Category Archives: Insights and Thoughts

On Honoring Our Mothers by Becky Hemsley

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

When I was little, I thought my mother’s words were just words. They were the background hum of the house. Shoes off at the door. Say thank you properly. You’ll understand when you’re older. I didn’t know she was handing … Continue reading →

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Sometimes you just have to cut it out and start over

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

More than 10 years ago, Utopia came through our neighborhood to bury lines of internet fiber cable, giving us the latest and greatest internet service at that time.  They cut  a small trench through our yard, buried the cables, replaced … Continue reading →

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The Stonewood Writing Group 2025

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Last June I was invited to teach a class to my neighbors and friends on Journal Writing.  It was really fun and by the end of the evening, several of the ladies expressed interest in starting a writing group.  I … Continue reading →

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German Christmas Stars

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

It’s really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  Every day we add a little more cheer.  John has been figuring out how to hang the stars we got at the Christmas Market in Frankfurt.  They are glorious! … Continue reading →

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The end of the wooden generation

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

I’ve been feeling a bit like these old rockers that have been on our front porch for about 30 years.  I have spent many hours here on these comfortable wooden rocking chairs, watching the neighborhood, listening to lawnmowers in late … Continue reading →

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Brian Kershisnik: The Difficult Part, an Exhibit at BYU’s Museum of Art

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Brian Kershisnik is one of my favorite thoughtful local artists.  Reproductions of several of his pieces hang in our home.  I went with a group of neighbor ladies to his show at the BYU Museum of Art this week.  It … Continue reading →

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I’m Back! We are HOME from Germany!

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

We have been home from Germany for about 3 weeks now.  I’ve spent some time wrapping up my mission blog, Our Frankfurt Germany Mission, where more than 700 experiences and memories and trips are documented and preserved.  It feels good … Continue reading →

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President Jeffrey R. Holland (3 December 1940-27 December 2025)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

This morning at the cabin we woke to some very sad news.  Our beloved friend has died.  I’ve been thinking about him all day, remembering the lessons I’ve learned from him.  He is probably my favorite of all favorite Apostles.  … Continue reading →

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German forests: my favorite place

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Perhaps my favorite places in Germany are the woods and the forests.  Most of the time we drive through them, but on occasion, we walk along paths on our way to a castle, or other remote historical site.  33% of … Continue reading →

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“If only you were interested.”

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

“So many people are shut up tight inside themselves like boxes, yet they would open up, unfolding quite wonderfully, if only you were interested in them.” ~ Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) It is not always in my nature to try to … Continue reading →

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