Janet's Blog

It was a gorgeous, mild, sunny afternoon in late December or early January, at least five years ago. I was walking with Jackson, my fluffy little dog, on the path that runs parallel to the Monument, and rejoicing in the sunshine, which was beginning to melt the four or five inches of fresh snow covering the path. When we were almost back to the car, a young jogger came running up to us, nearly out of breath. "Be careful!" he panted. "I just heard a bunch of coyotees !" Now, I had heard the coyotes, too. There is at least one coyote family that lives on the national park land, and it isn't unusual for me to hear them, especially around sunset in the winter. In fact, it hadn't been too long since I had actually seen one adult coyote, leaping from one prairie dog mound to another, trying, unsuccessfully, to pounce on its dinner. I had snapped a couple of pictures with my phone, but the coyote was too far away, and too close in color to the brown prairie grass, ...

I didn't plan on spending the first part of 2024 with Covid. I've had a few goals in mind for the New Year, but this kind of illness wasn't really on my radar. Aren't we all supposed to be past this by now? Regardless, this particular Bible verse, from Proverbs 19:21, has been on my mind these last few days: You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.    Isn't that the truth? Or, as Scottish poet, Robert Burns, wrote way back in 1785 in his poem, "To a Mouse," The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.  No matter how carefully we prepare for a particular project, something may go wrong with it, or things may go even better than we had hoped. We can make all the plans we want, but only God knows whether we will prosper or struggle, live or die.  I'm feeling a bit healthier now, and my Covid test was finally negative this morning, so the end seems to be in sight. I rarely make New Year's resolutions, but my forced quar...

The sun is about to set on 2021. Some of us will say "Good riddance!" Others will be looking forward to 2022 as a chance for new beginnings. As I drove home yesterday afternoon, I was captivated by the sunset near Chimney Rock. Way back in the mid-1800s, travelers were excited to finally see its spire stretching toward the sky, signaling that they were on the right trail, and well on their way to Oregon. Just as those long-ago pioneers faced unknown challenges on their long, often treacherous trip, we, too, look ahead to the New Year with a little uneasiness, even trepidation, and perhaps a little anticipation as we wait to see just what God has planned. As I savored the beautiful sunset, I was reminded that the sun will come up again, just as it has since the beginning of creation, until that day when God determines that the world will come to an end. But even then, he will be with us. Chimney Rock no longer guides wagon trains on their way to the pioneers' new homes, bu...

No doubt about it, 2020 was a year to remember--and, for many of us, a year we would rather forget. We were broadsided with the sudden pandemic and all of the restrictions that have come with it. At the beginning of the year, we were hoping to see more clearly, with 20/20 vision, as prompted by the year itself. Then, when we began to see some things much more clearly than we expected, it was natural for us to long for better days and, in fact, a better year.  No one expected so many instantaneous rules: Wear your mask; stay 6 feet apart; stay home; stay away from other people; don't go out to eat;  disinfect all surfaces, but don't hoard toilet paper and cleaning supplies; wash your hands; don't touch your face; stay away from funerals and weddings; get your vaccination. In a year when we were hoping for clearer vision, we got to see our innate selfishness and lack of concern for others, our "my way or the highway" mentalities. Unfortunately, 2020 showed us the s...

New Year's resolutions? Who takes time for that? Certainly not me, not ever. But every so often, I do set some unofficial, personal goals. Here are ten of my current goals, in no particular order: 1.     Walk at least half an hour each day, and at least 10,000 steps a day, four or five days a week, weather permitting. 2.     Eat mostly healthy foods. 3.     Spend quality time with my friends and family. 4.     Reach out to the people I meet, especially those  who need love, encouragement, and support. 5.     Finish writing my untitled mental health handbook, targeted at people who work with kids with mental health disorders, and submit it for publication. 6.     Submit my newest children's book for publication. 7.     Continue to write, edit, and  record Christian songs. 8.     Keep writing this blog, and get back ...