Creating your next chapter

Posted on August 29, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

What’s my next chapter? There are so many chapters, it’s sometimes hard to decide.

My biking this year has been very sporadic. A bum neck, muscles and shoulder curtailed my trail riding at the end of April.

This week, I ordered a new axle and trainer for my bike. Once it’s on, I can either use it as an e-bike on the trail or I can use it as a stationary bike. My next chapter includes reconditioning my butt, etc., so I can get back on the trail without any physical issues.

It also includes returning to early-morning rides, taking photos and writing. Gardening for end-of-season also places high on that list as does setting a girls’ game night before it gets too cold for playing on the deck.

These represents passions I’ve put on the back burner for various reasons at various times. As I embark on changes with semi-retirement, these passions now have become more of a priority.

Now I choose to make those a priority. Yet every day like me, we all waken to a blank page and 24 new hours. We make choices designed to direct how we hope the day will unfold. We fill the ‘page’ by planning or flying by the seat of our pants…or both.

How will you create your next chapter (day)? Please share.

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What’s your personal ‘me’ time worth?

Posted on August 22, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

Taking the time to do what we really want to do is something very important to all of us.

This bride chose to celebrate part of her special day in a place she chose, probably to take pictures somewhere upstream on the trail.

She took time out of her special day to create a one-time memory. She prioritized that walk over all the other demands upon her in that moment. I believe that’s a moment she will appreciate for a long time.

I wonder how often we give our thoughts to the present moment and just go with the flow radiating from our hearts.

We all have 24 hours each day. For many, eight hours’ sleep and eight hours’ work comprise two-thirds of that time. What do you do with the other eight hours?

Between running errands, household chores and taking care of meals, available time for refreshment dwindles.

I personally try to start each day writing what Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity calls Morning Pages. The process involves handwriting three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts. Since I write very small, I don’t usually write three pages but the desired outcome still results. I also try to incorporate a weekly artist’s date (one hour of alone fun time) each week.

During this appointed early-morning ‘me’ time, I listen to and watch Mother Nature when the weather allows. This morning respite charges my batteries for the day. It allows me to set the tone for the day before most people arise for the day.

To me, my decision to give myself a morning appointment represents the best investment of my time. This time allows me to quell thoughts leftover from the day before. It provides a true cleansing of my monkey mind, like taking out the garbage for a fresh start.

How about you? Do you make an appointment with yourself for ‘me’ time? Please share.

Posted in Feeling Good, Inspiration, Simplicity | Tagged | Leave a comment

What do YOU want?

Posted on August 15, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

What do you want? As time goes on, what I thought I wanted is not as black and white as I believed it was.

Years ago, I knew I wanted to be a court reporter. A deli, title insurance, writing and bookkeeping businesses all entered the picture at various times. Personal desires such as hiking, walking, riding a bike and photography have been passions I’ve enjoyed. Volunteering as a domestic violence, Alzheimer’s and canal commission advocate as well as with church, writing and business activities complemented my desires.

Time has made me more aware of the deeper meanings under all those desires. Those meanings included financial freedom, helping small business owners, partaking in outdoor activity while enjoying and sharing the beauty of my world.

Today as I transition from my decades of self-employment and volunteerism, I find what I truly want is peace and freedom. I create peace through my actions and inaction, focusing on what truly brings me joy.

How about you? What do you REALLY want? Please share.

Posted in Inspiration | Leave a comment

Do you trust your vision?

Posted on August 8, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

Do you see anything different in this picture? There’s something practically hidden in plain sight.

This is a better picture of a green heron. This one was feeding off whatever he found interesting as it flowed by toward the lock waterfall. This guy stayed easily 30 minutes!

Years ago I was trying to take a picture of a bee pollinating a flower at the watershed. The last picture I shot after I gave up trying captured the bee in flight. (Sorry, I couldn’t find the picture to add it here. That’s one of my upcoming projects – to tag and organize my 10K + pictures.)

I wonder how many times we ‘miss’ seeing something because we’re not really seeing in the present moment. We focus our vision on one thing but sometimes never see the full picture.

That’s true also of so many other aspects in life. We see someone do something we believe is wrong or selfish or…or…or…yet we may not realize the full picture. Erroneous judgments based on what perception and belief we create in that moment result.

The true reality may be hidden from our vision or understanding. As we mature and our vision changes, wisdom grows.

“Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.” Edgar Allan Poe

Can you imagine the effects of accepting such a concept?

Posted in Acceptance, Belief, Nature | Leave a comment

Taking a Leap of Faith

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Kathy Ruff
Waiting to take a leap of faith

Yesterday I saw a Mama duck, I believe, teaching her little ones how to fly. She has her flock follow her to the lock and flies down to the water, urging them to take a leap of faith to meet her in the water.

I’m not sure but it’s probably 10 to 15 feet from the sidewalk to the water.

These ducklings decided to go back into the upstream water where they walked up the embankment and down the trail. They then met Mama downstream. So cute and smart!

Yesterday I saw another mama doing the same thing. Mama was in my yard (on the opposite side of the trail) having difficulty flying over the fence while six much smaller ducklings voiced their distress from the sidewalk on the trail side of the canal.

By the time I took my packages into the house and came outside to see how I might help, Mama was no longer in my yard. All but one of the ducklings had also disappeared from the trail side of the lock.

The lone straggler remained on the sidewalk above and continued to let Mama know he was scared. Yet his fear of getting separated from his family apparently trumped his fear of jumping down to meet them. He took a leap of faith, plopped into the water and very quickly reunited with his family.

We all share a commonality with the ducklings. Sometimes we need to take a leap of faith which scares us. We make a choice to either not ‘jump’ or to move forward despite our fears.

Can you share an example from your life…and share your feelings on the choice you made? Your comments may help others or give us a laugh!

Posted in Faith, Inspiration | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Learning About Light and Gardening

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

These plants and veggies love the LED lights under my kitchen counter. It’s hard to believe it’s May 2nd and this poinsettia still looks this good!! Some of these plants will be in this year’s garden.

What’s odd also is I heard about being able to grow celery, romaine lettuce and sweet potatoes by putting the bottom cutoff section into water. It’s working for the celery, but I just put the sweet potato ‘root’ in yesterday. The broccoli seeds from Wednesday’s Seed to Supper class put on by the Master Gardeners of Carbon County are in a spot where I hope it, too, will love the lights before they get transplanted into the garden.

Patti and I chipped in for a 4 x 8 32″ tall raised bed Vego Garden. FedEx delivered the box last weekend. The packing tape around the bottom of the box showed evidence of an issue in shipping. Turns out all the nuts, bolts, etc. were missing. After a phone call and three emails listing what was missing, yesterday’s email said it was on its way! YAY!

We went to Lowe’s and got 14 bags of organic raised bed soil. Hopefully we can put it together this week.

We learned in addition to loving the light and good soil, other nutrients, companion planting and TLC will give the plants the best opportunity for an abundant yield. Composting is one of the components of nutritional soil. My research suggests coffee grounds and egg shells are two everyday contributors that add nutrients to the soil so I started collecting both.

Can’t wait to get my hands in the soil so this year’s garden will hopefully yield more than last year. I’m also hoping to learn more about indoor hydroponics and aeroponics systems so I can grow over the winter. I’ll try to keep you informed as the season progresses.

Are you gardening this year? If so, what are you planting?

Posted in Inspiration | Leave a comment

What is Wabi Sabi?

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

Tom’s rheumatologist wrote me two words on a sheet of note paper: Wabi Sabi. I had no idea what that was. She was offering the idea to my husband but handed me the paper. My inquisitive mind wanted to know.

According to AI overview Google search,”Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical worldview that finds beauty in imperfection, transience, and natural simplicity…” That’s only part of the finding but the rest, to me, is worth reading.

That seems to be the underlying meaning of this blog, a blog I’ve been writing off and on since April 2010! I’m ignorant of the Buddhist philosophy or tenets. Yet this represents a philosophy I’ve been practicing most of my life.

I enjoy biking, even now with few buds or blossoms or leaves. Once spring progresses, all those will come.

My wabi-sabi sees beauty in a gravel trail, grass turning green and an early-morning, cold ride as a GREAT start to the day. Yes, those are gloves on my seat. This morning was warm in comparison to what many, many mornings have been so far this year. Despite the weather, I found myself involuntarily smiling from ear to ear as I rode across the parking lot to get onto the trail.

Isn’t it great to enjoy and appreciate what is? That outlook solidifies my contentment and fulfillment. I really DO appreciate the simple pleasures and gifts life provides. Like enjoying a sunrise, a sunset or a bike ride, life presents itself in the moments. Not always the way we expect or want. Not always at the timing we prefer. Yet the moment is all we all have. We cannot change the past or the future. We CAN enjoy the moment. We can do what we feel inspired and motivated in that moment to create the future we envision.

I envision a season of bliss as I ride on the trail. My first real ride of 2026 was shorter and 9 minutes slower than last year, but that’s okay. I’m starting where I’m at and enjoying the journey. My hand brace bothered me a bit after the ride but the support prevented the issues I faced for the last 1 1/2 years after a fall and torn ligament. Yes, I’m slower. Sometimes slower isn’t so bad. Feeling the fresh air and joy over riding again fuels my passion and enthusiasm.

Thoughts?

Posted in Feeling Good, Inspiration, Simplicity | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s finally spring in Pennsylvania!!

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Kathy Ruff
It's spring!

Yes. As of 10:46 a.m. they say it’s officially spring. Yes, this is my poinsettia Patti gifted me back in mid-December. I’ve never had one that stayed so nice for so long!

The long, cold winter weather (I hope and pray!) is over. Trees are pushing noticeable buds. The geese once again have graced us with their lawn contributions. Soon goslings and ducklings will meander the trail and grace us with their innocence, beauty and joy.

I look forward to riding my bike on the trail. I rode it the other day over to the Lehighton Outdoor Center to get it tuned up for the season. Rode it back a day later. I’m ready for biking on the D&L trail. I’ve been walking once the ice and mud began to disappear, but biking fuels my outdoor passions. For me, spring means I can again enjoy the enthusiasm created, the crisp, fresh air and sightings of nature in all its glory.

How about you? What do you love most about spring?

Posted in Feeling Good, Nature, Passion | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Love the Change of Seasons??

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

Tuesday’s temps hit the upper 70s in northeast PA, a rare pleasure in early March. With the change of seasons teasing us, I aired out the house for a little while. When I open the bedroom window and the patio door, it creates the perfect flow to get rid of stale air.

Patti and I went for a walk on the trail and saw Jake enjoying that flow when we came back. He enjoys the change of season, too, no matter how fleeting it is. Temps tomorrow may struggle to get out of the 30s again.

Yet there’s something about that tease that inspires us to look forward to the coming season. On the walk, I took a few pictures that also show the contrasts of the change.

What’s your favorite thing about the change of seasons? This year for me it’s the promise of temperatures consistently above freezing.

Posted in Feeling Good, Inspiration, Nature | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Anyone ready for spring?

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Kathy Ruff

Doing a little online research, sources seem to predict Punxstawney Phil’s accuracy rate at between 30 and 40%, less than the 50/50 for a coin toss!

The Old Farmer’s Almanac boasts better accuracy than both of those, near 80%!

Bottom line: Spring will be here 10:46 a.m. on Friday, March 20, no matter what the prognosticators say.

Are you ready for spring? I am!!

Posted in Nature | Tagged , | Leave a comment