Keeping Up

I am trying to keep up. Really, I am. I now know the difference between Twitter and a tweet, but wonder how the Twitter name ever came into being. I understand that Twitter and Facebook are used for different types of communication, but hash-tags leave me scratching my head. #confusedasusual #tweetallergic

Then there are Snapchat and Instagram. Take a picture, write a comment, and have a laugh or two. I really don't want to share every moment of my life in pictures seen by friends, friends of friends, and whoever wants to cyberstalk me. But that is the way of life today. I am trying to keep up, but am not too sure I want to.

So now we have selfies, duck faces, and photo-bombers. Say what? What happened to you-sies instead of me-sies. At least there are still us-ies. But, on the positive note, sending crazy faces does help communicate when body language and vocal inflection are missing. A confused face can say a lot. The same is true with imoges or emoticons, or whatever they are called--those icons used to express yourself more clearly. One of my granddaughters tweets was followed by #greatday and a half  dozen teeny-weeny images of hearts, clapping hands, happy faces, cold drinks and sun shine.  I would know for sure she was a happy girl if her tweet, "Disneyland" hadn't said it clearly enough.

And, on a personal note, I can do without photo-bombers--those people who take advantage of your photo-op. There are team pictures with some random guy/gal standing in the back row--probably from another team. There are cute pictures of smiling friends that have, in the background, someone making faces or obscene gestures. In some cases this can be funny, but in others, I find it quite annoying. But, I am trying to keep up, really I am.

Keeping up is difficult because, as I have said in previous posts, I don't have a smart phone, ipod or ipad; however, I could count the sterile gauze pads left over from by husband's cataract surgery in the ipad catagory couldn't I? #eyefunny

So, there are my random thoughts for today as I am trying to come with something for my talent portion of the family reunion next weekend. I have a great idea going right now, so I just called (old school, I know) my granddaughter to run it past her. Hopefully something will come of it. (Hint--a skit with monotone narration and humorous social networking action) I will keep you posted.

Now, what in the world is Linkedin?  I keep getting invitations to something I know nothing about. Seriously folks, is it necessary for my worldly well being? I am trying to keep up, really I am. The only one I need to be Linkedin with is Jesus. That is necessary.

Keeping up with technology is not nearly as important as keeping up with the Lord's leading

Jan

Wildfire

The wildfires that are still burning out of control in Central Washington State are unbelievable. As of now, 379 square miles of forests, grazing land, farms, towns, and homes have burned. Orchards have been singed. That is 300,000 acres of land blackened, approximately 200 homes destroyed, uncounted herds of range cattle killed, and orchards and fruit processing plants without electricity to power irrigation pumps and cold storage units. Even evacuation locations had to evacuated.

Today, the ladies in our prayer group were praying for a Holy Spirit Revival to overtake our community. We prayed that our families, churches, and friends move from cold or lukewarm to being on fire for the Lord. At the same time, I was praying and hurting for the people who have lost everything in the un-contained wildfires, and for the firefighters who struggle against almost insurmountable odds to bring in under control.

In doing so, the following thoughts passed through my mind as I wondered how one recovers from the loss of a home and, in some cases, lively hood. Recovery will happen, but it will take time I reasoned. Power will be restored in a couple months allowing generators to be silenced. The open grazing land will grow grass again; and in a few years new herds of cattle will once more be seen on the hillsides. The jack pines will grow again because intense heat releases seeds from the cones. Homes will be rebuilt as aid comes in from across the state and nation.

God's restorative power in nature will be seen as fresh hints of green arise across the land. God's love and mercy will be experienced as people reach out to each other.  The people and the land of Central Washington will recover,

Suddenly, my thoughts jumped to a more personal level. Here is the question I had to ask, especially after praying for a Holy Spirit revival in our community. What 'possessions' do I have in my life that need to be destroyed by the hand of God? By that I mean what fears, jealousies, egocentric behaviors, and other sins stand in the way of what God has planned for me. Will it take a Holy Spirit Fire to burn and destroy those things that tend to shape me into someone I don't want to be before I can be be all God wants me to me?  I strongly feel that each of us has seeds of  new growth and regrowth within us waiting to be released, but it will take a Holy Fire to accomplish it.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Let me experience your Wildfire.

Jan

The Chipmunk Chase.

There was a crazy, bathrobe-clad lady standing on my front porch this morning and yelling up a tree. "Licorice. licorice. Get down here right now. Come on. Here, licorice" Then she shook some of the lower branches, stamped her bare feet, and yelled some more. Why she thought she could get licorice from a tulip tree by yelling at it, I have no idea.

It might seem like I had a ringside seat to these crazy, morning antics, but I didn't. I was the crazy antic, "Licorice Kitty, get down here right now. Here, kitty kitty. Come on. LEAVE THAT CHIPMUNK ALONE!

I was the bathrobe-clad lady shaking the tree branches to distract the cat whose eyes were locked in on a cute little, fast little, daring little chipmunk running from skinny branch to skinny branch. It had been only minutes earlier that I had seen that 'munk flipping its tail as it climbed up and down the post on my front porch.

Oh no, I had thought. The cat's outside. I hurried to the glass door in time to see the little guy (not the cat) scamper across the porch. And back. Did he have a death wish or was he in hopes of a chase? I have no idea, but no sooner had I opened the door than the chipmunk scurried under the porch; and, from out of nowhere, came Licorice in hot pursuit. If the chipmunk had wanted a chase, he got it.

I held my breath, stamped my feet, and yelled at the boards beneath my feet (hard to do while holding my breath). I suddenly heard a crashing sound and saw shaking ferns. Then the dazzling duo shot into the open. I jumped. Chippy tore up the tree, and so did Licorice. The prey was so quick that I saw it for only a few second before it disappeared into the branches. I watched Licorice for a longer time as she too jump from branch to branch, finally performing an acrobatic fall-spin-jump move from a thin twig-let onto a more substantial branch. From there, as I said previously, her eyes locked in on her quest.

That's when I started shaking the branches. I even stomped my feet again and called, "Here kitty, kitty" in my best falsetto kitty-calling voice. I was trying anything to distract her and give the chipmunk an opportunity to escape.

Let me tell you, that cat does not suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. Her eyes stayed riveted on the upper reaches of the tree as she twitched her tail and wiggled her body into wait mode. Finally I did the only thing I could think of. (No, I did not climb the tree.) I ran into the house, grabbed an open can of cat food (her special kitty treat), and ran back outside.

Licorice might have had eyes for the rodent, but she had ears for a spoon in a can. In a matter of moments she decided that a for-sure-treat was better than a prolong wait, dangerous chase, and possible defeat by a fuzzy-tailed critter. Smart cat, that Licorice Kitty. She made a good decision.

I hope the chipmunk is as smart as Licorice, and makes an equally good decision--like not ever playing on the cat's front porch again. In fact, I hope she moves to an entirely different neighborhood, one without a cat.

Be safe little guy.

Feeling like a Superhero,

Jan
I may not have a cape or mask, but a bathrobe and can of cat food will save a chipmunk and who knows what else.

A Table Set Before Me

I don't want to prove that the third time's the charm, so let's see if I can get this written in my second try. The couple hours I wrote last night turned out to be for naught. At this point it isn't looking too promising either. It has taken me at least three attempts to get this much written the way I want it. We'll see how it goes from here.

Sunday during my pastor's sermon, which was excellent, my mind wandered a spell and landed on Psalm 23:5. "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies." For some unknown reason, I kept thinking about walking through those dark valleys that the Lord takes us through and coming upon a beautiful table filled with food to nurture me for the rest of the journey. How wonderful. But as I sit down to enjoy food and appreciate the work the Lord has done to prepare just what I need, I realize there are some things set before me that I don't want to partake of.

A bowl of Love Your Enemies Soup might not sit well on my tummy. I will wrap up a serving of  Be Doers of the Word, not Hearers Only in my napkin and try to dump it the trash--sort of like my young kids tried doing with their peas many years ago. What is this? A cup of Take up your Cross tea? No thank you. And Lord, I'm not really sure about the Heal the Sick, Raise the Dead, Cast out Demons casserole on my plate. Maybe I'm really not all that hungry after all.

The thing is, the Good Shepherd took time and energy to prepare exactly what is needed to nourish and sustain me. He has prepared precisely what I need to grow to maturity. If I don't like the sight, smell, or thought of it, doesn't mean I should turn my nose and refuse to eat it.

I may not like some of the things set on the table before me, but everything is there for a purpose. The good part is that foods I love the most like I will Never Leave You Pie with a whipped topping of Divine Blessings will definitely help the Forgive 70 x 7  greens go down a little easier. 

Here is the best part. I am eating from this wonderful table in full view of my enemies. Are you watching Satan? I am going to clean my plate knowing that when I am done, I will be stronger, more fit, and better equipped for the next leg of the journey.

Watch out Mr. Devil.

Thank you for this food, Lord.

Jan

NOTICE!

I haven't quite finished a post I am working on, but I am getting too sleepy to finish it tonight. Tomorrow will be the day.

Blessings, Jan

Thinking about a Family Reunion

I had better get busy and organize some thoughts for our family reunion talent show. There will be music, skits, and maybe some comedy. My contribution will be telling family stories through alliteration. At least that is what I want to do. For example, "Danny digs in dusty dirt and drives a dinged up Dart.   His dimpled cheeks and dark, dark eyes delight the damsels that he dates." I have absolutely no idea who this Danny guy is, but I now know a little about him because I created him. The problem will be painting word pictures of family members and their humorous escapades. We'll see how it goes.

If not that, I might compose a humorous, tongue-in-cheek something or other about the joys of aging with its sagging skin, stiff knees, and graying hair. Or, how about grand-motherhood with funny, awesome, or possibly embarrassing stories about my grand-kids--they do laugh about them now. Or, there is always material about living in a world where tweets are on Twitter instead of in trees, posts are on Facebook and blogs instead of in the ground supporting fences like they're supposed to, and data is stored in the Cloud instead of a filing cabinet. My questions is, "Where does all that data go on a clear day?" And one other question, "How did the word blog come into being any way? Blog?"

(According to Wikipedia, Blog is the truncated form of Web Log. Now I know more than I did a few minutes ago. Hooray)

And there is also the Sunday morning worship time to work on. The teen generation is leading worship, and I have been asked to share a message. There are so many ways to proclaim God's grace, love, and faithfulness to, in, and through our family. I mainly want us to realize the diversity of gifts and talents we have been given, gifts to use to further the kingdom. How is that to be done? How do we hear his leading? How do we understand his heavenly timing on our earthly clocks? There is so much to pray about, think about, and ask clarification for. All I know for sure is that by reunion time, God will have shown me what he wants proclaimed. He never fails.

It is mid-afternoon and the sun has finally burned through the low clouds. Wildfires are still burning out of control in parts of the Pacific Northwest, part of the family is back from vacation (at least they are supposed to be), and my grass is still growing so I have to get mowing. Come on mowing machine, we've got this.

Getting ready to head out,
Jan

Ebb and Flow, Ebb and Flow

I have done just about everything I can to put off writing a post today. I've taken care of the mail, finished the book I was reading, gone to check on a granddaughter who is house sitting, and checked out my usual internet sites. While I was at it, I tweeted, "Give me a few more years and I will have procrastination perfected."

Then, to top it all off I did something crazy for lunch. Since I have been trying to use up canned foods that have been given to me (that's another story), I sometimes have to get creative. Today I dumped half a can of drained garbanzo beans into the blender with two cloves of garlic and some sunflower seed oil. Once that was all pureed, I stirred in a little salsa and a little salt. But what do you do with home made hummus--at least that is what I think I made--when you have no chips or pita bread? You put it in a bowl and eat it with a spoon. Pretty tasty I must admit. Now, to get rid of this garlic breath.

OK, it's time to get down to business.

I will have to admit, again, that I have been slightly depressed the past couple weeks. I say slightly because I still kept scheduled appointments. But, I did make conscious decisions not to do a couple things--like go to a prayer meeting or attend church. I stayed at home instead because I didn't want to have to wash my hair, put on something other than comfy pajamas, or talk to anyone--maybe tomorrow I would get out. Yes, probably tomorrow. At least that is what I told myself each day.

I am now at the point that I must ask myself why I felt that way. What had caused my thinking to change from up to down? Actually, it was more than a change in thinking, it was a change in desire. I had none. There was nothing I looked forward to, nothing I wanted to do (except do nothing), and no one I wanted to talk or listen to.

That last point is delusion at its finest. I did want to talk to people, to visit face to face and share a cup of tea or coffee. I did want to listen and learn and celebrate. Facebook, Twitter, and text messages serve a purpose, but they are not the same as spending time with a real, live person. There is something special about seeing a smile cross a friends face or a fresh light shine from their eyes. There is something special about... Well, there just is!

I could call people and invite them over or meet them in town. Somehow I have to get past the idea that calling someone will interrupt their extremely important activities--like doing dishes, talking too a spouse or kids, reading a heart-stopping book, watching an exciting TV program, working in the yard. You name it; I don't want to interrupt it. As it ends up, I sit here with my cat, my laptop, and my books.

But this depression, I realize, is about more than just needing to visiting with someone. It is about losing someone I have spent many hours talking to, listening to, and learning from. That person is my oldest granddaughter. We have grown very close over the past years. The mere idea of her leaving for college causes my to tear up. I wish the tears were all tears of joy. I know she is excited about heading out on her own. I know she will do very well in school. I am so excited about what this next phase of life will bring her and what the Lord will do with and through her, but I will miss that young lady like crazy.

I will miss her smile, her hugs, her strong will, and her even stronger faith. I will miss hearing about teen angst, school work, and boys. I will miss celebrating her great buys at thrift stores, outlet malls, and big city shops. I will miss offering her an encouraging word and praying with her. I will miss... Yes, I will miss that girl.

Don't ask me why I never felt this way when my own kids left home. I never thought about it before. They each did it in his and her own way. One went into the service. One headed to school in Phoenix. One moved into an apartment with friends on the other side of town, attended the local community college, then headed to school across the state where her now-husband was. Although they each left, I never felt the sadness I feel now.

So, I now have an answer to the question you were not supposed to ask. I didn't feel this sadness because their departure from home didn't leave me alone. The chicks might have flown the coop, but my husband and I still had each other to talk to and listen to.  I don't have him anymore, and I now I won't have her. I, too, am entering a new phase of life.

Will I ever learn than one cannot live where there is neither ebb nor flow. Something going out and something coming in is what makes us more whole, more aware, and more compassionate and understanding; therefore, I will walk the beach the Lord has placed me on, breath the air, feel the sand, and experience the work of his life forming tide.

Jan and Licorice Kitty who, thankfully, ebbed off the porch to eat her critter elsewhere, then flowed back empty mouthed.

What's Up With Silly Concerns?

Hi, folks (ladies and gentlemen, friends and neighbors, and family too. Come on it and sit a spell. Enjoy a cup of coffee with me, tea or water if you prefer. But since I have no cookies, donuts, or cupcakes, you will have to settle for a handful of oyster crackers left over from who knows when. On second thought, they are probably not very fresh any more. Into the trash they go, joining the stale veggie crackers I dumped last night.

I have been quite quiet the past week. I haven't written anything to anyone including you. I haven't called anyone. I haven't gone anywhere except to the dentist for a cleaning and to the vet for medicine for Licorice Kitty's ears. (Not ear mites, but some itsy-bitsy, creepy-crawly thingies that were chewing on the edges of her ever-alert ears). She doesn't like me putting stuff on them.

I will keep this short today, shorter than what I intended to write earlier in the day, because a young mother from church is coming out with her two little ones as soon as they wake up from naps. Hooray for naps. This should be interesting. I don't knew her very well, but look forward to a visit. I got some toys out for the kids, ages 2 & 3, to play with. By that I mean I opened up the toy box that is filled with a menagerie of a "zillion" stuffed animals, and I took the lid off the "gigantic" container of "huge" plastic lego-like blocks.

One or all of these things will probably happen.

1. They will dump or pull everything out, then see what else they can find to do in areas that are off limits--areas I don't even know are off limits yet.
2. They will want to play with whatever the other one is playing with. (fight)
3. They will have to leave early because of "issues".
4. They will have a great time and leave happy.

I'm hope (pray) it will be only #4. I don't think I have ever had children other than those related to me playing with the bins of toys. When they fought or left messes, they were still my sweet-hearts. Having another person's darlings is another issue all together.Why, I have to ask myself, am I assuming the worse. 

Lord, let me love these kids as my own, let this be a good time, a blessed time, a time to accomplish whatever it is that you have in mind. Let our conversation be edifying, fun, and constructive.
And Lord, thank you for my readers' patience with me. May the words that fill these pages bring laughter, joy, encouragement, insight, or whatever else you desire. Let the words keep coming even when I have no idea what they will be. Amen

I didn't mean to spend this time talking about my silly concerns, but there they are. I guess that is what friends are for, to listen to what is bothering us, and then loving us anyway.

Thanks, friends

Jan

 

Don't Cry, Little Flag

JULY 4, 2014

"BURGERS ARE READY!!!"

I hear the chef yell.

Shouts of 

AAAH, YEAA, and YUMMM

go with the smell.

BURSTS OF LIGHT

bedazzle my eyes.

Loud

KABOOMS!!!

rattle the skies.

Cries of

AAAAAH, OOOOOOOOH, and WOW

soar through the air.

FREEDOM FOR ALL

is what I declare.

I watch the flag flap. I watch the flag wave,

o'er the land of the free and home of the brave.

I watch the flag flutter. My heart skips a beat.

I watch the flag shudder. I hear the flag weep.

Is it crying because in the midst of the food,

the family and friends and festival mood

I might have forgotten the wars that were fought

by brave men and women? (I really hope not.)

Don't cry, little flag, don't cry or be sad.

I haven't forgotten. I really am glad.

But, I'll still eat my burger, and salads and chips.

I'll still wipe red ketchup off of my lips.

I'll "oooh" and "aaah" at the fireworks' glare, 

and in the midst I'll say a small prayer

thanking God for all those who fought, 

 asking that it won't be for nought. 

I'll pray for our leaders, as The Good Book does say,

that they follow God's lead 'til the end of their days.

So fly little flag, fly and be proud

Flutter and wave before the huge crowd.

Fill me with love for this country so nice

That was founded for me at such a great price.

!!!!!!!!!!

The greatest freedom of all was not bought during the sound of battle artillery, but, rather, during the silence that followed hammer blows in Mt Calvary. What is the sound of resurrection anyway?

Happy July 4th.

Jan

Tales and Tails

After almost two weeks of trying to write a post on a 'good water-bad soil' theme, I am still getting nowhere fast. I've decided it is time to give it a rest. Instead I will write about a few memorable moments over the past weeks.

My much dreaded 50th wedding anniversary turned out to be a great time. The Lord walked me through my turmoil until I could celebrate HIS 50 years of faithfulness, blessings, and joy. Thank you, Lord.

As I jumped into my car to head to my dentist Monday morning, something in the field caught my eye. A deer was my first impression. That quickly changed when I realized the immensity of the creature. An elk, no, four elk were meandering through my property. I promptly shut off the car and ran to the house for my camera. It had enough battery power for one picture. By the time I stepped out my bedroom door only two majestic animals were still visible, but I captured them before they too disappeared.  Love it.

While on the subject of wildlife, Licorice Kitty left a tiny, little shrew on our front porch sometime early Monday morning. I found it upside-down and undisturbed next to her water bowl. That is exactly how I left it, knowing it would be gone by the next morning. It was.

Tuesday morning Licorice brought another critter to the door. This time she didn't just drop it off. She told me in loud, purring meows that she had a treasure for me. How she can meow so loudly with a lifeless chipmunk in her mouth, I don't know, but she can. Those kinds of gifts do not make me happy. I told her to take her breakfast elsewhere. I had something else planned for my morning meal.

When I checked back on her half an hour later, she was standing by the door ready to come in. The only evidence of her hunting prowess was a furry tail on the board beside her. Yuck. I left it there and hoped that, like the shrew, the tail would be taken by some scavenger during the night, but it wasn't. The thought also crossed my mind that the tail might regenerate a chipmunk and together they would scurry away. Well, that didn't happen either. This morning that tail still sat on my porch blending in with all the 'fruit' that has fallen from my magnolia tree. Those tiny cone-thingies are green/brown and hard instead of brown and furry, but are about the same size as the tail. They all have to go.

Where is the tail?

It is just left of center.

Since I don't have a television connection, I keep up on the World Cup games via Twitter. That is an interesting way to be informed. "Gooooooooaaaaaaaaalll!" The same is true for the Mariners (Seattle' baseball team). Although the information comes in bits and pieces, one sentence at a time, I still know who gets the hits, steals, strike outs, and comes in as a relief pitcher. For me, that surely beats spending several minutes tuned to the radio to find out what the score is. I marvel at this "???" age. What do you call this age anyway, and what generation is it?

I'm getting excited for a family reunion next month. There will be so much fun--including games, eating, playing, and a talent show and worship. We are ready for a weekend of big-time blessing.

As you can see, my days are sooooo exciting. If I knew about the proper use of emoticons, emojis, or whatever you call the happy, sad, teary, winking faces used in social media these days, I could do something clever to let you know that my sooooo exciting comment was strictly tongue in cheek. If I really wanted to share something exciting, and my mother were still living, I could say, "Look, Ma, no cavities." I take my good teeth for granted most of the time. Thanks, Lord. (Instead of rewriting that last sentence I will just add that I am thanking the Lord for my good teeth, not for my taking them for granted.)

Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty, here is nothing our God cannot do. *clap*clap*
(Lyrics of a favorite Sunday school song.)

Going to get something done today,
Jan

If you looked at a compilation of my to-do lists, you would think I had the cleanest house and most perfect yard in the county. If you looked at my yard and house, you would think I needed a to-do list. That's my life and I'm sticking to it.