Monday, March 30, 2009

Dogs

Turns out, perhaps Tim needed a dog more than Amy or Rachel. He and Kizzy seem to have formed a wonderful bond and are good for each other. So perhaps he and Kismet fulfilled her name and they are fated for each other. I am happy for him, because I know he gets a bit lonely up there in Stillwater by himself and she will be happy having him for a friend.
Now, if Amy and Rachel find the right dog for them, all will be well.
Ghost will be 10 years old on April 6 and that is really old for a
Great Dane. He seems quite healthy except his back legs are beginning to go on him and he struggles to get up and down. But, once he is on his feet, he does really well. So well in fact, that yesterday when I made a Yum Yum cake and left it on the counter to cool, he decided it must be for him and I found him licking the icing off the cake. Luckily he could only reach one side of it and I saved the other side. He never used to do those things, but I guess he decided that age has its privileges. Old people seem to do that. Old people forget to be nice, they assume the world revolves around them. Problem is, the alternative to being old is not one I care to dwell on. So, I will just promise to try harder to make old age move into the next decade from which I presently reside and if I begin to assert my age, I give you all permission to remind me that it is not all about me.

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Polity Princess Reigns

Sometimes you just need to brag!! Well, my daughter, (the polity princess as she is known by those in family and church) has passed her Polity Ordination Exam.
I am very proud of her and want to publicly congratulate her. She has worked really hard to have a family, work and basically start from scratch with her college career. She has gone from a high school diploma to a BA and half way to her MDiv and Masters for Counseling (don't know what those letters are yet) in about 6 years. It may be less, I lose track of time. Anyway, I am so proud of her because I don't know if I could have done that. She is my hero and today I want to sing her praises. She has a wonderful husband and daughters who have always been so supportive of her dedication to this project. Without them she could never have accomplished so much. They are also my heroes.
She has a deep and abiding faith that keeps her spirits high and she pushes through the tough times and does it with a smile. Well, most of the time.
Anyway, good job, Amy. Your Mom is really proud of you. I grade those exams and I know how tough they are and how subjective the grading can be. So, well done...
Two down, three to go. Shalom!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring

Tomorrow is the first day of spring. At least this year, this is the day. My Mother's birthday is March 21, and she always said it was the first day of spring. Most years it is, but it can be anywhere from the 19th to the 21st. Depends on how long the earth spins, or something like that. Anyway, they have to adjust it every so often.
Mother loved violets and on her birthday a friend who was a nurse always gave her a bouquet of violets from her yard for her birthday. I tried to grow violets in her honor and found to my horror that the little devils grow everyplace. They throw their seeds many feet from their home and soon your entire yard is full of them It never bothered me, but it bothers people who love green grass lawns.
When I was growing up, I didn't have violets available to me on her birthday, but a couple of blocks down the street there was a giant old lilac hedge and Gran and I used to walk down there and cut a big basket of lilacs for her birthday. I still love lilacs and have never been able to grow a lilac bush. One of the girls who sews for me has an old lilac bush and brought me a bouquet of them this morning. The entire shop smells like lilac and I have enjoyed them. It reminds me that it is really spring. Probably the best season of the year. Oh, wait...maybe I said that about the fall. Well, right now I am saying spring is the best season. Enjoy it. Go smell some lilacs or pick a posey of violets. Happy Birthday to my Mother...she would have been 100 on Saturday. Where does time go?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Carousels

Thanks, Amy...I found it. Sorry, it isn't as good as I remembered.

I have always loved merry go rounds, or carousels if you want to use the proper term.
I have a couple of carousel horses in my embroidery designs and never used them. They are pretty big files and who wants a big old carousel horse? Well, a few weeks ago a guy who works carnivals came into the shop and wanted to know if I had any war horses. Not having a clue what he meant, I hedged until I figured out that carousel horses are often called that. He wanted a big one on a set of towels to give a friend who owns a carnival.
They are really pretty but also big and involved and expensive. I showed them to him and he ordered one set of towels and then wanted a smaller version on the front pocket of his pants. Hey...don't ask me!!
He was delighted with it all and paid cash and then brought more towels and pants and some jeans for his granddaughter. I found another horse so we had a variety and now have a nice array. Almost enough for a full carousel. I think I will do a window like a carousel. I have digitized the canopy and the brass ring, so I am almost there.
I did not know that horses must face left on a merry go round. Now I know that and the reason is because people are mostly right handed and when they tried to reach for the brass ring, they could use their right hand. There are other secrets about the horses which I will perhaps be allowed to learn at a later date. I still have a couple of towels and a pair of pants to do when he returns to town.
Who kne? Anyway they are quite pretty and interesting to sew.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I must have lost my mind!!

After I wrote my distressing news concerning my health...well, it was distressing to me at the time. I am sure I am ok and will see the Dr next week. Anyway, after writing that, I thought I should write something nice and positive. So I did. I fixed it to post the next day, but somehow I messed it up and it is gone...where I do not know. So if you see a really good blog someplace, it is probably mine that got lost in cyberspace. Sad thing is this...I don't know what Iwrote about, but I remember being rather proud of it. Look around and see if you can find it for me. You will enjoy it if you find it. I promise.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Give it Up

Damn!!! I think I am working on an ulcer...guess I haven't done a very good job of not stressing about things I can't fix. Apparently I have not given the problem to God and gone about my business. So...I am going to have to get busy on that project...Easter will soon be here. If you hear me gritching about stuff I can't fix...speak up. Of course, some of the stuff I can fix can give you an ulcer too.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Making Time

I have been reading through the Calvin Institutes and have done very well keeping up with the daily readings and being prepared for my Wed discussion group. Not so this week. I had my schedule out of whack for a couple of days and missed reading and then had some things on my mind and did not think I could concentrate. Now, it is two o'clock and my group meets at 5:30 and I have a weeks worth of reading to do and absorb. Calvin is tough enough in the best of times, but I don't think I will make much of a dent in the work left for the afternoon. Trying to read that while sewing is not a good idea. Next week, I will make time for my daily reading. I will not let something interfere with it and will stay on the schedule. I will make time for Calvin next week. Today, I will go to my meeting unprepared and listen to the discussion and try to learn something. When we don't make time for the things we think are important, we slip behind. Important things like saying I love you to someone who needs a hug, giving yourself a few moments of pampering and relaxation, reading and studying, talking to God...all those things we let slip because we get busy. I need to make time for all of that. I need to go read now!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Doing Good

Doing good in the world does not get us into heaven, but it sure makes the journey a joy. Doesn't it make you feel good to help someone? Don't you get a smile on your face when you have lightened someones load of care? Can you help but feel good when you see a a small kindness turn into a big deal for someone?
Of course you know all about random acts of kindness. And you know of intentional acts of small and big kindnesses. You know people like that and you are like that.
So what a joy it is to know that when you get to heaven, through no good act of your own, that when you tell God that Jesus is your friend...He will smile at you and say..."so are all these people".

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Pretty Trees

The Bradford Pears are blooming now and they are beautiful as always. White everywhere you look. The cherries and others are beginning, but the week belongs to the pears. I love looking at them from inside, but to walk outdoors...ohhhh..it is bad. Do you know how bad those trees smell when they bloom? It took me a long time to figure out what it was, but a few years ago I put two and two together and it is those blasted pear trees.
I will be happy to see and smell the wisteria. For the time being, I will enjoy the pears from indoors. I know Rachel will be longing for the cherry blossoms.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Tired of Naysayers

I am weary of whining, complaining and blaming and putting down. I don't care who is to blame. We are all to blame for wanting everything now and not storing away our nuts like good little squirrels. It doesn't matter what is behind us (except that we learn from it) but what is in front of us is pretty much up to us to soldier through. We have done this before and there is no reason we can't do it again. The most important thing is a stiff upper lip...do what you can and work hard and not give up. I am pretty sure the markets are being manipulated by those who would like us to be down and out. But Americans don't get down and out. We get up and fight. So we need to be smart, be prepared and have faith. Then we need to be positive. There is a lot to the power of positive thinking. There is nothing but pain in negative thinking.
So....onward and upward. It is amazing how much fun it can be to save a few dollars by smart shopping at the grocery store. It is amazing how good some of those old standbys I grew up eating can taste. It is liberating to say "I don't need this. I will do without"
It is gratifying to know that you are so much better off than others and humbling to say that.
Soooooo, let's not be naysayers...let's put our shoulder to the wheel and put America back on the map of 'can do' people.