3 May 2023 Favorite Holiday

May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Native American Culture, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

Hello to you – how is your day going? I’m doing ok. Todays prompt is a tricky one to talk about. My favorite holiday used to be Halloween but with all the controversy around it I decided Thanksgiving is my favorite instead. Really there isn’t a holiday we celebrate that doesn’t have some conflict about it. Most if not all holidays have pagan origins! I like Thanksgiving because it’s about food and family – being grateful for everything we have.

Halloween got ruined for my ex and I living in Texas. The churches would do trunk or treat which meant less trick or treaters in the neighborhood. A lot of the families that took their kids to the trunk or treat would then come to the neighborhoods anyways! It felt hypocritical to us that towns that forbid trick or treating came to our town. When the new houses went in, the kids mostly went there and we hardly had any kids come through our neighborhood. Halloween is kind of a holiday like Easter and Christmas. There are double meanings. Is Easter about bunnies and Easter egg hunts or about Jesus rising from the dead? Is Christmas about Santa Claus and presents or about celebrating Jesus being born? A lot of Christians do pagan things with their children – they do both as a right of passage. The holidays have been for so long about how much money can be made – so materialistic!

https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

I have a lot of happy memories of Thanksgiving. It was a time of getting together with family and sharing food. My favorites have always been the desserts – pumpkin pie. Sadly as our country has become more aware, there are some not so happy things about the history of Thanksgiving from a First People perspective:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/a33446829/thanksgiving-history/.

Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

2 May 2023 Camping

May 2, 2023 by saymber, posted in Art and Poetry, drawing, history, Home, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Have you ever been camping?

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m just waking up. I had problems getting to and staying asleep last night. My Aunt is coming over in a bit to do a fitting on the dress I bought for the wedding this month. She’s taking it in a little bit. They didn’t have a 2x size so it’s a little big on me.

Todays prompt makes me think of good childhood memories of camping. I used to go with my grandparents Schmidt and can remember going with my babysitter Mary Tennessen one time. With my grandparents there was fishing and swimming. Sitting out at night and there being tons of frogs. I can remember my Grandpa scaring me through the window with a fish he caught! One of my favorite memories was of Grandma taking me swimming and there being little fish nibbling my toes. With the Tennessens I remember a May fly hatching and thousands of them were attracted to the inside lights of the camper! I haven’t been camping since those days.

As I’ve gotten older I have become a creature of comforts. Not really a camping girl! I like watching videos of people living out of their vans and RVs – having the comforts of home while traveling and visiting nature. It’s pretty amazing to see how creative people are!

1 May 2023 Sticker Shock

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by saymber, posted in Home, Money, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you today? I’m feeling a little bit of sticker shock. The pest removal rep just left and it’s not cheap to have all natural pest removal! I know I could have gone and bought spray but that wouldn’t get to where the ants are. He showed me pictures of the mounds underneath the crawl space. They are coming up from there through the walls. So hopefully it will be worth it.

It seems like for every good service I’ve needed for this house it’s cost me a lot of money.

Home ownership and maintenance isn’t cheap here in Idaho – wasn’t cheap in Texas either. I remember when our AC unit went we were out over $6000 to replace that! It’s a good thing I don’t have a lot I spend money on besides food, utilities and gas for the car.

1 Timothy 6:10New International Version

¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

30 April 2023 Turkey and Holy Sacrifice

April 30, 2023 by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Health, history, human rights, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

When I came home from church this turkey was running down our road! What were they running from?

Hello to you. Hope this finds you doing well. I’m a bit frustrated. The ants found Links food and water bowl and swarmed it. I managed to take care of it- Monday can’t get here soon enough! SO annoying!

Church was good today. We are going over the covenant between God and Abraham. There were a lot of “its” involved lol. The only thing that bothered me was the sacrificing of animals. The way things were done in the Old Testament was pretty gory. I don’t understand why things have to be so bloody to be holy for God. When I think of animal sacrifice in our modern time I think of the turkeys that die in the millions for Thanksgiving. Think of all the places that sell meat – lots of living sacrifices that we might live. Most people don’t think like I do about that and still eat meat. I am extremely grateful for the lives, the sources of energy, that die so I can live. In some cases there is so much needless suffering beforehand.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)”Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

29 April 2023 Discussion

April 29, 2023 by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, drawing, Home, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What topics do you like to discuss?

Hello to you. How are you today. I woke up earlier than normal which was a good thing. My kitchen sink area was full of ants again. I am having natural pest control people come out Monday to give me an estimate. I could just go buy some product from the store but want an expert to do it. This way the problem won’t reoccur. I don’t like poison! I’m glad they have developed natural solutions!

Todays prompt is a good one. As you know from my blog here I like to discuss a wide range of topics but have my favorites. I enjoy discussing spirituality, mental health, animals and just nature in general. All these topics are connected for me.

John 13:34New International Version

³⁴“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Whenever I have had discussions with women who believe in God and go to church they have told me it’s about having a relationship with God not religion. That’s how it is for me. God is in everything. It’s really kind of amazing to look at the world with God inspired eyes – so many miracles. Like this spring watching so many flowers and trees springing forth with life. Babies from two legged and four being born. There is hope in these things – topics.

A drawing I did when I lived in Alvarado TX. I used to go to a pond there and pray. I haven’t been drawing like this in a long time. The inspiration and creativity gets kind of stifled when I’m medicated.

One of my favorite drawings I did I called Seeing the Beginning

A very spiritual drawing from back in 2012

I did this drawing and later there was a picture that came out of what Jesus may have looked like that looked just like this drawing.

28 April 2023 Sunshine and Ants

April 28, 2023 by saymber, posted in animals, Home, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How has your week been? It’s Friday as I write to you. Link and I took a very short walk in the sunshine. Some days that’s all he can manage. He was limping a bit after my visit at my Aunt and Uncles yesterday. He was rolling around a lot and I wonder if he hurt himself. On the walk I got a chance to talk to my neighbor who does such a fine job with her yard. It’s hard to believe she’s 70!

Today has been a little frustrating – got ants in the house. I’m trying white vinegar to try and stink them out. I don’t want to have to call an exterminator. Whatever kills them is going to affect Link and I too. There are pest control companies that use natural plant based products. We shall see what happens.

I took this for people that don’t get out much to see the sun

Psalm 84:11New International Version

¹¹For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless

27 April 2023 Risk Taken

April 27, 2023 by saymber, posted in Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing pretty well on this sunny Thursday. I walked over to our prayer group meeting and back. We had five including Pastor Jason. I think it’s cool he joins us. Prayer is so powerful. It reminds us that even if we think we haven’t a friend in the world, that nobody cares, somebody – a complete stranger- is praying for and expressing love for us being on this earth. Imagine all the people who pray for others all over the world!

Todays prompt is a good one but hard to nail down just one incidence of taking a risk and not regretting it. I have taken many leaps of faith in my life. A big one that my second husband Kyle and I took was finding and buying a house in Texas. My father-in-law was waiting to hear if he got a job in Texas. Kyle and I took a leap of faith that he was going to get it and found a home, our first, and bought it. We didn’t know then his dad would be in a horrible car accident and end up convalescing in our home before starting work at his new job! Risk well taken. Divine timing. The most recent leap of faith (risk) was coming to live here in Idaho. I never thought I would be divorced again but it happened – so much fell apart at once for me in Texas. My family here in Idaho gave me a safe and soft place to land – lots of support and unconditional love. I don’t regret choosing to come here. It was divine timing again as I found and bought my little house just in time before it got scooped up by another buyer.

My life has been full of taking risks – leaps of faith. When I have surrendered my will to the will and care of God a path has been made clear for dramatic things to happen. Right now I’m in a in between spot in my life. I am suppose to be doing something and gradually I’m finding it.

Some Bible verses:

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11New International Version

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for.

³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

View out the back door – the fruit trees are blooming

26 April 2023 Yellow and Purple

April 26, 2023 by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, photography, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m feeling a bit frustrated with myself. The reason is I’ve noticed I huff and puff on walks. Link is a dawlder and makes frequent stops so I shouldn’t be out of breath. I’m just really out of shape I guess! Last night I tried to dance and barely made it through one song. I have struggled with my weight much of my life.

Something nice about having s dog that likes to take his time is there is time for pictures. The sun is so bright that the pictures I took are a bit overexposed but give you an idea of how beautiful my neighborhood is:

My neighbors yard is so beautiful. She works so hard to keep it nice.

I was looking for a Bible verse about spring and this one came up. I like it!

Isaiah 44:1-4

3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

25 April 2023 Nervous

April 25, 2023 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What makes you nervous?

Hello to you. How are you? I hope if you are struggling that you have the support system you need. We are living in weird times! I think our country is due for some positive change.

Todays prompt is what makes you nervous. I would have to say driving here in Idaho makes me the most nervous. There are so many people on the road! All these people that have moved here, to include myself, have contributed to the increase in traffic. Where you go – there you are. You can’t escape yourself! If you lived with a lot of traffic where you used to live, chances are where you move to will eventually be the same.

The other thing I get nervous about is changes to my routine – getting pushed outside my comfort zone.

This Bible verse is a popular one when facing nerves or anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And this one:

Psalm 139:23-24New International Version

²³Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

One of my many sun and cloud pictures from last year – this was taken at Grace House I think

24 April 2023 Unwinding

April 24, 2023 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Home, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

Hello to you. How is your day going? I just got the dress I ordered in the mail. It’s a little big but looks nice. I ordered it from one of my favorite online stores Pyramid. Now I need to figure out shoes. I have some that will match but my Aunt thinks I need sandals. It will all come together.

Todays prompt is kind of a tough one as I have been medically retired for several years and don’t really have stressful days like I used to have when I was on active duty. When I was working full time I didn’t have much time to unwind. I would come home from work and I would do all the stuff that needed to be done that I couldn’t do while working – my second job! Chores like cleaning, taking care of my cats, cooking and laundry. My second job was being a wife. There just wasn’t a lot of time to unwind.

The unwinding happened mostly when I would take leave from work and we traveled. I used to really enjoy traveling. When I was stationed in Germany, my first husband and I traveled almost every weekend. When we were stationed in Colorado and Florida we went fishing a lot. It was relaxing to be out near the water and in nature.

A verse about rest:

Matthew 11:28-30New International Version

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”