I haven’t written a blog, sent a newsletter or recorded a podcast in some time. As John Lennon once told his beautiful boy, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. I’ve intended to do all of the above mentioned things, but life. 

I’ll be 40 next month, and I’ve got a 15-year-old daughter who is the busiest child I’ve ever met in my life. We’re probably violating some child labor laws over here. I am her chauffer and her assistant. Before I make any plans of my own, I have to check with my boss. Sorry, I can’t have my abscessed tooth pulled today. Natalie has a basketball tournament. 

I am not complaining in the slightest. It’s just a fact. She’s busy, which means I’m busy. And one day (sooner than later) when she is gone to college, I will miss the hours hauling her all over God’s country while listening to the entire Olivia Rodrigo album 14 times. (PS- that girl needs Lexapro. I’ve never heard such depressing songs in my entire life.)

My son, Bennett, is 11 and keeps me busy, too. He made the middle school basketball team this year, and I am thrilled to haul him to practice, actually. He worked so hard to make the team this year after not getting to play last season. He’s also big into dirt bikes and making GoPro videos on his dirt bike. I usually help him edit those videos, so that takes up a large chunk of my time, too. 

And the baby. Oh, our precious 2-year-old girl with Shirley Temple curls. She won’t let me sit on the couch for more than 30 seconds before she remembers there is an Easter basket on a closet shelf and she needs me to get it down so she can fill it with pacifiers and the dog bones that she finds around the house. 

We’ve also added goats and a pack of dogs and a bunch of cats to our farm. They are a handful. One of the goats, Roy,  has hoof rot. Have you ever smelled hoof rot? Try to imagine the scent of a dead skunk that has been covered in milk and then left out to bake in the sun for four days. When treating hoof rot, the smell permeates through gloves and although you’ve scrubbed your hands 18 times with lemon juice and antibacterial soap, the smell still winds up on your child’s peanut butter sandwich. 

In other words, I’ve been really busy. But, I’m making it a priority to get back to doing what I love– writing. I just completed a work of fiction, “Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton” and I’m working on a second fiction book. I find the time to write novels when everyone is asleep, including Roy and his hoof rot. But, I am determined to get back to writing in other capacities as well– through blogging and newsletters. Podcasting will resume soon, I hope, as well. 

One idea is to send out a short story on Saturdays. I used to do this many moons ago, but again, life got in the way. I’d love to use this space as a place for whatever may be on my mind. Whether it is a word from the Lord or a funny anecdote. 

So, thanks for giving me another chance in your inbox. I hope you’re all having a fabulous summer. And that no one in your household has foot rot.