Posted on August 15, 2026August 10, 2026 in Art, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Greeting Cards

I received so many nice cards while I was recovering from toe surgery! I eventually stapled them to a ribbon and hung them from the curtain rod in the dining room. A few of my favorites I actually read multiple times. The sentiments, though written for Hallmark or Day Spring audiences, spoke to me. I hope they find meaning in your heart also.

(Ugh I am still trying to find the most comfortable way to situate myself while writing at my desktop computer. Not easy with one leg elevated!)

It looks much better now, but still swells and then throbs.

The first card remains the funniest. I had confided in my friend Kathy that I was uncertain how I would manage the bathroom on one foot. She was right there when Bob brought me home from the outpatient procedure. She left a card and a small gift for me to open when I was up to it. The gift was this block sign:

And I have relied on her! She will text she is “going to Kroger. Need anything?” And whether I ask for an avocado or throat lozenges for dry mouth, she will find it and bring it to me. Her card was the funniest.

The sentiment reads, “Hope crappy turns into happy …get well soon!” Yes the perfect card for the event and the proloooonged recovery. And sort of looks like Lucky, too!

A little over half way through this recovery I go this one. “Stay positive. Stay hopeful. Keep going.” How did this dear friend know that I would be tempted to negativity. Tempted to lose hope? Tempted to just give up? Likely because I often confide in her my prayer requests. The card shows a close up of the center of a daisy. That is the flower I think of when I think of my daughter. Her birthday is in June and that is when many daisies here bloom. The inside sentiment reads, “I know you’re working hard at getting better, and I want you to know I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.”

My life has sudden filled with 3 women named Debby. This particular Debby nails it on the head every time! Each Debbie is a blessing in her own right. One has a sister named Sandy. I am able to remember her name as I have cousins who are sisters: Debbie and Sandy!

Another recent card reads: “May each new day bring you gentle reminders of God’s ever-faithful love as He strengthens you with His healing touch.” I would read this and center myself in the knowledge that God loves each of us and I would look for the reminder round about me. There was always something there to cheer me on.

Another card came from a neighbor. This particular woman had been through several crises the last couple of years. I remember praying over her and trying to calm her during one in particular. I am not aware of this couple attending any church, but I try to share my faith wherever I am. They do know I am willing to pray for them whatever they are walking through. When she presented the card to me with a very generous gift card she seemed to take delight in telling me she remembered me talking with her about patience. Now is was her turn to reinforce the message about patience! Her card read, “Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything you’ve got …. and you’ve got a lot – a kind heart, an amazing spirit, and people who really care about you.“

I placed that card on the kitchen counter where I could read it easily from the wheelchair I had to use after twisting my knee (adding insult to injury). It brought me great encouragement and comfort.

These are a few of the things that gave me pause to give give thanks to God. If you are compelled to send someone a greeting card do not underestimate what it might mean to the person receiving it. You never know how God might use you for such a time as this!

Posted on August 13, 2026August 10, 2026 in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Family, Illness and Health, Look

Pumpkins!!

There is a new exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum by Yayoi Kusama called “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins.” Click on the arrow below to get a feel for the exhibit.

We look forward to attending! Evidently there is an admission charge for this exhibit. In the room with the pumpkins and mirrors only 2 people at a time are allowed in the room. And you may only stay for 90 seconds. This exhibit has traveled to several museums and is evidently a huge hit.

More facts: “Born in 1929 and raised in Matsumoto, Japan, Yayoi first encountered pumpkins in the fields surrounding her childhood home. Her family cultivated and sold plant seeds, and pumpkins became a recurring motif in her artwork, serving as a self-portraiture. Before entering the installation, visitors can also view a rare collection of a dozen acrylic pumpkin paintings on canvas created between 1990 and 2004.”

“I hope that our visitors’ interests are piqued, and that they are curious about Kusama, her practice, and what she is doing within the contemporary art realm today. She’s still a living artist. She is a practicing artist,” Cameron says. Today, Kusama is 97 years old. “As a museum practitioner of ways that sort of take us out of our typical experience, to take us out of our day-to-day existence, that’s what this can do. I want people to walk out of that room with a bit of a reset. I hope it encourages people to manifest a joyful reality in similar ways that Kusama has created for herself and for us.” says Cameron Kitchin, Louis and Louise Dieterle Nipper director.

Kusama suffers from physical and emotional abuse administered by her mother. Her art is one way she copes with that.

Just in time for autumn around the corner. LOL! Wonder if they will serve pumpkin spiced lattes? HA-ha!

Posted on July 25, 2026July 21, 2026 in Faith, Family, Joy, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Last Sunday

I finally made it back to church last Sunday! Bob, my trusty chauffeur, drove me there. I used the walker to get to my chair in the outdoor setting on the lower parking lot pavement. I was grateful for the breeze and the shade of the oak trees. The trees reminded us there had been rain the night before as the occasional drop from the leaf surfaces fell upon us. Just made us smile! It was good to be with my family of believers. I was so tired by the time we returned home!!

Rev. Alice Connor revised this service from “Sundays and Seasons, Setting 1. Here are portions.

" O God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us o your table, grant us your life.

"O God, you are Breath:
send your Spirit on this meal.
O God, you are Bread:
feed us with yourself.
O God, you are wine:
warm our hearts and make us one.
O God, you are Fire:
transform us with hope.
O God most majestic,
O God most motherly,
O God our strength and our song,
you show us a vision of a tree of life with fruits for all
and leaves that heal the nations. Amen."

Ponder that for a while. Read the above again. God has promised that we have been given everything we need.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NRSVUE

O God open our eyes and our hearts to see your mighty provisions for us. Help us to open our hands, our hearts and our eyes to receive your goodness.

Posted on June 13, 2026June 13, 2026 in Aging, Art, Faith, Family, Humor, Music, Special Event

July 1984 and 250 Celebration

Everything in the stores is red, white and blue anticipating the celebration of the birth of our country. I even saw a Coke in a round bottle in red, white and blue for the FIFA games! Have not seen this much patriotic color since after 9-11. READ ON CAREFULLY OR YOU MIGHT MISS IT.

Looks like something a six year old would delight in!

So imagine my surprise when I recently unearthed this quote from our son. He had to be all of six years old!

Jeff, “You should have seen who played the Star Strangle Banner!”

I never wrote down who played the Star Strangle Banner that year, but it might be an appropriate name for the theme this year. God help us all.

Posted on June 5, 2026June 1, 2026 in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Family, Joy, Memories, Nature, Poetry, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Mother’s Day

This year to celebrate Mother’s Day my daughter decided we should visit the butterfly show at our local Krohn Conservatory. We had not attended for several years. It was a warm and humid day. Just what the butterfly’s love. The title was Monarchs, but I was disappointed that there were not more Monarch butterflies present. In fact, I saw none, even in the hatching cages. The children however never disappoint me at such a display. They are always in wonder and delighted when a butterfly lands on someone and they can see it up close! I just love when a child declares, “He likes me!”

The above is the Morpho, largest in the display. The butterflies suffer damaged wings mostly from being caught in the covers of the circulating fans. They are still lovely and majestic though.

One subject, moving around for another sip and another. I believe this is a Julia. We grew these “Mexican Sunflowers” once at the edge of our compost pile. They were very tall and draw hundreds of butterflies!

A child pointed out this transparent winged specimen. How lovely!

It was a hard angle to capture this beauty. Called a Glasswing from Central America !

They loved feeding on the dishes of cut fruit.

It was fun to put another butterfly memory in the books. Thanks, Em!

How many butterflies can you spot this week around your home?

Butterfly Living © Molly Lin Dutina 1982 
Butterfly living, now that's for me!
Glory bound and incredibly free!
Made to be a joy to Thee!
Strengthen me for wings of liberty.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NRSVUE
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2 NRSVUE

Posted on June 3, 2026June 1, 2026 in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health

Seasonal Allergies

I don’t know about you, but my ‘seasonal allergies’ have decided to afflict me year ’round! Climate change is likely to blame, but gosh. I am using up tissues as fast as I can find them.

If I go out and sneeze, I will invariably need a tissue within minutes! If I stay in the house and sneeze, better have a tissue close by. The other day I actually purchased tissues at a store because some how I had used every packet from my purse and not replaced it. Ugh! It was either that or sniff continuously through the store.

Even the beagle gets runny eyes and a Benadryl helps her clear that up. And sneeze? Oh my can this beagle sneeze! Reverse and otherwise.

My husband says I sneeze louder than anyone he knows. I have to wave at him if we are in the car and I feel a sneeze coming on. Otherwise, he gets startled. Certainly do not want a car wreck over a sneeze! I do not understand people who do little tiny sneezes. I never function that way.

Itchy eyes, headaches, sneeze upon sneeze.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says: Allergies and viral infections can cause rhinitis. The word rhinitis means “inflammation of the nose.”

Rhinitis! Yep I feel like a rhino when my nose goes off! Here is the least offensive diagram of rhinitis that I could find.

So the next time you hear someone sneeze say, “God bless you!” Because only “Bless you” does not get it. And if you have a clean one, offer them a tissue.

Posted on May 10, 2026May 5, 2026 in Faith, Family, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship

Convent of the Transfiguration

A recent prayer from the Sisters.

Holy God, the source and giver of all wisdom, 
in your love, give to each of us a hearing heart and 
the will to listen deeply for your guidance, 
that the decisions we make will honor you, 
and our life together give you joy 
as we serve, praying in your Name. Amen.

I heard this at my most recent retreat and was arrested by the sentiment of a hearing heart. If you are a frequent reader of this blog you know I have been writing about listening and ears and the whole concept for a couple of months now.

A hearing heart.

The will to listen deeply for guidance.

Oh yes, and the strength to trust and obey what we hear!

Many religious institutions are in transition as fewer men and women seek to follow and serve God through ordination or monastic life. So I ask that you pray for these friends who have been so crucial and instrumental in my formation as a follower of Christ. You can meet them at the link below.

https://ctsisters.org/about/the-sisters/

Almighty and everlasting God, we pray you, bless your servants, the Associates of the Community of the Transfiguration. Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we may know and do your will. Guide, strengthen and protect us by your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in your ways all the days of our life and in the end be brought to life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted on March 6, 2026March 2, 2026 in Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Listen, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust

Glorious Sunshine

I wanted to go out on the back deck to marvel at the sun and look to see if the Thumbelina daffodils had started to bloom yet. The dog was in front of the door. She could not decide if she wanted to go out or not. I slid open the door and growled at her “Go in or go out! I do not care!” After she moved I stepped outside. Before looking at the daffodil leaves I looked up and to my left sensing something looking at me. I saw this wonderful hawk in the nearby tree. It was not startled by my growling.

I texted Bob “Hawk on back deck.” knowing he would grab his camera and come see. His photos were much better than mine. Here was our visitor! He likely saw our feeder as a bait station. Like Sonic says, “You gotta eat!”

“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars
and spreads its wings toward the south?
²⁷Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
and makes its nest on high? Job 39:26-27 NRSVUE

We often hear the hawks calling from high in the sky. Sometimes we can see them, sometimes not. We are always blessed when they come to close to us! God is in control of them, certainly not us!

Posted on December 27, 2025December 22, 2025 in Aging, Cooking, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Praise, Special Event, Thanks

A Few of My Favorite Things

I keep an Amazon wish list. My friend Lisa is rolling her eyes about now. It is an easy way to let my family know what I am wishing for. I was delighted to receive two of the items from my wish list this year at Christmas.

When we were making cookies Bob mentioned how some of my spice jars are too small to get the measuring spoons into. He said we should get different jars. These particular jars are from our first year of marriage and I love them for just that reason! I also keep spices in there that I do not use very often such as ground cloves, allspice, etc. So on Amazon I found measuring spoons that have rectangular measuring areas. And I received them as a gift. I just went and tried them out.

All the smaller ones fit the jars. The full teaspoon does not, but hey, I am willing to measure 1/2 twice if need be! And usually these spices are called for in small amounts.

Our son had to explain to our grandson that older people ask for things like kitchen tools because that is what they want. Yep, these are my new toys! I also got a stainless steel rack for my turkey roaster. The roasting pan is fine, but the rack had a seal on it that was starting to come off. Now I can roast a turkey with confidence in the pan and rack.

And to my delight I also got the 12-fifteen-stick packs of Freedent chewing gum. The local stores stopped carrying it. Makes no sense to me! More and more of us are wearing dentures and partials. This is the one gum that does not stick to those appliances. So why discontinue it? The only place I have been able to find it is Amazon. (Sorry, Lisa.)

Dan, I guess these are my sugarplums?

As of this writing, Bob and I have not shared our gifts to one another yet. I am certain there will be more favorite things to come this week. I am especially looking forward to our church services the 24th and 25th. May your holiday also be filled with joy!