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Ordinary gifts day 1, spirit

Small gem stones with inspirational words, in a box on an airport gift shop counter, next to the cash register.
quote
Sanibel gift shop 2017.

Ordinary gifts?

Yes.

What are ordinary gifts from your experience and perspective?

They arrive every single day.

The basics.

Life partner.

Our son.

No debt.

What appears on paper as decent health.

Peace in my soul.

Joy in my spirit.

Love in my heart.

Two people i trust.

Two people i’d die for.

The fact i enjoy taking small, seemingly insignificant, creative, calculated risks to become a better, more patient person and live a better, more simple life.

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This website is about our SPIRIT. To enjoy today’s post about our WORK, click here.

The wild places, spirit

St Paul Lutheran Church Spring Grove, PA
St Paul’s Lutheran Church Spring Grove, PA. Was baptized here. Also received my Lutheran confirmation here as a 13 or 14-year old?

Why do you love the wild places?

From an early age, nature and all of Pennsylvania’s wild things, bugs, flowers, birds, creek critters, fish – all of it mesmerized me.

Nature has always been, and continues to be, my church, my worship place.

Always.

Never knew it though until i started getting back into ‘religion’ in my 40’s.

But the whole mystery and wonder of creation hooked me from the very beginning.

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This website is about our SPIRIT. To enjoy today’s post about our WORK, click here.

Family epiphany, spirit

family of three next to a hiking trailhead sign
Finally in 2025, we all got to visit Sperry Chalet together. It felt like a now-or-never proposition at this stage in our family’s life. Travel is not hereditary. Nor is family travel hereditary. i’ve never owned a new car. Saving money on car payments is my lifestyle choice.

Family epiphany?

Yes.

Life is hard.

Life is challenging.

Life is glorious.

Life is scary.

Life is your main job.

Forgiveness, patience, kindness, surrender, peace…these things are not genetically hereditary.

If your family has always had these traits as a family foundation, one family member isn’t mandated to live that way.

Conversely, if your family is tense, anxious, grudge-filled, resentful, impatient, one family member can break free and make their own emotional-lifestyle choices.

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This website is about our SPIRIT. To enjoy today’s post about our WORK, click here.

Put your habits in your Will, spirit

Black eyed susans in Iowa front yard
When traveling and running, it’s a simple habit to send my wife (photos of) flowers.

Got your Will all set?

If your family inherited only your habits (not your things or your money), which habits would be your most valuable gifts (legacy)?

What habits would i bequeath?

First, who am i to bequeath anything to anyone?

A quirky habit is sharing songs with Cheryl.

Been doing it since forever ago.

Here’s one.

Hope you enjoyed the ‘reminder’.

Ps. Who doesn’t love Brad and Carrie?

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This website is about our SPIRIT. To enjoy today’s post about our WORK, click here.

June 1, 2026, spirit

Mitchell's Sand Castle's Beach
The start of a Summer Beach day. Sanibel Island.

Happy June 1, 2026.

While the Summer Solstice is three weeks away (June 21, 4:54am), Since childhood, i’ve always celebrated Summer’s arrival on June 1st.

Why?

Summer is my favorite season because i love warmth.

Love to sweat.

Love to not have to wear a shirt to stay warm. In fact, the opposite, remove your t-shirt to stay cooler. Or jump in a pond, creek, or lake.

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This website is about our SPIRIT. To enjoy today’s post about our WORK, click here.