Emotionally Paralyzed
Have you ever felt emotionally paralyzed and not sure how to go forward? Panic inside? Fear of the future or fear of being stuck?
The world we live in today has lots of opportunities to think what’s the point?
So much is out of our control. So much is scary or heading in the wrong direction?
Personal example, because that is all I know. My husband saves everything. He finds joy in being surrounded by things. They are his family’s history or memories. They are paperwork that needs taken care of or reading he plans on getting to one day. And more. There are clothes he wants to fit into again. (I own that one too.)
Stuff. So much stuff! As a kid who grew up on the road, there were times when we left with the clothes on our back. I would play a game at night of if I have to leave, I will take a backpack and bring these ten things.
Well I never did. And I used to dream of having a home with generations of memorabilia and history. Here I am living the dream. haha.
But there is little order in the mess and chaos and it drives me crazy. And it has weighed me down.
In truth I think everything its great, in moderation. If I hold on to everything there is no room for anything else. If I let go of everything then I miss out on history and precious memories and possibly things I may need in the future.
So where to begin? I have decided this is the summer of declutter. Organizing and reorganizing, throwing away, giving away, selling what is not needed or used.
But the task itself is overwhelming. One day I started and did great. When I looked around it felt like I had accomplished nothing.
It’s a lot like working out. I do great for a few weeks and then I see no difference.
But I have decided to push forward anyway and try to create new better habits. So each day we are decluttering. On my to do list, it’s one drawer or one box.
We moved into our home three years ago and there are 30 boxes in the basement that have NEVER been touched.
So it’s time. And it’s freeing. Not only space in my home but in my soul.
My hope is by the end of the summer we will have created new spaces. Little things that need fixed will not be on the back burner anymore.
When I watch home remodel shows, the things I love the most are how clean and fresh things look.
Don’t get me wrong, lived in is good. If it’s perfect, then there is no life. But to have mounds and boxes just sit there, isn’t life. It’s stale. It’s stuck.
I think about a river versus a pond. The river flows, moves, releases the old and allows the new. A pond can sit there collecting algae. The stagnation allows mosquitos to breed.
If I had a choice I would choose a river. But that means letting and allowing and releasing. And that can be scary too.
What’s funny is I found so many things that just don’t mean anything to me anymore. Papers that are unnecessary. And I found room - room to breathe and to allow letting go of what isn’t working anymore.
OPINIONS
A SUNSET
How’s your life going? Some of you are still in summer. We started back to school here this week. The summer sped by faster than I ever remember a summer going by. Life is moving faster and faster and all the things I need to do are falling behind. I... [More]
One Of The Greatest Lies Ever Told
One of my first columns a couple years ago discussed “have to” vs “get to.” Well last weekend I missed a family camping trip to put together the fair edition. I barely left my chair for days. And then after a short break I had to put another paper... [More]
The County Fair
What memories do you have of childhood summers? Are they centered around family? Fun? County fairs? We just completed anothercounty fair. My daughter did well. And I am proud of her hard work. But as I am wiped out exhausted, recovering, getting ready for the next... [More]
Raise Someone Up Today
Right now my world is consumed by the county fair. I literally eat sleep and breathe it. When people ask if we are ready for school, my answer is after the fair we can think about it. When my daughter asks about some future event, my answer is after the fair we will discuss... [More]
One Child At A Time
Last week I mentioned how sometimes life can throw us good surprises. Well last week I had an opportunity to volunteer with poultry testing in our county. The veterinarian showed up and I mentioned how much my daughter wants to become a vet. And could she watch her work. ... [More]
A Little Joy
Hard work. It’s what I grew up with and it’s what I believe in. It’s what we teach our daughter. You want things, it takes hard work. Yes, once in a while you will be given a gift and that is wonderful and be grateful. But the grit and the sweat is what... [More]
Exactly As You Are
My heart is grieving. This joyous Jesus who I came to broken down by life is one many will never know. In people’s zeal they maybe forget how they came to know Him. Or maybe they never had that experience. Before I knew God, I seriously thought gay people weren’t... [More]
Kindness Matters
Here I am less than an hour from deadline trying to come up with something to write about. Many newspapers have begun to remove or lessen their opinion section. With social media and daily news outlets opinions, people have grown weary of more opinion. At least according... [More]
More Opinions
- It's the good stuff
- Jesus Without Conditions
- Casting Stones
- In The Barn
- Stumbling Upward
- The Jug of Oil Will Not Run Dry
- I Will Boast of My Weaknesses
- Ride the Waves
SPORTS
LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Senior Night Volleyball
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
HS Track
Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]
SHS SPORTS WRAP UP
Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]
Spring Sports Start
One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]
SUBSTATE HEARTACHE
Substate began and ended quickly but these Varsity teams left it all out on the court. In heartbreaking last second baskets, our basketball season was over. The boys lost by two points in the last five seconds and the girls lost by three. A wrap up of the season will come in... [More]
HEADING TO SUBSTATE
The SHS Bulldogs faced the 4-A Holcomb Longhorns for the final home game of the season, with the varsity teams unable to win. The boys will be the number three seed in first sub state match up at home, Monday, March 1, against the number 6 seed, Stanton County. This will be the... [More]
More Sports
NEWS
City of Syracuse Weeds Notice
Thankful for the rain but the weeds have grown! Let's clean them up Syracuse! Notice City of Syracuse The City of Syracuse will be enforcing Ordinance No. 592 SECTION 1.WEEDS TO BE REMOVED. It shall be unlawful for any owner, agent, lessee,... [More]
Back to School: New Teachers at USD 494
Introducing the new teachers at USD 494. In visiting with the new teachers, a common denominator is their impression of the staff and especially the community who is supportive of the school, but also their admiration of the facility and all it has to offer. High school... [More]
Gracie's Cafe Opens
Gracie’s Café, formerly Western Trail Café in Coolidge, is now open under new ownership and management. The Donaldson family from Bristol, Colo. has purchased the restaurant from Ken and Patty Jordan who operated it for the past ten years. Coolidge Mayor,... [More]
Do You Want To Become A US Citizen
Do You Want to Become a U.S. Citizen? Catholic Charities Offering Free Naturalization Consultation Clinic LIBERAL, KS, AUGUST 2, 2022 --- Naturalization is the process by which people who were born outside of the United States can become a U.S. citizen. For individuals... [More]
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE AUGUST 2, 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION FOR HAMILTON COUNTY
With 34% of the voters turning out plus 13 provisional ballots, here are the results from Hamilton County. Constitutional Amendment YES 244 NO 195 For United States Senate... [More]
God's Hand on Highway 27
If you were down at the Demolition Derby on Saturday night, sheets of rain and pea size hail caused concern. Many left, others hunkered in their vehicles wondering if it would pass. Information came in waves. The stoplight was out. The railroad lights weren’t... [More]
What Kansans Need to Know about Voting on August 2
WICHITA, KS – July 15, 2022 – On August 2, Kansas holds a Primary Election for political parties to select their candidates for the November 2022 General Election and a Special Election to amend the Kansas Constitution. ... [More]
A Hero
It was a dramatic few weeks and one of the bigger moments got missed. Dakira Limon is a lifeguard at the Hamilton County pool and a hero. An SHS graduate headed to Colby Community college for the animal science program. It is her fourth year as a lifeguard at the Hamilton... [More]
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OBITUARIES
Terry Ogden Herndon
Terry Ogden Herndon, 88, of Carlisle, died peacefully at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln on Saturday, August 6, 2022, after a full and wonderful life. He was the beloved husband for 66 years of Eva (Warmbrunn) Herndon. Born in Syracuse, Kansas on March 15, 1934,... [More]
Irvin Henry (Junior) Lewis, Jr.
Irvin Henry Lewis, Jr. always known as “Junior” Junior was born in a little country house in Stanton County Kansas on January 26, 1932. He was the youngest of 3 children born to Irvin H. Lewis and Effie (Mae) Hardin. The eldest a sister Ethel Lorraine... [More]
Darrell D. Markley
Darrell D. Markley passed away on Sunday August 7, 2022, at the age of 95 at the Hamilton County Hospital ISB in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born on September 23, 1926, in Enterprise, Kansas the son of Oscar Markley and Nellie (Richards) Markley. Darrell was raised in Abilene, Kansas... [More]
Dale Lee Simmons
A Memorial Service for Dale Simmons will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Hartman School Gymnasium in Hartman, Colorado,with Pastor Jason Kirkpatrick officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hartman Cemetery. Per Dale’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.
Dale Lee Simmons passed away on July 30, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 81. He was born on February 23, 1941, in Pratt, Kansas, to John and Theda (Carr) Simmons.
Dale grew up in Pratt, Kansas until he was seven years old. The family then moved to Hartman, Colorado,where he played basketball for the Hartman Bears. Dale graduated with the class of 1959, the last class to graduate from Hartman. He was united in marriage to Frances Leah Dennis on August 30, 1959. To this union, four children were born.
When Dale was only seven years old, he began driving a tractor. After his father’s death, Dale took over the family farm at the age of 15. He farmed until partially retiring in 2017. Dale continued to swath hay and operate a grain cart until his passing. Dale served on the Fire and Ambulance Board, Hartman Town Council, and as mayor for several years.
Dale is survived by his wife, Frances Simmons of the home; four children, Denise (Bob) Fazzino of Canon City, Colorado, Dennis (Jackie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, Dean (Jessie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, and Donna (David) Woodward of Port Orchard, Washington; eight grandchildren, Melissa Swope Woodward, Jeremy (Lindsey) Woodward, Dustin (Grace) Simmons, Kayla (Jason) Kirkpatrick, Dawn (Sean) Kelley, Sean (Krissy) Woodward, Gayle (Clay) Tatum, and Erin (Burley) Jerina; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Mary Rita) Simmons of Lamar, Colorado; sister, Ginger (Andy) Pittman of Arkansas; many other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Cook; and stepfather, Herschel Melton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holly Fire and Ambulance or the Town of Hartman in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, Colorado 81052. To leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz March 20, 1957 - July 27, 2022 A Funeral Service for Kris Jantz will be held at 9:30 a.m. MST, Friday, August 5, 2022, at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church in Syracuse, KS. Interment will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery. Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz passed... [More]
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips (Daniels), age 83, of The Villages, FL, passed away on July 19, 2022 with her daughter, Shawn Fanshier, by her side. Born January 25, 1939 on the family farm in Kinsley, KS. Barb was a life-long learner with a passion for following her dreams.... [More]
Justin Van Trussell
Justin Van Trussell passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022 at the age of 57 from a motorcycle accident near North Platte, Nebraska. He was born on September 22, 1964 in Germany the son of Ronald V. Trussell and Mona Rae (Alexander) Trussell. Justin began his life in Germany. They... [More]
Dalene Fecht Lewis
Dalene May (Fecht) Lewis passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the age of 71 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born on December 15, 1950 in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Albert Dale Fecht and Pauline (Finkenbinder) Fecht. Dalene was... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anthony Moldenhauer
- Walter Brownie Stimatze
- Judd Thomas Cherryholmes
- Beverly Lynn Musgrove
- Arthur Gene Coghill
- Dr. Craydon Dean McDonald
- Baxter Black
- Juan Carlos Cordon
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