Category Archives: Relationships

Mists Across the Valley

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Doc Arnett

Sad news on a rainy day gives way to a brief interlude of beauty in mid-afternoon. Rising mists after a storm lead to the forming reminder of God’s grace and the intercession of the Spirit with “groanings too deep for words.” Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged beauty, Christ, comfort, creek, death, Donna Ganger, faith, fog, grief, hope, intercession of the Spirit, Jesus, mist, mourning, murder, nature, Peter's Creek, Renee Good, sadness, tragedy, woods | Leave a comment

Empty Plates & Empty Chairs

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Doc Arnett

For most, holidays bring a mix of joy and tears. Embrace both, give thanks for the good, seek healing for each loss, do not let the Past rob you of Today’s joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, food, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Resurrection/Return, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Christmas, comfort, faith, family, gifts, gratitude, grief, healing, holidays, hope, Jesus, joy, love, peace, resurrection, reunion, sadness, stockings, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

The Farrier’s Passing

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Doc Arnett

In the twilight shadows below a great cottonwood tree, we fed the horses and remembered the farrier who had tended to their feet for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Death & Dying, Farming, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged autumn, cancer, death, dying, farrier, feeding horses, horse, horses, Lewis Johnson, moon, moonlight, moonrise, ranching, trees | Comments Off

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

Morning Chores Under a Broken Sky

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Doc Arnett

I like the way the morning sky
bleeds through the branches…

A quiet beauty speaks peace and reminds me that we are called to peace… and to love. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Farming, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged beauty, chores, clouds, horses, love your enemy, love your neighbor, peace, sunrise, trees | 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

Picking Strawberries on the First Wednesday in June

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Doc Arnett

A flush crop of strawberries and a couple of neighbors transform a dull evening into a bright time of simple sharing. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Farming, food, Gardening, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged childhood memories, Doniphan County KS, Matt Boos, neighbors, ripe berries, sharing, spring, strawberries | 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