GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

  If you have been following my blog for years, you may remember my dear friend, Elizabeth ~ The Bird Lady".  Since our third Dove family just added two new babies to the nest, Elizabeth has been on my mind a lot.  She would have love these stories of the Dove Families that have graced our window ledge. If you are new to my blog, I will give you a brief story of my relationship with Elizabeth. When we lived in Sunland, she lived at the end of our street in a small cottage, surrounded by plants, trees and vines. (And a wire fince with a lock on the gate).   When I would walk our dog, Molly I would sometime see her feeding pigeons at her gate.  Lots and lots of pigeons.  They knew where to go for food, thus my nickname for her "The Bird Lady".  Over a period of time I began to visit with her over the fence.  She lived alone, but had two sons that checked on her regullarly. Our "fence" visits became longer and longer as we share things about our...

  Sixty Years!  Who would have thought we would still be around and still in love!  Our marriage was bound with three cords, Don's love for me, my love for him, and God's love for both of us. We've experienced all the things we said in our vows so many years ago.  Rich times, and poor times, good times and bad, sickness and health and God's grace has been the cord that has bound us together. If I were to give any advice after 60 years of marriage, I would say there is ONE word that will cover a multitude of sins, wrongs and missunderstandings....FORGIVENESS! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY DEAREST....WE FINALLY GET TO USE THE "RED LOBSTER" GIFT CARD WE GOT TWO YEARS AGO!  IT'S OPEN FOR DINING INSIDE!!! YEAH!!

  Joshua 24:31  "Israel served the Lord thoughout the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done or Israel." Eternal God, may I leave a legacy of godliness that will inspire those round me and those who follow after I am gone to serve You with a tender and obedient heart.  Lord we pray for Father's today that they will follow Joshua example of trusting and following God for their children to see and follow.  Bless all those father's today that call YOU Father!  Guild and direct them every step of the way.  Pour out Your peace and comfort.  Amen. 

  Eight years ago, today, our granddaugher Monique and Eddie were married in a lovely wedding at a golf course.  My dearest had the honor of being the Pastor that preformed the ceremony. Doesn't he look wonderful.  God has been so gracious to us and this was such a special day!   Congratulations Monique and Eddie....8 years is a milestone and we pray you will grow old together like me and Grandpa.

  Remember that craving I had for stuffed bell peppers, well my last craving was for a Monte Cristo Sandwich.  My daughters, Michel and Julie answered the call and we had a nice visit at the Sunday Old Town Bistro in Monrovia.  No I'm not pregnant...just have "cravings"  HaHa  I had to bring half of it home...two meals in one!! Can't have a Monte Cristo Sandwich without a large vanilla Latte! I'm so spoiled....Thank you girls!  Love you both!!!

  THE GOOD SHEPHERD John 10:11  "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." How tenderly you care for me, Jesus, my Shepherd!  When I hear Your reassuring voice I know that I am secure.  When I wander far away You search for me.  And when You find me, You hoist me upon Your strong shoulders; rejoicing that I have been found.  You are the gate that lead to the fold of salvation.  You are the fold in which I find safety.  When I am in danger, You lay down your own life for me.  You give me the gift of life, life to the full.  Oh to know You, gracious Shepherd and to be known by You ~~this is true life!  I love You.  Amen googleimages.com

  I just had a craving for stuffed bell peppers the other day!  It's been a while since I made them.  I used ground turkey for the filling and added dry onion soup mix, ketchup, egg and bread crumbs.  The topping is our favorite.  Ketchup, mustard, brown sugar. I made two and slow cooked them in the crock pot!!  What an easy and delicious dinner!

 BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL Dear Father, It is good to be in the house of the Lord.  I pray for all those who will join together today to rejoice in song, listen to God Word preached, fellowship with other believers.  How good is it to be back in church worshiping our Lord and Savior. I pray for all the Bible preaching Pastors around the world that are sharing the Gospel.  I pray many will hear, repent of their sins, and be cleansed and receive eternal life.  God is so good, so merciful, so loving.  Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name.  I love You.  Amen.

  Click to enlarge Well it happened!  Dove family #3 just rebuilt the nest and you can see Daddy Dove to the left, and Momma Dove has her head behind the curtain.   I watched them build the nest a lot bigger.  Daddy would bring the pine needles and twigs and Momma would work them in and then sit on it to press down a nice bed for the future eggs. I'm loving being able to watch nature from such a close vantage point.  I see God's Glory as I see His magnificent doves doing just what He created them to do. The saga continues. . . . .

  I loved the Mother's Day card I got from my great grandsons.  I've been called the "Cookie Lady" for years and I've never seen a card that fit the role so perfectly. "What would Grandma do?"   A hug and a cookie!!  That's what Grandma's do.  Especially this Cookie Grandma. These great grandsons are teenagers now, and they continue to show me their love in so many ways.  This card was one of them!! 

  The pool at the Villa has been closed for over a year and a half due to Covid.  Today they opened it up, and I was the first one in the pool.  I like to go in the heat of the day, while others prefer later in the afternoon or evening. I was wondering if I remembered how to swim...haha.  Like riding a bike, I did!  I swam a few laps and then sunned for a little while, and then back in to swim a few more. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt.  This will be my daily routine for the rest of the summer!  I guess sometimes missing something for a long time makes getting to do it again is even sweeter. The water was delicious, cold at first, and then that refreshing feeling all over!! Good things come to those who wait!!