GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

He was a dirt poor farmer, taking care of his mother and 5 younger siblings.  The times were as hard as the dirt he plowed.  His name was Howard, he was my dad.  About one hundred miles away was a young woman, the daughter of farmer who had many acres and faired very well.  Her name was Floy, she was my mother. We had heard about the "love letters" but had never seen them.  Over the years they were forgotten.  My father passed away at 58, and my mother never remarried, or even dated.  She always said she was a "one man" woman.  When she passed away at 79, my sister and I were going through her things getting ready to sell her mobile home.  Packed away in the bottom of a drawer in a small box were the long forgotten "love letters".  My water color above depicts how we found the letters.  The letters my dad had written to mom, were in pristine condition tied with a blue ribbon.  The le...

It may look like an ordinary church  bulletin.  But this one is very special because Sunday was the first Sunday my dearest has been able to go to church for many many months.   Our daughter, Michel, picked us up and we worshiped together.  In the middle of the sermon, (our pastor walks around while preaching) stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Don and said "Man, you're here.  You look great.  How long has it been?" What a special gesture.  Sure made Don feel special and loved.  Pastor has called us but didn't know we were really trying hard to be there Sunday.  He leaves for Israel in a few days, as he has been leading a teaching tour for 20 years.  So we had hoped to be in church before he left. After church we went to Sizzler for lunch.  Don had the salad bar and he LOVES BEETS, you can see from the pink juice in his plate.  He had more beets than salad I think! Truly a day to celebrate.  Back in church f...

"DIVINE APPOINTMENT"     Don't pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with the Lord, and keep it! Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983)     Dear Lord, some many times I don't feel like praying.  So many things in life seem to crowd it out.  But we are diligent to keep our appointments.  I pray today that I will make a daily appointment with YOU, and give me the heart and diligence to keep my divine appointment.  You are so loving and gracious and wait patiently for me to come and sit at your feet.  I love You. Amen.

Doesn't my dearest look good?  He's very thin, and still working on getting stronger ~ but I see the smile and the sparkle of the man I love.   Our daughter, Michel comes over on Wednesday's nights after work to spend some time with us.  I love fixing dinner for us, and last night we had tostadas.  I found some ground turkey that is taco seasoned and my dearest was able to have a tablespoon on his tostado and stay within the sodium range.  I soaked and cooked the pinto beans (no salt) and the fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lettuce (no salt)  I'm learning and experimenting with recipes that use lots of spices and herbs.      We have a special friend that brings us surprises from her Chinese store.  Their form of "Rice Crispy Squares".   Very interesting.  Not quite the same, but almost like eating air. I'm looking ahead to Spring and saw these adorable kitchen towels at Home Good's and they jumpe...

The first thing I made from the bucket of goodies I received from our friends was an old fashioned apple pie.  With the cupboards bulging with ingredients, it's hard to decide just where to start.  But I had a basket of apples that needed to be used, and why eat them raw and healthy when you can make a pie...my rational~haha. My dearest and I had originally hoped he would feel strong enough to go to church Sunday, but when we woke up this morning, he wasn't up to it, and neither was I.  I guess the last few months had finally caught up with me, and all I wanted to do was stay in my nightgown, light my candles, and drink my coffee.....which I did.  I stayed in my nightgown all day, but put a belt on to make it look more like a dress, and added a little lipstick and earrings!  It was a good decision, because by 4 O'clock my batteries seemed to be recharged and ready to tackle another day. Monday we have an appointment with the pacemaker doctor who will det...

Words of Wisdom from John Baillie ~ The Diary of Private Prayer This little book has been a source of encouragement, inspiration, and conviction in my spiritual journey.  I've been reading it for years upon years and it always speaks to me.  It's written in the old English style and a little harder to read, but oh the joy that comes from meditating on it.  Next to my Bible, this has been a wonderful devotional companion. "Today, O Lord - let me put right before interest: let me put others before self; let me put the things of the spirit before the things of the body, let me put attainment of noble ends above the enjoyment of present pleasures: let me put principle above reputation; let me put Thee before all else.   O Thou the reflection of whose transcendent glory did once appear unbroken  in the face of Jesus Christ, give me today a heart like His -- a brave heart, a true heart, a tender heart, a heart with a grea...

Friendships that stand the test of time are precious.  Dave and Dana were a young couple in the church up North that we spent 27 years in ministry.  We have kept in touch from time to time as they moved to Arizona.  Recently, Dave has had reason so come to California on business and has stopped by to visit with us.   Yesterday, he made a surprise visit and brought me a "VALENTINE SURPRISE". I always send him off with a bag of cookies on his visits, and he and Dana made sure I would have all the ingredients I needed to keep on baking! A large galvanized bucket filled with every item a baker would need.  Large bag of flour and sugar.  Brown sugar, raisins, chocolate chips, soda, baking powder, vanilla, walnuts, oatmeal, Hersey's Cocoa, Crisco, yeast, coconut...I probably forgot something.   I was overwhelmed.  The card that came with it touched our hearts, as they reminded my dearest of the times he had counseled them and that...

In His time, In His time He makes all things beautiful In His time. Lord, please show me every day As You are teaching me Your way, That You do just what You say In YOUR TIME.     Ecclesiastes 3:10-14   Father God, You have set eternity in my heart. Even as I drink deeply from the cup of human happiness poured for me from Your hand, I yearn for a more profound thirst.  You good gifts -- of food and drink, of work and rest --provide temporary delight. Yet they also give me a longing for that which will never pass away.  Through the joys of my life I hunger for an even greater joy; to revere You all of my days and to dwell in Your house forever.  Nothing compares to YOU, everlasting Lord.  Nothing satisfies as YOU along can satisfy.  I love You.  Amen!!

A good read, and a good smelling candle. I'm enjoying both. The book, one of my favorite's  Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency,  And the candle from my friend Linda, she got at  Cracker Barrel.  I especially love the fragrance ~ "Persimmon and Brown Sugar" You know how I feel about Persimmons and the loaves and loaves of Persimmon Bread I have made. Had never seen a candle with that fragrance! Linda knows what I like! Special Friend. Do you have a favorite candle fragrance?

It's been a very long time since I had a "Tea Party".  Yesterday, a dear friend from our Women's Bible Study stopped by for a visit. I was thinking how fun to just have a very small and personal tea party.  I keep my tea things in hat boxes, and was fortunate to find tea cups and little tea pot in the first box I opened.  I have five, haha.  Also found a little sugar and creamer. Debbie brought the lovely bouquet and it was a wonderful time of sipping tea, and sharing our lives.  She was able to fill me in on my friends at Bible Study, since I've had to miss for several months. I think during the month of February, I'll put out a few more of my Tea Things, and who knows maybe there will be another tea party in the future.

  Sweet hour of prayer Sweet hour of prayer That calls me from a world of care And bids me at my Father's throne Make all my wants and wishes known In seasons of distress and grief My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempters snares By thy return, sweet hour of prayer     

It was a beautiful day, and a walk in the Villa.  We have lovely grounds and sidewalks throughout the complex.  Today we enjoyed all the flowers that are popping their heads out.  They must think it's Spring.  This is a new season in our life too.  Things that use to be normal are not, and now we have a new normal, a new day, a new season and by golly, a NEW MONTH.  The month of LOVE.  I plan to treasure every moment of this season. Since my DNA goes 90 mph, I'm learning to slow down....that's a blessing.  It's hard for me, but I think I'm beginning to enjoy the slow walks with my dearest.  I do my power walks by myself.  Win-Win.  Hope you are having a good day.  Enjoy the Super Bowl....