Miscellany Monday - Make me Dependent

Again, I am late joining Carissa and getting my Miscellany Monday posting together.  Retirement life is so full and wonderful, time just gets away from me.

"As you look into the day that stretches out before you, you see many choice-points along the way.  The myriad possibilities these choices present can confuse you.  Draw your mind back to the threshold of this day, where I stand beside you, lovingly preparing you for what is ahead." Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

I draw strength from this today as I face so much that needs to be done.  But first, I must turn my mind and thoughts to the One who holds my day, my life, my plans, and my future in His hands.

Again, to quote Sarah Young, 

"When some basic need is lacking ---time, energy, money---consider yourself blessed.  Your lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence." 

 So, as James told us to do in 1:2, I will count it all joy that I am in need of being DEPENDENT today! 

Time with Friends

 Last week I had the pleasure of spending time with special friends on two separate days.  The funny thing was, both groups chose to eat at the same restaurant - Fairfield Market.  The weather was perfect so we ate outside both days.  These ladies are such blessings to me and I thank God for their friendships and for blessing me with time to spend with them.

Open House

Yesterday, Hubby had an Open House in perhaps the most desirable neighborhood for millionaires in our city.  An interesting thing happened as he was about to close up.  A lady was accompanied by her realtor who informed Hubby that "money is no object."  Come to find out, she was the mother of the #6 NFL Draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys.  If you are an LSU fan, you will know who this is.

Morris Claiborne is a Shreveport native and it is wonderful to see local boys who are as well thought of he is do well.  So, congratulations to Morris and his family.  Hope you find that just-right home.

Grandson 

This past weekend our grandson attended the National Underclassmen Football Combine (NUC) in Indianapolis, which in itself was a great honor and opportunity for him.  Jackson is a Junior at Penn High School in Granger, IN.

Well,  he was awarded the OVERALL MVP!  As a result of this honor he will attend the

National Underclassmen - Ultimate 100 Camp

 in Indy in July.

We could not be more proud of our BIG Grandson and his willingness to work hard.  Won't this look impressive on his recruiting profile!  We look forward to being able to watch him on the Rugby field this next month.

Travel

Hubby and I are looking forward to our long-anticipated trip tomorrow to visit family in the Midwest. I may not have time to do my regular blogging as a result of having too much fun, but I promise to keep you abreast of some of what is going on.
  In the meantime, have a great Monday, or what is left of it!

Miscellany Monday - The Handwritten Word

When was the last time you got a handwritten letter in the mail?

Do you remember the excitement of opening the mailbox or post office box and seeing a letter addressed to you?

I remember those days of long-distance courtship when not many days passed without either sending or receiving a letter from my soon-to-be hubby.  We kept every letter that passed between us.  Also, my mother kept every beautiful letter she received from my father.  He had the prettiest handwriting and was so romantic.

My sisters and I treasure these letters because they reveal a side of our parent's great love for each other that we never knew - that early budding love between two young adults.

Has this day passed?

Do you remember those days in school when we wrote notes to each other and hoped the teacher didn't catch us passing them around?  I remember the excitement of seeing who they were from and sometimes being disappointed.  I could never quite master the art of intricate folding patterns like some of my friends.  Now, the kids just text and don't worry about folding or getting caught.  But neither do they have special notes stored away for safe keeping.

 Several years ago when going through some old books that had belonged to my father, I found these handwritten documents and transactions dating back to the mid 1800's.  Does anyone write like this anymore?  Do children even learn to write in cursive these days?  What a lost art!

Another of my treasures is a letter my dad wrote to our two children when they were very young.  My parents had kept our children for a couple weeks while we were out of the country.  Even though the children were much too young to understand what their Papa wrote, they understood the love that was expressed for them.  It is something they can pass down to their children someday.

I keep these two precious notes from our two oldest grandchildren because they are expressions of love and the act of being grateful.

Is it too late to instill this seemingly lost art of handwriting letters in this new generation?  I sure hope not.  What will they have to treasure and share from boxes and trunks one of these days - email print outs?  Maybe.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Birds, Movies & Inspiration

I am again joining Joyce for Wednesday Hodgepodge.  I had so much fun last week that I decided to come back once again.  I hope you enjoy reading my hodgepodge as I enjoy writing about it.

1. Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?

It would just have to be the dove!

We have so many beautiful doves in our neighborhood and I love to hear their cooing as they communicate early in the mornings.  We had a family of doves that roosted above one of the columns on our front porch each year.  But, although it was a daily adventure for me to stand at my front door and watch them, they created such a mess that hubby decided we could no longer provide a maternity ward for them.  I still miss them and I'm not at all sure they have forgiven us for that.

2. Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.

Elizabeth L. Day - Reading, blogging, cooking, exercising, time with friends, ringing bells.

3. Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?

I say "No thank you!"  We have finally instilled in our grandchildren that they need to be very careful what they post on Facebook for this very reason; however, I do feel that requesting passwords is going too far.  Still, there is very little that remains private any more, so we must be so careful that we do not do or say anything that might be harmful to ourselves or others now or in the future.
 
That being said, as a retiree, I take every opportunity to express myself openly on Facebook and Twitter regarding my political views.  It is too serious a time in our country to be quiet.

4. It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?
Well, who doesn't love "Field of Dreams" or the more recent football movie, "Moneyball?"
But my all-time favorite sports themed movie is "Hoosiers."  The story of the Indiana High School basketball team who won state against all odds.

Indiana State High School Championship Game: Husker Team Pre-Talk and Prayer

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechhoosiersfinal.html

5. Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?
This is an easy one!  YES!!  My family used to give me a can of Asparagus for Christmas each year.  What does that tell ya, huh?  Actually, back in the late 50's our precious dad would have a plate of canned asparagus with a dollop of mayo ready for us when we got off the bus.  It was our favorite after school snack. Still sweet memories of this today!

Today, I enjoy it roasted or grilled but fresh from a can will always be my favorite way to eat it.

6. What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)

I would have to say first and foremost it is my relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is the reason I live and without Him I am nothing.  He has given me the desire to excel at whatever I do; it is He who blessed me with talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses; it is He who gives me the focus and interests and the ability to "do all things through [Christ] who gives me strength."

7. April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle?

I used to juggle schedules and activities, but I fear this is not exactly the kind of juggling to which you refer.  NO, I am not a juggler in any stretch of the imagination. 
 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have always admired Tennessee Basketball Coach Pat Summitt, even though I was a huge supporter of the Lady Techsters, their arch rival for many years.  Recently, Coach Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  I have read several articles about her fight against this horrible disease, but recently I read something she said that really impressed me.  When asked why she started her foundation she had this to say:

 "I did not want to waste the opportunity to use the platform that God gave me to help others."

When asked what advice she would offer others dealing with the disease, she said:

"If you are dealing with a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one, continue to live fully.  Life can be challenging, but we all have more abilities than disabilities.  You are a gift to your family and the world.  Make the world a better place one person at a time." 

I think this is good advice whether we have a dreaded disease or not, but thank you Pat Summitt for being our inspiration.

Dine With Me

Happy Monday to you!

I look forward to sharing my Miscellany Monday thoughts with you today.

The ladies of my church enjoyed a wonderful night of food and fellowship on Saturday night at our traditional "Dine With Me" evening.

I want to share with you some of the gorgeous tables that were decorated by the ladies themselves based on a scripture verse of their choosing.  The interpretations were beautifully and creatively done.

It was truly a lovely evening!

 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations..."  Matthew 18:19

"I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly"  John 10:10b

 Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in Him."  Psalm. 34:8

 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."  Proverbs 31:30

 

 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.  And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."  Matthew 6:28-29

 "For the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden cause seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."  Isaiah 61:11

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

 "The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God remains forever."

 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"  Matthew 6:26

 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands."  Psalm 100:1

An added touch of fancy!

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23

 A great time was had by all!