Sunday Meditation--Pledge

With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?


Psalm 33:12  The Lord blesses each nation that worships only him.  (CEV)       

The Reunion

The Reunion by Dan Walsh is a poignant story of a Vietnam veteran.

From the Back Cover

"Everything lost can be found.
Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss. He's lost love. Dignity. Second, and even third, chances. Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.

But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.

With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light. Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love."

This book begs the thought that we are surrounded by people who have outstanding stories, people that we take for granted, people who just blend into the background.  It made we want to really notice others and look at them in a different light.

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week

Sunset

Super Moon

Each week, Hilary listi 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 Hilary@feelingbeachie.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s statements:
1. If you _hand_ me a _paintbrush_ I will _paint a landscape for you__
2. Sometimes I am very _quiet___
3. _Hardly anything  makes me nervous
4. I would love to see _all the National Parks____ because_I love to travel and love the wonders of nature_

Pondering with a Purpose--Swing

Today's prompt is: Swing

Several years ago my daughter helped me build this swing in my backyard.  I love to come out and sit and meditate here

Before that we had a tire swing.  The kids loved playing on it.


In my younger days I used to swing dance.  Not so much anymore.

Well, it's time to go and babysit, so I guess that I will swing out of here.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Summertime is a season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months?

Not this year.  I try and visit family every other year, so maybe next year I will be able to connect with all my brothers and sister, and my Oregon daughter.

2. June is National Iced Tea Month...are you an iced tea drinker? If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc)? 

I love iced tea, slightly sweetened with lemon.  

3. When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the 'event' actually nerve-worthy?

I sometimes get nervous before doctor's appointments.  I great doctors, but just never am sure what they are going to tell me.  Ninety percent of the time it was needless worry.

4. The bristle toothbrush was invented in China on June 26, 1498...not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist?  Do you see your dentist twice a year?

I would rate going to the dentist about a 15.  I have good teeth now, brush and floss regularly and haven't been in over five years.

5. What's making news in your town this week?

Besides the disgusting Jodi Arias trial how about this news--GOLD CANYON, AZ (CBS5) -

A Gold Canyon woman called 911 and told the dispatcher there was brawl on her back patio between a gopher snake and a ground squirrel."Typically the ground squirrel is food for a snake so it was kind of interesting to see the tables turned a little bit," said Philip.

Firefighters had to step in and break up the brawl. The snake had a few nicks when it was released back into the desert but firefighters told me it looked like it would be just fine.

6. Curtains, drapes, blinds...your window treatment of choice? Are there any bare windows in your house? Is that by choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

I have wooden shutters on all of my windows except two of the bedrooms.  On those I have drapes.  My french door has built in blinds between the glass panes.

7. Summertime is officially here (in the Northern hemisphere anyway)...what one song is a must-have on your summer playlist?

You are no fun! Only one--first comes to mind Don Henley's Boys of Summer

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

Last week my daughter's home was in danger due to the Doce forest fire near Prescott.  They were under evacuation standby all week.  The order was finally lifted Sunday.  The fire came within a few miles of their home.  This is the plane that flew over their neighbors house taken by his contractor it is amazing!!!

Super Moon

We have a beautiful sight in our night sky for a couple of evenings.  It is called a super moon.  June 2013 presents the moon’s closest encounter with Earth until August 10, 2014, at which time the moon will be a scant 5 kilometers closer to Earth. Moonlight holds a special place in my thoughts--some happy, others sad.  Awhile back I wrote a poem about one of the effects that moonlight had on me.

Moonlight

Pale golden globe
Faintly lighting the night sky
Casting its cool beams
On the tears that I cry

Its light only a reflection
Of a source now unseen
Like my tears an expression
Of a love that might have been

Had not time and things
That happened in the past
Led down a different road
Now only the memories last

The shadows in the dark
Hide the shape of what is real 
Passion fades and like the moon
Only the reflection of love I feel.

©Marti Murphy

Monday Quiz about Me

           

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like: 

1. June 26th is Forgiveness Day - will you be participating? Forgiving someone else or asking for forgiveness?

I daily have to ask for forgiveness to my Creator for the ways that I have fallen short.  I do try to forgive others, so I'm sure that I have will participate.

2. Do you play card games? Which ones are your favorite?
Mostly I play Solitaire.

3. What is your favorite flavor of Birthday Cake?
I love a yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

4. Do you like amusement park rides? What is your favorite? If not, why not?

Since I live on the edge a lot of the time, I love the rides.  I love a big roller coaster, for the thrill and excitement.  State fair time, I am just like one of my grandkids, wanting to go on every ride.

5.  What are you scared of?

I am scared of heights.  But I challenge myself to do things that involve heights--like roller coaster rides, climbing to the top of a lighthouse or fire look-out.  The worst challenge--climbing the Lewis and Clark Column in Astoria, Oregon.  The 125-foot (38 m)-tall column has a 164-step spiral staircase ascending to an observation deck at the top.  But my mom wanted pictures from the top and so that's what I did.

Sunday Meditation Clouds

PSALM 68:4-5

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before--him his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Florian's Gate

This historical fiction story begins when Jeffrey Sinclair takes a job at a London antique shop, where he learns the business and tries to figure out the mysterious nature of his boss, Alexander Kantor. 

Jeffrey's position takes him to Europe, where he not only seeks valuable antiques, but learns the hardships their owners endure as they adjust to freedom after the fall of the iron curtain. He discovers part of the mystery surrounding Alexander stems from his painful memories of communist occupation in Poland. This trip also forces him to examine his life and his values.

The author skillfully weaves his story with vivid characters and leads his readers through their emotional and spiritual journeys. Relationships and circumstances grow naturally against a backdrop of historical fact.

From his description of the bidding at the auction chamber to the gut wrenching memories of Auschwitz relived through the eyes of his characters, T. Davis Bunn provides a deep reading experience. This was an intense, thought-provoking novel and those who enjoy excellent character development and intriguing plot developments will rate this novel five stars.

The glimpse of life in Poland throughout its tumultuous history provides a picture of the suffering of a nation, and the resiliency of its people.

Friday Favorite Things

These are some of the highlights of my week

My entry in the Summer Card Camp Challenge #2.  This time we had to make a card based on a shape sketch.  My Art Blog --Expressions De mon Espirt-- has the details.

Yummy dinner at Sizzler with my Grandson

The Doce fire is raging northwest of Prescott.  My daughter lives just about 5 miles from here and is on standby evacuation.  Prayers appreciated.

Each week, Hilary listi 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 Hilary@feelingbeachie.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!

This week’s statements:
1. How is it __that I always run out of money a few days before payday__?
2. When I _cook__ I _wash dishes and clean up as I go___
3. I am not sure what I like best _the mountains___ or _the coast_ because _I find peace when at either place__
4. I am happiest when I’m _finished with chores and can work on my art___

Pondering with a Purpose--Slip

Today's prompt is: Slip

Yesterday my puppy got a hold of a lotion bottle and before I knew it she had squeezed a puddle on my hardwood floors.  In my hurry to get it from her, I stepped in the mess and no need to guess what I did--slip.  Luckily I didn't fall.

I hate to wear a slip.  I remember when I was younger and no one would wear a skirt without one.  Most of my skirts have a lining so there is no need for a slip.

I babysat my grandchildren last week.  My grandson is a husky boy--a natural football player, but my granddaughter is just a slip of a girl.  No wonder she is so good at acrobatic dance.

I was reviewing my grocery slip before I left the store yesterday and saw that they had overcharged me for my carrots.  I also noticed that when I started the car that there was a slip in one of the belts, made a squealing noise.

My sister has a nice boat, but she doesn't have a slip for it, instead she trailors it to the dock.

It's hot today, so I am going to slip into something cool and drink plenty of ice tea.

Before I have a slip of the tongue, I am going to get my knitting and try to find the place where I slipped a stitch.  I am making a ribbon scarf.

Thanks Brenda for letting me slip on over to your blog for this fun word challenge.

Fabric of our Lives

"I was just a little girl dreaming bigger pictures come alive
Never knew that I would see so many faces in the crowd
It's like a good buzz, going all around
It's like I'm flying with my feet on the ground

Oh, the touch, the feel
The fabric of our lives
The touch, the feel of cotton
The fabric of my life"  Miranda Lambert




I love this old heirloom quilt made by my grandma.  So many of the pieces bring back memories of her dresses, my mom's clothes, and even some of my dresses when I was a little girl.

Every little piece of fabric was used and then reused.  This flower garden pattern weaves a picture of our family--all separate and individual--but together they form the story of our lives.

This quilt shows wear, but it was made to be used and enjoyed.  So with my life, even though I am slightly worn, I still enjoy that life that I have and marvel looking back over the picture that is emerging.