From Maker's Hollow
— ◆ —Don Shorey
dispatches on story, faith, beauty & the joy of life
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Thoughts from the Hollow · August 18, 2026
I Miss Parenting
Teenagers
Reflections on Getting to Do Life as a Family
A few (semi- but not overly-) random thoughts on getting to do life as a family. I am irresistibly reflective these days.
Time simply does fly. The youngest of my five is nearly a quarter-century old, building a business, and eying entrance into family life of his own—and boy am I glad that we never…
Read on Substack →Headlines from the Hollow
New
Why We're Here: The Four Threads that Knit into All We Do
Nurturing a Durable & Transferable Faith in Our Age of Distraction & Deconstruction
Podcast
"Delight-Based Parenting" — Podcast Episode Below
A Book is Coming · Autumn 2026
The Wonder of Is
An Introduction to Everything · A Story-Theology for Those Coming of Age
"A grandfather who thought he was dying. His grandson. The seasons of a year. And the greatest story ever told — heard as if for the first time."
About the Book →No Mere Mortals · Podcast
Don & Lisa Talk · Season 2, Ep. 5
Delight-Based Parenting
Don and Lisa happily explore delight-based family life and relationships. Linger and listen even if you are not (or are not yet) a parent. The grace-saturated vision here is potentially transforming in every relationship of life. We trust you will be refreshed and encouraged, by the Connection, Correction, Conversation Sequence of happy and hopeful parenting.
Enjoying Grace Story Co. · Art & Commissions
Maker's Hollow Enterprises & Events
Maker's Hollow Happenings
Don Shorey
Happenings
In future issues of the newsletter, this section will share news of events, newsworthy happenings, or special opportunities here at Maker's Hollow or in one of the businesses or ministries of our community.
Rumors from the Hollow — What We're Enjoying…
I recently remembered just how good the "Ever After" soundtrack is, and listening has me nostalgic. It's a very "end of summer tipping into fall" album ("Walking On Water"? "Danielle's Wings"? Come on.). The strings, the old-world melodies, the corresponding funny and romantic scenes and quotes coming to mind. So, consider this your reminder to put on the "Ever After" soundtrack sometime soon!
Nerf balls of every kind, for both outdoor and hazardous indoor use.
The Song of Albion series by Stephen Lawhead — In high school I was known to read and reread multiple of Stephen Lawhead's book series. They were definite favorites! I only recently picked them up again in adulthood. To no surprise, they're delightful. Filled with beautiful imagery, enchanting writing, and a world that I want to immerse myself in. His combination of the Celtic otherworld and the side streets of Oxford planted a love for these things in me when I was younger that never went away and is pulling the same heartstrings reading them again these years later.
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Certainly many of you are familiar with this four-installment fantasy series—as you should be. It's got everything: dragons, pirates, kidnappings, feasts, kings, thieves, toothy-cows, bomnubbles, and deeply meaningful themes. I've read it twice now and it particularly shines as an "out loud" read with kids. Everything from world-building to character development is spot on. The story clicks along at an excellent pace for the most part and the overarching narrative is compelling. The characters are all multi-dimensional and the ending fulfills the promise of the story. Probably my favorite modern book series I've read to the kids.
"Play is fun and full of faith - the best kind of fun - that gets us outside of our comfort-zones, our pretenses, our vanity, ourselves. Play is the truest kind of faith - that trusts our smiling Father not only to maintain our lives, while we dive into light-hearted distraction, but to cheer and recharge our souls in the process."
— Don Shorey
Until next time — chase all that is good, true, or beautiful!
Don Shorey
Maker's Hollow · Tarpon Springs, Florida
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