Don't you love Thanksgiving?
My attitude may need some work. Ok, it needs some work!
I am thankful for the same things as most folks. Family, friends, shelter and food. I am thankful that at least for now there is religious freedom in America. I am thankful to have been born in America, land of the free because of the brave. I am thankful that my life is not as bad as it could be!!!
As for my family, I have a lot to be thankful for and that is all I am going to say on that.
I am thankful for the blessings of God which make the hard times in life bearable. Even though I do not always bear them well. In fact, I have a track record of not bearing adversity well!
There have been times when just knowing someone was praying for me was the thing that kept me going.
I am happy and glad that at age 15 I decided to invite Jesus Christ to live in my heart and to live my life for him. Yet I must admit to living more for myself than for him most of the time. I make no excuses, but it brings to mind another thing to be thankful for. It is that He is good and merciful to us all. Perhaps I am just more inclined to stumble than others.
I suppose to sum it up, I am Thankful (ok, a thankful wretch!) for all I have been blessed with, and I am expecting many blessings to come.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Favorite summer memories
In the good ol' days when I was a kid we lived near the beautiful Llano River. Most summer weekends you could find my family camped out on the river. It was a paradise meant for playing in the sand, climbing granite boulders, swimming and fishing.
My dad would lead us to a remote spot, away from the noise of crowds. Walking in to camp was not so bad, provided we could jump into the river as soon as we found our camp. We had boundless energy and we loved being on the river with Mama and Daddy. Our packs were good ole burlap bags which we called toesacks. Dad would carry the heavy one with the cast iron skillet and shortening, sometimes with one of the smaller kids on his shoulders. Mom and kids would carry the fishing supplies, spare clothing, bedding and the baby.
Fishing gear was easy to carry because we only carried the string, hooks, sinkers and corks. Oh, and a can of earthworms we had dug up from the backyard. My dad would cut willow poles for us to fish with. Each of us could properly "string" out poles, assemble the line, and bait the hooks. We even knew which hook to choose for the kind of fish we wanted to catch. We also had a way of catching live bait. My brothers always caught a bug they called a "helgamite". I was not afraid of bugs but those helgamites looked a little scary so I stayed away from them.
We were river rats of the hightst order, we loved swimming and playing in the water. The only reason we got out at all was because we also loved to fish. Even baby brother loved to go "pishin". There was always excitement when we landed a fish. We always cleaned our catch and my parents would cook them up for supper.
I rarely get the oppurtinity to fish anymore, but when I do think about my dad and how much he loved to fish. The memories of these special days linger in my heart and in my mind I can still see the golden flash of the sunperch and feel the warm sand on my toes.
My dad would lead us to a remote spot, away from the noise of crowds. Walking in to camp was not so bad, provided we could jump into the river as soon as we found our camp. We had boundless energy and we loved being on the river with Mama and Daddy. Our packs were good ole burlap bags which we called toesacks. Dad would carry the heavy one with the cast iron skillet and shortening, sometimes with one of the smaller kids on his shoulders. Mom and kids would carry the fishing supplies, spare clothing, bedding and the baby.
Fishing gear was easy to carry because we only carried the string, hooks, sinkers and corks. Oh, and a can of earthworms we had dug up from the backyard. My dad would cut willow poles for us to fish with. Each of us could properly "string" out poles, assemble the line, and bait the hooks. We even knew which hook to choose for the kind of fish we wanted to catch. We also had a way of catching live bait. My brothers always caught a bug they called a "helgamite". I was not afraid of bugs but those helgamites looked a little scary so I stayed away from them.
We were river rats of the hightst order, we loved swimming and playing in the water. The only reason we got out at all was because we also loved to fish. Even baby brother loved to go "pishin". There was always excitement when we landed a fish. We always cleaned our catch and my parents would cook them up for supper.
I rarely get the oppurtinity to fish anymore, but when I do think about my dad and how much he loved to fish. The memories of these special days linger in my heart and in my mind I can still see the golden flash of the sunperch and feel the warm sand on my toes.
A Busy Summer
We had a visit from some of the Kansas relatives. We are always happy to see them. One of my sis-in-laws made a cobbler from some of the berries we had picked. It was real good. I put all my berries up in the freezer and gave some to friends and relatives. I will wait until fall or winter to make jam. It has been so hot and I do not want to heat up the house with too much cooking.
Besides I have been busy reading the Joanna Brady detective series by J. A. Jance. I want to have them all read when she visits my local library on her book signing tour. I just finished "Partner in Crime", it was good. Her newest book "Damage Control"came out July 22. http://jajance.com/
Besides I have been busy reading the Joanna Brady detective series by J. A. Jance. I want to have them all read when she visits my local library on her book signing tour. I just finished "Partner in Crime", it was good. Her newest book "Damage Control"came out July 22. http://jajance.com/
We have been enjoying the hummingbirds these photos here were taken about a month ago.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Blackberries
I love picking blackberries. It is certainly not the chiggers, stickers, sweat, or fear of snakes which attracts me. Possibly it is the sense of accomplishment I feel as I watch the bucket fill up. It may even be working together in harmony with my family as we exclaim over nature's bounty.
If we get a few rains the berries will stay around at least until the end of June. It is best to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. This weekend we did not get out as early as we should, it got a little hot out there. But in a little oven an hour we had picked two and one half gallons.
Every time I open the freezer I want to grin. Our family and friends seem to appreciate the jelly we give as gifts. You cannot buy anything as tasty in the stores. I am getting excited about making jelly. But, I cannot take time just yet because as long as the berries remain I get the urge to pick. Perhaps I am greedy and do not think I have enough so I hope to pick again this weekend. We will leave plenty for the birds.
Hopefully I can find some wild plums this weekend as well!
If we get a few rains the berries will stay around at least until the end of June. It is best to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. This weekend we did not get out as early as we should, it got a little hot out there. But in a little oven an hour we had picked two and one half gallons.
Every time I open the freezer I want to grin. Our family and friends seem to appreciate the jelly we give as gifts. You cannot buy anything as tasty in the stores. I am getting excited about making jelly. But, I cannot take time just yet because as long as the berries remain I get the urge to pick. Perhaps I am greedy and do not think I have enough so I hope to pick again this weekend. We will leave plenty for the birds.
Hopefully I can find some wild plums this weekend as well!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Amazing Stress Relief
They say stress kills. We all have it but what can you do?
There are many suggestions and products you can try. Many of the cures are pretty expensive and some just don't work. I tried squeezing one of those little squishy balloons and it only made my wrist hurt. It spent most of its life in the junk drawer. (No offense, they may work for some folks.)
If I hopped on over to the spa every time I am stressed I may as well move in. Besides, it would take a kazillion dollars worth of back rubs and aromatic scents to get rid of my stress! I am likely no more stressed than you. In fact I am sure there are many out there with more stress than I have experienced.
Relief is only moments away. It takes little or no money and just a little of your time. This method is not really a secret and I know some of you have used this method before now.
It is this:
Reading. Read for fun, or you might say for the pure pleasure of it. Indulge youself. Read an old book, read a new book, read a bunch of books.
There are public libraries all over the place. Their mission is to provide free reading materials to you. Find a book you will like find a comfy spot and tune out the world. I know, I sound like a public service announcement but I do love reading.
There are many suggestions and products you can try. Many of the cures are pretty expensive and some just don't work. I tried squeezing one of those little squishy balloons and it only made my wrist hurt. It spent most of its life in the junk drawer. (No offense, they may work for some folks.)
If I hopped on over to the spa every time I am stressed I may as well move in. Besides, it would take a kazillion dollars worth of back rubs and aromatic scents to get rid of my stress! I am likely no more stressed than you. In fact I am sure there are many out there with more stress than I have experienced.
Relief is only moments away. It takes little or no money and just a little of your time. This method is not really a secret and I know some of you have used this method before now.
It is this:
Reading. Read for fun, or you might say for the pure pleasure of it. Indulge youself. Read an old book, read a new book, read a bunch of books.
There are public libraries all over the place. Their mission is to provide free reading materials to you. Find a book you will like find a comfy spot and tune out the world. I know, I sound like a public service announcement but I do love reading.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
"Happy Birthyday Dear Daughter"
This post is dedicated to my daughter.
An avid reader and an ardent C.S. Lewis admirer.
XOXOXOX
Love Mom
http://booksbycslewis.blogspot.com
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/C._S._Lewis/
An avid reader and an ardent C.S. Lewis admirer.
XOXOXOX
Love Mom
http://booksbycslewis.blogspot.com
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/C._S._Lewis/
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Genealogy Bits
I have added a separate blog for genealogy. So far only one post. I decided to start with minimal instructions for basic genealogy with some links for free pedigree charts. I prefer free genealogy, so in most instances I will link to free information. If you have not done any genealogy I invite you to print out one of these ancestor/pedigree charts & jot down what you know about your family. You may get bit by the "genealogy bug".
Monday, April 7, 2008
My first post!
I am not so into myself that I think everyone will want to know all about me. Also, I am not sure I want the world at large to know all about me.
This is my first ever blog, I am not even sure what I want to do with it, other than practice blogging!!!
I do genealogy so at some point I will be sharing tips & links to genealogy sites.
But, I love many things like birds, flowers, good recipes etc. so perhaps I will sometimes share some things of that nature.
For my first post I want to share one of my favorite Bible passages:
Revelations 22:1-4
1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
4they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
This is my first ever blog, I am not even sure what I want to do with it, other than practice blogging!!!
I do genealogy so at some point I will be sharing tips & links to genealogy sites.
But, I love many things like birds, flowers, good recipes etc. so perhaps I will sometimes share some things of that nature.
For my first post I want to share one of my favorite Bible passages:
Revelations 22:1-4
1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
4they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
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