Where ever you may be in this big, beautiful world, Good Sunday Morning to you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7Kh88CrL4
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Category: Other Posts
Mood Music
Sometimes you need some music to set the mood. I have a PowerPoint I need to work on this week. Rather than get frustrated with my lack of knowledge where that program is concerned, I thought I would listen to some music to help ease the pain of inexperience. I found this on YouTube, and I’m pretty excited. The man’s name is Tim Janis. I had never heard of him before, which is not saying much. I don’t get out and around like I once did. If a child or a grandchild doesn’t mention it, or it doesn’t fall on my doorstep, I don’t hear about it. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much! I don’t generally watch the news, or listen to it on the radio. I don’t read a paper. Whatever I see or hear comes to me through the internet when I’m checking my e-mail or Facebook. They may not be the absolute best sources, but that’s what I do.
Tim Janis has been around for awhile. You may read about him here on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Janis. In my opinion, he sounds a bit like Enya and John Barry, kind of wrapped up together. Which is wonderful for me, because I’ve always loved their music. Out of Africa was a movie I really enjoyed, and a big part of it was the music from John Barry. (My husband thought it was wonderful music to nap to). Somewhere in Time was the first movie that I saw with his music, and I was enraptured. Our oldest daughter has the middle name of Elise because of that movie!
So no more talk, you can enjoy Tim Janis as well, right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAFRD9hScmI
He has so many tracks you can listen to on YouTube. And they all have gorgeous photography to go along with it. I would love to just sit and watch, but that can’t happen today or I won’t get a thing done! Be sure to ‘like’ and subscribe to his channel. I don’t think you will be disappointed. And if you’re in the area, he will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on December 1, 2017. He must be really good! 😉
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Salad Ingredients…
When I was much, much younger, before I attended Kindergarten, I watched Sesame Street. At that time, it was a new show. It was pretty unique in the way the ‘puppet’ people interacted with the real people. I loved all the little scenes, the singing and getting to know Maria. I found it fascinating to watch her get married, and have a little girl of her own. All the while, the Muppets a part of that world.
So, when my husband and I went out to eat this past Saturday night, this scene from Sesame Street kept running through my head:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C8nl8eBoq0
To watch more classic Sesame Street, please go to this link: http://www.sesamestreet.org
I had ordered a salad. At one time, I always ordered salads when we ate out. Not just because they are healthy, but because I really do love them, and I do not like to make them at home. On Saturday night, I even ordered blue cheese dressing, which I also love, but generally I try to stick with oil and vinegar. So, with great anticipation, I took that first bite of romaine lettuce and a chunk of steak, blue cheese crumbles and dressing mingled enticingly.
And there was a hair in it!
This was not a tiny hair, but a long hair. I had to deposit the entire bite in a napkin. Needless to say, I lost my appetite. The once delicious-looking salad wasn’t so beckoning any longer.
Yes, I did eat the salad. Very cautiously, examining each bite. But the enjoyment was gone.
No, I did not complain to the waitress. I probably should have. But we were the only patrons, and our waitress was very nice, checking on us regularly and giving us big smiles. One of the times she asked how everything was tasting, was right after I had emptied my mouthful into my napkin. I could not think of a way to smile back and graciously say, “There was a long hair in my salad, I almost gagged, and now I want to leave.” After all, it wasn’t her hair. (I know this because she had beautiful blonde hair in a ponytail, almost to the middle of her back. The hair was shorter, and brown. Rather like the hair on the cook we saw behind the counter.)
And while this was going on, I thought of the Sesame Street skit about the fly in the soup. I do not know why this came to mind from under the pile of other memories, many years of memories, but it did.
I still love salads, and I will order them again. But I probably won’t go to that particular restaurant for some time. It has always been clean, the staff very friendly, so I will just chalk it up to a bad experience and go on. I don’t think you always have to set a situation right. Sometimes you just walk away.
Maybe I will be making my own salads again for awhile. Or just have a large plate of something like this. All the right, delicious ingredients for a salad. Doesn’t it look yummy, summery, and fresh?
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You Aren’t What You Think!
I’m wondering when your mind and thinking processes catch up to your body. In my head, I think I can still work as I did when I was 18 years old. My brain wants to rationalize as if I was still in my early twenties. “Bungee jump…sure! Why not? Work in the yard for 8-10 hours, take a shower, then go out and have fun until midnight…I can handle that!”
Even up until about 3-5 years ago, I could still handle the working in the yard for 8-10 hours, and even longer. I was a bit sore, but after lying down in a cold room for the night, I was ready to hit it again the next day. Now, 3-4 hours in the same yard, and I’m done-in. And our yard is looking like it!
When we moved here 10 years ago, I wanted a sanctuary. Someplace for me to go and sit among the shrubbery and flowers. A quiet spot to do nothing in, just relax. Well, I definitely have the shrubbery now. It’s still not very quiet. The neighbor’s grandchildren have progressed from the riding bikes through my flowers and screaming, to the teenage years of blaring radios and loud mufflers. Walking into the yard right now sends shivers down my spine as my eyes find every corner of the yard that needs attention.
Yesterday, our youngest and I tackled the ‘monster hedge’. This is what it looked like last March after a good trimming with the chainsaw.
Now it’s a jungle out there! This is the hedge in the front yard. I have two in the backyard surrounding the garden. I love it for the windbreak and the privacy it gives. But each year, our son-in-law comes over and chops it down with a chainsaw to a more manageable height. And then it grows again! If we lived in the middle of nowhere, it would be wonderful. It grows quickly and it’s hardy. But in a neighborhood with power lines, it’s just too much. Our daughter and I only tackled the sides of the monster hedge, cutting off the branches that attacked our vehicles each time we drove into the driveway. The tops will need the chainsaw once again. The hedge in the front now looks like this picture from last summer, only the hedge is about 6 feet taller:
Yes, I think my yard is out of control. I think it’s time for an apartment with a couple tomato plants in containers on my tiny deck. And that is not the thinking of 18-year-old me! My younger self was not constrained with health problems or thoughts of restrictions on what I could do. I could do it all! And our poor children were my little helpers as I did. They could all tell you stories of their tortuous lives as they helped me with my projects.
Our son was the privileged crew member on this little stone terrace. It looks so neat and tidy here!
I hope at some point that our children don’t recall just the bad moments of hard work. The sweating hours in the heat and sun. Caring for the younger children in the house, and making meals while I painted outside or worked in the garden. My prayer is that they learned the value of a hard day’s work. The sense of accomplishment from completing a project and having it look fantastic. The knowledge that you can do much with a little elbow grease and the willingness to try something new. Those will last you a lifetime.
Yes, my mind is getting there. After only a couple hours yesterday, I’m done-in today. But you can get down the driveway, and hopefully our youngest is learning something along the way. I’m not as motivated as I once was, something our oldest four children remind me of every now and then. So I guess my 18 year-old brain is beginning to catch up as well! Have a beautiful summer day!
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Patriotism in America, Part Two
Happy 4th of July! I’m happy to see you back.
I don’t normally write a two-part post. I don’t usually post about anything too controversial. Discussing politics and getting fired up is not the purpose of this site. I want all to feel welcome here. But I also have a belief system, and at certain times, it is appropriate for me to state that.
Yes, I do believe you can have patriotism for your country and disagree with the principles it was founded on. But why would you want to? Personally, if I’m going to fight for something and be willing to die for it, I want to believe in it and support it. It’s very difficult to give your life for something you hate.
And here is where we come to the fork in the road. Those that believe that this country was founded on Biblical principles, and those that do not.
I have just finished reading the Declaration of Independence, and it would be a great activity for any American to do, especially on the 4th of July. The people that do not believe in the Biblical principles this country was built on, will of course try to change the history. And because we have freedom in American, those people can put up a fuss.
WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World. (I have copied this from the link below, so I did not edit or correct.)
Here is a link if you would like to read the entire Declaration of Independence: https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/read-the-declaration/
I believe that our founding fathers, for the most part wanted the best for our new nation. They wanted to be free, they wanted to be happy and they wanted the same for their family and friends. I believe they understood that they were created by God, and that they followed the Bible. Yes, there were some different views taken on it, just as there is today. Just as there always will be until we are face-to-face with our Creator and we understand. We are human, and we fail. But I believe the founding fathers set this country up under God’s direction and guidance. I think that for many, many years, this was a priority in most people’s lives. And even if they didn’t accept Christ as their Savior, they knew He was there and they had respect for Him.
Unfortunately, this is no longer the case in America today. People do what is right in their own eyes, and don’t care too much about what the Bible says about anything. And if they believe God is there, and the Bible is true, they certainly don’t use it as a guidebook for their lives. They would rather float along doing what they think is best. And that is why America is in trouble. Again, we are human, many times lacking wisdom, and to just float along with no guidance causes lots of trouble. Observe any child that is allowed to do whatever they think is best for them. It is not a good situation. God knew that, and gave children parents to instruct them, and guide them, to give them principles to live on for the rest of their lives.
If you have ever read the Bible, and the Old Testament in particular, you know what has happened to nations that turned their backs on God, and decided to do what was right in their own eyes. There are cycles repeated over and over of a king coming in that applied God’s principles, and that nation being blessed. Then a corrupt king would come in, bringing idols and doing what he thought was best rather than following God. That nation fell. Historically, much of this can be documented in areas other than the Bible. In the New Testament, Paul warned the people over and over through his letters to keep seeking God and His guidance.
Is America seeking God and His guidance? Are you pursuing that in your own life? I admit, I get caught up in my own life, and start doing things my own way. And then the trouble begins.
Patriotism in The United States of America should be vigorously supported by Americans because we believe in our Nation, and what we were founded on. We should be willing to give our lives for that. And if you don’t believe that, at the very least, you should have respect for those that do.
Patriotism is at an all-time low. And that is not from statistics that I’ve looked up. That is my personal observance. From children that do not know how to recite The Pledge of Allegiance, to people that do not know what to do when the flag of our country is before them. Americans that think Memorial Day and Independence Day are just great summer holidays. I’m not saying you can’t celebrate, and I wholeheartedly think you should. Go to a parade, have a picnic, take your boat out, and then watch the fireworks.
But always remember, and teach your children why those days are set aside. Hang your flag proudly, thank those that are serving or have served in our armed forces. Respect your leaders. You don’t have to like them, you don’t have to agree, but you should respect them and their position.
And remember those that have died for us, so we can celebrate today. And always remember Who started it all! Have a fantastic 4th of July, in whatever way you decide to celebrate it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSOAnjQzgs
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Patriotism in America, Part One
Many of us grew up in the era when The Pledge of Allegiance was still recited in school. By the time our children were in school, it was not a daily occurrence.
I just did a really quick research on the The Pledge of Allegiance, when it was written and who wrote it, and the additions over the years. This post isn’t about that, so I won’t go into details. You may do the same research if you are interested.
This post is about patriotism:
The quality of being patriotic; vigorous support for one’s country.
History changes over the years. It is rather like the old telephone game that we all played. Whisper in the first person’s ear. By the time the message has traveled around the room, it has changed. Sometimes so much that it is unrecognizable to the person that first spoke the words. None of us were alive, 200, 500, 1,000 years ago. We rely on events passed down through the generations, ancient recordings and more recently, pictures. If someone relates something inaccurately, or puts their own spin and emotions into it, the facts are no longer there. And over time, the facts get buried.
In America, we are a young country compared to many. But even so, most people from the WWI, (Jul 28, 1914 – Nov 11, 1918) era are no longer with us, much less the Civil War, ( Apr 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865), or the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), also known as the American War of Independence. We rely on records and writings from these events to form our opinions about what occurred.
I think it is pretty safe to say, that most of the men that fought in these wars were patriotic. They had and showed, vigorous support for their country, The United States of America. It saddens me greatly, to see the people of this nation, not all, but some, forgetting their patriotism. The wonderful thing about America is that you don’t have to be here. But if you are, you should support your country.
It’s not about the president, or your rights. All of us have disagreed with our leaders, all of us have been less than pleased with decisions made for our country at some point. Your actions are what matter, and when our actions trod on our patriotism, they are wrong. And that is what will divide us as a nation.
Men have fought long, gruesome years for our freedoms that we have today. Families have been destroyed. Because of their honor and integrity, their patriotism, we still have The United States of America. Independence Day in America, the 4th of July, is the day set aside to remember and celebrate our independence. And it should be a day of patriotism for those living in this country.
Tomorrow, I will conclude this post. So be sure to check back.
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Swinging From the Trees
The cover picture above was taken last night during another storm here in Kansas. No…not really! I wouldn’t be out at one in the morning snapping pictures. But, I’m fairly certain this is the way the landscape was looking.
If the storms keep up, we will officially be in a tropical rain forest before too long. Then Kansas will look like this:
Which is really pretty and green. But with all that water, comes lots of greenery, which again, I love, but plants can bring little creatures like this:
Or this, (warning, graphic material here!):
I’m sorry, I just don’t like snakes in any form. Even if they are a cheery green color! This pretty bird isn’t too bad:
But he looks a little grumpy. I would be too if I was living in a swamp. When people think of Kansas, they remember tornadoes, and Dorothy wearing red sparkly shoes. I haven’t seen a lot of those shoes around here, because believe me, they’d be in my closet if they were available!
The storms the past few nights have been different than usual. They come if with a loud bang, literally. Lots of lightening follows, and then the sky opens up, dumping buckets of water. They pass us pretty quickly. A couple of times, another storm has come through. When you are waiting to take your shower between cells, this can be rather frustrating. No tornado watches or warnings that I have been aware of, just tons of water. I can enjoy that, since we have a good roof.
All this water is wonderful for the garden, and the lakes that are filling up. Until it’s not so great anymore! My husband has been wanting to purchase a kayak. Before long, he will be able to use it to get to work.
So for now, I’ll treasure the water, and try to breathe through the humidity. I have a scraper to tackle the moss build-up on the side of the house, if this keeps up. Little frogs, even blue ones, are welcome here. A pretty bird or two would be delightful. The grandchildren would love a monkey swinging through the trees. But, ‘NO SNAKES ALLOWED!” signs are posted two inches off the ground.
And soon we will return to the Kansas we know so well:
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The Newest Release!
This book has been a long time in the making compared to my Rubyville series. I had it written in three months, but the editing, cover, etc. took much longer. But today, when I arrived home from my walk, there was the box on my porch! I was so excited to open this shipment of books, and I had to share it with all of you! The book has been available on Amazon for about a week now, but these are actual, real, books I can now hold and take to events. And that’s really exciting for an author. I don’t think that will ever become common-place for me.
This past Saturday, my editor and I attended the Author Fair at the Emporia Public Library. It is always a privilege to be a part of these events, and get to meet other authors. The library staff was wonderful, and whenever water and chocolate is handed out, it’s a great day!
After the library event, we checked out Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore at the recommendation of a couple authors. I’m so happy I did! This adorable bookstore now has all my titles available for purchase. Well, I do need to get this newest release to them! Supporting local authors is huge, and this store is doing a great job of it! Please check out their Facebook page right here: https://www.facebook.com/EllenPlumbs/ and be sure to like their page. Look for me to be announcing more events with this bookstore!
I’m doing a little happy dance, and it’s tingling right through to my fingers, so I need to get to writing on the book that follows When Hope Blooms. Have a great day!
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Changing the Storyline of your own Life
I love the idea of a digital detox! Great read for those of you feeling a bit overwhelmed and needing a break.
Realising I was suffering from burnout I underwent a digital detox for a week. Feeling rejuvenated as a result, I took some time to step back and think about all the things that had led to my suffering from burnout in the first place.
All of the projects I am involved with are long term undertakings that will take time and effort over a number of months if not years to complete. As a perfectionist, I want to tie things up in a neat bow and then walk away. Sometimes that just isn’t possible and that’s a hard lesson to learn for a perfectionist to learn.
Long road by Ozzy Delaney courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons licensed by CC BY 2.0 https://flic.kr/p/q44Tc4 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
If you are an indie author running your business you don’t have a boss telling you it is time to leave the office. You are the boss and…
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Life Is Not Miserable
Flash mobs have always intrigued me. I think they are especially wonderful when they happen in everyday, mundane places like the local shopping mall, an airport or your library. I would love to be at my local library and have a group of people break into song! When the music is from Les Miserables, even better!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu6y1NhECGU
This world is so full of all the bad and the ugly. Our everyday life can be a struggle to just get to work, pay the bills and put food on the table. Little moments when people sing or play the piano, or any musical instrument, need to be appreciated. None of us are so busy that we can’t take a moment to appreciate the talents that God has gifted to people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22o3uXvb8c
These videos are shared from YouTube. I’ve shared them because of my appreciation for people’s creativity and musical abilities. Please be sure to check out their YouTube channels for more great music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwN2r8Lma_8
This Life is Real...and so are the Answers 
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