APRIL 2025

OH MY STINKING HECK

The difference between 

2025 and 1980

is the same as

1980 and 1935. 

Oh my stinking heck!!!!!

MY COOKING AND MY LIFE

NO EXACT RECIPE…
GATHER ALL AVAILABLE INGREDIENTS AND WHIP YOURSELF UP SOMETHING DELICIOUS. 

L-M M

WILD FLOWERS

I spent a couple hours with a darling friend today. 

She is very dear to my heart. 

One of those relationships that must have started in heaven, because once we met we knew each other forever. 

She is planning her wedding celebration for April 2027 and has asked me to conduct the ceremony.

I am touched, honored and thrilled! 

Today she showed me the start of their plans…

A couple wedding venues, 

Dining options, 

And flowers … oh the flowers! 

Wild flowers in April!

I’m so excited!

PEACH TREE BLOSSOMS

PURPLE RAIN

In 1985 brother in law Mike, before he was my brother in law, sang Purple Rain in the back seat of my car.

He was so goofy. 

I loved that kid with all my heart. 

I will always think of Mike every time I hear Purple Rain. 💜

LISTENING TO MY PAST

I’m listening to the local home grown band belt out the tunes from my past. And I wonder what it would be like to have listened to all these songs as a kid and understand all the lyrics like I do now. How lucky I am to have lived in the 80s with the greatest music of all time. How lucky we all are to still be enjoying it live tonight! 

Spoiled by the band…

LIVE LOUDER

I hope you laugh more.

I hope you sing at the top of your lungs. 

I hope you drive with 

the windows down 

and let the wind rustle through your hair. 

I hope you hug.

I hope you kiss.

I hope you surround yourself with people who make you feel alive. 

I hope you become the type of person that 

brings good energy wherever you go,

and the type of person people want to be around. 

I hope you speak what’s on your mind, 

that you raise your 

voice for injustice, 

that you tell others 

that you love them, 

instead of waiting 

until it’s too late.

I hope you live louder 

and shine brighter. 

From this moment on.

Marina Donnelly

BEEAUTIFUL

Thanks to the photographer!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Optimism paints 

her vision. 

She sees kindness.

She sees miracles. 

She sees magic in places 

I can’t see it. 

S.D.

ABANDONMENT

DARLING

I think she’s absolutely perfect!

MODERN AMERICAN TEACHER

https://seandietrich.com/?

THE MODERN AMERICAN TEACHER

Sean Dietrich

She shall remain anonymous. 

Her classroom was out of control. Had been for a while. The kids in her “at-risk” fourth-grade class were about as organized as a prison riot. 

That’s what we call them in today’s world. “At-risk youth.” Once upon a time, in a less modern era, we might’ve called them “troubled youth.” But such words are unsavory in today’s modern and unbiased age. 

Either way, the kids never listened. They did not pay attention. They seemed to always have their hands where little hands should not be. Their indoor voices were loud enough to change the migratory patterns of most varieties of waterfowl. 

The endless behavioral issues were upsetting the young teacher’s life. She was trying so hard to reach them, but she left class each day feeling like a Stretch Armstrong doll on Christmas morning. 

Then. 

The teacher had this idea. The next morning, instead of their regular lesson plan, she paired the kids off. Everyone got a partner. 

The kids were required to find a private spot in the room and talk to one another. Their assignment was to write biographies on their partners. They were to do research. 

Most of the kids groaned and protested. But in the end, they did it. They all got together and started talking about their lives. Really talking.

“It was the most engaged I’d ever seen them…”  

Over the span of two days, kids were connecting with each other. They were empathizing. They were exercising compassion. There were no behavioral issues in class. 

“You could see everyone’s moods shift,” she said. “It was incredible.” 

This went on for a week. Until one morning, when the teacher was running late for class. 

There had been a wreck on the interstate, so a substitute watched over the classroom until the teacher arrived. 

When the young teacher walked in, something was definitely off. The air was weird. The kids were at their desks solemnly.  

The sub came to her quietly. “There has been an incident,” said the sub.  

Uh-oh, the young teacher was thinking, almost certain the incident would involve severe misbehavior. Or worse. Someone’s lower gastrointestinal system.  

“When I got here this morning,” explained the sub, “all the kids were praying with each other.” 

“Praying?” said the teacher. 

The substitute teacher nodded ominously. 

The sub said the kids were found paired off, praying for each other. Nobody instructed the children to do so. They just did it on their own. They were using the name “God” and everything. 

There were overheard prayers for food security, prayers for parents to find employment, prayers for moms to quit using drugs, prayers for dads to quit being violent. Eyes closed. Heads bowed. Some were crying. Others embraced. 

The young teacher was so touched she began to weep. To make a difference in a child’s life is a feeling like no other. 

But, because this is an incredibly modern and unbiased age we live in, the teacher was fired the following weekday. 

Perhaps we’re too modern for our own good.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“As we navigate this strange and anxious world, choosing joy becomes more than a personal act of resilience — it becomes a radical gesture of hope.”

​

– ZACHARY KAI

BOURBON PHASE

John is going through his Bourbon Phase. 

I hear it is very common in men who are in their 60s. 

We ran into an old friend of his, who is also in his Bourbon Phase. One of my dearest friend’s husbands is also going through his Bourbon Phase, so I know I’m in good company. 

The Bourbon Phase should not be confused with the Midlife Crisis Phase. 

It’s nothing at all like that. 

There are so many benefits to the Bourbon Phase.

*His understanding for my “SEWING/CRAFTING COLLECTION PHASE”

*He is more social-

 Invites friends and neighbors over more (Zac was over watching college ball with us last night!)

*He is becoming more educated on bourbon. 

*ROAD TRIPS

He wants to see all the distilleries. I love the road trips and the history. 

If you ask me, I think this Bourbon Phase is great!

Side note: I still don’t like the taste of bourbon, but that doesn’t matter, I don’t have to drink it and it’s his phase!

And…

HONEYFEST

This year’s dates are September 18, 19 & 20, 2025. 

Clarkson Kentucky Honeyfest 

FAVORITE

This is one of my all time favorite movies. This is Romance. 

Tickets for the big screen have been purchased! 

EXCITED

A big part of being happy is being excited. Being excited for everything: 

making a cup of tea, seeing a friend, the next episode of your favorite show, buying something you’ve been saving up for, sunsets, traveling, 

a new book.

Live a life you are

 excited about. 

HELLO SPRING

I needed you!

TODAY IS…

What is the International Day of Happiness?

It’s a day to be happy, of course! Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.” 

Governments and international organizations should invest in conditions that support happiness by upholding human rights and incorporating well-being and environmental dimensions into policy frameworks, such as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The effectiveness of governments in upholding peace and social order, as well as in the fields of taxation, legal institutions and delivery of public services, strongly correlates with average life satisfaction.

The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Find ecstasy in life; 

the mere sense of

living is 

joy enough.”

Emily Dickinson 

WITH A CHANCE OF VOLCANOES

A sweet older lady stopped in the office yesterday and wanted to take care of a few things. As many are, she was a chatterbox and went on and on about this and that. She didn’t come to see me, and wasn’t at my desk, but in my office, you can hear just about everything. Well, she started talking about last weekends storms and all the damage the hail had done to our community. Then she shared what the weather man said we were in for last night. Yes the wind was pretty fierce and the sky looked menacing, but this sweet lady said we had a chance of volcanoes all night. 

Please understand, I was busy at my desk, I was concentrating on the files in front of me. I do try not to listen into the conversations around me. But like I say, it’s a very open office and we hear everything! 

When she said volcanos, my closest coworker and I looked at each other and smiled. But when she continued to repeat the word volcanos, we silently lost it. It was the comic relief we needed. 

The agent she was working with finally asked if she meant tornados and she said yes without missing a beat and just kept on talking. 

So do careful out there, wherever you are, I guess there is always the chance of volcanoes!!!

RELIGION IN THE U.S.

KENTUCKY WEATHER

Saturday we had a thunderstorms with super awful hail showers. Tomorrow will be perfect bike riding weather. 

What the heck is happening Thursday, I don’t even understand. 

IRISH SHENANIGANS

IRISH KISSES AND SHAMROCK WISHES

STORM

They called for a tornado watch all night long. So I put the inflatable mattress in the basement about the time I was putting the steaks on the skillet for supper. And since the UK Cats still weren’t playing by 8:15 I got cozy on that inflatable bed in the basement. 

At some point, I made it up the stairs and into my bed. That inflatable mattress is a bit chilly. 

At 4:40 this morning my phone went off. A severe thunderstorm warning. So I checked the radar and felt safe to go tinkle. My house was warm. There was lots of lightning but I couldn’t hear any thunder. It was quiet. Then it sounded scary, like odd. So I woke John up and we headed back to the basement as the hail started to pepper the house. I have never experienced anything like that before. It was scary. I’m not looking forward to seeing the damage to my car and I hope no windows have damaged. 

But we took a look outside about 30 minutes after the start of the hail storm and this is what we found. 

MIRACLES

The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things. 

Hans Christian Andersen

NASHVILLE

I went to Nashville for a friends birthday last weekend. Went places I hadn’t gone before, did things I hadn’t done before, saw things I hadn’t seen before. 

“Oh my, Good Lord!”

Then there was THIS! Where the mirror should have been. You just had to laugh!!!!

It was fun! But I absolutely took a nap when I got home! 

IT’S YOUR LIFE

It’s your place 

in the world; 

it’s your life.

Go on and do all 

you can with it, 

and make it the life 

you want to live.”

Mae Jamison

2025 ROUTE

SEASONS

WALKABLE CITIES

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-the-most-walkable-cities-in-the-world/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4bf685d78644b3aa504c9

THE BEST

Maybe I was starving!

But at the time, 

that Corndog on Broadway in Nashville was amazing!

SMILE and SILENCE

Smile and Silence

are two powerful tools.

Smiling is a way to solve 

many problems and 

Silence is a way 

to avoid them.

…

Unless you are in a relationship…

then smile and talk 

about all the things.

 All the things!

Because silence 

is a death sentence 

for relationships!

AM

LIVE IT

When You’re Righteous 

You Don’t Have To

Tell People That 

You’re Righteous 

Or Kind

Or Giving

Or Thoughtful

Or Or Or

Let Who You Are

Speaks For Itself 

ANOTHER TRUTH

“You take people 

as far as they will go, 

not as far as you would 

like them to go.”

Jeannette Rankin

I’M NONE OF THOSE THINGS

I am none of those things. 

So I may be chatty, I may be loud, I may be flirty and fun. But I will never let anyone write my story for me ever again.

STUNNING

FLAT STANLEY

Years ago my dearest friend Tammy and her elementary school class sent Flat Stanley to me and my children. We took him around Arizona on a couple of adventures. Then we sent him and some photos along with a report of the advents back to his class. I loved this opportunity and truly wish more teachers did this with their children. 

Now that that is memory in my past, along comes a new FLAT STANLEY. Perhaps not new, but new to me. This group of guys has the right sound to keep this girl up far past her 9pm bed time. 

We got the opportunity to take a look at the new Owensboro Gaming institution, chatted with lots of people we knew and sang along to lots of great tunes. It was a fun night! 

MARCH 2025

IT WAS SO COOL

As I go through all the things I have collected (not horded) I came a cross my old cell phone. It was between my flip phone and my first iPhone. 

Back when the true addiction began. 

It made me laugh! 

BEDROOM FURNITURE

There is something so rewarding and satisfying about new furniture. 

But to finally get new bedroom furniture after living out of the dressers your children used a lifetime ago is so so so very wonderful. 

I cannot express the feeling of glee at having enough drawers to be able to see all my things without having to practically empty everything out in order to find anything.

 Order. New. Happy Me!

FOR SALE SIGN WHIPLASH

I went to work Thursday and nothing was out of the ordinary. I came home from work Thursday and there was a FOR SALE sign in my neighbors yard. 

I woke up Friday morning to an email from a realtor that said the house was pending.  I feel like I have “for  sale sign whiplash”. 

COURAGE

It 

Takes 

Courage

To Believe 

That

The Best

Is Yet

To Come

Robin Roberts

WINTER CHANGES EVERYTHING

As I drove through Kentucky and Tennessee yesterday, I was surprised and delighted to see how different things look in the winter. 

Farmers fields, affected by the Kentucky flooding looked like river ways rather than hibernation plots. The forest topography seen through the snowy woods was now 3D and you could see the sharp stone cliffs that usually disappear in the foliage. 

I am fascinated by the water that freezes from between layers of rock along highways creating ice icicles. Decorating the edge of the highway so elegantly. 

I love to see all the trees, the evergreens, surrounding by leafless sentinels, some bare, some sporting snow shawls. Silent and majestic. 

 I also love the ponds, in various degrees of frozen states. It’s all just magical to me. 

Then there are the animals! Yesterday I saw a farm with more than a dozen Shetland Ponies! They were darling! 

I saw a farm with Bison! (They have been a favorite since I was little.)

There was one field that had something in it, but I wasn’t sure just what. 

I drove slow so I could see. I thought they were turkeys, but I had never seen so many. There had to be about three dozen. As I got close enough to be sure, and there was Tom right in the center of his close knit community with his tail feathers all on display. He was huge! I was very impressed!

I saw squirrels at the lake. I am always surprised at how different squirrels look wherever you go. 

And I passed fields with groups of deer. So many! 

I was glad to see them. They tell me ‘it’s a perfect day’. They’re so beautiful.

I was also very glad they weren’t too near the roads I was driving!

 This girl from the desert may never tire of all Mid West Winter Wonders! 

It was a PERFECT DAY!

SOMEWHERE NEW TO ME

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE