Month: June 2025

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling, Trust

Visiting New Mexico

I cannot remember the date we actually met the Cookseys. It had to be at least thirty years ago.

We went to church together. They taught us so much about prayer. Dan lead classes that instructed us deeply in how to shepherd the Lord’s people. We also led marriage workshop weekends together. Dan used to joke that God chose four introverts to lead those groups.

There was a time when we traveled with Dan and Betty Cooksey. We have a photo on our office wall of a lovely owl I spotted in a tree during a drive around Reel-foot lake. I told Dan, “Back up! Back up!” He slowly backed the car up until I could point out the owl to everyone. Bob and Dan are both great photographers. I will never forgot practically lying down in the car seat so Bob could get the right angle! Sweet memories, indeed.

When they moved to New Mexico we were stunned and saddened. After we visited the first time Bob asked if I wanted to move there, too. I decided I could not leave my maple trees. Then we discovered that if we visited New Mexico we had a place to stay, always! We have visited several times over the ensuing years. From American Indian pow-wows to visiting birding sites. The Taos pueblo and other ancient settings. The adventure and delight of watching the farm market roast green chilis! Ah that fragrance 🙂 And then Dan and Bob peeling the chilis together.

Two men who remain such good friends though miles separate them

As couples we are not clones. There are some things we do not agree upon, but it is always possible through love and Christian fellowship to have warm discussions about any topic. The Psalm below always reminds me of the four of us.


Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore. Psalm 133

Now we are all aging and slowing down. We have not been to ABQ for 2-1/2 years. We are visiting there as you read this. I trust we will have a wonderful time as usual. I am fervently praying this is not the last time we get all four of us together. They are older than we are (only by a few years). With my heart scan looming in August and the prospect of open heart surgery I take nothing for granted anymore.

Making ice cream bowls!
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Memories, Nature

A Couple Family Updates

I finally got Lucky in for a bath, nail trim, and brushing, brushing, brushing. She would not let the groomer use the hairdryer on her so she came home with her ears dripping wet. There was only one bather in that day so she had to wait hours for her turn. She was none too happy when I picked her up! She looks svelte and cuddly. She certainly smells better. She followed me around all evening as if she did not want me out of her sight? She usually sleeps next to the bed on her pillow with her fleece blanket. When I got up in the night to use the toilet, she had arranged her sleeping space for the first time ever! She had dragged the pillow over the walkway at the end of the bed and her blanket was on top of it. What?!!? Seemed to be keeping track of me even in the night! Here she is in the morning sun waiting for me to give her a breakfast bowl to lick.

She is wearing her groomer bandana

We recently met Rowan for a crochet lesson. Yes, he wants to learn and is practicing and making coasters, potholders and now working on a hat. Then we went to lunch at Ramundo’s. Trying to get these two to look at the camera and smile at the same time is almost impossible!

Rowan is letting his hair grow out again

I have finally gotten all the seeds in the ground for nasturtiums and bachelor’s buttons. I am trying to tame the perennial ferns back to stay out of the way of the flowers. That is likely an endless job! We have a bachelor’s button volunteer that sprouted from last year. It has already sent out one bloom and has two other buds on the plant.

We walked past a garden in Norwood where there were a thousand bachelor’s buttons plants in blue, white and even a deep burgundy! There were also Sweet Peas growing amongst them. It was a riot of joy!! Now I wish I had taken out my camera for that garden! Sweet peas tickle me after a woman told me that when her husband first courted her he brought her a nosegay of sweet peas. A sweet couple with a sweet history. I miss you Maria and Dwight!

Once I tried to capture the flowers in a photo and found myself entering into the stillness of soul that moves me towards wholeness. I likely have posted this previously, but sometimes a poem bears repeating multiple times! Please read it prayerfully and let yourself come to a point of stillness as you do.

Bachelor’s Buttons©Molly Lin Dutina2023

Going inward with the deep blue of the bachelor's buttons, 
I sink down.
I take the encompassing blue with me.
Down.

I drop my shoulders
Down 
I breathe the blue petals.

Knowing the blue from the petals will fade.
Down.
For now they wrap me in stillness.
Down.

Wash me in the blue brightness I pray.
Down.
Not St. Stewart's bluing agent.
Down.

But the true blue of fresh flower.
Down.
Peculiar petals, 
Down.

Not like tea rose.
Down.
To where I am nestled inside the flower.
Down.

Beyond the pollen gathering bees.
Down.
Sitting still in the Blues
I am restored.
Posted on in Aging, Faith, Nature, Rest, Trust, Writing Life

One AM

I do not like waking up in the night and being unable to get right back to sleep. It seems the older I get the more often this happens. The internet lists a multitude of reasons this happens, from medications to temperature in the room, to body discomfort, and on and on.

Recently one night it was allergy discomfort. I know the neighbor has honeysuckle vines that are blooming. Though they smell sweet during the day, I know from our last house they can really trigger my allergy symptoms. So I went to close the open window and noticed how strong the mold smell was from the wet grass. Yep, I am allergic to mold, also! I took my acetaminophen and allergy medication. I returned to bed and after 20 minutes I was aware that I was still wide awake. Lately my mind runs along the lines of “What will I write about on the blog?” or “Did I remember to ask the editor this?”

So I made notes about what to write, editorial questions and then opened the book on my iPad to read until I was drowsy. Of course, that sent me off exploring why does reading help me get to sleep?

The short answer says my eyes get fatigued going back and forth on the lines and my brain then gets triggered that it is time to go to sleep. Even if the plot has just thickened and the clue to the mystery of the story is almost there on the page!! I am not concerned about that. Just hoping I set a bookmark on the page before I nod off.

So yes, I got back to sleep but this waking and staying awake is getting old. Oh! I am getting old, too. Guess it beats the alternative.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV

Posted on in Art, Faith, Just do it, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Writing Life, Yield

Treasures in Plain Sight, Volume 1

Growing Closer to Jesus in Prayer.

I have been working with a professional editor through Crown Publishing to get my first book ready for distribution. I gasped last week when I open my email and there was the cover design and first draft.

photo by Jackie Palazzolo

Wow! I have gone over this material so many times I feel as if I almost do not see the words anymore. Proof reading is very difficult when it comes to your own work!! Bob, Kathy and Dana have joined me in the effort.

I vacillate between excitement and then wanting to go puke from tension. I do know the Lord has called me to this, so that calms me immensely! I just sent off 5 pages of notes with photos, etc. to the editor. She told me last week we are very close to publishing.

I still sit in amazement that this is truly happening! Please pray this book will reach the ones who need it. Pray the Lord will use it to his glory and honor. I ask that people be drawn to God through the words and photos.

Just pray for everything having to do with it. The work will be available through Kindle Direct Publishing. They will set the price. I am hoping it will be affordable to the ones who want it. The editor told me with the color photos it would cost more, but most of the photos would not work if Bob changed them to black and white.

I continue to place this project in God’s mighty hands. And I enter his rest, knowing he gave me the ideas to write about and the skill to write. Many years ago I was called to be his servant. May I represent him well.

See, the editor even has me using the proper non-capitalized pronouns for God. Old dog getting updated here. Old dog feeling older.

Here is the poem that goes with cover photo. Prayer©Molly Lin Dutina 1979

A prayer
prayed in truth and faith
through the Blood of Jesus
is as a drop of water
upon the river of life;
sending out endless
ripples and waves
throughout creation.

As the prayer is said
the answer begins movement.
Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Cooking, Faith, Listen, Yield

Our Neighbors

I have a few neighbors that need a home cooked meal now and then. Since I have never learned how to cook for just two people, it is my pleasure to share with those people. Usually they get whatever we are having for dinner that day.

One gal is divorced, has raised 5 kids mostly on her own, and now lives with some nasty chronic illnesses. She works mostly from home and puts in long hours. She recently hit a few financial snags with appliances breaking down, car repair, plus the cat was diagnosed with diabetes requiring medications. She has appreciated anything I drop off. My husband does not like watermelon so recently I shared some cut up melon with her since I cannot eat a whole one before it goes bad. I could almost hear her dancing with delight as she texted her response at finding the melon along with green beans and ham at her door.

Another fellow was widowed a few months ago. His wife had Alzheimer’s disease. He went to see her at the nursing facility every day for 2-1/2 years. He lost a tremendous amount of weight. His stability even with his walker began to be in question. When she finally took her last breath he was a physical wreck. I told him we need to fatten him up! I took him a couple meals. Once when I delivered food he was assembling a foot cycle machine similar to the photo below.

He told me he is determined to get his strength back so he can take walks in the neighborhood. I took him some green beans with ham and potatoes last week. I left it on his porch and texted that I had left it for him. I went early in the morning and did not want to disturb him in case he was sleeping in. He shortly texted back that he got it.

If he comes down the street in his car he always stops to speak. He never drives away now without saying “How’s Bob? I love you!

When I was walking Lucky the other evening he was working in his garden. He came wobbling across the grass towards me. I cringed not wanting him to fall. When he got close enough to speak over his barking dogs, he dropped his city ways and spoke in his Indiana country twang, “Them was some good beans!” He had not commented on the food previously. I took his words as a high compliment!

We are told in Scripture to love our neighbors and share one another’s burdens.

 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12: 30-31

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NRSVUE

Is there someone you could reach out to with love and compassion? If not with food, perhaps with other things you are capable of? Often, most everyone just wants a listening ear and a kind heart to come close. Do not let those the Lord sends your way remain invisible. Give a smile, send a note card. Simple things are usually the best!!

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Prayer, Spiritual discipline

Bob’s Book

Recently Bob ordered a book on the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. He shared some of his favorite parts with me.

How great is the power of Prayer! One could call it a Queen who has at each instant free access to the King and who is able to obtain whatever she asks. To be heard it is not necessary to read from a book some beautiful formula composed for the occasion. If this were the case, alas, I would have to be pitied!

Interesting that she saw prayer as the Queen with instant free access to the King. I am uncertain that I agree with her idea that prayer is able to obtain anything she asks. I believe the answers can be: yes, maybe, no, or we will see about that.

Her idea of prayer as a Queen should hold each of us captive as we make our requests known to God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7