Author Archives: Kate Kresse

“Do i prefer to be as young as my hope or as old as my despair? It is in the shaking off of the despair and the cynicism that we claim or reclaim joy. I wish you messages of hope, … Continue reading →

Today I wish to thank all who paid the ultimate sacrifice, losing a family member while serving in the military. I did have family members who served. Many of them passed on, but none passed on during wartime. My heart … Continue reading →

So, it began when I was a kiddo. “Rise and shine. Make today one of your very best days,” my dad would say, every day. How did your day begin today? Mine began with my sweet dogs showering me with … Continue reading →

It is hard to believe we are already in the double digits part of May. When I was a kid, May meant dance recitals, piano recitals, final exams, making summer plans, getting book recommendations from teachers and librarians, the scent … Continue reading →

http://abilitiesawareness.blogspot.com/2006/01/bills-legacy-lives-on-in-coffeeshop.html MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2006 Bill’s legacy lives on in coffeeshop Bill Sackter has been gone for more than 20 years now. He died in 1983. But his spirit lives on here at Wild Bill’s Coffeeshop in Iowa City, Iowa. … Continue reading →

In these COVID days, I have been thinking a lot. I have been thinking about friendships and family. It is funny. Sometimes friendships begin because your teacher’s seating chart places you next to someone who turns out to be “a … Continue reading →

When I was growing up, my parents “made do”. My mom made all of our clothes except for socks, underwear, and shoes. She did make our slippers, though. She could see an article of clothing in an ad or hanging … Continue reading →

I was talking on the phone with one of my uncles today. He is so sweet and kind. So are all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. At certain parts of my life I have been blessed to live in … Continue reading →

Copied this, it touched me..i see my friends and relatives who have dogs (and cats) in this … …………. When I am old… When I am old… I will wear soft gray sweatshirts… and a bandana over my silver hair….. … Continue reading →

If you are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, downhearted, or even apathetic, please remember that no desert is infinite. Deserts end, mountaintops are reached, storms and floods end. Perseverance is a challenge. But we can persevere. Even though our deserts continue today, … Continue reading →

The 4th of July was a BIG DEAL in my family. My family had so many traditions, so many traditions. I could write multiple posts about that. There were 5 of us when I was growing up. My parents, my … Continue reading →

This is how you know you are in Phoenix in any summer month when… *The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground. *The trees (same height as fire plugs) are whistling for the dogs. *The … Continue reading →

When I was growing up, my parents often quoted poetry to us. They did this to inspire, reassure, and at times bring humor to our lives. When they were in school, they were required to memorize all kinds of poems. … Continue reading →

Starting sometime in high school (a LONG time ago), Thursdays became my favorite day. School was pretty much always my happy place. I loved it. I loved the give and take between teachers and students. Teachers inspired me. Academics came … Continue reading →

do you like photography? Did you like fairy tales and using your imagination when you were growing up? This guest post will appeal to you. https://wp.me/pbVRp9-3r  

I suppose it happens to all of us. There are times when I am just dragging. On those days, I just want the burdens on my back or in my heart to lift or fly away. There really is no … Continue reading →

The Greatest Generation came of age, of course, during the Great Depression. They sacrificed. They went without  They made do. They did what had to be done. When things got better, they never took affluence for granted. The following story … Continue reading →

I chat with God about so many things. I bet you do, too. I saw a post recently that really comforted me. I find that some days, I need comfort and inspiration. Thus, I assume I am not the only … Continue reading →

Happy Sunday to you. Are you feeling adrift or directionless? These first words were written by St Teresa of Avila, in the 14th Century. “God has no hands but our hands to do his work today; God has no feet … Continue reading →

when my elders wanted me to gain perspective and move from seeing the negatives to seeing the positives, they would say “pull up your socks”.  The Bible says “gird your loins”. Either way, we need to do that, don’t you … Continue reading →

This morning I was looking out my window at God’s beautiful work. It is spectacular, don’t you think? We have been given so much by Him.  But love is His greatest gift. He sent us His son, because of love. … Continue reading →

I’ve always appreciated poetry, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is one if my favorite poets. His “A Psalm of Life” definitely makes my Top ten, as do a couple of Rabindranath Tagore’s works: A Psalm of Life BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW … Continue reading →