Happy To Be Here
Latest Happy To Be Here
Agricultural teamwork
Last spring, my husband and I decided to transform part of our side yard into a meadow-like collection of wildflowers. We had a vision of ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Karen Bellenir.
Column – Wondering why
Why is the sky blue? This common question is one I know how to answer, although learning the truth required that I set aside a ... Read more
2 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
We are not all OK
When I was in high school, I lost a classmate to suicide. His tragic story incorporated some of the same fatal elements Shakespeare mentioned in ... Read more
2 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Despite our heritage, we are all people of the United States
In normal times, the Fourth of July is marked with family gatherings, barbecued feasts and fireworks. The subdued tone of last year’s pandemic-inspired quiet may ... Read more
4 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Anticipating better surprises
I dislike surprises. I prefer it when life’s events align with expectations. I’ve noticed that the most common surprises seem to feature unpleasant consequences. An ... Read more
5 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Honoring a mothering mindset
Mother’s Day arrives in the U.S. Sunday as the year comes into full bloom. In all 50 states, the occasion has been recognized on the ... Read more
5 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
The hummingbirds are coming
Many people view the approach of April 15 with trepidation as the typical IRS tax deadline looms. Mother Nature has provided a more pleasant association ... Read more
7 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Reflecting on a year of isolation
When the words “coronavirus” and “COVID” first began appearing in every day vocabulary, my husband and I were visiting relatives on a beach in Florida. ... Read more
8 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Books can provide a break from reality
A couple Christmases ago, my husband gave me a coffee mug that declares, “A book a day keeps reality away.” Are you ready to join ... Read more
9 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
COLUMN — Waking up to a New Year
I am not a morning person. My husband can go from asleep to awake in an instant, but my journey between those two states involves ... Read more
10 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
COLUMN — Let there be peace on Earth
Decorations have sprouted all around town, trees are erected indoors and colorful lights sparkle through the long nights. Once again, it’s time to tell the ... Read more
11 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Searching for signs of intelligent life
When I get an opportunity to let people look at the night sky through my binoculars, their first reaction is often surprise at how much ... Read more
11 months ago by Karen Bellenir.
Spider webs add seasonal ambiance
Mother Nature has been decorating my yard for Halloween. Because of her exuberant placement of spiders and webs, I’m feeling more prepared for the annual ... Read more
1 year ago by Karen Bellenir.
Journeying into the future means taking steps into the unknown
Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, Unsheltered, includes the story of a mother who suffers from fear and anxiety. The author writes, “Willa believed in the power of ... Read more
1 year ago by Karen Bellenir.
Look to the sky for a show full of stars
I don’t know what’s on television tonight, but I do know this month is a prime time for stargazing. As the world slips toward autumn, ... Read more
1 year ago by Karen Bellenir.
Close encounters of the wild kind
During extra hours recently spent at home, I have turned my attention to working in the yard and the garden, wandering in the woods and ... Read more
1 year ago by Karen Bellenir.
Finding enjoyment during this time of staying home
Everyone I know has felt the impact of non-essential business closures, stay-at-home edicts, and social distancing guidelines. For some, these rules have presented challenges, and ... Read more
1 year ago by Karen Bellenir.
Everyday magic in ordinary things
I love stories that include magic. My fascination stretches back to my growing-up years. As a young child, I fancied a story by the Brothers ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
New time plan proposed
Take a look at your watch, your phone or a nearby clock. Some devices may run a bit fast or slow, but if you adjust ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Being active helps battle winter’s dreary days
One recent morning, I woke up after a restless night. I hadn’t slept well. I was cold. My left hip hurt. My right shoulder ached, ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Festina Lente!
Rather than making resolutions, I adopted a motto for the new year — Festina Lente! I encountered the expression in a delightful novel by Robin ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Nature’s light show
As winter approaches, the hours of night lengthen. People throughout our community take advantage of the darkness to display seasonal lights. Nature is planning to ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
A season for gratitude
It’s the season for giving thanks. You’ll probably be receiving advice delivered via social and other media suggesting that you express gratitude for friends and ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Whistling past the graveyard
Boo! Did I scare you? Probably not, but as days get shorter and nights cooler, ghoulish expressions and macabre symbols abound. People’s thoughts and decorations ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Astronomy and astrology
When I tell people I’m interested in astronomy, I’m surprised to discover how many assume I mean astrology. Reactions fall into two categories. Some try ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Here comes trouble
Earlier this year, Cindy and Bill Bergen welcomed Trouble to their Farmville-area farm. That’s Trouble with a capital T. I chatted with the Bergens about ... Read more
2 years ago by Karen Bellenir.
Watching humanity’s giant leap
In 1969, my family moved to a small beachside community less than an hour’s drive south of Cape Kennedy in Florida. On the morning of ... Read more