more christmas

 

tourists EVERY where

in front of me, behind me
in the stores, at the bank
"flat-landers" abounding.
Their cars and smelly bodies
clogging up my quiet mountain town
Give me strength oh Lord
and keep me off the roads.
----------
Prescription: Firewood
from: Dr. Stihl
do it all weekend and then soak in the tub with a good book

Mark Steyn - "America Alone"
 

ups and downs

I was playing,
with my new camera,
but liked this result.

Christmas used to be like this for me:

Colorful but a bit blurry
people in a hurry
wrapping paper - a flurry
Way too much worry.

This year was more like:

Find the center, stay there
Avoid the pitfalls, take care.
In the party, do share
see my children, so fair. 

Next time

Next time I will have to clean the mirror first.
This was my Canon A540's first attempt at self portraiture

I need more practice. 

fine American boots

size 13
Waterproof
sturdy
just right for my "infidel" feet

( Nancy Sinatra starts to sing)

"are you ready boots?" 

Moving day for Mango

He has a new (used)cage.
He had to vacate his old place because it is needed by the newest members of our feathered family ( to debut tomorrow)

Mango ( the Lovebird) admires his mirror friend, and is just happy to eat and play and sing all day long. 

I believe in the angels and the shepherds...

I believe the Christmas story is much more than a story.

Hold on yo your hats, here I go with my end of year- holiday issue.

I believe a maid named Marian ( or its Hebrew equivalent ) became with-child in a way no other woman ever has. I believe God spoke to her and her husband, told them enough of their future and the child's mission that they could follow His leading and bring the child, Jesus, through love and obedience to a place of ultimate service to his fellow man.

This display of simplicity and narrow mindedness will turn some off, i understand that. If that is you, you are excused. For others who are seeking the Christ of Christmas, I will continue this on my other blog. ( I need to compose it first)

My link below, is me asking you to pray and believe God for a complete healing of cancer in a specific lady. Many of us know others who also neeed a touch from the healer. Jayne is another I am aware of . In comments you may pray ( boldly) for these others by name or place. You may also share a testimony of God's healing power in your life or someone you know.
It is Christmas after all, and the Miracle did not start or end in Bethlehem.

a scene from summer

Cool and refreshing is the stream to the animals that live in the forest.

May your words, your deeds be a refreshment to your family and loved ones this season.

May our caring and prayers extend across the Atlantic to London, to the home of Minerva, who needs a bit of encouragement.

Love the dear ones you are with, and extend yourself to those not in your circle of light this day. Stretch to do more for the common good, and resist those who promote self interest.
It is a terrible big world we live in, so each one, love one, and teach others how to do the same. Hold a shaking hand. Hug someone extra tight. Give them your FULL attention. Say a prayer together.

justa dusting

I am actually GLAD for the snow today.
It allowed me to do things I would not have otherwise done.
To see joy and wonder in the face of a child, to hear laughter and merriment.
To listen to the crunch under foot of a layer of crunchy white.
This is to live in my mountains. Yeah! 

5:45

There is a candle
burning

chasing back the darkness
One small flame
it's beauty flares
against the mass of night

Your name is on my mind
as I talk to God this morn'
from a place here by the fire.

Here the silence helps me hear
the spirit of the Lord
telling me to have no fear.
"Pray and trust in me," says my father
up above. "Perfect is my will and fathomless my love. I will not let one sparrow be without a home. I care for life and nourish it, I do not wish that any should perish but all have life and have it abundantly. Just pray, David"

----------------------------------
I lit a candle for the hurting and was glad to have its light.
I struck a match and held it to the wick , and the whole window it did light.
Small is your flame but vital to lighting up the world. Tiny was the match that brought warmth into the cold winter scene.
When all our candles are together and our hope and faith combine, great is the power that we hold.
A favor, friend, if you please:
Light a candle tonight and pray for that person in the dark

playin real good...

I am tired
but anticipating a LONG weekend of
Family
Frenzy
freedom
fun
food
----------
I helped a client assemble a BowFlex ( home gym)
wow! you get a lot of nuts and bolts for 2300.00
it took two of us over 5 hours to get it all together.
I did it for free.

Joni Mitchell's song comes to mind

'He was playin real good for free'

If ever there was sweeter voice in folk music
attached to a more brilliant lyricist, I do not know who it was.

Just what I needed

After you read this go to Minerva's blog and wish her well, she is posting again!
She also could use our prayers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now todays message. - - -

I had a deleriously wonderful massage yesterday
I have been aquainted with this person ( we will call her Lisa, since that is her name) for quite a while but I did not know she had gone to massage school ( a dream of mine) and become one of the BEST therapists I have ever had lay hands on me.
I let her know that I wanted to learn while she fixed my back, so would she verbalize what she was doing and what the techniques and purposes were for the different motions. I think I might have been the first person to ever get a tour of my own muscles while they were being massaged. It was delightful twice since I was learning and enjoying ( despite the considerable pain) the restoration of my posture.
After two weeks of working "overhead' and on a cement slab, I was really out of line, and had so many tight spots that the one hour massage lasted 90 minutes.

This is my new luxury item: a masaage a month. I think of it as tool care for my body which works hard six days a week. I took most of the rest of the day off, and only took one emergency call to a house with frozen pipes and a frozen toilet. I got them all squared away in an hour and a half and every bladder in the room thanked me.

Today I am back to work, but being careful not to ruin Lisa's restoration. I have some 'after-massage' soreness, but that will pass. I already sent her two more clients, and a card to say thanks and have a Merry Christmas..

God is good - Santa claus is coming to town, and this year, I am ready for him!

ZOOm zoom zoom

I caught this guy zipping past before sunrise
whooosh!
my camera moved, even though I braced it on the hood of the car.
--------------
Wed update:
In kitchen related news, last night's creation was pot roast in the crock pot. I cooked it all night, pulled the beef out for sandiches or sloppy joes, and the wonderful slew of potatoes, carrots, onion and green pepper will make a nice vegetable dish for whatever is next.
The recent addition of medication ( and lots of vitamins) has really brought out the cook in me.
Also its winter so I have more night hours to burn. (Must need layer of insulation at stomach, too)
I am so blessed to have been granted a half a tree full of Granny Smith apples, which are no longer apples, having been converted into apple sauce and apple butter. ( pic to follow) What surprised me that the apples still on the tree, after many nights way below freezing were perfect. We have a super abundance of fresh yummy natural applesauce, but I refuse to keep it here very long. Wherever I go I take a jar or two with me to bestow on friends and aquaintances.
It is the season for random acts of kindness.
This world, however huge and impersonal, is full of small communities, where we get our sense of belonging and contribute to the general good with the gifts God has given us. I feel it is appropriate to express my appreciation for those who have been so kind to me through all the 'lean years' by giving when asked, and sometimes when not asked.
A woman and her daughter were in front of me at the dollar store and for some reason they could not take her check ( small amount) she started digging in her purse and asked the cashier to cancel some of the items. I pulled out a ten dollar bill and gave it to the cashier, wishing both a " Merry Christmas".
We can't ignore the legitimate needs of those in our communities, and then expect all our needs to be met. It does not work that way.

where there is smoke...

yes, where there is smoke there is a fine cigar burning.
NO
where there is smoke, there is good, natural stinky wood heat keeping this family warm and keeping the heating bills WAY down.

Where there is smoke there is a way to tell which way the wind is blowing.

Where there is smoke, there is someone home and probably baking or canning something yummy! 

16 bean soup

in this late onset of winter
you can never have enough comfort food.

this is about all eaten up, so tonight I am making chili...

Side note: My company had its ( first) annual Christmas party. We met at Gary's house, and Gary was honored as employee of the year. It is a shame that he is retring I will miss him. In a huge breakthrough in the parakeet situation at his house. He agreed to give me two of his baby females to raise at my house. We drank a cup of Hot chocolate, and recounted some of the best events of the past year. Please pray for his continued health as he recovers from the seizures about a month ago. 

in the spirit

the WORST beagle in the world
gets dressed up to have his picture taken
with the BEST DAUGHTER ever.
We decorated some at my mom's
Hannah is good at it, really good. I am not very good at doing colors together. 

from the kitchen table

pardon the clutter
I was busy on Sunday,
making applesauce that my son RAVED about and then Apple butter
both safely canned for Christmas gift giving.
Then 16 bean soup that my X wife complimented me on ( i kid you not )
it was a good day
If we get more snow this weekend I may spend another Sunday in the Kitchen. Its a place of warmth and creativity for me.
Now you all know what your presents will be, sorry if I spoiled it.... I love you so.

I can't write

I can't post anything right now
I can't do anything now
just need to be very still
and wait out the storm
until there is peace again

fortunately I have wonderful memories and
a busy schedule to carry me on into the advent season
awaiting the celebration of The Savior of the world
( yes all of them, even the Muslims)

God bless you all

Traveling Bug

I was looking at a map,
and I recounted my few trips across our great nation,
and was counting states I have been in or through.
I am fortunate to have many wonderful memories
(actually considering the late seventies I am lucky to have any memory at all)

So as I counted I came up with 25 states I have been in or through.
Truth be told there were times I drove through a state and never got out of the car.
I will not bore you with the list now, but be aware that if super Lotto ever comes my way,
(Please God!)
I will pilot a super sized RV andcd get myself ( and my small entourage) to the rest of the states.
I am mostly missing the deep south, and the upper midwest.

I am not sure if I should claim Alaska, since I was in the Anchorage airport on a trip to Japan in 1971. ( i was a wee lad)

How many states have YOU been in or through? and where will your next visit be
(with or without a Jackpot)?

Have a fun weekend - my trusted computer is having a weekend in the shop, Grrrr!
Instead of withdrawal, I am choosing to make bean soup, apple butter, and Lemon Bars.
and Maybe watch it snow.....

There goes Carmi....

WWCP

I looked up and there was Carmi Levy, dashing to another of his appointments.
I wonder if he got a picture of me?
I waved just in case. 

No computer

today's flow of syllables and vowels has been interrupted by a computer failure of some sort.
I am so sorry to post just this tidbit on Sugarloaf Mountain.
Until I talk to the Dali's mama in New Dehli, I have to borrow my daughters machine.

For now read Great Minds, Where Matt has a new post, Thanks

***** Phone ringing....
" hello, thank you for calling Eversoft, where we care about you and your problems. How may I provide you with excellent service today? and would you like a falafel with that order?"

*** Click! Dial tone ****

on the menu

add Brandy
to pears, sugar and a few blackberries,
cook a bit in a hot water bath
and presto!
Brandied pears.
voila

 

what if ????

but what if one of these emails that tells me I have won a European Lotto is for real and I delete it? wouldn't that be a hoot!

Making coffee in the morning

water on to boil: check
look for melitta cone filter holder: found
pull mug from dish drain: check, but also wash one tray from freezer, look out window and see cute bird scratching for food, marvel at how much I enjoy his 'dance" and that I am not in a hurry to give up that pleasure for even coffee.
put paper filter into mellita cone: check
Open coffee crock: its empty!
Find bag of beans after checking cupboard, no its still in the fridge.
Look for grinder: not in cabinet one, or two. Aha it is on top of the island, where I left it.
Grind some beans and start the coffee. Pour boiling water.

------------------------- Yay! ( you would think) the coffee is done.
but there is still the bird bath to defrost which turns into a science experiment
(and of course a potential blog post, stay tuned)
it just gets wackier!

I love that you read this drivel. If you want more, it's in the sidebar under "Great minds" where I share the writing with my new pal, Matt.

Breakfast with the boss.

That is me. The boss, but never bossy!
---------------------------------------
I’m very much enjoying my toasted bagel .
It’s a little bit cold in my room, but the kettle is on the stove, and the fire is burning hot on a beautiful clear Saturday while I plan my day.

Having breakfast at my house is not as easy as it would seem.
After I put the bagel in the toaster and put the water on to a boil I almost immediately began to go upstairs to my computer.
The toaster and the boiling water were out of my mind. I couldn’t believe it myself. That is the way it is for me with ADD, and I am sure that it is the same for many others.
The tea kettle boiled for more than five minutes!
Funny, yes, unless I burn the kitchen down….

I am hosting another TEAM blog which I hope will be a place for prayer encouragement and stories about the Crazy life of people like me, and the ways that God ( forever may His name be praised) gets us through our days. I thank Matt for his generous contributions, to date, and look forward to many more stories. You may email them in to me. I edit very lightly (opr not at all) The new Blog on ADHD
and ADD and depression is coming soon. ( technical difficulties) email me for blog address
or see it on my profile "Great minds"

over the ( no ) river and through the woods

mom's house
table decoration by Laurel