Author Archives: oct17

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About oct17

The little girl in me loves bird watching, butterflies, sunrises, sunsets, walks in the rain; the adult I am enjoys the same. I sense God's awesomeness in all of life--what wonder there is in slicing a leek or cutting open a pomegranate. I have many favorite things--a formation of Canadian geese flying overhead, the giggles of my grand daughters, the first ripe watermelon in summer, snowflakes on my face--these gifts from my heavenly Father delight me continually.

… where is Christmas…

Posted on December 29, 2025 by oct17

… you know that magical fairyland inviting you to open a hidden door into the  fantasies of childhood.  I’ve searched especially hard this season, and yet, even now, I’m not sure what I’ve been seeking. Perhaps the sensational expectations with … Continue reading →

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… it came so quickly…

Posted on November 1, 2025 by oct17

Seems like  only yesterday  we danced in the hot sun, while begging for rain. When relief came with ice cream and iced tea under the shade of  full green trees. Would cool days come soon enough? Then I opened the … Continue reading →

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… purposed… for more.

Posted on October 4, 2025 by oct17

I remember the dress was faded. Very faded. Chocolate brown doesn’t fade well.  Not only was the little dress a dull color, but it had  been stripped of whatever adorned the small bodice initially, exposing rows of uneven, darker stitches … Continue reading →

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growing up… growing old. Never!

Posted on August 22, 2025 by oct17

For all of my adult years, I’ve wanted to know what to be when I grew up.  Tom laughs, “Barb, you’ll never grow up.”  Now, I have learned… I don’t have to! No one ever really grows up. We’re always … Continue reading →

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… seeing joy in the now moments…

Posted on June 20, 2025 by oct17

You’ve heard the phrase… “looking for love in all the wrong places.” But what about finding joy in all the right places of today? I tried not to stare, but I just couldn’t help it.  The scene in front of … Continue reading →

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… imprinted… forever.

Posted on May 9, 2025 by oct17

I remember the day, the morning, the chair I was sitting in.   But I can’t remember if I heard a shout or were the words suddenly painted on the wall. However it happened, my life was forever changed. I had … Continue reading →

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… forgiven… and loved…

Posted on April 9, 2025 by oct17

I was so angry. I screamed… I could have cried. A dead baby rabbit lay at my feet in Tom’s shop. Soft pieces of fur were scattered around my feet.  Our two kittens, sitting nearby were oblivious to the heartbreak … Continue reading →

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Love is a demonstration…

Posted on March 14, 2025 by oct17

Yeah, yeah!!!!  It’s our anniversary day… March 14! Gary Chapman writes in The Five Love Languages (1992,1995), “Life is driven by the desire for success. We want our lives to count for something. We have our own idea of what … Continue reading →

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… something new…

Posted on March 4, 2025 by oct17

… expect something wonderful around the next corner… I remember reading that phrase when I was a preteen, or I thought I had read it. Although I find hundreds of quotes re “around the corner”, I can’t find those particular … Continue reading →

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… guided…

Posted on February 1, 2025 by oct17

 I’ve been introduced to some sweet sounds recently… a new kind of music. Our son brought us two very young Michigan kittens the week of Christmas;  J.J. and his sister, Jenny, are making their home in Tom’s shop. At first, … Continue reading →

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