Author Archives: Kate Kresse

About Kate Kresse

I love to write, I love to talk, I love to uplift people when I can. I am a woman in love with life. I am a wife, mom, tutor, writer, and I am a perennial optimist. (OK not every single minute but you get the point! :-)

How is your March going so far

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling reflective and a bit introspective. There is so much going on in the world that it is easy to miss the little joys around me unless I take time to notice … Continue reading

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Architects of Change

We are meant to be Architects of Change. We each want something for this world, don’t we? This is part of finding your path and your life’s purpose. What does your soul long for and how do you connect that … Continue reading

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we can light the world

I like to think of my life as an ongoing tapestry or as a journey through an ever changing landscape. The path I am on was made by Him, and I work to trust Him even if I get bogged … Continue reading

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The path less traveled

There are so many ways to find your next path in life. I have been reflecting on the various paths I have taken throughout my life. Some paths turned out to be oh so true to my heart. Others worked … Continue reading

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Does a new year make you want to change?

“When your heart knows it is time to change, your mind opens. When your mind opens, you can learn. When you learn, your brain changes and so does your heart. When all of this happens, you decide differently and you … Continue reading

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Begin Each Day With a Grateful Heart

I don’t know about you, but in my life I have always gleaned wisdom from those around me. My faith in God and my desire to live a life that He wants underlies it all. Sometimes i notice things i … Continue reading

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Good Wednesday to you

As you begin your day, focus on the blessings. If you have sorrow, if you are lonely, reach out. Or get busy doing something. Please remember. You matter. You make a difference in this life. It really is a wonderful … Continue reading

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wishing you porch swings and compasses

I like to think of my life as an ongoing tapestry or as a journey through an ever changing landscape. The path I am on was made by Him, and I work to trust Him even if I get bogged … Continue reading

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Pause with me

Happy Saturday. How are you doing today? Do you feel the need to pause and collapse this weekend?To pause to restore and regroup is a comforting way to put it. For me, striking a balance between stepping back to pause … Continue reading

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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was right

I don’t know about you, but poetry is something I grew up with. Teachers had us memorize and recite poetry. Mom loved poetry. One of her favorite poets was Longfellow (along with Kipling and Stevenson). Her favorite Longfellow poem was … Continue reading

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I fell in love with the ocean

I grew up in Minnesota and Chicago. I loved the rivers and lakes. Beach time was precious. In my adult life I have lived within about an hour and 15 min from the ocean. Oh, boy, that is incredible. My … Continue reading

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H2O therapy

Anyone else feel de-stressed around water? Yesterday afternoon, I headed to our community pool and went for a quick swim. Being in the water works like a charm for me. My favorite, of course,is the ocean. But, a river, lake, … Continue reading

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Get out there …

This is so good. Substitute your name in the stuff below. Show up! Written by John Roedel “Me: Hey God.God: Hey John. Me: I’m not leaving my house.God: Today is not the day you can allow yourself to withdraw from … Continue reading

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Stay in grace

Good morning! Here we are at the start of a new week. I was thinking about direction for this week, as I had my morning coffee and watched the birds in my yard.. Does watching nature calm you?youth? Need calm … Continue reading

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Sometimes You Just Have to Have Popcorn

Many years ago, my husband and I were living in an apartment in Minnesota. He had to take a business trip to the west coast. He was gone for a few days. One night I got home from work and … Continue reading

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Wait …. ok, let’s go

Monday night –> how are you doing? I am feeling grateful tonight. I am grateful for people who care and people who post things that remind me of the good and kind way of doing things….I have been on SO … Continue reading

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May God bless you tonight

My prayer for you is that God ease your mind tonight. May peace and healing rest calm and restore you. Good night and may God bless your sleeping and your awakening.

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The Great Depression & my parents

Did your parents grow up during the Great Depression? My parents grew up during that time. It affected how they lived their lives. It made them very careful with their money. It made them wise. They knew the importance of … Continue reading

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A thread a memory

Here we are starting a new week. I find myself awash with memories and stories. It is funny. When I look at the tapestry of my life thus far, I see connecting threads that didn’t connect in real time. Only … Continue reading

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Link arms at the campfire

Always have hope, dear hearts. Despite the things or people that tear your heart apart, believe anyway. There is always someone in your corner. Believe anyway. Go to the campfires where the loving people are. Sit beside them. Link arms. … Continue reading

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So Awkward!!

Go ahead and be your own weird self. If you feel awkward in your own skin some days, how do you handle it?I either cocoon until the feeling goes away, or I reach out to someone (eventually).I think many of … Continue reading

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Not just a chore: a chance for gratitude

I hope your Thursday goes well. What is on your mind and heart today?Are you filled with wonder at God’s creation? When I hear the birds singing in the trees in my yard and see the sunny sky, I try … Continue reading

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Do you ever wonder if you’ve still got it

Do you sometimes wonder if you’ve still “got it”?Do you add multiple paths in an attempt to do great in some area?Does your heart long to make a difference like a deer thirsts for water?I can identify with all of … Continue reading

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The view will be spectacular

“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

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Sail on

Get your rose-colored glasses ready! We know that optimism has been linked to better mental and physical health, and even to a longer life. How, then, to quiet optimism’s opposite: the naysayers in your mind that tend to dwell on … Continue reading

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Joy girl

How are you doing tonight? I am feeling “up”, which is good. A few days ago, I was feeling a bit down. It happens to all of us. There are times when I am just dragging. On those days, I … Continue reading

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Wishing us all a mindful Memorial Day

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

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The need to feel at home

Roofs – by Joyce Kilmer ‘The road is wide and the stars are out and the breath of the night issweet,And this is the time when wanderlust should seize upon my feet.But I’m glad to turn from the open road and … Continue reading

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Rise and shine! Don’t be a droopy-drawers

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

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It is hard to believe

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

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bill + settlement house

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

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