Recover - 1) to return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength. 2) to find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost).
I'm on the road to recovery.
Step by step, day by day.
I'm on the road to recovery,
Trusting God along the way,
Trusting God all the way.
"Road to Recovery" - Rich Muchow
I live in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. Like any other big city, constant road construction is just part of the "highfalutin" package. For my hometown peeps; they've been working on I-25 in Colorado longer than the section of I-20 that runs between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia--now do you see why I stay off the interstate.
Anyway...
There's one stretch of road I have to deal with every Sunday; the intersection of Parker Road and Mississippi Avenue in Aurora. They've been working on this since 2019 (I think--I've lost track). The problem is that after all this time, it appears no progress has been made, and for the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're doing or where this new section is supposed to go. Whatever it is, CDOT has to either reroute traffic or shut that section down altogether; I never know which one until I'm right up on it (they don't give enough warning for my taste).
My "road to recovery" is looking a lot like Parker and Mississippi right now. I know what I need it to look like, but I can't seem to get it "built,"and I've been working on it for almost 13 years. I have to keep rerouting my life or shutting it down altogether to prevent a 20 car pileup. While the CDOT workers are hopefully taking the holiday weekend off to recharge, I hope my upcoming vacation week will be a chance to regroup and recharge. I'm ready for restoration, a return to good mental and physical health, and to regain those things I have lost.
----------------------------- In case you missed it:
* My last Five Minute Friday post "Broken" is here. * This week's Hodgepodge post, "Living in America" is here. *My latest 2021 Flip and Sip Reading Challenge review of Love Does is here. * My latest Auntie's Workshop post "Finishing and Fixing II" is here.
We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop
in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the
Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a
letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial
Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care
package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the
National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try?
Along with the traditional cookout, our family would go to Ragland, Alabama, where my mom is from, to clean and beautify the family graves. I think some call it Decoration Day. Though it's a serious time, it was also a fun time of seeing relatives I hadn't seen all year and watching my aunts boss my uncles and cousins around about how to tend the graves. If I could go home for that holiday, I'd at least go and decorate my oldest brother Melvin's grave (he served in the national guard). He's buried by my parents in Jacksonville (very easy to access)--I wouldn't dare try to take a rental car on the dirt road that leads to the family cemetery in Ragland.
Since I won't get to see family for the holiday, I'm not sure what I'm doing. I don't want to simply commemorate the day with food. I will, like every patriotic holiday, listen to my favorite version of the National Anthem (here). I did see where PBS will be live streaming the Memorial Day concert on YouTube on Sunday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlSj6PwmYA8), so I'll be sure to tune in to that. These other activities sound good, but I'm not sure how to find the information I need to participate. I searched for Memorial Day activities around Lakewood...and they aren't doing anything. So there's that. Oh well.
What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'?
I'm not going to go into any details or throw anyone but myself under the bus, but it wasn't a positive experience. This weekend, I learned a very hard lesson in a way that I wouldn't want anyone else to learn it.
In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'?
My health journey. The aforementioned situation has sent me into several days of binge eating and depression. I still have difficulty with finding positive coping strategies for times like this. Breaking through in this area will get me off this roller coaster ride and back on track to the healthy habits I had previously established.
As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite
food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu?
I pretty much eat the same things I ate as a child, so I wouldn't really need to add anything.
Your favorite patriotic movie?
I haven't seen very many patriotic movies, so I don't really have a favorite. The movie Rocky IV comes to mind. I think that counts. I saw this movie in the theater when it came out in 1985 and haven't seen it since. The soundtrack was good though.
Insert your own random thought here.
In case you missed it:
*My last Hodgepodge post, "Being on the List," is here. *My latest Auntie's Workshop post "Finishing and Fixing II" is here. *My latest 2021 Flip and Sip Reading Challenge review of Love Does is here. *My latest Five Minute Friday post "Broken" is here.
Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate.
Can one not be realistically optimistic? I never want to have such blind optimism that I don't see difficulty, nor do I want to be such a pessimist or realist that it sucks the fun and whimsy out of everything. Sometimes "keeping it real" is code for "I'm going to pee in your Cheerios today because I have no joy and don't want you to have any either."
What's something currently on your wish list?
A Cricut
A robe and slippers
A Keurig
A Cruiser bicyle
Three things on this week's shopping list?
A new tablet. My Kindle Fire is slowly disintegrating to the point of ridiculousness. When I first got it, it had 32 GB of internal storage. Now, it only has about 6 GB (don't know where the other 26 GB went) and most of it taken up with programs Amazon put on the thing that I didn't want, don't use, and can't remove, plus it's saying there are nearly 3 GB of storage taken up with files that aren't even there. Plus, I'm currently reading a Kindle book that mysteriously deletes itself every few days and I have to download it again before I can continue reading it. I'm going to buy a plain, no-frills, inexpensive tablet and putting the Kindle reading app on it.
A new pair of athletic shoes. I'm getting back to workouts and all my shoes feel like I'm walking on a brick. I've got one new pair, but I need one more to trade out with.
Items for my apartment. I need to pick up necessities like toilet paper and dishwasher tabs, and would like to purchase a few decorative items that I can't make myself.
According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list?
I've not experienced anything on this list, but I find the Charleston Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour. It sounds fascinating.
Besides home and work where do you spend the most time?
In the car.
Insert your own random thought here.
In case you missed it:
*My last Hodgepodge post, "New Season, New Chapter," is here. *My latest Auntie's Workshop post "Finishing and Fixing II" is here. *My latest 2021 Flip and Sip Reading Challenge review of Love Does is here. *My latest Five Minute Friday post "Broken" is here.
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: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Looking Out My Window ...
I'm not sure if it's just a trick, but it finally looks like spring outside. The rains have brought out the blooms and the green. Still, since we did have snow the week before Memorial Day two years ago (?!), I'm not sure I can declare it spring yet. I'll just enjoy each day as it comes.
I am Thinking...
About more consistency on my blogs. I know that my blogging slowed down while I was in school, but now that that's over, I'm trying to figure out how to be more consistent. However, some weeks prove difficult due to my not feeling well, feeling like there was nothing salient to share, or, quite frankly, my blog prompts not really hitting on anything. No, I'm not criticizing the prompts; they are designed for a diverse group of bloggers. It just that sometimes I'll start on a prompt and my answers either bore or depress me--and I'm not willing to pass that on if I can help it.
About my upcoming vacation time. I really don't want to sit at home the whole week. A couple of day of lounging, reading, and making pretty-pretties is fine, but I'm so ready to get out of the house.
About whether I can borrow someone's kid or grandkid to teach me how to ride a skateboard or any of the other "you're too old to do that" things I want to learn. I know that God knows what He's doing, but sometimes I lament that I live in such a time that everyone is too busy for "outsiders" to be included in family fun.
I am Thankful for...
For closure: The university has decided to make our department remote indefinitely. I've felt like my life has been on hold since last March. Now, I can redo my office area and my schedule to make them more conducive to permanently working from home.
For more closure: as I stated in my last Hodgepodge, I received my Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree. Let's see where this leads.
From the Workshop...
See my latest post "Finishing and Fixing II" here.
From Auntie's Test Kitchen... When I had Easter dinner at Diana's house last month, I complemented her on the food, including the green beans. She and her husband, Randy both laughed at me. This wasn't a new occurrence, so I took it in stride and asked them what was so funny. They informed me that those were not green beans, but asparagus, and that other friends had made that same faux pas. I asked Diana what did she do to them since they tasted so good. Understand, my only experience with asparagus has either been these sticks in the stir fry vegetable package that tasted like tree bark, or watching Junior Asparagus on Veggietales...
Anyway...
Diana's method for cooking asparagus is to cut off and throw away the bottom of the stem and toss the remaining edible portion of the vegetable in a combination of seasonings and olive oil and bake at about 350 degrees for around 20-25 minutes. Honestly, I couldn't believe it was that simple...until I tried it myself.
Here's my first attempt as a side with a salad and a sandwich. One thing I did learn is to only cook what I'm going to eat right then. Leftover asparagus gets real slimy really quick. I'll absolutely be making this again.
I am Reading...
Depression is Contagious by Michael Yapko
The Ministry of Intercession by Andrew Murray
As You Wish by Cary Elwes
Completed volumes since my last Daybook: Yes, it's been a while, so there's a lot of books.
Walk With Jesus: Stations of the Cross by Henri Nouwn
Martin Luther in His Own Words by Martin Luther
Pauses for Lent by Tervor Hudson
The Heart of the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition by Gary Chapman. Please see my review here.
Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila
A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin.
"Quite often people who cannot seem to concentrate think they are mentally deficient. However, an inability to concentrate can be the result of years of letting the mind do whatever it wants to do, whenever it wants to do it." - Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, p. 87
"If we allow this one matter, unfaithfulness in prayer, to convict us of the lack in our Christian life, God will use the discovery to bring us not only the power to pray that we long for, but the joy of a new and healthy life, of which prayer is the spontaneous expression." - Andrew Murray, The Ministry of Intercession, p. 18.
"Because of our love for each other, I understand a little more about how God has pursued me in creative and whimsical ways, ways that initially did not get my attention. Nevertheless, He wouldn't stop. That's what love does--it pursues blindly, unflinchingly, and without end. When you go after something you love, you'll do anything it takes to get it, even if it costs everything." - Bob Goff, Love Does, p. 52.
"Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian." Andrew Murray, The Ministry of Intercession, p. 46.
"O.K. I've gotten both doses of the vaccine. Now will y'all please leave me the hell alone?!" - Auntie
Synopsis: What is the difference between mere human love and the agape love of God? God's love doesn't simply feel; His love does. Goff shares 31 stories of God's love in action. From families to churches to foreign countries, these stories show God using His people to bring hope and healing to others.
Select Favorite Quotes:
There's nothing wrong with being typical, I guess, but there is nothing fundamentally right about it either. I've never read in Genesis that God created "typical" and called it good. Instead, I think men who were bored made up typical and called it, if not good, at least acceptable. People who follow Jesus, though, are no longer typical--God is constantly inviting them into a life that moves away from typical. Even if they have normal jobs, live in normal houses, and drive normal cars, they're just not the same anymore. - p. 15.
I enjoy those parts of the Bible where Jesus talks about how much He loves His bride. It makes me wonder if the trees and mountains and rivers are things He planned in advance, knowing they would wow us. I wonder if God returned over and over to the world He placed us in thinking what He has created was good, but it could be even better, even grander. I wonder if He thought each foggy morning, each soft rain, each field of wild flowers would be a quiet and audacious way to demonstrate His tremendous love for us. - p. 24.
Because of our [Bob and Maria] love for each other, I understand just a little more how God pursued me in creative and whimsical ways, ways that initially did not get my attention. Nevertheless, He wouldn't stop. That's what love does--it pursues blindly, unflinchingly and without end. When you go after something you love, you'll do anything it takes to get it, even if it costs everything. p. 52.
The Positive:
Goff's storytelling ability drew me into each chapter. It felt like I was sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee listening to the author tell story after story. Many of the stories were serious, but many had me laughing.
This book was very encouraging and convicting all at once. It caused me to reevaluate my own love walk and made we want to do more, give more, and reach more.
The chapters were short and easy to navigate. It was a quick read, but the materials made me want to slow down and relish each story and the lesson it conveys.
The Negative:
I understand that Goff was trying to maintain the conversational nature of the book, however, he would vaguely mention scripture, yet not cite the passages he was referencing. If the reader is familiar with the Bible, he either recognizes the passages or knows how to find them himself. But what about those unfamiliar with Scripture?
Some chapters and concepts lost me. For example, Goff's assertion that God "intentionally guides us into failure" misses the mark. This statement does not seem to be in keeping with scripture. Romans 8:37 says, "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Second Peter 1:1-10 gives a list of attributes of spiritual living that we are to grow in, and concludes with, "for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (KJV). If we fail, we are at fault, not God. He's given us what we need for "life and godliness" (verse 3 in that same chapter).
Conclusion:
This is one of those books that was highly recommended when it first came out. Like most popular books of this type, I wanted to get away from all the hype before I read it. I don't like to recommend books simply because everyone else does, neither do I hate on a book because other people don't like it. So, would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It was a beautiful, fun read. Whether you've known God for years or aren't even sure there is a God, this book will show you facets of God's love you've never seen.
It's like my mama always said, "________________."
Mama and Daddy both said, "A hard head makes a soft a$$." Meaning: being stubborn and rebellious can easily get your butt torn out of the frame as a child as well as an adult--and it smarts like crazy either way.
May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration?
I plead the 5th.
Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.
Here in Colorado, an actual spring day. No joke, it was sunny and in the 70s Saturday, rainy and in the 40s on Sunday and Monday, and a mix of snow and rain Tuesday. It's supposed to be nice the rest of the week (maybe). I was always told it was safe to put out flowers after Mother's Day here. Ha! Not this year. I think I'll wait until around memorial day to put anything live out on my stoop.
Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it
relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by.
Currently? Achievement....
This weekend I graduated from CCU with my Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree. This gift from my friend Annie sums it up well...
For all the hell I've been through during the Covid-19 crisis, this was the one opportunity I doggedly determined not to screw up. Praise the Lord and pass the transcripts!
I'm always seeking proper fulfillment through growth; that equals success. I say proper fulfillment because there are things in life that society pressures me to think will be fulfilling, but in the end, they are smoke and mirrors that will leave me empty and searching for something else. Honestly, some days I feel like some wives (well former wives now) I know who were NEVER satisfied with anything. Their husbands gave up their God-given dreams, worked themselves purple so the wife and kids wanted for nothing, were the best providers and fathers they could be, yet Miss Thing wanted more and was never grateful for what she did have. Y'all a man can only take so much crap. Now you see why they are former wives? Yes, I have wants, needs, and dreams that are valid, but I don't want to get so caught up in what I don't yet have that I cease to thank God for what He has already given me.
I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it
would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your
weapon in battle. How will you wield it? (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)
Oh goodness. The last thing I bought from Amazon was a set of Command picture hanging strips. Not much of a weapon--unless I use them to rip the hair off the enemy's most painful places.
Insert your own random thought here.
In my last Hodgepodge (linked below), I talked about things I needed to "do afraid." I'm happy to report that I completed two of them:
The Chick-Fil-A was so easy to get to. I still don't know what the parking deck I saw had to do with it. All I had to do was pass the local library I frequent, go up a block or two and turn right. Well, I enjoyed the simplicity, the courteous service, and the Southwest chicken salad.
I did get my bass guitar repaired. The gentleman who did the repairs was a great guy and did an awesome job. He also gave me some pointers on maintenance. I'll absolutely use him again.
In case you missed it:
*My last Hodgepodge post, "A Penny Earned...is Still a Penny," is here. *My latest Five Minute Friday post "Broken" is here. *My latest Auntie's Workshop post "Finishing and Fixing I" is here *My latest 2021 Flip and Sip Reading Challenge review of The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition is here.
