Category Archives: Family

Through the Eyes of a Little Boy

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Doc Arnett

I can take my Old Man Me, look at my life—both past and present—and twist myself up with guilt, regret, disappointment, and disillusionment. Or… I can remember that little kid and ease down to my knees, bow my head, and give genuine thanks for being blessed beyond imagination. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged achievement, appreciation, disappointment, faith, family, farm, farm kid, gratitude, guilt, life, love, perspective, regret, wealth, work, writing | Leave a comment

Sixth Annual Cider & Fireside Chatauqua

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Four men sit around a fire on an autumn evening, sharing thoughts and perceptions about things that matter… in this world and in the world to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Family, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged chatauqua, conversation, fire, flame, iron sharpening iron, men, metaphor, Relationships, sharing, Spirit, talking | Comments Off

Tough Transitions

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Doc Arnett

While I don’t know of a good way to lose a loved one to death, some are certainly worse than others. In all cases, God’s grace and mercy sustain us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged cancer, comfort, death, dying, faith, grief, hope, life, loss, love, protracted suffering, tragedy, trauma | Comments Off

A Mid-Summer’s Memory

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Doc Arnett

The eruption of pastel trumpets on long slender tubes of green reminds me of my father’s passing, sixteen years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Farming, Gardening, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Remodeling/Construction, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged casket, Charlie Arnett, death, dying, farming, flowers, gardening, life, Nakes Ladies, shrine, Surprise Lilies, tribute | Comments Off

Old Roofs, Old Men… and Younger Ones

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Doc Arnett

And old roof that needed replacing and a sixteen-year-old grandson willing to help replace it… made for some mighty good memory making! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged barn roof, family, grandson, hard work, help, home, John Arnett, Johnny Arnett, roofing, shingles, summer roofing, tearing off old roof | Comments Off

Berry Pickin’

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Doc Arnett

In spite of very strict rules forbidding such, my mom used to wear pants when she’d go blackberry picking back in the Fifties and Sixties. It was, I think, a wonderful application of the concept Jesus taught when he said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

But she did wear a dress over the pants! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, food, Gardening, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged berry picking, blackberries, family, farm life, Fifties, grace, judgment, Kentucky, mercy, religious rules, Sixties, tradition, west Kentucky, women wearing men's clothing | Comments Off

Irises

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Tender moments, quiet conversation, true worship… and irises. Shared beauty. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Family, Gardening, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, Worship | Tagged art, beauty, flowers, Freed-Hardeman College, garden, gardening, irises, memory, moments, nature, paintings, peace, prayer, wet on wet technique, worship | Comments Off

The Brother We Never Knew

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Doc Arnett

My oldest brother lived only a few hours. For fifty years, he was un-named and lay in a tiny grave marked only by a small metal marker that said, “Arnett-Infant Son.” Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged anniversary of death, Arnett, baby grave, Charlie Arnett, family, grief, infant death, life, loss, love, marker, Reuben Arnett, Ruby Arnett, siblings, sorrow, west Kentucky | Comments Off

Tornado Warnings

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Having three sons and their families living in a small town with a report of “tornado on the ground” sure made my Papa Meter redline! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged danger, deserve, faith, John Wesley Bray, mercy, Murray, Murray KY, news, outbreak, storms, tornado, tornado warning, weather | Comments Off

The Shadow of Abe Lincoln & Jeff Davis

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Sorting through our own history should involve careful judgment and deliberate appreciation. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Family, Farming, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Confederacy, grace, Jefferson Davis, judgment, Kentucky, legacy, mercy, personal history, South, southern, west Kentucky, writing | Comments Off