4 September 2023 Tear of Joy

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

I used to be the “who dropped the hat lady” the person who would cry at the drop of a hat. I’m not really like that any more – the past few years events has really toughened me up. The one thing that still brings a tear of joy is seeing someone I haven’t seen in a long time. I am like a dog I think in that regard! Just so happy, on a soul level, to see you. I can remember the times my parents came to visit Kyle and I in Texas or when when my friend Melinda visited – just such a surprise and so much happiness. There are aspects like this that make me miss the house in Texas.

Proverbs 24:3-4New International Version

Saying 21

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

31 August 2023 Daily Habit

What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?

The daily habit that improves my quality of life is walking. Each day I try to walk around the block even if I don’t want to. Taking a walk each each day is the one thing I have tried to consistently do. It’s not easy for me to do with the swaying issues I have going on in my head. Sometimes I feel like a shambling zombie I’m so stiff but I’m not giving up!

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

27 August 2023 Favorite Recipe

What’s your favorite recipe?

Hello to you. I’m just back from church. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go but forced myself. I’m not having an easy time of it right now with sleep. It feels like I’m tossing and turning the whole night!

My Aunt sent me this as we love Maxine – this is so true!

One of my favorite recipes is my Moms Red Devils Food Cake. It stays so moist and tastes so good. No eggs are required either!

Easy Red Devils Food Cake

3 cups flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 2 cups sugar, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt

2 cups cold water, 1 cup oil, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 tsp vanilla

Mix and put in 9×13 pan bake 35-40 min at 350 degrees. Cupcakes 15-20 min.

Romans 15:13New International Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

25 August 2023 City of the Future

How would you design the city of the future?

Hello there! How are you doing on this sunny Friday? Whatever you are facing today I hope you have support to get through it. Let go and let God.

Todays prompt makes me think of the Venus Project: https://www.thevenusproject.com/

The Venus Project is a non-profit organization that presents a new socio-economic model utilizing science and technology toward social betterment to achieve a sustainable civilization.

Most modern cities in the United States are not built in a sustainable way. You have to drive from the suburbs to congested areas where goods and services are available. Little to nothing is available within walking or safely bicycling distance. In my small town there are things within walking distance which makes it nice.

If I were to design the perfect city everything you would need would be within walking or bicycling distance. Each home would have a way to collect enough water for everyday use and enough electricity to not be on a power grid. Each home would be sustainable and constructed with repurposed materials like logs made of recycled plastic.

Acts 1:7-8New International Version

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

18 August 2023 Goals

How do you plan your goals?

Hello there, how are you? I’m doing ok. The pest control people came out this morning and took care of a large wasp nest. I feel kind of bad but more than likely they were they were the ones trying to build a nest in my weed wacker – the ones that stung me. My hand is still itchy and swollen!

The new medication, Ambien, showed up today. It will be interesting to see how my body reacts to it. It’s another bed time medication. Hopefully it won’t interfere with my getting and staying asleep.

So how do I plan my goals? I used to be much more organized and a planner – a worry wart. Now bring retired and Bipolar 1 so long I hardly plan at all! The best thing for me is my calendar. I keep organized and am able to have short term goals using it.

Jeremiah 29:11New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

17 August 2023 Emergency Plan

Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Hello there. How are you today? Todays prompt makes me think of when I was living in Florida where we had frequent hurricane evacuations. In a moments notice we had to have our cars packed up and be ready to leave. We usually grabbed the file cabinet with important documents, my trunk of journals, picture albums, suitcases of clothes and supplies to take care of the two cats we had at the time. One year while living in Florida I want to say we evacuated like 3 or 4 times!

The natural disaster that happens in Idaho is fires that

Living here in Idaho I’m kind of spoiled. The only thing I think we might need an emergency preparedness plan for is a fire or a flood. If there was a fire I would just grab Link and go to my Aunt and Uncles house. A lot would depend on where the fire was burning and how fast it was spreading. My priority would namely be getting Link and I out alive! I pray we never have to go through such a thing. I’m thinking of the people of Maui trapped on an island and no where to go but out in the ocean!

Isaiah 43:2New International Version

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

16 August 2023 Word Usage

What is a word you feel that too many people use?

Hello to you! Yesterday Uncle John came and changed out my three fire alarm batteries so no more worries about that for a couple years! I should of asked him to let me clean my windows that are out of my reach but I forgot. We just got it done quickly because Link was so scared he pooped in the house again. He has seriously loose bowels and I think has doggy PTSD. He and Spot endured a lot during my episodes in Texas.

What word I feel is used too often by myself and others is the F word quite honestly. It’s just one of those words that is so easy to fall back on. It’s so common to hear it on television and other programs and that never was the case in times past. This video cracks me up every time I hear it:

https://youtu.be/fJd9izGFveM – Definition of the F Word

Matthew 7:12New International Version

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

15 August 2023 Peace

What brings you peace?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok. Todays prompt is thought provoking for me as it’s rare that I am at perfect peace – relaxed. It feels like I’m always thinking and worrying about “what’s next.” Sometimes food gives me peace, sometimes it’s the company of someone, sometimes my spirituality gives me peace. It’s not a consistent thing. Last year, before the episode that landed me in the the hospital, what gave me peace was long walks in nature and praying for everybody next to the water canals down the street before they tore everything up.

Some of the beauty that existed next to the water canals.
A drawing I did in honor of Sam our cocker spaniel – how I imagined he looked as a human in heaven. I’m sure he will be one of the first angels I see when it’s my time and he’ll be a dog. I have had several dreams about him since he passed and he always looks so healthy as a dog. I was at peace when he was here with us.

What used to give me peace was creativity – drawing, singing, painting both on canvas and on t- shirts and making jewelry. What happened is I became self conscious. I realized everything I was doing had an environmental impact – especially our water. It takes water to make the paints and water to use the paints. I started paying attention to where my supplies were coming from like metals I was using for my wire jewelry – Pakistan! Hardly anything from the USA. There was a hefty price for my fleeting peace. I haven’t been doing any of it.

I tried to draw in chalk here but it just wasn’t the same as having the privacy of my backyard.

John 14:27New International Version

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

14 August 2023 Early Morning Wake up

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. I just finished an online seated workout through the VA and it was good. I actually got tired and felt it! She wants us to work out on our own at least once this week – strength training.

In this home they put the fire alarms way up on the ceiling!

This morning began really early. The notification of a low battery in my bedroom fire alarm went off. It literally scared the poop out of Link. Poor little man just ran around the house pooping. Eventually it stopped chirping. What sucks about changing the batteries on these is the height of where they put them on the ceiling. My Uncle is coming over today to change out the batteries – I hope he will be able to reach! I’m so grateful for my Aunt and Uncle – otherwise I was going to have to hire somebody. I don’t own a ladder anymore!

What’s wild is before bed I had one of my doubting Thomas conversations with Jesus, my Guardian Angel and Spirit Guide. I asked for a sign of their presence and sure enough something like this happened. Of course they are watching over me! I need to quit asking dumb questions. My rational self thinks this was more than likely just a coincidence but it’s interesting that only my bedroom battery got sucked and not the other two.

I guess this could be an opportunity for a public service announcement – when is the last time you checked your fire alarm batteries?!! They take 9 Volt batteries.

1 Kings 18:38-39New International Version

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

8 August 2023 Days Like These

Hello to you. It’s Tuesday and another lovely day. We got some much needed rain again yesterday – I even took a walk in it! No scary dreams last night just something about paying out money to family to include my parents lol. What strange movies the brain makes!

The title of my blog today is me being in observer mode and seeing a pattern with the world. We’ve had dark days before and come through but will we come through these? There is a lot of stuff on social media I’m seeing that is painting a dark confusing picture. This is nothing new really. These are the worst of times. These are the best of times. These are confusing times – which way to go?! Everything is put on us all at once- thank you internet! We have major cities being taken over by homeless who are on drugs, AI and robots taking over the world, inflation, an election coming up, increased veterinary fees, no access or little access to decent medical care, war, weird stuff going on with the beings living in the oceans and seas and now aliens…on and on! No wonder the average American is burned out and doesn’t care! Most people just tune it all out and don’t pay attention unless what’s happening directly affects them. So many people are in survivor mode!

As Christian’s and children of God we must keep our lights on even as hard as it can be. Earth school is definitely in session! I’m glad I’ve chosen team Jesus. There is hope in him and his promises.

Psalm 18:28New International Version

28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.

A couple areas of interest I pay attention to is animals and robotics. Both categories don’t have a very good track record with regards to rights:

Euthanized animal statistics – we’ve got to do better!

On average, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year in the United States. Shelters around the country euthanize an estimated 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats each year. 45% of all cats who enter shelters are eventually euthanized.Jul 11, 2023

https://youtu.be/MS-m3UWw-To – more pets abandoned with rising cost of post pandemic

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article276077491.html – Sacramento shelters surge with abandoned animals in past year after COVID slowdown

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/food-delivery-robots-under-attack-from-vandals-thieves-local-businesses-starting-to-be-affected/amp/ – what would happen if humanoid robots like Sophia or Ameca were attacked?