Kelly Learns
A compilation of my columns from the Sunday issues of the Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona.
I’ve been writing an every-other Sunday column for the Daily Courier in Prescott, AZ since late 2020, thanks to the kind encouragement of long-time columnist Ron Barnes, who spent over 30 years contributing his wisdom not only to the newspaper but to many other people and organizations in the Prescott area. He put in some good words to the publisher and editor for me when he decided to retire from column writing. It’s one of those gifts you never knew you wanted and then realize how grateful you are to have it.
The Daily Courier has exclusive rights to my column for 60 days after publication, which is why you might be reading a Christmas column in February. I love writing but seem to need a project and deadline to do it. Hopefully this blog will inspire me to write more. Thanks for stopping by to check out my site!
The heart of giving
I think I discovered the secret to a long, happy life when I met Ann Wilson last week. Do what you love and it will never feel like work. “I’m going to work for free for the rest of my life,” she says with a smile. She’ll be turning 89 in a few weeks, and her husband Bob is 91, an age when many folks might think of slowing down a little. Instead, they spend their days at the Yavapai County Food Bank, ensuring the folks who need it most in our community have enough to eat. The food bank started at a small church they began attending when they moved to Dewey in 1992. Ann jumped in as a volunteer and brought Bob along, spending their free time together on weekends and after work helping wherever it was needed. By 2001, Ann accepted the full-time executive director role. Bob joined her the...
The Mediocre Gardener
I’m not sure what color my thumb is exactly. I know it’s not green. But when the pansies show up at the local garden center in early April, I have to buy at least one pot, even though I know I’m likely dooming them to a life of struggle. Luckily, they don’t do...
A Mighty Roar
It’s hard to close the door on 45 years of tradition, but the other night we voted with one final clang on the ceremonial brass bell to disband the Prescott Evening Lions Club. While I’ve enjoyed being president these last three years, I didn’t want to assume the role...
A shot of hope
“Guess what?” a friend who works in health care asked as we talked on the phone. “You’re running away to a tropical island for a month?” I guessed, picking what sounded best to me right now. “No. I got the COVID vaccine!” she said, her voice dropping to an excited...
Alone together
I already knew the answer before I called my dad. “Just checking in on holiday plans,” I said as we talked on the phone. “I’m going to assume we are not getting together.” The answer was no, as I expected. It makes sense this year, with the pandemic numbers climbing,...
A stitch in time
I walk into the main room of the Marley House, our in-patient hospice facility, to find the clinical supervisor and volunteer coordinator sitting at a table, bent over a patchwork quilt, sewing brown satin edging around it by hand. I had seen the email earlier in the...