Grief is tricky.When you least expect it, no matter how many days, months, or years has passed, it can break your heart again.Over my lifetime I’ve struggled with grief on varying levels – losing inno...  Read More

There are times of the year, whispers on a breeze, a song, a smell that can fill me with feelings of love, deep sadness, hope, excitement, and sometimes, even paralyzing fear.There is a version of mys...  Read More

Dear Michael,It’s your earthly birthday. I’m so thankful we purposely celebrated to distinguish from Christmas gifts and parties.There was the simple homemade meal because money was tight as we starte...  Read More

Sam turned 16 in July, but the hunt for a truck started a year ago. This market made it impossible to find one in the right shape, right miles, and right price range.A couple weeks ago, a private sell...  Read More

A baby boy was born addicted to meth with fetal alcohol syndrome to addicted parents who mercifully gave him up for adoption. I will call him Matthew.Matthew was fostered, then adopted by a loving fam...  Read More

Don’t get me wrong, Michael loved Jesus. He could have the most theological discussions with doctorates in the field, quote more scriptures than most from the King James, play hymns on the piano, and ...  Read More

If an unfortunate dog or cat was so fortunate to be “dumped” in the vicinity of Cedar Lane and 60th Avenue, they found themselves close to a heaven on earth.Many of the beloved pets I recall came to m...  Read More

In progress … my mental health, my art, my endless thoughts, my love, my grief, my hope, my fears, my wins, and my losses.  Days spent painting help wash away the heavier feelings for a time. I can le...  Read More

Sky. Her first day at Evoke was the same day we took over ownership/operations. She had been slinging coffee since she was 16. Full of energy, wisdom, and maturity beyond her years, she took flight fr...  Read More

I didn’t take photos this weekend. But I’m reflecting this evening the gifts of my mom, my mother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, my grandmothers, aunts, and women who poured into me over the years … and the...  Read More

I remember thinking how crazy it was when my grandparents said they were in bed by eight and up by five. Now, I’m most likely the age they were then and carrying on their legacy as I struggle to stay ...  Read More

BETTER ANGELS48 x 48, acrylic/ink on canvasI purchased the canvas two years ago and immediately did a painting that left me uninspired (you can see the evolution in my story). I put it up.A couple wee...  Read More