The Winds Came, Peace Remained
JOURNAL ENTRY #14
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2026
I had thought about spending this beautiful Sabbath writing a poem.
Instead, today became a quiet day of reflection.
The temperature climbed into the low 90s, so I stayed indoors, spending time in God’s Word and enjoying conversations with my adult children through phone calls and messages. It was a peaceful day of rest, simple and refreshing.
Then, without warning, the calm gave way to an unexpected storm.
For about fifteen minutes, powerful winds estimated between 50 and 70 mph swept through our area. From our windows, I watched the towering trees bend and twist in every direction. Heavy branches snapped and fell to the ground, and before long, the power went out.
It wasn’t just our neighborhood. Online community updates quickly filled with reports of downed trees and power lines across much of Union County. In some areas, uprooted trees even damaged natural gas lines.
Thankfully, despite the outage, we were still able to prepare dinner without any problems.
After the storm passed, I stepped outside to see what had happened around the property. Several large branches had fallen from our towering pecan trees. One massive limb, approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter, remains broken high in the tree, suspended near the top. Thankfully, none of the fallen branches caused damage to our home or any other structures.
Walking out to the front yard, I could see that our neighbors had not been spared either. Across the street, a branch so large it looked link an entire tree covered most of a front lawn.
As I looked around, one thought remained stronger than everything else I had seen.
Everyone was safe.
The storm passed. The lights eventually returned. The branches can be cleaned up tomorrow.
Today reminded me that even when unexpected storms interrupt peaceful moments, there is still much to be thankful for. We are safe, our home is intact, and God’s protection was evident throughout it all.
Tomorrow will be yard-cleaning day.
Happy Sabbath!
— LHogarth
Mission Impossible: The Great Bird Feeder Heist
JOURNAL ENTRY #13
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
There are so many birds here at The Union House of Hogarth that sing from dawn until dusk. Their melodic voices are beautiful to the ear and bring so much peace to my day.
I had a couple of bird feeders that I made sure to bring with me on our last trip up here, along with a seed cake for one of them. Since I hadn’t brought regular birdseed for the other feeder, I decided to hang the one that held the seed cake instead.
The shepherd’s hook didn’t make the trip this time, but I discovered a hanger already attached to one of our pecan trees. It seemed like the perfect place.
Two days passed, and all was quiet. The feeder simply hung there, waiting to be discovered.
On the third day, a tufted titmouse finally arrived, followed by a couple of white-breasted nuthatches. I was so excited! I hurried outside and sat on the back porch steps just to watch them.
By Day Five, however, things took a hilarious turn.
It suddenly became Mission Impossible.
A squirrel began performing every acrobatic maneuver imaginable in an effort to join the feast. After several attempts, he finally succeeded, hanging upside down by his hind feet while gripping the hanger and happily eating away as though he’d stumbled upon a candy store.
It was one of the funniest sights I’ve seen in quite a while.
The birds continured stopping by, but this little squirrel developed one very round little belly. It was nearly impossible not to laugh at his daily shenanigans.
By the end of the week, the seed cake was completely gone.
We’ll try again once I find another hanging pole that makes the feeder just a little more challenging for our determined little visitor.
Have a wonder evening.
— LHogarth
The Day New Brakes Mattered
JOURNAL ENTRY #12
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
Today was the day the GMC was scheduled for a new set of brakes. We had dropped her off just before closing yesterday, knowing she was first in line this morning at 8:30.
Later that morning, we received the call. The rear brakes and rotors were still in good shape, but the front needed to be replaced. After driving her for the past week, I completely agreed.
“Let’s do this.”
By the afternoon, she was ready to come home.
Thankfully, we hadn’t rushed to sell the Dodge yet, so we drove it into town to pick her up. It would have been an easy walk, but the South Carolina heat has been making itself known lately.
After leaving the office, Jim walked me over to the GMC while he climbed into the Dodge. I settled into the driver’s seat, happy to have her back with brand-new front brakes. She felt happy again.
Jim pulled out first, and I followed him toward The Union House of Hogarth.
Then something unexpected happened.
A tiny movement caught my eye.
I came to an abrupt stop.
Fortunately, the GMC had just received those new brakes.
Standing in the road was the most beautiful little creature — a spotted fawn.
She stopped.
I stopped.
And for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
She simply looked at me, and I looked back in complete awe.
I had plenty of time to reach for my camera, but I chose not to. Some moments are too precious to experience through a lens. I wanted to remember this one exactly as it was.
“Where is your mommy?” I softly asked through the open window.
It took everything in me not to step out of the truck and scoop her into my arms.
Instead, I stayed where I was and simply enjoyed her presence.
Jim had already stopped farther ahead before the stop sign, so I knew he had witnessed the encounter too.
Eventually, the little fawn decided it was safe to continue. She crossed in front of me and wandered down the sidewalk along my passenger side, searching for the best way back into the woods. She was definitely not where her mother had intended her to be.
I remained stopped, making sure the road stayed safe while she found her own little path back into the trees.
Only after she disappeared into the woods did I continue driving home.
The rest of the day, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t the ones we plan for. Sometimes they’re the quiet moments that remind us to slow down, pay attention, and simply be present.
Today, I was grateful that the GMC had new brakes.
But even more than that, I was grateful to have been there — to help make sure one beautiful little life made it safely across the road.
A beautiful day, indeed.
“Til next time,
LHogarth
Rediscovering the Daisy
JOURNAL ENTRY #11
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
Today I spent part of my day searching through old photographs, hoping to find a very specific image — the original daisy photograph that inspired the daisy artwork I use today.
The challenge was that I couldn’t remember exactly when I had taken it.
After searching through not one, not two, but three thumb drives, I finally found it.
The photograph was taken on June 14, 2015, in Ionia, Michigan, my husband’s hometown.
As soon as I saw it, I knew I had found the right one.
This simple daisy has become much more than a flower over the years. It eventually found its way into my artwork and became a symbol woven into the story of LHogarth Creative Living. Finding the original photograph felt like finding an old friend.
What surprised me most wasn’t just finding the daisy.
It was everything else I discovered along the way.
Those thumb drives held years of memories, adventures, and experiences from the early days of my artist journey. Many of the photographs were taken as future painting references. Others captured places I visited, moments that inspired me, and the simple beauty that caught my eye long before I knew where my creative path would lead.
As I scrolled through image after image, I was reminded of how many stories are tucked away inside old photographs. They preserve more than scenery; they preserve seasons of life.
The experience brought a great deal of joy and gratitude.
It also sparked an idea.
There are so many photographs and stories hidden away in those archives that I would love to share in the future. Some may become artwork. Others may simply become stories worth telling.
Sometimes looking backward helps us appreciate how far we’ve come.
Tonight, I’m grateful that a search for a single daisy led me back through a decade of memories and reminded me where so much of this creativity began.
Have a wonderful evening.
— LHogarth 🌼
Snake? Nope, Stick.
JOURNAL ENTRY #10
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026
Some days, adventure arrives in grand ways.
Other days, it arrives as a suspicious-looking stick in the grass.
Today, my husband gave us a new phrase at The Union House of Hogarth.
While mowing the back lawn, I noticed he kept looking over his shoulder. Every few minutes, there would be another glance. From where I was standing, I couldn’t tell if I should be concerned or simply curious. Living in the country has taught me that both are reasonable responses.
Finally, I asked what was going on.
His answer introduced a new household phrase:
“Snake? Nope, stick.”
Apparently, more than one innocent stick had briefly masqueraded as a snake while he was moving.
As quickly as concern appeared, it disappeared.
Snake?
Nope, stick.
And just like that, a new saying was born.
It’s funny how the smallest moments often become the stories we remember most. Not every day needs a major accomplishment or a grand adventure. Sometimes a simple understanding, a shared laugh, and a phrase that instantly becomes part of family vocabulary is enough.
I have a feeling “Snake? Nope, stick.” will be making future appearances around The Union House of Hogarth.
Until tomorrow’s next adventure.
LHogarth
Finding Beauty in an Ordinary Day
JOURNAL ENTRY #9
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026
Some days are filled with projects, discoveries, and stories waiting to be told. Other days are simply about tending to life’s necessities.
Today was one of those quieter days.
The morning was spent taking care of a few practical matters around town. My husband made an appointment with a local shop around the corner to have the brakes replaced on our GMC, I dropped off a package at the post office, then we stopped by Heart’s Family Restaurant for a bite to eat.
Before heading home, we picked up soil and gravel for a small project that my husband’s been looking forward to. Several of our Peruvian Apple Cacti seedlings and succulents made the journey with us during our move to South Carolina, and they’re ready for fresh pots and renewed growing space. There’s something satisfying about giving plants a new beginning, even if it’s as simple as fresh soil and a larger container.
Back at home, I found myself watching two cats that frequently wander through our yard. They seem to have established routines long before we arrived, and I suspect they view us as the newcomers.
One cat spent part of the afternoon exploring the shrubs while the other searched for a quiet place to nap. Every now and then, one would glance in our direction with an expression that seemed to say, “Don’t you see I’m busy here?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I’ve learned that some of the best moments happen when we simply pause and observe the world around us. The cats go about their daily business, the garden continues to grow, and life unfolds at its own pace.
So today wasn’t a day filled with grand accomplishments or exciting adventures.
It was simply a day of tending, observing, and settling into the quiet rhythms of life here at The Union House of Hogarth.
And sometimes, that’s more than enough.
Until next time,
Lorena
LHogarth Creative Living
Try Again Tomorrow
JOURNAL ENTRY #8
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2026
Today was a quiet day for the most part.
At first glance, it might seem like I didn’t accomplish much. But sometimes the most important work happens behind the scenes, hidden beneath the surface where no one else can see it.
Today was spent learning how to share my journal stories on my website and across social media. My goal was simple: publish my first journal entry and schedule the week’s stories so they could begin finding their way into the world.
What I thought might take a little while quickly turned into an entire day.
Learning.
Typing.
Tweaking.
Deleting.
Try again.
“Oops.”
Starting over.
And somewhere in between, reminding myself not to sit too long.
The legs need circulation.
Time to get up and move around.
Okay, let’s try again.
Now where did I save those photos?
Hours seemed to disappear as I worked through each step, learning a little more each time. It’s funny how something new can make time both fly by and stand completely still.
By the end of the day, I accomplished one important thing:
Journal Entry #1 was officially published.
The rest will have to wait until tomorrow.
As I sat reflecting on the day, it reminded me a little of the first day at a new job. Everything feels unfamiliar. Tasks take longer than expected. You make mistakes, figure things out, and slowly begin finding your rhythm.
The good news is that tomorrow won’t be the first day anymore.
And the day after that will be easier still.
One step at a time.
One story at a time.
One journal entry at a time.
Have a wonderful evening.
— LHogarth
Some Seasons Bloom Because They Were Given Time to Rest
JOURNAL ENTRY #7
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026
Today, I celebrated something that has become increasingly important in my life: a much-needed day of rest.
No work in the garden.
No dishes.
No emails.
Just a day set aside for reflection, healing, and renewal.
Living at The Union House of Hogarth has taught me many things, but perhaps one of the most important lessons is this: even the earth itself was designed with rhythms of work and rest.
We see it everywhere.
Fields lie fallow before producing another harvest.
Trees stand quietly through winter before bursting into bloom.
Seeds spend time hidden beneath the soil before they ever break through the surface.
Creation was never designed to operate endlessly without pause.
Neither were we.
Yet modern life often teaches the opposite. We are encouraged to measure our worth by our productivity, our accomplishments, and how much we can fit into a single day. The result is often exhaustion rather than fulfillment.
Here, among the gardens, old trees, and quiet corners of this historic home, I am learning a different way.
I am learning that rest is not laziness.
It is restoration.
It is trust.
It is allowing the heart, body, and spirit to breathe again.
Some seasons bloom beautifully because they were first given time to rest.
Today, I am grateful for that reminder.
Happy Sabbath.
— LHogarth
The First Harvest
JOURNAL ENTRY #6
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026
Today marked a special milestone here at The Union House of Hogarth.
After four years of watching and waiting, I finally harvested my first blueberries.
When we purchased The Union House in 2022, life looked very different than it does today. For the past several years, we spent much of our time traveling back and forth between South Carolina and Florida. By the time we arrived at the house each summer, the birds and squirrels had usually beaten us to the blueberries.
As I flipped through the old Almanac, I noticed June’s reminder to “net the blueberries.” Truthfully, I had never even considered netting them before. Each year, the berries were simply left to their fate while we were elsewhere, tending to life’s responsibilities.
This year was different. For the first time, I was actually here when the blueberries ripened.
Armed with my steel-toed work shoes and a pair of garden shears, I made my way into the orchard area and carefully snipped through the dewberry thicket to reach the bushes.
What I found waiting for me was worth every scratch and snag.
While there was evidence that a few birds had enjoyed some early samplings, there were still blueberries everywhere.
By the time I finished harvesting, I had gathered over a half gallon of beautiful blueberries, with many more still ripening on the bushes.
I cannot adequately describe how excited I felt.
After years of arriving too late, I was finally able to enjoy the harvest.
The berries were cleaned, sorted, and frozen for future use. Though if I’m being completely honest, a few may have found their way into our pancakes this morning.
And they were absolutely delicious.
Sometimes the sweetest harvests are the ones we’ve waited years to receive.
Until next time,
Lorena Hogarth
LHogarth Creative Living
Why the Daisy? The Story Behind the Symbol of LHogarth Creative Living
JOURNAL ENTRY # 5
THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2026
There is something about a daisy that has always spoken to my heart.
Its beauty is simple. Its presence is gentle. Yet beneath its delicate petals lies a remarkable strength.
The daisy was the very first flower many of us learned to draw as children. A circle, a handful of petals, and a stem reaching toward the sky. Simple. Innocent. Full of possibility.
Perhaps that is why it has remained so special to me throughout my life.
A daisy does not demand attention. It does not compete for admiration. Instead, it quietly brings beauty wherever it grows. Its presence softens a landscape, brightens a room, and reminds us that elegance is often found in simplicity.
But what truly draws me to the daisy is its resilience.
When life becomes heavy, when the burdens of this world seem overwhelming, and when standing up feels harder than remaining still, the daisy offers a gentle reminder. Despite the weight around it, it continues to rise. It stretches toward the light. It blooms where it has been planted.
In many ways, I see our own journey reflected in its petals.
There are seasons when we feel fragile. Seasons when exhaustion settles deep within our bones. Seasons when tomorrow feels distant.
Yet our Creator has placed within us a strength that often reveals itself only when we need it most.
The daisy reminds me that we are capable of rising beyond our circumstances. That even after storms, there is still beauty to be found. That even when life feels crushing, we can stand tall, reach for the light, and continue moving forward with hope.
For me, the daisy is more than a flower.
It is a symbol of faith.
A symbol of renewal.
A symbol of resilience.
A symbol of Creative Living.
Because no matter how difficult today’s journey may be, there is always hope in the world tomorrow.
Living Toward Tomorrow’s Era,
Lorena Hogarth
LHogarth Creative Living
