For years I have enjoyed two ginger snaps with my morning coffee. To me it is a delicious way to begin the day! I dip a ginger snap in my coffee and enjoy the flavor on my tongue. I take a sip of coffee. I dip another ginger snap and repeat the process. I usually buy Stauffer’s. They brag about being made with real ginger. I can have a couple as they have no frosting and are not likely to send my glucose soaring.
Recently Bob visited Trader Joe’s market where he picked up a tub of their Triple Ginger Snaps. Theirs are made with crystallized ginger, ginger puree, and ground ginger. Yum! We have enjoyed them before. He was disappointed when we opened them and it looked as if they had been dropped multiple times during shipping from California. I told him my friends say the broken ones have only half the calories. We were both content to eat some broken pieces. Mind you, not all of them were broken!
On a recent morning I made my coffee and got out the cookie tin. I grabbed a ginger snap and dunked it in my coffee. 80% of it disappeared into the coffee! Oh NO!! I had forgotten about the shipping damage. It had not looked broken, but obviously was. I got a tablespoon out of the drawer thinking I could get out the piece. Nope it was gone.
When I got to the bottom of my coffee cup later in the morning I was laughing that I had created Ginger Snap soup!
Do you have a recipe for ginger snap soup as easy as mine? Not likely to serve it to anyone but me!
Dunker Styles
Guess the photo defines me as a gone too far dunker! I am more careful now with these maybe broken, but not showing their cracks ginger snaps!
The skunks love to come through our back yard. Somehow their mighty bad fragrance drifts into our bedroom windows. It literally is enough to gag me. So I went in search of a solution.
Online it said they do not like unexpected noises or lights. Well, I figured getting a motion sensitive light was too expensive to begin with. Mom always said that hanging “tin pans” (or now aluminum pie tins) would repel critters.
Tin pans tend to rust and we simply do not use them much any more. Not even certain I could buy one if I wanted to. Maybe I could try an empty vegetable can? Aluminum pans though come with all kinds of tasty treats like fruit pies from the bakery or crumb crusts from Keebler. I have been collecting them.
I moved two small shepherd hooks close to our bedroom window. I put out aluminum pans on yarn strings. Bob saw they needed to be anchored there so he added a wooden clamp clothes pin. The winds have been strong and relentless lately. The yarn wraps around the hook. The wind has even blown a pan off the string a time or two. I refuse to surrender to the stench of skunk.
At first the clacking of the pans bothered me, but then I would remember their purpose. Eventually the sound just became a song the wind played for us. And I am happy to report we have only had one skunk (that we know of) stinking up the yard!
Someone mentioned that the skunk sprays because we have a dog. I have to say I do not agree as the dog is rarely even allowed into the back yard! She is more than likely sunbathing on the cordoned off deck if she is out back.
The winds are gusty again today. I have restrung a pan for the hook. As soon as I can get out without freezing or being blown away I will hang it up again.
Wind is in many places in Scripture. Psalm 104 says God walks upon the wings of the wind. In Job 38 God answered Job out of the whirlwind. And John 3:8 says
The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Listen for the wind. Avoid the skunks. Rest in the power of the Almighty God.
I was privileged to attend the Stephen Ministry regional meeting last weekend. Stephen Ministry is designed by professionals to train lay people to assist in caring for others through the ministry of listening. Stephen ministry materials are used in all 33 correctional facilities in the State of Ohio! “Since 1975, Stephen Ministries has trained more than 70,000 leaders from the United States, Canada and 29 other countries, who in turn have equipped over 600,000 volunteer caregivers. These caregivers have provide emotional and spiritual support to millions of people affected by cancer,divorce, job loss, chronic illness, grief, financial difficulties, and other crises and life challenges.”
This was an all day educational meeting with boxed lunch (delicious) and new people to meet and befriend. I still think the Stephen Ministry logo should be a large listening ear!
There were folks from all over Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan and likely other places I missed. The speakers were from the St. Louis, Missouri headquarters.
The last time I attended something like this I was younger. This time I was wondering if I could stay awake and not get bored during the lectures. I was pleasantly surprised. The sessions were well run and entertaining. They kept the dialogue moving with NO monotone voices. There were breaks to take a stretch, go to the restrooms or get a snack. It was great.
The Agenda for the Day
The news about the new program to help churches combat the mental health crisis was particularly interesting. There certainly is a crisis in this country. Stephen Ministry leaders have noticed and have been planning materials for a couple of years. They are not ready to be released yet, but certainly sound promising.
The materials for “how to care for and relate to those with cancer and their loved ones” especially appealed to me trying to relate to my neighbors who are both ill. The text book “Cancer, Now What” is used in many cancer facilities all around the country. I bought two copies. One for our neighbors and one for me. Hey! No shipping cost when bought at the conference 🙂 The book looks daunting at first with over 300 pages, but there are blank pages, it is done in large print, and the short chapters are ideal for those who are ill or who have “brain fog.” Here is the link if you are interested https://cancernowwhat.org/default.cfm
I took lots of notes as you can see from this page alone.
And then my humor kicked in. They told us to turn to page 12 in our celebration program. At a glance I thought it said something about shoplifting. I was like ??What?? The actual title was Spotlight Shifting. When I told the other 2 Stephen ministers from our church about my reading error, our fearless leader could not stop laughing. I’m nothing if not entertaining!!
Yikes, Molly!
And each time I say to God, “I am trying, Lord.” He replies, “Yes, dear, very trying.”
Defined as: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone.
So stand me up in front of the congregation, say a prayer over me, applaud .. NOT my cup of tea. Yet to be commissioned as a Stephen Minister I had to do just that. Our three priests and leader of Stephen Ministry and two other Stephen Ministers prayed over me as I knelt. Then there was a reception with cake and congratulations and it was all just difficult for me. The only easy thing was agreeing to serve the Lord through Stephen Ministry.
Pastor Roger is short so you can’t see him here. You can see the soles of my shoes!
Bob and I used to serve on a marriage ministry weekend and our friend Dan always told the people that God chose four introverts to speak to them. The word does say
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 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.1 Corinthians 127-29
The only thing I boasted about was thanking the Lord for getting me through it! We do serve an amazing God. This God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 Verse 21 says to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
A friend gave me a devotional book for Christmas entitled Amazing Grace. It has a devotion for morning and evening. I am grateful she purchased it for me. I would not have been likely to do it as I own many devotional books. This one has been great! When I read the offering for the morning of February 16 I was deeply blessed. The author mentions being able to receive a sincere compliment.
“This is tricky for many of us, as we tread that fine line we’ve walked since little girls, the one between graciousness and fear of appearing vain.
“One of the many wonderful things about life in Christ is that we can cast this worry aside. Once we grasp that every good thing about us is a gift from him, we are free to appreciate being appreciated. Not only that, we also get to call attention to the awesome work he does through our weak places. Consider responding like this: “Thank you! Let me tell you, that was all God. My human side wanted to run for the hills. I can’t believe the courage he gave me to hang in there.”
I almost hollered AMEN! as I read this during breakfast. (I was afraid I would I make Bob choke on his toast!) I just knew I had to post it to you!
So try to remember this quote next time someone compliments you upon your work with God, for God. He alone is most worthy of all glory and praise, thanksgiving and honor! Revelation 7:12
A friend sent me this and I thought you would enjoy it! “Douglas Florian is one of my favorite children’s poets. Here is his poem called “Cabin Fever”
I've done the wash. I've swept the floor I've fed the cat And fixed the door.
I've read three books and last week's news, and for the fourth time polished the shoes.
It seems like years
since I've had fun.
I look outside
For signs of sun.
I bite my nails.
I crawl the walls.
For lack of space
I pace the halls.
My mother warned me
of cabin fever.
I was a fool
to not believe her.
Sound familiar? They say we might return to more temperature in the Ohio valley soon. I am liking the stay-at-homeness, but will also relish he release to come and go as we please.
We are having a laminate floor installed in teh sewing/sitting room this week. That ought to tear this up, dirty things up and take time to put together again!
The house has been mostly closed up for a couple months now. Occasionally though there is a gnat possibly coming form the basil plants I brought in for the winter? It is especially annoying when I am reading my iPad mini in bed and the gnat visits the screen lit up in the dark bedroom. O try to squish them then if I can. So tiny, so annoying.
I got up one morning and retrieved my denture out of the cup where it rested all night. Yuck! this is what I found.
Gnat drowned in the Polident.
Our lot borders on a lot that is outside of our subdivision. We chose it on purpose because they have large trees and their lots run perpendicular to ours, creating some interesting sights. The houses over there are not built like ours, more unique in design. We have become good acquaintances with the neighbors closest to ours.
Recently it was warm here both day and night. I was delighted to open the bedroom window to get some fresh air into the house. And then it hit me! WHAM!
Roaming the neighborhood and stinking up our bedroom! SO disappointing! No fresh air for us!!
Just a couple nights later it was really cold and the windows were shut tight. I asked Bob if he smelled something burning? I have had terrible sinus trouble the last couple months and do not always trust my olfactory senses. He smelled something but could not identify it. A few minutes later we were both certain. That darn skunk was back and even with the windows closed tight the bedroom was filling up with nauseating odor.
Another question to ask when we get to heaven, “Why God? What were you thinking with the skunk?”
Online sources have a few ideas on how to deter the skunks. Most of them won’t work for us and I have no intention of installing a motion sensor light either. They likely live in my neighbor’s fallen branches or overgrown vegetation. Might even bee under their porch, though I have never witnessed any activity there. They do have two dogs though. Hope neither gets sprayed with Pepe’s cologne!
NOT cute!!
Go back to sleep you dratted mammal! Finding it very difficult to thank God for this black and white pest. I read that they eat some of the garden pests. Wish they would choose someone else’s garden!
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.)
“WON’T STICK to most dental work”
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!
When I went to hear the Messiah my friend who got me the tickets at a greatly reduced price had trouble getting the tickets to me. Finally she scanned the QR codes for each ticket and Bob said that was enough to get us in. I was privileged to take another friend who is visually impaired. She is legally blind and we were going at night to the area called Over The Rhine. Not a place two women should wander about at night alone, especially when the concert let out around 10 or so.
My plan was to park in the underground garage right across the street from Music Hall. Bob had provided us money for parking. I told my friend to wear good walking shoes as the street in front of music Hall has been returned to cobblestones. Last thing we needed was for either of us to turn an ankle! And the streetcar tracks run right through the middle of Elm Street where the Hall is located.
We arrived in record time. Pulling up the garage entrance I noticed the sign saying it was full. I was aghast! The attendant told me where the nearest garage was, (several blocks away). I thought, no that is not acceptable. Called Bob and he made a suggestion too. I asked him to be praying. We went around Washington Park and towards the front of the Music Hall. The lot Bob had suggested was also full. I was praying, “Lord …” Then I saw the sandwich board sign, “Valet Parking $20.” I told my friend that was what we would do.
When I pulled forward the man said he would like to park my car directly across the street on the road. He said when the performance let out all I had to do was tell the valet attendant that I was parked right there, get my keys and leave. There would be no waiting in line for them to fetch my car. I agreed it was a good plan.
We exited the car and made our way to the entrance. There are many stairs leading up to Cincinnati Music Hall.
So we slowly climbed the stairs. I would mention how many steps in each flight, when we reached a landing, etc. then the number of steps in the next flight. We made our way to the door with me hoping the QR codes were enough. They wanted to inspect my friend’s purse for security reasons. They skipped mine though. The ticket person scanned my phone and voila we were in!
We were in time to listen to the pre-concert lecture by three of the performers. Then we got a drink and waited in the foyer for the concert to begin. I asked my friend (who loves Hallmark Christmas movies) if she had ever heard of a God Wink? Recently on the Great American Movie channel I had watched a movie about God wink. The woman in the movie said she did not believe in coincidence. She called such happenings a God wink. I said the parking situation was a God wink. We both laughed and agreed! If I had been thinking ahead I might have realized that with 140+ performers and the orchestra members the parking lot would likely be full. I was glad I had not thought of that because it would have caused me to worry.
We were delighted throughout the performance. When the concert was over we were caught up in the movement of the crowd. I made certain we went slowly down those outdoor stairs. I was counting how many steps and mentioned the landings, etc. There was a line at the Valet parking booth. I noticed the attendants were all out getting cars. The key cabinet was open and people were matching their keys to their numbered tags. My number was #2. I reached in and got my keys. We waited at the curb, in the wind, for the Policewoman to stop traffic for the pedestrians. That’s when I noticed I had not closed my coat! We were able to stay within the crosswalk, which is paved smoothly, keeping us away from the cobblestones. Then we had to walk counter to the flood of pedestrians to get to the car. I hit the button on the key fob to open the doors. Got my friend seated and drew a sigh of relief.
I went around to my door, started the car, turned the seat warmers to high and looked around. The policewoman was motioning to me. I opened my window and she said, “I want you to cut your wheels and pull out while I have this traffic stopped.” I replied, “Okay!” She keep motioning and I was waiting for the pedestrians to get out of the way so I did not hit anyone. Before we knew it we were driving away for Music Hall and laughing. Totally caught up in all the God winks! What a wonderful evening!
My friend decided she wanted to return to Music Hall with her husband for a Pops concert the next week. She was going to be certain to tell him they should get there early and choose valet parking.
Watch for God winks in your life this season and give thanks!!
Obviously the woman in this photo has not yet tried her neti pot!!
And so
Our glad hearts, accepting the miracle of this moment, this breath, this day, this life—that is the foundation of all sanity. Terry Patten
The foundations of sanity. I am trying to complain and murmur less. That is hard when you have a cold/virus that is kicking your butt. But I am trying to maintain a glad heart, the foundation of all sanity!
I had an already scheduled doctor appointment. I got sick on a week ago last Monday and saw doc on Tuesday. He determined it was the nasty virus that is going around. At least it is not Covid or flu. He did say I was still contagious and should not participate in Senior Center crochet/knit group Christmas party. So Bob helped me drop off the decorations, set them up and then return home. I wore an N95 mask the entire time. Forgot how much I disliked those! He was gracious enough to return after the party and pick up the things I keep from party to party.
Doc strongly suggested I use a Neti Pot to rinse my sinuses. Have you had the joy of using one of those? Yikes. When I was a child in the 1950s mom would use saline nose drops on my sister and I when we got a bad cold. We thought she was trying to drown us. That was nothing compared to the neti pot!
Doctor stressed I am to use distilled water for this activity as tap water has bacteria in it. Gross. I warm 1 cup distilled water for about 30 seconds in the microwave to take the chill off it. Stir in salt packet designed for rinsing sinuses. Place in the neti pot. (I keep a soft towel handy for blowing my nose.) There used to be a vulgar saying about, “bend over and kiss your *** goodbye.” Yeah sort of like that! I try to just not think about it too much while I am enduring it!!
You let the fluid run into one side of your nose and out the other nostril. No drinking it or swallowing it, just flush. I bend over the sink to do it. There were some photos of people catching it in a basin. For me that would take too much coordination! This is a once a day ordeal.
Doc told me the benefit is to flush out congestion so the virus cannot grow into a bacterial infection. That would be worse than what I have. Who invented these things? Evidently the practice dates back 5,000 years and what we currently use in the USA is an improvement over the older methods. If I think too hard about it my mind wonders about waterboarding, no offense to any veterans who suffered that torture.
So I celebrate this day, THIS BREATH, this life and try to be grateful for the neti pot and our fine medical care. At least on this day, when our outside temperature is 9 degrees, I get to warm the water before I flush! Guard your heart and keep it glad!!
Barberry shrubs? Not certain but the berries are obvious!
A car zoomed past us. I laughed out loud. Glimmer! Hanging from the trunk were Elf legs.
We visited the Krohn Conservatory for the annual creche scene. I usually delight the mos tin the toddlers visiting with their families. Animal sounds of “he-haw, he- haw” “moo” and “Baaa!” Laughter and eyes wide with wonder at the cow, donkey, sheep and figures.
This day the live sheep were wandering about outside. Not many other visitors at all. The sheep were digging in the leaf litter for fresh grass before the big snow storm. Each of them was wearing a bell on their collar. Eventually one wandered close to the fence where we stood. I put out my hand to feel the large woolly coat. It was wet! Glimmer! I had not expected that. It was inches thick. I told her I hoped she was warm and dry under it.
We stood inside the barn trying to get a photo of the nativity characters. Mine never do turn out right. The lighting there is subdued.
photo by rmdutina
While standing out of the wind I did notice the sheep at attention along the fence. These were the same sheep who moments ago would not give us their attention at all. And then I saw it too. Glimmer! A dog on a leash was parked by the fence. The animals were exchanging looks. Eventually the pet owner was ready to go home. The dog was totally resistant to that idea! He was stronger than she was and sat his butt stubbornly on the ground. Meanwhile the sheep had decided he was no threat and went back to grazing. With much tugging the dog gave up and went with his owner. He likely was wondering, “Where did those come from and what kind of dog smells like that!?!?”
Glimmer! I was also tickled to realize how the local birds at the conservatory were benefiting from the layer of straw on the ground. As many years as I have visited there I do not think I ever made that observation before this year! Maybe because it was not yet dark when we went this time?
In your heart prepare Him room! Watch for those glimmers of joy! And careful when you slam your trunk not to capture an elf unawares!!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 