Month: August 2025

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Humor, Nature

Rabbit Fascination

The opening photo is the front flower bed right outside my office window. If you have followed this blog you likely know my fascination with the neighborhood rabbits. I was so relieved to see a baby bunny in the garden a few weeks ago. I did not even get upset that it was nibbling on the plants.

My attitude has changed. The bunny has sheared the leaves of many off the nasturtium plants. None of the ones in the front flower bed, thank Goodness, just out back.

Bunny is center left in photo

There is a music group in Puerto Rico called Bad Bunny. I should be grateful this Bunny does not eat EVERYTHING!

Naughty hungry bunny

Those particular nasturtiums are not likely to ever bloom! I know I am to be sharing with nature. Maybe I should plant twice as many next year?

–

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Humor, Praise, Thanks

Humor on Weekend Drive

On either Saturday or Sunday we are likely to take a drive to a nearby town called Bethel. They have an creamy whip, ice cream shop called Legendairy. It is decorated with Bigfoot, the ultimate Legend around here. They do not put a much air in their soft serve as most places. That makes it rich and creamy. This week I tried strawberry layered with vanilla. Chocolate is my favorite.

There is one house we pass where an older lady is often sitting in the driveway or in the shade of the garage, reading and watching the traffic go past her house. We have not seen her in a while, but that could be due to the brutal heat and humidity here.

This past weekend we spotted a truly award winning scene. This is especially for our friends, Dan and Betty Cooksey!

Here is the scene from a distance.

A sidecar is always interesting!

Look closer and it looks almost like a Chris Craft boat! And quite some blonde hair. Can you hear me asking Bob to get closer?

I do believe that sidecar has a dog in it!! I wonder if he wear goggles?

We caught up at the stoplight that thankfully was red!!

I see no goggles on that golden retriever head!!

I believe it was granddad driving, possibly grandgirl riding and favorite canine in the sidecar!

I swear the dog knew to lean around the corner?!? What a fun treasure in plain sight! Keep finding humor all around you. It will lighten the burdens of your soul!

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Cooking, Humor, Special Event

New Restaurant

There is a new place near us called David’s. When we first visited there many of their appetizers were half price, including the freshly baked pretzel.

Bob’s phone is next to the tray to give you an idea of the size of this thing!

The pretzel comes with a little cup of Queso cheese and a little cup of ranch dressing. Now they no longer reduce the price on the pretzel. (They were likely losing money on it!) In fact when we returned recently we had decided to make the jumbo pretzel our dinner. We ate much of it, but carried 2/3s of it home.

If you like the warm pretzel from Sam’s Club, (I like it with Parmesan cheese), this one is WAY over the top of that!

Happy hunting for edible treasures!!

Posted on in Aging, Art, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Memories, Music, Nature, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

A Place

Grateful Living posted Thomas Merton wrote, “In a world of noise, confusion and conflict, it is necessary that there is a place of inner silence and peace; not the peace of mere relaxation but the peace of inner clarity and love.”

Remember my post about where daughters go to die? I shared it with a new friend. She is quite talented with poetry, photography and music. She took my barely understandable tune on staff paper and sent me an audio file through messages where she sang it back to me. (Ain’t technology grand?”) I mean it. This was unthinkable a decade ago! She was at the farm in Adams County at the time. There are cicadas and crickets in the background. I am absolutely delighted. I played it often these past few days to keep myself centered in surrender and the Presence of God.

When she returned home she sent me an audio file with the piano added.

I am trying to learn how to upload these so each of you can hear it. Not making much progress with Sound Cloud which WordPress says I should use. Grrr – old dog, new tricks. I finally found another way to convert it.

And the piano chords? Well, only the singing loaded so far. On to other writing and stay tuned for updates!

Thank you, Joan. Sincerely, thank you!!

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Memories, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Trust, Yield

The Daughter’s Tombstone

Years ago, after I dropped my son off at nursery school I drove around enjoying some quiet with God. I wound up in a cemetery I had never been to before. I had been praising and singing a good part of the morning. I came up the steep curved driveway and much to my surprise there was this huge tombstone with a simple word daughters.

photo taken more than 45 years ago

I had been studying William Law and the idea of dying to self. I was struck with the idea that this is the place where daughters come to die. As a daughter of the King of kings, the will of God is more important than my will. I was at the place in my walk where I realized that obedience to the King is more important than what I want in any given situation.

That same morning I heard a worship chorus. It goes, “Total surrender brings total power, Spirit of Christ in me, totally yielded to Thee every hour, until Thy will I see. Death to my passions and every desire, living wholly for Thee, have Your own way Spirit of Love, totally flow through me.”

Recently, I drove to the same cemetery and the headstone is terribly discolored.

photo August 3, 2025

I decided to return and try and clean it. Online it said to use vinegar water with maybe a drop of dish soap in it and a soft brush. My husband went with me. We took a gallon of water and scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. It did look better when we were finished, but still discolored.

August 4, 2025 Prior to second scrubbing

Recently, we’ve had some family trouble. With all the stress, I was having difficulty concentrating on writing, so I decided to return to the cemetery and scrub some more. This time I took a baking soda solution, another internet idea. On the way there I remembered the chorus about total surrender. It was so fitting because in this family situation I have no influence and no control over the outcome. Once there as I got my supplies out of the car and climbed a little hill to the headstone, I began singing the chorus. I was reminded once again that this place of surrender to God is the healthiest and happiest place for me to be.

I will go back tomorrow take another photo and see how the daughter’s grave is looking. In the meanwhile I will do my best to stayed yielded to God my Father and Mother.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.
But you refused Isaiah 30:15 NRSVUE

And Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as in obedience to the voice of the Lord?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice
    and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 NRSVUE

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NRSVUE

After second scrubbing
Posted on in Faith, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Worship

Last Sunday

During the summer one of our Sunday church services is held outdoors as long as there is no rain or lightning. (Recently we wondered if it should be held indoors because of the awful heat and humidity, but we made it!) This past Sunday the weather was perfect and the worship was delightful.

Here is part of the prayer before communion:

“It is truly right, and good and joyful to give you thanks, all holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. You have filled us and all creation with your blessing and fed us with your constant love; you have redeemed us in Jesus Christ and knit us into one body. Through your Spirit you replenish us and call us to fullness of life.”

That just about knocked my socks off. Perhaps part of the impact is I have been studying Michael Card’s book Inexpressible Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness. Being reminded of the Holy One having constant love at that point in the worship certainly got my attention.

One of the first pages in his book after the dedication lists the many ways hesed is translated. Here are a few. LOVE, LOVINGKINDNESS, MERCIFUL LOVE LOYAL LOVE, SURE LOVE, RELENTLESS LOVE, ENDURING LOVE, EXTRAVAGANT LOVE, AFFECTIONATE SATISFACTION, LOVE IN ACTION, DEPENDABLE LOVE, STEADY LOVE, TRUE LOVE, FUNDAMENTAL LOVE, MIRACLE LOVE, GENEROUS LOVE, DEEP LOVE, WONDERFUL LOVE, GREAT LOVE, INCREDIBLE LOVE, MARVELOUS LOVE, GRACIOUS LOVE, LOYAL IN LOVE, STEADFAST LOVE, EXPRESSION OF LOVE. This is less than a third of the list!

Card explains that hesed is a word that draws adjectives to itself. There is no easy, one way to translate it into English. In his Preface he calls it “the untranslatable defining the inexpressible.”

I am certain to have more to write about hesed as I continue to study it and read about it. May you experience the hesed of God in your life this very day!

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Our Age Group

I am entering my mid-70s. Bob is two years older. We are finding that what his mother told us once is too true. As we age more and more of our friends are falling ill and some die. She said eventually she got to the point where she knew very few people anymore. She was not one to try to make new friends as she proved when it was necessary for her to move into assisted living. She went to a few meals, but basically isolated herself.

There are two we know of who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Another one died of same disease in the last five years. One is undergoing cancer treatment for the second time. One died from cancer recently and one a few months ago.

The woman down the street was in a treatment center with Alzheimer’s disease. She passed after a couple years there. The other neighbor lady with Alzheimer’s and heart disease passed about the same time. Another friend died from early onset Alzheimer’s.

One man has heart issues. He also suffers from allergy or asthma? Some sort of breathing difficulty. Now they say he needs back surgery.

Suffering, diseases and death. How can we keep our faith fresh and lively in the midst of all that? One verse says, “My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.” Another verse “even to old age and gray hairs you are with me.”

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

There is so much turmoil here that some of us are willing to openly express that we are looking forward to graduation into the arms of God.

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16 NIV

Revelation says there is no more death there, or suffering or crying.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5 NRSVUE

Yes, there is great value in accepting aging and the limitations that can arrive with that aging. We are told to keep our faith strong and ready. We are to be sober, vigilant, and aware that our enemy prowls about like a roaring lion seeking the ones he can devour. I do not want to be one caught in those evil jaws. These admonishments seem to take on more significance the older I get. As I tire more easily it would be easy to just relinquish hold of those precious promises and quit. I pray for strength to fix my eyes upon the author and FINISHER of my faith. I do want Jesus to find faith on the earth when he returns. Even if mine is the only faith to find.

Tough stuff, but we need to cling to the positives and stay as cheerful as possible.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
    from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time on and forevermore. Psalm 121 NRSVUE

Do you part to cling right to the very last breath!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Prayer, Surrender

Every Moment Holy, Even the Ones with Anxiety

At the end of a very long and lovely liturgy called For One Suffering Anxiety, Every Moment Holy suggested writing this out or memorizing it to use in times of anxiety. I had no idea at the time I would need it on so many days!

So meet me here, O Mighty God. Meet me
in the midst of my disquiet. Meet me in
the seat of my anxiety, and bid this storm
within my soul Be still!
	Now calm my heart, O Father.
	Now soothe my mind O Christ.
	Now breathe your peace, O Spirit, upon me.
Release me from my cares, O God,
as I release my cares to you.
Amen. Every Moment Holy Volume 3, Page 243

And God did. Enough said.

Thank you, Douglas Kaine McKelvey.

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Writing Life

Every Moment Holy

There are some days that seem darker than others and it is difficult to imagine that every moment is holy. I know just to be alive is a holy gift.

This publication from Rabbit Room sends out a daily quote from one of the volumes that have been published. Recently it read:

Lord, may I not so much find the right words as allow the right words to find me, not so much compose as allow you to compose me.

And another day they sent out,

Lord, I confess that all these words I love and lay before you were never mine, but always yours; truth itself is never mine but always yours.

I am always blessed when another author expresses my heart so clearly and concisely. Lord, use whatever I write in whatever way you desire. Help me to have the right words. Help me express your hesed, loving kindness, for us. Show me how to collect and compose the messages. Use them as you will. As always, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

To God be the glory forever and ever amen.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5 NIV

Posted on in Cooking, Faith, Family, Humor, Praise, Thanks

The Man Who Can Cook

My husband and I discovered early on that there thing he likes to eat that I detest. There are things I like to eat that he can eat for one meal, but does not want it repeatedly as leftovers. One of his favorite dishes is seafood pasta. He has learned and perfected his own recipe for that dish.

I was writing the blog entries as I usually do. I could hear him in the kitchen and remembered that he planned to cook his sauce this morning. I went about my prayers and writing. When I decided to take a break after 1-1/2 hours I had forgotten his kitchen work. I opened the office door and the sauce fragrance almost knocked me down! There is something about shrimp, olive oil, garlic and clams simmering in clam juice and wine that I was not prepared for at 10:00 AM! I can imagine Dana and Kathy beating a hasty path to our door upon reading this.

You see, the plan is to have the two of them over for dinner to meet each other and eat this dish Bob makes. I on the other hand will have something I like to eat. Nope, I’ve never tasted his sauce. Those who like that sort of thing say it is delicious. Mom ruined any hope of me ever eating fish with her exaggerations and tall tales. Such as, making salmon cakes for dinner using canned salmon and telling me there were no bones in it. The most brave I became was Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks. Once I left home I discovered that tuna steaks are quite tasty, as long as they are well done. In Ireland I was able to eat salmon, but here I have to make myself. Crab cakes are good. Coconut shrimp is tasty but not really good for me!

I tell Bob when it comes to clams and oysters, “I don’t eat bait!” Just pass me by when serving fish. Taking the photo for you, I was reminded his magic sauce also has butter and bay scallops in it!

I give thanks for this wonderful husband who is not afraid to take on the cooking tasks he enjoys! I just pray I never get dementia so he can tease me and try to get me to eat bait. You wouldn’t, would you, Bob? He is an incurable tease. He just might try it should things ever go that way.