TIS SO SWEET
BLESSED SABBATH,
DEAR FRIENDS
MEANWHILE HERE IN THE HOOD
Saturday, January 6, 2018
THESE FRIGID TEMPERATURES
HERE IN THE HOOD
ARE FOR THE BIRDS--
LITERALLY!
photo credit-SB gamecam
photo credit-SB gamecam
photo credit-Keith Boydstun
TIME TO
PUT OUT
THE BIRD
FEEDERS
PLACEMENT IS CRITICAL
DUE TO
WHAT BIRDS
TEND TO
LEAVE
BEHIND!
NOT TO BE
SLOWED DOWN
HERO
IS STILL ON HIS
WALKING PROGRAM
HE REALLY
PREFERS
SLEEPING
ON MY
NEW
LAP BLANKET
NEW YEAR
FILLED
WITH HOPE!
WARMING TREND COMING
HERE IN THE HOOD!
DOES MAMMA KNOW BEST?
Friday, January 5, 2018
Recently I heard a story about a widow who after several years of being alone is remarrying. Her children are not happy.
I was thrown back in time to my mother's marriage to my step father. My father died when I was 14, and my mother somehow successfully raised three children on her own without him. It was NOT an easy boat to row!
When I was in my early twenty's, Mamma married my step father~Bill. He was an interesting man~Bless his heart! Some of the family did not like Bill--and for certain his children did not like Mamma, but they married without asking for anyone's consent. His wife had not been deceased a short time, and Mamma was quite a bit younger--it was a recipe for disaster. They knew very little about each other and for sure their relationship had not stood the test of time. The odds were not in their favor AND most of the adult children were not in favor of the union. They proved everyone wrong in a grand fashion!
Fast forward over a decade later, Bill passed away on a trip. He looked up at a red light and slumped over--gone in an instant. Against all odds, Mamma and Bill had a great marriage. They traveled extensively, he helped her save for her retirement, and they greatly enjoyed each other's company. I reminded my brothers of telling them, "Bill is going to take care of Mamma," when they married. He did just that and she was probably the happiest she had ever been during those years of their marriage. After Bill passed, we were once again in the care giving roles with families of our own also. HOW WE MISSED BILL!
WHAT could be the point of this story? God tells us to raise our children and allow them to leave and cleave to their spouse--when the time is right. I think I speak for most parents when I say we miss our children--now that they are grown and living in their own primary family unit. I raised my children to be independent and well functioning adults--NOT to be my caretaker-- NOT to hover around me because I miss them. SO--as we allow our children to fly--our children should allow us to fly also. It is NOT all about them---their happiness with our circumstances is not of primary importance.
I am very blessed that my children all encouraged me to move back to Ruston--farther away from them all. They wanted mom to have a full life--not just a life revolving around them. They looked beyond their own personal desires and remembered what might be best for me. They were willing for me to leave their sides ~ take wing and fly~to hopefully live a rich and full life--back in my hometown.
SO--morale of the story---think beyond your own preferences and trust your loved ones to make the best choices for themselves. There is no need to be the rescue squad---if we make bad choices ~ as adults--we can pick ourselves up--brush off--and try again. Honor your mother and father--by honoring their choices and standing by their sides. Love them as they have loved you--by being willing to let go and watching them bloom where they are planted. Live as God intended--beyond yourself--with the happiness of others foremost.
I was thrown back in time to my mother's marriage to my step father. My father died when I was 14, and my mother somehow successfully raised three children on her own without him. It was NOT an easy boat to row!
When I was in my early twenty's, Mamma married my step father~Bill. He was an interesting man~Bless his heart! Some of the family did not like Bill--and for certain his children did not like Mamma, but they married without asking for anyone's consent. His wife had not been deceased a short time, and Mamma was quite a bit younger--it was a recipe for disaster. They knew very little about each other and for sure their relationship had not stood the test of time. The odds were not in their favor AND most of the adult children were not in favor of the union. They proved everyone wrong in a grand fashion!
Fast forward over a decade later, Bill passed away on a trip. He looked up at a red light and slumped over--gone in an instant. Against all odds, Mamma and Bill had a great marriage. They traveled extensively, he helped her save for her retirement, and they greatly enjoyed each other's company. I reminded my brothers of telling them, "Bill is going to take care of Mamma," when they married. He did just that and she was probably the happiest she had ever been during those years of their marriage. After Bill passed, we were once again in the care giving roles with families of our own also. HOW WE MISSED BILL!
WHAT could be the point of this story? God tells us to raise our children and allow them to leave and cleave to their spouse--when the time is right. I think I speak for most parents when I say we miss our children--now that they are grown and living in their own primary family unit. I raised my children to be independent and well functioning adults--NOT to be my caretaker-- NOT to hover around me because I miss them. SO--as we allow our children to fly--our children should allow us to fly also. It is NOT all about them---their happiness with our circumstances is not of primary importance.
I am very blessed that my children all encouraged me to move back to Ruston--farther away from them all. They wanted mom to have a full life--not just a life revolving around them. They looked beyond their own personal desires and remembered what might be best for me. They were willing for me to leave their sides ~ take wing and fly~to hopefully live a rich and full life--back in my hometown.
SO--morale of the story---think beyond your own preferences and trust your loved ones to make the best choices for themselves. There is no need to be the rescue squad---if we make bad choices ~ as adults--we can pick ourselves up--brush off--and try again. Honor your mother and father--by honoring their choices and standing by their sides. Love them as they have loved you--by being willing to let go and watching them bloom where they are planted. Live as God intended--beyond yourself--with the happiness of others foremost.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Recently I had a conversation with a friend whose really good friend had suffered a blow none of us should ever have to endure. My friend commented on how hard it was to sit with her friend and watch her unbelievable grief and loss. My reply was, "It's not easy to love our friends well when we see their pain."
Why do we hear those who are suffering and in pain often say they feel deserted and so alone? The truth of the matter is --it is really - really difficult to stand by and see our loved ones devastated. We feel so helpless knowing there is not one thing in this world we can do to alleviate their pain. We are grossly uncomfortable and at a loss as to how we should help. There is not one thing we can do. Add to that our "survivor's guilt," and immense relief that this didn't happen to us and we have the perfect storm of wanting to turn tail and run.
Here is all you need to know--our presence is all that is required. A listening ear--a shoulder to cry on--an abiding presence is all we can do. That is enough. Especially when it is difficult---our presence is needed---required---mandated. Though we can do nothing to lessen the pain--we can stand by their side--and sometimes that is enough. Knowing someone cares---someone is willing to be uncomfortable with our suffering---someone is courageous enough to subject themselves to great discomfort with their inability to help--that goes a LONG way.
So don't turn and run--stand firm. Don't avoid the subject--there is no avoiding the elephant in the room. Don't give them space--do give them time. When the world is at its worst--the love of another can be the bridge to hope. Being willing to walk beside them as they trek the path of grief speaks volumes of how much we care for them. Especially when it is difficult--stand firm and be a consistent presence.
Why do we hear those who are suffering and in pain often say they feel deserted and so alone? The truth of the matter is --it is really - really difficult to stand by and see our loved ones devastated. We feel so helpless knowing there is not one thing in this world we can do to alleviate their pain. We are grossly uncomfortable and at a loss as to how we should help. There is not one thing we can do. Add to that our "survivor's guilt," and immense relief that this didn't happen to us and we have the perfect storm of wanting to turn tail and run.
Here is all you need to know--our presence is all that is required. A listening ear--a shoulder to cry on--an abiding presence is all we can do. That is enough. Especially when it is difficult---our presence is needed---required---mandated. Though we can do nothing to lessen the pain--we can stand by their side--and sometimes that is enough. Knowing someone cares---someone is willing to be uncomfortable with our suffering---someone is courageous enough to subject themselves to great discomfort with their inability to help--that goes a LONG way.
So don't turn and run--stand firm. Don't avoid the subject--there is no avoiding the elephant in the room. Don't give them space--do give them time. When the world is at its worst--the love of another can be the bridge to hope. Being willing to walk beside them as they trek the path of grief speaks volumes of how much we care for them. Especially when it is difficult--stand firm and be a consistent presence.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17
OUT IN THE OPEN
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
The entire United States has been in the grip of an Arctic Blast--via the Canadian Freezer Stream.
We are not really prepared and have not taken the necessary precautions for living with well below freezing temperatures here in the Deep South. Why this morning the pipe that supplies my commode is frozen. This is when I am grateful to once again have two bathrooms. It also explains my jump start every morning when lowering myself onto the C O L D seat. (Mental Note to Self--explore heating options for WC)
That will jerk you wide awake and get the heart pumping!
One of the things I learned along the way is when it is really cold--keep the window coverings closed. My blinds are all closed to keep any drafts or seepage of cold air from invading my toasty house. Even when you have insulated windows, the panes become cold--they are NOT heated glass. This cold lowers the temperature of the air next to it and contaminates the warmth you are working to preserve. SO an extra layer of insulation works to prevent cold air encroachment.
The downside of all the blinds being closed is the loss of natural light of which I am a huge fan. Natural light tends to keep away the cloudy day/weeks blues. Add to that the loss of your view and you soon realize you are living in a warm cave.
I am known for occasionally crawling into my cave. Usually I am recharging--taking a break--on sabbatical. We introverts are like your cell phones- we are drained while in use and need plugging in to recharge. Cell phones are made to be used--introverts love the company of others--but both have to be plugged in or will go completely powerless. SO---I crawl into the cave.
The bad thing about crawling in the cave or closing the blinds is what I am missing when cut off from the world. Yes, I am warm, and Yes, I am recharging, but the world is continuing to turn (even in freezing temperatures) and I am sitting behind closed blinds waiting for a recharge. There is not one thing wrong with down time--as long as down time does not become all the time.
When I looked through last year's pictures, I was amazed at how much joy and laughter I had experienced. Those experiences did not come behind closed doors and drawn curtains. It all came while exposing myself to all the world has to offer--Good Friends--Beautiful Sights----Thrilling Experiences---ALL of which were enjoyed beyond the confines of my closed doors and drawn curtains. God has richly blessed my efforts to live beyond the cave by throwing open the doors and drapes.
We are not really prepared and have not taken the necessary precautions for living with well below freezing temperatures here in the Deep South. Why this morning the pipe that supplies my commode is frozen. This is when I am grateful to once again have two bathrooms. It also explains my jump start every morning when lowering myself onto the C O L D seat. (Mental Note to Self--explore heating options for WC)
That will jerk you wide awake and get the heart pumping!
One of the things I learned along the way is when it is really cold--keep the window coverings closed. My blinds are all closed to keep any drafts or seepage of cold air from invading my toasty house. Even when you have insulated windows, the panes become cold--they are NOT heated glass. This cold lowers the temperature of the air next to it and contaminates the warmth you are working to preserve. SO an extra layer of insulation works to prevent cold air encroachment.
The downside of all the blinds being closed is the loss of natural light of which I am a huge fan. Natural light tends to keep away the cloudy day/weeks blues. Add to that the loss of your view and you soon realize you are living in a warm cave.
I am known for occasionally crawling into my cave. Usually I am recharging--taking a break--on sabbatical. We introverts are like your cell phones- we are drained while in use and need plugging in to recharge. Cell phones are made to be used--introverts love the company of others--but both have to be plugged in or will go completely powerless. SO---I crawl into the cave.
The bad thing about crawling in the cave or closing the blinds is what I am missing when cut off from the world. Yes, I am warm, and Yes, I am recharging, but the world is continuing to turn (even in freezing temperatures) and I am sitting behind closed blinds waiting for a recharge. There is not one thing wrong with down time--as long as down time does not become all the time.
When I looked through last year's pictures, I was amazed at how much joy and laughter I had experienced. Those experiences did not come behind closed doors and drawn curtains. It all came while exposing myself to all the world has to offer--Good Friends--Beautiful Sights----Thrilling Experiences---ALL of which were enjoyed beyond the confines of my closed doors and drawn curtains. God has richly blessed my efforts to live beyond the cave by throwing open the doors and drapes.
HERE'S TO MORE JOY, LAUGHTER,
LOVE & ADVENTURE
IN 2018~
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
OUT IN THE OPEN!
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11
LESSONS FROM HERO
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
My niece asked me yesterday to settle an argument over what breed of dog Hero is. All I can give her is the vet's guess---half chihuahua and half papillon.
Hero is a rescue--so short of a DNA spit test off the WWW--we will never really know his ancestry.
What I do know is that he has the thicker hair (especially in the winter) around his neck and his ears are always at attention when I am talking to him or he is on a mission (such as running away). The dislike of cold weather and trembling when out of his comfort zone comes from his South of the Border ancestors.
My brother has taken up my mother's quest of searching for our family tree. My mother traced her "people" back to the Mayflower and good old Pilgrim Doty and those Scot-Irish ancestors who preceded him. My brother--NEVER to be outdone has taken up the search of our paternal side. At last report, he was back to merchants/accountants from England on the James side. IMAGINE---a James coming from England--some things seem rather obvious to me. Older brother is not one to leave any stone unturned and has engaged the services of an "expert". WHY? I have no idea, but he seems fascinated with our blood line.
The latest twist on the internet is to send in a saliva sample to have your DNA analyzed. SOMEONE is making a fortune off this and listen to the above warning! NOT that I would EVER be a Nay Sayer.
Personally I am more interested in where my crazies came from. Why am I who I am? The questions I have asked have nothing to do with blood line and a lot to do with personality types. I need to understand the why's of my life--why I react the way I do--why I have made the choices I have--why --why--why.
The truth of it all is that we are a factor of all these and more--including our environment. Hero is a walking example of ancestry and crazy and environment. Some inherited traits and some developed along the way as he has lived his life. Bottom line--Hero is still Hero!
There are two truths I hold to fiercely--
I am a child of the One True God--He has called me His own--Nothing can jerk me from His grasp.
No matter how crazy I may act or react--it is all redeemable in His eyes. God is in the business of redemption.
I am a wonderful intricate individual creation of God Almighty AND He loves me--exactly as I am--no matter what my gene pool or my crazies--He loves me.
Hero is a rescue--so short of a DNA spit test off the WWW--we will never really know his ancestry.
What I do know is that he has the thicker hair (especially in the winter) around his neck and his ears are always at attention when I am talking to him or he is on a mission (such as running away). The dislike of cold weather and trembling when out of his comfort zone comes from his South of the Border ancestors.
My brother has taken up my mother's quest of searching for our family tree. My mother traced her "people" back to the Mayflower and good old Pilgrim Doty and those Scot-Irish ancestors who preceded him. My brother--NEVER to be outdone has taken up the search of our paternal side. At last report, he was back to merchants/accountants from England on the James side. IMAGINE---a James coming from England--some things seem rather obvious to me. Older brother is not one to leave any stone unturned and has engaged the services of an "expert". WHY? I have no idea, but he seems fascinated with our blood line.
The latest twist on the internet is to send in a saliva sample to have your DNA analyzed. SOMEONE is making a fortune off this and listen to the above warning! NOT that I would EVER be a Nay Sayer.
Personally I am more interested in where my crazies came from. Why am I who I am? The questions I have asked have nothing to do with blood line and a lot to do with personality types. I need to understand the why's of my life--why I react the way I do--why I have made the choices I have--why --why--why.
The truth of it all is that we are a factor of all these and more--including our environment. Hero is a walking example of ancestry and crazy and environment. Some inherited traits and some developed along the way as he has lived his life. Bottom line--Hero is still Hero!
There are two truths I hold to fiercely--
I am a child of the One True God--He has called me His own--Nothing can jerk me from His grasp.
No matter how crazy I may act or react--it is all redeemable in His eyes. God is in the business of redemption.
I am a wonderful intricate individual creation of God Almighty AND He loves me--exactly as I am--no matter what my gene pool or my crazies--He loves me.
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
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