Today, I am giving thanks for our daughters.

I love the days we can spend time together,  whether it's one of them at a time, or both, just chatting and catching up on everything from the trivial to the deeply philosophical.

While we don't always agree, we can respect, and we can find many common interests, one of which is our love of these hills we call home.

I  watch Hannah with Oaklee and I see how she gives and gives of herself while trying to maintain a sense of herself. I know it's hard when your kids are little.

I share a sunset with Chelsea, and we soak up the beauty of it, without the need for many words.

Investing in young lives comes with a reward. I'm amazed at how our girls have "turned out," even as their lives unfold in ways I can't anticipate.

But, I think I can say with assurance, girls, you never stop "turning out."

We will forever be a work in progress, and that's okay.

Life is a journey.

What a blessing to have little girls who become friends along the way.

“Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a sign that we don't need a lot of money to be happy--in fact, the opposite.” 
― Jean Vanier

Estill County really is a good place to live and raise a family.  

And here are a few reasons why.  

This morning, Ravenna city officials and members of the American Legion gathered at the park to honor our veterans.  

I usually go to take pictures at this event.  Sometimes the crowds are sparse, but the faithful carry on, because it's important. 

On my way home, I pitched a few dollars to a roadblock collecting money for the volunteer rescue squad. Our community gives generously to causes such as these over and over.

Later in the day there was a prayer service/memorial for our local police officers and other first responders. The service honored Officer Daniel Ellis who was murdered in Madison County a few days ago as he attempted to investigate an armed robbery.  Some of our local policemen knew Officer Ellis personally.  His death hit too close to home.  

After that service, my hubs and I went to the American Legion for the annual oyster dinner they've been preparing for veterans for several decades. 

With full bellies, we made a final stop at the high school to watch the marching band perform for the last time this year.  

Our high school cheerleaders won at regional competition today too, and will be headed to state soon.    

I say we are fortunate to live in a big-hearted small town where people take care of their own. 

Last night I attended a local art show in town where participants displayed their work and talked about it.
The stories behind the art are part of what makes it interesting.
There's such a vulnerability in sharing anything we've created, whether it's visual art, music or writing.
I'm glad the director of the program was warm and encouraging. It would be so easy to stifle the spirit with careless words.
One crafter in attendance spoke of the way the wholesale production of her art zaps her creativity even though it pays the bills.
I can relate. I went to school to earn a degree in creative writing, yet I'm now a reporter, gathering facts, and relaying information.
Constant newspaper deadlines can cause cause my creative well to run dry.   Being with like-minded individuals fans the flames though. 

I am officially old. Boring. Dull. An old fuddy-duddy.

But, this just doesn't sound like country music to me.
Most of it sounds like a racket.
I can hear the echo of my mother's voice when I played the radio louder than she liked, back before the  invention of earbuds.
"Turn that racket down," she'd say.
I thought she was boring, getting old, you know.  But I have become my mother.
Or maybe just old, like Brooks and Dunn.

Who in the world is Chris Stapleton?  Sounds like he's from Barnes Mountain.
I kinda like him.

Just a picture of a restful scene...

Lawdy, lawdy, what a day. Just got home from a looooonnng one, and I still didn't get  it all done.

This week the news is full of the best and worst behavior of the people around here.

On a positive note, the marching band won the state championship on Saturday night!

Sounds like the whole county came out to welcome them home.

A meth lab was also discovered this weekend, and several alleged thieves caught up with.

Stupid thieves. Or,  under the influence ones.
How can you steal 60 pairs of Carhartt merchandise and sell them around the area and not expect to get caught?

Do you really think you can hide 40 suboxone strips in your crotch area and not be discovered when you get checked into the  Irvine Hilton?

I think I will go to bed. My brain is tired.

Newly November

"The meaning of life is to give life meaning."


I've been making an effort to think of the beginning of each month as a new start much like I do at the beginning of each New Year.  I like to take a little time to get motivated to be better and accomplish things, as well as to pause and look back.

Maybe I'm a bit weird in that marking time is so important to me.

Essentially, though, that's what I do as a newspaper editor.  I look ahead, plan ahead, and I look back. I also look around.  I observe.  I snap photos.  I take notes.

My whole life revolves around recording things.

So here I go again, only on a more personal note.

These long dark evenings are a good time to think and reflect and plan and dream.

They are a good time to find meaning and create meaning in a world gone drab for a season.

But only for a season, because spring will be here before you know it!