I must pay out of pocket. I don’t have any wealth.
I want a new hairstyle. I think I like this one.
With scissors and some bleach I’m sure it can be done.
(It’s called a “gender envy” haircut)
I’ll need a different outfit. That one isn’t me.
I think I’ll take a break and check out Cyndie Spivey
This isn’t Cyndie, but I like denim and blackLove this $19 dress. I must have sleeves. This started the whole reinvent myself kick.
Today’s music…he’s not Jesus, of course, but he is certainly an inspiration to all who have been witnessing his steadfast bravery and leadership. A great example of someone who has reinvented himself.
I have a big announcement coming soon, so be sure and catch all the blog posts.
…and as an aside. RHYMES FOR ALL TIMES IS NOW AVAILABLE (ebook) ON AMAZON. GET THIS ONE.
This story is one of my favorite Pearl and Grace stories. It’s loosely based on a true story about my mother, brother, who was a small child at the time, and Aunt. It was a well-known secret that when they determined it was time to harvest a local farmer’s corn, they were the first to try it out. Before the corn hit the local store, that is…
Pearl owns The Busy Nest, where she sells her popular Elixerfixer. Grace writes an advice column with the help of twelve-year-old Ellie. Pearl calls her Essie. We refer to her as Ellie/Essie, whose other responsibility is to care for Pearl the dog, who belongs to Pearl the human. Pearl named her dog after herself. She figured as long as she could remember her own name, she could remember that of her dog, and if the day comes when she forgets either, it’s time for them to part ways.
Ellie/Essie is walking to Sanderson’s store. Pearl, Pearl the dog, and Grace live in the apartments above the store.
*******
It’s Sunday and we’re taking the day off. I’m on my way over to see Pearl and Grace, but I really want to see Pearl the dog. I felt real sorry for her yesterday when we were trespassing in that cornfield. Even…
I asked you why because I didn’t know how far I would have to go. What would it take? What would you need from me? Would I discover what you see in me.
I tried so hard to believe in you. I really thought I wanted to, but what I needed was honesty. Not from you… but from me.
I couldn’t face my biggest fears. I couldn’t see myself through all the tears. I couldn’t tell you secrets I was keeping. Did they hold the answers I was seeking?
I decided it was time to leave. There is no hope if you can’t believe. The trust I never had might never come. This sad moment made my heart feel numb.
It was then it all came flooding in. I had to tell you. Where would I begin? I know I still have so much to face, but I’ll be fine if I accept your grace.
Now, I can feel you in my soul and heart. I know you’ve been there from the very start. You waited patiently for me to know. There is no better place to go.
I promise I will come to you. Where you take me, I will follow. You fill the space meant for only you that once was hollow.
Help me help others to come to believe, and I promise to you I’ll always cleeve. I asked you why because I didn’t know how much farther I would have to go.
What would it take? What would you need from me? Would I discover what you see in me? I tried so hard to believe in you. I really thought I wanted to,
But what I needed was honesty. Not from you… but from me.
I need to stop saying “I need to.” I need to, whoops… I will say, “I will do,” or better yet, “I have” done something that I thought was important enough to follow through on. I have looked at what I would call successful bloggers with tons of followers, and they seem to have several things in common. They look like they’re having fun, and they have a defined niche. They also have beautiful staging for their products and they let you into their lives. You get the feeling that you know them and for me, that is a big draw. Two entrepreneurs I have become hooked on are Cindy Spivey, cindyspivey.com, and Mallory Solley, mallorysolley.com. They always make me feel like with the right attitude, anything is possible.
Since I haven’t gotten into promoting products or fashions, I can still admire the methods these two ladies seem to have mastered. Check them out, but keep reading my blog. I feel like it’s never too late to master a new skill or find what you are truly good at and can enjoy. If you’re of sound mind and body, (within reason), then you have no excuse not to keep searching, right?
I love what I’m doing now, I just want to become a better writer and communicator. Below is me practicing telling you about something I have become interested in.
My most recent new venture is to revert or should I say convert to a healthier lifestyle. I haven’t gotten into the exercise habit yet, but I will as soon as I can get Kip to go pick up my friend Pat’s treadmill. I used one back in the 90s when I got in 25 to 30 miles a week, either running or on the treadmill. I remember how good I felt then. I have bad knees now because of all that running, but I can still walk fast. Well, I can still walk.
Anyway, Kip and I have both been on the Nutrisystem eating plan since January 24th. I have learned a lot and as of this morning, I have lost 13 lbs. I haven’t lost anything in the last week. I blame that on not drinking the 64 oz. of water every day and of course, Kip hasn’t gone to get the treadmill. He is going in for an MRI in the morning for a bad hip, so I guess I should cut him some slack.
I love the new way of eating, and I am never hungry…I cook up a big pan of an assortment of veggies that looks different every night. I use olive oil spray, different light vinegars that I have found, and Mrs. Dash seasoning. I don’t use oil. I cook chicken in my air fryer/pressure cooker when I’m not eating the Nutrisystem entrée or trying one of the delicious recipes you can find on their site. I’ve also found them just by googling Nutrisystem recipe’s.
Here is what I made tonight… everything is easy. I don’t do difficult cooking. It never ends well.
I made Irish sods muffins yesterday. They have nonfat yogurt and almond milk in them. How does one milk an almond? The muffins on the left are bran muffins with a small handful of very dark chocolate pieces. They have eggwhites in them, and they’re really moist.
These baked cookies have 3 ingredients…bananas, rolled oats, and a smidgen of no sugar added apricot preserves.
And of course that brings me to the song of the day….30,000 Pounds of Bananas. This really got my heart rate up!!!! (Or maybe it was the Ginseng and lemon tea with almond milk I drank.)
Thinking about family tonight. All of the generations...
Never underestimate the power of a story.
I have more tales than I can count in my inventory.
I’ve heard them told so many times, I should know them all by heart.
On both sides of my family storytelling is an art.
First there was my Grandpa, whose stories never ended.
Just as it was winding up, his story was amended.
I try to tell Dad’s stories. Most are favorites of mine,
But I usually crack up, before getting to the punchline.
“How many guys work for you?” The question made Dad laugh.
“I’m not really sure,” he said. “But I think it’s close to half.”
Though Mom could tell a story, the ones about her are the best.
She was outspoken, quick and witty… and by far the funniest.
They’d ask, “Can you keep a secret? She’d say, “Not even for one day.”
She said they always told her… their secret, anyway.
Gus tells stories too, when we’re all reminiscing.
But everyone can’t talk. We need him for listening.
Brother Billy knows all the good ones… and tells them perfectly.
You know the story’s over when he laughs and slaps his knee.
The stories I like to hear again
are those that start…remember when
Passed from one generation to another,
They make us feel part of each other.
Remember
Jesus taught his children through those great stories we call parables… another story category.
No, never underestimate the power of a story.
*******************
The Sanderson Family
The photograph is of my Mother’s family. LB: Jeff Sanderson, Grandpa M.E. Sanderson, Wayne Sanderson…FL: Grandma Mary Sanderson, Ella Leckey, Helen Haverberg, Loretta Gustafson, and Elna Miller. They are all together again. What a beautiful and remarkable family to have been and continue to be a part of.
I have no idea how this post relates to the title I chose, but I can’t think of a better one, so I’m going with it.
Kip had a doctor’s appointment in Dallas this morning, so the dogs have taken it upon themselves to keep a close eye on me. They love car rides, and since they weren’t able to go with him, they’re not going to miss a second chance should I happen to go somewhere. I have over 100 lbs trying to sit on my lap. I think I’ll get up.
It’s going to be a beautiful day. I think I will pack up my rock flower garden. (I’m giving it to my granddaughter, Ryan.) I have some outside decorating to do.
I’m keeping an eye on the Ukrainian news, and those brave people are in my prayers. Maybe their fight is the point of my blog title. We’re all waiting for a resolution that will leave Ukraine whole and able to heal from all the devastation.
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The music I chose for today is a favorite song of mine by The Four Seasons. I loved that group when I was a teenager growing up in Murdo, SD. I’m getting all psyched up for the all school reunion in July…
This is a favorite song/poem that Jerry Davis brought to my attention. In fact, the last two songs I featured on the blog were Jerry’s suggestions. This time, you will hear him recite it with that great country voice of his…
After the video, I’ve added a few photos of Pat and Jerry Davis. The best two people you’d ever want to meet…
It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I wasn’t used to having two youngsters around. They weren’t/aren’t exactly wallflowers, either. They weren’t cute enough to get by with what the really cute ones do.
But that all changed…
They are the two cutest things you could ever imagine. They both have personality plus and they are so, so smart. With the help of a trainer, they have taught Kip and I all kinds of things. We sit, stay, rollover, and hardly ever bark anymore. They have to keep a lot of treats on hand, but if that’s the price of learning to behave, then it’s worth it,
They said they needed a bigger couch…They said they needed a bigger chair, tooSo we bought both…A new lamp is also on the shopping list.
Today’s beautiful song…Sit, Stay and Listen
Be a Goldenrod From “Rhymes for all Times by Mary Francis McNinch
You’re a baby sleeping soundly and your mother stands nearby.
She listens for a whimper or a cry.
Her heart is full of love and her thoughts are full of fears.
Don’t let me fail this child, she prays through tears.
Will the face that looks so peaceful match his feelings deep inside?
Can she be the kind of mother whose child looks at her with pride?
Love is Faith…
You’re a youngster starting school and your mother says goodbye.
She’s so happy you’re excited. There’s a twinkle in her eye.
But school is really hard. You try your best but it’s too tough.
The other kids convince you that you just aren’t smart enough.
Your mother has your eyes checked and your teacher gives you tests.
And the reason for the problem manifests.
Dyslexia
Love is Courage
You’re a teenager and troubled by what’s happening at home.
Even with the others there, you feel like you’re alone.
So you run around with kids who are going through things, too.
You make promises you’ll do things, but you just can’t follow through.
Your mom, lost in a sea of guilt, knows things have gone too far.
She wishes she could help you to be who you really are.
Love is patience…
You’re a young adult and you’ve worked hard to turn your life around.
Life is never perfect, but you’ve climbed to higher ground.
Once again your mother prays through tears.
So very much has happened through the years.
She knows she did the best she could, but doubts her child agrees.
She made mistakes and didn’t see the forest for the trees.
Love is forever…
They took a bumpy road, but found a place to make their peace.
And in the end they both came to believe.
They let others help them find what they couldn’t find alone.
They felt valued as they reaped the better seeds that they had sewn.
“They learned that all people are flawed, but God is God.”
Help someone with a challenge, today. Be a goldenrod