Category: Aging

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Memories

Grandma Ella Snapp and Mom

Recently a friend wanted to know how to make the receiving blankets she had seen me create. Her desire was to make some for a niece as there is nothing like this in the stores. Plus, she got to choose the fabric patterns! I decided why not post the steps?

When I was a child I watched my mother make flannel receiving blankets for newborns. She noted that she and my grandmother always pulled a thread in the flannel to make certain it was all straight on the warp.

The warp thread is the lengthwise thread of your fabric. The warp thread (or warp yarn) runs parallel to the selvage of the material; it forms the lengthwise grain. The structure is more robust in this direction, and it will stretch the least. This is the reason why professional sewers cut most items along the warp thread.

https://www.creativefabrica.com/the-artistry/needlework/how-to-make-fabric-thread-perfect/
One with cars I made for Rowan, yellow one my mother made before she died, tiny flowers and purple edge I made for Grandgirls

When I began making receiving blanket I decided pulling that thread was too much effort and aggravation. I purchase the flannel. Bind edges of flannel with zigzag stitch and preshrink by washing and drying at cotton settings.

Here is an easier on the hands method, edges sewn with decorative machine stitch.

Decorative stitch with multiple color thread. Oops! I see I need to trim the corner threads.

Place on cutting board. Most flannel is 44-45” wide. Use the yard stick and chalk to mark the lines for 1 square yard, marking off selvage edges and the zig-zag stitches as you go. Cut out 1 square yard of flannel. {You may save any extra for a “burp towel” or collect scraps to piece together for a two-sided blanket.} Wash and dry it. Press it flat. Cut edges in straight lines. Rarely if ever does a fabric store assistant cut a totally straight edge. {Actually these days I cut it with ruler, cutting pad and ‘pizza cutter” quilters use.}

I also just use the 45 inches wide and 36 inches long for a blanket.

Press under tiny hem with steam iron on all four edges. Roll hem over again so that raw edge is covered and press with steam iron. Trim excess fabric from the corner folds.

The easiest and fastest way to create the edge is to stitch on sewing machine with a decorative stitch. Turning at the corners.

My grandchildren all used these blankets. Some of them chewed on the corners if I crocheted them. What follows are the crochet instructions. (sc is abbreviation for single crochet, sl st is slip stitch)

  • To attach Knit-Cro-Sheen or similar weight bedspread cotton in matching or contrasting color to the flannel: Hold the fabric with the wrong side facing you and the hem at the top. Poke the hook through the fabric below the hem, but adjacent to the bottom fold of the hem. (Be certain to leave about a 6 inch length to finish off with.) Yarn over and pull a loop from the right side of the fabric through to the back of the fabric.  Bring the top of the loop to the top of them hem.  Yarn over and pull up both threads, placing the stitch on the top edge of the hem.  Pull taut so that the 6 inch finishing thread is out of your way and the thread has proper tension to continue.  Make 5 chain stitches to lay across the top of the hem. Lay the stitches out to their full length along the top of the hem. This will indicate where to place your next stitch. Place 1 single crochet through the fabric by poking your hook through the fabric, below the hem, yarn over, and pull the loop up  placing this (and each remaining stitch) at the top of the hem. Ch 5, sc, ch 5 around until you reach a corner.

As you approach the corner sc in the corner, ch 3 to the corner, *sc in same hole as previous sc, ch 3, repeat once from the * sc, then ch 5, sc to next corner. Repeat with 3 sc and 2 sets of ch 3 in each corner and sc, ch 5 around the sides.

End with sl st in top of first sc.  Leave a 6 inch length and end off by tying the two thread in a single knot.  Thread one length into a needle.  Hide the ends in opposite directions in the hem.

Here is Karen upon seeing receiving blankets for her next grandchild, red stitches on edge are crocheted.
Pale green edge is crocheted.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6 NIC
Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Memories, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

My Birthday Was Yesterday

Well it is saying something that I have outlived both of my parents. My Dad died really young of heart disease. I have outlived my mother by ten years!

This morning I awoke to my typical birthday weather, gloomy, drizzly but also unusually warm. The weather in my heart is good. I am looking for ways this year to please the Lord, my Lord Jesus, risen from the dead.

Instead of my typical morning devotions, I turned today to Thomas R. Kelley’s Testament of Devotion. This chapter is called Holy Obedience. He speaks of George Fox…”the insatiable God-hunger in him drove him from such mediocrity into a passionate quest for the real whole-wheat Bread of Life. The life that intends to be wholly obedient, wholly submissive, wholly listening, is astonishing in its completeness.” He goes on to say “Self is emptied into God, and God in-fills it. In glad, amazed humility we cast on Him our little lives in trusting obedience, in erect, serene, and smiling joy. Nothing else in all of heaven or earth counts so much as His will, His slightest wish, His faintest breathing. And holy obedience sets in, sensitive as a shadow, obedient as a shadow, selfless as a shadow. Not reluctantly but with ardor one longs to follow Him the second half (of the way of obedience).”

Ardor: great warmth of feeling; fervor. intense devotion; zeal. burning heat. Do we follow Him with ardor?

“Self is emptied into God and God fills it.”

 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Revelation 3:14-28 NIV

So I come before You, my Lord, on this my birthday. Left to myself I am always poor, naked, blind, pitiful and wretched. I cannot do Your will without Your indwelling Spirit to empower me. This coming year of my life I want to reflect Your life-giving whole wheat Bread of Life. I want my life to delight You. I desire immediate obedience to Your slightest wish, faintest breathing. May my ardor for You be fanned into a flame. Amen.

 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God

2 Timothy 1: 6a NIV

My family told the story that at my birth the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck. I was a ‘blue baby.’ They waited to see if I would “pink up.” When I recovered my father was so delighted he wanted my middle name to be Cherry! My mother made him compromise with Cheryl. Now I just want to follow God in obedience, full of His breath, doing His will.

Kelly wrote “holy obedience sets in, sensitive as a shadow, obedient as a shadow, selfless as a shadow.” What a tremendous image! A shadow, as in formed by the Son of God shining upon us, and we giving an outline that is totally dependent upon His light… He moves, shadow moves.

Oh to “be wholly obedient, wholly submissive, wholly listening.” Sensitive to His every desire. Can I do it? Will I take up the challenge for the entire year or drop it after a month or two? I will take it up and pray to complete it with God’s help! Will you try it also?

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Cooking, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Nature, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Yield

Remember this Artwork?

My writing this week began with a blank page as it always does, then sorrows and struggles of others, the sound of dry leaves, climate change and some poetry. How to sum that up? I think my newest t-shirt says it best with a quote from Mother Teresa, “Do small things with great love.”

How to shine the Light of the Lord in these situations? For those in sorrow and struggles, cook a meal if you can. Surprise someone with flowers and a slice of cake. Pray for their situations and the strength of their hearts. Remind them as you are enabled that the paths of the Lord “drip with abundance.”

Dry leaves falling upon dry leaves are about to end today as rain is forecast in our area. Then we will have dry leaves falling upon soggy leaves. And oh how we need that rain! Yes, the voice of the Lord is still here like the whisper of leaves upon leaves, that still small voice of love and encouragement, challenge and reproof. (1 Kings 19:12) Are you listening for His voice of instruction to you?

My reminders

I have returned to wearing this homemade bracelet. It reminds me that I am called to Constant, Yielded, Peaceful, Joyful Obedience to the Lord. When I am diligent to this He shines His light through me, usually when I am not even aware it is happening. Why is this important? As His servant and ambassador in this age of darkness, like Paul, I am to reflect His glory. My occupation is to give light to those around me, Light from the Son.

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak

Ephesians 6:20

When the bracelet annoys me, catches upon something or hinders the use of my wrist my practice is to make that draw my attention back to Christ. Am I listening? Am I doing the last thing He asked of me? Is the Trinity trying to get my attention right now? Am I humble enough to yield and to listen? Will I obey Him?

Some say they do not know what God wants them to do. If you keep praying and asking, the Holy Spirit is quite capable to make the Father’s will clear to you. You must wait and listen. When you receive instruction obey as much of that instruction as you are able. You might mess it up and make a mistake. We all do that. Our God is able to clean up our mistakes and make the most of our efforts.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1:6 NIV

I pray you will use the empty page, the empty canvas of your life to do works of His desiring. Though you might not be able to see what is being created, He does and He will be careful to keep your heart until the day of His coming. Work diligently, as unto God. He reads your heart and knows your efforts on His behalf.

Ask Him, “what would bring pleasure to You today, Lord?” Then set out to delight your Lord with all of your heart!

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Memories, Nature, Poetry

Some October Poetry Musings © Molly Lin Dutina

The weight loss emphasizes
How the years wore paths
Upon her cheeks
The wear and tear	
Of aging show in
Sharp delineation from
The chubbiness of her youth
Yet her beauty and tenacity
Hold on in her eyes
A smile that brightened any
Room or hallway

California coastal breeze has its own unusual ambiance
Is it a fine mix of salt air after it crosses the bay
Multiple blooming trees and shrubs
Mixed with major eucalyptus tones 
Practically indescribable 
So unlike Ohio

The Air B & B was clean 
Mostly quiet
Safe though subterranean
Noisy only when the sump pump 
protested kitchen sink usage
Yet that too provided a loud temporary
Rhythm of life after breakfast
Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Illness and Health, Nature, Thanks

Blank Page

Opened WordPress and there was nothing in “Drafts.” Sometimes I make notes in Drafts to expand upon later. Good thing I started making some notes over the weekend. It is easier to start writing five blog entries if I have some idea of the direction I might go!

So far this morning I have put drops in Bob’s post operative right eye, washed his hair in the sink, vacuumed out the car, tried to get my windshield clean again (before it turns cold outside). Bob helped me plant a mum in the backyard flower bed. One load of laundry in dryer and I am only 45 minutes late on starting to write! Whew!!

Each day and each week are blank as we approach them. Then we live the day and the week and there are happenings. When we returned from our trip to California we learned the neighborhood news. Most of it was not good.

One neighbor had doubly sad news. Her Dad called from the hospital. He was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2 organs. She went to his side. Nothing to be done. Was sent to Hospice care and died within the week. The rest of the family traveled to Kentucky for the funeral. Her mom is not at all well and may be in hospice care soon if daughter cannot find a nursing home placement for her here in Ohio. From what I understand the nursing homes are understaffed and quite full.  The family came home from Kentucky. That evening they had a call that his Dad was found dead in his apartment. Two funerals for 2 dads in such a short time. That family is reeling.

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
 Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 63:6-7 NIV

Another friend has a hale and hearty husband. He was in the backyard chopping wood. Felt dizzy. Sat down. Next thing he knew he somehow fell forward and broke his neck in 2 places. Was sent by helicopter to downtown trauma hospital. Screws and plate put in his neck. Caught pneumonia and was sedated and intubated for over a week. He is awake and responsive now, but his lungs are too weak to sustain the next surgery the doctors need to perform. Please pray healing for John, stronger lungs, hope and trust. Like this vine around the tree trunk I am reminded of the following verse:

 I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8 NIV

We have no idea how fortunate we are. Have you given thanks to the Lord God lately? Not for things that have not happened to you as much as for the things that have come your way, blessings in the midst of struggles, His power in your weakest moments, comfort in the deep darkness of night. Cling to Him.

This area is being slammed with RSV virus. More children than ever are being hospitalized with it and there is worry, too, for the elderly and those whose health is compromised. One woman in our small group, Terri, is currently hospitalized. She thought she had a cold and then had great difficulty breathing. Was admitted through the ER. She is on oxygen at the hospital. Doctors have not specified if this is bacterial or viral. She will not be released until her oxygen level remains steady on her own. I am not currently aware of children who are hospitalized, but I know some areas of the country are running out of pediatric beds due to the virus. This is not covid or a variant. This virus has been known for a long time. This year it is especially virulent.

The Spirit of God has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:4

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.

The CDC https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

Thank the Lord at all times. If in doubt, wear your mask. Always wash your hands, often. And cling to Him.

The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Cling to the Lord at all times
Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, Memories, Nature, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Having Fun

We sometimes listen to TED talks. We recently heard “Why Having Fun is The Secret to A Healthier Life,” (link is below). I found the transcript and included a few thoughts from Catherine Price for your consideration. It also touches upon our Small Group study delving into a better definition of joy.

That first photo shows Lucky having fun with Lizzie’s cat while she stayed at their house during our absence.

“The color of fun is sunshine, (said her daughter.) It involves “playfulness, connection and joy.” By playfulness I just mean having a lighthearted attitude of doing things for the sake of doing them and not caring too much about the outcome. Letting go of perfectionism. When we have fun, our guard is down, and we’re not taking ourselves too seriously.

“Connection refers to the feeling of having a special, shared experience. And then flow is the state where we are so engaged and focused on whatever we’re doing that we can even lose track of time.

“The most effective thing you can do to have more fun is to focus on its ingredients, by which I mean, do everything you can to fill your life with more moments of playfulness, connection and flow. So here are some ideas for how to do so. To start with, reduce distractions in order to increase flow. Anything that distracts you is going to kick you out of flow and prevent you from having fun

“And you say “Hello.” And if that goes well, you can introduce yourself. And if that goes well, maybe you can ask them a question, something that’s thought-provoking, but not overly personal or threatening, like “What’s something that fascinates you?” Or “What’s one thing that delighted you today?” And you might be amazed by how good just one little moment of connection can make you feel.

“And if you do find someone to connect with, maybe ask them to join you in trying my third suggestion, which is to increase playfulness by finding opportunities to rebel. Now I am not talking about James Dean-level of rebellion. I’m talking about playful deviance. I’m talking about finding ways to break the rules of responsible adulthood, and giving yourself permission to get a kick out of your own life.

“Make fun a priority. If you know there’s an activity that really does often generate playful connected flow for you, carve out time for it in your schedule. Treat fun as if it is important. Because it is. I’ve been doing this myself for a couple of years now, and it’s amazing to see how many areas of my life fun has touched. I’m more creative and more productive, I’m more resilient. I laugh more. Making sure that I’m having enough fun has made me a better partner, a better parent and a better friend. And it has convinced me of something that I very much hope I can convince you of as well, which is that my daughter was right. Fun is sunshine. It’s a distillation of life’s energy. And the more often we experience it, the more we will feel like we’re actually alive.

Sunshine capture in blossoms!
Yes, a major source of fun for me!

Bob recently had his first cataract surgery. The night before we were in bed saying good night. We both had been a little tense about this as neither of us had experienced it before. Trying to lighten things up a bit I said on the next day I would be asking him “Can you see me now?” Drawing upon his bad joke about Helen Keller I placed his hand on one of my body parts. I was laughing so hard I almost could not say the joke line. “Here, find out if you can see me from memory!” Old folks gotta make fun! “Here, try again, do you see me now?” We were gasping for breath as we laughed and laughed. Sometimes fun is just spontaneous. If it is not spontaneous for you today, follow Catherine’s advice and make some fun.

Great Nephew Levie

We gifted Levie a Teddy Bear when we met him for the first time. I made the Teddy a scarf. Levie fell in love with that Teddy. He had never named one of his stuffed animals before, but decided this one’s name was “Two.” (Levie is also two years old.) He was swinging Two around by the scarf. Occasionally kissing that Teddy. The next day he took Two Bear to Nursery School to teach him how to go down the slide. That is fun!!

Where can you find godly joy, pleasure and delight today? Can you create it in your midst?

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11 NIV
Posted on in Aging, Faith, Nature, Thanks, Traveling

Welcome to California!

We started the day at about 4AM Ohio time. Checked in to the airline, but did not realize I should have asked for wheelchair or cart transportation at the check in desk. Instead I waited until the TSA had cleared us. My bad. Two different transportation employees said they would try to get someone to come get me, After being in the boot all summer and working with physical therapy to get rid of the pain and extend my walking ability, I still was not ready for hiking the huge Cincinnati airport. Bob started wondering if we would make our flight. Finally, I got up and started walking. We made our flight, but halfway into the first flight my foot began to swell and the pain alarms went off, NOT a good way to begin a vacation!

There was a transportation person waiting for me at the Phoenix gate. We only had to go about 3 gates, but I appreciated the help. This flight was packed full.

When we landed in San Francisco I was SO grateful for the transport person. The steps to the baggage claim seemed to me like MILES. We arrived in San Francisco exhausted, hungry and likely dehydrated. Robert, my knight in shining armor, went to get the rental car and I waited with my luggage for him to come pick me up.

By the time we reached Oakland I was in a blur mentally and whipped. We went to Trader Joe’s to get a few food items for dinner and breakfast. Then bought Peet’s coffee and headed for our Air B & B. We sat in the courtyard with about 20 invites to spare before check in.

This is what greeted us in the court yard!

Carpet of purple flower petals, my favorite color!
The trees that graced the sidewalk.
My new screensaver
Courtyard companion

We went to bed early to read and try to rest up. The purple flower petals and curious cat certainly made my day. Travel is HARD work!!

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Journal, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Writing Life

Reviewing a Journal

Because of the arthritis in my hands I began to journal on my iPad a few years ago. I have kept the habit of a paper journal by printing out those ideas and pasting them in a spiral bound journal. This involves printing out ones I have not printed, arrange by date, cut and paste, etc. For several years, I have sadly dropped the habit of reviewing my journal. When we got ready to travel this month I decided to take the latest journal and review it. I will read through it. Praise God for how He sees me through situations. Mark poetry I likely did not organize in poetry binder, etc. with marker.

Mitchell Luo

Sometimes this yields themes for this blog. Most times it is just for my comfort and remembrance. We are told to rehearse the works of God and praise Him. But do we? I often fail at that task. I remember some highlights, but I drop the minutia that can change the course of my thoughts and arrange my victories in the daily battle against darkness.

Recently I was pondering that warfare. I am sometimes engaged in small struggles that remind me following Jesus is not “all unicorns and rainbows.” If you examine those times in your own life you will likely see that there are recurring patterns in the attacks. When I can recognize, and say ‘oh no, here comes THAT again’ I am better equipped to defeat it. Putting on my armor, praying, raising high the sword of the Spirit, taking every thought captive to Christ Jesus, doing my part not to surrender by means of apathy. If, however, I have not been paying attention I can get swept under a current of negativity and hopelessness before I realize what hit me.

Have you examined your life by a similar means? Some other method? Many recommend making a timeline of your life with God. Note the occurrences that have impacted you. Reflect on where your awareness of God was at each of those times.

Campfiregrace.com

Yes, look back at what has happened and how you went through each thing. We are not to be permanently looking back, but it is helpful to review our life and His participating Presence at each stage.

Journal before I get hold of it with photos and glue stick!

A Prayer to Thank God for His Sovereign Control

Father, we praise You for the delicate way You powerfully align our lives to Your creation. Thank You for the waters and mountains that remind us of You. Forgive us for overlooking Your presence in every aspect of our lives, and bless us to notice and give glory to You, for You are our healer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(Meg Bucher) https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/thank-you-prayers-to-give-thanks-to-god-and-the-lord-jesus-christ.html

Psalm 124 NIV
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Find a way to review your life with God. No matter your age, no matter how many times you have done it, making a timeline with God is a great exercise.

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Faith, Music, Poetry, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Ben Palpant

Remember I told you that Zephaniah says “The Lord sings over you? Reading a poem by Ben Palpant I came across this stanza:

Sing to me, O my troubadour,
Let your songs echo
In the halls of my loneliness,
Even my shame,
So that I may sing back
and, perhaps, learn by heart.
Perhaps.

"Bright Fire" by Ben Palpant Sojourner Songs

I love his idea that he “may sing back and, perhaps, learn by heart.” I resisted piano lessons as a child because I could hear the music and play many melodies ‘by ear.’ And that is how I read this stanza of Palpant’s poem. I want to hear the songs of God and learn to play them by ear….

Help me sing those melodies back to You, my Lord. Help me sing those melodies to myself in times of struggle or discouragement. Remind me of Your holy music.

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Marriage and Memories, Thanks

Two Days Until We Celebrate 52 Years!

We got engaged to be married August 10, 1970 and stayed up all night long talking about our families and our lives together. After hearing about the New York relatives with names like Evakovich and Stajcich, when I called home to say I was getting married my mother asked, “What is his name?” I replied “I can’t remember!” Mind you, Dutina is not exactly a common name, but imagine my mother’s face in Ohio when I called from California.

Someone placed a bet at the wedding that we would never last. We never had the courage to ask my mother-in-law who that was. Guess we might never find out now!

2022
2017 after being at the Canyon in 1971
2020 in Colorado as Paula’s guests
2021
1970 – With this ring, I thee wed.
1970 Don took our car so we took his back to our apartment.
1970 ready for the honeymoon so Ohio people would go back east

So we will go out for a fancy dinner and remind ourselves of all the joys we have shared over the years. I am still madly in love with this gorgeous man! He is a gift and a monstrous blessing to me. My life with him has been one grateful surprise after another grateful surprise. Oh Lord, You have made my life such a blessing through this holy matrimony.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Mark10:7-8 NIV
Carnations on top of cake, red, white and pink to represent each of us and the new creation of one flesh.