[Note: if you do a google search for believe anyway you will see a Twitter account for someone named Kathleen–nope, not me. and you will see a you tube account. ditto–nope, not me].
Why do I believe anyway? I am a perennial optimist. I can’t help it. No, my life hasn’t been trouble-free. I have had my share of suffering, loss, difficulties, and you name it. BUT through it all I still believe. Like the tale of the boy that was put into a room with lots of manure, I know there is a pony in there somewhere.
I am a wife, mother, tutor, writer, friend and faith-filled lady. I am still…a perennial optimist. My favorite painting of Jesus is this one by Frances Hook:
The purpose of my blog is to inspire, share ideas, express my thoughts, and uplift myself and others. It is my fervant hope that my blog, on my best days, will light the proverbial candle in the darkness. On other days it will at least get some of my thoughts onto electronic paper and stop them from just knocking around in my head.
Beyond that, I do hope that my writing and blogging will improve over time. Persistance pays off.
Believe Anyway 
Wow, Kate!
As a fellow “Kate” and as a wife, mom, writer, tutor, etc., I feel we have lots in common! I came over fromt the post-a-day question where I read about you working to catch up with the schedule. I decided to check out your blog because I admired ou attitude. I was thinking, “What pluck!”
The only thing we do not have in common is your enthusiasm. I could use a shot of it every day, so I think I need your input . . .
. . . I’ll subscribe in just a few seconds.
*And as you can plainly see, I usually lose the war with my laptop keyboard! 😦
kate—i think this could be the beginnings of a beautiful friendship. welcome and thanks for the shot in the arm
jump on board my sister-kate
Well, we’re up and running, now. Cannot wait for your next post. 🙂
thanks! Love your blog too! Love your cleaned out closet/sewing room/pathway to caffeine heaven too 😉
ME TOO! 😀
:–)
I’m so happy to have stumbled across your blog 🙂
glad you did too!
I agree.
thanks so much!
I’m in agreement with all the lovely comments above. Am very happy to have come across your blog via the daily photo challenge. As with sister-Kate, I feel we also have much in common as to why we blog and as regards our life views. It’s always good to join forces with others on a mission to bring hope to the current environment of negativity.
hugs for sharing your stories and photos…i’d love to do the same for you… 🙂
Thanks hugmamma! I feel the same way about your blog. If we each light a candle in our portion of the darkness and negativity pretty soon the world will once again be ablaze with hope, joy, and love.
Hi Kate, thanks for stopping by my site.. Have a great day! 🙂
thanks for stopping by, too. i love the look of your blog. I am still trying to figure out layouts, widgets, etc. Not sure how to do badges over in my right hand column. There is so much to learn and discover!! Hope all is well with you today!
dear ma’am,
i just stumbled upon having a website of my own, and i am groping in the dark; everything’s a mess in my head; but i don’t mind, because i think i am gonna learn so much from people like you. i admire your writings and their essence. i feel so blessed. take care.
good luck with your website and blog.
thank you.
you are so welcome! sorry this reply is months late. i thought i had already posted your welcome–i must have gotten interrupted
it’s okay madam; thanks for taking the time.
are you feeling like you have a handle on blogging—your blog looks awesome!!
thank you. i can’t say less of yours as well; you’re such a wonderful writer. kudos to you. keep it up ‘coz you’re such an inspiration.
🙂
Thanks for subscribing to my blog. I just looked at yours and subscribed right away! Kudos on canning- I’ve never had the courage!
Thanks for subscribing back—i just kept reading and reading your blog. FYI the last time we lived in MN we belonged to St John the Baptist parish in Savage. Our good friends are still there–Andi is Director of Religious Ed and Jerry is a deacon. Love Mpls. Re canning—doing fruits is pretty easy. I was so scared I’d mess it up—but I didn’t. And canning pumpkin bread is super super easy—you don’t even need to boil the bottles—I bet you could do it if you want to. BTW I ordered your book for my kindle today, too. can’t wait to read it 🙂
Hi! thanks for visiting my blog. It is wonderful to meet another optimist. I love blogs that inspire.
Cheers,
Louise
Me too—ditto! Thanks so much Louise!
By the look of it, I am attracted to you blog like my religion.
Welcome!
Hello, there!
Stumbled upon your blog and knew I would like it as soon as I read your by-line. So glad to have found you and I’m looking forward to following along!
I am thrilled that you found me and subscribed. It seems we are kindred spirits. I will be following your blog, too 🙂
thanks—-honored that you think of me and my blog worthy of the title of mom–
Sent you a blog award, go to http://tbnranch.com/2011/12/12/blog-award/
thanks–i know i thanked you in the post and on your blog months ago, but thanks…..
Yer welcome friend!
Oh, congratulations, Kate! I am so glad for you! 😀
Thanks Kathy!
Hi My Friend,
Thank you once again for passing on the Liebster award to me. Here is the post I have about it and I have linked you back.
http://ichoosehappynow.com/2011/12/19/cup-of-joy/and-the-winner-of-the-liebster-award-for-blogging-is-www-ichoosehappynow-com/
Cheers,
Louise
Thanks! I plan to take a look at the blogs you awarded the Liebster to.
http://photographyofnia.com/2011/12/26/it-is-great-honor/
I am so glad to meet with you dear Kate. You have a wonderful blog. A Candle Lighter begins in your beautiful pages… Thank you for this precious award that you created. I’m so happy being a part of this great spreading light of love and goodness… Blessing and Happiness, with my love, nia
You made my morning with your kind, loving, thoughtful words. I am delighted that you are part of this movement of brightness, optimism, and love. Keep the candle going anytime you see fit!!! There is no limit on joy. Blessings to you, too dear Nia–love, Kate
This is SO great!! I’ve only become an optimist rather late in life–but I firmly believe it’s Never Too Late!! God has wonderful things around the corner for those who refuse to give up–my dreams are coming true today, and at 59, I feel younger than ever–Glory to God!!
I am so glad to meet you through the blogging world of Candle Lighters. Your blog deserves the award!
Happy New Year. All the best in 2012! 🙂
You too—I’m so glad your friend gave you The Candle Lighter Award I created—it is traveling and traveling!! If you want to see the link where I created it it is right here: https://believeanyway.wordpress.com/creation-of-new-blog-award-the-candle-lighter-award/
Sometimes people want to know the story behind things. You deserve the award and how wonderful that you know so many others that deserve it, too.
Kate – thank you so much for the Candle Lighter Award honor! I’m trying to find the code to add the button to my page, but can’t locate it.
You can email me at happinessengineer@yahoo.com with instructions, or hop back over to TheLuckyMom.com and leave it there.
Thanks again!!
I sent you an email. Let me know if you have a problem. If so, one of my friends has a blog that does a great job of explaining it.
Hello Kate, I know we have communicated back and forth much today as you have liked, read, and commented on my posts. You definitely have achieved your goal of encouraging someone today. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the time you took to read probably all of my posts and comment on all of them. Again, thanks so much. It was wonderful to connect with a “kindred spirit” with whom I seem to have so much in common. I did not see where you posted a receipt of the Candlelighter Award. If no one has nominated you for your own Candlelighter Award, I certainly want to nominate you. Post it on your Awards and Badges Page or visit my site again under Candlelighter Award, where I give specific instructions on how to insert it into your Widget area. Continued Blessings on your life and your writing, Connie
Thanks, Connie! I do have it in my widget area. You and another lady gave it to me. I have to post about it—I keep forgetting and now I need to find who the other lady was that gave it to me….thank you so much. I started reading your blog and was having such a lovely time reading your posts that I had to finish all of them. Now I am doing the same with katharine trauger’s blog. I have followed her for months but fell behind in reading her posts. You and she are both amazing, warm, lovely women…and now God has gifted me with knowing each of you and meeting so many other amazing bloggers, too. continued blessings to you, too…
I admires You much.Your Writing ll be a Inspiring one for everyone.Keep On Your Great Work!!!
Have a Successful Year!!!
thank you so much! I hope to stop by your blog real soon
Kate, I really LOVE and appreciate your blog and wanted you to know that I have nominated you for the Versatile blogger Award! I know you have been nominated before but I had to do it as well because your blog makes me really happy:) As you know, you can find the specifics about this award here:
http://cravencreativity.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/versatile-blogger-award/
Your blog is an inspiration, keep doing what you are doing:)
Sincerely
Karen
Dear Karen: Thank you so very much for your kind words and the nomination. Your blog is lovely, inspiring and a light in the darkness. Thank you for the award. I am in the midst of pulling a list of nominees together. You keep blogging too, ok?
I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering and reading your blog. I look forward each time I see a new posting to read about your adventures. I just wanted to let you know that I think you are a Genuine Blogger. Celebrate your blog, as it is comes across as heartfelt and genuine. There are no rules with this honor. Accept it and relish in the thought that your blog is “award worthy” without having any strings attached. It is an award that I hope allows recipients to know that their work is appreciated, valued, and noteworthy by fellow bloggers and that does not have the pressure of “rules and requirements” to follow. It is to be received and valued as the gift and honor in which it is intended. You may post a bagde on your blog to display to others of this award you have won. If you choose to give this award to a deserving fellow blogger, please do so with no “rules.” Award it to someone for his or her genuineness in blogging. Free and clear.
Here is the post that explains the reasoning behind this award: https://justramblinpier.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/genuine-recognition/ .
Here is the “badge/button” for your Genuine Blogger Award if you would like. http://justramblinpier.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/genuine-blogger-award.png
Congrats and enjoy!
Just Ramblin’
words cannot begin to express my humble gratitude. You are special, kind, inspirational, heartwarming, generous, etc. Thank you so much. Your thoughtfulness brings tears to my eyes. I love that you created such a wonderful award. Blessings…hug your wondrous pups from me.
I love your blog, and because I do and because I think you’re deserving, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can accept your award here: http://moonlightenedshelves.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/my-versatile-blogger-nominees-are/
If you’ve already received one, just know I think you deserve another! Thank you for what you do.
thanks, Jean! I have one already, so it’s really sweet to receive it again.
Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by our travel &photoblog, and checking it out! Much appreciated!
Warm regards from sunny Recife, Brazil, from http://3rdculturechildren.com/2012/01/23/18-months-in-brazil-sharing-tips/
your blog is truly lovely. it’s lovely, too to know a blogger in sunny Brazil. I have always wanted to see your country.
I just was passed the lovely Candle Lighter Award and simply had to find out its origins. I am so delighted I did! Turns out, we seem to have a lot in common attitudinally, you and I! And I will be very happy to be able to share your blog with my small but incredibly great-hearted readership now that I know you’re here, not to mention following your work myself.
I can only claim to have had one friend who called me Kate (among my many nicknames along the way, most of them repeatable), but I always was fond of her and her choice. 🙂
All happiness to you!
Kathryn
happiness to you as well! I went over to your blog and signed up right away. You have such a wonderful outlook and blog. I added you to my list of Candle Lighter’s. I look forward to following your blog.
Great blog! I, too, am an optimist no matter how bad life gets!
thanks—i am going to have to come on over and take a peek at your blog :-). Thanks for stopping by!
I sent you a blog award, go to http://tbnranch.com/2012/02/13/blog-award-3/ to accept!
thank you a zillion times over. I am working on a writing assignment for a Saturday deadline. I will post the award info etc after that. hug the chickens from me–they are so cute!!
I’ve nominated you for the ABC Award. If you’ve already received one, just know I think you deserve another. You can go here to accept it! http://moonlightenedshelves.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/the-abc-award-and-a-big-thank-you/
Thank you Jean–you are so very kind! I received it awhile back–but am just putting another round of awardees together. So I will link it over to you, okay?
Sure thing. Thanks, Kate! You have a great blog!
Thanks, Jean—you do too!
You’ve been tagged!
hope you don’t mind!
http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/2012/02/23/tag-youre-it/
i lost track of where this was…glad i found it! i will post about it soon!
Hi Kate….I’d like to give you the ABC Award. You have such an uplifting blog. I really enjoy coming here! Congrats! It’s a fun award! Here’s a link for more info:
http://jayjaysfavorites.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/the-academy-of-blog-awards/
thanks, Judy!
Nice! Your post “How was your day” inspired me a lot. I’m looking foward to building a sound family, full of love! You really are doing a good job!
thanks teeceecounsel! You WILL build a sound family of love. thanks for your kind words. i look forward to seeing your blog regularly.
I’m following you because I’m a perennial optimist, too. Or more liken to a faith-driven, hope-filled melancholic. Saw your gravitar on the Laughing Housewife. Liked what you had to say. Cheers.
I am so glad you found me; especially because that means I have found you, too. Thanks–cheers right back to you!
I nominate and give you this “VERY INSPIRING BLOGGER AWARD” because your blog is all about inspiration and lifting others up. You can read about it and get the picture to go on your blog here at my blog: http://workthedream.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Congratulations. Your blog is very deserving.
Wow! Thanks so much! I will pop over and read all about it…I assume I need to compile a list of award recipients…these are so much fun to do; thanks.
Hello Kate, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and Sunshine Award. If you choose to accept, please visit my blog for more information. http://www.positiveboomer.wordpress.com
Hugz, Renee.
thanks so much renee—i will get to the posting and passing on soon. you are too kind!
You are most welcome! Take your time as it is time consuming and sometimes ‘life’ just gets busy. Have a super day. hugz 🙂
Congratulations. I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please go to my page here http://workthedream.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/the-versatile-blogger-award-and-the-tmi-award/ to see what to do.
arghh i dont think i passed this on to folks or thanked you. i cant remember and have to search back through…..sorry my friend!
I understand. 🙂
Kate, I have nominated you for the H.U.G. Award for you fit the qualifications. Your page is a place of hope and help. Please go here to read what to do. http://workthedream.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/6000/ congratulations. I can not think of a more deserving blog.
thanks~you are amazing.
Giving you well deserved recognition, in the form of a little game that was played with me, because I think you and this blog are amazing. 😀 http://serendipityplus.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1423&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
I’m so sorry. Seems the link I inserted in my post to you was wrong. It should be http://serendipityplus.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/tag-youre-it/. Sorry about that. :-]
going to do this today~right now as a mater of fact!! sorry for the delay!
Please don’t apologize. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog. 😀
Easter is a time of rememberance, a time of thankfulness, a time of Joy…
Many Blessings Kate to you and your Loved ones.
Christaian Love – Ron and Anne
happy Easter to both of you, too!
Kate, I put a temporary link to Believe Anyway on my ‘front page’ (home page). Blessings to you! Thank youj for your encouragement!!
Thanks Maria~~that was so nice of you!!
I’m so thrilled you like my photography. It would be fun to go on a walk together. We could teach each other so much. If you want to know anything about photography, just ask. I love to teach and who knows I might just end up doing a blog about it!!!
in the next couple of days i hope to go on a nature walk and take some pictures. i will see how i do and figure out what to ask! i know for one thing my colors often seem washed out~especially compared to the intense color i notice in yours…
I was hopping around blogs this evening and stumbled upon yours. Your tagline of finding ways to be optimistic in trying times, drew me in:) I’ve enjoyed several of your posts. Nice blog:)
Dear Brooke~I am thankful and delighted that you found my blog and enjoyed it. Welcome! that in turn has given me the lovely privilege of finding your blog!
Love the blog and thought you were overdue for an award 😉 http://ohmymuse.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/the-sunshine-award/
thank you so very much~ i will post about it as soon as i can….my students have me super busy this month!
HAHA! Take your time!
HI Kate, I have nominated you for the “Lovely Blog Award” and the “Versatile Blog Award”. If you will accept please drop in, http://www.positiveboomer.wordpress.com Thank you. Renee
Accepting and posting hopefully this week!
To a wonderful lady. hugs. 🙂 Renee
hugs to you, too! butterflies, rainbows, great exercise and boundless joy!
awe.. Happy Friday. 🙂
Congratulations. I have awarded you the One Lovely Blog Award. You have a wonderful blog. You can read more about and find the award on my page here: http://workthedream.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/the-illuminating-blogger-award-and-the-one-lovely-blog-award/
FINALLY I am getting this passed on this week. How ridiculous that it has taken me this long. sending lots and lots of hugs and love
Tag! You’re it! See the details here:
http://cbwentworth.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/tag-im-it/
FINALLY doing this this week. I must have been playing freeze-tag, right?
…blogging will improve over time. Persistance pays off…
thanks—your blog started out fantastic and just keeps getting better.
Hello Kate. I have nominated you for “The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award”. hugs. Renee 🙂 http://www.positiveboomer.net
my sister boomer—i thank you so much….hugs and love—kate
thanks my friend!
I just saw this comment for the first time.. ha ha Oh well,better late than never I guess. You are most welcome my sister blogging buddy. 🙂 Renee
HI. I have nominated you for the Blog of the Year 2012. Please visit my blog for the rules. 🙂 Renee http://www.positiveboomer.net
Kate, here’s another award for your virtual mantel….an appreciation for your inspiring posts…
http://journeyman1977.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/spreading-some-more-cheer-cos-im-sick-of-being-sad/
thanks so much! i appreciate that and will post about it soon. ❤
You’re welcome, kate…enjoying reading your blog 🙂
Hello my friend. I have nominated you for the Blog of the Year 2012. Can you see the stars? tee hee. Please visit my blog for more information, http://www.positiveboomer.net. Thanks. hugs. Renee 🙂
Just came across your blog. I think your writings are great! Love your blog. 🙂
thanks