February 15th, 2026
My Abundant Life 2-15-26
February 15th, 2026
Meeting The Inner Explorer
“There is only one journey. Going inside yourself.”
René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke (known as: c) (Austrian Poet and Novelist; December 4th, 1875 ~ December 29th, 1926)
“I craved to go beyond the garden gate, follow the road that passed it by, and set out for the unknown.”
Alexandra David-Néel (Belgian–French Explorer, Spiritualist, Buddhist, Anarchist, Opera Singer, and Writer; October 24th, 1868 ~ September 8th, 1969)
“…the most foreign country is within.”
Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker (American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet, and Social Activist; February 9th, 1944 ~ )
“We are our own dark continent, we are our own savage frontier.”
My Bucket List
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)
“Today was a red letter day! I bought my first car today…2009 MINI Cooper (2dr Hatchback; 1.6L 4cyl 6M) in excellent condition with 70k in miles. I was looking for a commuter car for the next couple years before finding what is next. YEAH ME!” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
“Our authentic self discovery is the exploration of within. The most mysterious vista are the touchstones and transformation tiles that mark your personal exploration. I feel blessed to be cogent and brave enough to LOOK…look and BE.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 49-50 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Daily Gratitude 2-14-26
February 14th, 2026
- “I am grateful to be able to make my love a lovely Valentine’s Day breakfast of orange-cranberry scones, coffee, pog, hashbrowns, bacon eggs and English muffin.” (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
- “I am thankful to have the time to sit and enjoy watching the Olympics with my husband.” Heather Houston 2-14-26)
- “I appreciate the champagne suggestion at Total Wine. We enjoyed a pink champagne for cocktail hour.” 🍾🥂 (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
- “I am blessed that my chef husband created a Malawi Mango chicken dish for dinner with porridge that was so delicious.” (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
- “I am grateful to have a husband who loves me and loves the love I give.” ❤️ (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
- I am thankful I have a love in my life to call my Valentine!💟 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
- I am grateful to have the extra income to afford to buy my Valentine a dozen red roses.🌹 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
- I appreciate that their was a sale on fillets at the market, buy one get one free, so I could create the possibility of a fun Valentines Day dinner for my loving partner. (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
- I am blessed to have a partner who enjoys cooking as part of his creative expression as I needed his help to pull off yummy fillets for our Valentine’s dinner. Thank you honey!!! (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
- I am grateful that our favorite wine was in stock so we could enjoy it with our scrumptious dinner. It is so good, the wine will make you swear like a sailor. Really, it is that good!🍷 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
My Musical Life 2-14-26
February 14th, 2026
#29 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (Georgie Fame) 👍🏼
Bonnie and Clyde were pretty lookin’ people
But I can tell you people, they were the devil’s children
Bonnie and Clyde began their evil doin’
One lazy afternoon down Savannah way
They went and robbed a store, and high-tailed outa that town
Got clean away in a stolen car
And waited till the heat died down
Bonnie and Clyde advanced their reputation
And made the graduation into the banking business
“Reach for the sky”, talking Clyde would holler
As Bonnie loaded dollars in the dewlap bag
Now one brave man-he tried to take ’em alone
They left him lying in a pool of blood
And laughed about it all the way home
Bonnie and Clyde got to be public enemy number one
Running and hiding from every American lawman’s gun
They used to laugh about dying
But deep inside ’em they knew
That pretty soon they’d be lying
Beneath the ground together
Pushing up daisies to welcome the sun and the morning dew
Acting upon reliable information
A federal deputation laid a deadly ambush
When Bonnie and Clyde came walking in the sunshine
A half a dozen carbines opened up on them
Bonnie and Clyde, they lived a lot together
And finally together they died
My Abundant Life 2-14-26
February 14th, 2026
Buried Dreams
“Where there is great love there are always miracles.”
Willa Cather (American Writer; December 12th, 1873 ~April 24th, 1947)
“Once we were going to set the world on fire. Remember? Today we all have our share of ashes, along with the memory of a few bright sparks, to show for our efforts. Ove the years we’ve buried many a precious dream under layers of soot and rubble. Layers of naivete, good intentions, relinquishment, bitter failures, detours, disappointments, rejections, wrong choices, bad timing, bungled efforts, stupid mistakes, unforseen circumstances, whims of fate and missed opportunities. It’s no wonder that we’ll need courage to retrace our steps.”
“…courage is the price that Life extracts for granting peace.”
Amelia Mary Earhart (American Aviation Pioneer and Author; July 24th, 1897 ~ Disappeared July 2nd, 1937 ~ Declared Dead January 5th, 1939)
“A wise woman once advised me not to be a ‘would-be-if-I-could-be or a could-be-if-I-would-be. Just be.’ And while I have learned that dreams need doing as much as they need being, I have learned that the being always come first.”
“Today is a day for being. Be with those you love, be kind to yourself. Be quiet and call forth the dream you buried long ago. The ember is still glowing in your soul. See it in your mind, hold it tenderly in your heart.”
“The dream was always running ahead of one…TO catch up, to live for a moment in union with it, that was the miracle.”
Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell (French-Cuban-American Diarist, Essayist, Novelist and Writer of Short Stories and Erotica; February 21st, 1903, 1911 ~ January 14th, 1977)
My Bucket List
- Wine Taste in Walla Walla
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
“Today felt like my first Valentines Day ever. I actually am spending a Valentines with someone I love and who loves me back…just the way I am. He is my one and only Valentine and I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. I bought him a dozen red roses, our favorite bottle of wine and dinner (pesto linguine and fillets) for us to cook to create a delicious meal. FABULOUS!”💗 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
“Today I reclaimed Valentines Day for myself. Not interested in the commercial hype. Quite simply I am pampering and lavishing my husband with love. Being with him in a day to celebrate our passion for one another.” ❤️❤️❤️ (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 48-49 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Daily Gratitude 2-13-26
February 13th, 2026
- “I appreciate the opportunity each morning to profess my love to my husband. I have been writing him a morning love note for nearly 8 years.” ❤️ (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
- “I am grateful I spotted another eagle sighting on my commute to work.” 🦅 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
- “I appreciate being able to get off work 2.5-hours early today and start the weekend early.” (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
- “I am thankful I was able to treat my husband to oysters on the half shell to celebrate my love, appreciation and adoration for him.” 🍊🍊🍊 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
- “I am blessed that my husband secured our ‘Hard Married’ trademark. This is ours forever! I love you Neil!” 💗 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
- I am thankful that the car I am considering purchasing passed the cylinder compression test with 200 psi on all four cylinders. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
- I am grateful that BECU was willing to give me an auto loan so I could purchase my first car…EVER!🚗 (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
- I am blessed that I got my deliverables completed at work for my monthly report. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
- I am grateful that my swimmer’s showed up to the pool excited to work hard. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
- I am thankful to have a gas fireplace so that with a flip of the switch, the living room warms up. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
My Musical Life 2-13-26
February 13th, 2026
#28 Angel of the Morning (Merrilee Rush) 👍🏼
There’ll be no strings to bind your hands
Not if my love can’t bind your heart.
And there’s no need to take a stand
For it was I who chose to start.
I see no reason to take me home
I’m old enough to face the dawn.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Then slowly turn away… from me.
Maybe the sun’s light will be dim
And it won’t matter anyhow.
If morning’s echo says we’ve sinned
Well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we’re victims of the night
I won’t be blinded by the light.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Then slowly turn away…
I won’t beg you to stay… with me…
Through the tears… of the day…
Of the years… baby, baby —
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby…
My Abundant Life 2-13-26
February 13th, 2026
You Have a Unique Point of View: Loving Your Authenticity
“A sobering thought: what if, right at this very moment, I am living up to my full potential?”
Jane Wagner (American writer, Director and Producer; February 26th, 1935 ~ )
“One of the most important milestones we’ll hit along the way is the moment when we finally own our unique point of view and realize how priceless it is.”
“I’d gone through life believing in the strength and competence of others; never my own…Now, dazzled, I discovered that my capacities were real. It was like finding a fortune in the lining of an old coat.”
Joan Mills (Musical Artist; UNKNOWN)
“Today, or as soon as you can, indulge yourself with one of my favorite perk-ups. Get $25 from the bank in $5 notes and place then in the pockets of all your coats and jackets. Now forget about it. The next time you wear a coat and find $5, laugh and let it remind you that each day that you love, honor, and respect your own unique point of view, you’re a step closer to finding a fortune.”
“Now do one thing more. Start to treat yourself more generously. Begin with $5…Just do something out of the ordinary that you normally wouldn’t do that will lift your spirits.”
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line…You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
Lucille Ball (American Actress, Comedian, and Producer; August 6th, 1911 ~ April 26th, 1989)
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
“Love myself ‘eh? Well that has been a battle my entire life.”
“My story began at 3-4 years of age at my maternal grandmother’s house. My parents were sitting on the blue couches holding my new baby brother and sharing newborn pictures of my brother and myself while surrounded by my maternal aunts and uncles. Somebody mentioned how cute my brother was and my parents beamed with pride. Someone said out loud, “He is a perfect Gerber Baby.” I knew who the Gerber Baby was from the baby food jars we had on hand. I thought how nice to know my brother is so cute. I was proud to be his big sister.”
“Then it happened…my parents said something like this…”It is amazing how he came out. Heather never looked like this. Frankly, when she was born, I thought she was a monkey. Covered in hair, wrinkled and curled up.” my dad stated. My mom piped in, “She had a pointy head.” I was shocked. My world seemed to melt away from me. What did they mean? I was a monkey…an ugly monkey? Not even human.”
“I immediately started to resent my brother fiercely. How dare he own all the beauty and affection? I was never the same after that day. My story was set…I knew I was ugly and repulsive…not enough. I felt shameful for existing and knew that being me was not enough. So, I knew had to be more then me…different. In my survival mode, I gravitated to perfectionistic behaviors in a way to clamor to be “SEEN”.”
“Alas, I spent most my life here and it led me down a very unhappy life path…sexual harassment, domineering abusive spouse, self-loathing, imposter syndrome on any achievement and low self worth. I fight every day to win the day over my story and find I still fail…even now almost 50-years since that day. My parents were young naive and learning to be parents. None of us as parents were given the parent manual…LOL! All of us as parents made mistakes…even me. I only hope my mistakes don’t plague and paralyze my children as much as my story has. I forgive my parents for their harsh statements as I know I can’t go back in time to change what I heard or wished someone noticed the pain on my face and showed me compassion. Instead, I was left to my own 3-4 year old mind devices, which led to me making meaning of the incident and creating a story. It is what it is.”
“But, I do wonder about that little girl…I wonder what her life might have been like if she loved and believed in herself. What might she had become? What might she be doing today? That is a fantasy and doesn’t exist. Claiming and owning my story by bringing it into the light allows it to be less powerful and affords me power to put it aside as not reality. I forgive myself also, I was just a 3-4 year old trying to make sense of a moment when I had little understanding of the grey parts of conversations and saw it only as black or white…good or bad…ugly or pretty. As such, my story latched onto this and filtered my entire life. I am trying to not live in my rearview mirror and live into the present by finding worth in myself now…newly. Pray for me to find my true love…of myself before I leave this dirtball. Thank you for listening.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 47-48 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Eagle Sighting 2-13-26
February 13th, 2026 @ 7:57AM
Driving to work northbound on 23rd Avenue, I spotted a beautiful bald eagle circling the intersection of 23rd Avenue & East Cherry Street. He was scaring a bunch of crows huddled on the rooftops of an new apartment complex under construction. 🦅
Daily Gratitude 2-12-26
February 12th, 2026
- “I appreciate my administrative assistant felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable with me today in keeping me in the loop on her interest to applying to an internal position within our foundation at HQ.” (Heather Houston 1-12-26)
- “I am thankful that I am tech saavy and was able to figure out how to use the following apps: NotebookLM, Google Gemini and Trello.” (Heather Houston 1-12-26)
- “I am blessed there was hardly any traffic today on my commute home…WINNING!” 🏆(Heather Houston 1-12-26)
- “I am grateful my husband strategizes how to maximize our time together and he had our dinner (Pizza) all ready to go so practically when I walked in the door, he was putting it into the oven. HE is a magician!” ❤️ (Heather Houston 1-12-26)
- “I appreciate watching TV series for pure entertainment at the end of the day…Bridgerton!” (Heather Houston 1-12-26)
- I appreciate the random country selector that helps us determine which country we will cook from on our world chicken journey. (Heather Houston 2-12-22)
- I am grateful that this winter has been mild and not super icy when I drive to work at 4:00AM. (Heather Houston 2-12-22)
- I am thankful for the weekends to get caught up on sleep and rest. (Heather Houston 2-12-22)
- I am blessed to have good eyesight…Thank you Lasix!😁 (Heather Houston 2-12-22)
- I filled with joy that I have a loving partner who I love so hard!💕 (Heather Houston 2-12-22)
My Distilled Life 