Author: Bethany Valyou
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On the Threshold of Something New
My husband, Chris, and I were eating Saturday breakfast on the back porch, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a yellow leaf fall slowly to the ground. “It’s starting — autumn is here!” It was, in fact, still summer, but our long, sunny days were slowly…
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How a “Silent Reading Party” Inspired More Than Just Books
“Here are your new library cards!” smiled the librarian, as she handed me and my husband our new paper library cards. I hadn’t expected an actual physical card, and it surprised me how delighted I was to receive it. I know it sounds strange to say, but a part of…
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Slowing Down Among the Ferns
Hand in hand, we walked down the grassy hill toward the edge of the woods. Our feet quickly met the sea of ferns welcoming us into the forest beyond. Her small hand led me through a barely visible path between the ferns; twigs and leaves crunched under our feet as…
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The Wonder of Peace Amid Waves
As published in the 2025 Calla Press Spring Literary Journal: Living in Wonder Moving my dinner around my plate, I let out a soft sigh and met the gaze of my husband sitting across the table. His eyes reflected the same exhaustion and sadness I knew people saw when they…
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What I Love Most About Early Spring
There’s nothing quite as breathtakingly blissful as opening the windows for the first time each spring. Even though patches of snow may still be hiding along the forest’s edge, the warmth and sunshine are too wonderful to keep outside any longer. And with the fresh air of spring, a sense…
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The Night Will Shine Like the Day
Here in Vermont, spring is slowly making it known that she’s on her way, announcing her upcoming arrival with hopping robins and patches of grass where once lay blankets of snow. It’s the time of year when we can simultaneously step in mud and almost slip on the ice in…
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Watercolor Winter – A Poem
Nestled under blankets of soft pink snow sits a handmade home Built with patience, hard work, and love Tucked in tight, a patchwork quilt pulled up to her chin Amid a watercolor winter Purple wisps of cloud drift across the sky Intertwined with glowing ribbons of rose-gold Snow so cold…
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Finding Life in the Winter Forest
Scampering through the snow Up trees and over logs Across the forest floor Into cozy burrows and back out again Making their own paths Weaving between trees Bounding through the stillness In the quiet forest of winter There is movement There is life Even in the cold Even in the…
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How a Moment of Imperfection Led to Grace and Love
It was all going so well — playing my clarinet in front of the large group of people sitting in the audience — until all of a sudden the wood of my instrument began cracking and splitting — right there, without any warning — followed by the reeds of my…
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Step into a Year of Renewal and Joy
Happy New Year, dear friends – The days leading into the new year have been unexpectedly quiet in our home – and while there are challenges that come with a sick household, there’s been this pocket of time to pause, reflect, and gently reset. A part of me has felt…