Like many midlife couples, as children marry and move farther from home, we’ve reached the moment when long-held traditions must bend. We will still be together—just not on Christmas Day. And as I look back on 2025, I see that this wasn’t an isolated change. It was a year marked by a difficult parting, unusual holidays, shifting rituals, and moments that felt almost unreal. It all began on Day One.
Read MoreFive years ago (during the heart of the pandemic) I wrote a piece that still makes me chuckle, and reminds me to keep things in perspective at this time of year. It’s a fresh take on the empty-nester’s holiday wish list, in which I reflect on the nostalgia we all feel at this time of year and the benefits of the slower-paced empty nest. I also outline my realistic holiday wish list with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor.
Read MoreI don’t remember where we first heard of the concept of a “Worry Box,” but it was an apt analogy for the worrying tendencies around our home. While I’m typically an optimist—always hopeful and looking on the bright side—my husband balances me out with his concern over things that could go wrong.
Read MoreAs World Diabetes Day (November 14) converges with skyrocketing health insurance premiums and the potential loss of marketplace subsidies, this story is a good reminder of the personal cost to many. Based on a quick Google search, it seems the need for affordable healthcare is something most Americans can agree on.
Read MoreIt’s All Saints’ Day throughout the world—a day when Christians remember the saints that have gone before. Below, I share seven books that I’ve read recently, and it’s occured to me that each of my five-stars reads introduced me to characters who—though not saints in every sense—display a measure of saintliness that absolutely sets them apart.
Read MoreBack in July, I had the pleasure of chatting with my friend, Ruthie Gray, on her “Sandwich Season Sanity” podcast. Although she released the episode on September 15, that’s when I was deep into wedding planning and didn’t have time to tell you about it. I’m doing that now!
Read MoreIt’s my 63rd birthday! Although sixty-three isn’t a big milestone, each successful spin around the sun reminds me to reflect on the gift of another year. As I celebrate sixty-three years on planet Earth, here are the thoughts I’m thinking.
Read MoreYou know that feeling you get after returning from an amazing vacation? You spend hours planning and anticipating, and then gazing at those sparkling turquoise waters, majestic snow-capped mountains, ancient architectural wonders—the unforgettable sights dreamed of for months.
Read MoreI recently had the opportunity to chat with Lisa Granger on her podcast/radio show, “A Woman’s Heart.” Lisa was so warm and welcoming that—although we’d never met before—it felt like I was talking with a longtime friend.
Read MoreThe audiobooks on my drives to and from Minnesota, as well as books I’ve read for the “Sister Wolf” book club (at Beagle and Wolf Books in Park Rapids, MN), have been a welcome distraction from the excitement and stress of wedding planning. I’ve got some reviews and recommendations for you, so let’s get to it!
Read MoreI’ve struggled all week to find a theme for this post, putting pressure on myself to impart some great nuggets of wisdom—some lasting takeaways—for you, my reader. I haven’t written to you in over a month, and during that time, I’ve had countless bright ideas pop into my head. Unfortunately, if I don’t jot them down, they vanish. Midlife brain works that way.
Read MoreWhile I get real satisfaction from turning real pages, I also really enjoy audiobooks. I love that I’m able to do other things (i.e. knit, clean house, and DRIVE!) while reading a book. I’m curious how common audiobooks are with my readers.
Read MoreLast Saturday, in nearly 90-degree heat (thankfully with a canopy for shade, a nice breeze, and lots of water), I attended my first local author fair, “3rd Street Festival” in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Since I call this up-north lake country “home” for much of the summer, I now qualify as a “local,” and I’m loving it!
Read MoreA guest post interview by my writer-friend, Michelle Rayburn. Michelle interviewed me about the release of my new book, Empty-Nest Joyride.
Read MoreI arrived back at our Minnesota cabin on May 19th and, after two weeks of up-north living, I’ll head back to Michigan on Tuesday. I’ve already enjoyed many of the perks that comes with our cabin life—lively dinners with neighbors, invigorating bike spins with Tom, captivating views of the lake and eagle sightings, relaxing kayak rides, Minnesota brats (sausage mixed with wild rice and blueberries), and evenings spent reading with loon songs—my favorite thing—in the background.
Read MoreThis week, I discovered the secret ingredient to pulling off live video. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with camera angle, although making sure your face is well-lighted and not silhouetted by a bright backlit window helps. And it’s not having a memorized script, although being familiar with your topic is a plus. It’s not even about your hair and makeup, but if that builds your confidence, go for it.
Read MoreEmpty-Nest Joyride made her debut into the world today and she’s ready to fly! One thing I’ve learned is that launching a book is not for the faint of heart! There were a few times this week I thought my brain might explode with all the different tasks I was trying to juggle. But giving birth was never easy, was it?
Read MoreThe past TWO months have been a little crazy as I finish up editing, publishing, and will soon be launching my book! So, with limited time for reading, I only finished TWO books. Because I have only TWO books to share, I’ll give you a few more gems to add truth, beauty, and goodness—or at least a little entertainment—to your life.
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