“They’re just going to die anyway.” “That’s just waste of money.” “You’re being selfish- that money could be used for something or someone else.” Sound familiar to you? It does to me, and it’s a narrative that played out in my head every time I’d pass by bouquets of flowers, or even words that would…
Blister Beetles: An Invitation to Surrender, Day by Day
I’m sure my Oklahoma friends will recall the historic drought that covered our state a few years back in 2022. That’s the setting for this short little chapter of my life that I’ve always thought of as “Blister Beetles.” And though it may be short, it probably (more like definitely) has been the most impactful…
A Girl’s Guide to Gallivanting Across Osage County: Hiking the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and the Best Timeline for a Girl’s Day in Pawhuska
The rolling hills and plains of Osage County force me to both take a breath of fresh air and to linger in each said breath, as I can only attempt to soak in all the beauty that surrounds me. It’s here where I find myself craving to return to when my mind needs settling, my…
The Year I Let Go of the Pen
It’s the last day of the year 2025. I don’t know what kind of person you are at the end of the year…maybe you make resolutions, recluse in quiet to reflect on the past twelve months, or maybe you have no clue what the date is because that week after Christmas is kind of like…
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies
I can officially say I’ve been using this classic sugar cookie recipe for a decade now. I began making these simple and sweet cookies on my first Christmas as a young bride, and here we are, ten years later, with several little hands helping us bake them. Grab some helpers and some cute Christmas cookie…
Virinda Taylor Longmire: A Woman Who Lived Life Well
Three boys run around this cozy house we call home, so as I’m sure you can imagine, I never lack for dirty dishes, laundry, and floors to clean. Today I was working on cleaning the smudge prints off all the windows and glass in the house when I stopped to clean the glass of the…
To Never Despise a Humble Beginning
In a little less than a month I’ll turn thirty. Three decades of humble beginnings that I can look back and smile on. It’s the start of so many stories that I get to share here with you. I wrote one of those stories here: From Blog to Purpose: The Heart of the Homeland Story,…
Just the Dreamy Reflections of a Girl in the Rockies at Sunrise
I came hungry. My soul needing to be filled with something beautiful. Something that would take my breath away. It’s dark, but the rising sun will soon engulf the mountain peaks in a fiery blaze of pink and orange tones. It’s why we’re here sitting in the silent of night. I’m hungry for morning’s light…
The Story of My girl, Marty: How the Storms of Life Make the Need For Love Shine Bright
Some dogs are bred, raised, and trained for unique and specific jobs; you’ve got your hunting dogs, cow dogs, herding dogs, show dogs, guard dogs, and well, you get the gist of it- different dogs for different jobs. I’ve always loved to watch different breeds work or compete at what their best at. Seeing them…
When Hearts Feel Heavy.
My heart is heavy friend, and if you’re reading this then there’s a good chance yours is too. So much sorrow, grief, evil, and injustice. It’s heavy. Too heavy for you to bear and too heavy for me. I’ve cried and poured my heart out before the Lord. I begged for his light to shine…