View from the Front Porch - Page 42 of 170 - Award-winning Author Judythe Morgan

31 01, 2022

No New Year Resolutions for Me

By judythemorgan|2022-01-30T10:04:23-06:00January 31st, 2022|A Writer's Life, Writer's Life|1 Comment

After everything that happened in 2020, I had so wanted 2021 to be our return to normalcy. There were moments, but normal didn’t happen.

We had even more COVID variants to put up with. Plus, we lost Betty White and Alex Trebek. Not a good year at all. I was more than happy to turn my calendar and head into a new year.

January always feels like a second chance, a time for fresh starts. To begin again with resolutions for changes, if not in the world, then in ourselves.

Bloggers offer plenty of ideas for resolutions. I usually prepare a goal-setting blog or two myself. Not this year. No blog and no list of personal goals for me this year.

Why? Because resolutions are notoriously unsuccessful. Life always gets in the way. I’m trying something different this year.

I haven’t liked what I’ve seen in the world in the last two years. I haven’t laughed a lot. Some days I haven’t even smiled.

Instead of making a resolutions list, I intend to laugh more in 2022. While I can’t change the past, I’m counting on humor to get me through the present.

I know there will be new challenges in 2022. According to experts, China’s “gift” to the world is entering the endemic phase. That means COVID is never going away. The good news is, having survived the last two years, we have an arsenal to combat an endemic.

Will laughter solve all the issues we face? Of course not.

But laughter will increase oxygen intake and stimulate our heart, lungs, and muscles. Most importantly, laughter will increase the endorphins that activate and relieve stress responses.

In today’s world, that’s a win-win.

28 01, 2022

Playing Chicken

By judythemorgan|2022-01-28T11:54:16-06:00January 28th, 2022|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Things have settled into a new routine here on Miller Farm since Rachel moved home with her two dogs. One of the dogs is Penelope, Max’s sister, who has lived on Miller Farm in the past. Cooper, however, is the newcomer. He is an Australian Shepherd puppy and is much larger and busier than the dachshunds.

Cooper gets along with everyone – even the chickens and ducks. In fact, he enjoys “helping” me refill the duck pond. By “helping”, I mean he plays in the water coming from the hose as I drag it to the duck pond.

He has even gotten into the chicken yard a couple of times. After realizing the chickens do not respond well to “herding”, he has given up.

He has been introduced to the chicken on a fencepost game. He was very curious. Penelope explained to him that the game involves waiting and watching while the chicken walks along the top of the fence.

Everyone, including humans, waits to see which side of the fence the chicken will choose.

Fortunately, most of the chickens have learned to return to their side. They don’t yet realize that Cooper would just attempt to herd them back there anyway.

26 01, 2022

A.C. Crispin on Resisting Change

By judythemorgan|2022-01-23T12:45:43-06:00January 26th, 2022|#wordlesswednesday, Wednesday Quote, Weekly Quote|0 Comments

24 01, 2022

The Posing Tree

By judythemorgan|2022-01-28T12:06:56-06:00January 24th, 2022|A Writer's Life, Writer's Life|1 Comment

We have a huge oak tree in our front yard. Its trunk is thick. The branches wind and curve and resurrection fern covering the limbs unfurl to life after a rain.

Arborists tell us it’s around two hundred years old. We love it for its beauty and shade.

It begs to be climbed.

Old and young and very agile answer its call.

It is a perfect posing tree for photographs.

Photos that capture moments of time.

Photos that bring smiles.

Memories are what I love most about our beautiful oak tree.

What are you loving most these days?

21 01, 2022

New Chicks

By judythemorgan|2022-01-17T17:18:57-06:00January 21st, 2022|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

The preschool class at my school hatched chicks before Christmas. Usually, they do this in the Spring, but I no longer question anything. The classroom teacher took them home the first weekend, but her dogs were much too interested in them for her comfort.

So, the next weekend I volunteered to take them home. After all, there are only six dogs in our house and our grandson was coming to visit. We could use some excitement on Miller Farm.

I wore my Chicken Whisperer shirt the day I picked them up. The students were most concerned as I gathered them up. I explained I had many other chickens at my house and could take good care of them.

I promised to bring pictures as they grew. I also said I would bring eggs when they started to lay.

The following Monday, when I saw the preschool class, one of them asked if I had brought eggs. Preschoolers have no concept of time.

After the past two years, I’m not sure I do either.

19 01, 2022

Wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr

By judythemorgan|2022-01-16T16:11:16-06:00January 19th, 2022|Wednesday Quote, Weekly Quote|0 Comments

17 01, 2022

MLK Day 2022 – A Day On, Not a Day Off

By judythemorgan|2022-01-16T15:24:32-06:00January 17th, 2022|Holidays|0 Comments

Today we mark the 27th anniversary of the national day of service. The day was set up to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Martin Luther King day began in 1986 as a day to recognize the man. Dr. King was a husband, father, friend, and fierce advocate for the betterment of all people. You can read more of his life here: https://nationaltoday.com/martin-luther-king-jr-day/

Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice. He organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality. Through his nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement, he changed things for others. His actions earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

In 1994, Congress changed the designation to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – “A Day On, Not a Day Off.”

SOURCE: DoDEA

Dr. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question was

“What are you doing for others?”

This day offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and remind us of what is truly important. A day to make a commitment to engage with your community and honor the legacy of Dr. King.

Whatever you choose to do today, think about my favorite Dr. King quote:

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

25 12, 2021