Find Your Peace
Rain has fallen in Hamilton County. Always a blessing!!
We have five weeks till our county fair starts. In ten days half the year will be over. Anyone else notice time is flying?
I tell myself the same lie every year - summer will slow down. HA!
It’s busier and faster. All the projects I have promised myself would be done this summer and all the lists I am trying to check off seem to get longer and less is getting done which is stressing me out a little.
Camps, sheep shows, harvest, work, get my daughter to this practice or that game.
Busy busy busy!
And it’s not just me. Every mom I speak with says the same.
It’s hard to carve out some me time. I try. I have been taking more walks with my dogs. In fact, I walked/ran a 5K this weekend. I was tired and proud at the end. Then someone sent me a picture of myself and I was mortified.
Instead of focusing on my accomplishment and the overall joy in my life, I was focused on how many chins I could see in the picture. lol.
My publisher and I are working on book cover designs for my book launch which is tentatively July 7.
No guarantees on the date yet. But I will keep you posted.
I am planning an online event and then a couple local events too.
Right now I am sifting through four book cover ideas. I had several family and friends look them over. Everyone had different answers and different reasons.
I think I am more confused than ever.
One friend said to go with my gut.
The problem is my gut is telling me different things.
I think one will sell better than others, one would cater to a different group than the others.
Yes, I am overthinking it all.
I have noticed when I start overthinking all my peace goes away. I begin to stress more, get more frazzled, and start to misplace items, forget things, and I don’t feel accomplished at the end of the day.
Adding to the stress, I have to hurry and get this paper out because I am headed to cover a story for next week’s paper.
Normally I go for a walk in the morning but there was no time today.
What do you do when it seems like you can’t catch your breath?
I would say don’t make any big decisions yet. Walk away for a minute. Remember these times won’t last forever.
Do you call a friend? Listen to a song? Pray?
On Tuesday, I was sitting in front of my computer refreshing the browser over and over again, waiting for something that was supposed to be there but wasn’t. In fact there were two or three things expected to come in and they weren’t there yet.
Finally, I got up and went with my daughter to the sheep barn. Stepping outside was magical.
Getting away from the computer was exactly what I needed.
After finding my peace, I checked my email on my cell phone.
Not only the thing I had waited for came in but ALL the things I had been expecting later were in early.
When we came home, I got right to work and things flowed smoothly.
When do you push through? When do you take a few minutes to walk away?
I guess the point is find your peace. I would say I can find my peace at a beach house on vacation but that isn’t going to happen for quite some time.
So how do you find your peace where you are at?
Maybe the first thing to do is stop, to praise God for some wonderful things in your life, and for getting you through difficult times.
Breathe. Quiet yourself. Remember no good decisions came under duress.
Remember this won’t last forever. One day I won’t be rushing from here to there and to be honest that scares me.
As crazy as this time in my life is, I love being of purpose, giving to my family, and helping.
But...I do need a little me time. Hopefully that will come soon. I would take a couple hours of responsibility free time.
And maybe it’s time to boldly pray Romans 15:13 (NIV) - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Do you do that? Do you pray boldly? Or do we whimper out a - please don’t let this happen?
I am guilty of whimpers for prayers. So right now I am acknowledging that and praying boldly for me and for all those that read this.
Be blessed!!
OPINIONS
God Shows Up
There has been a lot of hurting people in our community lately. Death of a loved one, accidents, learning of an illness. Fire blazes to the south of us. Many I know are in pain, and have encountered hard times. Over the last week I have heard some troubling stories... [More]
More love, less hate
Happy Thursday! I am writing this Wednesday morning . When this paper goes out, I need to start on next week’s, the final edition of the year. There won’t be a newspaper for January 1, 2026. The calendar last year left zero room for a break and I am desperately... [More]
Purpose in the Pain
It’s November! It’s a beautiful cool, fall Wednesday morning as I write this. I took a walk with my dogs, chatted with my friend, and coughed. But the cough has been way better! Tuesday was Election Day. The contest for mayor of Coolidge was one many were watching.... [More]
Fruit of the Spirit
October is here! The cool mornings are lovely! Looking forward to cooler afternoons too! Thought I would share some quick updates. My respiratory junk is not wanting to exit this human. Got another round of antibiotics and more breathing treatments. Thankfully I am improving. ... [More]
Where Can God Use You Today?
A long haired shaggy white dog, likely a Great Pyrenees, showed up at our farm last week. After a couple of days, we saw it wasn’t going anywhere. We started to feed it. He let us get closer. What we found was a skinny, malnourished dog with a horrible case... [More]
How Vulnerable Are You?
Thanks for your patience last week. I am still recovering but have returned to the land of the living! I get frustrated with how slow it takes to recover sometimes when really I should focus on the fact that I am recovering. I truly feel like I am getting stronger and then... [More]
Let God
It’s the first week of September. After I get the paper onto stands, we are headed to the state fair. They changed some of the stalling procedures this year for sheep which leaves some unknowns for us. But every year we go, we learn new things. After my irritation and frustration... [More]
Breathing Space
I slipped away for a quick getaway for back to school clothes shopping, visiting family, some good food, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. We left Thursday afternoon and returned Sunday. It was triple digit heat when we left our sheep in good hands to be taken care... [More]
More Opinions
- Building Moments and Memories
- When you don't win
- Where the Frustration Grows
- What's the Lesson?
- There's A Place For You
- Here I am God
- Hurry Up and Slow Down
- Looking for the Good
SPORTS
HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
STATE GOLF RESULTS
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
JH BASKETBALL WINS
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
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]
More Sports
NEWS
Health Department Adds New Services
The Hamilton County Health Department has been undergoing some exciting changes recently, adding new services that are bringing more people through the doors. While the department is seeking bids to freshen up the office with a new coat of paint, the changes go far beyond... [More]
Everybody Has A Story: Dana Watts - From Syracuse To Washington, D.C.
She described herself as a “bookie”! She loved to read growing up, and she considered herself a bit of a bookworm. Her story began on May 29, 1978, born to Ron and Becky Watts (now Wallace). Dana began her life in Bryan, Texas, but moved to Syracuse when she was just... [More]
Bennett is Reserve Champion In Arizona
Cole Bennett has been riding horses since before he could walk. His tireless efforts sometimes come with broken bones, soreness, and not much glory. But eventually, things pay off. Last weekend, Cole competed at the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale,... [More]
Angie Moser Retiring, Running For Commissioner
After 23 years serving the public in the Hamilton County Clerk's Office, Angie Moser is retiring. On Tuesday morning, she was honored by the Commission. Her actual retirement date is June 15. The Hamilton County Republican committee will meet on June 10 to make a... [More]
C Double Liquor Open House
It was a busy Saturday as alumni gathered all over town. The Sand Dunes were busy, and It was a beautiful day to check out the new, improved, and redesigned C Double Liquor store, formerly the Liquor Shack. C Double Liquor & Laundry, LLC is owned by brothers Casey... [More]
Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas
LAWRENCE — Beginning in late May and continuing until late July, residents of southwest Kansas may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hexagonal frame. This aerial arrangement is part of a project to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer in Southwest... [More]
Everybody Has A Story: Jenny (Verry) Holdredge - From Syracuse to Doctorate
“If you want to get it done, get a woman to do it! “SHE” is Jennifer Suzanne Verry (ALWAYS known as Jenny), born October 1, 1977 to James and Valerie Verry in the small town of Belle Fourche, located on the northern slopes of the famous Black Hills... [More]
More News
- Area Rain Brings Hope To Farmers
- Cruisin’ Into Car Show - Best Turnout In Ten Years
- Coolidge Bridge Opens
- Plunkett Elected to Kansas Angus Association
- Out With The Old: City Wide Cleanup
- Aguilera Appointed to City Council of Syracuse
- Main Street Market Opens With Limited Hours
- Giving Back To Community Brings Joy
OBITUARIES
Barbara Thompson
Funeral Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Barbara Thompson will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 21, 2026 at Holly Methodist Church in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Barbara... [More]
Judy Hill
Judy A. Hill passed away in Lakin, Kansas on August 17, 2026 at the High Plains Retirement Village. She was born in Garden City, Kansas on December 16, 1943. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Lakin Cemetery, Lakin, Kansas.... [More]
Cynthia Anne Long
Cynthia Anne Long, age 89, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Evergreen Health & Rehab Center. Cynthia was born on November 19, 1936, in Syracuse, Kansas, to the late Albert Mickey James and Rowena (Lockridge) James. She pursued... [More]
Jamie (Kennedy) Coleman
Jamie Alyn (Kennedy) Coleman, age 54, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 23, 2026, in Syracuse. She was born on January 7, 1972, in Wichita, Kansas, to James Allen Kennedy and Diana Grace (Vernon) Kennedy. Jamie began her life in Wichita and she moved with her family... [More]
Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez
Mass of Christian Burial for Holly, Colorado residents, Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez will be held at 2:00 p.m. and Rosary prior to the Mass at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2026 at St Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado with cremation to follow. Pedro... [More]
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp, a longtime resident of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 6th, 2026. He was 86 years old. Dick was born on June 8, 1940 in Sidney, NE to Lawrence and Dorothy Sharp. He grew up in Sidney and graduated high school there. After serving... [More]
Carla (Pfefferkorn) Younger
It is with great sadness that the family of Carla Marie (Pfefferkorn) Younger announces her passing from this life on Friday, June 26, 2026 while surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 2, 1944 in Beloit, Kansas to Carl Henry Pfefferkorn and Gertrude Elizabeth... [More]
Fern Maxcine Shetterly
Fern Maxcine (Campbell) Shetterly was born August 15, 1932,in Holly, Colorado to Roy and Augusta Campbell. She died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 23, 2026. Maxcine was born into a hardworking farm family during the height of the Great Depression.... [More]
More Obituaries
- Bonnie (Stevens) Adkisson
- Johnny DuVall
- Eldon “Skip” Reed
- John “Skip” Conard, Jr.
- Peggy Hatcher
- Sharon Ann (Taylor) Englert
- Boyd “Pete” Dwight Bezona
- Larry Vaughn Meyer
©2026 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.