By: Jennifer Richardson Holt The last few weeks of writing, I have been a bit more philosophical—if that is the proper adjective. That may be generous. I can’t rightly claim to have thrust upon you anything resembling philosophy. The term suggests profound wisdom, and since I know myself, I doubt that very seriously. Still, theContinue reading “The Beginning of the Beginning 2/15/2026”
Author Archives: jrh3181
Less Sheep, More Deer 2/8/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt The deer in my yard have become unfazed by me. While they’re casually snacking beneath the feeder, I can come out the back door and their heads will pop up. They stare, and after what they apparently feel is a sufficient pause, they return to their food. Now, in the morningsContinue reading “Less Sheep, More Deer 2/8/2026”
One Bad Batch 2/1/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I once heard a phrase that lodged itself firmly into my memory banks. It resurfaces every time I encounter a situation to which it applies—and it applies far more often than we’d like to admit. The phrase came from a group of little girls reenacting a sermon their preacher father hadContinue reading “One Bad Batch 2/1/2026”
By Their Fruit, Apparently 1/25/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I suppose I should apologize in advance. If last week’s blog felt like me standing atop a soapbox no one asked me to climb, then I fear I may be setting up camp there. In my defense, I did warn you this might turn into a series, so the possibility wasContinue reading “By Their Fruit, Apparently 1/25/2026”
The Asparagus Theory 1/18/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt On many occasions, I sit down to write without the slightest notion of a topic. Today is not one of those days. Don’t get too excited on my behalf, though—my mind currently resembles a giant bulletin board with far too many sticky notes scattered across it. As I sift through allContinue reading “The Asparagus Theory 1/18/2026”
On Fog and Falsehood 1/11/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt For the better part of this week, the mornings have been blanketed by fog — and it was no ordinary fog either. There were times when it seemed like it was clearing as a traditional morning mist does, but then it performed a complete about-face, thickening and settling more heavily forContinue reading “On Fog and Falsehood 1/11/2026”
Small Victories Against My Better Judgement 1/4/2026
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I’ll admit it: productivity is not always my strong suit. That sounds worse than it is, so perhaps I should explain. When I have a job to do, I get it done. If there are things that truly need accomplishing, they will, in fact, be accomplished. The trouble is that IContinue reading “Small Victories Against My Better Judgement 1/4/2026”
The Middle I Haven’t Learned Yet 12/28/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I have what are probably my very best arguments with myself. I am severely non-confrontational with nearly everyone—except me. With myself, I am more than happy to engage with vigor. At present, I am locked in a ferocious internal struggle, serving as both defense and prosecution, arguing both sides with equalContinue reading “The Middle I Haven’t Learned Yet 12/28/2025”
The Darkest Days Are the Brightest 12/21/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt The sky goes pink this time of year as the sun goes down. I don’t know what it is about the cooler seasons, but there is a gradual fade from dusty blue into the horizon, and then—almost without warning—that rosy hue appears. It always makes things look more like winter toContinue reading “The Darkest Days Are the Brightest 12/21/2025”
The Fragile Things We Keep 12/14/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt Something about this time of year makes me—and I daresay a great many people—especially reminiscent. Traditions are built by pulling meaning from years of moments, and if Christmastime is anything, it is filled with tradition. And if I am anything, it is a sucker for tradition. So I have a lifetimeContinue reading “The Fragile Things We Keep 12/14/2025”
Second Breakfasts and Other Small Comforts 12/7/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt It’s a dreary grey day outside. The light rain is falling in drops so tiny they’re nearly invisible. In fact, I wasn’t even aware it was raining until I opened the door to the back patio and heard what I thought was wind in the trees. After noticing their complete lackContinue reading “Second Breakfasts and Other Small Comforts 12/7/2025”
Not Quite Ready–But Getting There 11/30/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I don’t think I’m quite ready. Every year I’m so sure that I am — that excitement is the only thing stirring in me — but this time, I’ve stumbled into new sentiments. By the time you’re reading this, Thanksgiving will already be tucked away and we’ll be well on ourContinue reading “Not Quite Ready–But Getting There 11/30/2025”
Riches, Roots and the Roads Between 11/23/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt We began our mountain vacation with a bang. That first full day brimmed with the kind of moments that stay with a family for years — long after we’re tired of scrolling through the photos and long after we’ve burned off the extra pounds from all the delectable food. Yet beneathContinue reading “Riches, Roots and the Roads Between 11/23/2025”
Under Oaks That Remember 11/16/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt It was a brisk Tennessee Sunday. The sun was doing its best to warm things, but the wind insisted on reminding us that it was, in fact, November. We kept an eye on the gathering clouds along the horizon, having heard whispers of snow in the forecast. It didn’t feel coldContinue reading “Under Oaks That Remember 11/16/2025”
The Welcome Glow 11/9/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt This is something of a disclaimer. Perhaps that isn’t the right word—maybe explanation would be more appropriate. You see, I caught a fair amount of flack this past weekend, and it wasn’t the first time either. It wasn’t particularly traumatizing, as I’ve heard the fuss before. I will say that thisContinue reading “The Welcome Glow 11/9/2025”
The Quiet Between the Peaks 11/2/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt My life is something like reading an echocardiogram. There are high hills and low valleys, with a few unremarkable flat lines in between. Now that I think about it, if I’m making that analogy, my life is probably more like an abnormal echocardiogram—patterns rather sporadic and unpredictable. I’ve always been thisContinue reading “The Quiet Between the Peaks 11/2/2025”
The Sweet Taste of Home 10/26/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I suppose, if we’re summing it up, I am a sucker for tradition. Something about a custom held tightly over long spans of time appeals to me. For me, it’s an intoxicating mix of history, affection, and sentimentality that I simply cannot overlook. I couldn’t possibly explain the feeling of warmContinue reading “The Sweet Taste of Home 10/26/2025”
Grace Over Gucci 10/19/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt This past week, I’ve been playing a dangerous game. I didn’t intend to join in, but somehow, I’ve been all in — and the effects have been deep, reaching into the core of who I am. I shouldn’t be playing this game at all, yet here I am, reaping the consequencesContinue reading “Grace Over Gucci 10/19/2025”
Cornbread and Cool Points 10/12/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I’m in the midst of doing something rather unique, and every time I mention it, I end up having to give the backstory. There’s always a long tale of how things came to be, and I can never quite tell if people are genuinely intrigued or if they secretly find theContinue reading “Cornbread and Cool Points 10/12/2025”
The Crown and the Blade 10/5/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt My daughter is an avid reader. In this, she is very much like her mother. Few things delight her more than being swept into a good story. Yet she’s still at the age where reading can sometimes feel a little too much like schoolwork, so she occasionally needs encouragement to pickContinue reading “The Crown and the Blade 10/5/2025”
Hopelessly Hospitable: Our Favorite Kind of Trouble 9/28/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt My husband and I may have a problem. We knew it was an issue early on, and yet we’ve mostly ignored it, hoping for the best. It can be a lot to manage at times. We know this, and yet we always circle back to the same pattern. No matter howContinue reading “Hopelessly Hospitable: Our Favorite Kind of Trouble 9/28/2025”
Toward the Light, Beyond the Field 9/21/2025
By Jennifer Richardson Holt After the somber mood of last week, I felt I shouldn’t fling drivel at you this time. I wanted something lighter—still meaningful, but not heavy. Not that stories about hummingbird skirmishes or my daughter’s clever quips aren’t fitting in their own right, but I knew I wasn’t quite back in thatContinue reading “Toward the Light, Beyond the Field 9/21/2025”
The Turning Point 9/14/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt I do not know if it is prudent for me to write this week. My heart is brimming with emotions so strong I can scarcely hold them in, and I am unsure if letting them spill onto the page is wise. Yet here I sit, fingers on the keys, unable toContinue reading “The Turning Point 9/14/2025”
Perils of Home (and Other Lightly Exaggerated Accounts) 9/7/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt The times around my home are perilous indeed. Dangers lurk both indoors and out, and it is a wonder I am even here to write about them. Perhaps I exaggerate ever so slightly—but only slightly. Some of the goings-on truly are dangerous, or at least could be under the right circumstances.Continue reading “Perils of Home (and Other Lightly Exaggerated Accounts) 9/7/2025”
When God’s Time Became Our Forever 8/31/2025
By: Jennifer Richardson Holt When I was a little girl imagining my future, I always saw myself getting married. Oddly enough, I didn’t give it nearly as much thought as you might expect. As someone who now delights in fawning over wedding details, you would think I’d had mine planned out well before my firstContinue reading “When God’s Time Became Our Forever 8/31/2025”
Prose and Possibilities 