31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 31: "Almost"

GO!  

Oh, for the love!  I was hoping we'd end this thing on a happy note.

Along with "last," part of my name should be "almost."

I've had too many almosts in my life.  I'm ready to actually be something and accomplish something.

STOP!

 



I don't think I'll be doing this challenge next year--I didn't have a good experience with it.  It produced some of the most depressing blog posts I've ever written.  Have at it mommy bloggers.

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 30: "Bacon"

GO!  

"It's BACON!"

"Bacon's the best;  even the frying of bacon sounds like an applause.  (Sizzling sound)  Yay bacon!" - Jim Gaffigan

My friend Eric posted a video similar to this a couple of years ago.

There's been a lot of controversy surrounding bacon.  I'm not going to go all Jillian Michaels, so don't worry.  Too much of anything isn't good.

I've seen some strange concoctions with bacon; the weirdest was the recent trend of bacon milkshakes put out by several restaurants.

Saw this on the internet...

Wish they'd had these when I was a preschool teacher.  :)

STOP!

 

Auntie's Full Shelf Challenge 17

Book: The Calling of Emily Evans.

Author: Janette Oke

Info: Copyright 1990:  Bloomington MN:  Bethany House Publishers.

Where acquired: Free Kindle Book.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags): # # # 

What it's about:  Set in Calgary, Alberta in the early 1900's, Bible school student Emily Evans feels a call to the ministry.  Enduring many hardships, the Deaconess is sent to start a small parish in the community of Wesson's Creek.

Favorite Quotes: 

"When I marry--if I marry, Emily reminder herself, it must be to someone who shares my commitment, not robs me of it."  - Location 2793

What I Liked:

• Though fiction, this book was based on the actual Missionary Church of the Canadian West.  This missionary workers endured many of the same hardships as the fictional character.
• Emily's commitment to God was very encouraging.
• This is only the second Kindle book I've read.  The first was on my laptop; this one was on my phone.  This one was much easier to handle. This was my 'waiting room" read that helped take my mind off things.

What I didn’t like: 

• The book had real page numbers for a while.  I got about halfway through the book and instead of page numbers, I got position numbers.  When I went back to see if I could get them back, I couldn't.  Weird.
• Typical for this author, but a little bit of unbelief always has to be thrown in.  I knew it was coming, but it's still annoying when it does.
• SPOILER ALERT - I also found it annoying that the author just HAD to marry off the females in the story.  Are there any good Christian fiction novels that have strong single female characters that don't have to be married off to make the books "Christian Correct"?

To sum up:  The Calling of Emily Evans is a very interesting read.  The spiritual nature of her journey, plus the historical context makes for a pretty good book.

Auntie's Full Shelf Challenge 16

Book: They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat.

Author: Lewis Grizzard

Info: Copyright 1982: Atlanta:  Peachtree Publishers Limited

Where acquired: Thrift store find.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags): # # # # 

What it's about:  The early 80's found Lewis Grizzard in need of heart surgery to correct a faulty aortic valve.  The news sent him to his typewriter for not only a humorous account of the procedure and hospital stay, but a nostalgic look back at his childhood in Moreland, Georgia.

This is the book that introduced me to Grizzard's writings.  My 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Godsdin gave us the choice between this book and Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor.  Having never heard of either author, I chose Grizzard's tome solely based on the title.

Wait, you read this already.  Does it count as a read then?  Yes, it does. The last time I read this book was 30 years ago, which means I was 13 and didn't get nearly as much of the humor as I did this time.

Favorite Quotes: 

"Here are some other phrases to be careful of the next time you go to the doctor or spend any time in the hospital....'This might pull a little.' They used to say the very same thing to enemies of the state just before they put them on the rack.  If a doctor says, 'This might pull a little,' prepare for your kidneys to be yanked up to your throat.  I'm no expert on the anatomy, but your kidneys have no business in your throat." - p. 30

"The Forth of July barbeque drew people from as far away as Newnan, LaGrange, and Hogansville.  One year, a man from North Carolina was passing through and stopped in to partake.  He asked for cole slaw.  'What for?' somebody asked, 'There's plenty of stew and light bread.'  'I want to put it on my barbecue,' the man from South Carolina said.  I learned my first rule about barbeque that day.  You don't put cole slaw on it.  I think that's in Deuteronomy somewhere.  Somebody pulled a knife on the man and he got back in his car and went back to North Carolina." - p. 46

"Nobody drinks just one beer.  That's why they come in six packs." - p. 73

What I Liked:

• The humor, of course.
• Grizzard goes into just enough detail of his surgery without being morbid or too technical.
• Chapter 4 was a serious chapter about his parents.  The story about his mother's teaching career was very touching.

What I didn’t like:  Can't really think of anything.

To sum up:  The fact that this book held my interest at a time when I didn't enjoy reading and has gotten better with time makes it a great read.  Thank you Terry Godsdin, wherever you are.

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 29: "Sea"

 

Calvary is the Sea

Your broken form upon the cross,
Your holy love expressed
Stirs a passion in my soul,
Calling me to give my best.

No sacrifice I could give to You
Could match what You’ve given me.
For my everything is but a drop of dew
And Calvary is the sea.
Calvary is the sea.

If I could take the love I feel
And capture it with words,
More than what my heart could give
Is still much less than You deserve.

No sacrifice I could give to You
Could match what You’ve given me.
For my everything is but a drop of dew
And Calvary is the sea.
Calvary is the sea.

If I should ever doubt Your love
My only prayer would be
That You would keep Your rugged cross
Etched upon my memory.

No sacrifice I could give to You
Could match what You’ve given me.
For my everything is but a drop of dew
And Calvary is the sea.
Calvary is the sea.

 

GO!  

 

Ahh, the sea.  That great representation of the love, grace, and peace of God.  The waves calmly lapping at the shore.  The sound of the rushing water is like a heavenly lullaby.  The rocking motion is as if God has me in His arms rocking me and telling me it will be OK.  In light of present circumstances, I need two double handfuls of it.

We've had to write a lot about calm, silence, and hope in this challenge.  I don't know if God's trying to tell me something, or if it's the mommy bloggers wagging their collective finger saying, "You should need nothing.  We are the moms.  We are the martyrs in need of a respite.  We are the ones who should get peace, calm, and 'me' time.  Who are you?"

Either way, I know what I need and why I need it.  I'm going to get it whether anyone thinks I deserve it or not.

I need the peace. 

I need the grace.

I need the calm.

I need the sea.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 28: "Hope"

 

GO!  

We just did this word a couple of months ago (?!).  Well, let's have at it again.

Years ago, I heard Creflo Dollar describe biblical hope as "anticipation with an outstretched neck."  I like that description.  You do have to put your neck out to have hope.

Recently, I've heard a couple of sermons that have brought me a glimmer of new hope. 

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so the fear is that my hopes will be dashed to the ground.

STOP!

 

Chocolate Time Outs: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

 Are you comfortable with silence? If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent? 

It depends on the type of silence.  There are angry silences where the atmosphere is so thick it could choke you.  But there is the comfortable silence--a silence that calms the mind and brings rest to the body.  I need some more of that restful silence.  I also need some alone time where I'm the only one making any noise.



View from Chimney Peak

I'm in the process of hunting some of those quiet spots to read, write, create, pray, study, or just chill.  On my list so far is:  the library, upstairs in the hot tub at the Y, my front porch (maybe), the parks on the Ladiga Trail (though on the Weaver end there's nowhere clean to pee), and up to Chimney Peak in JackVegas.  How does that sound?  I'm also thinking of taking a Yoga class at the Y. I've already talked to the instructors and they don't do any of the Hindu meditations; they focus on the stretching and breathing.  Seems like that might be quiet and calm.

October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Can't let that go by without a mention now, can we? Will you celebrate? How? Let's say you can have one of the following right this very minute... a cup of hot chocolate, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, a bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, or a slice of chocolate pie...what's your pleasure?

No, I'll not be celebrating.  By the way, isn't it ironic that National Chocolate Day is just before Halloween?  I see a conspiracy.  Who comes up with these National Days Of...?

Given the choice, I'd take the ice cream.

How do you feel about blue jeans? Favorite thing in the world to wear or nope, don't own a single pair? How often do you wear blue jeans in a typical week? Do you own a blue jean jacket?

"Men's jeans are sized by length and width and they usually fit, but women's jeans are sized by someone who hates women." - Ellen DeGeneres

I've become a huge fan of stretch jeans. I have two pairs of them.  I don't own a blue jean jacket, though I would like to have one.  I'm also on the hunt for a blue jean vest.  

We're not allowed to wear blue jeans to work, so I usually wear mine to church. 

Are you superstitious? If so, in what way?

Nope.

If you had to come up with a costume using only things you have on hand right now, what could you come up with?


My outfit from the Woodstock race.  Or, I can make a makeshift Batman/Batgirl outfit.  I've got a Batman T-shirt, black stretch pants or shorts, and a cape.  Hmmm.. and they DID say we could dress up for Halloween at work and I AM working Saturday...


What scares you a little? What do you do when you feel scared?

Sometimes driving scares me.  People are crazy!  I deal with it, take an alternate route, or if it's really bad, pull over and calm down.

Perhaps today will be the day I ______________________________.

Get a good night's sleep.

Insert your own random thought here. 

I've got a doctor's appointment Thursday.  I hope I get some definite answers about how to stop feeling like 9 miles of bad road on a semi-constant basis.  You know it's bad when I, at 43, can't get through a Silver Sneakers workout.  Yeah, that happened.

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 27: "Perhaps"

 

GO!  

Perhaps, maybe, possibly, peradventure...

What seems impossible can be made possible.

What does perhaps mean in my life?  I'm really not sure.

I want to turn this impossible life into a possible--perhaps life. 

Perhaps, not haphazard.  A life where God's grace is revealed in a way that makes others ask if there are impossibilities that can be turned into maybes--perhaps in their own lives.

I feel like this is a ramble, but I know what I mean.

Do you know what I mean?   Perhaps?

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 26: "Whisper"

Proverbs 16:28 - A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

 

GO!  

Have you ever played the Whispering Game?  That fun game where someone is given a message and each person down the line is to whisper it to the next person?  Never in the history of me playing that game has the message ever been close to the original.  Fun when it's a game, but momentously frustrating in real life.

Too many times satan uses others to pass the message of the Gospel incorrectly.  We are told that we must earn salvation through good works, rather than through the blood of Christ.  If that doesn't work, then he whispers untruths or half truths about what the Christian life is or is not.  Pass it along enough with just a little alteration each time and the message ends with something the Lord never intended.

What's the lesson?  No matter who is whispering in your ear, go back to the original source to know what is true.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 25: "Crash"

 

GO!  

I've had some great crashes in my life:

The crashing of a tiny preschooler's body against my leg, wrapping her arms around me for a hug. 

The thunderous crash of cymbals with the crack and rumble of drums on the marching field during halftime.

The crash of the waves at the gulf and the ocean.

I need some more of these crashes.

I think about the bad crashes going on in my life right now and wonder how I can pick up all these shards of what should have been and let God remold them into what can be.

Yesterday, I heard in several sermons the same theme:  No matter what the circumstances, God can be glorified.  I do not believe for one second that the Lord sent the crashes in my life (they are the results of mine and other's bad choices), but I've got to hang on to the hope that He can still make something out of it--out of me.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 24: "Silence"

Job 7:11 - “Therefore I will not keep silent;   I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,  I will complain in the bitterness of my soul."

 

GO!  

"Silence has lease."

"Silent Night, Holy Night."

The Sound of Silence.

Silent as the grave.

Silence.  It can be as refreshing as a long warm shower, or as deafening as a child's high pitched scream.  I am longing for silence, yet I'm bothered by the silence that is present.

When I want to sleep, I can't find quiet, silent rest, not even at night.  When I'm with friends and I try to join the conversation, the silence of the vacuum would only be disturbed if a cricket sound effect played in the background.  I am in a silent vacuum I can't get out of.

Some days I want the silence to hear myself think.  Sometimes there so much silence that what I'm thinking is too loud.  I'm longing for the silence that is light and rest, not the silence that is a clamorous darkness.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 23: "Joy"

 

GO!  

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart...

My pride and joy...

There's joy in the journey...

Happy, happy, joy, joy... (If you watched Ren and Stimpy in the 90's, you get that reference.)

And now we are so happy, we do the dance of joy... (If you watched Perfect Strangers in the 80's...)

"If satan can't steal your joy, he can't keep your goods." - Jerry Savelle

The joy of the Lord is my strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)

I write these things that your joy may be full.  (I John 1:4)

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace... (Galatians 5:22)

What is joy?  They say that joy and happiness aren't the same thing.  OK, technically they are not, but truly joyous people are happy and vice versa.  Sure, there's false joy and happiness--the kind designed to keep everyone else "up" and not bum them out.  But true joy?  Ah, true joy can't be squelched easily.  True joy is within; not simply without.

I think I'm going on a hunt.  I think I'll start hunting for daily things that bring me joy, that make me smile, that make me feel alive (if not but for a moment).  Walking around in a state of dark depression is like the walking dead, but eating brains won't help any. 

Lord, may I activate the fruit of joy that Your Spirit provides that I may awaken from this zombie-like existence.  Amen.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 22: "Value"

 

GO!  

OK, so we've already done "Worth."  Isn't value the same thing?

Oh well, I'm game.

The value of something is determined by what someone will pay to have it.  How much money, time, and/or effort one will exert for an item or towards a person gives it value.

It has often been said that one shouldn't let others determine their value. 

But...

Isn't that how value works?

If one is worthless to others, no matter how much positive self talk is spoken, he/she is still worthless.

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 21: "Wave"

 

GO!  

The gulf waves call to her.

She takes care of her final business.  Not much to it.  She was already down to practically nothing to call her own.

She attends her final church service.  As usual, she leaves alone and unnoticed.  As she drives away, she waves her final goodbye to her friends inside who are enjoying the camaraderie and planning lunch or how they'll meet up during the week.  She drives through her hometown, giving a final wave to the place that gave her some good memories yet caused her so much pain.  She keeps driving south; down.  Down like the rest of her life.

She makes it to the gulf coast just as the sun is setting, parks her car and heads for a secluded area on the shore. 

As she watches the waves, she remembers the end of a book from a college Literature class in which the principle female character goes to the beach, strips, and swims out into the ocean, never to return.  The book called the act "delicious."

The waves keep calling to her.

As she leaves her few ragged clothes on the shore and heads into the water, she feels the deliciousness of it.  Stripped free--free from all hindrances, free to wave goodbye to all pain and shame, goodbye to a life that was killing her slowly and torturously.  As she gets to the point of no return, as she heads for her blessed appointment with the Almighty, floating on her back, for the first time in a long time, she smiles.  Not a fake smile to keep others happy, but the true joy of waving off her failures.  And blissfully she rests.

Truly rests.

STOP!

 

Futurama: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

There almost was no hodgepodge today.  I was nearly done with it and trying to position a photograph when everything on the screen disappeared and I lost all my work.  Thanks a lot, Blogger!

 

October 21, 2015 is Back to the Future Day. Did you see the movie? The sequels? In the second film, Doc takes Marty into the future to prevent Marty's future son from making a mistake. They leave 1985 and land on a 'skyway' on October 21st, 2015. So tell us, what were you doing in the fall of 1985?

I saw one of the movies more than 20 years ago but didn't care for it.  I never watched any of the others.  I just couldn't get into it.

In the fall of 1985 I was 13 and in the 8th grade.  Life was not very pleasant at that point, so let's just leave it at that.

If time travel were possible, would you want to go to the future? The past?

If I could retain the knowledge I have now, I would like to travel back to biblical times.  I would love to see with my own eyes Jesus healing the sick, raising the dead, and preaching to the crowds.

We're not flying cars, but some of the technology imagined in the 80's film has indeed come to pass in real life 2015-flat screen TVs on the wall, tablets, fingerprint recognition, video conferencing, online banking, 3-D movies, motion controlled video games, drone cameras, and smart glasses (Google glass).  Do you worry technology is growing at a rate so fast we'll soon be unable to keep up with it's demands? Do you think the Internet does more harm than good?

The problem is not with the internet itself, but how people use the it.  Like money, the World Wide Web is an inanimate object devoid of any moral value.  It being good or bad depends on whose hands it's in.  Like money, I think the internet reveals the character of the user. 

Your favorite dish prepared in a slow-cooker? Your favorite fast food?

Other than soup, my favorite slow cooker recipe so far is this one:

Photo via Pinterest

Crockpot Italian Chicken: 4 chicken breasts, 1 packet Zesty Italian dressing seasoning, one 8 ounce block cream cheese (softened), 2 cans cream of chicken soup; Cook on low for 4 hours. If sauce is too thick, add a little milk. Serve over pasta.

Just a hint:  I would mix the ingredients for the sauce ahead of time to see if the mixture is too thick.  Waiting until it's cooked to determine thickness could result in a burnt rim around your slow cooker (ask me how I know).

My favorite fast food:  French fries

No time like the present, down time, face time, pressed for time, in the nick of time, make time, mark time, or just in time...which timely saying most relates to your life right now?

Down time.  I am in desperate need of some real rest.  I've worked several extra shifts at work, which is wonderful, but my down time isn't garnering me any rest.  I go to bed tired and wake up just as tired.  Being sick and not in a good frame of mind so much doesn't help either.  I looked into booking a king deluxe room (for the whirlpool tub) at Cheaha State Park and having a mini retreat, but at more than $100 a night with a 2 to 3 night minimum stay, I can't swing that right now.  I've got to find some restful, quiet alone time...and find it quick.

 

Tell us about a place you went as a child or younger person that's no longer there or is now something else. How does that make you feel?

My old high school is no longer there.  As horrible as school was at times, I have some great memories of football games and marching band in those old brick buildings behind Paul Snow Stadium (now Burgess-Snow Stadium).  The new location of Jacksonville High School is fine, but it's not the same.  They are moving our elementary school too.  Yes, I know that things must change, but I feel like a part of my childhood is lost.  I know it sounds like a Hallmark movie cliché.

 JHS Fight Song

The old Eastwood Community Center of my childhood is gone.  Having that hellhole off the map makes me quite happy indeed.

Describe your comfort zone.

I'm not sure of the context of the question, so I'll not answer for fear of answering it wrong. 

Insert your own random thought here.

Not sure what to share so I'll share my favorite picture from my bike ride this weekend.

 



31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 20: "Temporary"

II Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

GO!  


They say that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. 

Is it?

Sure, if it's one traumatic event that seems unbearable.  However, what do you do if it's a continual feast of one pain after another?  Financial pain on top of physical pain, on top of mental anguish, on top of rejection, and on and on.  I had someone tell me that I'd endured enough crap for several lifetimes.  Unfortunately, I don't see an end of the pain in sight. 

Who continues to work harder and harder to have their efforts crumble every time?

A friend (who actually wanted to know) asked me how I was.  I told her the truth.  I told her I still had that yucky feeling like everyone hates me and wants me dead.

What's a girl to do?

If it makes you feel any better I hate me and want me dead too.

STOP!

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 19: "Honor"

Hebrews 13:4 - Both honourable marriage and chastity should be respected by all of you.

 

Romans 13:7 (NIV)- Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

 

Proverbs 3:9 - Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase

 

GO!  


Honorable mention.

There's no honor among thieves.

Give honor to whom honor is due.

Honor your word.

Duty, honor, country...

In many cultures, honor is paramount.  It's important to have a good reputation in the community.

What's the balance between maintaining a good reputation and not being overly concerned about what other people think?

I live in a country where what used to be honored is now dishonored and vice versa.  Chivalry, honor, and kindness used to be the norm.  People don't even honor and respect themselves anymore.  Sad.

STOP!

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 18: "Worth"

Matthew 10:31 (NIV) - So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

GO!  


"So what's it worth to you?"

"You ain't worth a plug nickel."

"He ain't worth the spit it would take to cuss him out!"

How does one live a worthwhile life after decades of being told he is worthless?  How does one just switch on the "I am worth it" valve and simply cheer up and go on?  Is this possible?

Worth equals value.  How can I find value in a world and church culture that only values women who are wives and moms?  Yeah, dead horse I know, but this has to be resolved if I am ever going to be more in this life than a burden to others.

Christ's blood paid for my worth, but how do I show my thanks?  How do I make a worthwhile life that makes Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."?

How do I make myself worth anyone's time or effort?

How does one who is worthless create worth?

STOP!

Being Punked: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, October 18, 2015
 

Outside my window …  A pleasant autumn day.

I am thinking...   About how to handle a situation.  A family in our church is having a baby shower. I know them well enough to want to give a gift, but I not well enough to determine whether or not they will appreciate a handmade gift.  It's not my work that I'm worried about, it's the reception of it.  I've made items for those who don't understand (or care) about the time, energy, and expense that comes with making something myself.  If I give away something I've made, it's a true labor of love.  I've had that labor spoiled, shunned, and made fun of in the past, so I'm trying to decide whether or not I want to risk putting myself out there.

I am thankful...  for bright sunny weather, for friends that pray and care. 

From the Workshop...  Several projects are on the hook.  Hopefully I'll have complete projects to show off next Daybook.

 

I am reading...  It's really sad.,  I have several books started, but I've not finished any in almost a month.  However, I primed the reading pump earlier this week, so I'm on the way to finishing up several volumes.

 

I am looking forward to...  the holiday season;  I hope it's a good one.

I am learning… This week, I learned about micro SD cards and how to put them in my cell phone.  I also learned how to make ringtones for it.  I know, my niece has created a monster.

 

Around the house... Going through old files and papers in the office.  I've gotten rid of some things, but couldn't part with others.  One more step towards organization. Mrs. Sue and I are both in need of new bookcases.  We'll figure that one out over the winter.

A favorite quote for today... 

"I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot atone for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I can not make right what is wrong, pure what is impure, holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Have I faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made a perfect Atonement, am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The great need is not to do things, but to believe things. The Redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith upon it." - Oswald chambers

A peek into my days:  Went to the thrift store in Saks on the hunt for clothes and again came home with nothing.  So frustrating.  I've got to find some pants; dress pants and workout pants.  I think I'll go to TJ Max at the Exchange before my shift in Oxford Tuesday to see what they have.

Got out on the Ladiga Trail in JackVegas today with Leah M. for a fabulous bike ride.  We stopped for a break at the gazebo and I took some pictures of the flower gardens.

Not bad for a phone, huh?

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Work, rest, catching up on reading and craft projects, stepping up my workouts, doing a little shopping.

 

And now for something totally different...

 

OK, you remember a few Daybooks ago when I said that I thought I was being punked by the Community Band?  Well, because I've been working in Oxford nearly every Tuesday evening when practice is going on, and because Mr. Alpha Male is there holding the music like it's his first born, and because I'm not going to spend the gas to drive there on the weeks I'm not working just to twiddle my thumbs or crochet granny squares while everyone else plays, AND because I believe that being able to use a urinal is not the main prerequisite for playing snare drum (if you know what I mean), I've been staying home. This week I got a message from the director asking me to come play because we have a concert in November and Mr. Apha Male "just can't do it all by himself." 

 

OK, I AM being punked.

punked - (1)A way to describe someone ripping you off, tricking you, teasing you. (2) Humiliated completely, as in disrespected. (Urbandictionary.com)

I haven't responded yet because a) I still think I'm being punked, 2) I'm not sure I can be respectful and tactful with my answer yet, and @) I'm working every Tuesday evening this month, so it may not matter anyway.  I guess if I did respond, it would be something to the effect of, "Well if brotha man can't do it all by himself, he should stop acting like he can simply because he can pee standing up."  But see, that wouldn't be nice...and I am a Southern lady.

 

 

From Twitter:  @ChrchCurmudgeon tweeted:  "Met some Colorado Anglicans. Nice people, but I'm not a fan of high church."

 

From Twitter:  ‏@b0ringtweets  tweeted: "A coffee table is not a table made out of coffee. Please RT to raise awareness. Thank you."

 

From Facebook:  K.Johnson shared:

 

From Facebook:  M.Cheyne shared:

 

From Facebook:  FreshPenguin shared: 

 

And, my personal favorite this week:  From Facebook:  J.Reaves shared:
 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 17: "Offer"

II Samuel 24:24 - And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

 

GO!  


In her post on this prompt, our leader asked the question "What do you have to offer?"  Granted, I've never met her and don't know much about her, but I picture her surrounded by her husband and kids snidely asking me that question with her pointed finer giving the "co-dependent handshake."

As if I have nothing to offer because no one is calling me "mommy"...

I have plenty to offer, but how to offer it is a different story.  Just as King David said he wouldn't give God that which cost him nothing, I realize that having something worthwhile to offer is costly.  I want to be able to pay that cost, thought right now, I don't know how.  Though the darkness tries to shut it out, I still want to do what it takes.

Over the years I've been given a lot of useful craft supplies, mostly yarn.  Most of it comes for those who die before they finish their projects.  I don't want to do that.  I want to finish everything before I leave this earth.  I don't want to die with an idea untried, a book unwritten, a speech unmade, or closets full of yarn, paints, and fabric untouched.  When God asks me what I did with what He gave me, I don't want to say, "Well, Lord, You gave me a lot of great ideas, but I didn't finish much.  But hey, I did leave it for someone else to finish."

STOP!

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 16: "Green"

Psalm 23:1-2 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 

GO!  


"It's not easy being green."

Green with envy.

Green around the gills.

"Mean" Joe Green.

Green Bay Packers.

Green Eggs and Ham.

"And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around."

Green is springtime.  Fresh grass without a hint of an anthill.  New leaves on every tree and shrub.  Green is the unfurled bud of a flower, soon to be doused with vibrant color.

Greenhorn.

The Green Hornet.

Green tea.

I don't look good in certain shades of green.

Green is a fresh salad with beautiful yummy green veggies.

Hmm.. salad.  I wonder about those mason jar meals.  Why a Mason jar?  Is there something special about it being a Mason jar?  Yes, it's pretty to look at the greens inside, but does the jar DO something for the food?

STOP!

 

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 15: "Laugh"

Ecclesiastes 3:4 - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

GO!  

The best sound in the world is laughter.  My favorite is the laughter of
children.  They will laugh at anything and laugh at the same thing over and over again.   Yeah, I'm the same way.

I loved making my students laugh by reading them a funny story, making funny voices, or just playing with them, or simply tickling them.  One of my best memories was when we had an imaginary camping trip in our classroom.  I turned on a disco ball light to make stars float on the ceiling.  Something about calling out each color as it went by got all the kids in an uproar of laughter.  We laughed about that for probably an hour.  Good times.

Why is it that we adults stop laughing?  I read somewhere that children laugh exponentially more often than adults.  Have we run out of fun?  Is that that we make fun a special occasion, rather than a part of our daily routine?  Is that why we let life get to us so badly?

Just like the flying I mentioned yesterday, we need to keep laughing. No, it doesn't have to be something vulgar or at someone else's expense.  let's be like my preschoolers and find little pockets of joy every day.

Yes, even in the midst of my darkness, I try to find some laughter, even if it means making others laugh when I can't.

STOP!

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 14: "Fly"

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

GO!  


"I wish that I could fly up to the sky, so very high, just like a dragonfly..."

It's such a free feeling to fly, whether in a plane, or through the air on a swing.  One of the things on my 101 in 1001 list is to go on a zipline.  I've seen them on TV and they look so fun.

Flying takes you away from gravity--all that holds you down--to a place of serenity and joy. 

Get on that plane.  Pump those legs in the swing.  Soar with the eagles and laugh.  Don't let anyone tell you you're too old for that sort of thing.  You're not.

"Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away..."

STOP! 

To the Moon, Alice!: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

 

What's something that has recently 'tried your patience'?

People.  No, that's too general.  Stupid people.  No, that's still too general.  Let's just say, I've recently dealt with the rudest, most immature behavior out of grown people I've ever seen.  I was used to dealing with immaturity out of preschoolers; I could teach and train my babies to act more maturely.  With grown people who should know better...well, as the saying goes, "You can't fix stupid."

Now, as far as myself, I try my own patience daily.

Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I've got all the time in the world).

Some people have personalities that lean to the more patient side, but patience can be learned.  After all, it is part of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  I have much more patience than I used to.  However, my patience is in degrees:  I have much patience for others, none for myself.

Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

With the stress and pressure I've been under, there are many days when I wish for wings; sometimes it's just for temporary relief, sometimes I wish to fly away and stay gone.

The last time I felt like flying?  Wow, it was so cool.  If you know anything about Ropes Courses or Team Building seminars, you've heard of trust falls and cradles.  Once I did what's called a flying cradle where the team not only cradles you but lifts you high overhead.  Good times.

Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

Ok, I have two:

 



 



What's in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

Ha, I wish!  My ideal picnic would be with the three youngest grandnieces at Etwell Park in Weaver with food that we had fun cooking ourselves (but I'd settle for some chicken nuggets and fries).

Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping...which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

All of them so I could go ahead with building and landscaping my dream house.

What's something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

Since I recently spent $400 on car repairs, most anything!

Insert your own random thought here.

Auntie is still not doing very well. For those who pray, continue to do so.  For those who criticize, keep your comments to yourself.

31 Days of 5 Minute Free Writes 13: "Patience"

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

GO!  


When I clicked over to Bible Gateway to copy the above scripture, this one was on their home page:

Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG) - I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

I've heard that scripture in nearly every English Bible version there is over the nearly 30 years of my Christian life.  When I ask about it, the answer is always "wait."

Wait?  For what?

I've waited for almost 30 years and have never seemed to get it right long enough to get to the hopeful future God has for me.

So, I'm just supposed to patiently wait while others get what they need and are taken care of.  I'm supposed to be a vibrant witness of grace and patience as I see to the needs of others, but never have anything for myself.

If I were a mom, this line of thinking would be honored. Oh bless your heart, you just give and give.  You need some "me" time.  Since I'm not, I'm just selfish and demanding.

Patiently wait?

Just WHAT am I waiting for?

A bolt of lightning out of the sky?  Nothing good comes out of that.
A knight in shining armor?  They're only in Disney movies.
A rich relative to die?  We don't have any of those in my family.  Trust me.
Heaven?  Maybe.

I was reminded again today that I'm supposed to be patient.  IE:  Put up with whatever crap is dished out to me and eat it with a big spoon and a smile.  I'm not to have any needs or show any weakness or unauthorized emotion.  And no, this was not at work.  Thank God.  If it were, I could quit. I can't quit life...or can I?

Patience?

My Lord, what kind of a life is this?

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

STOP!