Starting first. Figuring it out later.

When Jennifer and I decided to start a podcast about local history, it meant trying something completely new at this stage of life — something neither of us had ever done before. Like, EVER...

If you've been reading my blogs lately, you've probably noticed that I’ve been using the words "calm" and "simple" to describe the direction I want for my life these days.

Those words have been shaping a lot of my decisions. I’m choosing a slower pace, fewer extremes, and more than a little extra intention about what I take on and what I let go of. I'm getting better at pausing, thinking, and praying before plowing ahead. It's a shift that's working well for me...

The other day I opened the cabinet to grab a bowl for dinner and noticed something I’ve apparently been ignoring for years. Right over there in my china compared are the "special" ones — the pretty bowls and plates that are part of a set of dishes my grandparents gave me. And without even thinking about it, I always grab one of the plain, practical bowls to use every day.

That’s when the question hit me...

The other day I wrote my grocery list on a scrap of paper instead of typing it into my phone like a modern, efficient human.

And you know what?

I didn’t lose it.

I didn’t forget to open an app.

I didn’t get distracted by three notifications and end up ordering socks online.

I just… bought the groceries.

It made me laugh a little...

The other day I sat down with my laptop to “finally get some things done.”

You know… it was going to be one of those very productive, get-my-life-together kind of mornings.

I opened my laptop with full intention to start on one project.

But before I could begin, my brain chimed in: