More Birthday Candles

One of the things in life that I have found very beneficial is when a job needs to be done, get it done and do it right. And, handle those with whom you come in contact, in a caring and loving manner.

We need to always know that God is in control and everything that happens has a purpose -------Stand in faith with Our Lord and move on!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is what you make it (tired old saying, but true). You can't expect other people to make your life more fun or to be there for you all of the time. Everyone is busy leading their own lives and you are not their top priority. If you are lucky enough to have a loving spouse, a loving family and terrific friends, then you have a very rich life.

Sometimes I think I never grew up. I still believe life is all about
giving of yourself and loving others.
I have seen much death and destruction and sadness over the years, I have read and watched and been a part of many of these things.
Yet, there are still those moments, triggered by a picture, a comment, a sound, a smell; some thing where time stands still, and I am able to focus on how beautiful things may be.

Birthday Candles

Before another year lapses completely, with me doing little more than blabbing about it I am NOW starting to post some of the quotes I rec'd last year as "thoughts to live by". It occurred to me that I should not publish names. That was my delaying, great debate. OK, it was my excuse. But, without further delay here are some wise words from people in my life.

No matter what happens in life, I always find something to be thankful for everyday. A positive outlook is a must and it will help to keep you healthy. And really, all you need is love.

OK, one of the things I learned is not to expect people to be grateful.
When you give something just give it and let go.

In a world chock-full of options, a little patience and
some prayerful thought and trust get us the divine guidance we need to
make the right choices. My life is nothing like I thought it would be
when I was dreaming in my 20s. It is, however, much better than I ever
imagined. Each new day is a gift.

IT 'S HARD TO BEAT THE OL' TIME CLAMP TO THE TABLE TOP HAND GRINDER.

The beautiful part of any moment of any day is that we can create something of it rather than letting the moment merely pass. We can consciously choose to connect with each other through the simple process of giving and receiving.

What if your day included the question, "What will I do with my choices?"?

More to follow...

Farm Fresh Eggs and the Things You Can Do

We are fortunate enough to have an Egg Lady. The eggs are in cartons, in a mini-bar size refrigerator, set out on a rickety old table each day. She does her egg gathering around 5 p.m. Sometimes the routine changes. Eggs freeze so they aren't out. In the fall there are gourds and pumpkins as well as eggs.

I took it upon myself to see what I could do with the eggs one sunny afternoon. Baking would have been too simple. This particular dozen was amazingly colored - browns of every hue, ranging from pale yellow-y to blush rose. My favorite bowls are yellow. We have a self-designed stained glass window in one room. I drew all the items together and God threw in the sunshine.

My favorite is the little feather still on the one egg. Nice touch, chicky.

Cabin fever takes me down old paths

Off to the sides are photos I've taken on various outings. The bridge one, a scanned image, was years ago, actually on a business trip. Often I would take my camera just to provide some diversion activity and if the weather was particularly pleasant, as you can see it was, I would take photos. Ah, the days of film, real film. There was a sense of anticipation associated with using a film camera.
I digress (but isn't that part of the journey?); across the top of the bridge is written, "Cross this bridge at a walk." Fine advise during any season. We should cross all bridges at a walk. After all, some of them are fairly major - the bridges from one life stage to another, from moving on. Some of them are less significant in description but can be large in impact. The stroll should be thoughtful. We should never cross a bridge, literally or figuratively, without marveling at its structure. With any luck we will then marvel at much more!
And, so it was, just last year I was able to marvel at stone statues brought all the way from Africa and installed for a display at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. This is one of my favorites. The statues were larger than life. Walking through the gardens one crosses many bridges. It's especially interesting to go when special exhibits are there and the bridges transition visitors' moods from calm, woodsy plantings to explosions of exciting florals, each interspersed with artwork that miraculously seems to be in a perfect place.
May the bridges you cross lead you to perfect places.

Coming early this year

Unless you are at least 95 years old you have never known an Easter to come as early as the one this year. And, it's going to be a LONG time before it happens again.
Isn't time an amazing concept? Calendars and clocks, not to mention all the electronic gadgets we carry around or hang on our bodies.
Why? Man invented time. Has it proven worthwhile? Do we miss a lot by being timely, on time, just in time? Yes, the BIBLE clearly reveals God created the Earth in 6 days and then rested 1 day. But we do not know if that was a day as we know it or a day to Him. In our minds it would take an eternity to create this world. We use it while God waits for us. In time, in His time, that's what will happen. Enjoy St. Patrick's Day and then go all out for a terrific Easter celebration!

Volunteering

Yesterday morning I was asked I how get so much done because I am "involved" in many volunteer opportunities. It did not take long for me to respond that our house isn't clean. Notice there's no descriptive adverb use, such as "exactly" or "absolutely" or "nearly" or "frequently". It just plain isn't clean.

But, you know what? It doesn't matter. Long ago I actually did listen to someone who told me that the housekeeping can wait. And, taking that to heart, I have learned that it does! Not that the place is a mess every day but it's not move-in ready by any means! And, we have trouble finding some things which has often led to frustration and a re-purchase of said item so the next time we need it our odds are improved from 1 in a million to 2 in a million.

I can always find room for a foster pup or dog. It's a challenge to make that commitment but the joy paid for accepting it is amazing. Likewise, there's time for a multitude of other requests to be filled. And, it's not for any other reason than it is the right thing to do. Everything else - the smiles, the successes observed, the burden lifted, the licked cheeks - all bonuses.

There's nothing like getting outside; outside your house and outside your head. Exercise your heart.

Junior High School

These past few days of listening to the "women's movement" leaders harangue the rest of us, who often are already liberated, about not voting for HRC because she is a female, has taken me back to Jefferson Junior High. Most of us recall it was the beginning of real groups of girls, linked together, books slung on hips or backs, arms intertwined (we could do that then without criticism or concern), whispering about boys. Has NOTHING changed? These ladies, if it is safe to call them that, are stuck in time and habits. Instead of English Literature and American History they strap on notebooks or laptops with rhetoric stored. And, they don't whisper publicly, they yammer.

Come on, women. Don't vote for someone because he or she is one sex or the other. Vote for stability and ability. Regard for potential is what we must consider for no one candidate has yet been tested as President. Bragger's rights may go to one candidate and the victory to another. So be it. When the new President steps into a meeting room with foreign dignitaries and non-dignitaries, or with non-foreign dignitaries or no-dignitaries (that's about everyone except the UFO passengers) we don't want that person to recite a litany of "I did, I have, I was..." but instead to discuss what will hold this world together longer.

It ain't about the outfit. It ain't about the grades, the boyfriend (husband), house, friends, hair, jewelry, books written, clubs, secrets kept or told...It ain't Junior High. Change was a big player in that age group and change is mentioned in the 2008 campaign. Make sure it's not the same kind of change. Voting is a brain thing. Use yours.