- Playing with my grandchildren.
- Research
- Lesson plans
- Listening to audiobooks.
- Hiking in the mountains
- Spending time with those I hold dear.
- Writing
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Well, now that I am living a healthier lifestyle, I have changed my daily menu. Now, I eat well-balanced meals and tend to stay away from some of the sugary concoctions I once enjoyed. Refined sugars create havoc and pain and lots and lots of brain fog. Still, I like to partake in a sweet treat, so I have found a hot chocolate treat that comes loaded with collagen, vitamins, and protein. I add a dash of sugar-free whipped cream and drizzle sugar-free caramel sauce on top. Since it also incorporates ashwagandha, it’s the perfect bedtime snack that helps me relax before I retreat for the night.

Photo by Yuyang Liu on Unsplash
At this moment in my life, I can’t imagine not having a dog around the house, especially now that I am older and my life has slowed somewhat. Without a doubt, my furry companions minister unconditional love and comic relief and keep me moving, whether I want to or not.

After a long day at work, they greet me at the door. My furbabies yip, jump, and stay close to my heels as I move about the house. Their excitement as I come through the door makes me smile. At night, when it’s time to settle down and prepare to sleep, my pups come running, for they love to cuddle at night. They paw at the blankets, waiting for me to lift the corners, so they can curl up next to me. These two are sweet companions that enrich my world.

Often Max and Mitzi make me roar with laughter, for their antics keep me on my toes. Sometimes my Twinkies fuss at each other and tell each other off for some minor misdeed. And if they feel slighted, these two will pout if they believe I am paying more attention to the other sibling. Mitzi is more demanding, so if she feels aggrieved, she just wiggles onto my lap and refuses to take no for an answer. On the other hand, Max lies quietly and gives puppy dog eyes. Of course, his actions melt my heart, so I call him, but sometimes the little stinker makes me wait and refuses my calls to make me atone for my neglect.


Max will also take Mitzi’s stuffed “babies” and throw them off the bed or down the stairs into the basement. While he scurries about creating havoc, Mitzi whines, chases after her toys and tries to corral them back into hiding. It’s not uncommon to find her toys hidden under my blankets.

Although they sometimes fuss with each other, these two hate to be separated. When this occurs, Max and Mitzi stick close to each other’s side as soon as they are reunited. While it’s hard to round them up after they make an escape, I still have to laugh as I watch the partners in crime race about the neighborhood. Side by side, they rush into the prairie chasing birds or some poor unsuspecting rabbit. Life is never dull with my two escape artists.

And finally, they keep me active. We take walks and explore hiking trails around my home, or sometimes, we head for the hills or local park. And on the days when time is limited, we play in the backyard. My sweet pups keep me moving and provide a lively form of entertainment. Life is just better with a dog. Guess it’s true, as the saying goes. Dogs really are a woman’s best friend.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
― Theodore Roosevelt
Great teachers…..
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Easy! Blue jeans Forever!
Some of my favorite outfits –




Photo by Maude Frédérique Lavoie on Unsplash
As retirement looms closer than ever, I look forward to the day when I slow down and enjoy each new day doing the things I love to do. I want to spend more time with those I hold dear, and I want to travel, relax, and write.
In this crazy hectic time in which we live, I want to be able to slow down and spend time with my loved ones. I long to attend my grandkids’ sporting events. I wish to spend more time playing with them and be present for those memorable moments. In addition, I would like to spend time with dear friends while relaxing at a favorite pub, cafe, or winery or watching a favorite movie.
Of course, I would love to explore my world, especially in Colorado. I have started a bucket list of places I want to visit in my state. It has so many beautiful and unique places to explore. In fact, I started my bucket list at the start of summer vacation. Two weeks ago, I visited two locations on my list, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Kiowa County and Bent’s Old Fort in Otero County. And I look forward to seeing more places this summer.
Although I enjoy teaching, once school begins, days of relaxation come to a screaming halt! My job consumes more hours than I care to admit! With lesson and unit plans, grading, researching, and so much more, my days blend together with ongoing work and responsibilities. And once again, my content area has shifted, so I must develop new lesson plans and ideas to meet Colorado State Standards. Thankfully, I have a jump start on my responsibilities and lessons planned into October. But I still have three more quarters to focus on this year. Since I still have so much work for this upcoming year, I want to start going into my building once a week to prepare for the new year’s lessons.
And, of course, I want to continue to write and then write some more! I would also love to find time for some creative writing workshops or classes to hone my skills. But I know I will continue researching, writing, and adding to my blog. Writing has provided a sense of adventure for me. It is one fun-loving activity that has kept me engaged and sane in this wild and hectic world in which we live.
Photo by Claud Richmond on Unsplash
Every moment spent with my grandmother, Elva Bryant, was a cherished memory, a golden thread woven into the fabric of my childhood. Her home, with its inviting porch and small garden bursting with life, was more than just a place—it was a sanctuary of warmth and comfort. The cozy charm of her tiny green cottage was only surpassed by the quiet grace of the woman who lived within its walls. With her boundless love and gentle spirit, my grandmother had a way of making each of us feel like the most special person in her life.
Visiting Grandma was always a treat, and I treasured every opportunity to spend time with her. Often, I would stop by to see her, eager to lend a hand with housework or simply bask in her company. Dusting was one of my favorite chores—not because I enjoyed cleaning, but because Grandma’s collection of knick-knacks was a trove of stories waiting to be told. Each delicate figurine, each well-loved trinket, had a tale attached, and she delighted in sharing them with me.
In the kitchen, she had a small collection of ceramic chickens, their bright colors standing out against the warm hues of her home. Those little hens always prompted stories of the ranch, of flocks she had cared for in another time and place. She would chuckle as she described the pint-sized bantams—tiny but full of attitude—strutting about the chicken yard as if they were in charge of the entire coop.
Her green Victorian-style sofa, its fabric soft and welcoming, was adorned with a sheepskin—a quiet nod to her deep love for animals. The mere mention of her lambs would bring a twinkle to her eye as she reminisced about their playful antics and soft, trusting faces. Even her cows were more than just livestock; they were beloved companions, their gentle eyes and familiar routines etched into the landscape of her memories.
Grandma’s kindness extended to all creatures, no matter how small. When neighborhood cats had kittens, she would leave out food for them, and before long, they made themselves at home. Some remained in the yard, sunning themselves on the porch, while the more adventurous ones ventured inside. It never failed to amuse her when a kitten leapt onto her lap, curled up, and purred contentedly. She would stroke their fur absentmindedly as she watched her afternoon soaps, a variety show, or chatted with guests who had come to visit.
Afternoons were often spent on the porch, where she would sit with me as I weeded the strawberry patch and tended to her flower garden. Grandma adored her pansies and Johnny Jump-Ups, their cheerful faces peeking out from the rich soil. She also loved hens and chicks—the tiny, clustered succulents that thrived in the nooks of her flower beds. As I worked, she would share stories of Colorado, her voice filled with longing for the place she once called home. Even as a child, I could sense the beauty of the land she missed so dearly.
But my favorite stories were those about life on Roger’s Mesa. I swelled with pride knowing that my family had real cowboys and cowgirls—men and women who rode horseback, herded sheep, and lived by the rhythms of the land. Grandma spoke of moving the sheep to the mountains in the summer, of long days spent shearing wool, and of neighbors coming together to lend a helping hand. Through her words, I understood that family was the heart of her world, and she made certain we never forgot just how much we meant to her.
Decades have passed, and still, I bask in the glow of my grandmother’s love, even though she has been gone for over forty years. The warmth of her devotion lingers, wrapping around me like the softest embrace. I miss her, but I find peace in knowing that one day, I will sit beside her once more. And when that moment comes, I will lean in close, eager to listen as she tells me about her heavenly homecoming and the new adventures she has found in the arms of those she loves.
Vanilla bean, pumpkin caramel spice, whipped cream, pumpkin sauce… just a few of my favorite things…
A few days ago, I blogged about my favorite season; fall of course, and how I discovered pumpkin caramel spice coffee from Crazy Cups, which I quickly ordered. Well, it arrived, and it’s amazing! I brewed my coffee in my single-cup coffee pot. I added Jordan’s Skinny Girl Vanilla Bean Syrup and a dash of heavy whipping cream. After stirring my creamy concoction, I added sugar-free whipped cream and then drizzled the last of my Jordan’s Skinny Girl Pumpkin Spice Sauce over the whipped cream. And well, it’s pure heaven. I decided this new version will be my go-to pumpkin spice coffee. It’s a healthier version and a lot easier on the pocketbook.
Bonus: Southern Colorado has received lots of rain and the weather has remained springlike around my little house on the prairie. This morning’s temps hovered around 54 degrees. While sipping my coffee on the patio, wrapped in a cozy throw, it felt like a fall morning. I was in my happy place. And my pumpkin spice coffee was that added delight.
Calories: (about) 96
Carbs: 0.6
Rhymes and Reasons for Every Season
"Mindfulness, motherhood & Real life"
"Crafting Stories, Celebrating Culture."
Stunning Handbags made from Upcycled Wool and Linens
Poems, prose, and observations
Go places - Meet people - Write stories
Positive thoughts from a Christian perspective.
Finding My Way Home
I feel like writing for everyday people
Spiritual growth through self-examination
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. ~ Psalm 147:3
Health and Cultural Issues
The Blog of Fantasy Author Victoria Grefer
Fine Artist
Stories of God, country, family & simpler times that will take you back home.
Historical Fiction with a touch of Romance
An Independent Nondiscriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations - FOUNDED 2014
The blogging challenge keep you motivated and start the new year on the "write" track!
Write the first 50 words of YOUR story in a comment.
Free prompts, no contest.
Fantasy Author
Fountains, Birdbaths, Statues, Benches, Stepping Stones, Planters and more!
A Genetic & Genealogical Forest
Smile! laugh out loud! enjoy the following
Fiction Writer in Poet's Clothing
Come Explore With Us
Saving History One Letter at a Time
Family and local stories and history, favorite books
Researching, Preserving, and Sharing Genealogical Information For Future Generations
Every Family has a story to tell..........Welcome to mine
Declaring The Simplicity Of Christ And The Riches Of His Kingdom
Around The Table
An online research journal
Family Writing & Film Festival. A festival showcasing the best of family and kids stories from around the world.
Poetry, Other Words, and Cats
the stories behind the pictures, and vice versa
Poetry, lyrics, other words and art…
Helping others discover their roots
“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.” Teaching children values and giving them the opportunity to excel is essential to good parenting. However, I feel I must also provide my children (and myself) insight into the ones who came before us: our ancestors whose lives and stories have shaped us into who we are. This is my journey; these are their stories…
~creating a legacy through story genealogy