Author: Molly Lin Dutina

52+ YEARS as wife to Robert! Still deeply loving that man!! He is often responsible for the photos I post. I try to always give him credit!
Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, medical treatment, Prayer, Rest, Surrender, Thanks, Trust, Yield

What will I share this week?

This is a month of changes. My husband will undergo knee replacement surgery this month. We are thinking his years of playing catcher in baseball and then doing the breast stroke among others on swim teams for many, many years contributed to the destruction of the cushioning in his knee. He is walking the dog and riding his bike with bone on bone at this point. Two meniscus repairs did not help either! They took measurements through his CT scan to fit the replacement parts with more accuracy than was available in years prior to this event.

We will doing all of his recovery at home. It is somewhat amazing after watching the video in the surgeon’s office that they think this is so advanced and safe that I will be his caregiver! Watching the video we both realized this is no little thing they will be doing to him. They also informed us that he will be up and walking immediately after surgery. Yes, he will need a walker or crutches for stability, but he is expected to walk regularly the day of surgery and thereafter. None of this lollygagging around in bed!

Evidently the surgery has made huge advances in the last 20 years and our particular surgeon is extremely careful. Bob will even be using a nasal antibiotic before the surgery as well as antibacterial body wash, etc.

There is a new pain medication on the market called Journavx. “JOURNAVX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe short-term (acute) pain.” Evidently if works through the peripheral nervous system which is outside your brain and spinal column. This is used instead of opioids. According to our surgeon patients are recovering faster and not having the side effects and addiction risk of opioids. If nothing else, this will be a grand experiment in the effects of as Bob calls it, “Better living through modern chemistry! “

He has nice legs, but not like hers!

We practiced Bob getting in and out of the car with the immobilizer brace on his leg. He has to wear this any time he is up and walking until Physical Therapy releases him from it. They warned us he might have to use the back seat for the ride home. Yep! It was way too difficult for him to maneuver into the front seat. Hopefully that will not become his usual place to ride in the car! He is already unhappy at being told he may not drive for 4 weeks. The surgery is on his right knee. He told one friend he is going to put the number for Uber in his phone. He is not good at just being at home. I figure by the time he gets in and out of the car for physical therapy and doctor appointments, a nap at home might sound good! The heat has been getting both of us down.

Equipped with a leg immobilizer, walker, crutches, cane, a list of medications and printed schedule for taking them, the electric ice machine, leg compression stockings, (oh my I will be busy, won’t I?) we are prayed up and almost ready. Wednesday August 27 at 7 AM is the big day! So many people who have had the same surgery speak of how nice it is to not be in pain anymore. We have been told that the first two weeks are the hardest. I will be rearranging my schedule to accommodate his needs. He had so often been my caregiver. After almost 55 years this is not a burden or unexpected. He is the love of my life and I want him as comfortable and healthy as possible. Of course, I might have to tie him to a chair at times to get him to rest, but then I might also have to chase him around the house with the threat of a fly swatter spanking to keep him moving. Just kidding. I think?!?

There was a saying that after forty you just patch, patch, patch. I think after seventy you just crumble. Thank God we have access to so many kinds of fixes!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Listen, Look, Music, Nature, Praise, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Open The Window

The weather has been too awful to keep a window open at night. The sound of the crickets this morning had me opening the window. And poof the cricket symphony poured in! Sweet, sweet sound. Then I noticed the twittering song of hummingbirds fighting over the feeder. The air was cooler than the house. The breeze pouring in through the open window was refreshing. Not a huge wind, just a tiny movement among the leaves.

And I noticed the thrasher was here again.

Once he found the berries on the spice bush he has been a regular customer. This is also called lipstick bush. Remember the tiny lipstick samples that Avon used to produce and give away? These berries are a bright red and just about that size.

They must be difficult to get into as he spends a long time pecking each one as he picks it and takes it to the mulch. He is so camouflaged that Bob had some difficulty seeing the bird.

“It can be tricky to glimpse a Brown Thrasher in a tangled mass of shrubbery, and once you do you may wonder how such a boldly patterned, gangly bird could stay so hidden. Brown Thrashers wear a somewhat severe expression thanks to their heavy, slightly downcurved bill and staring yellow eyes.

“Brown Thrashers may come to backyards if food is offered. Sometimes they visit feeders or the ground below to pick up fallen seed. There is a better chance they will visit if dense cover is close by. You can also attract them by planting shrubs that produce berries.” Cornell Lab https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Thrasher/overview

We have the shrub with berries and the dense cover is provided by neighbor. I first noticed the thrasher in the spice bush when I saw his long body along the branch.

Not a great photo but there he is!

I praise God from whom all blessings flow. I encourage all creatures here below to praise God, too!

Spice Bush berries 2024
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Yield

Orange Sherbet

Yum. We have visited two different creamy whip places for orange sherbet mixed with vanilla ice cream. The place across town had the best. The local one called it creamsicle and the orange was mixed with vanilla. Not as tasty or refreshing. They also sell an orange/vanilla swirl. Across town is the most flavorful. Look far right. Yum!

Then there is my New Mexico rock that I think of as Orange Sherbet, actually called orange calcite. We bought it at a rock shop. I just love it! This morning as I looked out the window I realized it captures the brilliant orange of the nasturtiums.

The nasturtiums are lovely this year. Sadly the ones that were to bloom red did not prosper as far as a bloom. Rabbit found they were tasty. The others have me cutting, smelling them and trying to capture the differences in photos. I just noticed a few are out of focus. Drats.

Look at the accent lines in the back of the flower. Blotches of dark orange like flames!

I used to have 2 photos from National Geographic that showed how we see a flower and how a bee sees the same flower. Wish there was a program to do that! Wait, there just might be one out there!

Common Dandelion in both lights
The pale peachy colors amaze me.
Solid petals and deep accent lines.
The variety is glorious!

Flowers to rocks to frozen desserts. What a wonderful world we inhabit. Just as the orange colors can be amazing so can the variety of ways to see life. I pray you yield your eyes to the Lord of all Glory. May that same Lord open your eyes to see the power of the Almighty in the universe and in your heart.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Just do it, Memories

Eating Dirt

The introduction photo is the grandstand at Moler Raceway.

Many years ago our daughter (who is now 50) won tickets to a dirt race track for LOUD cars. That began a family tradition. At first we drove way out to the country for the event. Then a newer track was built closer to home and that became our go to.

They race modified cars on a quarter mile race track. The size varies from little ones (that sound like angry bees to us) to V-8 engines that can threaten you with hearing loss. In fact, my apple watch warned me more than once regrading the noise level. I forgot to take ear plugs and eventually bought some for $1.00.

Several times earlier this summer we planned to attend, but the heat and humidity were just too much for use to endure. We went last Friday night. I packed two zip lock bags of peanuts in the shell. We took our insulated water bottles. The snack bar was actually reasonably price be it a soda, corn dog or chili fires. There were six family members in all. We wanted to finish our snacks before the races as an open plate of pizza would just invite ‘eating dirt.’

The owners always wet down the track prior to the race. However, with cars in sets of 5-10 going around it at 50-85 miles per hour it does not take long for the dirt to fly. I was smart enough to wear a ball cap and old clothing. I did not remember to take a hoodie or a sheet for protection. My bandana was soon soaked from perspiration and after a few laps I wondered it I was smearing mud on my face? There were a couple near crashes and the race was stopped while the track was cleared. No one was injured while we were there.

Here are some photo examples. The great news is that everyone was getting dirty!

Solid gray pack with fine layer of dirt!

Bob and I sat side by side. We were both tidy when we arrived. We do not have freckles on our legs. Get a load of this!

My solid black shorts. Our speckled legs.

Yes, a great time was had by all as we watched the various hot laps and races. The announcer was unintelligible. The family tradition lived on for another year!

While in the line for refreshments I had great fun telling Rowan about one year when he spent the night with us after the races. He is now 14. At the time he was quite a bit younger. When we got home that night I told him he had to take a shower. He balked and put up a fight. When I told him the story he shook more dirt off himself and said, “Gross!” I told him I agreed!

And the first time we took Ellie (now 20) the announcer was able to be understood. He was saying the names of the drivers. Ellie in full playground voice turned around and asked us, “Did he say Weasel Roads?” Indeed he had! If I could have found shirt with that drivers name on it I would have bought it for her in a heartbeat.

If you are there and get bored with the races, you can always people watch. This year they were selling something like 5 aluminum beer bottles in a sack of ice to keep them cold. One little girl had great fun playing with the ice. (I wondered if I could have just bought the ice?) She eventually put some up the leg of her dad’s shorts. The family did not think it was as funny when she tried it on her grandpa!

We left a halftime, our usual departure. Everyone but the retirees had worked that day and some had to work the next morning.

I hope you have some sort of family tradition to keep the joy and mirth flowing through the dog days of summer.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Worship, Yield

A Full Stop

Approaching a stop light have you ever struggled to come to a full stop before the light changes? Maybe going a bit too fast or not paying attention to the signals? More and more people around here seem to think the light signals do not apply to them. They make no attempt to slow down or stop. The other day one vehicle nearly collided with me and other cars when it went blazing through an intersection. Several of us laid on our horns to voice our displeasure. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

The full stop I am most thinking of is the difficulty I have at times to turn off the flood of thoughts and just stop. Have you struggled with that? At our house we sometimes call it mind racing. Yesterday afternoon it felt like the torrential floods after the monster rain storms that have been occurring. We mostly see videos on the news. Yep, that was my brain.

Even my meditation and devotions were a struggle this morning. Turn it all loose, Molly. Open your hands. If I clutch topics and people in my hands, I know I am not free to receive what the Lord wants to place in my hands next!

So far the month of August has been very, very tiring. I know that is a large part of the problem. How I could think that my concern about a situation could ever change or effect it? Well, in clear, more sane moments I realize that is just nonsense. The Gospels tell me point blank Do Not Be Anxious.

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

Anxiety mentioned five times in just a few verses. Brother Lawrence taught me that useless thoughts spoil everything. Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells me I am to take every thought captive to Jesus. I read that as I am to turn every thought over to Jesus. I am not to try to wrestle that thought, tie it up and deliver it to Jesus. Just give it to him, the One whose thoughts are not my thoughts, Whose ways are not my ways. (Isaiah 55:9 NIV)

And even this moment my concentration is shattered, splintered. Like the dog on “Up” I holler, “Squirrel!”

So I closed the blind over my office window next to my computer. I have experiential knowledge that the Lord God Almighty will meet me in the stillness. I choose even now to be still. One moment at a time.

There was another praise chorus that came to me years ago. It says, “Spirit of God within me, rise up. Spirit of God within me rise up. Take ascendancy over my body. Take ascendancy over my mind.”

Steve Green sang a song that asked, “You want to. Now Will you?”

I had to struggle to remember Isaiah 30:15 in the night. “In returning and rest I am saved, in quietness and TRUST shall be my strength.” And the zinger at the end, “But you would not.” Lord, I do not want to be one of those who would not.

All of that is still true this bright, sunny, hot and humid morning. It was true in the night. It will be true tonight and tomorrow. I need to cling to the source of my life and rest. Just rest in the truth that is my Lord. Even so, Lord, come.

I have decided that if there is a struggle today, I will require every thought to stop and state their business. If the business is not of God, I will require a toll of singing praise to the Lord God Almighty. If there is refusal to sing those praises, then the offender can simply turn out in the lane provided for dismissal. Nope, not welcome to come at this campground. Time for some rest.

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