Earlier in the winter, I noticed we had some visitors. Five beautiful male pheasants were meandering around our property. With a colorful, intricate plumage, these birds intrigue me. Surviving the pheasant hunting season, they seem to have no definite home nor means to feed themselves.

“Do you think they’ll be OK?” I asked my husband one day.

I wasn’t certain, and if we could do anything about it, I’d sure feel better.

Shawano County’s 4-H is holding Spark Saturday, an event open to the public for children in kindergarten through high school at 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, Shawano.

This past October, our daughter got married, which naturally changed the dynamics of our immediate family — we stretched to extend love to another son. He is a wonderful young man, tenderly devoted to Jesus and our daughter.

Animals tell us things without the benefit of a language. Much like watching little kids, those who can’t yet speak up for themselves, we diligently notice signs that something may be wrong with the animals under our care.

As many know, our family was partially formed by adoption, which I truly feel is a beautiful expression of God’s far-reaching love.

Tearing a bill open as I walked back from the mailbox, I mentally went through the stuff I bought, reasoning with relief that I didn’t use that card overly much. Imagine my shock when I saw a $3,000-plus amount due. I was speechless.

Taking it back to my office where I could gather my senses, I spread everything out on my desk. Astonishingly, I saw a charge of $3,016.95 for a ski resort vacation in Colorado.