Janean L. Watkins

07/31/2026

Watching a younger couple react to The Help, one of them recognized Cicely Tyson as “the actress from the Christian movies.”

They weren’t being disrespectful. That was simply the chapter of her career they knew.

It reminded me that every generation inherits history differently.

For me, Cicely Tyson has always represented something much bigger than a single role. She was one of the women who insisted Black people deserved to be portrayed with dignity, complexity, and humanity—long before that became more common in Hollywood.

The opportunities we see today didn’t appear overnight. They were built by people willing to say “no” to limiting roles and “yes” to a larger purpose.

This isn’t about criticizing younger generations.

It’s about sharing the stories of the people who planted the trees so the rest of us could enjoy the shade.

Who are some of the trailblazers you think deserve to be remembered?

07/19/2026

A year ago, I was introduced to the idea of time banking during a workshop. I loved the concept, but it never quite found a place in my everyday life.

Then I moved to Pueblo.

This week, I attended a potluck that turned into a conversation about time banking, community, and the value we all carry. I met farmers, artists, builders, connectors, and people generously sharing what they know. One of my favorite teachers that day? A nine-year-old who happily taught me about farm animals, tomato plants, and cucumber vines.

It reminded me that community isn’t just about living near one another. It’s about exchanging knowledge, supporting each other, and recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

The gathering introduced me to The Circle: A Communal Sanctuary, and I left feeling like another door had quietly opened.

If you’re in Pueblo—or simply curious about how time banking can strengthen communities—you can learn more here:

https://tinyurl.com/Circletimepueblo

What’s one skill, talent, or piece of knowledge you’d gladly share with someone else?

07/17/2026

Sometimes the places we visit become part of our story.

I stopped at Pillars Park expecting nothing more than a peaceful offering time to Oshun at the Arkansas River. That happened, but so did reflecting on the people who stood along these banks long before me, the history this river has witnessed, and how grateful I am for the unexpected path that brought me to Pueblo.

The Arkansas River has been many things over the centuries—a source of life, a boundary, a witness to change, and now, for me, a place to slow down and simply be present.

As I continue building a new life here in Colorado, I’m discovering that healing doesn’t always happen during the big milestones. Sometimes it happens beside a river, in the quiet moments, when you finally have space to hear your own thoughts.

I’m learning to pay attention to those moments.

Have you ever stumbled upon a place that surprised you with the peace it gave you?

❤️ I’d love to hear about it.

07/16/2026

Some afternoons give you more than a great oatmilk latte.

My visit to Solar Roast Coffee and Analogue Books & Records became something unexpectedly meaningful. As I wandered through the bookstore, I found myself lingering at the Local Authors shelf…not with envy, but with possibility.

For the first time in a long time, my dreams felt less imaginary.

I’ve spent so much of this season realizing that I already have what I need. Now the question isn’t Can I do it? It’s What exactly do I want to create next?

Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone else’s dream on a bookshelf to remember that yours belongs there too.

What’s one dream that’s starting to feel more real to you?

🌐 https://www.janeanlwatkins.com

07/16/2026

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07/16/2026

Important info to share!

Porch Sitters, y’all know we eat a whole lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and garden foods over here on The Hidden Porch. That’s why I wanted to share this with y’all.

With this cyclosporiasis outbreak being investigated in several states, let’s be extra careful. Wash everything real good under running water. Soak what you can the way we’ve always done it, with salt and a good rinse. If it’s something that can be cooked, cook it thoroughly. Heat is one of the best ways to kill this parasite.

I know a lot of us love our salads, but until they figure out exactly what’s causing this outbreak, I’m personally being extra cautious with bagged salads and ready-to-eat produce.

Please take care of yourselves and your families. We look out for one another on this porch, and I’d much rather remind y’all now than have somebody get sick later.

Stay safe, Porch Sitters. Love y’all. 💙🏡🌿

07/15/2026

Every now and then you take a chance on a place you’ve never been before… and it pays off. 🍔✨

My first visit to Bingo Burger definitely lived up to the hype. Great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and one of those meals that has you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished the first bite.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about settling into Colorado has been discovering local places that make a community feel like home. Every new favorite starts with saying “yes” to trying something different.

Have you ever stumbled across a restaurant that instantly earned a spot on your favorites list?

🌐 https://www.janeanlwatkins.com

07/15/2026

🌸 Floral Funday 🌸

Today, instead of buying flowers, I wandered through my yard with a pair of scissors, clipped a few blooms, filled the hummingbird feeder, and took time to appreciate what was already growing around me.

One of the flowers I gathered was milkweed. It spreads through underground rhizomes, quietly creating new life long before anyone notices what’s happening above the surface.

That felt familiar.

So much of my own growth has happened quietly—in the choices no one applauds, the habits no one sees, the healing that doesn’t announce itself, and the daily decision to keep becoming.

Sometimes we mistake silence for stagnation, when in reality, our deepest transformations are happening beneath the surface.

Maybe that’s why this little ritual means so much to me. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t always have to be bought. Sometimes it simply asks us to notice what’s already blooming.

🌐 https://www.janeanlwatkins.com

What’s one quiet change you’ve made that’s beginning to bloom in your life? 🌸🦋🐝

07/15/2026

Winning this surprise basket at Texas Roadhouse in Pueblo felt like more than a prize—it felt like confirmation. 🌱✨

A little reminder that when you take the leap, choose joy, and keep moving forward in faith, blessings have a way of meeting you right where you are.

Thank you, Texas Roadhouse Pueblo, for such a thoughtful community gift. I’m already imagining flowers blooming, vegetables growing, and hummingbirds stopping by. 🐦🌸

Sometimes encouragement arrives in the smallest, sweetest packages.

What unexpected blessing has found you lately?

🌐 https://www.janeanlwatkins.com