Acres of Life Lessons

The Monday after Mother's Day may  seem just like any other day, but not to me!As I look back at the festive. fun weekend with some of my kids and granddaughters I stop and pause.  It's a time for remembering my mother and all she did for me and my family. Also, this day brings thoughts of the other mother figures in my life who helped guide me through life's winding road.Simply stated, I'm GRATEFUL for being a mother, and grateful for all the mothers who paved the path for me.Please enjoy,Heidi  

Whether you're waking up to brilliant morning colors, or weeding the garden under a blue Idaho sky or grey, clouds with a chance of rain, it's a day of gladness! The blessings of a world filled with weather, mountains, landscapes, colors and the feelings they all bring are reasons for gratitude.Thank you for listening,Heidi Riter  

It is amazing to me how little nuggets of our memory can be unearthed by normal daily events, activities or situations. This Motivational Monday episode was inspired by just that:  an all-too-common Idaho windstorm blowing in memories of lessons learned in "Nature's Laundromat".Please enjoy,Heidi

The birds are singing this morning, the day is beautiful, and there is hope in the air.Seems like the perfect message to share with someone today, so please enjoy, Heidi Riter

Postage rates may change, the mailman may be late, but letters can still hold encouragement, motivation and love. How heart-warming it is to  open a personal letter of hope and belief from a neighbor, relative or a long lost friend.However, think about the happiness and warm feelings felt by the sender. So, grab some stationary, gather your thoughts, compose a "Letter of Kindness", and drop it in the mail. It's sure to lift and brighten someone's  day...just because!

During my growing years on the farm, my mother was a gifted cook, and dessert was her specialty!!After a long day of work. school or life in general, dessert after the evening meal was always a treat.A freshly-baked homemade piece of cake, whether cold, frosted, plain or topped with a generous dollop of ice cream, was on the menu every week.I've said it before and I'll say it again, "EAT MORE CAKE"...please.  

The conversation we have with ourselves can be the most important words we think or speak each day.With the help of my little granddaughter, Milly Ruth, let's discuss the importance of positive affirmations.Please have a happy day,Heidi Riter 

Today's menu for Acres of Life Lessons includes birthday party or wedding's most loved food: Cake!Please enjoy,Heidi Riter

Today, I'm  sharing a valuable /Motivational lesson from a favorite children's book.Please enjoy,Heidi

Whether your Monday (or any day for that matter) is a beautiful Spring day with birds singing, sun shining and a perfect temperature , or the complete opposite, I have the prescription for you: Sharing Happiness,Smiling,Looking for Goodness,or better yet,Scattering Sunshine...

Today you'll meet Lela Dilworth Poulson, a lover of everything animal related.Please enjoy as you listen to the experiences she shares  that have shaped her life and the lives of her family.  

Welcome to the first "Motivation Monday" on Acres of Life Lessons! I hope you enjoy the new format I'm taking with my podcast, Acres of Life Lessons. At the start of every week, we'll tune into a life lesson in "Motivation Monday"  to remind, push, or encourage us to do and be the best we can be.Until next time,Heidi Riter 

When today's guest, Colette Zaharko, was growing up in Madagascar, her favorite place was the kitchen."I watched the women of my family working in the kitchen preparing delicious food, and loving every minute,"  she said. Because of her memories, Zaharko  sees the importance of teaching her daughters the importance of cooking healthy meals with the food from the garden or what can be found in the cupboard.And, if we listen carefully,  each of us will learn something as well.  https://cheapdeliciousdinner.com/easy-riz-cantonais-cantonese-rice/

Picture a bottle of paint, a few rocks, an endless supply of imagination and you have the  pieces of today's episode neatly wrapped and tied with a bow.

Growing up with a father who followed contract jobs around the country was a learning experience for today's guest, Edie McRae.With the frequent moves, McRae said she didn't have the blessing of best-friend memories. "We moved every time the job finished, so it was hard to keep friends", she said. "Really, my sister was my best friend!"Although it wasn't a typical childhood, McRae credits her resilience to the many moves, the people she met, and the memories she made.  "Honestly, it was perfectly imperfect," she said.

From a young age, today's guest, Stephen Wells, has jumped in to serve! Whenever his parents, family members, neighbors or community members needed help, Wells was always quick to offer assistance. And today, years later, is no different. Please enjoy as Wells shares his passion of service as an EMT, Search and Rescue, etc.

When you hear my guest, Laura Strachan, speak of her grandmother's unconditional care and love, I'm sure you'll feel "A Grandmother's Goodness". 

If your ideas, decisions or circumstances start to feel like a winding road with no traffic or stop signs, you're in the right place.Today's guest, Austin Tuckett, shares personal experiences and ideas of navigating the 'Journey'.

For Bradley Kunzler, ranch life is the only way to live.  The cattle, crops, miles of open range, clean air, family and the daily chores make it all worthwhile. As the seasons change each year, the large herd of cattle are moved from one location to another for pasture and feed. However, to make the trailing situation more manageable the Kunzler brothers purchased a semi-truck and trailer for long-distance herd moves.Although trucking is something Kunzler enjoys, he said, "Driving the truck is actually therapeutic, but nothing like trailing cattle on the back of a  horse."

While traveling around the world to capture photos of a lifetime, today's guest, Terry Halbert has learned one of the most important "life lessons" of all.Please enjoy as he discusses photography and 'Living a life on purpose'.