It’s Gonna Be Okay

September 9, 2026September 10, 2026 / still a dreamer / Leave a comment

There’s a whole lot of comfort in those words when they’re sung by Dolly Parton. Especially when she’s surrounded by some of the most impressive voices in the music industry.

Dolly lit up the world with her humanity, generosity, her Imagination Library, and, of course, her endless contributions to music.

It is this song of hers, where she’s joined by Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba that just moved me so much. If that’s not enough, throw in a small gospel choir.

There is something so pure and touching and powerful about women’s voices together. We don’t hear them coming together nearly often enough, especially from different musical genres. I’ll admit, I had tears rolling down my face as I listened to this – the first time, and the next few times after.

There’s so much going on these days – in the world, in our own lives – that a few words of comfort, a reminder that things are gonna be okay, seem pretty welcome. Thanks, Dolly, for all the grace and goodness you brought the world.

Thanks to my friend Barb over InBarbsWorld for sharing this. It was just another sign that everything’s gonna be okay.

Dolly photo courtesy of Wikipedia (Common Domain)

Noticing in Times of Abuse

April 8, 2026 / still a dreamer / 9 Comments

A gun held to the head of another, albeit lowered, the trigger not pulled, is no less of an abuse, whether to a country or an individual.

However, we can still choose to notice beauty around us, and hope together for a more loving and harmonious world.

A Small Place of Peace Inside

November 4, 2016 / still a dreamer / 8 Comments

Do you have particular spots in your house that you are drawn to? I have a few … this is one of them.

oakwashstand2

It always feels that there’s a moment of calm here. It’s not specifically the photo of my parents on their wedding day, nor the fall leaves in that deep brown, glazed pitcher, nor the rusted tin crow – it’s all of it and how it just sits together. It’s a confluence of things that somehow ties my life together, and it’s a spot which, when things start to pile up on the chairs, gets cleared and cleaned quickly.

It feels like fall in this little corner of my world, and at times like these – a week so filled with work that I can sometimes forget to go out to the road and get my mail – it reminds me that Home is a good place. The beauty of fall is happening outside; I took it all in yesterday on an appointment I had to keep, and hope to take my camera to enjoy it again this weekend. But meanwhile, fall is happening inside, too.

Years ago, while applying to art school, I briefly considered a degree in architecture (though that would have meant I’d have taken and done well in physics and/or chemistry.) I later realized it wasn’t architecture that most attracted me; it was the inside spaces of the building … interior design. It was creating little spots like this, spots of visual retreat and harmony, that inspired me.

Goethe once said, “He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” I believe he was right.