My kids used to tell me, “Everything reminds you of a song, Mom!” Now, don’t get any ideas that I might be musically inclined. I’m far from that. However, it is true that certain phrases will trigger my mind to drift back to rhythms and rhymes embedded in my memory. While I love music for its own sake, I enjoy it mostly as a vehicle for thoughts and feelings presented in verse form that, without the instruments, would be called poetry.

And I do love poetry – especially poetry with simple messages reflecting wholesome thoughts and values.

So, it’s not surprising as I put together a plan for my own website for blogging, that I’m reminded of a song – an old song first recorded in the early 1960’s by Jim Reeves with the title, “Welcome to My World.” Written by Ray Winkler and John Hathcock, it is a lovely song, sweet and simple in its romantic message in a time when sweetness (innocence) and simplicity were still valued.

I don’t know about you, but I find our world today sadly deficient in these attributes. For this reason, as well as its welcoming message, this song plays through my mind as I prepare these pages for those who might desire a little sweetness and simplicity in these very troubling and complex times. My hope is to be able to capture some of the many thoughts and words that circulate through my mind like a West Texas whirlwind, and put them in some kind of logical order that makes sense when read by others. That is, after all, exactly what writing is.

So, I say to you, “Welcome to my world!” I’m so glad you dropped by!

You won’t necessarily find miracles here, as mentioned in the song, but we may often talk of them. Miracles like those found in God’s creation which He spoke into existence back “in the beginning.” Or miracles of love and devotion and self-sacrifice found when we let His Word guide us in our relationships with one another. There could be a few miracles of laughter and silliness that just might bring about the miracle of a smile. And always we will keep in mind the truly God-performed, awe-inspiring, spontaneous and spectacular miracles of the Bible – most notably, the resurrection of our Lord.

Mostly, we will try to share sweet and simple thoughts that will give us a break from the busy and harsh world we live in. My blogs will be presented in these categories:

Porch Pondering – Sitting on a porch alone or with others opens the mind to random thoughts and talks that may bring about a smile, a tear or maybe just a moment of awe. Meandering, wondering, porch pondering…

Mountain Views – From high on a mountain we are awed by a distant view that makes us feel small in its vastness and shows us where we’ve been and where we are going. Climb the spiritual mountain of God with me for inspirational messages and Biblical teachings that will give us Heavenly views and an eternal perspective.

Western Wanderings – What can I say? I love the American West! The history, the land, and the people are all part of my own personal happy place. I’m a West Texas girl at heart, though it’s been years since I’ve lived there, and the small towns, enormous skies, hardworking people and rugged landscapes of our western states captivate me. I have thoughts and poems and stories to share that I hope will do justice to this amazing region. Best read on a country porch with a windmill in view…

On Being Woman – It’s very challenging in today’s world to be a woman, raise children, or maintain the kind of marriage relationship that God desires for us. But God’s word is the perfect guide, and following Him can lead us to find fulfillment and contentment as we walk this complex maze of a woman’s life.

I hope you will enjoy this little adventure into my world of thoughts and poems, both serious and silly, that come directly from my heart to you! Welcome!