25 June 2026 Language

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

ich spreche nur ein bisschen – I only speak a little bit.

Hello there! Guten tag! wie geht es ihnen? – Good day! How are you?

The German language has been with me since grade school when I was given a class. I still have the workbook I used. I also took a class when I was stationed in Germany but if you don’t get to practice you lose it! Learning German was helpful when I was overseas but as much as I wanted to practice what I had learned, the Germans wanted to practice their English! It was just easier to speak English than watch me struggle with German!

I love Google Translate:

Lieber Jesus, ich danke Dir für diesen Tag und all die Segnungen, die er mit sich bringt. Ich bitte Dich, dass Du mir weiterhin Deine Gegenwart in meinem Leben zeigst und mich zu einem Segen für alle machst, denen ich begegne. Amen

Dear Jesus thank you for this day and all the blessings within it. I pray that you will continue to show your presence in my life and make me a blessing to all those i encounter. Amen.

From the world prayer wheel this beautiful prayer from Mary Elizabeth Frye 1932:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

mary elizabeth frye – 1932

Prayers go out to the people of Venezuela who are experiencing loss after the earthquakes.

23 June 2026 Best Advice

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

Hello to you! It’s Tuesday evening as I write to you. How are you?

Today’s prompt makes me think of my younger self. The best advice I would give is to slow down! When I look back on my 58 years, much of those years I can’t even remember. Everything is a blur. I burned a candle at both ends through much of my life. I barely have any memories of my childhood. The memories I do have are just fragments of mostly traumatic events. Most of my memories are highlights. I used to write in journals everyday but stopped because I was running out of storage space! I have a big black cedar lined trunk full of journals, calendars and sketch books. I have wrestled with what to do with everything for years now. I don’t have any children of my own to pass my stuff on to so someday whomever takes over my estate will probably just send everything to the dump. Most young people these days don’t want stuff from their elders. I am the end of a tree.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3A9&version=NIV – Genesis 2:9

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203%3A18&version=NIV -Proverbs 3:18

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”

16 May 2026 Oldest

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

Hello to you my friends. Today is Saturday and I hope you are going to do something fun! I am just back from a walk. Something I noticed is the flowers in the neighborhood are all in bloom. Normally the roses and Peonies bloom a little later in the year.

Today’s prompt makes me think of my jewelry. A ring I’ve had for several years now that says “Not all who wander are lost” is one I’ve had for several years now. This phrase really resonates with me and much of my life. The saying comes from the line of a poem in Lord of the Rings. I also have a blue topaz ring that is like an eye that I’ve had a really long time. Here’s what the internet had to say about the phrase:

The famous phrase “Not all those who wander are lost” originates from J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1954 fantasy masterpiece, The Fellowship of the Ring. [12]It appears as the second line in a poem known as “The Riddle of Strider” (or the “Song of Aragorn”), which is written about the character Aragorn: [12]All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost. [12]

Context and Original Meaning
In the story, Aragorn is a Ranger who lives a wandering life in the wilderness. He is not wandering aimlessly because he is lost; rather, he lives in exile to protect the realm and guard his true identity as a rightful king. Therefore, within the context of the book, the line highlights that individuals who appear to live unstructured or nomadic lives often have a deep inner strength, a strong sense of purpose, and deep historical roots. [12]Today, the quote is widely adopted by travelers, adventurers, and free spirits to celebrate the idea of embracing the unknown and finding personal meaning in the journey rather than just the destination.

A song from one of my favorite groups:

https://youtu.be/x-KbNstmJKc?si=_d5HQHsOrCSzJNbH – Voyageur – Enigma

15 May 2026 Lead or Follow

Are you a leader or a follower?

Good evening. It’s almost bed time as I write to you. It’s hard to believe another week is coming to a close! For some reason my neighbors are shooting off fireworks- thank goodness Link doesn’t get bothered by them!

The prompt for today makes me look back to when I was Active Duty in the Air Force for 16 years. During my time in service I was both a leader and a follower depending on the circumstances I was in. In the military there is a long chain of command leading all the way to the President. You have a supervisor who has a supervisor who has a supervisor and so on all the way up. I can remember having difficulty following orders – I never just blindly followed. When you are a low ranking individual you really don’t have much of a say. As an airmen I got in trouble on more than one occasion of breaking the rules! I had come from a strict home life so you would think following orders in the military would come easily but it didn’t. To be an effective leader you need a pretty thick skin which I haven’t always had. As a young person I was extremely empathetic and had trouble regulating my emotions. Nowadays I have a much thicker skin- almost too much so!

Dear Jesus thank you for this day and all the blessings in it. I love you Lord. I pray that your presence and love flow to all those who are lost in this world. I pray you bless the sick, those on a healing journey like my cousin Heidi, the poor, the unhoused, the addicted, the abused, the neglected to include all animals. Amen.

https://youtu.be/XNjcqx4sW44?si=xA3pp6tf3rbRWRWC – 10 minute Tai Chi

5 May 2026 Advice

List the people you admire and look to for advice…

Hello to you. How is it in your world? Here in mine it’s sunny and warm again. I went and got groceries this morning after putting it off as long as I could. It was $214 just for me! That’s double what it was since all the tariffs nonsense began. Last night as I did my nightly prayers, I realized how much I hate our President and had to pray about it. Praying for those we don’t like is even more important than praying for those we do like. I had to pray for him to get the hate out of my heart. I don’t want to hate anybody but every day it’s one more thing he does that pisses me off. I can’t stand seeing his face or hearing his voice every day. I want him and his entire administration fired! I don’t understand why Congress hasn’t done anything. We shall have to see what Gods will is about it all. This uncalled for war with Iran must end!

In answer to today’s prompt I would say the people I look to for advice and admire is my family. I especially listen to my Aunt and Uncle. My Aunt and Uncle are the closest thing for me having parents. Sometimes they get it wrong but it’s rare. Other people I turn to are my Pastor and friends I’ve made through church.

Dear Jesus please guide the leaders at all levels of government. Give them wisdom and empathy towards the people they serve. Please wrap your loving arms around the unhoused, the addicted, the sick, those trying to heal, the abused, the poor and the hungry. Please continue to send your earth angels to the aide of neglected and abused animals. Amen.

I am finding these shorter exercises easier to do:

https://youtu.be/jIjRNg-pOBs?si=GSzDE8DcNq09xG6f – 7 min Gentle Tai Chi for Seniors

New song from Ryan Perdz:

https://youtu.be/ayVVlOfslik?si=QD82-8oQRuw7ga1C – Sour – Ryan Perdz

26 Feb 2026 Favorite People

Who are your favorite people to be around?

Hello there. How are you doing today? I’m doing better. My back pain is gone for now. I’m trying something out in addition to walking each day. I’m trying Tai Chi movements. I’ve been seeing Tai Chi all over the place lately so last night I couldn’t sleep and I got up and did Tai Chi movements to a song called Lotus: https://youtu.be/Zrxdgat3y9c?si=D5hLG5XoqUVdIDoU and in those approximately 4 and a half minutes I felt better! I could feel the circulation moving in my body. I did it again today with similar results. I want to work up to more time but this is a good start. Tai Chi is very gentle on the body and feels like dancing to me. From what I’ve heard it’s good exercise for the back and may be help me lose weight! I am hoping doing it will help restore my balance also.

The prompt for today makes me think of the sunshine people in my life. The people who laugh easily. Give big hugs. Sing along with their favorite songs. Whistle. People who always seem to have a smile on their face even when things aren’t going so well in their lives. I like the company of people who have a sense of humor. I like being around kind people. I am blessed to have the people I’m describing as blood family, friends I’ve made through the years and my church family. I try to be one of these kind of people but as I’ve mentioned before, I have become a serious person as I’ve gotten older! I used to be a person that always “kept the lights on.” It’s easier to be around other people who do that also than being around serious people.

Dear Jesus I pray for everyone two legged and four. With skin, fur, feathers and scales. I pray especially for the countries and people experiencing war and upheaval in the world. I pray for leaders at all levels of government throughout this world – guide them to being peacemakers. I pray for all experiencing health issues that there would be restorative healing and comfort only found in you. Amen.

28 Nov 2025 Decisions

What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well in your world and if things are not going well that you have hope in your heart. Remember people all over the world are praying for you.

Today’s prompt calls to mind a couple hard decisions I’ve had to make. One was deciding to have a hysterectomy and never have children. We put my health as the priority. I had fibroid cysts that would have just keep coming back had I not decided to have my lady parts removed. The other decision that immediately came to mind was euthanizing our cocker spaniel Sam – we just didn’t want to let him go! He was so tired and weak when the end finally had to come. Sam was my soulmate and I don’t think I’ll ever have another like him. I’ve told God Sam had better be there in heaven when it’s my time to go!

Revelation 5:13New International Version

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

25 Aug 2025 Time of the Day

What’s your favorite time of day?

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. If you are struggling to get through your days I pray for you. You are not alone! There are a lot of people struggling in our world and not much relief in sight. The only true relief for me comes when I focus on Jesus! Writing to you helps me a lot too. I thank you for stopping by here and visiting with me. I get so lonely at times! So many people in this world are lonely. Even with all the technology we have we are still lonely as ever.

Today’s prompt, if you asked me a few years ago, would be easy to answer. I was a morning person. When I was active duty Air Force and working full time I had no choice but to be a morning person. I had routines each day that got me out of bed and happy to begin my day. When I retired on 16 Sept 2002 my life and routines got all turned upside down. I had to come up with new routines. Having pets, specifically dogs, helped because there were morning dog walks with my now ex Kyle. I miss his company so much! I miss being married. We had such good talks! Link can’t really go for walks these days because of his back leg giving him trouble so I have to walk alone.

I don’t have a real life purpose except on certain days of the week right now. I have been praying and talking to God for many years now about what it is he’s got me here to do. Ideas come and go. I’ve tried different things but my body problems and issues being bipolar hold me back from fully committing to anything. Most of my purpose involves my spirituality when it involves anything. Thankfully I will be joining my Aunt and some other ladies next month in a Bible Study. Being with these ladies will be good for me and will get me in the word.

Pastor Jason closed with this psalm Sunday:

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

4 Aug 2025 Joy

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today’s prompt isn’t easy for me to answer. It should be after all Joy is literally my middle name! There isn’t one habit that springs to mind that brings me genuine joy. Ever since the divorce and changing from Lithium to Depakote feeling genuine emotion has been hard for me. Sometimes it feels like I am an actress playing a part of a human being. Prior to what happened to me about three years ago, I was a very emotional person. Tears and belly laughs came to me easily and that’s just not the case anymore. I have become a very serious person in my old age. I miss the silly and youthful woman I used to be!

The things that use to bring me joy and fulfillment aren’t a part of my life now. I use to crochet, make wire jewelry, experiment in my kitchen, draw, write poems and short stories, take lots of pictures, spend time with nature, sing and dance. The only things I still do is this blog and from time to time is take nature pictures! I guess I just haven’t found a way to completely fill the void getting divorced left in me. Loving Jesus is gradually healing me but it’s taking time! He is the great physician and I know in his time he will restore me to my best self again.

Picture from a walk with my cousin Laura a couple years ago

James 4:8-10New International Version

Come near to God and he will come near to you.Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

31 July 2025 Appearance

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. Today began with prayer with Pastor Jason and Pastor Jim. Always lots to pray for. We prayed for our church and its people. I read the prayer from yesterday’s blog. I talked to Pastor Jason about getting baptized. It’s been tugging at my heart for quite some time! So we are going to do it the last Sunday in September. My family knows so they can be there for it. After prayer I finally got groceries – $200 for just me! The cart was filled with mostly stuff to drink. I am glad I got it over with! I went for a walk after I put everything away and it was kind of a struggle but I made myself do the half mile loop.

Today’s prompt makes me think of Little House On The Prairie. Laura wrote her books in a very descriptive way so that her blind sister Mary could see what she was talking about. I would describe myself as sort of tall and curvy. Short hair with hazel eyes and olive skin (I tan easily). My head is smaller than my body – heart shaped face. I have long arms and long legs. I have a very short waist. Can you see me?

Isaiah 53:2New International Version

He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.