Posted on in Covid 19, Faith, Social Distancing

I Cannot Comprehend

500,000 people in the United States dead from Covid-19. Sad history being made in our midst.

I just cannot comprehend that much loss, that much death in one year, that many families grieving. I was in shock March 21, 2020 when the numbers were 24,000 deaths from Covid-19 in the USA.

I understand grief. I understand death. Recently Marvin died, Jay died, Art died and Gary, too. Most were ill. Some were older than others. My brain struggles to get around 500,000 people dying from one disease in one year. It is very likely that I have not even met 500,000 people in my entire life. Internet statistics report the average American knows about 600 people and may meet upwards to 10,000 in a lifetime. 500,000 is difficult for me to even conceptualize.

National Geographic published the article below to help us get a grip. It was comforting to read “our brains are not wired to comprehend this much loss“. They end the article saying “These figures do not include tens of thousands of deaths that may have been related to the virus but were not recorded as COVID-19 deaths, such as deaths before testing became more widely available.”

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/graphics/what-500000-united-states-covid-deaths-look-like

Stay strong. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Wear your mask, or two. Get your vaccine when available and stay grateful for the many, many blessings which overflow our lives.

Posted on in Faith, Humor, Memories, Spiritual growth, Traveling

In the Gap of a Stone Wall

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;  but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

-Luke 12:19-21 New Revised Standard Version.

When I was a child my mother collected Betty Crocker coupons points from flour and box mixes. When we had saved enough points we could order things from the Betty Crocker catalog. Researching this article I realized that is likely where she ordered my baby spoon from!

When I was a young teen we had a Home Economics class. The teacher told us to to choose an everyday flatware pattern based upon our preference of design and how easy it would be to keep the pattern clean. My mother let me use her coupons to order this spoon.

Yep! I still have it. The design is great to get frozen hard gelato out of the container! 🙂

When we were in Ireland we were fascinated by the multitude of stone walls. The land is so rocky that those smart people used the stones to build with. Walking in a village one day the roadway was lined with stone walls on either side. I noticed something shining out of the wall. I pulled on it and much to my surprise was the item below!

At first glance what does it remind you of? I could not have been more shocked!

Side by side you can see they are not identical, but I was shocked to see the similarities! Was someone walking to work eating and finished their food? Decided to store the fork for later? Then forgot where it was? I will never know, but it became one of my found souvenirs. The tines are a little bent but I treasure it. I do not value it over my Lord. Unless He fills me and guides me with His Holy Spirit I am as useless as a fork stuck in the gaps of a stone wall.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Poetry

One Autumn Week

One Autumn Week © Molly Lin Dutina

 
 The other morning
 woods bathed golden with
 sunlight shining through autumn leaves
 making butterscotch in LED format from on high,
 amazed.
 The depth of the woods has been
 secreted all summer in leaves and shadows.
  
 I awoke next morn to gray sky
 shaking pillowcases full of snowflakes
 upon fallen leaves and naked trunks.
 No surface was chilled enough to hold
 the flakes for more than a few moments
 murmurs of winter to come.
  
 Today the woods are bare
 the sunlight shows brown trunks and black
 punctuated by an occasional leaf
 all this
 within one autumn week.
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Memories, Nature

Picking Daffodils in The Rain

Picking Daffodils in The Rain © 2014 Molly Lin Dutina

 I ran out the door 
 to pick daffodils before the rain beat upon them.
 Wandering up the hill I looked over the white Trout Lilies,
 Then noticed something most unusual!
 The time for tapping maples has passed
 Yet here bubbles sap - at base of the walnut tree?
 No!
 Rain is simply percolating through the rugged bark!
 In concert with gravity it creates a bubble fountain of joy.
  
Trout Lily by r m dutina
Posted on in Family, Humor

Language Humor 2

We lived near a firehouse when Emily was small. We often talked about fire trucks and the ambulance. She insisted it was an “Ambliance.”

When we went to the zoo we saw the “Efalant.”

The delight and challenges of toddler language!

At the grocery Jeff made me nuts one day. Sitting in the cart he kept asking for “Woo Bea.” I kept telling him if I could only understand him I would gladly buy that. Finally, I got it!

Barq’s Root Beer

Many, many years later we took Jeff’s son for a walk. We had him in a stroller because the walk was about a mile in length and he was quite small.

Photos by r m dutina

He could not wait later that day to tell his Dad he saw a “Cowpidar!” I love those chubby knuckles!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Poetry

Exceeding Expectations

 Exceeding Expectations © Molly Lin Dutina  21-2-9 
 
 As forecast
 the snow fell in the night
 surpassing the expectations 
 of excited meteorologists
  
 There are no rough edges on our 
 world this morn
 only smooth brush strokes
 from the palate of Jack Frost
 he was heavy handed with his snow
 flat surfaces are now domed
 the squirrel baffle on the suet post 
 resembles the Pope’s miter cap
 the dog labors to walk at all
  
 Finally we let her off leash and she ran 
 in laps like a maniac
 leaving few traces of her joyful gallop
 when we got the bird feeder filled
 the chirpers seemed delighted
 all other foods were buried 
  
 Soon leaf blowers, shovelers, plow trucks
 snow blowers all joined the chorus of removal
 It will be days before the entire pavement is seen again
 unless some winter exceeds
 Expectations once again!

  
Posted on in Collection of Quotes, Covid 19, Faith, Moving, Nature, Spiritual growth

Endurance

You know, we thought the pandemic was hard. Trying to keep a positive mind and overall positive attitude. Then the unexpected snow accumulation came totaling 9 inches and then a day or so later another 3 inches. Unlike most snows over the years in Cincinnati, it has not all melted yet. Now we have a fresh 2 inches while we wait for the forecast 8-12 inches more this afternoon. The Pandemic is still here and variants are beginning to overtake the USA. People were celebrating Valentine’s Day in bars and restaurants as if nothing was going on. (We saw on TV.)

I read and heard a few quotes in the last 36 hours that are helping me a bit.

“The days you keep your gratitude higher than your expectations are fine, fine days.”

Ray Wylie Hubbard on Austin City Limits

“You’ve got to remember: you must have a forward-thinking, positive outlook at all times.”

Eastbound from Flagstaff by Annette Valentine

Those are easier written than lived! Gratitude that we have snow but also an “electric broom”, snow shovel and blower. Gratitude that the snow plow came down our street plowing and salting the surface twice so far today. Gratitude that the dog does not need to be walked MORE.

Forward thinking, positive outlook. That is difficult when all construction on the new house has totally stopped due to weather. Maybe they can begin again next week if the thaw forecast for next weekend actually occurs! We positively have not put this home on the market yet. If we change our minds it will be the most clean this building has been since we moved in, I think! Forward thinking? Well, Bob continues to want to arrange the furniture in the new building though we do not have a move-in date for certain yet. Someone is to come this week and give us an estimate on packing and moving. The realtor is to come also and give us advice about showing the property. I do wonder if either of those appointments will be kept though!

I won’t even elaborate on the futility of trying to get a Covid-19 injection appointment. Our names are on a list with the Board of Health. Hopefully they will call sometime soon?

The neighbor who helped clean part of our driveway loved the chocolate frosted walnut brownies I shared. Wonder if I should make more of those or the chocolate layer cake they loved once? I am certain when the wave of snow today arrives he will help once more.

How does your gratitude fare in the balance with your expectations? Is your forward thinking suffering with the weather and pandemic or are you staying mostly positive at all times? As we struggle on to be our best selves, may the Lord give us wisdom and strength for the journey!

“A wise warrior is better than a strong one,
and a man of knowledge than one of strength;
 for you should wage war with sound guidance—
victory comes with many counselors.”

Proverbs 24:5-6

Posted on in Family

Intercession

Intercession © Molly Lin Dutina 1982

 
 Please hold my hand
 and go with me
 to the Throne of Grace.
  
 I need, I hurt, I ache
 seems all that I can say.
 Please use your objectivity
 to plead for me my case.
  
 He has, He knows, He heals
 come with me to that place.
  
 And as His Spirit takes us
 to the very heart of God
 we’ll return with rejoicing
 Knowing
 that He knows
 and is moved to help us obey.

One of my sweetest moments was when a friend embroidered this poem for me and framed it. I have kept it to this day.

Please pray for Mindy who remains very ill. Unless her liver “pinks up” she will need a transplant. She has had multiple surgeries this past year. Hospitalized eleven times I think? Married, age 45 and mother of two young girls.

Posted on in Faith, Poetry, Prayer

Deadly Mental Assent

Self-Discipline © Molly Lin Dutina 80-9-21

 I search for You, Lord, but my heart really is deceitful. 
 I am amazed that this morning my flesh is sleepy, again! 
 My spirit is eager to go, but in order to mesmerize my brain into sleep
 I recoil from interaction with You to mere deadly mental assent.
  
 Flesh, I speak to you in Jesus’ name.
 Line up with God’s word. I shall not want for sleep. 
 He keeps me in His love.
  
 Brain, I speak to you in Jesus’ name.
 Wake to the words of life that will nurture you.
  
 Father, I thank and praise You for Your love and discipline.
  
 Even for the alarm clock across the room.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

-Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Humor, Marriage and Memories, Traveling

Ireland 2011

We traveled to Ireland to celebrate my belated 60th birthday. When we went walking the first morning my ears immediately perked up to the lambs in the distance. They were crying and as they did it pierced my heart. I could not help but remember that I am under the care of the Great Shepherd, no matter what continent or island I am walking upon.

In the Old Testament God is called the Shepherd of His people.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters” Psalm 23:1-2

In the New Testament Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

As we meandered through the lanes of Glendalough I could tell by the cries we were getting closer and closer to the lamb. Then we turned a corner and there it was! Bob caught this tremendous photo of it on the hillside. There were other ewes and lambs around it.

r m dutina

Right after he snapped the photo I busted out the laughing as the lamb sneezed, and then rolled a bit down the hillside. What a sense of humor my God has!