Christian Photographers Community

Wonderful Al Thank you!

Hi everyone.  Another weekend past and the beginning of a bright new week.  Know it will be another hot one.  This is also going to be a busy week with activities all but one day.  Today have my men's luncheon and an activity this evening.

Jane, it must be great to be able to watch swans in your lake.  They are such beautiful and classic birds.  Too bad about the little one but a hawk seems a likely culprit.  The cycle of life is sometimes cruel.

Don, what neat pictures.  I never thought about growing pineapples.  We can't keep a house plant healthy so don't think we would have much change with a pineapple.

Janet, beautiful verse on the card and it sounds like it would express the feeling of a daughter who has benefited so much from your always being there for her.  I can see why it would bring a tear to your eye.  In recent years we have had some similar expressions from our kids.  I have a feeling that if she had been able to write the verse it would have been very similar to what you got on the card.  You can use the search feature of Windows (click on the little icon on the left bottom of the screen) and you will see search.  Just type in the title of the book and select search files and you should be able to find it. 

Al, thanks for the devotional thought for the week.  I liked the example of the three "h's" and it is so true.  We can always remember that through very dark times God has told us that he will never place a burden on us beyond what we can carry. 

Again, church was awesome.  One problem or concern, our church secretary starts a new job today and didn't tell the church until last Friday!  So we are looking for a new secretary...not a high paying job but a part-time job.

Five of us went to Applebee's for lunch.  I really like Applebee's.  Then home. 

I was online for a bit and then got my book to read.  Bet I didn't read two pages and nodded off.  I think I slept for 3 hours!! 

I was surprised when I went to bed that I was sleepy but I went right to sleep. 

Today is rehab, throat doctor, lunch, BMV and tonight church council meeting.  Another busy day!  And I probably will go to the body shop and have them look at the car and leave their copy of the estimate.

Etta Sue, will you please slow down?  You're making me tired!   

Today and tomorrow I may need to turn on some fans.  They're all set to go in the windows, but I haven't needed them for the last month.  The forecast is for near 90 and higher humidity - but that's Albany and we're usually a bit cooler here.  So I'll just have to wait and see.  At least all I need to do is turn a couple of dials.   

Have you checked out - and entered - our latest challeng "Freedom"?  Have a look HERE and maybe get some ideas for something you can post. 

If you have a photo you'd like to enter but have a problem posting it, let me know and I'll see if I can help.

This is going to be a busy week for us as well.  John has taken the week off and is doing some well needed....long put off chores.  At this moment I hear a bangng in my ears, he is rewpairing a deck that has rotting wood on it.  He is finding more good than rotten which is a surprise!

The funniest sight last night.  We have a young spaniel, Rambo who is very true to his name.  Last night (early evening) he was running with his mouth full of a soft ball.  This ball eas so big in his mouth that he was having trouble breathing.  John was taking the ball away from him and throwing.  To give the (silly) dog more of a challenge I gave John the baseball bat Kassie uses to hit the ball.  Rambo watching john would throw the ball up and miss.  Throw the ball ....miss.   Throw the ball and third time he hit it right across the yard.  Rambo was so intent on watching the bat that he totally missed seeing the ball fly.  He never did find it, John had to retreive it! 

Jeanne I have a picture in mind.....Just have to take it! When does the challenge close?

Pat (sister) is having phone problems.  She got through to me last night but it seems that was a fluke.  I called her right back to no answer. I know she was there.

HAd to do a system restore today.  I did something with my settings that caused me to have to "sign in" every time I came onto this and other sites.  I found it frustrating, but I have no idea what settings I messed with so the system restore was in order.  I just hope that fixed things.

Be back later.

Janet, what a beautiful card Beth picked out for you.  It is just perfect! 

I have been trying to think of more names for Darrel's and your new puppy.  Don't know why, it is yours and not mine!  :-) 
How about considering Miss Daisy,  Roxie,  Gracie,  or Becky.  Looks like I can only think of names that end with y or ie....just a coincidence.

Hello to all who visit here today. 

Judy, you have until Friday to get an entry into the challenge.  So hop to it girl!   

Thanks to our Lord, I was able to attend worship Sunday. How great to listen to our pastor's message. He's a wonderful teaching-type of pastor.

Then lunch with friends.

Then, home, and a LONG nap.

I'll most likely be away from the computer tomorrow, but will be thinking of y'all.

Love to all, Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a very hot day with heat advisories out for our area.  We had a nice but brief rain yesterday a little before lunch and have that possibility again today.  The rain is welcome.  I have one activity this morning and then plan to stay inside where it is cool for the rest of the day. 

Etta Sue, my Monday men's luncheon group ate at Applebee's yesterday.  I had there lunch special and it was plenty to eat.

Jeanne, it sounds like summer is catching up with your area.  Stay cool.

Judy, it sounds like you may have deleted your cookies although after signing in again you should be OK.  Glad the system restore solved the problem.

Hi Janice.  Those sounded like good names.

Ruth Ann, sounds like you had a busy day. We passed on lunch with friends after church Sunday and just ate alone as was tired.  Did have a nice long rest when we got home.

Larry the system restore did work.  Jes I did delete the cookies, but I also changed settings, I just don't know which ones!!!

Great day yesterday, out for supper last night.  On the way home we stopped at the neighbors and while John talked to Lloyd, I went in and talked to Bunny.  We are developing a good friendship here.

John is back working on the back deck.  We decided last night that we would enclose it.  Doing that will give us a place to sit, free of bugs in the summer and offer a wind break in the winter. 

Have a great day everone.

Larry, our "summer" is only for a couple of days at a time.  Today will continue hazy, hot and humid and near 90.  Then tomorrow it will be drier and back to only about 80.  

We had a light rain overnight, and it's predicted to continue throughout the day.  It is welcome here, at my house!   

I had a call from my granddaughter, Becky, yesterday evening.  It was later where she was in Illinois but she told of the tornado that had gone through their town that morning.  She said all the power was out for the whole area "except for the stores, because they have generators"  She said her phone was about to die and they had no way to charge it.  (too bad) ... I said it was a good thing they were in a basement ... trying to keep her off the subject she was aiming at ($$$ !!).
All of a sudden her phone did die and I haven't heard from her since then.  She was beginning to tell me that her bf's mother was supposed to bring them food but hadn't made it and they were without ..... I know the next thing would be to ask me to send them money -- again!  Oh well!!

Taking a break.  This deck has cost us all of $20. to build!  Woohoo.

WE will have to paint and we don't have any left here so that will mean buying.

Larry the system restore didn't work.  I have to log in to every site every time.  Wish I knew what I changed so I can put it back to original settings.

Well ..... Becky called, in tears, this morning to say her food stamps had been denied and she has to re-apply... won't get them until next month and they don't have any food!      I tried every suggestion I could think of and to each she said they've "burned all resources" in that area and all they got from WIC was milk, eggs, and peanut butter a few days ago.

Yup, I just got back from sending more money so they can eat.      At first I told her I don't have any more money, but then I began to feel badly about that.  I know I can't keep this up, but I couldn't think of them without food for the next 2-3 weeks. 

Well, the BMV was closed on Monday! 

So today I woke up at 6:30am.  Got up, got dressed, got my devotions to read while I was gone and Hawaii and I headed to Noblesville.  I drove by the BMV, thinking they opened at 7:30am but they didn't open until 8:30am.  So I went to Bob Evans for breakfast. 

I was done eating way too early to go to BMV and asked them if it was okay to sit there and read.  Sure.  So I read my devotions and then Kindle.  I am reading a fiction Amish book. 

Then to the BMV.  Third one in there and everything went quick and easy.  Well, except the check I had to write...I forgot plates for a new car costs a lot more than a 9-year old car! 

Then to WalMart.  My cupboards were bare.  Plus the Throat doctor said it looked like I do have an allergy so I got some Zyrtec, also. 

So my cupboards are full, my car is registered and plates transferred and title on the way to be returned to me, and hopefully, my allergies will be better after I take my pills a few days. 

Then I decided to mow before it got too hot.  That job is done for another week.  I now have a load of clothes in the washer and one in the dryer. 

TOMORROW I am doing NOTHING!!

Janice, thanks for the additional name suggestions.  I think her name is Donna, goes well with Dinah (cat) but it really doesn't seem to "fit" her.  Hmmmm.  I wish Darrel would just pick a name (but NOT Sue!) and stick with it!

Yes, I thought the same, that if Beth  could still write, she would write something very similar to what the card says.  She is very appreciative, and that is nice.



I have a couple of short updates about Shirley on the missions trip.  I will go find them and post them here.

Hello Everyone...
I just got a message from Eli today stating that Shirley's hip went out again..For those of you who may not know this is the second time this has happened now while she is on her missions trip to Africa..Eli stated that they were 6 hours from civilization when it happened. She bent over to pick up a feather and out it went..I am trying to get clarification if this is the hip that she had hip replacement surgery on..They got her to a hosptial to get it put back in. That's where Eli was went he sent me the message..The Dr. there told her she needed to see a Dr. when she got back home because he feels like there is damage to the socket of her hip..So please everyone say a prayer for Shirley and the entire team ministering in Africa..They have most certainly had their share of trials on this trip but God is Greater than anything the devil can throw at them..I will send any updates as I get them..Love to all..Leanne

[Hey Hey...
I got an update back already from Eli..Shirley got her hip put back in now for the second time and Eli stated she is now doing wonderful He said he is going to make double double sure that she is very very careful and that she utilizes the crutches...Oh and YES this is the hip that she had the hip replacement on..So, she will be seeing her Dr. when she gets back to the good ole USA..Thanks so much everyone for praying and keep on praying for the Africa Team...They will be wrapping up this trip soon...Leanne/color]

Janet, that's a long story, and a can of worms I am not willing to open in public.  I wish I hadn't even mentioned it.  

Oh, I am so sorry, Jane.  I will delete my post, right NOW.  Please forgive me!  I meant no harm or embarrassment.

No need to apologize, Janet ... I just hate explaning stuff all the time ... and it IS a long story!      

We have a wonderfully cool day to work on the finishing the deck.  Hopefully it won't take much longer.....There are similarities to making a dress, but takes much longer.  A dress would be done by now!!!

We have a silly adult eautiful white cat...in heat...and she just fell down the stairs!  Silly girl!

I know it is too soon to say but I will say it anyway...the Zyrtec seems to be working!  I slept great last night also. 

Today is a do-nothing day so I am outta here to do nothing!!

Judy, after my first husband died, my daughter had temporarily left her cat with me.  Every evening when I came home from work he'd be sleeping by the front door.  As soon as I turned in the driveway he'd wake up and immediately fall down the steps. 

Good morning--barely! I had a tough night, think I was having sympathy pain for my sister Shirley.  The hollow of my left hip hurt so much, and I couldn't find any comfortable position.......finally got up and took Tylenol and got to sleep around 5 AM.  Of course, that meant sleeping later than usual, got up at 8 and decided to walk, even if it was hot.  But it was still nice and cool and I got my walking done.

I do have another update from Eli, nothing from Shirley yet   but I need to hurry and get showered and go to exercise class; so I will post his update after lunch.

God bless you all, have a wonderful day!

Cats can be so funny....but Dogs win!

Got this story in my email, it is just a story, but a touching one. 

    What an awesome reminder
    of why we are here.

     

    The Cab Ride

    I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
    After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked.
    'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice.
    I could hear something being dragged across the floor..


    After a long pause, the door opened.
    A small woman in her 90's stood before me..
    She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it,
    Like somebody out of a 1940's movie.


    By her side was a small nylon suitcase.
    The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.
    All the furniture was covered with sheets.


    There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.
    In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.


    'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said.
    I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.


    She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb..

    She kept thanking me for my kindness.
    'It's nothing', I told her..
    'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

    'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.
    When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked,
    'Could you drive through downtown?'


    'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

    'Oh, I don't mind,' she said.
    'I'm in no hurry.
    I'm on my way to a hospice'.


    I looked in the rear-view mirror.
    Her eyes were glistening.
    'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..
    'The doctor says I don't have very long.
    'I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.


    'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

    For the next two hours, we drove through the city.
    She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.


    We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
    When they were newlyweds.
    She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once
    Been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

    Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner
    And would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing..


    As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,
    'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

    We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
    It was a low building, like a small convalescent home,
    With a driveway that passed under a portico.


    Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up..
    They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
    They must have been expecting her.

    I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
    The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

    'How much do I owe you?'
    She asked, reaching into her purse.


    'Nothing,' I said

    'You have to make a living,' she answered.

    'There are other passengers,' I responded.

    Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
    She held onto me tightly.


    'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.
    'Thank you.'

    I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.
    Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.


    I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.
    I drove aimlessly lost in thought.
    For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
    What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,
    Or one who was impatient to end his shift?
    What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once,
    then driven away?

    On a quick review,
    I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.


    We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

    But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully
    wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


    PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY
    WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID
    ~BUT~
    THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
    HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.