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Drifting Through Dysautonomia

For those who follow CurtAustin.com, you may not be aware that I’ve started a new blog to track the travails of my journey with the chronic condition called Dysautonomia. The blog is called “Drifting Through Dysautonomia” and serves as education, encouragement, and a platform for venting. I invite you to join me there, sign up for email updates, and be a part of the conversation.

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Slow Down, Why Don't Ya?

I was thinking about another year. I’m eagerly anticipating spring, when I can enjoy so many warm days, new green leaves and thick grass, birds making nests and singing courtship songs. But I realized that in longing for a future season, I’m missing the beauty and joy that is right in front of me. Oh how I need to open my eyes to the glorious sights that surround me, even in the midst of this…

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Naming Babies

I’m a big fan of babies. In the balance, they come with a lot of positives. For instance, you get to shape and form them, for good or bad. You have the exciting responsibility of teaching them important lessons that remain with them the rest of their lives, like brushing teeth, tying shoes, watching Die Hard every Christmas season, and loving dogs. Continue reading Untitled

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A Little Free Library

For year’s my wife has been enamored by the idea of a Little Free Library (LFL). She envisioned it as a means of bringing together the neighborhood, engaging children in the importance of reading, and offering a local spot where young and old alike can browse the small shelves for a hidden gem. And so, in my humble workshop, I went to work. It’s important to know that you can buy the kit, ready…

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Looking Up

I always loved a good bird. One of the first additions when we moved to the childhood farm was a chicken coop and some chicks. After that, I was hooked. I sat in the coop for hours, listened to them cluck to one another and strut around, randomly pecking the floor and kicking straw aside with greatly exaggerated leg sweeps. My close-to-home love expanded one spring morning when a million water…

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A Little Free Library

For years, my wife has been enamored by the idea of a Little Free Library. She envisioned it as a means of bringing together the neighborhood, engaging children in the importance of reading, and offering a local spot where young and old alike can browse the small shelves for a hidden gem.

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Man's Best Friend(s)

I’m a dog guy. Everyone knows this about me. It’s no secret. From the time I was a young boy, if a stray wandered into our yard, he was now MY dog: There was Ralph, the Sheep Dog, and Red, the Irish Setter to name a couple. Even though they only stayed for a couple days before moving on, I still think of them as my dog. Probably because I love dogs. Did I make that clear? I’m a dog guy. Everyone…

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Flippin' the Bird

The 2023, 17# Dinner Winner! I’m not sure why turkey is primarily used for Thanksgiving dinner. There’s probably a very good reason – but for the life of me, I can’t think what it would be. NPR’s Planet Money recently released a segment about turkey pricing during the Thanksgiving season. It’s an interesting listen. One of the take-aways is that we might only eat turkey during this time of year…

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June 10, 2012 "Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish." Albert Einstein

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Day 36 - Ready to Travel

Day 36 – Ready to Travel

The bags are packed.

We’re heading out the door for a Spring Break journey.  I love to travel because it provides new experiences and discoveries and this trip promises to offer so much and more!

But traveling poses a difficult problem: I can’t take everything I might need for my journey.

I’ve made my list and checked it twice but believe there are at least 30 more items that need to come along. …

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Day 146 - Late Night Study Sessions

Day 146 – Late Night Study Sessions

I’ve never pulled an all-nighter (expect for one painting class in 1986).  I’m a “study until you’re tired” kind of guy.

I’ve had a couple evenings during this first class in which I’ve stayed up until 11:00 or 11:30 trying to wordsmith a post or paper but I’m willing to call it a day when my eye lids aren’t interested in staying up.

But I’ve found a sure fire way to get to sleep, if sleep is…

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Cop An Attitude

Sometimes we need a reminder of how much strength we truly possess...despite circumstances.

Some days require nothing more than showing up. Other days require perseverance, determination and drive. Many days require insight, timing and carefully chosen words. But on days like today?  Today I need all of the above…AND a pinch of sass, a dash of “You Got That Right!” and attitude that goes all the way down. It’s time to put my hands on my hips, get the tongue to the side of my mouth and…

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Creating Peace Where You Live

Family, like a well-loved landscape, requires time and attention.

For those of you who know me…really know me, you are keenly aware that I cherish my back yard. It is an welcome oasis at the end of a busy work day. It is a sanctuary for wildlife from birds to bunnies, from spiders to squirrels. It is a haven for family and friends. It is living space outside our home, made up of little rooms with floral centerpieces, statuettes, and the sound of trickling…

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July 1, 2017

There is no better way to start a new day than allowing nature to welcome you.

My favorite seat at our house, in or out.

Sitting on the back porch on the first day of July, drinking coffee, reading my Bible and my newspaper, listening to the water trickle over the rocks in my small fountain and pond, a chipmunk skitters past, stopping to survey me from his low viewpoint before running off to gather seeds from below the bird feeders. Grackles chase a Blue Jay as the fight…

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Majestic Trees

Expand your view, you might be surprised at what you find.

The next time you are out for a walk in the woods, take a moment to look up. You might be amazed at what you find.

Beyond blue skies or puffy white clouds, you might find something of interest from time to time. Recently on a walk in the woods we saw an Eastern Towhee, a Red-headed Woodpecker, a Pileated Woodpecker, an American Tree Swallow, a Chipping Sparrow, a Barred, and squirrels…lots and…

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My Summer Reading List

Reading is more than a pass time, it is essential. You might say, reading is fundamental.

A great novel can keep you on the edge of your seat or warm your heart and your soul. I am an avid reader. I believe we learn from reading…and so, the more we read, the more we learn. Through the written word, we gain insight into the vast world around us. We better understand views that are unlike our own (and possibly much better than our own). We hear different voices that speak truth. We go…

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New Growth

Spring and early summer are seasons of new growth all around the yard. Trees that have been bare all winter find new leaves budding, and creating a silhouette of full shade, as if overnight. Tulips bloom, Irises explode with color, bushes double in size, grass requires constant mowing. New life is obvious everywhere you look. It doesn’t last long but it’s fantastic to behold while its happening.