Joann Claypoole, Author at Inspire A Fire

Joann Claypoole is an author, speaker, master stylist/colorist, and former spa-girl entrepreneur. She's a wife, mother of four sons, “Numi” to four grandbabies, doggie-mom of two. The award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helper’s (ages 5-9 MJ Publishing2015) would rather be writing, hiking in the mountains, or inviting deer and other wildlife to stay for dinner near her western NC writing retreat. Visit her website: joannclaypoole.com and Wordpress blog: https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com/

The warmth of winter and all its wonders

January 10, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, parenting, Relationships, Rest, Thankfulness

Stories by the fireside… We didn’t have a fireplace in our New York City apartment, although my dad continued his fireside storytelling tradition throughout the winter months—minus the crackling fire of course. I remember many

The Most Glorious Christmas Day

December 13, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Christmas, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Holiday, hope, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Prayer, Worship

December 2019 ~ Central Florida. Most northerners know winter takes on a whole new meaning in Florida. There’s no snow. No sleet. No winter coats and hats—and sometimes no temps below hot. That means we

Ghosts of Golden Autumns Past

November 8, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, Holiday, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Relationships, Thankfulness, thanksgiving

Autumn 2008 ~ Western North Carolina. A whispering wind shook the trees as if to announce her arrival. Amber, orange, and crimson leaves glided down and carpeted the ground. Autumn had arrived in all her

Where He Leads Me

October 11, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Featured, Fire Starters, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Thankfulness

Consider the called… With blind trust, goosebumps, and heart-stopping moments, a motley crew faced obstacles and their worst fears along the way to lifelong friendships and brotherhood. Jesus had called them onward to feed multitudes

Hope Has a name

September 13, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters

Everyone is thirsty… When scorching temperatures make me weary or superstorms threaten to consume my tiny piece of a gigantic puzzle, it’s good to know the magical seasons of harvest and joy, are right around

Friends till no end

August 9, 2019 Joann Claypoole Child Of God, Culture, Devotions, Featured, Fire Starters, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Relationships, thanksgiving

A friend who loves at all times? I believe there’s only one man who knew the way to love. He walked the earth many years ago, leaving gifts of selflessness, wonder, grace, and mercy in

Freedom Isn’t Free

July 12, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Relationships

Honor thy rhinestones and workout tights? Imagine 300 million people decked out in red, white, and blue t-shirts and baseball caps with sparkly rhinestone flags. Whether they live in a Manhattan high-rise or the Alabama

A little Girl’s dad

June 14, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Child Of God, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Father to the Fatherless, Featured, Fire Starters, Holiday, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, parenting, Prayer, Relationships, Relationships, Thankfulness

The man. WW2 Soldier. Faithful husband. Dad. Storyteller. A Father of three quirky daughters, and a daddy to one of the fairest butterfly fairy-wannabes. Me. My dad will always be my first hero. He’s the

My Mother’s Garden

May 10, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Holiday, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Mom, parenting, Poetry, Relationships, Thankfulness

A redhead with two green thumbs? Born and raised in New York City, a feisty redhead sprung into action the day after tulips and daffodils poked their heads up after a long winter’s slumber. Small

The Mystery of Nature’s Peaceful Song

April 12, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Featured, Fire Starters, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Quote, Rest, Worship

Nature’s call A screech owl’s trills, calls, and hoots might calm the weary traveler, like the lone Whitetail who forages in the forest near my cabin. I press my face against the glass slider to