Eleven Years of Grace Found Daily

“Start before you're ready.” Stephen Pressfield, The War of Art

I started writing my blog eleven years ago in 2015, but I had probably wanted to write it for the five years prior. What held me back? Things like not knowing what to name it or how to set up a blog. 

That and the possible rejection from those who read it. I must say, though, that those of you who have followed along have always been highly supportive, and I have appreciated that tremendously.

I remember only sharing that first post with a small group of friends, but I knew I wanted to expand that circle of readers. I naively thought that somehow, overnight, I would suddenly have hundreds of followers. I thought I’d be rubbing elbows with other bloggers. 

Interestingly, on a smaller scale, some of that happened. I did meet a few other bloggers who did encourage me when I doubted myself. I’ve had a few posts over the years that hundreds of people have read.

I’ve had faithful readers and new readers, but either way, getting to share my thoughts and having the opportunity to write has been priceless. 

I’ve participated in many 31 Day Writing Challenges, and I’ve recorded vacations and grandchildren’s milestones. I’ve contemplated life and encouraged others to take risks and adventures. I’ve shared my struggles to conquer sugar and my many moves over the years. 

What writing my blog has done is give me the confidence to call myself a writer. Over the years, I have posted 1,857 times, not a bad body of work. 

Today I’m expanding my writing wings. I’ve finished a children’s book, and I’m writing a historical fiction novel based on an actual event in Texas. I’ve joined two writing groups, and have learned so much about writing this past year. I’ve attended a writing workshop and connected with local writers. 

My next hurdle will be publishing these two pieces. Just like when I started my blog, I find myself hesitant about what to do next. I am researching my options and have sent the children’s book to one publisher. It looks like I can chalk up my first rejection, but I don’t want that to hold me back. 

My wish for you is to start. Just like Pressfield says, even if you don’t feel ready. I promise you, if you do, you will be surprised by what can be accomplished in a year, let alone eleven. 

So here’s to you, Grace Found Daily, and another year of writing. Thanks for reading along. 

The Rock Church

 

A couple of Saturdays ago, Chuck and I hit the road to Cranfills Gap, a town southeast of De Leon. Our mission was to check out The Rock Church. 

We stopped first for lunch at the Horny Toad Bar and Grill in Cranfills Gap. With a name like that, why wouldn’t you stop? Chuck had a memorable burger, and I had a yummy chicken quesadilla.

After lunch, we headed out to the old church. It was built in 1886 to serve a Lutheran congregation in the Norwegian community. Today, it holds services at Christmas and Easter, and can be used for special occasions like weddings, baptisms, and funerals. 

The church is absolutely stunning, and I highly recommend visiting it if you never have. The exterior of the church is built with native stone and is flanked by green shutters and red trim. The steeple is also trimmed in red and green and is quite unique. We were delighted to find the church open and enjoyed checking out the interior. 

The church has no electricity, and a huge, ancient heater sits at the front, next to the altar. Lanterns adorn each window for candlelight Christmas Eve services. 

Next to the church is the St. Olaf Cemetery, overlooking the hills in the distance. 

The day we visited was extremely windy, but we certainly enjoyed seeing this lovely old church. They really don’t build them like this anymore. 

When Will I Learn to Keep My Mouth Shut?

As luck would have it, I had two opportunities this week to have lunch at Harvest in Comanche.

On Tuesday, I ordered Quiche Lorraine, and it was absolutely delicious. When I left, I knew I’d order it again when I returned on Thursday for a friend’s birthday. 

On the way there, I told another friend of mine how much I enjoyed the quiche and that I couldn't wait to get it again. When I arrived, I started bragging to anyone who would listen about how amazing the Quiche Lorraine was.

When the server made her way around the table and asked for my order, there was no doubt in my mind what I’d be getting. I ordered quickly and looked forward to that first bite. 

A few minutes later, the server returned to inform me that they were out of quiche. I questioned whether there was enough quiche for everyone else who had ordered it. Apparently, there was. 

In my effort to promote the quiche, they had run out, and I was the unlucky customer left holding the proverbial bag. 

Lesson learned: Keep your big mouth shut.

I did end up ordering a Croque Madame, which turned out to be quite tasty. I guess you can’t go wrong at Harvest. 

2025 Revisited

 

How is it possible that 2025 has come to an end? For some reason, it’s gone by way too quickly. I guess what they say is true. Time flies when you’re having fun.

January began with Chuck and me continuing to go to our local gym. I go twice a week, and he goes three times a week.

In February, I joined a Wellness Class at my local hospital, and after limiting my sugar intake starting in April, I lost 10 pounds. (Of course, it’s time to get back on the wagon after indulging during the holidays.)

After a friend from high school invited me to join her writing group, I spent Tuesday nights on Zoom practicing the craft. I was able to edit a children’s book I had written in 2019, and started writing a historical fiction novel. I have learned so much this past year, and I look forward to continuing to write this next year. 

In February, Chuck flew to Florida to spend time with his Dad, who had been put in hospice. Charlie passed away at the beginning of March, and Chuck returned to sell his house and get his affairs in order with his brothers' help. 

At the beginning of March, we began raising our third flock of baby chicks, only to learn that half of the six were roosters. We put them in the loafing shed instead of the library, and it was much easier and cleaner. We were able to give two roosters away and ended up with a very docile rooster, named Barry, who has done a fine job keeping the girls in line. 

Chuck was able to get fencing done around our property to hopefully raise sheep this coming spring. 

Chuck and I volunteered this year to be greeters at church. It requires a once-a-month commitment, and we have enjoyed being involved. 

The boys were all involved in sports this year. Levi played Wee Ball; Casen played football, basketball, and baseball; and Hayes played soccer. Hayes’ team ended up winning the season championship. 

Casen also began showing pigs in the spring, and Hayes showed with him in the fall. Casen won first place in showmanship and earned his first official belt buckle. 

This July, Chuck and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We had dinner at a new restaurant in Stephenville called The Seeker. We both agreed that it seemed almost impossible that forty years had gone by. 

Chuck’s big news this year was retirement after 46 years of service with his company. (TPL, TXU, Energy Future Holdings, Vistra Energy) He had a special luncheon in his honor, given by one of their vendors, SOS, and a reception at work. The Beahm family was able to attend, and that made it even more special.

He has spent the last three months working on projects around the farm. He’s in his element, puttering around the Rocking H.

My big news this year was getting my cataracts removed. It’s been nice not having to wear glasses, but it took some adjusting to coming to terms with what I really look like—that and all the dust I didn’t see before. I will need an extra laser procedure in a few months to remove a film that has grown pretty quickly on both eyes. (Not uncommon, but usually happens after a few years.)

I’ve been volunteering to read to preschoolers at the Comanche Library on Wednesdays. Levi has helped me, and I’ve really enjoyed sharing some of my favorite books and crafts with the kids. 

Chuck and I joined a book club at the De Leon library, which we really enjoy. After our once-a-month meeting, we have been exploring new eating establishments in the area. It’s been a lot of fun. 

I also took over the Retired Teachers Facebook page. I enjoy attending our monthly meetings. 

I attended a writing seminar at the Comanche Library and hope to join a new writing group forming there. 

We did not go on vacation this year, but hope to travel to New England next summer. 

My favorite thing of all is getting to watch Levi three days a week. I’ve taken him to preschool story hour at the library, and his brothers and him to Dairy Queen for Happy Hour treats. All three boys enjoy playing games on the library's computers each week. Living close by is the best!

Christmas 2025

Another wonderful Christmas is in the books. I was a little slow to decorate this year (I trimmed the tree in shifts), did a lot more last-minute shopping, and only made a few Christmas goodies, but it all worked out. 

We started the season with what has become a Christmas tradition. Brittany, the boys, and I shopped the local Comanche stores on Black Friday and ended up at Star Beau’s for lunch. The boys each got a pre-Christmas gift that day. 

I was fortunate to celebrate a Christmas get-together with my Bible Study group, the retired teachers, my wellness group, and my Yee-Haw friends. 

We were able to attend the boys' Christmas programs, a live nativity scene at Lingleville Baptist, and the last year of Faces of Christmas at our church. 

Getting together with my family on Christmas Eve has become a cherished tradition, which includes Will, Brittany, and the boys. 

We got a ping pong table for the Beahms, and I’d forgotten how fun it is to play ping pong. 

The Beahms came over Christmas afternoon, and Will cooked us delicious steaks for dinner. We had a great day together!

Yacht Rock

Well, apparently, I've been living under a rock, or more appropriately, a yacht, when it comes to music. 

Last night, for the first time, I was introduced to a genre of music I didn't know existed- Yacht Rock. Well, actually, I was familiar with it, but only under its original name, soft rock. 

If you were born in the 1900s ( as the kids like to say), you probably remember the music of the mid-seventies into the mid-eighties. 

I learned there is an actual channel, 311, on Sirius radio that plays Yacht Rock. 

Probably one of the best examples of this style of music is Christopher Cross, one of my all-time favorites.  Remembering actual albums I owned, Little River Band and even Dan Fogelberg are included on the list. 

Artists like Steely Dan, Hall & Oats, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Seals & Croft, and Toto are also considered Yacht Rock. 

The term Yacht Rock was coined in 2005 by comedian J.D. Ryznar in a “mockumentary” about the soft rock of the previous era. The term was a play on the Southern California music industry and the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

It looks like I was only twenty years behind when it comes to the term, but I’ve got my radio preset on 311!