by Kathy Brasby | Feb 17, 2026 | Humor
In a world far, far away, in a time nearly forgotten, my college roommate, Phyllis, and I buckled on skis to ride a T-bar lift.
T-bar lifts are extinct today. (That’s not accurate. See the footnote if you care.)
Back then, T-bars ferried skiers to the top of the mountain while weeding out the unworthy.
You’ll have to decide that part.
A T-bar requires two skiers to step into the loading area, grab a vertical pole attached to overhead cables, and stand as the crossbar hits your thighs.
Here are the rules:
Rule #1: Don’t sit on the bar.
Rule #2: Keep your skis pointed straight forward at all times.
Rule #3: Keep your balance while the terrain bucks like ocean waves under your feet.
Rule #4: Choose the right person for the trip up the mountain.
We stepped into the loading area and up we went. I slid up the incline, my skis holding straight.
Phyllis’ skis, on the other hand, began making giant S-curves on the slope. “Whoooooaaaaa,” she yelled.
I clung to the center pole until the T-bar bucked, twisting to the side, and dumping me onto the snow. The heel of my ski caught on the crossbar , dragging me up the mountain on my back.
After some frantic kicking, I broke free of the t-bar and rolled to the side through deep powder to escape the next pair of skiers.
I lost track of Phyllis.
I finally shoved through the trees and stood at the edge of the wide slope.
As I was resettling my goggles, which were resting more on my ear than my nose, Phyllis skied to a stop beside me.
She gave me a once-over. “What happened to you?” She had righted the T-bar after it dumped me and made it to the top of the slope. Now she looked like a sleek skier while I looked like a snowball.
I could have pointed out that she broke Rule #2 and #3. I could have complained about snow dribbling off my stocking cap.
But I had broken Rule #4. And that might have been the most important one.
Footnote: Today, out of approximately 2,400 ski lifts in the USA, only 88 are T-bars. They’re cheaper to install and operate. But they have more rules.
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by Kathy Brasby | Feb 4, 2026 | Humor, Travel
Ever had a sewing needle adopt you?
Things started when I received a patch from Dan Daetz after I backed his Kickstarter for The Hole Man. It had vivid gold letters, a striking jet image, and the words “Sci Fi Jet Pilot.” This could not stay in my desk drawer.
I snagged an Air Force colonel’s jacket from an estate sale and reached out to my sister, who sewed on the emblem with her machine.
Then a badge arrived from another author friend, A.J. Eliot, for her Kickstarter book, Windrider. I knew this patch needed to go on the uniform, too, plus I had a deadline.
I wanted to wear the blazer to a writers’ conference where I’d see A.J. I procrastinated but finally reached into my sewing box. It consisted of four microscopic spools of thread and a tomato pin cushion with all the pins driven to their necks.
And one needle that was already threaded. My miracle needle. Trying to push a thread the size of a hair through a hole the size of two hairs is a great way to spend your evening.
I didn’t have to do that, so I sewed. The strand got shorter and shorter. When I tried to knot the thread, I found out there wasn’t enough left.
I tossed the blazer over a chair. The patch stayed in place so I was set.
I flew to the writer’s conference and got many comments on the jacket and emblems.
During a session, I hung the coat over my chair and a writer sitting behind me tapped me on the shoulder. “Do you know that you have a needle hanging on the inside of your jacket?”
That forgotten needle. I shoved the point into thicker fabric.
I had already gone through security and flown about 1000 miles crammed in a tight seat with this needle dangling inside my jacket. I had to shed my belt, my watch, and a necklace to get through the security gate, but the needle didn’t trigger a single alarm.
My trip home included the same airport security and the same 1000 miles. The needle never registered an alert.
It hasn’t poked me once, so I haven’t tackled the next step yet.
We’re starting to become buddies. I am honoring two authors and a miracle needle at the same time.
Plus procrastinating.
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by Kathy Brasby | Jan 15, 2026 | Humor, Uncategorized
A friend of mine recently told me how she hates to run, but does it anyway.
This friend is a kindred spirit. She’s slow. Me, too. She hates treadmills. Me, too. Running is boring. Yep.
But she’s been running circuits in her backyard, and I thought I ought to offer her the 5K experience for a change of pace. Pun intended.
Climbing Mount Everest
If you haven’t run a 5K, you might think it’s like climbing Mount Everest.
You’d be right.
When I started, I found an app called Couch to 5K, which promised to have me ready for my first 5K in eight weeks. It worked, and I ran a 5K two months later.
The People You Meet
So I plan to tell my friend about the app and also about the interesting people you can meet. For example, at one 5K, the first runner across the finish line then ran the race backwards, then ran it again forward.
Which meant I got lapped twice.
Yeah. Interesting.
In the off-season, the high school cross-country team might even join us. There’s nothing more exciting than watching a 16-year-old sprint the 5K as fast as I can run a mile.
If We Run Anyway
I use the term run lightly. It’s more like “getting double-lapped” running.
If I convince my friend to join the 5K experience, we’d get fresh air, strong lungs, muscular legs.
And we wouldn’t need a stopwatch when we run.
We could time our runs with a sundial.
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by Kathy Brasby | Dec 24, 2025 | Listening
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
When Grief Feels Like Winter
Crystals of frost dangle before you. Cold reminders of loss and grief.
Once you feared this winter season of your life: when you would walk alone.
The cold of solitude grips your heart, and the emptiness echoes.
Hear God’s Song in the Silence
But hear God’s song! Clear, sweet harp notes pierce the icy silence. They carry peace and comfort, each note pulsing with love. God’s love.
Let these notes wash over you, softening the ache and renewing your weary heart.
What True Healing Looks Like
Healing will come, but not in a moment. Healing doesn’t mean the scars will be erased or every hollow place filled. But it will come if you lean into God’s presence.
God knows your pain, and the stabbing in your heart. The echoing emptiness.
Soak in His Warmth
Soak in His warmth and light. Allow the sound of God’s healing song to sink deep into your heart and bring you peace.
You are not alone.
A Prayer for the Grieving Heart
Heavenly Father, please pour out healing, protection, and wisdom for those who are struggling with the deep pain of grief. You understand our pain, but You also provide new life and new courage. Thank you for Your promises and Your presence. Amen.
More Christian Grief Resources
Also, Kathy has written a book, Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope, which explores stories of people overcoming hardships as they trust God.
Kathy Brasby lost her husband of 32 years in 2022 and is still learning the path of healing as she trusts God to comfort her.
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by Kathy Brasby | Dec 16, 2025 | Listening
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Ps 19:1-4a
Grief can feel like you’re slammed into the depths of cold, unfeeling days. The numbness can make it hard to see anything but the loss. But consider those days in a way that notices the beauty of God’s creation.
Seeing God’s Artistry in the Cold
Ice crystals chime in the trees, joined by hollow notes as frosty twigs twist in the breeze. Walk through this ice palace of crystal and sweet music.
For a moment, the cold temperatures fade as you heed the charm of sound and sight.
In this world, crisp weather produces discomfort yet reveals beauty. Choose where you look and what you notice.
Seek His beauty in hidden places. Relish it as His gift to you. As you draw near to His artistry, your soul will be replenished.
Embracing the Grace of Today
Hear the notes chime as the tang of icy weather strokes your skin. Soon spring blossoms will poke through the ice and snow, but now, in this white and frozen time, rejoice in His life and His beauty.
Embrace the grace of this day.
A Prayer for the Cold Days of Grief
Father, please show me the warmth of your love. Surround me with your strength and your beauty. Show me your grace in these difficult days. Amen.
For other grief resources, see the Grief Resource page on my website. Also, I have written a book, Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope, which explores stories of people overcoming hardships as they trust God.
Kathy Brasby lost her husband of 32 years in 2022 and is still learning the path of healing as she trusts God to comfort her.
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