Every day I open my eyes and look out the window to the right of my bed here at the farm. I smile when I see the sun just touching the ridge across the road and I thank God for the gift of another day. I look around the room that my grandparents shared for thirty-some years. My eyes settle on an old grainy black and white picture of six children, blissfully unaware that they were poor as church mice. My mother, the eldest, stands in the back, her head cocked with a wry smile on her pretty face. I don’t think my mother ever believed she was beautiful but with her wavy raven hair, dancing green eyes, and quick, open smile…she was darling. I smile back at my mama and her siblings. Half of my loved ones in this photo are gone now, their smiles left frozen for all time in a cheap 5×7 metal frame.

I reach for my phone to check the news, weather, and e-mails. I check in with messaging and answer anything that came in overnight. I get up and make my coffee and cereal. Then I “come to The Ranch” and sit with you here. I read every one of your comments and respond in some way…either a “like” or a comment in return. I do that because I want you to know I read every word you write. The words you share with me move me. They make me think. They remind me of where I’ve been or give me hope for where I’m going. They humble me and touch my heart. They remind me how blessed I am and I am so grateful.

I had a conversation with my agent the other day. I sent my book proposal at the end of summer and I’ve been trying to write from the outline. I’ve been just frozen for weeks. I can’t write that way. I am an extemporaneous writer…I tell story after story and weave them together like cloth. When I try to write from an outline it’s about as interesting as reading the instructions included with your vacuum cleaner. So, frustrated, I told her I have to do this differently. I have to just write the book, then I can write the outline and then the book proposal. My biggest fear, I told her, is running out of time. I don’t want to miss this opportunity because I’m stumbling in the dark. She assured me she isn’t going anywhere…and that’s a great relief! So, I keep plugging away.

After I read your comments and I interact, I do my chores and in the afternoon I sit down and write my post for the next day. Sometimes it’s late in the afternoon and I sit in front of my “happy light”. This week has been so gorgeous here in WV. We are having cold nights, but our days are unseasonably warm. Wednesday, I sat out on the front porch to write my post and I wanted to share my view with you. It is truly a gift to get to sit here with you every day. It is a gift to wake up to the same view out the same window that my grandparents looked through every morning. It is a gift to have friends and neighbors stop by for a cup of coffee or call with a cheery hello.

I know there is turmoil going on out there. I know there is backlash after the election, but I cannot “go out there”. There’s a reason I stopped watching TV when Mr. Virgo died. It’s too distressing. I don’t have my head in the sand. I know what’s going on because I read the news. I just don’t listen to endless rounds of talking heads spewing commentary. I find out what I need to know then I do something else. It’s much better for my well-being. I know I’m pretty insulated here…but, it’s the way I like it. The way I need it. For now anyway.

❤️

“Rejoice always,”‭‭

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬