AS THE MOUNTAIN STEAM FLOWS...
I analyze my life current which has moved along more swiftly than imagined. Last post March and now its October 10, 2019. Perhaps I have taken on characteristics of the salmon on the upstream swim. My upstairs room has been named "my studio" and makings of cards are covering two long tables and the floor. The craft fair for the cards is November 6, 2019. I have 50 made and I need 100 minimum. Feeling the need to blog to date. I pushed the card sections aside and slid my computer down so I can reach it without stretching over everything.
I discovered an old desire to water color and that has taken over my creative desires. I am in serious trouble because I would rather water color than make cards. I enjoy making cards and now I am under a crunch to work harder. I have so many ideas but can only work two at a time. Needless to say I am working about 4 cards at one time. Shame on me! I have to keep serious focus to do this! The right hand side top of my main desk has a shelf with water color paints in 3 forms underneath and a black tray with paintings that have been done, ready to make a new run for improvement.
Oh, the special GOLD paints are under the black tray with a small container of miscellaneous items like painters tape. I have a folder where I slip ideas for water color pictures.
My super excitement is going to Florida Monday (10/14/19 return 10/21/19) to visit my Christa Lee and Jeffery. Shakespeare is in the air and Christa is going to perform in a few of "The best of Shakespeare plays". I am so excited to see them, the plays, my grand-dog and 3 grand-kitties.
This means I must push out 3 more days of card making and fill a suitcase with cloths and water color supplies. That will be another blog when I return.
The farm has been in need of repair, some made and some still urgent but no help available. I see these many things that need to be done and say to myself, "No reason you cant knock this stuff out. Get a hammer and crow bar climb the ladder and pull off the outside layer of the upstairs wall on the retreat center, right after you take the metal room off the porch." Put up the wood strips to screw the metal siding on the area you completed the work and job well done.!!!" One small tiny challenge, I have gotten older and fall so ladders are not for me any more. Discover time September 27! I was feeling very depressed that the farm is in disrepair and I can't take care of the work any longer. I was missing Dennis, knowing these things would be done if he was still alive. With the help of Christa's loving conversations; I discovered, by helping everyone else for 8 years in GriefShare; I never finished grieving Dennis' death, September 29, 2009. It's been 10 years. I allowed myself to concentrate on helping others and become the classic widow with unfinished. business. Christa and I cried a bit remembering Dennis and facing the reality before me. Time to pick myself up and dust myself off and move forward in earnest, by the Grace of God. God allows us to go through tough times to improve us, I missed some of my training and it caught up with me. So onward and upward, full steam ahead, so to speak.
Health challenges have brought a new swimming plan for the stream. I'm more like the OLD SALMON swimming up stream than I realized. But, the challenge will require God and the neurosurgeon to repair. So while the doctors get their act together and get the neurosurgeon to call me for consult, I will keep living.
I started square dancing on Tuesday nights with a bunch of people my age, or just a tad younger. Its been great fun. Hour and a half is just right. Its light when I drive in and dark when I go home but I had cataract surgery a few months ago and I can see fine, unless I'm looking at my phone. I invited one widow friend to join me and it has been a good experience for her as well. Since she is younger, swing dancing is also on her list, not mine. But, I am sure enjoying myself on Tuesdays.
Monday still sees me out at 9:45 to visit my widow 80 and make greeting cards, followed by a visit to the nursing home (with a new widow helping) passing out about 75 computer generated cards. After cards distributed and conversations with everyone in front dining room then the memory care dining room gets cards and conversation. Then I pick up my 95 year young widow for lunch. Some times its 2 or 3 or 4, widows; but its joyful every time. Errands are taken care of as necessary for each and I usually arrive at home around 6pm. I work for the Lord and it keeps my life full!
Wednesday is the day I try to help in the kitchen at the Baptist church. I say it's my cooking lessons. I enjoy learning how to cook many things and how not to do things. I am part of a fair size group and enjoy it. However, with my new health challenges, care must be taken on my part not to drop anything or fall. So far so good. I just cut back on the length of time I am there now. It takes me two days to recoup from that learning fun.
Well, its Thursday and the dog and cat are taken care of, my husband is doing his thing in his man cave and I'm in my studio upstairs. I do need to work on my cards now so I must close with: by the grace of God there go I.
Blessings to all
have a great day in the Lord
Your sister in Christ
maryanne
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Maintenance Required on Heart, & Body
2019 Maintenance is required on myself as well as God's Cozy Acres.
I had a bucket list started for my 70th year on this beautiful earth, God gave us. Living was among my priorities. I have been always busy and I don't equate that with living well. When Dennis was alive we were always very busy but we always carved out special time for family and friends. Perhaps I lost sight of that as the years rushed by;l like rushing waters in a stream. You have to look quick to see the fish swim by.
First and foremost was the joyous joint celebration of birthdays, in March. Spending a week with Christa Lee and Jeffrey (who worked most of the time) was wonderful. It was a special time we could visit favorite places, new places and remember our past. Epcot maintains a fondness in our heart and gave us a joyous lift as we walked through the areas. No time clock. No special list to check off. Just togetherness was the most spectacular!.
I brought home two wonderful pictures from art fair and lots of great memories. It was one of my BEST Birthday celebrations. As the stream flows I will end here and move on with a busy life schedule!
God is good, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!
have a great month in the Lord
your sister in Christ maryanne
I had a bucket list started for my 70th year on this beautiful earth, God gave us. Living was among my priorities. I have been always busy and I don't equate that with living well. When Dennis was alive we were always very busy but we always carved out special time for family and friends. Perhaps I lost sight of that as the years rushed by;l like rushing waters in a stream. You have to look quick to see the fish swim by.
First and foremost was the joyous joint celebration of birthdays, in March. Spending a week with Christa Lee and Jeffrey (who worked most of the time) was wonderful. It was a special time we could visit favorite places, new places and remember our past. Epcot maintains a fondness in our heart and gave us a joyous lift as we walked through the areas. No time clock. No special list to check off. Just togetherness was the most spectacular!.
I brought home two wonderful pictures from art fair and lots of great memories. It was one of my BEST Birthday celebrations. As the stream flows I will end here and move on with a busy life schedule!
God is good, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!
have a great month in the Lord
your sister in Christ maryanne
Sunday, March 17, 2019
It's Odd, ending a year away from home.
November brought yet another trip, this time to West Africa on Regent Cruise Line. Kitty could stay home and have visitations for feeding, but Cuddles had to go to Maryland and stay while we were gone.
We would be home in Tennessee after New Years 2019. This was a sad trip, for me. My wonderful husband was excited to get on the road! I haven't been home for Christmas for a while, and that makes me sad. No interaction with Church friends, services, decorations happy sounds around everywhere in stores. There was no indication of holiday celebrations once we got on our plane and headed overseas. It was a long flight, with extra challenges, but we arrived; the last couple to board to ship,It was a long cruise, our room was lovely with a balcony, large bed,bathroom, TV, dresser and walk in closet
The ship moved along from North to South; stopping at various islands; moving over the equator twice and finally to Cape Town South Africa. That was the quick version, The islands were full of poverty and sadness except in the children. Children seem to find a way to may them selves happy. Bus tours on a few islands allowed us to get a glimpse of life in this far away country.
Towards the end of the tour, in Capetown, we went on a catamaran to see the seals in this one area. Tom, being a man without sunscreen or a hat insisted on sitting outside in front of the vessel. Knowing I would be burned to a crisp I sat inside. This was a fun excursion, a seal was allowed to come on board, a pelican was allowed to come inside and partake of the fishy treats. Upon our return I noticed Tom was already "RED". That evening a stranger came to live in our cabin. He looked like a prize fighter who had lost many fights. Tom's face had swollen due to sun blisters, his eyes were swollen. His face was weeping, yet he claimed no pain. I was glad for him but I felt hurt just the same, as I had severe sunburn in my past. Eventually,about 4 days, my husband's face reappeared back to normal. We went on a safari, so to speak. A wild life preserve was our next stop proving to be the best of the whole trip. Picked up some great pictures of elephants, zebras, hippos, and a bunch more I cant remember the names of right now.
I had a tiny Christmas tree decorated with lights in our cabin with a miniature nativity. I left that for our room steward to share with her children at home. A gigantic Christmas tree was being dressed by the crew, while holiday music played, in the center of the ship. Large colorful balls and wonderful accoutrements were joyfully placed. Scrumptious festive treats of all sorts, and savory food extraordinaire, ice sculptures, filled the dining room. 4 tables were used for the display of ginger bread buildings decorated spectacularly surrounded by a moving Christmas train. Now there was a feel of Christmas celebration.
We managed,after many delays, to settle in to our seats on a plane home. When we arrived the lights on homes were still aglow, reminding me of the little things I missed. Cuddles was glad to see us and as fast as I could the car was packed to get back home to Tennessee.
No tree, no festive lights, no festive food or treats of any kind, but it was still good to be home at last.
I thanked the Lord for a safe trip home and look forward to Christmas 2019, when my daughter and her husband will join us. Praise the Lord for the ability to see the world and to have a home to return to.
So many blessings I don't deserve.
We would be home in Tennessee after New Years 2019. This was a sad trip, for me. My wonderful husband was excited to get on the road! I haven't been home for Christmas for a while, and that makes me sad. No interaction with Church friends, services, decorations happy sounds around everywhere in stores. There was no indication of holiday celebrations once we got on our plane and headed overseas. It was a long flight, with extra challenges, but we arrived; the last couple to board to ship,It was a long cruise, our room was lovely with a balcony, large bed,bathroom, TV, dresser and walk in closet
The ship moved along from North to South; stopping at various islands; moving over the equator twice and finally to Cape Town South Africa. That was the quick version, The islands were full of poverty and sadness except in the children. Children seem to find a way to may them selves happy. Bus tours on a few islands allowed us to get a glimpse of life in this far away country.
Towards the end of the tour, in Capetown, we went on a catamaran to see the seals in this one area. Tom, being a man without sunscreen or a hat insisted on sitting outside in front of the vessel. Knowing I would be burned to a crisp I sat inside. This was a fun excursion, a seal was allowed to come on board, a pelican was allowed to come inside and partake of the fishy treats. Upon our return I noticed Tom was already "RED". That evening a stranger came to live in our cabin. He looked like a prize fighter who had lost many fights. Tom's face had swollen due to sun blisters, his eyes were swollen. His face was weeping, yet he claimed no pain. I was glad for him but I felt hurt just the same, as I had severe sunburn in my past. Eventually,about 4 days, my husband's face reappeared back to normal. We went on a safari, so to speak. A wild life preserve was our next stop proving to be the best of the whole trip. Picked up some great pictures of elephants, zebras, hippos, and a bunch more I cant remember the names of right now.
I had a tiny Christmas tree decorated with lights in our cabin with a miniature nativity. I left that for our room steward to share with her children at home. A gigantic Christmas tree was being dressed by the crew, while holiday music played, in the center of the ship. Large colorful balls and wonderful accoutrements were joyfully placed. Scrumptious festive treats of all sorts, and savory food extraordinaire, ice sculptures, filled the dining room. 4 tables were used for the display of ginger bread buildings decorated spectacularly surrounded by a moving Christmas train. Now there was a feel of Christmas celebration.
We managed,after many delays, to settle in to our seats on a plane home. When we arrived the lights on homes were still aglow, reminding me of the little things I missed. Cuddles was glad to see us and as fast as I could the car was packed to get back home to Tennessee.
No tree, no festive lights, no festive food or treats of any kind, but it was still good to be home at last.
I thanked the Lord for a safe trip home and look forward to Christmas 2019, when my daughter and her husband will join us. Praise the Lord for the ability to see the world and to have a home to return to.
So many blessings I don't deserve.
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