Category: Aging

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Cooking, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Just do it, Praise, Thanks

Each Turkey I Cook

Pilgrim Gnome saying “Raise your turkey leg high in thanks to God!”

When I cook a turkey or chicken I try to use the bones to make broth for gravy or soups. This year I had 2 turkeys to cook. If you have ever processed bones for broth, especially turkey bones, you know what a mess it can be. Turkey is very oily. First you simmer the bones and then strain them out of the broth. I did the first batch in the Crockpot for hours and hours. After I processed the first carcass I thought to myself, “Nope! I am not going to do the second one. That is enough.” After letting the broth chill I skim off any fat that has risen to the top. I then freeze the broth in Ball jars for future use. The house smells delightfully of turkey, turkey, turkey!

Then my son taught me that if I caramelize the bones in the oven and then simmer, the broth will be even better. Of course, I was challenged to try his method. I keep telling that young man he should write a cookbook!

Simmering with vegetables to reduce into a rich broth.

Of course, my son, the chef, was absolutely correct. The next batch of broth was stunning. Best gravy I have made in years.

We had a lively feast with a prayer of thanksgiving and much stuffing into mouths. Dressing, two kinds of sweet potatoes, gravy, butter rolls made from scratch, mashed potatoes, turkey and more turkey. The person bringing the corn pudding had to work so alas we had none of that. The pies were tasty as was the made from scratch banana sugar-free pudding. (Except the cookies in it were not sugar free.) Gourmet cookies that sent my glucose soaring, but oh yum. Those were dangerous!

Is there something you do traditionally with your turkey bones or other holiday meal? I encourage you to write it down for your family. They will eventually benefit from what you learn along the way!

I make a cream soup with wild rice and turkey. It ought to be outrageously good with this new broth!

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Praise, Prayer, Surrender, Thanks

The Pre-Thanksgiving Shenanigans

So about all I had left to do was to make the pumpkin pies for the celebration. I also planned to make my almost sugarless pumpkin filling for my diabetic self. In case you are not aware, pumpkin pie filling is a custard that starts out incredibly runny and firms up as it bakes.

I was using my Kitchen aid mixer which I am still getting accustomed to.

A screw fell out of the mixer, but I was so grateful it did not go into the filling! I went to turn the mixer off and slid the switch the wrong direction. (See that sliding button above that says stir 2 4 6 8 10?) Wrong direction is 10!! Pumpkin filling flew everywhere as I turned the mixer to high instead of off. I had pumpkin filling splashed on my new lilac sneakers. Pumpkin down the cabinets. Later I found pumpkin on the dining room rug. Pumpkin all over the mixer itself. Pumpkin on the quilted pad under the mixer. Could I stay calm and grateful even then? Tough doing that.

I finally got the pies in the oven. Cancelled the plan for my filling. Geesh, what a mess!! I usually have too much filing for the two deep dish pie crusts. I use a baking bowl like my mother had for the left over. I figured no leftover with this mess. Much to my surprise there was some leftover!

They really were round though they look oval here!

After the pies baked I went to take a nap. When I awoke there was a leak from under our fridge. I thought maybe the door ice dispenser had a jam that had opened. Nope, too much water for that. I noticed the bottom ice maker had stopped making ice. Bob was able to pull this incredible heavy refrigerator/freezer out on its rollers. Yep! It was filthy back there. We cleaned that up, but still could not find the source for the leak. Bob watched a few repair videos and decided it was too much for him to deal with. We turned off the lower ice maker to see if that would help. Leak stopped.

Huge load of towels and laundry between the pie filling and the leak!

We bought a bag of ice for the celebration. WHAT A DAY!!

Our son came early to the celebration and offered to check out the freezer ice maker. We asked that he wait until after the celebration. He has learned so much in his job as an apartment complex maintenance person. He had never repaired this brand, but took a look after dessert was over.

In moments he had the back off the motor area. Then the ice drawer was out of the freezer, then the entire lower drawer. I do not know exactly how, but he got it working. We cleaned up the water from where the leak began during the testing. Another load or two of laundry from the dinner napkins, table cloths and towels.

I sent him home with lots of pumpkin pie! Oh what a relief it is not to need to call a repairman on a holiday! Thanks Jeff! You are the best!!

And yes, the pies were a hit!

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

In everything, not for everything.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Humor

Humor At A Glance

We live near a funeral home and across the street from that is a pawn shop. The pawn shop has had this posted on their sign for several weeks.

“Gold is sky high. Cash in now.”

One day while driving past I glanced at the sign and glanced at the funeral home. The sign seemed in my glance to read, “God is sky high.” Then looking at the funeral home, “Cash in now.”

Oh Molly Lin! Not ready to do that yet!!

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Memories, Music, Prayer, Trust, Worship, Yield

Called Here Repeatedly

Do you have a song that pulls you into God’s presence? This is one of mine. The opening photo shows verse 3!

Based on Psalm 84.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house,
    ever singing your praise. 

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
    happy is everyone who trusts in you. Selah NRSVUE

For those of you having difficulty this holiday season for whatever reason, please reflect upon this part of the same Psalm.

In Psalm 84, we are introduced to the Valley of Weeping. In some translations, it is called the Valley of Baca, a Hebrew word that derives from bakah (baw-kaw), meaning to weep, bemoan, bewail, complain, make lamentation, and mourn with tears. https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/what-is-the-valley-of-weeping-baca-psalm-84/

5 Happy are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed.

We go through the valley of Baca, we do not reside there. Please know if you are having difficulty emotionally this season there are those who are praying for you as you go through that valley. God sees your tears and is moved to comfort you.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Focus, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

This Would Be Amazing

Grateful Living says: Brother David Steindl-Rast — 99 year-old author, scholar, and Benedictine monk — is beloved the world over for his enduring message about gratefulness as the true source of lasting happiness. Known to many as the “grandfather of gratitude,” Br. David has been a source of inspiration and spiritual friendship to countless leaders and luminaries around the world including Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Merton, and more. He has been one of the most important figures in the modern interfaith dialogue movement, and has taught with thought-leaders such as Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield, and Roshi Joan Halifax. His wisdom has been featured in recent interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Krista Tippett, and Tami Simon and his TED talk has been viewed almost 10,000,000 times. Brother David Steindl-Rast

Imagine a country whose citizens—maybe even its leaders—are brave, calm, and open towards each other; a country whose people realize that all human beings belong together as one family and must act accordingly. Br. David Steindl-Rast

Brave

Calm

Open to each other

One family

That would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Maybe we can begin today. Just each one of us reading this trying to live out the message and make a difference, right where we are, right now!

Posted on in Aging, Art, Humor, Memories, Writing Life

My Typo

When I was in school, eons ago, I was a good English student. I even kept a couple papers that brought me great pride.

Now I get so frustrated when the autocorrect programs do not highlight my common mistake of teh instead of the word the. So I looked it up online thinking I am likely missing some word I might need.

Get a load of this from our source of all things wise and knowing:

Teh originates from the common typo of the word the, as might both occur and remain uncorrected when a person was typing rapidly prior to the widespread availability of autocorrect helper applications, and has become conventionalized in a variety of contexts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teh

Who knew? I still want to correct that typo, but I will not fret from here on when I miss one. Or two. Or three.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship, Yield

To Know You

These days when every old seasonal movie is shown on TV, there is an elf running around in an adult-sized costume hollering, “I KNOW HIM!!!”

During this season when some folks get the blues over lost times and memories of the past, I have a question. Those days when things seem blah remember this! Do you know Him? Not the merchandising one, the One who came to set us free!

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NRVUE

I have much to learn about those two verses. What about you?

23 Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom; do not let the mighty boast in their might; do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; 24 but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 NRSUE

I will never fully understand or know the Almighty, but I make it the work of my life to learn more and more

28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:28-31 NRSVUE

That is enough to keep me pondering all the days of my life!! J B Philips did a New Testament translation that is often times refreshing.

We wish you could see how all this is working out for your benefit, and how the more grace God gives, the more thanksgiving will redound to his glory. This is the reason why we never collapse. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. For we are looking all the time not at the visible things but at the invisible. The visible things are transitory: it is the invisible things that are really permanent. Philips 2 Corinthians 4: 15-18

One of my favorite artists, Stephanie Gretzinger, draws me back to this truth as I play the following song repeatedly. Written by Graham Kendrick it is full of eternal truths. I encourage you to also listen to it repeatedly. Layers upon layers of meaning.

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Memories, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Trust

Sixty-four Years Ago

My Dad died so long ago and my mom almost as long ago (fifty years ago). It is sad when one can no longer remember traits of a parent. I know stories about them, but the actual sound of their voice or personal traits, not so much. In this day and age of digital recordings, hopefully some of you might have a copy of your parent’s voice?

If not, how do you fill that gap? At age eleven or twelve when I realized that no one could replace my Dad, I began to pursue God. Even that lofty pursuit left holes and tears in the fabric of my living.

I have learned that the Trinity loves me tenderly like a mother, shields me daily like a father.

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 66:13

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37

The term “El Shaddai” translates to “God Almighty” or “the God who is sufficient.” It originates from ancient Hebrew, where “El” refers to God, and “Shaddai” is thought to denote strength or mountains, symbolizing power and stability. Some scholars suggest “Shaddai” comes from the root word “shad,” meaning “breast,” emphasizing God’s nurturing and protective qualities. https://biblicalchronology.com/what-is-the-biblical-meaning-of-el-shaddai/

One of the best loved Psalms declaring God’s protection is 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91 NIV

May you find nurture and protection, shelter and relationship in your fellowship with God.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

Move A Snowflake

Saw this quote and wanted to share it.

Every avalanche begins with the movement of a single snowflake, and my hope is to move a snowflake.

THOMAS FREY

Doesn’t that make you want to DO something? This morning we are having our first snowfall of the season. It won’t accumulate much, but there is snow on the grassy places and on most every rooftop. Almost every plant is bowed over, not from the weight of the snow but the bitter cold. Wind chills are in the 20’s and teens. The birds are crowding the feeder.

Where do you need an avalanche in your sphere of influence? Can you attempt to move a snowflake and begin needed change? An avalanche is usually destructive, but what if that avalanche just clears away accumulated, unwanted debris?

Thomas Frey hopes to move a snowflake. What do you hope to do? Here is a little video from Nat Geo. Enjoy!

This leaf was the day before the snowfall. Yes, one was face up and next one was face down.

What would change if I moved some of the things cluttering up life? Bob cleans every drawer and closet annually. Not exactly an avalanche, but when I do it there tends to be a huge donation pile for Goodwill. As the weather brings us indoors more and more I look forward to moving some snowflakes and creating avalanches of unnecessary items to be taken out of here.

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. The Great Thanksgiving, BCP

Yes, Father God, move heaven and earth to help us uncomplicate our lives and give more and more of our attention to the Holy Trinity. May we yield to you with grace and peace.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Humor, Joy, Memories, Nature, Poetry, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Yes, Lord

When I was at the Convent November 9 for our JTIS meeting, I again remembered this prayer poem. Thirty one years later this is still my prayer.

Grow On! ©1994 by Molly Lin Dutina                

Wild the wind that sends the leaves aloft
Gleefully they chatter, “I’m free! I’m free!”
‘Falling’ leaves of autumn
Travel far from their beginning
Mixing with a flock of birds
As we, all earth bound, fail to see
Which is bird and which is leaf.

Mighty Force of God, capture me in Your updraft
Hurl me headlong in Your love
Drift me sideways with the angels
Take me far from all complacency
Where the familiar dulls my senses
Gently land me back at the place
On my Pilgrim Journey path where
You meet me with new courage
To grow on.

I wrote this while at the Convent of the Transfiguration in 1994. The wind caught the Japanese Maple leaves and the poem tells the rest of the story. I still need new courage to grow on. Lead me oh Thou Great Jehovah in your paths of truth and righteousness.

JTIS is our group for crochet, knit, any hand crafting an associate or friend wants to do. We started the group a decade or so ago. Most of us sat in silent retreat with one another, but did not know anything about each other. So we began with inviting the Cincinnati, (i.e., local) Associates of the Convent. The initials stand for Journey Together In Stitches. Not just sewing stitches, but laughter, too. Sadly, our group has begun to dwindle of late. One month another person and me were the only ones in attendance. This past week there was only one Associate and two sisters, another friend and me. I wonder if the group can be sustained?

I asked if anyone had any ideas how we might grow the group. I was told about the Methodists wanting to join communion with the Episcopalians. Perhaps we can invite Methodist women to join us?

I ask your prayer for this group to grow and prosper. We all need others to complete our walk. We need the stories of others. We need the encouragement of others. The joy and laughter cannot be substituted with things on line. The face-to-face meeting is special and to be cherished.

I know things change and evolve, but not everything needs to be thrown out. This fellowship has been working and in my opinion can continue to work for years to come. In AA they say, “Keep coming back. It works if you work it.” I pray the members of this group will return to coming back and working the magic of fellowship in Christ.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19-20 KJV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV