Thankful

Surfer Girl's camera captured trees that have seen
a lot of calm and storms over the years

In re-reading my post from yesterday, Simple Woman's Daybook, I saw I had neglected to include a link to the site that began SWDBK, so it has been added at the bottom of that post.  If you have the time and desire, please go check it out to see a wide variety of posts from women all over the world.

In keeping with the goal of Simple Woman's Daybook, I am thinking today of how vital it is for women (everybody, really) to take some time every single day to assess where they are, where they want to go, how they intend to get there, and then to determine if any course corrections need to be made.

Are we giving sincere thought to what we are about, or are we madly blundering through our days, checking off the boxes as tasks are accomplished?  That old phrase encouraging us to "smell the roses" is applicable here.  

Are we taking the time to sit quietly and thank God for where He has placed us?  Even for those who are not in a good place right now (physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, politically), it could be worse.  As Charles Dickens said, "There is always something for which to be thankful." (emphasis mine)

Always. A little trick, I guess you could call it, that I play with myself when I'm in the doldrums about something is to remember a time when I was truly uncomfortable or at my wits end.  For me, I think about the first time I was in labor with a baby.  In spite of the training I had received prior to that day, I was decidedly not prepared for the feelings of hard contractions.  Thankfully that episode in my life resulted in a perfectly healthy son, who along with his two siblings, has grown up to be a very fine person.  But ever since my child-bearing years came to an end, when I try to think of a time when I was really up against a no-escape, tough-to-bear circumstance, I have reminded myself that at least I'm not in labor!  

We all need to be thankful.  I am not being trite when I say that.  Even when things don't line up with our preferences, we need to accept what God has allowed into our lives with the understanding that ultimately it is HE who has allowed it.  We say we trust Him, but if we really do, then it follows that we  believe He is permitting all that comes our way for a purpose.  Most of the time that purpose is something we probably don't understand but ultimately it is for His glory and our good.  We won't know until we arrive in Glory how many harms our Heavenly Father spared us while we were complaining.

In the meantime, we (and I am writing to myself here) need to not make the people around us feel bad or responsible for our unhappiness.  Happiness is a choice.  It really is.  Attitude is everything.

When we persist with a harsh critical spirit, complaining about the small stuff, and choosing to be grumpy, people will not want to be with us.  As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us to avoid the angry person. (see Proverbs 22:24)  When people are angry, they need to be left alone with God to get their troubles straightened out.

Today as I plan to visit one of two friends in the hospital who had surgery yesterday, I am thankful for simple things in my life.  My arms and legs are working pretty well this morning, I had a good breakfast with a mighty sweet man, and I'm not in a hospital bed connected to all manner of tubes and needles.  Yes, my circumstances are very good!

In the blink of an eye our serenity can be destroyed, so let's be thankful and allow ourselves to enjoy the simple blessings we have right now.

Simple Woman's Daybook May 28

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the sun is setting on what has been an absolutely beautiful day.  It was cool enough that we were comfortable with shoes, socks, jeans, and our hoodie sweatshirts, but the sun was bright and the sky nearly cloudless.

I am thinking...how relaxing it is to listen to Glen Miller's "In the Mood" while typing this blog sentence.

I am thankful...that after a fruitless search at no less than six local merchants  for a rectangular table for our deck, Beloved found exactly what I wanted on-line and ordered it.

We already have a round table in this exact style and it's great because it handles being outside year 'round very well.  However, it seats only 4 and we need something for more people.  Note to hostesses: while round and oval tables are a lovely shape, square and rectangular tables are so much easier to seat more people -- and placemats generally fit better, too! (the round table will be relocated to  the lower deck we affectionately refer to as "LoDo")

In the kitchen...the dishwasher is loaded from supper and waiting for the sprinklers outside to complete their demand of water.  Beloved did his usual wonderful  job of grilling beef tenderloin for us while I baked a potato and assembled salad greens with orange segments and a fat-free Italian dressing.

I am wearing...blue jeans from Kohl's, a blue plaid camp shirt from Penneys, and black I Love Comfort  tie shoes from Sears.

I am creating...a red work embroidery piece intended for a small decorative pillow to place on a shelf in the guest room.

I am going...to spend some time at the hospital tomorrow sitting with a friend whose husband will be in surgery.

I am reading...(still) Paul by Walter Wangerin, Jr.  I also do a lot of Internet research on a large variety of topics, which takes away from time spent reading a book!

I am hoping...we have good weather in a couple of weeks  when little boy and his little dog come to visit.  We've got some good outdoor plans.

I am looking forward to...playing with little boy and cuddling with his little dog!

I am learning... more tips every week on how to write short stories via a couple of instructional blogs I follow.

Around the house... Beloved is sitting in his recliner near me checking his email, and reading the blogs he follows.  Occasionally  he sings with me and really hams it up when a fun song plays on  iTunes.  On evenings like this we like show tunes, Disney, Big Band era, Patti Page, a few oldies from the sixties....

I am pondering...what to cook  when little boy and his little dog come to visit.

A favorite quote for today... "Oh Bert, you ARE lightheaded!"  (Mary Poppins in the Mary Poppins movie)

One of my favorite things...evenings when the television sits ignored in the corner of the family room.  This happens  frequently due to the viewing  garbage that is prevalent.

A few plans for the rest of the week: some hospital visits, sewing, fighting with this short haircut that can't grow longer any too fast to satisfy me. (sigh)

A peek into my day...with this being Memorial Day and we did all the patriotic things yesterday, Beloved suggested we drive to a nearby town in the foothills for lunch and check out the shops.  (a man after my own heart!!!)  We ate croissant club sandwiches at an open air cafe, stepped into a couple of gift places and then strolled along the creek that runs through town.  Here are some pictures:

Me

Beloved

a waterfall off a small stone building

flowers that flourish in the cool mountain air

What is Simple Woman's Daybook? 

Would you like to linger on the simple things.... then join me and many others in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity ... beauty of the everyday moments.  To see the blogs of more women who have this desire, click on this link:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Celebrating Memorial Day

This is our second Memorial Day weekend at the church we joined a little over a year ago.  They really know how to make a patriotic service meaningful.  Red, white, and blue banners were hung from the ledge of the baptistry behind the choir, as well as long flags suspended high above the congregation.  

Our choir and orchestra wore flag colors.  A color guard provided by the Civil Air Patrol brought in the American and Christian flags.  Congregational music included "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  

The children's choir delighted us with "Thank You, Soldiers," which had words to the effect of appreciation for the armed forces' watch care over us as we sleep in peace. It was very touching.

There was a salute to the armed forces with the flag of each military branch brought in one at a time to the tune of that branch's song.  Those who are or have previously served were asked to stand as their flag was presented.  

We are partial to the United States Air Force in my immediate family and the Navy, too, in our extended family because we have commissioned officers in both.  If you want to be reminded of the fight songs for these military branches, click on the YouTube links I have here:

The Air Force Song 

The Navy Song

The church orchestra presented  "Celebration of American Spirituals" which included "Deep River," "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot."

"Bugler's Holiday" was performed by 3 of our men with trumpets.  Here is a YouTube link to the Canadian Brass playing "Bugler's Holiday."

As if the patriotic worship service was not enough to make this a wonderful day, we then filed through the church gymnasium in a very orderly fashion to pick up our hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, chips, cookies, and bottled water.  We followed those in front of us out another door to the  grass in front of the church building where there was one "big top" tent and several other smaller ones, as well as large umbrellas protruding from picnic tables.  

 ... and more music!!!!  A live swing band played forties-era music (think Glen Miller) sat behind Lawrence Welk-style podiums under their own sun protection.  The only thing missing was cameramen filming for a Disney family movie!

The people sat in friendly clumps all over the yard, eating, talking, laughing, and were even good-natured enough to let a phantom blogger snap their picture with her iPhone camera!

The young-at-heart (or more accurately, the young of body) stood in lines to get their turn jumping off their excess energy in the two colorful bounce houses.

Yes, Christians know how to recognize our military heroes, have a lot of fun, and be honoring to the Lord -- all at the same time!!

Scripture for Memorial Day Weekend

Roses from the yard of Girlfriend-Next-Door

Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.  

John 15:13

Intentional Gratitude

Fresh Produce at Walmart

After reading an inspiring article regarding Memorial Day Weekend and the sacrifices of our military, I decided it would be a good thing for me to express my gratitude to a war veteran today.

In years past I have said these kinds of words to my Beloved and another uniformed person dear to my heart; so this was a bit of a stretching experience for me, to look for someone I really don't know and engage them in conversation about their military experiences.  

The first person who came to mind was a white-haired gentleman who sits perched on a tall wood stool and greets me nearly every time I shop at Walmart.  He looks to be from my father's generation, so I figured the chances that he fought in World War II or possibly the Korean War might be high.

We have not spoken to each other much in the past except  to say "Good morning", and "Sir, I need someone to cut fabric for me in the yard goods department."  Perhaps he recognized me as a regular, or maybe not.

Anyway, as I approached him with my cart this morning, I stopped and said, "I see you here all the time.  May I ask you a question?"  I'm sure he thought I would ask for directions to some merchandise. He nodded his head for me to go on.

"I was wondering if you served in any of the wars?  On this Memorial Day Weekend, I am curious about that."

A brief expression of surprise glanced over his face, but the he promptly replied that when he entered the military after World War II, he was a part of the Cold War.  His military service began with a relocation to Georgia, where he picked up a southern drawl.

We smiled at that and then he went on to tell me that his age at that time was twenty-two years and he didn't know much. But within a very short time the military  entrusted him with a surprising amount of intelligence that forced him to grow up  fast (his words).  The world changed for him with this information and boyish ways were left behind.

He went on to say that he was a trained paratrooper and that the joke was whenever he got on an Air Force plane, they pushed him out the door halfway through the flight!

This man went on to share how he had asked an even older gent about his experiences in World War I. My friend's face turned a little red and his eyes watered as he told how that man had been a part of the fighting in the Argonne Forest in Europe, truly risking his life for the freedom of others.  

May we repent of our neglect to take time to thank God, and those still living, for the sacrifices that have been made for us.  Memorial Day clothing sales, grilled steaks on the deck, and pleasurable vacations distance us more every year from the reason this holiday was begun in the first place.  

On this weekend, I want to remember to be grateful -- for those who have sacrificed so I can live in freedom, and grateful for all the hundreds of blessings I enjoy every single day by the mercies of God.

We live in the land of the free because of the brave.

We are at Grammys Place Today

You need to know what these ladies are up to, so please click here to find out!  Truth greatly embellished once again tells a fun little story at my fictitious bed and breakfast located in the mountain town of Whistlestop.

Psalm 1

Ralston Creek, Colorado

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.