Loving Lifelong Learning

Beautiful glowing bride
Groom smiling by her side

Love Sparkle & SHINE!
Will you be & stay MINE?!

They have committed to one another
A LOVE they hold close for each other

GRACE-FULL wedding with Joy & bliss
Ever grateful to be included for this!

© 2026 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D

Congratulations to our dear niece Jackie & her new husband Tyler!

While some are already reveling in the respite of a summer break, very shortly, summer will truly be upon us and in full swing. Before we get all the immersed into summer adventures…I am compelled to reflect upon a “springing into summer” adventure we enjoyed in the MOUNTAINs!

Earlier in spring, Brian and I were scheduled to be in Boulder, Colorado…Both of us had an array of items to complete while there and as we worked on our professional lives much of the time, we did take moments to experience the glorious beauty of the surrounding mountains. We participated in one of our favorite activities which is receiving FRESH AIR THERAPY!

So, for personal development as we endeavored several “trails” and sought to thrive, we found ourselves at times acclimating well with measured breaths and strong endurance. There were other instances when the altitude seemed to be getting the best of us, and we were feeling so incredibly “old” and “out of shape” …YIKES! This up and down pattern served us up a few life reminders…

GRIT matters.

KEEP putting one foot in front of the other even when you cannot see the outcome or where the path is leading now.

The WORK and exercises we do as a part of our life habits continues to be meaningful. It offered stamina on each trail we attempted and conquered.

In LIFE, we oftentimes feel we are not “there” but when we persevere on, we are indeed headed forward. Keep GOING!

The VIEW at every stage had more to explore than we could have imagined. There were twists, turns, times to sidestep, and valued seconds of stopping to enjoy and breathe it all in. Along with this came the inevitably unexpected, another hill to climb with more rock paths to maneuver through, and then we would turn another corner and keep going on and up toward the destination.

From the Flat Iron paths to the trails through the red rocks. For the Royal Arch victory and the Mount Sanitas Trail after a steep Mapleton Avenue walk…we were stretched, found peace, wished for better core support, (smile), yet discovered more than we could take in while finding fulfillment and purpose in the complex yet simple journey.

Similarly, situations around us might not be clear or understandable in life, but these mountainous experiences reminded us we must keep doing our trek. Today…we are where we are. How we have done life up to this point counts and carries lessons we may or may not be aware of. However, we must effort to remain present in each moment.

So…what changes will you be willing to adjust for your life? What are you doing well? How can or will you choose to navigate each “trail” “hill” “trek” or “hike” of life and to do it well?
Much to ponder…

Perhaps you’ve been thrust into mountains of emotions to traverse, hills of pain to climb, or rocky relationships to navigate. Maybe the economy, your job situation or the health of yourself or loved ones feels tumultuous. Possibly you have endured a betrayal and rejection of those counted as friends…life happens doesn’t it?

Moments of emotion will surface…Are you equipped to move through the climb? Gear up!

May we find and embrace a sense of satisfaction despite the pain and do so with sprinkles of happiness. With courage, confidence and perseverance, we can lean in and stay healthy on this journey we call LIFE!

Whatever path you choose
Allow it to ignite and infuse

Walk on with peace
Find sweet release

Success in the climb
Viewing the sublime

Keep calm and stay assured
Even when the path is blurred

Love without hurry
Embrace no scurry

Refrain from the fitful
When seeking restful

Always a season for each
Soon again a time of reach

For now, bask in tranquility
With joy in your fresh ability

To be strong
Move along

As you desire to retain
And want to maintain

Allow space for the unexpected
Believing you are still protected

Life mountains might indeed look to be in the way
May we navigate well and on our BEST path stay

This we CAN do
As life we go thru!

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed
Alongside her hiking partner B 😍

And...STL CITY WINS!
With so many GRINS 😍

We often hear phrases such as things are not always as they appear, or just wait, be patient, the truth will come out, and maybe even…trust the PROCESS…trust THE process…TRUST the process…Hmmmmmm much easier stated than lived out. So seemingly unpredictable. And then let’s consider the WEATHER. At times we are hard pressed to find a consistent pattern…Some winter days feel like spring, spring days like summer and so on…Spring is typically the time for planting and new growth…and while we long for spring and refreshment we end up hearing tornado sirens and high winds blowing and then…trees are cracked, branches and leaves are strewn, some buildings and even precious homes damaged. And then again…we are called to remember….things are just not always as they appear or how we wish they would appear.

Recently, I found another 4 leaf clover. Those who know me well understand this propensity has been lifelong. Ever since I can remember, I would be drawn to a clover patch and many times there would be a 4 leaf clover, just waiting to be picked…People often say, “FAITH HOPE LOVE & LUCK when they think of a 4 leaf clover.

While there are various stances on 4 leaf clovers, how common or not, why they exist, the frequency for which one might find one…the fact is, I’ve been prone to discover them throughout the years.

So…while I’m not sure why, it is a fact and my tendency is to find 4 leaf clovers. Loaded with fun, great conversation, a dedication to the one I’m speaking to or out with when the discovery is made, these clovers have brought many smiles, energizing surprises, good thoughts and sparked numerous interactions and conversations through the years.

Regarding the 3rd one of this season, and there have been several since then, it was sweet, tiny, fully 4 leaves, yet shriveled very quickly. Along with this find, came the life reminder that so many things, situations, happenings in life can be temporary and are at times real but truly not as they appear. If one looked at the little clover just 30 minutes after the find, it did not look the same. And…especially this time I should have snapped the photo immediately! There have been several since, another tattered one, an uneven one, a speckled one, even a butterfly shaped 4 leaf clover and one found on a particularly tough evening.

This reminder of things not always being what they appear has been so timely. The path feels long and at moments impossible right? A nudge to recall might need to be reframed and turned into a pull back or a redirect. Assessing a situation from a different view and choosing to refrain from getting stuck on what “should be” and letting what is unfold…might be the best path choice. Growing on from there may include a challenge but oftentimes this is needful to do. And to do so while simultaneously strengthening our emotional stamina can be powerful. At times I believe we are inclined to long for “linear” and for everything to be set directly into place and stay on track with a specific frame we hold onto as hope. When we realize our journeys become shaped and better informed by our sadnesses and celebrations as well as our surprises and the mundane, we are better equipped to learn and lead by example and share forward helping our world to become better and stronger, one heart at a time. And whether it feels comfortable or not, and regardless of how linear the process may seem as we are trudging through, we simply cannot see what is not there.

As we soar through spring, rites of passages via graduations or milestone events which inevitably occur, let us enjoy each moment for what it is, embrace life with goodness and grace and remember, just because something looks one way now, it can and will most likely change. Are you willing to rearrange? Grow? Settle in? Reach for different? Regrouping and resetting may be on deck so let us lean forward accepting FAITH HOPE LOVE along with a sprinkle of LUCK or CHANCE…and make all our spaces better with our time, treasure, heart soul and being!

Things are not always as they appear
Diligently try not to live within fear

Will you choose grace
And gently embrace?

Faith to fill
Hope to still

Love to lead your circumstance
Embracing good luck and chance

Allow a spontaneous surprise
To enlighten your mind’s eyes

Engage with your all
Pursuing the life call

To be and show
What you know

Each and every day
In so many a way

The path might be long
But keep moving along

When put to the test
Live to impart your best

And remember…in all you do
You can and will get through!

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 😍

Dedicated to all Blackburn College Learners...
Most especially our Education Majors...both on ground & online...

Your unbelievable Education journey is finally done…
Reflecting back…are you cherishing all the “FUN”?!

Laugh, breathe, relax, remember, and believe
Remember to celebrate as you embrace relieve

Cherish your refreshed passion and flourish
Focus, nurture and find a heart to nourish

With passion, love and joy seek to inspire
Prioritizing learners with refueled desire

To heal and grow
Knowledge show

Find strong health
Embrace soul wealth

A lesson to learn
With every turn

We have tread some ground
And found clarity to surround

Now go and lead teach and soar
Exhibiting shining beauty galore!

With love, belief and support…
Always for you with solid rapport!

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D 🥳
COLLEGE is AMAZING!!!!!
Love & Best...Dr. Bauer

Calm before the wind and rain
Found amidst both joy and pain

Hang strong as you go thru night and day
Let your heart find good and seek to stay

Tranquil and steady
Always at the ready

To see JOY & find
Much good & kind

In all small things
As your soul sings

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 🥰

Spring is here…
Give a CHEER!

First one of this beautiful season
A reminder to apply solid reason

To celebrate
As we navigate

All of this life
Amidst strife

Let us lean in as we should
To embrace hope and good

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 😍

Forecasts linger they come and go
Will we have more ice and snow!?

Faith, Hope, Peace and Love
Enfolding hearts like a glove

Warm winter wishes grow
Dreaming for life to glow

Seek to find valued reason
For accepting each season

In life we go from willing and waiting
Moving through chaos deliberating

Remember to savor the special and celebrate
Embracing each moment without any hesitate

Moments of surprise
Delightful vivid eyes

Beauty in smiles so sparkling bright
Press pause often both day and night

As JOY does shine…
Will YOU be mine??

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her VALENTINE B 😍

Here we go into 2025…
Are you ready to thrive?

Accept and receive
With heart believe

Find truth and love grace and good
Even while feeling misunderstood

Despite strife
Rejuvenate life

Finding peace
Sweet release

Being totally present where you are
Shining hope which resembles a star

When needful linger
And support longer

For those in need do share
Walk away from compare

Every step and breath consistent
As essential find & be persistent

Have courage
To encourage

Live & grow
Give & glow

Happy and BEST 2025
May we all truly thrive!

© 2025 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 🥳

Sweet family time…unbelievable
GREAT Nieces so completely adorable

Niece & Nephew-in-law with SISTERs too
Embellished our time together…Woo Hoo BOO!

Special love for Mimi… lots of smiles here & there
Complete with cherry cobbler for all to share

A yummy birthday celebration
Was a fabulous sensation…

Grace Is 9!

Grace you are now NINE
Definitely time to SHINE

HEART girl sweet & kind so full of life
Always smiling even thru stuff & strife

As you dance through this next YEAR
Let your heart sparkle & give a cheer

Please remember and know this whether near or far
We love you soooooo much and so SPECIAL you are

Love always to you we give and share…
With our whole hearts because we care

Uncle Brian & Aunt Kathleen
© 2024 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 😍

Happy Fall
Savor ALL!

Kathleen & Brian 😍

Ahhhhhhh…Summer smile
In our hearts stay awhile…

Both educators at heart with a loving connection
Embracing learning and leaning into solid education

Uniquely celebrating every soul and mind
Diligently intentionally choosing to be kind

Life is BEAUTY-FULL
Oh so WONDER-FULL

© 2024 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Alongside her husband B 🤩