“Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of…

A ribbon of geese meandered through the sky, like a scarf aloft on the breeze.  They called to each other as their scattered formation began to take shape and purpose.  They had a single goal.    They were a  team.  A family. …

  Autumn’s brilliant display faded into an oblivion of gray, that awkward time between seasons where Fall is as thin as a politician’s promise and Winter is a threat, waiting at the end of the tunnel with heel’s dug in. …

As storms ravaged the Midwest on Sunday, devastating our Central and Southern Illinois neighbors, our hearts and prayers go out to them as we drop to our knees and bow our heads in reverence and gratitude.  We are lucky… Thanksgiving…

The month of November brings many joyous gifts and days to celebrate.  Daylight savings time’s exit has given us an extra hour of sleep and brighter, lighter mornings.  The days following Halloween have graced us (or plagued us) with leftover candy.  Veteran’s Day offers…

And so it begins. Today, more than ever, we need to have hope.  It’s time to reassess our moral compasses, employ a stiff upper lip, and perhaps for today, especially today, we need to hold those and the things we love…