Sunday's Meditation useless

No one is useless to God.  No one.


1 Corinthians 12:27-29  Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.  First, God chose some people to be apostles and prophets and teachers for the church. But he also chose some to work miracles or heal the sick or help others or be leaders or speak different kinds of languages.  Not everyone is an apostle. Not everyone is a prophet. Not everyone is a teacher. Not everyone can work miracles.  (CEV)

Playing House

This is a child's chair that my grandpa made over 70 years ago.  It sits in my living room now and often my granddaughter serves a favorite doll tea and cookies in this chair.  One of the earlies gifts my mom made for me was a set of doll furniture much like this chair but in doll size proportion.  That gene must run in the family as I love to make doll furniture also, however my is even in a smaller scale (One inch=one foot)  The only problem is mine won't last 70 years through the rough and tumble play of children. 

Granddaughter fixing up dollhouse in my office

I made a fairly sturdy dollhouse and furnishings so that little ones could play house.  My grands love to play clean house and rearrange furniture and with a bit of Elmer's glue it continues to provide hours of entertainment.

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week
I again participated in a primative swap held by Amy of Bumble Bee Lane.  My partner this time was the very talented Allison from Sew Many Girls .  Look at all the wonderful Autumn things that she made for me.

Heavenly scented sunflowers--see the crow on that large flower, Mulberry potpourri, Scarecrows, pumpkins on a towel, a hot pad and stuffed with a rustic star, and  a scary little black cat

A close up of the embroidered picture

And a close-up of the fragrant crow and large sunflower.

Each week, Hilary at Feeling Beachie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! 

1. when I was little I was called _by my given name--never Marti__
2. _Reese's Peanut Butter Cups__are my favorite candy
3. If I could have one magical power it would be__to grant wisdom____
4. If I could go back to school it would be to become a __doctor_______

Pondering with a Purpose--Wander

This Week's prompt is: Wander

It seems that I often wander not only on my path, but in my goals and dreams.  I search often for truth and direction. When I thought about the meaning of wander, I remembered the haunting lyrics of the Kamelot song.  

Silently we wander

Into this void of consequence

My shade will always haunt her

But she will be my guiding light

Silently we wander

In search of truth and confidence

So many hopes were lost here

Along the way from morning to night
KAMELOT - WANDER LYRICS

As I sat in the moonlight tonight, I let my thoughts wander along the paths of yesterday.  I had finished dinner with friends and now was home contemplating a conversation we had regarding past friends.  I recalled many of the people that I had known and how our paths connected for a while, then some traveled a different road.  I had a unique memory of each, some happy, some sad, some hurtful.  But it was this mosaic of experiences that has made me who I am today.

I love to wander through the memories of growing up, the wonderful days as a child, the challenging times of youth, the sweet days of romance.  But there are also memories of hard times, loneliness, fear and pain.

As these aimless thoughts are reflected on the mirror of my mind I find my roots, my strengths and my accomplishment. They reflect who I have become just as tonight's moonlight is but a reflection coming from another place.  

There is peace in this wandering of memories.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

                                                 

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge this week falls on John Chapman's birth date. He's more famously known as Johnny Appleseed...what's your favorite variety of apple?
I think that I like Gala apples the best.  They have a thin skin and a mild sweet flavor.

2. When did you last say 'ick'?
Can't remember the last time, I tend to say eewwww!

3. Do you think there's a generation gap? Explain.
I definitely look at things differently than my children and grandchildren.  I was brought up different--starting work at 13 and having my parents as examples of hard work and morality.  We learned to be independent, resourceful, and accepting authority.  There was no TV to entertain, nor Internet to expose us to what children now days think of as common place.

4. What's on your computer screen saver? Do you leave it alone or change it often?
I have a scene of Monument Valley in northern Arizona as my screen saver.  I seldom change it.  I love the lonely expansive scene.

5. If you had the attention of the entire world for two minutes, what would you say?
It's not all about you, get a grip, help someone you don't know, be quiet and listen.

6. Four fashion trends to try this fall are-brocade/jacquard (fancy printed fabrics), peplum, lace, and printed pants...which of these four would you be most likely to wear?
Definitely lace.  I love also love brocade.  How about a brocade skirt with a lacy blouse.

7. What can make your bad day better?
I have to have a quiet time and pray.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I went to the dermatologist today for a complete body scan to check for any new suspious skin cancers, they only did one biopsy, and the Dr. said he thought that it was probably benign.  I'll know in a couple of weeks.  I am happy about this.

Hunting Season

Hunting season--that time of year that makes grown men act like juveniles.  Reminds me of that truck commercial where the guy is packing everything including his favorite pj's for a weekend with the boys.  Growing up there were three rules during hunting season.  Wear bright clothing, stay on the roads and come straight home from school.  Every year stories were told of the crazy hunters that descended on our country.  The road to Cody had its game check station at the Rattle Snake Creek bend just a few miles from our house.  One year a group of dude hunters came through as proud as can be with their prize trophy.  

As they were bragging about their catch--a huge deer, the game wardens just shook their heads, and said to each other, "Never did like that old mule of DeMoriac's, anyway" and waved the hunters through.  Upon thought, bet that was one tough bunch of meat.

Monday Quiz about Me

1. What room in the house do you try your hardest to keep clean?
The living room, when I have company it needs to be presentable, second choice--my bedroom.  There is something about going to bed in a tidy room that is comforting.

2. How do you describe your blog to someone you just met?

My blog reflects my thoughts on growing up on a ranch in the Wyoming Rockies long ago, with a bit of my thoughts about everything else thrown in for good measure.

3. What was your lie from last week?  (If you didn't play last week, What was your favorite cartoon you watched as a kid?)

I love movies--actually I pretty much hate them, just can't sit still for that long, and 95% of them are a waste of good money.  Give me a book any day.

4. What is your favorite kind of salad? (post a recipe if you got one)

I love all salads, for something different how about 

Black Bean and Mango Salad                Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 can black beans--rinsed and drained           1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

2 cup mango--diced                                       1/4 cup lime juice

1 red bell peper--diced                                  1 Tbsp olive oil

6 green onions--diced                                    1 seeded jalapeno pepper--finely diced

Instructions: Combine, chill and serve.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

5.  Now that it is fall, what is your favorite fall sport, either watching or doing?

Mine is hiking, now that the weather is starting to cool off.

Sunday Meditation--Sleep

It takes more than a soft pillow to insure sound sleep.

Psalm 4: 7-8 Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.  At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, for you, God, have put my life back together. (The Message)

Wyoming Autumn

Fall was a special season during my childhood years.  It was that moment in time between the buzz of the bees with lazy calls of the western meadowlarks and the first dusting of snow that quietly put all the larkspur and Indian paint brushes to sleep for the winter.  When Jack Frost blew his chilly breath down our valley, the cottonwoods and aspen burst forth in a riot of color, the final crescendo before the coming of the winter whites.  Days would be warm encouraging a final burst of energy from man and animal before the dormant time to come.  

Thoughts were of golds and orange, harvest and Thanksgiving. Soon it would be time for snowshoes and mittens but for a few glorious weeks the blaze of autumn made our hearts sing with an anthem worthy of the beauty of the season..

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week

Art Class taught by Debbie

Some of class projects

Oldest grandson's 22nd birthday.  He is a wonderful young man

Basil resting after coming home from the doggie hospital.  She is  recovering  from Parvo

A pedi lifts my spirits

And now some snaps from around my front yard

And a couple of beautiful sunrises.  I try and take them in on my way to the gym each morning.

Each week, Hilary at Feeling Beachie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! 

1. The last time I was on vacation, I went to _Olympic National Park, Victoria B.C, and Oregon__
2. For _breakfast__I like to eat__Mini Shredded Wheat Cereal_
3. My heart hurts when__I think of my Mom_because_she was such a wise woman with a great sense of humor_.
4. Why must _I have to drive so far_ just to__see my children. It would be so nice if they just lived across town.

Pondering with a Purpose-Venting

This Week's prompt is: Venting I have been known to rant and rave, usually when I am tired or stressed beyond my last nerve.  I found this definition in the Urban Dictionary of all places--Talking is a coping mechanism that allows a person to rationalize and validate their own fears, concerns, worries, dreams and hopes. If we are not allowed to vent , we end up bottling up our emotions which is detrimental to the human psyche and can end up suffering from it's side effects. Such as Ulcers, depression , high blood pressure, anxiety migraines, fatigue..the list goes on and on. So when you find yourself in the position of being the receiver of someones griping moaning bitching realize that not always is advice warranted but more or less you have become the outlet for someones Physical and Psychological health.  Doesn't that give a whole new slant to venting.  When someone blows off steam--an engineering term to reduce pressure--and we are on the receiving end we are actually helping that person be healthy.
Now I usually vent to my dogs, cause my kids won't put up with it, saying "get a grip"!  What do I vent about--usually my undependable car, or things breaking down around the house that I can't fix, like my evaporative cooler that wouldn't turn on yesterday because it needs a new motor, and payday isn't until next week, or the dogs tracking mud across my clean floor.  But after my little tantrum, as the song goes, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.

Wednesday hodgepodge--Fall

1. What's the best and worst thing thing about growing older? 

Worst thing about growing older--not as much energy as when younger
Best thing--lessons learned along the way including not to take yourself so seriously.

2. Autumn arrives this week in the Northern Hemisphere...what one thing do you love most about the fall season?
The cooler days.  I am so tired of the heat come the end of September.  I also love to be able to drive up north and see the leaves changing colors.

3. Speaking of fall...pumpkin seems to be flavoring everything these days-are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?
I love pumpkin.  About now I bring out the pumpkin spice candles, and pumpkin spice lattes are one of my season favs, also love pumpkin pie.

4. Since we're on the subject of fall...what's the worst fall you've ever taken?
As far as bodily damage, several years ago I and my then 11 year old grandson spent a week at a mountain resort--thanks to my boss.  We were participating in extreme snowboarding and sledding, and I lost my boogie board and after a 15 foot air flight landed in the snow, broke my right wrist, chipped my hip and had to have a hip replacement several months later.  By grandson thought it was great fun, cause he got to help drive the truck to the hospital--manual shift which I couldn't handle.  But we were having fun so I don't regret it.

5. If you could own a prop from any film what would you choose?
The mansion in Gone with the Wind maybe.

6. What's the most interesting word you've read or learned in the past week?
cash mob--noun a group of people who descend on a retail business and spend money as a gesture of support for that business.  Cash mob rules are simple: Spend at least $20, meet three new people and have fun.  We recently had an invitation to participate in a cash mob at some of our local small businesses.  The merchants had specials, some had treats, and we had fun while supporting our own retailers.

7. When was the last time you locked yourself out of your house, car, or office? Was it a big deal?

I am always locking myself out of something, so now I am prepared and it's no big deal.  I have an extra set of car keys in one of those magnetic cases that attach to the car frame.  I have an extra set of house keys in the workshop, and with my kids.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
I am going to do some fall decorating this weekend.  I have some cute things to put out that will remind me of the changing of the seasons.  In Phoenix there are really only two seasons, hot and warm.  Now is the perfect time to renew the plantings in my outdoor containers, and maybe set out a few annuals--but not in the backyard.  Puppy still is in the digging and chewing stage.

Basil is Better

Today I brought Basil home from the doggie hospital.  Boy was she glad to get out of there.  For the next 4 days I have to feed her every three hours during the day with a homemade chicken and brown rice soup, which she loves!  She tires quickly, but is over the hump with the virus.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words.

Meet me on Monday

1. Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
The obvious choice is the Bible, other than that years ago I read "Nothing but a Cry" written by a child psychologist,  the story of an abuse girl brought to an orphanage  in NYC and the doctor's work to break through to her.  It motivated me to try and do my part for neglected and abused children.

2. What was your favorite game to play as a child?
Dress up with my dolls.

3. What person in history would you most like to meet?
Madame Curie--one of the worlds leading scientists.   The importance of Mme. Curie's work is reflected in the numerous awards bestowed on her. She received many honorary science, medicine and law degrees and honorary memberships of learned societies throughout the world. Together with her husband, she was awarded half of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903, for their study into the spontaneous radiation discovered by Becquerel, who was awarded the other half of the Prize. In 1911 she received a second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, in recognition of her work in radioactivity. She also received, jointly with her husband, the Davy Medal of the Royal Society in 1903 and, in 1921, President Harding of the United States, on behalf of the women of America, presented her with one gram of radium in recognition of her service to science. 

4. Tell us two truths and a lie about yourself...

I love to read.  I love to go to the movies.  I love Chinese food.  One is a lie, but I won't say which one.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

5.  What was your first pet?

Mine was a dog named Chum that I had when I was a toddler.  My grandson's first pet was a tarantula.

Sunday Meditation--Plans

If your plans don't work out, don't worry.  God has better ones!

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)

Basil is sick

This is my sweet little puppy, Basil, at one month old.  She is now 7 months old, and today she was not feeling well, so I took her to the vet and she has Parvo.  So now she is in the doggie hospital.  She had not finished her vaccinations so she was susceptible.  Because I caught it in the beginning stages, she has a 90% chance of recovery.  I should know by Monday how she is doing.  But as any pet owner can testify, it sure makes you sad when they are so sick.

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week

Sunrise on my way to gym

Granddaughter in hip hip dance class

Granddaughter showing her hippy hop move

Sunset on way home from dance class

Each week, Hilary at Feeling Beachie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! 

1. I like to _read_ when I am _restless__
2. _Carrots__ are my favorite vegetable
3. I get _frustrated_ when I _can't figure out a computer problem_. Good thing that I have a daughter who is a techie
4. I’m surprised by __letters in the mail_ and _actual telephone calls instead of IMs or texts_.

Pondering with a Purpose--New

This Week's prompt is: New Even though I love vintage items, favor historical novels, and enjoy remembering things from "the olden days"  (that would be when I was young), I love new things. I am always amazed at new inventions, new ways of doing things and can hardly wait to try new projects or techniques.
I just recently learned how to make penny rugs.  Of course I "googled" it, and then made one.  Now they really aren't rugs, this one has penny sized felt pieces appliqued onto larger circles then onto a felt background, it would make a nice wall hanging.  And I combined an old technique with a modern pattern that I developed.  It was fun to learn a new technique.

Penny Rug

I am a firm believer that when you stop learning you start growing old--your mind begins to dull, and your light dims.  It is that creative spirit that keeps your mind young.
Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. 

 ~Vernon Howard

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? The NFL is back in action along with all the college teams. Are you a fan? Who do you root for? If you're not a fan what do you do while the rest of America watches Saturday, Sunday, Monday night, and now Thursday night games? 

I HATE football! I know that I am in the minority, but that's just the way it is.  I have a passing knowledge of what is going on, cause it seems to be the best way to engage family and friends in conversation.  But to sit for hours and watch guys beat-up on each other and have the plays in a continuous loop, drives me crazy.  Since I live by myself, I can always turn on the radio, work on an art project or read a book on my kindle, with the assurance that I can watch the 10:00 news and in 5 minutes catch all the highlights so I can have a vague idea of the days action.

2. What's something I'll always find in your closet?
Way too many clothes!  I keep trying to get rid of stuff that I don't wear, but I think that they reproduce when the doors are closed, just like the dust bunnies under my bed.

3. Share one of your earliest memories.
My earliest accurate memories are from about 6 years old.  I have glimpses of things that happened earlier, but nothing clear.  I remember when the winter when I was 6 years old, by daddy waiting at the bus stop for me, and then putting his belt around my waist and leading me up the mountain the mile to our house.  The snow was a couple of feet deep, but I knew that I was safe.

                                                          
4. What circus act best describes your week so far?
Tightrope walk--trying to get grandson settled in his apartment, telling him no for requests for extra money, encouraging my Prescott daughter with her new family of six kids (3 steps, 3 guardians ship), getting up at 5:30 to go to the gym, but being back in time to get things done at home before it gets too hot.  All the while trying to keep my spiritual balance, so I don't have to cry, "Help, I've fallen and can't get up.

5. What's a food you disliked as a child but you love now?
There isn't a food that I have ever met that I didn't love.  Probably why I was a fat kid, who has had to battle weight problems all my life.

6. Describe your summer in three words.
Long, hot, busy,  or  Had good vacation  or  Glad it's over.

7. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Will you do anything special to mark the day this year?

I was on my way to work when I heard the first reports on the car radio.  As soon as I got to the office, I turned the TV on and watch with unbelief the unfolding story.  What a tragic day for so many families, what a terrible day for America. Today I pray for America that we remember the cost of that day, the need for compassion and unity.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I found some really cute stickers at JoAnne's and can't wait to begin on a new multi-media art project.  It will have flowers and birds, and I think clay bas relief designs of leaves and ferns