Tag: Word of the Year
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The Beauty of Discipline
In January of 2026, one reader commented that her word of the year was ‘discipline.’ This post is for you, W., and for me, as you will see. Discipline is training that develops self-control, obedience, or order, and it can also mean a specific branch of knowledge or study. (Merriam-Webster) It carries overtones of punishment…
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The Bookmark: August
Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass with a Book, Vincent van Gogh,1888, oil on canvas, Arles, France. August tends to feel momentous. One notices a feeling in the air. There’s a birthday. There’s the end of summer that’s so sad and sweet at the same time. There’s the garden harvest that’s now or never. There’s…
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An Obligation to Beauty
Christina’s World, Andrew Wyeth, 1948, Contemporary Realism A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule. -Michael Pollen in Second Nature Apparently, our yard is particularly suited to the thistle. I have never seen such huge, healthy plants. The stems are easily an inch in diameter, the leaves are a foot long and three inches wide, with…
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The Power of Intent: Habits for Life On Purpose
All paintings on this page by Claude Monet, 1840-1926, Impressionism Living intentionally requires a person to be intentional! At first, it is hard work, much harder than the old, unhelpful habits. Living with intention means always on — at first. Every response and reaction is up for research. Every focus and flow is questioned. You…
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The Bookmark: April
Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass with a Book, Vincent vanGogh,1888, oil on canvas, Arles, France. An inch of rain is predicted today, starting at 11. As I am writing the skies are clear. I have plans to pull weeds if it doesn’t rain, and to sew a dress if it does. I guess I…
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The Bookmark: February
Vincent van Gogh, Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass with a Book, 1888, oil on canves, Arles, France. Several times this month I heard the excuse, ‘well, it’s a short month.’ I even said it myself in the last few weeks. And every time it makes me laugh. Really, two days make a lot of…
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A Year of Beauty
Beauty is my word in 2026. The first thing I do after choosing my word is write a definition. Beauty: n. a subjective quality that brings pleasure to the senses or mind Synonyms: loveliness, pretty, radiance The first Bible verse that came to mind when I thought of beauty was about the Proverbs 31 woman.…
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How to Fly in 2026
I’ve gotten the mail, checked the weather, made a cup of tea, lit some candles, visited the bathroom, complained to my sister that I don’t know what to write. There’s no excuses left and here I sit at the blank page. The three-week break was good but the current article ideas need more contemplation. Even…
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Serving Size: As Needed
We are half way through the year. Are you remembering your word of the year? Or did you choose a word this year? It’s not too late! My friend and I are sharing a book called One Word One Year Faith Journey. She had passed it to me the other day and I got a…
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The Remains of the Day
This lovely, short book is listed in a recent post about great summer books. I would like to tell you more about it. I happened across a description of The Remains of the Day where the reviewer said it was about “an English butler reflecting on his life of service.” As it happens, my word…
