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.
“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”
Hello to you. I’m just back from my Aunt and Uncles where we celebrated Fathers Day with my cousin and his wife. My Aunt had me try on some pants she picked up at Costco – good fit and pretty. We had roasted turkey and they brought over roast and fish my cousin caught. It was so nice to see them! Link loves seeing everybody too! We went for a walk after dessert of angel food cake and fruit and boy was I huffing and puffing. It was pretty hot out but still! I really need to lose some weight!
This morning began with church. We were in Nehemiah 4:9-14:
Hello to you. I’m just home from my cousins house and the first tea party. Today began with church. I got to see my church family. Jeannie was there with Roy’s daughter Wendy. We were in Matthew 6:5-8:
The tea party really was beautiful! It was the first one my family has done so there was a learning curve. I was a bit late as my GPS decided it didn’t want to take me to my cousins without going to my Aunts first! My cousin came and rescued me. I was pretty frazzled! There was a good turnout that included the grandchildren. Everyone had on their spring dresses and little clip on hats. I was so glad to see everyone to include my cousin Heidi. It’s been six months since she had her aneurysm. She’s doing so well! There were little sandwiches, scones and macaroons. There were many different teas to choose from. There was talk of doing it again next year.
Hello to you. How are you doing today? Not much going on here today which is good. My Linky boy was sitting in a sunbeam this afternoon. I thought you would like to see!
My sunbeam boyHi momma!
Dear Jesus thank you for Link and all that he is to this family. Thank you for this day that I’ve been allowed to live. I pray you be with the poor, the sick, those with health issues they have to live with, the hungry, the addicted, the abused, the neglected and the unhoused. Wrap your loving arms around those who seek you. Amen.
Hello there. How are you doing today? Our natural inclination is to say “I’m ok” or “fine.” Not many people want to hear that you aren’t ok or fine. Is it a sign of weakness to be honest? Is it a sign that you don’t want to burden others with your troubles knowing that others have problems too? It’s not wanting to be a burden that keeps me in the fine and ok space when interacting with others. I don’t want people to dread talking to me!
Today I forced myself to join ladies from church for our twice a month coffee. I was late but that didn’t matter. As always I’m glad I went. I got to share how I’m doing and they prayed for me. I didn’t stay long as I don’t do well standing for long periods of time. I continue to experience the Weeble wobbles when I turn a certain way. They were packaging up pillowcases that were sewn for women and children with cancer.
Ladies helping todayPillow cases for children
Prayer I found that resonated with me:
For Strength & Courage
Heavenly Father, I come before You seeking Your divine strength. Lord, You are my refuge and my fortress. I surrender my fears, anxieties, and uncertainties to You. Fill me with unwavering courage and remind me that I can do all things through You. Let Your peace settle my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hello to you. It’s Sunday again! The week flew by didn’t it?! I forced myself to go to church despite having some slight vertigo. I’m so glad I did as I got to see my church fam – especially Jeannie, Terry, Cecil, Mark and Brenda. I love getting and giving hugs! Today was Communion Sunday which is always meaningful. Pastor Jason’s message today resonated with me. Feeling the way I did today, the weeble wobbles, makes it hard for me to commit more of myself to our churches needs. Some days it’s all I can do to get to church like today. We are growing and there are so many spaces that need to be filled! I am glad to be part of a prayer group that meets on Thursdays and when I’m able I go to a Monday coffee with women of Grace.
Today is my Dads heavenly birthday, he would be 83 today. I feel bad that I didn’t know my dad better. He didn’t ever really talk about his past. I’m ashamed to say that today is the first time I have read his obituary! I still haven’t fully grieved and or accepted that he’s gone. I miss the dad that dad was so much of his life. I miss his hugs that could make the world stand still. I miss his laughter and his smile. He had such a fun sense of humor. I miss him calling me and leaving voice messages – “hi Jackie this is your dad.” I miss him asking me to get him quarters from the bank. I miss decorating the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving with him. I just miss him alot! There are so many little things. I was proud of my dad for everything he did. I can remember when I would visit him and mom how many people that knew my dad and would say hello. He was kind of a local celebrity!
Part of his life is missing from his obituary and that is being married to my birth mom Jeannie and her subsequent suicide. This painful part of his past changed the course of both of our lives. Suicide does that so I’m not surprised for the omission. I only ever heard him speak of what happened when he told Dianne when he thought I was asleep in the backseat. I have never forgotten that! It was a horrible thing he went through! I feel bad that I put him through so much with my mental health issues during the latter years of his life.
Larry Schmidt, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Avera Prince of Peace. He was 80.
Larry Jay Schmidt was born May 31, 1943, in Marion, SD, to Elias and Irene (Wipf) Schmidt. The family lived in Freeman, SD prior to moving to Sioux Falls when Larry was five years old. He attended Sioux Falls Washington Senior High School and then joined the US Navy. Following his honorable discharge from service, he sold insurance for Physicians Mutual. Larry served as a police officer in Freeman, SD, then later moved to Rapid City, SD where he continued in security.
On July 7, 1973, he was united in marriage to Dianne Warrington in Tea, SD. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. Larry continued his career with security in Sioux Falls. In 1987, he and Dianne purchased Velvet Uniforms serving the Sioux Falls community and the law enforcement community in the area. He retired in 2008.
Larry was a member of St. Michael Parish, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW Honor Guards, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Associate Lodge #1, where he had served as board member and president.
In his free time, Larry enjoyed genealogy and collecting coins.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dianne Schmidt, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Jackie Wygant, Middleton, ID; son, Jerry (Robin) Lemme, Dell Rapids, SD; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Eli (LaVonne) Schmidt, of Sioux Falls, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, LaVerne Wipf, Gene Schmidt, and John Schmidt.
Hello to you. It’s about bedtime as I write to you. I’m not tired yet and know if I try to sleep right now I will just toss and turn. So I will write to you and may be I will get tired!
I was sitting here thinking on what to write about and the word forever popped in. What is forever? As a Christian forever is what happens to us when we die. We die to our physical body and join Jesus and all of our loved ones in heaven for all of eternity – forever. I often wonder what that will be like. For me now I am flesh and bones with my eyes paying attention to my time left here on earth.
I told my therapist this last session that I can feel at times like I am starting to die. My physical health is not as good as it was just a couple years ago. All around me are people my age and younger dying. What makes me so special that I get to live? I have survived many things that take its toll on the body. Facing the end of my second marriage because of my own fault and little that was his really shattered me. Thank God for my family and friends that came to my pleas for help.
Dear Jesus I come before you with my broken self and ask for you to walk with me through what remains of my life here on earth. I love you so much. Thank you for all the earth angels you have put along my journey! Bless those who are like me on this journey. Bless all who are seeking you and may be just are a little lost. Amen.
This song has been with me for many years now. Like Enigma, there is a timelessness to this band:
I awakened in the city to utter darkness. I was running for hours and hours through deserted streets. between all those towers, there was only rain — only the rain.
I went through doors, I scoured the alleys. in the rain I climbed ridges. I walked over bridges, but there was no one there. I felt deaf, although my hearing was fair.
but there was only silence. not even the rain…
there must be more. I need you to quell my fears. I’ve felt it before. I need you to shed my tears.
the things I adore. I need you to feel my pain. I’m trapped like before. I need you to stop the rain.
I’ve cast myself into a prison, with bonds near impossible to break. I thought my life is built on reason, but now I know I’ve got to escape.
I’ve depraved myself of all I had, and thought I need to for my own sake. I didn’t think I would be so sad, but without you I cannot escape. not even the rain…
deep in my heart, I want you to pull me back. I’ve kept us apart, I want you to fix my wreck.
awake with a start, I want you to enter my mind. to re-cast my part, I want you to follow me blind.
I’ve cast myself into a prison, with bonds near impossible to break. I thought my life is built on reason, but now I know I’ve got to escape.
I’ve depraved myself of all I had, and thought I need to for my own sake. I didn’t think I would be so sad, but without you I cannot escape.
Hello to you on this sunny Sunday afternoon. Today has been really nice. The day started with me asking for God to show me if I should go to church. I had a really tough night – not a full uninterrupted night of sleep. My feet carried me to what I was supposed to do and I went to church! As always, I was glad I pushed through! We were in John 2:1-11:
After church I went and bought groceries finally. It was expensive – the coffee I buy was $15 by itself. I’m so glad I only have to buy for Link and I. I usually have groceries last for almost a month. Then I went to have lunch with my Aunt and Uncle. Link was so happy – he loves them so much! I also got to see my sweet cousin Laura who is helping put together a ladies high tea with my Aunt. I sat with my Uncle John and watched a few episodes of a show called Rosemary and Thyme. It’s about two friends who tend to gardens and solve murder mysteries.
Link lying at the feet of my Aunt Love this mug : Dear Lord lead me not into temptation I can do it for myselfTodays message
Hello to you in your now. How are you doing? I am writing to you from my favorite spot – the couch with my panda boy Link. I remembered my phone for the first walk today and was rewarded with roses in bloom everywhere!
Now is a time of roses in the neighborhood I love this picture with his Momma Tippie. He is almost all gray and white now. You can see why we called him panda boy!
I started the new higher dose of olanzapine today. I haven’t really noticed a difference yet – it takes some time for the body to adjust. I am still having the weeble wobble stuff going on with my ears. May be the doctor I will be getting will have new ideas from the doctor I just had!
I asked the internet for positive news about roses and this is what came up as an answer:
Modern rose breeding has successfully solved the historical trade-off between stunning petal colors and deep fragrance. Geneticists have identified the specific pathways that allow new cultivars to produce vibrant blooms without sacrificing their signature scent, while also creating highly resilient, heat-tolerant varieties that require far less maintenance.
Exciting Developments in the Rose World
Stronger Fragrance & Genetics: Molecular researchers have mapped the complex DNA of modern roses. They have isolated the genes responsible for prolonged, repeat blooming and are finding ways to bring back robust fragrance without losing bold, vibrant colors.
Ultra-Resilient Cultivars: Modern varieties are increasingly engineered for heat tolerance, meaning they can thrive in challenging climates without needing constant chemical interventions. Disease-resistant shrub and groundcover roses are now widely available for home gardens.
True Blue Blooms: After years of botanical research, horticulturalists have successfully cultivated and refined “true blue” roses using natural pigment engineering—a color that was previously considered botanically impossible.
Where to Find & Explore the Best Roses
Whether you are looking to plant a low-maintenance garden or just want to admire award-winning blooms, these trusted platforms can help:
American Rose Society: Access official care guides, find local rose societies in Idaho, and browse the latest award-winning rose introductions.
Heirloom Roses: Shop a massive collection of own-root roses that are known for their vigor, fragrance, and disease resistance.
David Austin Roses: Browse the iconic, heavily fragrant English roses that combine classic, old-world charm with hardy, modern disease resistance.
Have you ever noticed how most roses you buy in the store have no smell? I hope that will change.
Dear Jesus I thank you for this day.  I thank you for all the beauty in this world and my being able to get out and enjoy it. Please continue to be with my cousin Heidi on her healing journey. I pray for your presence with the elderly, the sick, the unhoused, the poor, the hungry, the addicted, neglected and abused. Amen.
Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. I just scrapped an entire post because I know not many people will want to read a rant about how our wild spaces are being violated. I think a lot of people are just so beat up by this world right now that they have become apathetic to it all. They need good news! What is going right with the world?!!! I found the following on the good news network page:
Ice Cream Truck Gives Free Scoop to Little Boy Who Couldn’t Afford It. Now It’s Free for All Kids This Summer
“We don’t turn kids away when they don’t have money,” says Madyson Silvagnoli, owner of Maddy’s Ice Cream and More.
In between all of the bad and sad news are good things happening. My hope is in Jesus who manifests himself in good people and happenings each day. You just have to look! I can remember living in a Section 8 apartment but if you look at the pictures I took living there you would never know. Kyle, Sam and I looked for and found the beauty in between the trash. In between the ugliness of war and chaos are good people doing good things. All is not lost!
To be 