Christian Photographers Community

For the last couple of years I've "gone to church" via my television screen.     Although I'm getting spiritual leading from three different pastors (and it's surprising how often the theme is the same for all three), and keeping in touch by way of my church's web site, I still miss the fellowship. 

Mother Nature is still trying to decide what season this should be.  We still have some of last week's 18 inches of snow, as well as some very large puddles and some bare ground.  And yesterday afternoon, with the temperature at about 40^oF, snowflakes almost as large as dimes were falling, leaving a dusting on all the bare surfaces.   

Jeanne Lee...my late Father would always say to me..." you dont have to go to church to pray.." ... I learnt that this came about when he was fighting on the frontline, Italy and Nth Africa ( then lost briefly whilst in action. )
...No fun traipsing to church in snow...Our today weather is dry, sunny and I guess I can say mild..

Hello Larry, Jeanne, and Jackie and whoever else may pop on to say hello. Today being Sunday I didn't even turn on m,y computer until after lunch. Now I am playing catch-up. Not much is new here, It is raining and the wind is blowing so n o walks for freckles unless I were to take her to the mall but we would get soaked  going from the car to the entrance.

Keith's Camaro is in the shop to be evaluated at to what repairs need doling, Starter, Battery Solenoid or what ever is the problem. Mine is still overheating and not one has  looked at it yet. My pastor is supposed to come and take out the thermostat and replace that.I drove the Camaro the other day to the library and when I came out it would not start. So he finally gave in and let me drive the car. I couldn't believe it when he handed me the keys it is the first time he has ever let me take the car. I drove it home from the shop once in the pouring rain when we had delivered my car to the shop.

Larry is it your heart that makes you so fatigued and in need of rest?

Hi, friends,

I didn't realize I had been away so long. I'm doing reasonably well.

I certainly miss going to church, too. But am very thankful for the ability to worship through tv.

So much news from each of you. I've been praying, and will continue to do so about the requests.

May God richly bless each person who comes here.

Ruth Ann

Good morning-good night Ruth Ann...It is 6.25 here in UK, I am up drinking my first cup of tea of the day....mid day today I will be saying goodbye to my last remaining " Molar " tooth, I have been living with recurring abscess and gum disease for a good five months, new dentist tells me it is probably longer, tooth cant be saved..."oh well, what is to be, will be..."

I had previously told dentist, after what I had been through last year with Gynaecologist and Urologist, I told him this will be the " lesser of three evils " he laughed and agreed...

Just got back indoors from dentists...minus one Molar or maybe it was Wisdom tooth, as he said it layed at an angle, and seeings it was the only tooth left, bottom left...I could really do with a cup of tea but I have to wait three hours...

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny South Carolina Monday morning.  It is already in the mid-60's and headed up into the low 80's this afternoon.  The only thing on my schedule today is my noon meeting.  I may stop on the way home to fill the car with gas and pick up an item or two at Costco.  I sure enjoyed the basketball games yesterday afternoon as both of the Carolina's won their games and are now in the Final Four next weekend. 

I have a couple of links to share with you this morning.  One of them will really make your day as it features dogs and the other is a short performance probably like nothing you have ever seen.  I hope you will enjoy them:
     Puppy Power:  https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJoE_lNQdHU
      Unique Brass Band:  http://www.wimp.com/brassband/

Jackie, nothing shameful about letting them serve you Communion seated if getting to the altar is difficult for you. Glad to see the molar has been extracted and the healing can now begin.  According to my clock you should now be enjoying another cup of tea. 

Jeanne, I think ministers often select their Scriptures for their sermons from the Lectionary.  I am glad that religious programming is still allowed on TV but have to wonder when that will be attacked and removed for political correctness.  Hope you have good weather this week. 

Marilyn, hope nothing too serious is wrong with Keith's Camaro.  One always holds their breath when a car is taken to the garage, at least I do.  Yes, it is my heart that makes me so fatigued and have to rest.  The ejection factor is now down to less than half of the normal and not pumping all the blood that the body requires when exerting. 

Ruth Ann, glad to see you are doing reasonably well and have been missing your postings.  I hope you have a good week.

Larry, we are blessed, so far, with several religious broadcasts on several different channels.  The sad thing, though, as I see it, is that every one begins and ends with the disclaimer about "not necessarily the views of the management of the station...." etc. 

Thank you Larry for sharing those videos.

Larry Hanna....our clocks went forwards over the weekend, so we have now caught up with you....

Thank you for the video clips...to see those big tough men go soft over those puppies was a real joy to see...

One tooth out, one filling to go...

Jeanne Lee, Ruth Ann, we have " Songs Of Praise..." on our Sunday tv, always a different place of worship, different location....

BBC One, Quoting: " Inspiring hymns and songs, together with uplifting stories of faith from around the UK and beyond...

Hi everyone on another nice morning.  Once again we are expecting to get into the low 80's this afternoon.  This morning Pat has a doctor's appointment to discuss the results of her MRI and what her next steps may be.  Following that I plan on going to the Church for our Adult Fellowship monthly meeting.  We have a lady coming to talk about butterflies.  That will be it for today. 

Jeanne, those disclaimers do seem unnecessary but have been going on for a long time.  At least they let the program run.

Jackie,  it is always a relief when we get the dental work all completed, at least for awhile. 

Hi everyone.  It is another clear and beautiful morning and we are once again headed up into the 80's this afternoon.  I am awaiting the delivery of my new recliner in an hour or so.  You can now follow the schedule of the delivery truck and there are pictures of the driver and helper, which I think is a very good idea.  Before I came into my office to eat my breakfast and work on these discussions I decided to get the sausage muffins made and into the oven so Pat will have them for subsequent breakfasts.  She alternates between the sausage muffins and strawberries and loaded scrambled eggs and strawberries.  This evening is our Wednesday night dinner and we are having grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and all the trimmings.  There will not be a Wednesday night dinner next week as it is Master's week and about everything seems to stop around until the golf tournament is over. The rest of today should be pretty laid back and restful.

We did get in to see the doctor yesterday and the news from the MRI was not very good.  Pat has spinal stenosis up and down her spine with some areas worse than others but about all of her spine involved.  He told us that steroid shots are probably the only treatment that might help as there is likely too much involved to try to fix with surgery.  So we will see the pain doctor at the Neurological Clinic as soon as she can get an appointment.  It was too late to get to the Church for the Adult Fellowship and luncheon so we stopped at Cracker Barrel, which was on our way home and had our main meal for the day. 

That's discouraging news about Pat's back, Larry.  I'll be praying she can get some pain relief from the pain doctor.

We're warming up, but nothing like 80^o yet.  Maybe 50^o.  And then back to 30^o with snow on Friday.

Hi Larry I can empathise with Pat on the spinal stenosis. I know her pain with that condition and it is not pleasant. Let her know that Judy and I are thinking of her and hope that the doctors can find some method of giving her some relief.

Larry  I understand about Pat's pain and the spinal stenosis diagnosis. I dont' have that but do have a lot of back pain at times.

Well Keith is no longer allowed to drive until he gets around to having a cyst removed. The MRI showed a cyst someplace behind his eyes. We will be getting the full report when the Eye dr. mails it to us. He told Keith yesterday he wants him to go to a specialist in Portland to have it checked out. geez that is a lot of driving back and forth for me. Portland is about 4.5 hrs driving each way I sure can't do that in one day. The only insurance he has is Medicare he wants to wait until next year so we can  apply for a Medicare advantage  inurance the next time for enrollment. He is so stubborn when it comes to spnding any $$.

Right now his Camaro is in the shop, and mine needs some work as well. Mine is overheating and i think it is the thermostat that needs replacing. I have to have at least one of the cars so I can do the Visiting with freckles.

Larry Hanna...you know my heart goes out to Pat as I hear anything to do with the " Spinal Cord " nerves, brain, numbness, paraesthesia, and loss of motor control, affecting walking, balance and sensations, as my MS illness does...I am very sorry to hear this upsetting news, and the pain that she is now in...more so, in now having to adapt to her new way of life, with an illness that will not go away...

Marilyn...not the best of news, re, your hubby's MRI scan report...hope they can deal with having his cyst safely removed...sounds like the sooner the better, if only so he can get back to driving again...

So sad that so many of us are dealing with some very serious illnesses...We sure are putting our God to the test...and keeping him busy in watching over us...

Hi everyone on an overcast morning with an 80% chance of rain later today.  However, we will get back up to the lower 80's as well.  The morning will be busy with picking up and returning my friend from Assisted Care so we can have coffee.  Then I will return back downtown to the Church for our Thursday Wisdom Group.  I did finally get my new recliner yesterday.  They were about 2 hour late from meeting their delivery window but I was home anyway.  It just delayed my afternoon rest period.  We had a nice dinner at the Church last night and then Scott and Jennifer came out for a couple of hours.  Scott took my old recliner back to his house and it will be given to Jennifer's boyfriend, who is in the process of buying a home and has no furniture. 

Thank you all for your concerns regarding Pat's back.  I know others of you are living with severe back pain and can relate.  Other than occasional twinges by turning wrong I have never had back problems and feel very fortunate. 

Marilyn, sorry to learn of the cyst behind Keith's eye as that sounds serious.  I expect he was disappointed that he still can't drive.  Your comments about his being frugal  brings to mind the old Jack Benney program where he went to his basement and had to open his vault, which he never liked to do as his character was a penny-pincher.   Going to Portland for medical treatment does sound like a long ways. 

Jeanne, John and Jackie it is nice to see your postings.  Sometimes this discussion gets pretty quiet.

Awaiting cousin Dennis and wife for a week-end visit.    We have epic sized discussions - love it!

Jackie:  You mentioned your father was in WWII in Africa and something about him being out of touch - or what did you mean?  Don had an uncle who fought all the way with General Patton.  It really wasn't that long ago. 

Larry:  Sorry to read about Pat's Spinal Stenosis diagnosis.  Perhaps special exercises can be of help.  It is very nice that you have Scott close both for his sake and your peace of mind. 

Desert flowers are blooming - achooo  and it is still cool enough at home to snow a little but moisture is always welcome.

Ruth Ann:  We need you to drop in more - are you reading anything good?  My cousin gave me another Lee Strobel book, "The Case for the Real Jesus" and after the next two batches of company, I hope to read a bit.   

Prayers for all health matters. 

I got lost again!  I must find time to call Larry for help in putting an icon on my screen so I can find my way here easier and not forget to post every day.  But might as well put it on the new computer, I think.

John is sick again already.  Sigh.  He said he thinks it's because of the quite chilly and wet weather the past couple of days.  And he STILL hasn't seen a doctor.  I wonder if he would go if I were to make the appointment for him?  But I sure wouldn't want to pay for a no-show!

Beth is already telling me she doesn't like the blended foods.  I asked her if she liked her lunch today--"No."  Did you eat it anyway?---"No".  The head nurse asked her when we had that meeting if she understands what will happen if she doesn't eat, and Beth said, "I will die."   They told her it is her right to refuse food, and if that's her choice they will still care for and love her the same as always, and keep her comfortable as possible until the end.  Of course, I prefer that to not be her choice, but I'm not the one lying there totally helpless and unable to even speak clearly.  If I were, I would be begging God to take me home! 

I'm fighting with the paperwork to get our money back for the trips we canceled.  It's supposed to be very simple---NOT! 

Larry, my new computer is a Mac All-in-one, 27" screen.  It's been setting here in the box for a week, as Curtis was in Tulsa for training.  He asked me to bring it by on Friday as we go to Manhattan for Abby's dance recital, so he can set it up for me.  I must call and ask if he needs this laptop as well.  I hope I haven't made a huge mistake in switching from a PC to a Mac, that I will be able to learn the differences somewhat easily, at least.  He thought that's what I should do because I do have a iPhone and and iPad already.

I have another meeting at 4:00, must get moving.  Best wishes to you all, and I will TRY to do better.

I want to add that we have had some wonderful rain!!  We are praising the Lord for it, it was so needed, especially after the devastating grass fires the past few weeks.

Oh my Janet what a decision to have to make, I think if I were in Beth's shoes, I would make that same decision. I will keep her in my prayers as always
I have an all in one Dell computer and I love it.  I'm sure you will love yours when you gedt it set up. Is yours a touch screen?

Carol when the desert is in bloom everything is so pretty.

Larry I used to listen to the Jack Benny program when I was a kit. I remember Fibber Mcgee and Molly too.

Hi, friends,

For some unknown reason I've been sleeping almost nonstop.

I'm thankful to be awake tonight.

It was good to catch up on the goings on here. May God  bless you with holy presence to comfort and guide you.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Janet....my heart goes out to you and Beth...I have seen it for myself what MS has done to some of my fellow MS sufferers and dread the day I get to that myself, (the not being able to eat food by myself,) if at all I do...I do also realise that your Beth has another medical ailment which I am not very familiar with....I hope that your darling Beth does realise that her life here is very much still needed and will try her best to not only like-enjoy, but want to eat some food.....it is very much sounding as if Beth has given up on her life...God bless her...
As for me, I would be lying if I said I wasn't frightened at what lays ahead for me, re, my own ( Primary Progressive MS )...

I dont know who John is, is this Beth's hubby?
My OH once had a friend who sounded just like him, never venturing outside his house to go anywhere, cutting himself off from friends and places he once enjoyed, letting his home get to a terrible state, not accepting any form of help, he was diabetic, even the wife of a male friend fixed up a Doctors appointment, a home visit, he never answered the door, he just didn't want help, help was available....To cut the story short, he was one day found dead in his bed...a stubborn and silly man who threw his life -his retirement years away, and the irony of it all was that he wasn't married, had no interest in meeting or dating women but had money at the back of him where he could have had a reasonable existence and a good quality of life, it was just wasted, he was in his late 60s...This all came about after his mother passed away, he had always lived with mother, in the same house he grew up in, and was the only child...
Janet I would just hate to see your John go the same way..

Ruth Ann....it is always good to see your post but, please pop in a little more...I have read back some pages and found you are dealing-have been dealing with Diabetes, I am not diabetic but my OH is...

Carol....my father was a Paratrooper who at some point went missing in action, think for a couple of months, he got separated from his comrades, and was by himself..I remember father told me during that time that he befriended an Alsatian dog where he shared what little food he had...

Hi everyone.  The sun is now shining after a rainy start for the day.  It looks like the rain is over for the day.  I didn't get up until 7:30 this morning.  Today is going to be a catch up on rest day as have nothing on my calendar that should require me to leave the house. 

Carol, Pat is doing the exercises that the physical therapist prescribed although some times the pain is too great for her to complete all of them.  She found out yesterday she can't get an appointment with the pain doctor until sometime in May.  Needless to say she was not happy as it means another 6 weeks or so of pain.  It sounds like you have a great time with your company.  There are some folks that are so easy to talk with and the time just flies.  Being close to Scott and now our granddaughter does give us peace of mind.  Our granddaughter is going to prepare the Easter dinner for us.  We will have that dinner a little early as Scott has to work Easter afternoon.  We will purchase the food but Jennifer will prepare it.   

Janet, I have had no experience using a MAC but just now did a Google Search on putting a shortcut on the desktop of a MAC and it sounds simple.  I am sure Curtis can demonstrate to you the process.  I looked at a short video tutorial from a Google Search on the subject and also see several other sites that describe the process.  I should think it would be John's responsibility to made a doctor's appointment for himself.  You have enough to worry about.  It sounds like Beth may have reached the point that I know Stacey got to when she didn't summons help when she became so sick.  This is really tough for parents.  Signing the Do Not Resuscitate order when I got the call and then visit from the Hospice Nurse was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I just had to put her in God's hands, where she was already anyway, and pray that her suffering was over.  I feel the same way that when my time comes I just want to be let go.  Being there for Beth is about all you can do.  God loves her and will take care of her just as he will you and I.  Sorry you are having to fight to get your money back for the trips you have had to cancel. 

Marilyn, I have never had an all in one computer other than the laptops and the iPhone and iPad but certainly can see the advantages.  Pat has a touch screen on her laptop but never uses it except by accident and then it is a annoyance.  We had some great old radio and TV programs to listen to and watch as we were growing up. 

Ruth Ann, hope you are getting caught up on your sleep.  Perhaps a medication you are taking is responsible or you are just overly tired.  Good to see your posting.

Jackie, I hope you will keep your focus on today and live it to the fullest as not one of us knows what tomorrow may bring so worrying about it simply wastes precious time of today.  I have found that worry has done nothing but steal my happiness from today so I have made a decision to leave tomorrow for God to know and I don't worry about it.  I hope this isn't preachy or critical as don't mean to be and I haven't and don't walk in your shoes.  All I can do is share my own experience. I can see where you got your love for your dogs. 

Larry Hanna...I have sent you a PM, far too distressing to post the link on here....but that is the reality...

Larry, sorry to hear of the long wait that your Pat has to now endure, sounds very familiar to the lengthy waits we have to endure here in UK, with our failing NHS...

Our today weather is dry and sunny, and warming up a tad or two....rain was forecasted a few days ago for today....so I dont know where it has gone to...or who is getting it...

Jackie I am familiar with the MS diagnosis, My daughter in law has had it for about 13 years. She just keeps going in spite of the bsad days when she hurts and her muscles are numb.

Marilyn.....look in your pm box I shall send you a link...

Here is the latest on Beth.  Some of you probably saw the photo of her poor foot I posted on Facebook.  They finally told me yesterday that she has cellulitis in that foot and is on antibiotics for that.  She ate barely any lunch, so I went myself and fed her the supper they had for her, which was all sugary stuff.    Pancakes with syrup plus chocolate syrup, cherry jello, and peach fluff jello.  She ate it all but about 1/4 of the pancake.  All soft foods so by giving her small bites we didn't have any problem.  No breakfast today, she didn't want any.  She saw Dr. Saxon, who she loves, but didn't respond to him.  No John again today.(Yes, Jackie, John is her husband, they have been married for 15 months now.

Jackie what or who is your OH?  Your husband?  I've seen DH for Dear Husband, but not sure of your abbreviation.

Larry you are absolutely right about not borrowing tomorrow's sunshine by worrying.  And I do make a determined effort to always leave Beth in His hands, as we must, and not pick up the burden when I go.  It's just the constant responsibility that sometimes wearies me.  Of course it's John's responsibility to make his own Dr. appointments--he just will not do it!  Why?  I don't know!  Maybe he is scared of what may be found.

We will be leaving early in the morning for the Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas, where KSU is) to watch Abby's dance recital.  On Sunday we will go to church with her, take her to lunch, then head home.  So I will be among the missing again for a couple of days at least

I have a lot to do to be ready to go, so I wish you all many blessings from our Lord, as always.

Janet...OH...my Other Half....man I share the home with, not hubby....not a person I would want to marry...

Happier to read Beth has eaten some food...

Hi everyone.  The sun is shining and there is a clear sky.  Once again we will be in the low 80's this afternoon.  As expected, yesterday was a quiet day.  I even fixed our evening meal, which was a nice salad with tuna on it, at lunch time so that when we were ready to eat last evening I just had to set it on the table.  We are having these salad type meals about once a week now as they are easy and we both like them. 

I did get my income tax refund check in the mail.  I thought I had set it up for direct deposit but must not have done so. 

Last evening I did watch the women's Final Four basketball game for the women and saw the South Carolina team beat Stanford and so will play for the National Championship on Sunday.  The South Carolina men play in the Final Four tonight and if they can win they would also play in the Championship game on Monday night.  One of my coffee drinking friends here went to Phoenix yesterday with his son and family to attend the Final Four for the men. 

I expect to have another quiet and restful day with no plans to leave the house.  Since it is the first of the month I will pay bills and then watch the basketball game around 6 pm. 

Jackie, those were very distressing photos in the article you sent as I mentioned in my response to you.  It sounds like you are having a nice day.

Marilyn, your DIL sounds like a real trooper.

Janet, I wonder why they waited to tell you about the cellulitis in Beth's foot.  What else is to befall that poor woman.  That did sounds like a very sugary dinner but at least she ate some of it.  Hope you enjoy the couple of days away and watching Abby's dance recital. 

Janet:   Peace be with you - truly, that is the message I want to send to you.

Marilyn:  Most of the blooming is after we leave for home so we will miss it but it has been fun to see the quail families visiting.

Ruth Ann: Prayers for your comfort and health.

Jackie:  Paratrooper - wow!  That time had to be so difficult.  Thanks to all who were there.

Cousin and wife just left after a late breakfast.  Don made biscuits and gravy for them.  Don drove Dennis to the air museum and they spent hours on the tarmac looking at everything.  I drove Carolyn to a private desert area where things were blooming and there is a gift shop.I bought a bottle of Prickly Pear syrup for a neighbor at home.  Then, we shared a sandwich at Kneaders.  It is just great and closed Sundays.  My cousins are so neat - we share devotions and many stories.  They are close friends, really.