Springtime is in the air. The winter silence has burned off, and the days are filled with sweet melodies of bird calls. Bird calls break before dawn at my house to tickle my ears and put a smile across my face. For several weeks my attention to the sound notes and variety in bird calls…

The wood-wick candles at Target are my favorite. Amber + Cedar is my preferred scent. I burn the candles down until they go out on their own. The candle I am lighting tonight looks about finished. When I strike the match and touch the flame to the wick, it burns dimly low in the jar.…

Summer days are heating up in Texas. I feel like the fourth of July celebrations mark the midpoint of summer fun. The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the time to soak in the sun. Catching rays in the backyard, on the lake, or a sandy oceanside, there is one experience that is…

As Christmas quickly approaches, the season sparkles with laughter, fun, and delight. From lights, to music, to cozy nights around the fire, people gather with loved ones. The facial expressions are what top off these holiday memories for me. I will always remember the sound of my dad’s “oooohh” when he opens a gift he…

In the fifth grade I put on my first pair of glasses. To this day, I remember the moment my sight changed. I could see the world with crisp clarity. What led to my awareness of blurred vision is from months of tired, strained eyes in the classroom working double time to see the overhead…

Summer is here. Camps are in session. I can feel the hype, energy, and excitement in the air. From shopping last minute needs of bandanas for Western Night to colorful tie dye shirts for the cabin volleyball tournament the hustle is in full swing. There is something special about camp that draws teenagers away from…

Last year, I made it to northern California. Greeted with acres upon acres of rolling vineyards the setting was incredible. Green spaces are my idea of a recharging vacation. The memorable parts of the trip are the people my sister and I got to know at the vineyards. Women and men that roll up their…

Saturday mornings are maybe one of my favorite pockets of time each week. There is something sacred about the space between sunrise and lunchtime. As a child, Saturday mornings included a fresh batch of the best homemade waffles by my Mom. We gathered around the table together as a family, bed head and all. After…

Puzzles are a productive outlet I gravitate towards to work with my hands and let my mind take a break. Every puzzle requires time and attention for it to take shape. The pieces do not magically put themselves together. At the beginning of a new puzzle, I shuffle through pieces to find the corners, edges,…

A steady drizzle on the windowpane. The spraying mist on play in the background. An unexpected downpour with large rain drops. The sideway sheets of rain an umbrella cannot save you from. I love all kinds. The slow progression as rain clouds roll in or when the sudden flood gates open from a sunny sky.…