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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by Kathy Brasby | Dec 12, 2025 | Christmas, Humor, Stories
When you think of the sounds of Christmas, you may think of the gentle guitar tones of “Silent Night” or the wistful notes of “Silver Bells.”
I have young kids rushing through my house regularly so I get to hear other sounds. Like Big Mouth Billy Bass, for example.
I had hoped yet again this Christmas to find out how rich Christmas could be without this rubber fish flopping on a wooden plaque while emitting holiday songs.
It was not meant to be.
The Ghost of Christmas Gifts Past
A seven-year-old boy uncovered Big Mouth Billy Bass in a box of hidden Christmas ornaments. You haven’t lived ’til you have seen a fake fish sing “Jingle Bells” with his tail flipping in time. Punctuated by “YeeHaw.” I blame my sister for Billy being in my garage.
The seven-year-old wanted to know how Billy worked and why I didn’t have this fish mounted front and center already.
The Fatal Mistake
One of my character flaws is not being able to think of a misdirection quickly enough.
I told him Billy was a nuisance. That didn’t deter him. I said it was goofy. He didn’t care. So I added, “It doesn’t work because it needs batteries.”
I know, I know. That was not a smart answer. But this thing was so old that I assumed I didn’t have the right batteries in the house.
The Encore
I was wrong. He found four fresh C batteries in the back of the junk drawer.
Billy Bass rejoined the world of the living.
When it comes to Christmas animals, one time is never enough. Kids push the red button so Billy sings over and over and over until the adults smash the gadget to smithereens. Theoretically.
Christmas is always a memorable time of the year. Especially with children around.
And especially when you have batteries.
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