Blessing: a beautiful trail we hiked on our honeymoon trip.

Class is in full swing and it is stimulating and it is difficult! There is much to read, discussions to post to and respond to, and oh, the writing. Class is in full swing and it is mind-boggling. My students are hardened. My students have terribly tough shells and they haven’t figured out yet that I do not and will not believe that they don’t care. Class is in full swing. The online world is alive with students working in Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas and Colorado. 80 students in 6th and 8th grade alone! 5.5 miles is not enough time for all these prayers plus family and friends.

One of my struggles right now is deciding what to do

Blessing: flowers on Mackinac Island.

for my final writing project in creative non-fiction. I’ve thought about my memoir about Cathy; I got an A on the first small piece I wrote for this class about my sister, but I don’t know that I’m ready to tackle that. I’ve thought about a piece on horses and women and healing. I’ve thought about delving into nature writing which has always intrigued me but which I really know nothing about. The not making a decision is driving me nuts. I have about 24 more hours before I need to submit my abstract proposal.

Blessing: a view of Lake Huron.

In all of this, I do remember how blessed I am. I have a husband who loves me and whom I love with all my being. We have five healthy adult children and one beautiful granddaughter. I live in the middle of God’s country. A coyote howled at me on my run this morning and the moon was bright enough to light my way. Coming home last night, fifteen or so antelope sauntered out of the corn field and into the wheat stubble. I spent an hour riding my horse on Sunday. Every single student turned in their writer’s notebook yesterday. Breathe and pray and love in the midst of the chaos.