Wild Life

May 19, 2026

Today while on our usual walk at the cabin we were almost attacked by a bear. Or at least that’s Terry’s version of the story.

We were almost home after spending some time watching the geese families on the lake. While passing by a thicket of bushes and oak trees Terry suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Since we walk hand in hand, I also stopped. His eyes intently searched the brush on his side of the gravel road.

“What is it?” I asked in a loud whisper.

“I heard something!”

“Was it that?” I asked as his stomach rumbled again.

“Yes! What is that?!” he asked, cautiously stepping away from the brush, pulling me with him.

“It’s just your belly talking!” I giggled.

Proverbs 15:13, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Thank you, Terry, for always protecting me and giving me something to laugh about.

 

The Worst Place

May 15, 2026

Three years ago this week, this was my best friend. . . my only friend. My big cat, Frank.

Three years ago this week, I escaped an abusive relationship.

When this photo was taken that week, I had just received an order from Chewy, his favorite catnip flavored Temptations treats. Frank was always cramming himself into spaces that were too small for him. He didn’t care if he didn’t fit.

It was a really difficult time. . . obtaining the Order of Protection, changing my locks, securing my credit, dealing with the fear that the man who said he loved me would hurt me again.

But Frank stayed close to me, curling up next to me whenever I sat down. Even if there wasn’t room for him. It was as though he knew he couldn’t physically protect me, but he wanted me to know he was there for me.

I was fortunate, I survived.

If you are living in a violent environment,

Call 911 or

Contact https://www.thehotline.org/   Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline 

Or call 1-800-799-SAFE

In St. Louis, contact https://alivestl.org/  ALIVE – Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments

Or call 314-993-2777

Experience and statistics prove that it will most likely not be just a one-time occurrence.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. . .It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

 

A Time of Healing

May 12, 2026

As we take some time to really rest and decompress, we spent some time in nature yesterday.

I’m learning that it’s okay to just sit and breathe. To appreciate little things like bird songs and little lizards on the porch. To feel the breeze on my skin and hear it whisper in the pine trees.

Psalms 8:3-4, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?”

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.”

 

Depression sucks. . . literally sucks the life out of me.

May 9, 2026

 

This bottomless pit of utter despair envelopes me and I cannot imagine a way out.

At this moment, I have found a precarious little ledge I’m resting on. Hoping it holds for just a bit while I gasp for air.

And yet I realize that the dark is still surrounding me.

The pit is still there, waiting to suck me down even further.

And I look up, way up. I see a teeny tiny pinprick of light.

I hear a voice, faint at first but growing louder.

I feel a presence. . . there’s someone there!

I squint, using the last little bit of my energy.

It’s a friend, calling my name!

Tears stream down my face. I collapse in a heap on the ledge, weeping.

Someone heard me.

Someone cares.

 

Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”