Sunday Inspiration: Patience

 

Thankful Thursday: August 27, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

My day off

A good check-up for pup #1

The crescent moon

Finishing one book...

And starting another

Library cards

A foggy morning

Donuts

Starting to feel confident in my job

My handsome husband

Cool morning air

I lived in a world with Dolly in it

Sunday Inspiration: Enough

 

Thankful Thursday: August 20, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

The fizz of a freshly poured Diet Coke

Rainy afternoons

Running into my daughter at the store

A cute new sweater

Time spent with my husband

Treats from my cousin

Dinner cooked on the grill

Delicious little bundt cakes

My grandson's laugh

A quiet library

Laughter

Apple fritters

New library cards

The pink sky of morning

A moment of quiet

Sunday Inspiration: Not Yourself

 

Thankful Thursday: August 13, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

The morning chorus of birds

The end of the work week

A weekend at the lake

Sunsets

Exploring new places

Interesting stories from history

Relaxing by the campfire

Finding a blue jay feather

Already planning our next getaway

Looking forward to going to work each day

A pleasantly cool morning 

My husband cooking a delicious dinner

Ice cream

The feeling when you've help someone

A tiny lizard scampering around on the rocks

Sunday Inspiration: On the Path

 

Thankful Thursday: August 6, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

The bright full moon

The first traces of sunlight in the morning sky 

A pretty new top

Spending the afternoon with my husband

New shoes

Sunday breakfast

Driving my husband's truck around town

Lazy dinners

Hanging out with my son

Foggy mornings

Starting to feel like I'm getting things figured out at work

Sunday Inspiration: Your Job

 

Thankful Thursday: July 30, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Sleep

Dinner cooking on the grill

Cardinals at the birdfeeder

A lazy afternoon

Dusk

A brand new week

Audiobooks

Ice cream

Feeling pretty

Working on my first project

Dreams

A pretty afternoon

Little lizards on the pavement

Sunday Inspiration: Magnetic

 

Thankful Thursday: July 23, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Making it through my first week

My daughter's birthday...

...and her first book signing event

Dinner with family

Prepping for the week ahead

Monday mornings

A shirt commute

Interesting stories

Afternoon thunderstorms

An absolutely beautiful morning

A delicious lunch

A breeze through the window

Sunday Inspiration: You Already Do

 

Thankful Thursday: July 16, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Cute new shoes

Fresh watermelon 

A rainy weekend

Starting my new job

Early mornings

Learning new things

Seeing a deer on the way home

My husband making dinner

More good news

A quiet place to de-stress

Sunshine after days of rain

Decompressing at the end of the day

You're Never Too Old to Start

Today, I start what once seemed like a dream job.

I questioned myself at every step of this new opportunity. I feared that I was too old to start something new. I worried that I was woefully unqualified.  I wondered whether I should simply stay where I was comfortable instead of risking disappointment. But despite all those doubts, I took a chance on myself - and today, I officially begin my journey as a library assistant. 

To some people, it may seem like just a job. But for me, it's proof that dreams don't have an expiration date.

This experience has reminded me of something many midlife women need to hear: it's never too late to pursue the dream that's been living quietly in your heart. Your age does not determine what's possible. If anything, the years have given you wisdom, resilience, and strength that you didn't have before.

If you're a woman in midlife, chances are you've spent years putting other people first. The years fly by, and then we start to believe that we missed our chance. We tell ourselves we should have started ten years ago. We convince ourselves that we're no longer relevant.  We're not young enough. We don't have enough experience. It becomes easier and easier to believe that we don't have what it takes and that opportunity has passed us by.  So many of us spend years talking ourselves out of new possibilities because we think we're "too old."

But who decided that?

Every day, women prove that reinvention has no age limit. At 40, 50, 60 years old, and beyond, they are starting businesses, earning degrees, discovering creative talents, and pursuing passions they thought were out of reach. Not because it's easy. Not because the timing is perfect. But because they finally decide to stop letting age make their decisions.

This opportunity to work as a Library Assistant didn't come into my life when I expected it to. It arrived after years of self-doubt, second-guessing, and wondering whether I was capable of pursuing something new. And yet, here I am. Because I pushed through all the doubt and anxiety and took a chance on myself. 

I believe if someone went back 40 or 50 years and told little me that one day many years in the future she would be working in a library, she would be tickled pink by the idea.  And I also believe that future me will thank me for taking the chance and filling out that job application even as the voices in my head whispered that I was too old and unqualified.

The woman you've always wanted to be is still waiting for you. Take the chance.  Believe in yourself.  Pursue the dream. 

I'm living proof that it's not too late to start a new chapter. 

Your story isn't over.  It's just one decision away from getting interesting.

Sunday Inspiration: Worry

 

Thankful Thursday: July 9, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Little wet pawprints on the pavement

An afternoon with my daughter

Phone calls

A 4th of July hot dog

Meds to help my nervous pup through the fireworks

My husband home after a week away

Good mornings

A start date for my new job

A steak salad

Slightly cooler temperatures

Shopping for work clothes

A cute new coffee mug

Sunday Inspiration: Regrets

 

Thankful Thursday: July 2, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Strawberries

My grandson making me laugh

Trying something new

Safe travels

A productive morning

Watching my dog try to catch June beetles

Rain during a hot afternoon

Chicken salad

Fireflies

That first morning cup of tea

Air conditioning

Curling up with a good book at the end of the day

The smell of fresh basil

Savoring July: Little Ways to Make the Most of Summer

July just has a happy feeling, doesn’t it? It's the heart of summertime when the days are longer, the sun is warmer, and there’s something about this time of year that makes you want to soak it all in. 

If you’re looking for fun ways to do just that, you’re in the right place! I’ve rounded up a mix of easy, feel-good ideas to help you enjoy July.  Let’s make this month one to really savor!

Check in with your goals or intentions for 2026. We’re halfway through the year. Now is a good time to reflect on how things are going and reevaluate if needed.

Visit your local ice cream shop for a cooling treat in honor of National Ice Cream Month.

Or, make ice cream floats. Get some vanilla ice cream, top it off with your favorite soda, and enjoy with a straw. Root beer and orange soda are popular choices, but feel free to get creative!

It's also National Watermelon Month. So, enjoy some fresh watermelon!

In fact, July is a big month for fresh fruit, especially blueberries. It's National Blueberry Month.  In addition to that, July 9th is National Blueberry Day, July 10th is Pick Blueberries Day, and July 11th is National Blueberry Muffins Day. Load up on those antioxidants and eat some blueberries!

Have a Sunrise Picnic. Wake up before dawn and take your morning coffee and a pastry outside to watch the sunrise and listen to the birds singing their morning songs 

Embrace Your Geekness on July 13th (Embrace Your Geekness Day). Settle in for a binge-watch of your favorite movie or cult-classic TV series. Add a new piece to your favorite collectibles. Re-read that book or graphic novel.  Dust off your favorite tabletop or card game. 

Go to an outdoor concert.  Yes, tickets for music festivals and concerts can be extremely expensive, but many communities offer free concerts in the local park. 

Spend a day at the zoo or aquarium. Visiting a zoo always makes me feel like a kid again. I get so excited about seeing the big cats and giraffes. When it's too hot or rainy, heading inside to the aquarium can be a fun way to spend a summer afternoon.

July 15th is National Give Something Away Day. Do some decluttering and give away some of your unused things to someone who needs or will use them.

Visit a National Park. Some of the most beautiful sites in the US are found in our national parks.  With 63 national parks located in 30 states, there's a good chance there's one within driving distance.  There are also over 400 monuments, historical sites, and battlefields overseen by the National Park Service.

Sit around a campfire.  There's just something soothing to the soul about sitting under the stars and watching the dancing flames on a summer evening. Bonus points if you roast some marshmallows while you're at it.

Judge a book by its cover. Buy a book, or pick one up at your local library, just because you love the cover. 

As you work your way through July, don’t forget that it’s the small, everyday moments that really make the season special. Whether it’s enjoying a simple summertime treat, getting outside to enjoy the sunrise, or retreating inside with a movie to escape the heat, find your own ways to make the most of July. 

However you choose to spend it, I hope this month brings you a little more sunshine, a little more laughter, and plenty of moments that make you smile long after July is gone.

Sunday Inspiration: Not Perfect

Thankful Thursday: June 25, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Going somewhere new

Sunlight making the water sparkle

Spending time away with my husband

Sunsets on the lake

Mimosa tree flowers floating on the water

Campfires

The fathers in my life

A perfect weather day

A delicious new chicken salad

Sunshine and a breeze

Crackers and nut butter

Sunday Inspiration: A Rainbow

Thankful Thursday: June 18, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

When my daughter stops by

Thunderstorms

Mornings

Making plans for a semi-spontaneous getaway

A trip to the Asian market

Being together

Homemade sausage rolls

Slightly cooler temperatures

Less humidity

Birds singing

Fluffy white clouds in a Carolina blue sky

Geraniums

Double Standards

There’s a strong double standard in how we talk about aging. Men are often allowed to grow older in whatever way they choose, while women face constant judgment. This imbalance influences our careers, our confidence, and how we, as women, see ourselves as we move toward and through this stage of life. 

Let's be honest... when Bruce Springsteen appears onstage performing just as he has for the past several decades, you don't see articles about how he's trying too hard or desperately clinging to his lost youth.  

When Lenny Kravitz regularly dresses in chest and/or stomach baring tops and skintight leather pants, he doesn't appear in online articles about how he needs to dress more age appropriate. 

When male celebrities like George Clooney embrace their gray hair they're considered a "silver fox", not shamed for letting themselves go.

You don’t see headlines questioning their relevance or suggesting they step aside for someone younger. Instead, they’re praised for staying vibrant and confident. But when women do the same thing suddenly that confidence and vitality is reframed as desperation and denial. 

This not-so-subtle messaging affects how we perceive other women; but more importantly - how we see ourselves! It can inhibit us from fully embracing the experience of getting older.  It can leave us constantly questioning ourselves and how we choose to age.

I'm here to tell you that we don't have to make ourselves smaller or fade into the background. We don't have to age in a certain way to meet anyone else's expectations. We can, and should, experience this stage of life to the fullest. On our own terms, out loud, and without judgment. 

Sunday Inspiration: Possibility

 

Thankful Thursday: June 11, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

An easy travel day

Relaxing by the lake

Watching the ducks

Sunshine

Dogs swimming

A walk through the woods

Tomato plants

A multitude of blossoms on my strawberry plants

A chaotic meal plan to clean out the freezer

Book Club

Time spent working in my greenhouse

Waking up with the sunrise

Sunday Inspiration: Success and Happiness

Thankful Thursday: June 4, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

A day pursuing and planning for a new opportunity

Family

Celebrating my son's birthday

Ice cream cake

Prepping for our next trip

The blue moon

Feeling pretty

Waking up just before the alarm

Rainy mornings

A step closer

When one of the dogs does something unexpected and adorable

Little lavender moths fluttering around my front door

Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder

Simple summer dinners

Living June Out Loud

June is that magical feeling month that swings between the breezy days of Spring and the full heat of summer. The days stretch to their fullest length, the sun seems to shine a little brighter, and there's an unmistakable energy in the air. 

Whether you’re looking for ways to get outdoors, bring the outdoors inside, or recapture some of the childhood magic of summers gone by, there's no shortage of ideas to fill your days with fun.  If you’re ready to make the most of it, here are some activities to inspire a June you won’t forget. 

Pick up a beach read.  Even if you're not heading to the beach, enjoy a fun summer page-turner.  Think of it as a pool read, a park read, a patio read, or a hide-inside-with-the-AC-running read.

And while looking for that summer read - Visit your local library! Remember the fun of the summer reading program when you were a kid?  Lots of libraries also have summer reading programs available for adults. 

Whether it’s glazed, frosted, jelly, or cream-filled, enjoy your favorite doughnut on National Doughnut Day, June 5th.

Create a wildflower bouquet. See what's growing in your own backyard or that empty lot down the street and bring the beauty of the outdoors into your indoors.

Celebrate National Best Friends Day on June 8th. Get together for coffee, a meal, or drinks. Send your long-distance friend a lovely card or handwritten note letting them know you love and appreciate them.

Make some cold brew tea. Or sun tea. Incredibly easy and so refreshing on a hot afternoon. And a fun way to observe Iced Tea Day on June 10th

Cook outside. Everything tastes better when prepared on the grill. And there's the added bonus of not having to heat up the house by turning on the stove or oven

Juneteenth observes the day when enslaved persons in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom... almost 3 years after the Emancipation Proclamation! Attend a Juneteenth event in your community, familiarize yourself with the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, or take some time to learn more about the history of slavery throughout the world and the struggle to end it. 

Attend a fair or festival. Summer is the prime season for everything from craft fairs to music festivals. Check your local community calendars for events near you. 

Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st. Celebrate the dads or father-figures in your life! 

June 21st is also the Summer Solstice for those in the northern hemisphere.  Enjoy the longest day of the year! Wake up and greet the sunrise or spend some time outside enjoying the extra-long evening.

Usually, the phrase is "On Wednesdays we wear pink". But we'll make an exception when National Pink Day falls on Tuesday, June 23!  Wear your favorite pink outfit, some pink nail polish, or lipstick. Buy yourself some pink flowers. Enjoy your favorite pink food or drink.

Create some Chalk Art on your driveway or the sidewalk outside your home!

Do some stargazing.  See how many constellations you can find. Watch for falling stars. Just ponder the beauty and mystery of the night sky. 

Take a road trip.  It doesn't have to be far, or even days away.  Pick a location within an hour or two of where you live that you've always wanted to visit. Or spend a day cruising the backroads, stopping to check out any sites that catch your eye.

Let June be a reminder to lean into joy, try something different, and savor the longer days while they last. Here's to making the most of the season one sunny, carefree moment at a time. 

Sunday Inspiration:

 

Thankful Thursday: May 28, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

A text from a friend checking in on me

Moving on to the next phase of the hiring process

The first iris bloom

Some much-needed rain

A slight break in the heat

Overnight thunderstorms

Hard work

Neapolitan ice cream

When my hair behaves itself

Rainy days at the library

A cold drink of water

An afternoon nap

When the internet comes back on

Some good news

A change of plans

Aging Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

Aging is a deeply personal experience. We each journey through life with our own experiences, values, and beliefs. These shape how we think and feel about the aging process.  Instead of critiquing how others navigate it, what if we chose respect, support, and allowing every woman the freedom to age on her own terms?

Recently, I saw SO many social media posts criticizing Madonna for dressing and behaving in what some people feel is inappropriate for her age while appearing onstage at Glastonbury. Within days of that wave of criticism, there was an article that came out ridiculing Cameron Diaz because she has apparently forgone cosmetic procedures and is choosing to age "naturally".  

Aging for women seems to be a no‑win situation. We’re expected to look youthful but ridiculed if we try too hard. If we choose to age "naturally" with no cosmetic procedures or dying our hair to hide the grays, then we're letting ourselves go. We're made to feel invisible yet still judged for everything from our appearance to how we act. All this keeps us constantly second‑guessing ourselves and feeling as though we're never getting it right.

The worst part is how, all too often, the harshest critics of how older women act, look, or dress are OTHER women. Ladies, we have to do and be better! 

If someone else is choosing to age in a way you wouldn't consider for yourself, that's her prerogative. We should each be allowed to age in whatever way is comfortable for us. Whether that's dying our hair or letting our silvers shine. Having a few procedures or deciding to age naturally. Staying active and taking risks or choosing to settle into a quieter lifestyle. Wearing fun, colorful, or  offbeat outfits or dressing in a more modest and subdued way.  

How another woman chooses to live her own midlife and beyond has no bearing or effect on your own. And if it does, maybe we need to examine that on a personal level instead of being so openly judgemental about it.

Rather than criticizing, let's support and lift each other up for expressing our individuaity and being our authentic selves. Or at the very least, remember the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say; don't say anything."

Sunday Inspiration: Dreams

 

Thankful Thursday: May 21, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Road trips

An evening by the campfire

Smores

Time with my oldest grandson

Good news

Seeing something new 

The sounds of nature

Slow mornings

A safe trip home

Fresh cherries

Learning something new

A productive day

My own cheering squad

Summery pasta dishes

Interview done

Sunday Inspiration: Wishes

 

Thankful Thursday: May 14, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Blueberries

I got the interview!

A decent night's sleep

Wildflower seed

A heating pad for my aching back

French toast

Coffee and a bookstore with my daughter

A new book

My husband

Cheesecake

A mistake that makes me laugh at myself

Feeling positive

Blue skies

Sunshine

A delicious coffee drink made at home 

Sunday Inspiration: Yesterday and Today

 

Thankful Thursday: May 7, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

A crowd of birds at the feeder

The first strawberry of the season from my plants

The full moon

Blackberry brambles in bloom

Clean puppy dogs

Planning for a new endeavor

Seeing progress

Waking up to a new day

The peonies are blooming

Banana pudding

Taking a chance

The smell of peonies

A rainy afternoon

The sound of thunder in the distance

Sunday Inspiration: Unseen Beauty

 

Beauty exists all around us. Slow down and soak in the small, quiet moments that often go unnoticed. When you pay attention, even ordinary days reveal something extraordinary.

Make It A Memorable May

Hello, May! The flowers are blooming, the days are brighter, and your calendar is practically begging to be filled with fun. Longer days, warmer sunshine, and a fresh sense of energy make it the perfect time to step out of routine and create moments that stick with you. This list of activities is here to help you make the most of May and turn it into a month you’ll actually remember.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take care of yourself by incorporating one self-care habit into your day.  A short meditation, prayer, gratitude journaling, or simple breath work can help relieve stress and improve your sense of wellbeing. 

Kentucky Derby Day is May 2.  Put on a big hat, your favorite summer dress, make a batch of mint julips or lemonade and watch the race.

May the Fourth be with you! Watch your favorite Star Wars movie(s) or binge them all in chronological order for a mega movie marathon. 

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Tuesday this year. (As if we needed an excuse to enjoy some tacos and margaritas)

Reset your morning routine. If your mornings are feeling stressful or stagnant, May is a good time to shake things up and create a new morning routine that works with the season of life you're living now.

Celebrate the mothers (or motherly-like) people in your life. Mother's Day in the US and Canada is Sunday, May 10th. 

Enjoy longer evening hours of sunlight and warmer temperatures with a Backyard Happy Hour.  Grab a glass of rosé, a summer cocktail or mocktail, or some iced tea and unwind after a long day.

Visit a Zoo or Petting Farm. May means baby animals, and who doesn't love seeing all cute little fuzzy creatures? 

Go berry picking!  Many areas have local "pick your own" berry farms. Select your own berries for snacking or a delicious Spring dessert 

Refresh your skincare routine. Summer heat, humidity, air quality, and UV levels can leave our skin with some very different needs than rhe winter months we just left behind. Stock up on sunscreen, consider swapping out your moisturizer for something lighter, and/or adding a vitamin C serum for a boost of antioxidants.

Create a summer bucket list or vision board.

Like Yoda talk you must on May 21. (Talk like Yoda Day)

Revisit your childhood by Catching Fireflies.  It's like having some magic little fairy lights in a jar. Just be sure to release them after a short time and before going to bed. (How many of us made that mistake as kids?)

And speaking of revisiting childhood... why not make (and enjoy) some popsicles! 

Host, or attend, a Memorial Day cookout or picnic.

As you move through May, I hope you give yourself permission to slow down, try something new, and enjoy the moments that feel good to you. Just a few intentional choices can make this month feel special.

Thankful Thursday: April 30, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

The ability to learn new things

Doing a craft with my daughter

A hot cup of tea

Rain

A break from the sinus headaches

A shower at the end of the day

Falling asleep with the love of my life beside me

A delicious grilled steak dinner

A quiet house

Crossing things off my to-do list

Early morning thunderstorms

Greek yogurt with blueberries and walnuts

Clean laundry put away

Sunday Inspiration: What You Might Have Been

Right now is the perfect time to become the truest version of yourself. It’s never too late. 

Thankful Thursday: April 23, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Spending the day with my daughter

Independent Bookstores

Takeout for dinner

Excedrin migraine

Trips to the garden center

My husband digging holes for my new plants 

The smell of fresh rosemary

Making travel reservations

No damage to home or cars from fallen tree

Ice cream

Simple dinners

The first hummingbird of the season

My plants survived the cold snap

Sunday Inspiration: Flowers

 

Thankful Thursday: April 16, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Dogwoods in bloom

New notecards gifted to me by a dear friend

The first weekend trip in our new camper

Watching the geese and ducks

Dinner cooked on the grill

Mornings

Flower seedlings

Snuggling up on the couch to watch TV

An afternoon nap

Iced coffee

The music of Stevie Nicks

Feeling a little better

Deer in the yard

Everything is suddenly green

Sunday Inspiration: Around You

 

Thankful Thursday: April 9, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

My daughter's dental surgery went well

Planning for a short getaway

A good cup of coffee

Fresh flowers

Cinnamon bread

New leaves on the trees

Easter Sunday

The rain stopped

Sitting out in on my deck

A spectacular sunset

My silly grandsons

My sinus headache went away

Another healthy dog check-up

Sunday Inspiration: Bloom

Thankful Thursday: April 2, 2026

 

I Am Thankful For:

Our new camper

Sunny days

Blossoms on my strawberry plants

The grand kid is feeling better

Phone conversations with my sister

Jelly beans

Warm showers

Glasses and contacts so I can see

Cute spring crochet project

Honey for my tea

Having two of the cutest little dogs ever

The pear tree in bloom 

The full moon peeking at me through the clouds