heart about something, a genuine change occurs. This is between them and God. We all have to learn most things and certainly some of the most important ones for ourselves. If we truly believe how much God loves us and ours, we can find the faith to believe in a good outcome while we are waiting.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Family, family life, God, grace, love, nagging

Restful Saturday at home

December 1, 2018 2 Comments

tree There is something so deliciously satisfying about an afternoon nap; joyous partly due to the sheer infrequency you get to enjoy the pleasure. There you are, adrift on the ocean of peaceful slumber so sweet, languidly waking, body warm beneath a cozy blanket. Equally wonderful is slowly coming alive to the sounds of a fire and family; book pages turning, quiet conversation, a soft snore from someone enjoying the same wondrous pleasure;

Lazily peering over your publication of choice, admiring those whom you love, the scent of holiday baking and lunch left overs hovering in the air. Relishing these all too rare moments, living in them, appreciating them. Thankful that in this moment, there is no rush, no deadline and nothing on social media worthy of stealing this time of hushed leisure.

Time is ticking, hurriedly rushing forward to the next hour. May we cherish restful times like these and the cherished ones we share them with. It’s too easy to squander our time with loved ones during the holidays as we get caught up in the hustle and bustle. We should strive to truly “be there” in every shared moment.

Happy December 1st,
Blessings,

Lisa

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Inspirational, Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, Family, family life, Holidays, loved ones, refresh, relax, rest

Post Irma musings

October 5, 2017 6 Comments

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As I sit on my cousin’s porch here in Tennessee, the air is cool in the midst of my favorite season. The birds are filled with song and two little squirrels are chasing each other up, down and around a tree. In the midst of one of the most chaotic seasons of my life, I sing praises to my Creator and thank Him for His abundant mercy and the beauty of my surroundings.

After losing our home in hurricane Irma, I am a grateful guest in a household that is filled with the love of Christ.

Due to my granddaughter’s health condition and fearing long lines and possible fuel shortages, we fled the state of Florida prior to Irma’s approach. Some said we were over-reacting but I had prayed about it, discussed with my husband and had peace with our decision. He would stay and continue to make preparations and be close to assess the aftermath and my daughter, granddaughter and I would head for the hills.

The first weekend I was here I remember sitting in Sunday school thinking that if I let one tiny teardrop fall, I was going to bawl a big ole ugly cry in front of a room full of people I didn’t know. I did cry during service as the Pastor described efforts already underway to send trucks of essentials and workers down to assist in our area.

The emotions pre-Irma, mid-Irma and post-Irma have been like the tea-cup ride at Disney. One minute you’re screaming as someone spins the cup faster and faster and the next minute, you need to throw up. And, all of my emotions have been from afar, so add a strange sense of guilt for not being there with and for my friends and family. All I could do was pray, and that I did and continue to.

Mid-Irma, we watched with horror as we experienced wind and storm surge in real-time, thanks to Facebook, face time and videos sent to us. We sometimes watched along with the people we love who stayed to ride it out, hearing the fear in their voices as the waters continued to rise. Thankfully, technology also provided a way to let us know everyone was safe immediately after the worst of it.

Post-Irma my husband sent pictures of the destruction as he walked for the first time back into what we once called home. We cried along with him. We lamented some of our most painful material losses together, always thankful that we still had each other.

Then we shed overwhelming tears of gratitude as we saw people from all over; loved ones, clients and strangers begin to load up trucks like the hands and feet of Jesus, destination Everglades City, to unload a little bit of love and hope.

Homeless Irma victims, we have so much to be thankful for. We have family who immediately opened their home to us until we can find a place of our own, more family and friends, clients and colleagues who have blessed us with gift cards, money, prayers and encouragement, and a place for my husband to stay while he is down there working. We have our lives and our precious memories of how things used to be.

We have a lot to do and some new paths to forge but I remain steadfast in the knowledge that my God will provide. He has not forsaken us, nor will He. This life is fragile and our things are perishable but His love is everlasting and His promises are sure. I pray for wisdom to follow without hesitation His perfect direction and plan for my life.

My deepest gratitude to all who have helped in any way. May God richly bless you.

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: Emotions, faith, Family, God, Hurricane Irma, Wisdom

Hello October!

October 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

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My granddaughter last fall as we explored along Natchez Trace Parkway

Today is October 1, 2016 and I actually woke up a little excited about that. Anyone who has read my past blogs or who knows me very well will recall that we have entered my favorite month. The only thing casting a shadow on this otherwise lovely day is the horrible storm churning about in the Caribbean Sea, its sight seemingly set on Jamaica. I pray earnestly for those in the path of this hurricane.

Somewhat selfishly, I am also vexed with the thought that the storm will interfere with my carefully laid plans to spend next weekend in North Carolina with my daughter and granddaughter. I have been looking forward to spending a few days alone with them, taking in some Blue Ridge sights as we enjoy some of the changes of the season together.

I long to don a sweater, have my nose tickled by a blustery breeze and watch my granddaughter gracefully navigate a pumpkin patch somewhere along the way. I am dreaming of slurping warm seasonal soups and sharing a slice of apple pie with my daughter as we catch up. I envision us dancing along trails as we forage for adventure.

I know the trees will have already begun their dress in more vibrant hues of gold and scarlet. They remind me of debutantes aspiring to be the belle of the ball as they slip into their fanciful attire.

The ground may not be carpeted with the crunchy relics of summer yet, but in a few short weeks, the riot of color will cover the mountains. If I could stay for the entire month of October, I would. Better yet, I would stay until the last leaf floated down from the place of its origin and the skeletal trees shivered in the bitter winter wind, heralding winter.

My granddaughter last fall as we explored along Natchez Trace Parkway

Daily Post: Graceful

Filed Under: Family and Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: Apple pie, Autumn, blue ridge parkway, Daily Post, daughter, fall, Family, granddaughter, october, pumpkins, Travel

Cali; the gift that keeps on giving

July 28, 2016 6 Comments

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The prompt was “Crisis” and since NICU parents deal with this all the time, I thought this was appropriate.

My daughter and I had a great day with our little Cali yesterday. I blogged before about Cali’s premature arrival and the complications she has faced since. She is 3 ½ months old and we still don’t have a homecoming date.

We stayed in Miami last night so we were with her until around 9pm and my daughter even got to help give her baby a bath for the second time ever. It’s tricky with a PIC line. Also, when you live over 80 miles away and spend most of your days here, and the baths are given at night, it’s tougher to participate. Last night was the first time I had ever seen my beautiful little granddaughter’s skinny little behind. What a sight to behold!

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All Clean!!

We got up this morning and had breakfast, anxious to arrive at the hospital. In good spirits, I parked the car and I chose the stairs as my daughter took the elevator. We usually park on the 5^th floor but I always beat her by taking the stairs. And believe me; I need the exercise with the delectable guava pastries (stress eating) that Nicklaus Children’s Hospital serves. Leave it to me to know about the food.

There was a long line at the check in and since I had left my monthly pass in the car (and I wasn’t going back outside and up those stairs or in the sweltering parking lot elevator) I had to wait in it. Impatiently, Morgan flashed her pass and went on up to the 2^nd floor, eager to see Cali.

When I arrived in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) a few minutes later, I could tell by Morgan’s face that something was wrong. The nurse explained that Cali had begun vomiting last night and her heart rate had dropped a little a few times. This can mean so many things, but they were immediately stopping all food and doing blood work to rule out infection. They asked us to leave so they could insert a second tube in her nose (opposite nostril from feeding tube) to pull excess air from her stomach.

My eyes welled up and in all seriousness, I wanted to curl up on the floor and cry. However motherhood kicked in and I knew I had to be strong for my baby girl. We went to the waiting room until the procedures were over and then my baby girl wanted to hold her baby girl. I sat in a chair beside her, more for moral support than anything. Cali slept and I looked around the room, which currently is home to approximately 7 babies; I overheard them say they have a total of 42 patients in NICU right now, which I understand is a lot for them.

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Morgan and Cali

There are babies in much more serious condition than Cali’s. There are older ones, younger ones, bigger and smaller. Some cry a lot and some you never hear a peep out of (at least when I’m there). I pray for all of them and I ache for the parents and what they are going through.

They come here from all over, show their ID or passes, push buttons so doors will open and wash their hands thoroughly multiple times per day. They sit in a room that is filled with beeping machines that have the power to give them quite a scare and they listen and try to understand as doctors and nurses reveal plans and strategies. Some of their children are growing out of the clothes and diapers they got at baby showers and some have even outgrown some of the toys.

Yet, they face each crisis with a strength that I had never seen before, having had two healthy, and delivered at-term babies. I look at them and not only compassion floods my soul, but also respect and admiration. I will shed tears in my prayers over this little world I didn’t realize existed until April 13^th. Sure, I knew there were sick babies, but I had no idea of the big picture.

I have focused on one small group of breaking hearts in my post, yet there are hundreds of others. More people going through this life with a heavy load and dealing with things we can’t imagine unless we have been there.

I know I’ve said this over and over, but let’s give people the benefit of the doubt because we truly don’t know. That lady in line in front of you with the blank look on her face who doesn’t hear the cashier saying, “Next, please”, could have been my daughter this morning. Be patient with her.

We are praying and believe that Cali will bounce back from this step backwards and come home quickly and give her doctor’s a shock. This journey is increasing our faith and our strength and I thank God for that. God will continue to provide the strength, mercy and grace for each and every day. He always does!

I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the amazing team of doctors, nurses and all other staff at Nicklaus. We couldn’t be in better, more caring hands and I’m truly grateful. Oh, and a special kudos also to the cafeteria staff for their tasty creations and their smiles of concern. We also have the best friends and family ever and our community has rallied around us like a great wall of love and protection. There is NO way to begin to thank them all appropriately!

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Inspirational, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cali, empathy, Family, God, love, Nicklaus, NICU

Daily Prompt: Journey

July 13, 2016 1 Comment

Here’s a quick poem for today’s prompt….Journey

corduroy

Journey

I’m going on a journey

Don’t be surprised to see me smile

Please don’t try to bring me back

I’ll be gone a little while

I’ll back up from today

To a time when they were small

I’ll put years in reverse

Like they never passed at all

I’ll enjoy the chubby fists

And little chins covered with goo

The bumbling first steps

And baths and bedtimes too

The sleepless nights year after year

For one reason or another

From leaking diapers to broken hearts

Mom helped them to recover

This worn and yellowed photo album

Is bursting at the seams

It overflows with memories

Of their accomplishments and dreams

Yes, I’ve reminisced a while

So I’ll journey homeward very soon

Oops, I’ve been distracted now

With Corduroy and Goodnight Moon

Filed Under: Family and Home, Poetry, Uncategorized Tagged With: books for children, children, empty nest, Family, missing you, poetry, silly poems

Life is a saga

May 22, 2016 3 Comments

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Life is a saga, a long and complicated story with many details. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you live very long at all this applies. Our life begins on page one, with our birth and if you have ever been in a room of women discussing childbirth, that can be a saga in itself. We live, we learn, we grow and we change.

We all have a story but it’s what we do with our stories that can make a difference. I was discussing this a little bit in my Sunday school class this morning. We go through things sometimes that make no sense, seasons filled with trials and tribulations. They are going to touch each one of us, but oh the difference when we allow God to teach us through them instead of sinking and wallowing in a big warm pile of self-pity.

I’m not saying not to grieve or that it’s wrong to cry, but when we’re done, get up and move on and let what we have learned, even when it was a tough, teach someone else. Some of the things I have been through in my life have allowed me to counsel or encourage other mothers or wives who are now going through the same thing. Can God really take that year of weeping and hurting and use it to impart healing in someone else? Why, yes He can and I can attest to having been on the giving and receiving end of both trial and help.

At times we try to pretend like we don’t know the meaning of grief or affliction and I’m not sure why, as we all are familiar with its sting. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, as long as we are this side of heaven, we will encounter difficulty. It’s how we deal with it that sets us apart.

Wouldn’t it be great to know that your saga didn’t end at your death because even after your demise other lives were still touched because of you? I think we all want to leave this world knowing we have imparted wisdom, hope and truth into others.

I was cleaning out a closet the other day and found an old journal of my mother’s. I’m sure I saw it and positive that I would have looked inside near the time of her death. The other day coming across the old treasure again I opened it up and saw that old familiar handwriting on the yellowing front page. For some reason I leafed through the other pages and buried in the middle were about five more pages that I had never seen before. They were written in and around December of 95’ and into the first months of January 96’. Mom died in June of 96’ so these “new” words were like gold to me. They were a new discovery of some of her personal thoughts in her final months. More of the saga of her much shortened life and they meant so much to me. They touched me and as I read them, I again felt her faith and strength. She imparted another precious gift to me almost twenty years after she met Jesus.

I was blessed to have a mother whose wisdom and guidance has served me well over the course of my life. Whether we are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters or friends, we too can choose to let our stories help us grow into better people and use their lessons to love on others. Isn’t that part of what love is all about?

Daily Prompt: Saga

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Inspirational, Uncategorized Tagged With: Daily Post, Daily Prompt, Family, God, life, love, saga, stories

You can’t change their spots

May 12, 2016 3 Comments

My love and I in 94′

Since I like to impart knowledge to the younger crowd, I listen to their conversations with great attentiveness to things that bother them. When I hear them discussing relationships, my ears perk up because I have been married for 22 years and let’s just say I’ve learned a lot. So, in an attempt to save someone a little heartache or just to make you think, I wanted to share some thoughts. If you are currently in a relationship, it would behoove you to take great care to notice the things that irritate you now. Once you have been married for a few years, they will irritate you more. That cute little snuffling snore will become something you despise. Trust me on this one. I write more about it at Sleeping with the Enemy .

A good marriage is work; it doesn’t just happen and it’s not 50/50 like so many say; it requires each giving 100% for the best shot at making it work. Because it isn’t easy, you should be careful when you begin to consider a spouse; someone you intend to spend your life with (because in my opinion that should be the goal at the onset). If you are looking at it as something you can jump out of at a whim, you’re going in with the wrong attitude. Unfortunately, that seems to be how many younger folks see it, but I digress.

One of the things to consider is the fact that you cannot change someone. They are who and what they are and no amount of whining, griping, threatening, withholding or pouting is going to change that. That will only serve to make both of you more miserable. So, if you already have a growing list of the many things you do not like about your “love”, you better think long and hard about this.

When you’ve been married a couple of years and the baby has been up all night, the ac is out and your checkbook is in the negative, it takes patience and stick-to-itiveness. At times like these, when your knight in shining armor has let his facial hair get all prickly and he is sitting in his favorite spot in his boxers all puffed up like toad, you have to dig deep, sister. It’s not always like the movies…wait, it’s rarely ever like the movies.

What I am trying to convey is, don’t settle now thinking that your Mr. (or Mrs.) with the problem(s) is going to change once you marry, or once you have a baby, or once they get a job they like. If they have an addiction problem, they are going to carry it into the marriage and, in my opinion, keep it until they allow God to deliver them. If your “girl” has a spending problem, and you are very frugal, think twice or you might be paying off credit card debt for decades. If they aren’t romantic and you are sappy and schmaltzy and not happy if you aren’t having dinner by candlelight, think it through. I hear way too many of you young ones say, “Things will change when X happens”. No, they won’t. Don’t fool yourself.

No marriage is perfect, but figure out what your deal breakers are. I am saying this as a woman with a failed first marriage that lasted 10 years and a 2^nd one that has lasted 22. I love my husband dearly and I am grateful that we can talk things through and we have overcome many obstacles and have been through many storms together. We had family values in common and that is important. We don’t believe in going to bed mad so we don’t let things fester and get bitter over them. We are experts in the art of compromise. I would be remiss if I didn’t give glory to God for giving me the faith, grace and love to be a godly wife as I’m sure things wouldn’t have gone as well without His divine hand.

Remember what real love is and ask yourself if this is the kind of love you have. Obviously we all fail at some of this at times, but following is a good set of scriptures to meditate on and have been a source of strength for me in the darker hours. In the words of St Paul – Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Filed Under: Christian, Family and Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: Family, God, love, marriage, Relationships

A Tranquil and Quiet Start

When ‘Someday’ Becomes ‘I Did It

Misguided persistence

Restful Saturday at home

Post Irma musings

Hello October!

Cali; the gift that keeps on giving

Daily Prompt: Journey

Life is a saga

You can’t change their spots

Goodreads

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Goodreads

These things keep coming up!

Archives

Follow Blog via Email

Check out some of my most popular photos and ramblings

Blogs I Follow

How many people have stopped by to check it out?