The Clarity of Morning

 For years, I've been a runner. Then I took a few years off to let my body rest. There were some stressors in my life and health issues, so I put the running on the back burner and substituted walking instead. Less stress on the body, all good. It helped a great deal.

This also means, conversely, that there were years when I wasn't running even if I called myself a runner. And yet, I still -- though I don't particularly like running, because let's be honest: it hurts! -- yearned to get back out on the pavement.

Even if running is painful, which it is, and your heart is racing out of your chest, and your legs ache, and you think you're going to die (which you won't - that's just an out-of-shape body telling you things you don't need to listen to), there is something about getting up early, when it's still dark and perhaps cold out (or hot), and getting out into nature that clears the head.

Most importantly, I've noticed that running, and the clarity it gives me, simplifies my life. How? Well, it's almost like running powers on my own AI, and by the time I get home from the run, I know exactly what to do, what not to do, what to eliminate from the day, and how to tackle my to-do list. This also works with an early-morning brisk walk, too. It's the same.

It even works on brains that don't want to fall asleep. The last few years, due to aging, my sleep and the ability to even fall asleep have been very hit or miss. Mostly miss. But even if I don't get up to run on those no-sleep nights, taking a morning walk still does the job of clearing my head and pushing away the cobwebs.

Here's what I've realized after nearly 15 years of (on and off) running (and walking) in the early morning:

1. We solve problems overnight - That's the wonderful thing about our brains. When we fall asleep (that's a big "if" for some of us, I know...), it's already subconsciously working on the problems we have. It finds a way to solve our issues, make connections, let our logical side fall away, and find new and creative ways to figure things out. It's remarkable. It's like your brain accessed your own personal file system, found the past ways you fixed and didn't fix things, and rerouted you to a better path.

2. Thankful to be alive - Every morning I wake up, it's a chance to thank God that I'm still here. Hey, I'm here another day! And it's up to me to treat it like a gift, as well as to be thankful for everything that happens in it. We don't know how long the breath in our lungs will remain... we all have a different timeline. But being grateful for the morning sky, the loud hawk insisting he tell us good morning, the way the clouds look like cotton candy as the sun rises- they're small but big things that remind me of how alive I am and how blessed I am. Thankfulness leads to joy.

3. It humbles me - Waking up early and groggy, I stumble out of bed, into my running clothes, and hit the pavement outside my door. Even if I stumble into a walk, there's something about feeling weak and tired that puts humility into me, reminding me how fragile I am. The beautiful morning around me is ten times more appealing than my bedhead and wrinkled face that had been crammed into the pillow. I'm nothing compared to the sunrise I'm witnessing! Beautiful mornings humble me.

It's a simple thing, this morning run or walk. But it has set the day for me for years, and it's been a testament to the slow living lifestyle I want to stay in. If you're looking to add a little more clarity and peace into your life, I'd recommend the early morning walk or run. 

Before everyone else is up, before you can logically think through it and tell yourself it's too early, set that alarm, and as the birds have already begun their morning chatter, you can begin your own chatter... to God, to yourself, to the birds, and to directing your life the way it needs to go with solved problems, thankfulness, and humility. 

In my opinion, this small act can change everything about your life.

Keeping Your Pet Memories Alive

I often think about my dog, the one who lived with my family and me for almost 13 years. I miss her constantly and have wonderful memories of her. She was a fluffy white goldendoodle with the sweetest disposition.

And while it would be easy to add a dog to our lives today, my husband and I have opted not to, in order to simplify our lives.

Do I like this? Not really.

But is it the right thing? For now, yes. 

Perhaps one day we will choose to get another dog (hopefully sooner rather than later), but for today I keep her memory alive through my actions at home. 

Her old collar hangs on a hook in our laundry room before the garage door. It's a reminder of her and every walk we took with her. We would first spell out the word walk to each other, W A L K (because that was a word she knew well), to decide if we were going for one. Then, once we did, we went to the laundry room to grab her collar and leash (with her leaping in excitement alongside us) and head out the door, with her leading the way.

Get book here. ◄

Her picture is on my phone's lock screen. So, every time I open my phone to make a call, text, or scroll, she's there, looking back at me with the biggest grin. And I love it.

I also write about her. I've written blog posts and articles about her. And the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series has already printed (I think) two stories about her by me. 

Well, they're coming out with another dog book, and wouldn't you know it, they picked another story about my pup. Their latest release is called Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best Dog Ever, and its on-sale date is today. 

My sweet girl, Sierra, was one of the best dogs to me, so I continue to write about her because it's all I have, and it's a great way to remember her. This story is about how I snuck her onto my bed to rest with me while I read (when my husband was at work). My husband always told me not to let her on the bed. (Except I did, and then accidentally sent a picture of her on said bed to my husband. Oops.)

It's a funny story, but also sweet, and as she aged, her way of wanting to be right next to me made me feel happy, content, and taken care of. She was my sweet girl.

(Also, I did the math, and I think this is my tenth story with Chicken Soup! That sure happened fast.)

So, do you have a pet like that? Do you have one you miss but is still alive in your heart? All you want is for others to know how wonderful they were, how they helped you thrive, and how much joy they brought. 

I think keeping our pet memories alive is a wonderful thing, and judging by my writing schedule, I will probably continue to write about my dog for the foreseeable future. It brings me much happiness. Hooray for our wonderful pets! ♥

August and Autumn

The moment August comes, I feel relief. 

Not because summer is over; it really isn't. We have a whole seven weeks more. But in a way, I feel it's one of the best times of year: Autumn still isn't here yet, but the days are just a bit shorter, and the mornings a bit cooler. My favorite season (fall) hasn't passed yet, and awaits expectantly on the horizon. As they say, sometimes wanting a thing is better than receiving the thing. That's where I'm at right now.

I have two great friends who could not be more opposite in their love for their favorite seasons. Both of them live away from me now. My Florida friend likes fall, but has a huge aversion to bringing in fall too soon. She loves what summer holds; she loves the sunshine and warmth, and though she likes fall, particularly because it was her mother's favorite month as well, she is annoyed when we who love fall (like myself) become enraptured with it the day it turns August 1st. This cracks me up. She's annoyed at me!

My Idaho friend has a love for fall that rivals any Pumpkin Spice Latte lover out there. She and I are boot-loving, sweater-wearing gals who love autumnal smells and sights, and because we love it so much, want to celebrate it for as long as we can. Frustrated with the incessant heat of summer, this means fall, for us, starts August 1st. No matter what.

Regardless of what you prefer, the best thing about talking about the seasons is that we're talking about the seasons! If you love summer, think about why you love it so much, and make sure you embrace it fully before autumn comes. Take those bike rides, walk the trails, swim in the lakes and ocean, travel to the mountains before the snow comes. It's these slow-living things that truly make the season come alive and memorable.

If you love fall, then, like me, you tolerate the heat for the next seven weeks, but mentally prepare for the upcoming season. How many new recipes do I want to try? Pumpkin bread or cinnamon rolls? Both? What about the soups and stew recipes I can research to try for the season? Do I need to prep my fall wardrobe and make sure my sweaters and boots are ready to wear? What about cleaning out gutters and getting the yard ready for the change of weather?

Both of my friends' ways of treating the seasons are right. There is no wrong way. But being fully involved with the transition from one season to the next is how we can fully love where we're at, yet appreciate where we are going. I truly despise the heat of summer, and yet, I love what it does for my citrus trees, and to be honest, the heat makes me feel alive.

I have beautiful plants in my side yard that only bloom before fall called Big Blue Lilyturf (Liriope muscari).  Every August, their beautiful lavender buds open, ushering in the fall that will arrive a month from now. 

Even the turkeys that roam the neighborhood remind me that fall is coming due to their seasonal molting; beautiful feathers pop up on lawns and sidewalks randomly. It's a sign of change that makes me excited with anticipation of the season!

Take a moment to appreciate the end of summer. That's what I'm doing. Take that summer swim, or enjoy that ice cream you've been wanting. Immerse yourself in it. Once it's gone, it's gone. And if you're like me, you'll be sick of the cold and ready for summer in the middle of winter! 

So, I'm taking my advice and slowing down to let summer finish its expression by appreciating my air conditioning. Then, I'll be ready when fall arrives and happy to accommodate the season in the myriad ways it shows up. And you can be sure that will mean warmer clothing, blankets on the bed, and hot drinks throughout the day and night.

Happy end of summer, everyone.

Making Sense of Change

A few years back (I say a few, but it is closer to 10 years ago), I wrote a post about picking up change. As in pennies, nickels, dimes, because every penny is a gift to me. It still is. Picking up this spare change is profound.

Why? Because it is about appreciating the smallest things in life and reminding myself to look for value in what I commonly perceive as worthless. I wrote another post about it a year later here.

Today, I'm writing a third post. Because, as you can tell, the penny matters to me. 

I still pick coins up when I see them. But these days, they're becoming much rarer. In case you hadn't heard, they (the government) stopped production of the penny in 2025 because it costs more to make than it's worth. Something like four cents for every one cent produced.

While I appreciate this (very small) governmental money-saving endeavor, it's the beginning of the end of the way I - and many - have known and understood money. We're already digital in most of the ways we spend these days. I know I am. We don't write checks; we remit payments digitally, and going to the grocery store is an easy Apple Pay tap on my phone.

The thing about coins and dollar bills is that they make our chosen exchanges tangible. It was a part of our past; currency was something to make us human, if you will. One person exchanges money for an object or food. It was a continuation of the slow living lifestyle where we go to a store, look for what we want, then pay with actual materials. For me, using these materials less only creates an increasingly digital, lonely world.

The penny has disappeared, and so has slow living. I'm pretty sure it's all related.

I grew up hearing the change in my grandfather's and father's pockets, and the change in my grandmother's and mother's coin purses or wallets. My dad had huge tubs of accumulated coins. But my husband and adult sons don't carry change, and I rarely have change in my wallet. We're a cashless and, especially, coinless society.

Here's my concern and sadness about the penny: now that the penny is gone, this means the nickel, dime, and quarter are next on the chopping block. Prices in stores will change to the nearest dollar rather than cent (Goodwill stores already do this - they round up or down to the nearest nickel), and then, the dollar is gone too. No more paper money. Or people. We already don't need checkers at the grocery store anymore. We bag our own groceries and pay digitally. AI is taking over, and there is very little to stop it.

While this post isn't to talk about the one-world currency, or AI, or the good old days and the bad modern days, I want you to appreciate the coins out there right now, as this is written. To notice that penny at your feet when you step out of the car, or the random dime on the ground at the checkout line. Because a day will come when all the pennies have been picked up with no more to drop. All the dimes are gone. The nickels are melted down. And quarters? Well, as my future grandchildren might ask, "What's a quarter?"

The good news is that pennies are still out there, even if not produced by our mint, and are considered worthless. I picked one up yesterday, and after weeks of not coming across one, it was a welcome sight. I was relieved. People still carry change!

If you walk by a quarter, pick it up. A dime or a nickel, pick those up too. If you pass a penny, smile and say "Holy Moly," and pick it up because it's no longer made. And, it's a reminder of the way we used to buy things. Pick that penny up and save it so you can show your great-grandchildren what "change" looked like. 

While our digital world is easier and faster, it's taken away the value of the person and the exchange of our physical products. We've been replaced by machines - machines to take our digital money, and machines in our hands (phones) to pay for things.

But things change, and change changes. Literally.

The penny is a little bit like stepping back in time, and with a slow living lifestyle, we get to appreciate these little (yet very big) things in life. If there ever was anything little and insignificant, it's the penny. But now more than ever is the time to appreciate it.

An Article in Edible Sacramento Summer 2026

A couple of days ago, I wrote here (at my own blog that I've had for about seventeen years) about the latest edition, Summer 2026, of a local magazine called Edible Sacramento, and how I have an article in it. (Yay!)

I'm insanely happy about it. This article is a part of me that needed to be seen, and when I came upon this outlet, it seemed like the perfect fit.

But for reasons I can't explain, that post never made it to anyone's email inbox. That part, I'm not insanely happy about. This has never happened to me, so I'm perplexed.

To remediate this problem, I'm posting a small blog here about it (again), hoping you see it this time and that the internet agrees to work with me. After all, glitches do happen. 

Here's the previous post ◄that the World Wide Web decided wasn't going to happen. Click the highlighted words to get to my first post about my grandparents. And once there, feel free to click on the pictures to enlarge and read them.

And now here I am, ► happy to have a little article about my grandparents and their organic gardening lifestyle when they moved to the Sacramento Valley decades ago. Living a slow living lifestyle because that was all they knew, and all that mattered.

I'm honored that Edible Sacramento took my little story. Thank you, my readers, for taking the time to read it. This article truly consists of a little part of my heart and soul.

-Heather

Little Miracles are Big Miracles

A few years ago, I was blessed to become part of the Guideposts staff of devotion writers. It was always something I wanted to attain, especially after being rejected by them a year earlier. And now that it's happened, I feel like I'm living my mission. Finally.

Well, I still am living my mission. Because as a writer of devotions for them, I also am a part of their staff as a writer for their other wonderful books they release yearly, dozens of them. One such series of books they produce is all about miracles. And the series is titled Too Amazing for Coincidence.

I submitted a story about my obsession with lip balm and the lack of having it when I really needed it, more specifically, Lip Smackers, several years ago. Let me explain. I've literally had a lip smacker in my pocket for the last, oh, forty years. It's been a lifelong addiction, and I know what you're thinking. Really? A miracle story about lip balm? Yep. God provided me with some I needed when I didn't have that precious balm in my pocket, needed it, and had no way of getting some.

It was a miracle for me. A small one, but a very needed one. And it came unexpectedly in a way that only God could've done; miraculously. Little miracles, particularly when we need that answer to our prayers, are big miracles. There is no such thing as a small miracle. They're all huge and wonderful.

And these books, filled with stories just like mine, are all about the miracles everyday people need in everyday circumstances. 

If you're looking for some goosebump-inducing encouragement, the latest release, book eight in Too Amazing for Coincidence, is available today, June 23rd. Click here to get the book and get a 15% discount! Use code AUTHOR15 at checkout. This is the hardback.

You can also get it via Amazon if that's your preferred outlet, but this is the paperback edition. You can order it here.◄

If you're like me, we all need a little encouragement. And when that encouragement is a little miracle, well, that's a big deal. And in my writing world, it's a miracle that everyone needs to know about.

-Heather

My Grandparents: Their Story Became My Story with their Organic Gardening

The summer edition of my local Edible Magazine, Edible Sacramento, is now out. And I'm happy to report that I have an article in it.

Over a year ago, I had an idea to write about my grandparents and their way of organic gardening in the Sacramento Valley in the early '80s. I miss them and think of them all the time, and when I realized my paltry little garden in the same Sacramento Valley would never measure up to theirs, even though I wanted it to, I knew there was an article in there. 

It helped that I had photo albums full of photos of them and their gardening lifestyle. My grandfather had even been the president of his local Organic Gardening Club.

I was also privy to our local version of Edible Magazine and thought maybe the twain should meet? So I found some photos, wrote up an article, and voila: they decided they could use it. After over a year of thinking about it, writing it, and submitting it, it's finally printed.

Am I a master gardener like my grandfather? No. 

Can I cook every vegetable as good as my grandmother? No.

Will my body even allow me to eat the same vegetables as them because of my dumb autoimmune disease? Again, no. Which is why I have a humble herb garden these days.

But their love for the garden, their ability to create an awesome Garden of Eden out of nothing and into something so divine that I dream about their garden still, is what inspired me to write the article.

I realize only local Sacramentans will be able to find this around town for the next few months (starting June 26th), so here are some photos of the inside spread.  (If you click on the photos and zoom in, I think you can read the article!) I'm honored and humbled, and hope my grandparents know how much of an influence they were on me and my family. 

They're still missed, but in a way, having my own garden keeps me close to them. It's as if they're still here.♥

-Heather