I've been a little numb over the past few weeks--the heaviness of the world weighing down all around. I know I'm not alone when I say this--I just don't for the life of me understand. I believe when we are drowning in sorrows and the bad news keeps coming and the weight of this life tries to drown out the good, it's the memories of the past and most importantly reflecting on God's past and present goodness and kindness--that's what gets us through these very dark days. This

They handed me a couple of folded up notes–paper freshly torn out of their composition books–messy with the shreds still intact.  Do you know so and so, they asked. They're on the track team.  I do.   Do you mind giving these letters to them? Yeah, sure. I’ll deliver your letters. And I boarded the bus along with the other members of the girls’ softball team–headed up the mountain with the letters safely tucked away in my bag.  I tried to keep my mind on the game, but I’ll ha

I know this is controversial, but here goes.... I love a good snow–especially a quiet early morning snow–one with large snowflakes gently falling to the ground and a slight wind to carry the snow onto porches–and other covered places.   This was last Saturday–waking up to a blanket of white.  There were a few tiny birds at my feeders on this morning. Over the past few days I haven’t been able to fill the feeders because of the ground being iced over–from a mix of sleet and sn

There we were--a few of us standing in line at the local DG--aka--Dollar General--you know--pick any corner of the map where I live and there is one within hollering distance. Nevertheless, there we were--four of us. Two older gentlemen in front of me with a cart full of drinks and other items and within a few minutes another lady came and stood behind me--her breathing seemed labored--probably from all the rushing around "shopping for last minute snow storm items". Somethin

With all the talk about the winter storm coming this weekend, I wanted to share this story, Snowy Days again. I first shared this story, ironically, two years ago--January 20, 2024. And still, in my heart I believe--snow days are some of the best days! Grandma Lackey was a saver–a hoarder to some extent. She saved because at one time she had little to nothing. And she went through hard times dealing with rations--supplies such as sugar and flour and gasoline. After she pas

My Mama called me this week–said she was looking for something in the top of her closet and this box fell on her head–a small box. ‘Come down here and get it. I’ve looked through it–there’s some stories in the box–real interesting. I think you will like reading them.’ The top of the stained and worn paper box–the edges are frayed–the words in cursive reads–”Paper Clipings” The box belonged to my Great-Grandmother.  I called her Grammy–sometimes Mammy.   And the box holds trea

The sunrise this morning--I walk outside and the sky is on fire--a blaze, and the shadows of the trees looked charred against the morning sky--black--like a roaring fire has come thru--the void of smoke. The frost clings to the rooftops--the blades of grass crunch under my feet. I walk back into the house to get my camera and within minutes--the sunrise--the flame is not as red--as bold. The skies have turned to pink. Gray clouds circling. And here we are greeting 2026 and

In case you missed chapters one and two of The Christmas Quilt and the Zion Creek Ladies Circle and want to go back and read from the beginning, below are the links. Chapter 1: https://www.tathelmiller.com/post/the-christmas-quilt-and-the-ladies-of-zion-creek Chapter 2: https://www.tathelmiller.com/post/the-christmas-quilt-and-the-ladies-of-zion-creek Come into the Gathering Room at Zion Creek. Make yourself at home. Drink a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea--eat a slice of

As the clock strikes 2026, I'm not ready it seems--but time will not wait and here we are! The Saturday Journal will be back on Saturday, January 10th. The Christmas Quilt and the Zion Creek Ladies Circle will be back on Wednesday, January 7th. I'm so thankful for each of you! Many blessings, peace and joy of heart in this--A NEW YEAR!

On this the last Saturday in 2025, I write to each of you with a humble and a full and thankful heart for reading each week and for encouraging me to keep on writing. I've thought about quitting more times than I want to admit--but this writing of stories along with your continued encouragement and support--it has been a healing for me--in many ways. This week I want to revisit the first story--which now marks two years and six months for The Saturday Journal. The ideal o

In case you missed part one of The Christmas Quilt and the Zion Creek Ladies Circle and want to go back and read it, here is the link. https://www.tathelmiller.com/post/the-christmas-quilt-and-the-ladies-of-zion-creek Come into the Gathering Room at Zion Creek. Make yourself at home. Drink a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea--eat a slice of pecan pound cake, cinnamon roll, or munch on Estelle's famous Moravian Sugar Cookies or Bernice's peanut butter cookies. And then pull u

I tell my grandkids this all the time--I'm proud of you. And they reply thank you and smile. But there was this one time--actually more than once--that one of them answered back with a question--for what? For what? And I told my grandchild I was proud of him for lots of reasons and why. I'm proud of you -- The words, I'm proud of you --it's a gift we don't give to others--nowhere near enough. Over the past five years I have seen and witnessed a group of young people--som