Day 21 – Here and There!: A Poem About Two Places

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Larada Horner-Miller5 Comments

For most of my adult life, I have struggled with “here” and “there.” I grew up, moved and had my adult home but my home in Branson, Colorado always called to me.

After our move to Panamá, this poem came up when I was visiting in Branson in December 2025. Witness my current struggle with “here” and “there”!

Here & There: Juggling Two Lives

The familiar train whistle blows

And I know I’m home

In Branson,

A sound that echoes through my childhood.

The wind blows

Dust devils twirl on the plains.

The mesa towers to the southwest of us.

Saddlerock hangs to the west

As another reminder of home.

This my here now!

Our family ranch calls to me

Dad voices his familiar stories

In my heart

Granddad looms large in my history

Mom’s sweet presence and squeals of delight

Echo in my soul

Memories overflow

Even though they’re gone.

Now, sitting beside my brother

With our stories.

He’s the only one who can verify their truth

Our stories

Our family’s stories

Sometimes quiet fills the truck cab

Dust swirls

Silence

Reverence for our shared lives

My brother opens up while we ride around

Safe

With deep stories

His childhood disappointments

At our community church.

I never knew!

Why???

The familiar sights

Cholla cactus

Graceful with arms extended

Yucca

Sharp spikes pointing heavenly

Pinon pine trees

Cedar trees

The smell I love!

Oak brush, orange at this time of the year

Dead trees ravaged by drought and bugs

A windy trail, bumpy with rocks

Reminds me of a Canyon Lullaby!

We try to make daily trips to the ranch,

But our busy schedule doesn’t allow.

Each trip feeds my soul, my spirit, my heart!

The train whistles in the background

Of my life here

Several times a day

Welcomed and comforting!

This house I inherited overflows

With Mom and Dad

I just used Mom’s pressure cooker

To cook spaghetti noodles

She called it her “Poor Man Microwave.”

Dad’s pot on the stove

To add some humidity to this dry climate.

Here my life is

Ranch business,

English, English, English!

No one knocks on my door anymore

My brother only

I visited my 96-year-old friend

But she’s failing!

That’s the here, but underneath

The “there” beckons!

Life there!

Our new life in Panama

Green jungle surrounds us

New friends live near us

They knock on my door.

Beautiful clear mornings as we look towards

Vulcan Barú

Rainy afternoons during the rainy season now.

Our life carved out

Two markets for fun and people

A knitting group

My recovery group

Basketball games, following one of our landlords

A more relaxed life

Less stress

US politics not the focus

No dishwasher in our rental house

Gives me time looking out the window

At the green

The colorful flowers

The hummingbird buzzing the lavender flowers

Being present

A gift!

Here my life is

My book business

Spanish, English, Spanish

Which I love!

I never planned to move

To Panama

I planned to live and die in Tijeras

And visit Branson

My here and there

Used to be Tijeras, then Branson

But we stood on our decision and morals

We said no to the insanity

We took action,

Well planned by Lin

And it happened

Here and there—juggling these two lives

When I’m here, I think of there.

When I’m there, I yearn for here.

My Writing Group

I shared this on Monday with my Writing Group from New Mexico at a Zoom meeting. One person’s critiqued: “I loved the homeyness of it. Also, I can relate to the train because I had a train in my childhood. I also love the line – ‘The “here” now.’”

Another writer in the group shared he loved the visuals and it felt so many of the topics in it were universal.

Finally,

Juggling the here and there has become an art for me—I’ve done it my whole life. What are your thoughts about this poem? Any line resonate with you? Any topic remind you of something in your life? I hope it did and please share it.

Larada Horner-Miller - here — Here or there? Where am I?

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Albuquerque · Colorado · family · MY LIFE · My Thoughts · New Mexico

My Five Weeks Visit is Coming to an End: Another Train Ride

November 30, 2025December 7, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Five weeks ago, I left Boquete, Panama and have spent the majority of that time with my brother in Branson, Colorado. We celebrated Thanksgiving, and on Saturday, November 29, I’m on the train back to Albuquerque.

I spent so much of my time in Colorado with my brother riding around our ranch, looking for wildlife and reminiscing with him only memories we share.

Wednesday, November 26 – Prep Day

Last year, I didn’t fix a big Thanksgiving dinner because I was recovering from that horrible dog attack. So, this year, I looked forward to more cooking and baking.

In the evening, I baked two pumpkin pies in the kitchen my mom reigned as Queen. I had already gotten her delicious pie crust recipe out of her recipe box, but because it had been a couple years since I had baked a pie, I struggled a little.

I forgot to get the milk out of the frig and had already started kneading the dough, so when I needed to add the milk, I got dough on the door handle, the milk carton and everywhere—what a mess!

But as I kneaded the dough and felt Mom’s guidance, I relaxed into the process and thoroughly enjoyed the messy situation. I ended up with extra dough, so I remembered a childhood treat Mom did for my brother and me. I rolled out the dough and topped it with butter, cinnamon and sugar, then I baked it and ate the whole thing relishing the flavor. My two pumpkin pies turned out great!

My two pumpkin pies - five weeks — My two pumpkin pies!

But because of my absence from the baking role, I forgot how long it took for my pumpkin pies to bake. I used the time wisely, though, because I made cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries. As a child, I didn’t like canned cranberry sauce, but my brother-in-law gently forced me into eating it one Christmas. I had pre-decided before trying it, but with his persuasion, I tried it and liked it.

Then many years ago, Mom showed me how to make it from the fresh cranberries, and I have done it ever since!

What a fruitful evening! I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving

Traditionally Lin and I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Mom and Dad did too, so that’s what I did.

My cooking mindset jumped into play and I scheduled the different items to get started. First, I put the 13.75 pound turkey in the cooking bag in the roaster. I worried it would be too heavy and cumbersome to handle, but I mastered it easily. Second, I peeled the potatoes and got them started. Third, I prepared the green casserole and baked it. Fourth, I made Stove Top Stuffing. Last, I made the gravy.

When Mom and Aunt Willie were alive, we had so much fun with a standing battle between the two: did you use water or milk in the gravy? One of their last Thanksgivings together, Lin came out into the dining room and they were squared off, fists raised, playfully one saying, “Water” and the other saying, “Milk.”

The memory resounded as I grabbed the milk to add to my gravy.

I had turned to the first football game of the day, setting our table so my brother and I both could see the TV and the game. My brother and I started our feast with grace, thanking God for this country and our time together. The meal turned out fantastic. We delayed the pumpkin pie and whip cream until later during the afternoon.

My brother and I watching football - five weeks — My brother and I watching football

We spent the rest of the day watching football. I started knitting a Christmas stocking for a great-niece that’s two years late. I couldn’t do it when I was on a higher level of pain medicine because I graft out the name to add to the stocking, and it has to be exact. Finally, I was able to do it.

During the day, nostalgia overcame me. I’ve had so many Thanksgiving in my house with lots of family members and lots of games and laughter around the round table. This quiet Thanksgiving reminded me that it’s okay as life has changed. I can celebrate the past and enjoy the difference of today as I age.

Lin and I talked several times during the day—missing being together on this holiday!

Friday, November 28 – Ranch Day

As this was my last time to go to the ranch for this visit, we spent several hours out there. We left my brother’s house at 9:00 AM and didn’t return to town until after 1:00 PM. We had seen five does and two bucks a couple days ago, but we saw no wildlife on this trip.

The Sangre de Cristo Range to the west had fresh snow crowning the range. So I tried to get a panoramic picture of the whole area 360 degrees, starting with Mesa de Maya, DeVoy Peak, Brown’s Mesa, Saddlerock, then onto the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Range and lastly, the Spanish Peaks, but it was too much. However, we had fun staging it!

As we headed home, my brother asked if I wanted to go through the summer pasture, and I said yes—it seemed he wanted to delay this special time ending.

When we got home, I warmed up our leftovers—my favorite meal of the holiday. I did make a fresh batch of gravy, and it was much better than Thanksgiving Day.

Then, I had several tasks to do before leaving today. I cleaned up the kitchen and ran the dishwasher—a luxury I don’t have in Panama. Also, I bagged up individual meals for my brother. Then I cleared off memory cards for our game cameras we have on our ranch. Then to end the task, I had to repack my suitcase because I had bought some needed things to take back to Panama.

After I finished, I went to my brother’s house, and we had a delightful evening watching the 30^th Anniversary of the “Everybody Loves Raymond” show. We both enjoyed the insider show, laughing like crazy at the different antics.

Saturday, November 30 – Another Amtrak Train Trip

I woke up to clouds this morning early, but then the fog quickly rolled in, so we left Branson earlier than we planned, but we ran out of it before we got to Raton. Because we were so early, we swung by McDonald’s for drinks.

The Amtrak train was thirty minutes late, so my brother and I sat in his truck and watched the first 15-20 minutes of the Texas Tech vs. West Virginia football game on my iPad because his great nephew, Coy Eakins, plays for them.

I’m sitting here on the train now, writing this blog on my laptop and watching the game on iPad. This is my fourth train trip in these five weeks. I do love riding the train.

Finally,

I have two days in Albuquerque before I head to Panama. Today, my friend Sheri and I plan to go see “Wicked For Good.” Lin, Sheri and I saw the first Wicked movie together, so she was willing to wait to today to see it with me.

Then tomorrow I need to go up to our house and retrieve the mail and check the house out. At 1:00 PM, Sheri and I plan to have lunch with my two teammates from Washington middle school and another dear friend from there. Tomorrow night the Denver Broncos play the evening game against Washington. I look forward to sharing that event with Sheri. Also, I need to repack my two big suitcases so they don’t exceed 50 pounds. I gathered a lot of “stuff” to fill up the empty one—hopefully everything will fit.

I’m anxious to see Lin, but I’m so thankful for my five weeks here with friends and my brother. Carrying on the theme from last week—juggling my two lives!

Big News

My blog has now reached over 100,000 views this year! A landmark year for me and my blog! Thank you readers for your continued support!

My Newest Books

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

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Colorado · family · My Books · My Thoughts

New Furniture & My New Book: My Life in Colorado!

November 9, 2025November 9, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

My life in southeastern Colorado overflows with activity this week. It was out with the old furniture and in with the new in my living room in my house there. In the midst of this major change, I have been finishing up the last read-through of my new book and selecting the book cover.

My Old Furniture

The sofa sleeper in the living room at my house in southeastern Colorado sinks down when you sit down. Older people need aid to get up. I have no idea how old it is. In reality, it could be 30-40 years old! So, I had been laboring over how to replace it for several years.

Then last year, my brother bought a new beautiful leather sofa at Woody’s Furniture in Trinidad, Colorado where we shop. So, when I was here in August, I went by the store and got their online store information.

Thinking ahead in Panamá, I looked at their sofa sleepers online and saw their prices. So, I had an idea what I was facing.

Life in a small town, there’s no place to buy something here, so it was back to Trinidad to shop on Tuesday.

Woody’s Furniture Store

We made Woody’s our first stop of the day. When my brother and I walked in the door, we spied to our left a light-colored loveseat. Immediately I said no because of the light color—it would be ruined immediately in the country! I had measured another space in the living room where I had a wicker loveseat that sagged and crackled when two people sat on it, so I was looking.

So, slowly that loveseat became a possibility but I couldn’t imagine a light colored any piece of furniture out in the dusty country. But the size won me over, and I thought, “I can put some throws over it. I can use Scotch guard on it. I like it!” And the selling feature: it was a sleeper!

Then I found a beautiful sofa (not a sleeper) made out of the same material as our rocker/recliners are in Panamá. It appears to be leather, but not. Also, it has recliners on both sides—what a treat!

So, it all worked. And on top of everything, both pieces were on sale, so I ended up paying the same price I would have paid for a sofa sleeper for these two pieces of furniture.

Furniture Delivery on Friday

Woody’s delivered the two pieces and took the two old pieces back—what an advantage. The two young men who delivered them helped place them and explained the features of the sofa. I didn’t realize the sofa has computer charging stations on both ends! What a surprise that was! I always bring all kinds of chargers with me with the electrical plug! No more!

Now Where To Put Them?

I mis-measured the loveseat. It is four inches bigger than I thought, so it won’t go back in the space where the wicker loveseat was. My brother and I have it at an angle now, but I have other possibilities: flat against the dividing wall to the dining room or next to the desk facing the TV.

When the delivery guys set the sofa up, they left it away from the wall so I could fully recline. Also, I need to get a power strip for the sofa’s electrical cable because of lightning storms here, so we left it out, but it takes up more of the space of the living room, especially with the loveseat out more.

When we get the power cord, we will probably move it back some and move it out when I have company.

What a beautiful experience this transition has been.

My brother looked into the dining room and said, “Your cover for the loveseat matches the cow skull Cheryl painted for you.” I looked and he was right!

The cow skull my niece, Cheryl, painted for me! — The cover I found for my new loveseat

Now My Book Life & New Book!

I have such a rich full life! I’m finishing up the last read-through on the layout of my new book, Time Measured Out!, which requires me to look at a .pdf of the print version to see how it appears. I will do that for the e-book version also later, but right now I’m focusing on the print version.

Taking a poll on the book cover of my new book, I received about 40 responses, so first of all—thank you to all that took the time to respond! I really appreciate it.

Most of the people put the number of the book cover they liked and no comment. That’s what I normally do on a poll like this, but some people added their reason for their selection, and a couple people and my husband commented on “the mystery” they felt with cover #1, so I went with it, and the cover designer has already sent the e-book cover back to me.

Next, I received an email from the designer requiring four things:

KDP Paperback cover template (PDF)
Back cover blurb/description (ideally 50-200 words)
(optional) Short author bio (ideally 50-75 words)
(optional) Author image/portrait (must be high-resolution

First

I wondered why he wanted the KDP Paperback cover template because I was having them design the cover, but I realized it gives specific data KDP needs for the cover. I’ve used this company for the last 4 or 5 books, so I trus them.

So, I generated it and it looks like this:

Second

About a month ago, I had the description for the back cover created Bryan Cohen’s Best Page Forward company – See what you think:

Sharing raw moments of love, loss, and joy, this memoir-in-verse invites readers to discover their own quiet strengths.

The pen knew what Larada Horner-Miller’s heart couldn’t say aloud. Collecting her thoughts on everything from the harrowing dawn of 9/11 to light-filled RV treks across desert highways, she used poetry to capture ordinary breaths suddenly split open with grief, wonder, and grace. And as her forties brought amazing triumphs and shattering sorrows, she translated days spent teaching and coyote-haunted dawns into soul-soothing stanzas.

An award-winning poet with more than seven decades of life and three-dozen sober years behind her, Horner-Miller invites you to her kitchen-table memories—where resilience is brewed as strong as morning coffee and saguaros raise silent hymns beneath an Arizona sky. And as she lays out insightful observations of the world in pensive verse, her deeply felt truths offer up a healing warmth.

Time Measured Out! is a candid and inspiring book of poetry, and the second volume in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series. If you cherish reflective verses, vivid travel vignettes, and bold celebrations of self-reinvention, you’ll adore Larada Horner-Miller’s heartfelt collection.

Buy Time Measured Out! to count the beauty of every second today

Third

I sent him a copy of a short biography of mine. So what do you think?

Award-winning author Larada Horner-Miller weaves rich stories across multiple genres, from heartfelt memoirs to insightful poetry. With numerous literary accolades to her name, including Book Excellence Awards recognition, she seamlessly moves between historical biographies, personal reflections, and lyrical verse. Her diverse catalog reflects both scholarly precision and emotional authenticity, drawing from her background in education and deep connections to her southwestern roots.

Last

The designer requested a photo I use for most of my books. Here’s the professional headshot I took years ago and like:

Finally,

My life had a mixture of activities this week: saying goodbye to old furniture, enjoying new furniture and creating a new paperback book. I love it and the variety!

Now you need to buy my book! Soon, I will let you know how you can get your copy, either in paperback or e-book version!

Larada's picture — Life is good! Have a blessed day!

My Newest Books

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Colorado · Mom · My Thoughts

A Redhead Once Again!

February 23, 2025February 23, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

I’m a redhead once again! I’ve not felt like it for the past seven months—but I decided last Thursday it was time, time to reclaim my life.

I’m not a natural redhead, so I became a redhead from a bottle. In fact, over the last seven months, I noticed a strong growth of white hair around my face—not a lot sprinkled elsewhere, but some! I inherited my dark hair color from my mom and grandmother and our German roots.

My Family History

My dad was a redhead, so much so his nickname as a young man was “Red.” I never knew him as a redhead because his hair had thinned out and changed to a brown speckled with some gray. I learned about this nickname years later from one of his friends.

My half-sister and half-brother both were redheads, and I always admired their hair color growing up!

First Time a Redhead

In May 2007, Kathi Raver, Lin’s deceased wife, Lin, Ted and I were at a square and round dance festival in Norfolk, Nebraska. The morning after the festival, we had a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant, rivaling in the fun memories of the weekend and were standing in line to pay.

Kathi noticed a woman in line ahead of us and said to me with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, “Go ask that woman what color she uses. You would look good with that color hair.”

I looked at the woman’s flaming red hair and felt a nudge inside, so I walked up to her, and asked what color she used—”Hot Tamale by Garnier Nutrisse.” I shared this information with Kathi when I returned and tucked it away.

At that point in my life, I hadn’t reconsidered coloring my hair. I had been a beautician for fourteen years before I became a teacher. I experimented regularly with coloring my hair. In fact, I volunteered to be the first to have my hair “frosted” in Beauty School only to end up with a green cast to my frost.

For many years, I bleached out the “frame” around my face and experimented with a variety of shades of color, from silver to pink. Right before my best friend’s wedding, I “framed” my face with red—fire engine red, and it horrified her when she saw me because my maid-of-honor dress was peach, and I was to wear a peach hat. What a clashing color combination that was!

So, I came home from Nebraska and pondered the possibility but didn’t do anything immediately. In June or July, I went to Colorado to visit my mom and told her about the idea. She always loved to do adventurous things with her hair, so we did it.

When I came home a redhead, Ted’s only comment was, “So you did it!” I continued coloring my hair until October or November and decided it was too much work.

Second Time a Redhead

Fast forward to 2013. My mom passed away in March, and in the summer, I needed an uplift—I remembered the “Hot Tamale” color and went for it. I loved the new me in the mirror and I received lots of compliments. It felt right!

Garnier Nutrisse did away with “Hot Tamale” a few years ago, so I changed to “Red Hibiscus” and have loved it ever since.

I continued coloring my hair until July, 2024 when the dog viciously attacked me. To say the less—I focused on recovering and making it through another day. At first, I couldn’t stand easily and used a cane. Then it just slipped past me. In fact, it was too much to do in my mind with all the doctor’s appointments and the pain.

Not a redhead anymore! Notice the white hair!

About 4-5 months after the dog attack, someone asked me, “Where’s the redhead?”

I said, “She’s dead.” I really felt that vivacious, energetic person I had been for so many years had died.

A week ago Friday a good friend, Cindy Gillette, asked me, “Where’s the redhead?” That’s all she knew me as. I told her about my earlier response, but I was feeling more like a red head again.

After pondering it for a few days, I decided it was time. So, last Thursday, Lin (my hearty assistant) and I colored my hair. The redhead is back! I look in the mirror and love what I see! I know in my heart-of-hearts—I’m a redhead!

So, what does that mean?

Am I totally healed? Yes, the wound has been healed for a few months, but I still struggle with nerve damage pain. I’ve had five injections in my ankle and leg with little relief. Next Wednesday, I see the pain management doctor and he’s going to do two trigger point injections in my knee and butt because the pain radiates up from my ankle to my butt. I also have an appointment at the end of March for another three injections in my ankle. We have no idea what the prognosis is.

No, I’m not totally healed, but this redhead can hear her dad saying, “Take the bulls by the horns. Don’t let the SBs win! Drink a lot of ice water and stay in there. Quitters never win and winners never quit.” You can see my ole cowboy dad was full of what he thought were motivational sayings.

Yes, today I agree with Dad—no matter what—I have to be true to myself, keep going and for now—that means being a redhead!

My Newest Books

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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Category: Colorado

Day 21 – Here and There!: A Poem About Two Places

Here & There: Juggling Two Lives

My Writing Group

Finally,

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

My Five Weeks Visit is Coming to an End: Another Train Ride

Wednesday, November 26 – Prep Day

Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving

Friday, November 28 – Ranch Day

Big News

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

New Furniture & My New Book: My Life in Colorado!

My Old Furniture

Woody’s Furniture Store

Furniture Delivery on Friday

Now Where To Put Them?

Now My Book Life & New Book!

First

Second

Third

Last

Finally,

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections

A Redhead Once Again!

My Family History

First Time a Redhead

Second Time a Redhead

So, what does that mean?

My Newest Books

Buy My Audio Books:

Goodreads reviews for Coronavirus Reflections