My Disturbing Reality

 

Reality hit hard yesterday morning upon my awaking hour when I realized I had left God out of my plans.

This past weekend I had a mini vacation . . . a "me" time. Jerry was on the Eastern Shore with his son, and Mom was at her friend's home. I was alone, for 48 hours (albeit with two puppies and Sam).

I baked my favorite chocolate pie, bought a pint of Haagen-Daz chocolate ice cream, a bag of Utz potato chips (the best) and ordered a pizza. This was my weekend!

I'd been saving two new books by my two favorite fiction authors, and I got out my gardening books and the layouts of my three gardens to read and plan. And I enjoyed the entire 48 hours!

It wasn't until I awoke yesterday morning, after the return of Jerry and Mom at the end of the day on Monday, that I was struck with my disturbing reality: I hadn't included God in my mini-vacation. It hit hard!

Oh, He wasn't entirely absent. I did go to church Sunday morning (but had considered not going). I did go to Sunday School (although I had decided to skip it). I did read in my Bible and some devotion books both morning (although quickly and just for the purpose of following my routine).

 

It really hit me hard, though, when I began thanking God Tuesday morning, as I normally do when I wake up, and realized my love and thankfulness was not expressed to Him my two "me" mornings.

Yes, after all, I was on vacation. It was a "me" weekend. It shouldn't be that big of an issue.

But it was. My heart was sad when I realized "me" had come before Thee. Sam and the puppies and I had a good time, and yes, I ate all my favorite treats, and no, I didn't share any of them! Yet my life would be nothing without my God and Lord. I don't ever want to forget Him again!

I found the first two snaps in front of the Barnes and Noble in Frederick. I thought they were cherry blossoms, but I'm not sure that is correct. Do any of you know what kind of tree that is? The third picture is in my Mom's friend's yard. I'm not sure what that is either.

The pups on top of the sewage coverage are watching our neighbor, Larry, mow on the other side of the fence (his head is there, but very hard to see). They weren't sure about that big machine and loud noise so they decided to sit a ways from him. The snap below is of the non working wire fence we put up to keep the pups out of the gardens. It's a little hard to see but the white stakes and the red ribbon are around all three gardens. The wire fence is only 24 inches high. As you can imagine it does nothing to keep the pups out of the garden!

 

 

Yes, we're going to have a real fence put up! Unfortunately it's going to take 5 to 7 weeks before they can begin! I need help!

Life on the Ridge

Life has been different since February 25th when we bought Abby and Jo home. These past two months have kept us hopping! Abby is now at 41 pounds and Jo weighs in at 44 pounds. And they like sitting on my lap and my ottoman!

Sleeping has been the most trying of times, but God brought a thought to my mind that helped me accept loss of sleep. Farmers and cattle ranchers always have to be on guard for their animals, especially at spring during birthing time. I decided if they could lose sleep as they watch over their animals then I could accept my loss of sleep getting up with the girls.

We foolishly put up a two foot wire fence around the gardens to keep the pups out. Of course, last week they realized they could jump over the fence into new territory! So we've accepted that we'll have to put up a higher fence to protect the gardens. After two years of all our work I don't want to see them destroyed.

Abby and Jo are hearty eaters and rough players, and when they lay down their out! What energy! Mine was lost a long time ago. But they're keeping me hopping, and soon I will be out in the gardens in the mornings getting a workout.

This is the first spring I've had the opportunity to watch my magnolia tree bug and bloom. I just love magnolia blossoms and was tickled when I found this tree at Lowe's for $25 last year. It took well in the garden area beside the chairs, and I counted 20 buds earlier this month. Half of them were ready to bloom when the frost came. They were lost. Now the other blooms should be opening this week, although a few of them have brown spots too. The snap above shows one flower opening before the frost.

I actually had a play date last week. It's been all puppies for two months, so I was thrilled to enjoy time with my friend, Kathy. Visited Black Hill State Park where she'll be working a craft show in May and then out to lunch. Thanks, Kathy, for a wonderful time!

Mom, Jerry and I stopped at a garden center in to pick up a thank you plant for my friend, Cindy, who takes care of all my computer issues. We enjoyed talking to Tequilla, below. He enjoys talking to the guests at the garden center. Was a right happy fellow! They are having a special evening soon when you can have your picture taken with Tequilla!

 

Yes, the past two months have been all puppies. And I'm constantly looking out the window to see if the girls are in any of the gardens, and if so, out I go.

 

Life on the ridge has been good, but I'm itching to get out and find some calves, foals, lambs and goslings to snap! It's Spring!

A "WOW" Moment

 

"I'm not sure what I did, but I trust you. Help me to understand." That's what I said walking home after giving my life to Christ. It was a revival series at my home church in Rockville. Pastor Crowley spoke on Elijah one of his favorite subjects to preach about.

Coming not from a family of believers, it was a huge step for fraidy cat, Carol, to walk the aisle and make a commitment. I know what I did, but I wasn't sure of what I really did.

I've been reading "The Legacy of a Couple: Ruth and Billy Graham." The inside flap cover says: "Full of anecdotes that reveal a winsome couple completely committed to one another and their mission. This biography uncovers the foundation of faith and love that made the life, ministry, and legacy of this influential couple possible." Chapters focused on their partnership, humility, integrity, faith and grace, to name a few. Gigi Graham provided the foreword.

I enjoy reading how Christian people have lived their life. Whether it's present day Christians or those that have come before me. They're inspiring, encouraging, and it's a great a learning opportunity.

I was reading the "integrity" chapter in the book and Billy Graham recounted his salvation experience. I knew about the revival series he was saved under when Mordecai Ham preached. We have the movie "Billy: The Early Years of Billy Graham." What I didn't know was what Billy said to himself after he was saved: "Lord, I don't know what happened to me tonight. You know, and I thank you for the privilege I've had tonight." WOW. That sure sounded familiar. I said the same thing Billy Graham said when he was saved!

We don't have to understand everything, we just have to believe in our heart that we've made the right choice. Understanding will follow as you read the Bible, study and listen to the Word being preached. And hymns also provide an opportunity to learn

I've enjoyed reading this book. And my WOW moment is one I won't forget! Today I know exactly what I did and why I did it. I am His and He is mine. WOW!

As we celebrate Easter this Sunday, when our Lord died and rose again and forever more lives for you and me, I hope you can say WOW!

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"  Luke 24:5b-6a

A new friend . . . Gladys Taber

Recently, while browsing Susan Branch's website (www.susanbranch.com), I was introduced to Gladys Taber. She was a well known author through the middle 1900s. Having never heard of her before, I picked up one of her books at the library: The Best of Stillmeadow. I've found a new friend.

Gladys lived in an old farmhouse in Southbury, Connecticut. One reviewer likened her books to"a hearth side visit with a wise and understanding friend," and another said: "Her homespun humor is delightful, and able to bring a smile to your face as you feel right at home in her home." The farmhouse was purchased with an old friend, and the two families enjoyed many years of happiness there.

The Best of Stillmeadow is a series of meditational stories following the calendar month. I've just finished April. Let me share two portions of her writing that I particularly like:

"For a time we shall have both winter birds that companioned us during the long cold, and the migratory ones coming from strange southern lands. The air is filled with the excitement of wings. However, much as I welcome the wanderers, I love most the chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers, for they have shared the bitter season with us, and never a blizzard too fierce for them to chatter away at the window feeder. I suspect we always love best those who share the hard things with us. Spring and summer friends are delightful, but give me winter friends for my dearest." . . . "A couple of cats and a bevy of cockers and an Irish liven things up considerably. It is hard to be melancholy with somebody playing leapfrog around the room. Paw marks on the windowsill are a small price to pay for joy." (emphasis mine :)

Gladys was an editor and columnist for Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle for over 40 years.
Her best loved books are about her life at Stillmeadow. She wrote about her happiness found from living in the farmhouse and caring for both cat and dog, numbers of them. She raised prized-winning cocker spaniels, with the exception of a beloved Irish Setter.

Susan Branch spoke about her in one on her blog posts: "Through her eyes, we experience the passing seasons from her 1690 Connecticut farmhouse; share in her passion for animals, gardening, cooking, and homemaking. Her books are filled with practical advice and her common sense view of the way things are."

She was born in 1899 and died in 1980. She's a good read regarding life in the middle 1900s. Thank you, Susan, for introducing me to Gladys Taber. It's a pleasure to learn about this remarkable and humble women.

Following are two more quotes of interest: "Perhaps, after all, our best thoughts come when we are alone. It is good to listen, not to voices but to the wind blowing, to the brook running cool over polished stones, to bees drowsy with the weight of pollen. If we attend to the music of the earth, we reach serenity. And then, in some unexplained way, we share it with others."

"But housekeeping is fun. It is one job where you enjoy the results right along as you work. You may work all day washing and ironing, but at night you have the delicious feeling of sunny clean sheets and airy pillows to lie on. If you clean, you sit down at nightfall with the house shining and faintly smelling of wax, all yours to enjoy right than and there. And if you cook--that creation you lift from the oven goes right to the table."

Shortly after her death, the Friends of Gladys Taber was formed by a fan. The group is still active, numbering 400 women and men around the world. They meet annually at places associated with her birth, early childhood and adult years, to study and discuss the influences on her life and to celebrate both her fictional and nonfiction works. Yearly visitors appear in Southbury and approach the Southbury library to find out if Stillmeadow still exists.

Maybe I've wet your appetite to some good reading. I'm always on the lookout for good authors. I've already requested another book from the library. I leave you with this quote:

"But in this season, it is well to reassert that the hope of mankind rests in faith. 'As man thinketh, so he is.' Nothing much happens unless you believe in it, and believing there is hope for the world is a way to move toward it."