Nola's Onekama Hideout

08/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GUGgDc4fi/

Few betrayals cut as deeply as discovering that someone in your own family took what a loved one meant to leave you. Money is part of it, of course. So are the house, the jewelry, the bank accounts, the land, the keepsakes, and the documents. But the deeper wound is often this: someone used grief, t...

05/02/2026

“As I sit and reflect on my years in Onekama, I’m filled with a mix of memories, growth, and gratitude.

I grew up in this area, spending my summers in Arcadia, Michigan on my grandparents’ small farm. That experience shaped me deeply—the beauty of Onekama, Michigan and the surrounding communities has always been part of who I am.

When I returned eight years ago, I hoped to reconnect with that same sense of belonging. Instead, I was met with challenges that stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. At times, I felt like an outsider in a place that once felt like home.

But through all of it, I’ve grown. I’ve learned more about myself, about resilience, and about what it truly means to stand in your own truth. My faith has been my anchor. I may not always sit in a church pew, but my relationship with God is strong, personal, and unwavering—and it has carried me through.

Today, I choose gratitude.

Gratitude for the lessons.
Gratitude for the growth.
Gratitude even for the difficult moments—because they pushed me to become stronger, clearer, and more aligned with the life I want to live.

I have moved forward into a new chapter, one where I feel freedom, peace, and the ability to fully be myself. And for that, I am truly thankful.

I wish this community well. I hope it continues to grow in kindness, understanding, and openness for everyone who calls it home.”

03/11/2026

I see so many posts about “connecting” through different programs on this day or that day, but very little about doing something meaningful for the people in our own community.

Why don’t we think of simple ways to help one another? Visiting elderly shut-ins. Helping someone who can’t get down on their knees tend a garden. Painting, cleaning gutters for someone who shouldn’t be on a ladder anymore, or lending a hand to a young mother who is putting time into teaching and guiding her children before they even enter school — something that is incredibly important to a child’s development.

If a family is struggling for a short time, why not quietly give a little here and there to help them get through? Small acts of kindness can mean everything.

Instead of competing with one another, we could be supporting one another. I saw a post today challenging someone’s photographic talent to a contest. Why can’t both simply be appreciated? Each photo reflects a different perspective, a different moment, a different way of seeing the world.

Challenging and judging others rarely lifts anyone up. But honoring someone’s work does.

Maybe it’s time we retrain our thoughts a bit — choosing to be people of significance in the lives of others, rather than just filling empty spaces.

03/08/2026

Today feels heavy on my heart for reasons I can’t quite explain. I’m taking some quiet time to sit with that feeling and try to understand it.

I suspect many people have been feeling something similar these past few years. The weight of the world can feel heavy at times — rising costs, taxes, utilities, insurance, and the sense that many people are struggling just to stay afloat.

Seeing the damage from the recent tornadoes in Western Michigan only adds to that heaviness. My heart goes out to the families dealing with loss and property damage. I truly hope their insurance companies step up and do the right thing. When my own home was damaged in the hailstorm a few years ago, I had to hire an attorney and fight just to receive the coverage I had faithfully paid premiums for. No one should have to go through that while already dealing with loss.

Moments like this make me think about the larger systems around us — government, insurance, taxes, and how resources are distributed. I often hear people asking questions about property taxes, income taxes, and government spending. Instead of reacting emotionally, I believe it’s important for all of us to study these issues, understand where money comes from, where it goes, and how decisions are made.

During COVID, billions of dollars moved through programs meant to help businesses and communities. It raises an important question: who actually benefited, and how effectively were those funds distributed?

My purpose in writing this isn’t to argue with anyone. It’s simply to encourage people to stay curious, research for themselves, ask thoughtful questions, and participate in the conversations that shape our communities.

An informed and thoughtful public is one of the most important parts of a healthy society.

03/05/2026

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how our world is changing. It feels like more and more systems are becoming concentrated in the hands of a few — large corporations, energy companies, institutions, and layers of government. When business decisions go wrong or policies change, the costs often show up in the form of itemized fees, surcharges, taxes, and regulations that everyday people are expected to absorb.

At the same time, many families are working two or even three jobs just to keep up with rising costs of living, insurance, licenses, and taxes. It raises an important question: how much complexity and burden can ordinary people realistically carry?

Another thing I’ve noticed is how much of our lives we now place on public display. Social media has become a place where people feel the need to constantly prove something — to be seen, validated, or compared. But sometimes the loudest spaces aren’t the wisest ones. Constant exposure can create a world driven by ego, competition, and judgment rather than thoughtful dialogue.

What I’ve come to believe is this: quiet observation can be powerful. People reveal a lot about themselves through their actions, their words, and the patterns they repeat. When we slow down, listen carefully, and think before speaking, we gain clarity about situations and about people.

Real change also begins much closer to home than many realize. Government doesn’t start in Washington — it begins locally: in our townships, villages, counties, and states. Those meetings, agendas, and minutes are where decisions affecting our daily lives often begin.

If we want accountability, we have to participate.

Attend meetings.
Read the agendas and minutes.
Ask clear and thoughtful questions.
Expect transparency.

But most importantly, choose words carefully and speak with purpose. Thoughtful voices carry more weight than loud ones.

Sometimes the most effective way to make a difference isn’t by shouting the most — it’s by paying attention, staying grounded, and speaking with clarity when it truly matters.