Christian Photographers Community

Hi everyone on an overcast morning.  According to the weatherman we may have up to 1/2 inch rain today and 1/4 inch on Wednesday and Thursday so it looks like we will not be significantly impacted with the hurricane.  I made breakfast for Pat this morning with my newly acquired skill at making scrambled eggs and fixing bacon in the microwave.  I know this isn't much but for a non-cooking person it is an accomplishment.  Pat is going to go to the chiropractor this morning as needs to try to do something as is in lots of pain with her hip and left knee.  I have nothing on the schedule for today other than to take Pat for her appointment.

Etta Sue, nice of you ladies to help your friend eat up her left overs.  Sometimes things reheated are better than the initial serving, particularly with tomatoes in them.  Hope your new popcorn pan works well.  You must be one of few that still pop popcorn the old fashioned way and not microwaved.  I seldom eat popcorn anymore.

Janet, glad you were able to get the one ticket dismissed.  Hope your trial turns out in your favor and as you say nothing to lose but something to win not to pay the fine. 

Judy, what a loss to have one's home burn.  As you saw as long as no one was hurt the other things are just things.  Good luck with your clothing drive.

Carol, was the movie worth watching.  I have read the new book called "Amateur"  by Klein and it is an eye-opener.

Ruth Ann, wasn't sure what you had done to fall off the bandwagon but you later indicated it related to some food that wasn't on your regular diet.

It is a cool morning here 12C  that is about 53F, it is supposed to warm up though.  I have the car to vaccume out for Kassie and her drivers test.  This is her first, there will be another a year down the road.  I really like the graduating licencing, it seems to make better drivers out of our youth.

Silly cat jumped up onto our low roof and decided it was a good idea to tear the screen and come into the house.  I closed the window, she promptly got her head stuck in the screen and pulled it out and across the roof.  John will have to replace the screen after he climbs up onto the roof.  She is a great mouser and we are hoping she catches the mice before they come into the house. That is perhaps wishful thinking, worth a try though. We live in the middle of fields and very little traffic goes by.  Just our neighbours going to their hunt camp.

Have a great day everyone.

Janet and Larry:  We just wanted to support the author, Dinesh D'Souza, who is president of Kings College in New York City.  He approaches the questions from a search of going directly to the countries.  Yes, worth it for many and it is good to really try to understand.

JudyB:  Yes, the graduating licensing is better.  One grandson lost a good friend who recently turned out into traffic and was T-boned (hit in the middle of the car) when he must not have looked twice.  It just makes you ill when you hear these things. 

My neighbor told me yesterday that she is at peace with whatever will happen if chemo doesn't work for her husband.  She is a faithful gal - they are the ones who invited us to their church which is now ours. 

Don wants me to bake banana bread with Splenda so I will do so today.  I have used Splenda at times but one son is allergic to that product.  Don can eat sugar within limits.  He stopped putting it into coffee.

Tonight is quilting group and it is a short walk to the host house for a change.  Otherwise, we are driving at night through snow and all kinds of weather always wondering why on earth would anyone be out on a night like this?  We have set heat records now so it can cool down and we can even have a "surprise snow" in September.  Not at all uncommon. 

Hi, friends, it's good to know that we can begin again both with life and, should we need to do so, with our relationship with our Lord.

Today's a new day, and time to enjoy living it by serving others for Him.

I praise God that a big communications problem with one of my offspring has been resolved.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Today was SAMS.  We didn't have as many this month.  Only 11...ten women and one man!! 

I went to the pool first and then to SAMS.  I job in place in the water for 20 minutes.  I sure couldn't do that at home!  I am used to it now but sometimes the bottom of my feet hurt from the cement on the bottom of the pool.  I am so used to exercising in the pool....I hope I don't quit for a long, long time!

Now that I am home, my book is calling me and the daybed is saying 'Come here, Etta Sue!  I need you!'

I got up again at 8:00, and after I watched the 700 Club, I went to the Care home.  Beth isn't doing well.  She was running a fever again, third day in a row.  She was lying in her chair with a washcloth on her head, sleeping.  John is so patient; he just sits there with her, saying he's happy just to be with Beth.  God, please bless John!

I finally got the next lady's story done, after six trips to see her!  And I have more names to check out as soon as I get this one sorted out and typed.

I got my new glasses!!!!           --finally!

I do plan to watch the RNC convention tonight, as I am interested in hearing the speeches.

I plan on hearing as many speeches that come on before I fall asleep.

I am in a blue funk the  last few days, reflecting on the mistakes of my life and the length of time it took me to come to my senses, come to the Lord and with His help straighten out my life. I don't have the wonderful adult memories that most people have,. I think about growing old and not having those memories to look back on. Tears have been so close to the surface  lately, I try to hide them and  not dwell on them so Keith doesn't  know. I am telling y'all because I can.

Marilyn - weeping is not a bad thing, especially if it is by way of repetance.  Our Lord will reveive that repentance no matter how often it must be offered.  And all your life, no matter what you do, is still imder the sovereign will of God, so that it cannot alter the ultimate ordering of God's will in this world.  Jesus says the same thing to youi even after innumerable failures.  He says, "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavu laden . . . and I will give your rest."  He says, "Trust in Him with all youir heart, and lean not on your own understsnding."  He places no limit on our turning back to Himl.

What we do in our lives does not alter the course of world lhistory - it only alters the way our God will deal with us.  "Thy will be done on earth as it IS iin heaven"

Marilyn, I keep remembering these words from the Word, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching out to those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus."  Knowing that God forgives is so wonderful, and yes, I understand that being forgiven doesn't always mean we do not have regrets....but He is faithful who called us, and He will help us live our lives from this day forward in such a manner as to bring joy to us.  God bless!

We watched the RNC, and now I can't go to sleep.  I don't need another sleepless night.  Phooey.

Good morning, friends,

I'll be working for my boss at their house a good part of the day today. How thankful I am that God has given me the ability to figure out some of the situations that occur when working for another individual. I thought I'd lose that after retirement, but thus far, it still works. <wry grin>

Marilyn, our lives haven't crossed paths, but I also deal with regrets. Most likely everyone does. Al, thank you for reminding us of God's infinite desire to forgive us. There's the opportunity to pick up and go on, even though sometimes those old memories haunt us. Isn't it wonderful our sins are buried in God's sea of forgetfulness never to surface any more.

Now, tis time for me to brush teeth, etc, and prepare to leave. It's about a 35 minute drive to get to their house. His wife is such a sweet lady - what a privilege to know these people.

May our Lord be with each of us today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Another overcast day but not yet raining.  The forecast is for some small amounts of rain.  It did rain a fair amount yesterday.  I just had to get assistance from the Dish technical staff as one of my TVs lost its authorization.  They were able to help me and things are fine again on the TV front.  I did watch the convention last evening.  Nothing on the schedule for me today.  Pat has rehab again late this morning but she will drive herself. 

I have read all of the posting since yesterday but just don't feel up to trying to make any individual comments today.

Good morning.  I haven't heard a thing about our Senior Saints trip to Madison, IN, tomorrow!!  There were only 4 women who signed up as of Sunday after church.  Maybe it was cancelled.  But I would like to know!  If we aren't going as Senior Saints, maybe us 4 women would like to go somewhere anyway!

Since I finished my series of books I am re-reading 'Sophie's Heart' by Lori Wick.  If you women have not read this book, I highly recommend it!  It is a feel-good book!  A page turner!  And when I grow up, I want to be just like Sophie!

I have a planter in front of my picture window.  I have noticed two types of 'green' in it this year.  One is a low growing plant...no blooms.  Now I know what the other is....Morning Glories!  Those blue blooms looks so pretty!  We have wild Morning Glories that grow in our corn fields and soy bean fields.  I guess birds decided that I needed some in my planter, too!

No rain here yet!  Maybe by Friday!  Right now it is bright and sunny...not a cloud in the sky and no wind!  It is 79 degrees and rising.  Beautiful day in which the Lord made for us to enjoy!

Thank you for that article about Madalayne, Janet.  Great reading.



Yes, our family has undergone a tragic time since 6:30 Sunday evening.  My ex-daughter-in-law was in her home and her friend was welding something in the garage on her car which was up on a hoist.  A stray spark!  That did it.  In no time, the garage was engulfed with flames and Steve shouted for Angela to phone 911.  This home is way, way out in the country not near to any village really.  The fire trucks have to load up in the creeks and ponds in the area in order to fight the fires. 

My grandson, James had taken the truck to work so wasn't home and Angela and Steve's son and two dogs were able to get out and stand on the side of the road and watched their home burn to the ground.  All my grandson's childhood belongings were stored there.  Photographs from over the years.  Everyone.  Gone in a few minutes.

Angela has no wallet, thus no driving licence.  Her passport.  Her glasses.  Everyone gone!

Thanks to extended family who have rallied around to try to help at this very, very sad time.   If you can just imagine things that you put your hands on in your home and Angela can't do that now. 

Please pray for my three grandson's down there in the Ottawa area.  They are grown men but still "my little grandsons"!! 

Ian has started a website and maybe you'll be interested to read this:

http://ianism.com/a-horrible-house-fire-tragedy-can-you-help

Pat you echoed what I was going to post.  We have here in the north come up with a lot of clothes, which will be sent down, a box full, on Friday.  I had a wonderful conversation with Ian last night.  He is a wonderful young man with vivid memories of his youth, his Dad and Bonsey.

Marilyn the past is a reminder to us for the present and future, not to repeat past mistakes, and press on to the mark of the high calling....I often repeat in my mind 1 John 1:9.  Look it up and check out what it says.  Anything that you have done can be cleared at the throne, it is much harder here on earth as people have expectations on what we will do how we will react.  That is the hardest part, peoples expectations.

A dear friend had knee replacement surgery a week ago yesterday.  She is doing well since surgery, however after she left the house last Monday her beloved Doberman, Dino, was taken  by the vet to be euthanized.  He had incurable cancer, and was at the end.  Coming home to her house with him gone has left a huge hole in her heart.  Please pray she turns to our Lord and Saviour to fill the hole.

I am heading out to mow.  not really wanting to but it needs doing.  Love ya all

Pat, although I was dismayed when Judy first mentioned that devastating fire, I had no idea that your family was involved.  I have read everything in Ian's website and have left a short comment.  As I'm sure you know, my circumstances don't leave room for any financial help, but just as important - in fact even more important - I am praying for all concerned.

thank you Jeanne.  My prayer is that this terrible thing will draw the whole family closer to our Lord.  We can never be too close!

Thank you all for the input and prayers for me. I came here because  this is where we can pour out our hearts and we will  get the best of prayers and God's words that will wash away the tears and troubles. Thank you again.

Pat, I am so sorry to learn that the house fire was one that affected YOUR family!  I had no idea, of course.  I will come back and look at Ian's page about it, meantime, I will pray for them.  You are so right about those grandsons--they may be men grown and gone from home, but they will always be our little grandsons in our hearts!

I came to ask continued prayers for Beth.  She still isn't feeling up to par, and today her blood pressure was 70/50.....very low.  And now the flu bug has invaded her neighborhood, so please pray she does NOT get that!

I need to get going, am attending the pizza party/penny ante party at the home, bringing a birthday cake for Beth!  So she gets another party!

Janet, you can be sure I'll be praying for Beth.  And for you!  Probably around 3:00 a.m. 

Janet i am, praying now and will pray again tonight.

Good evening everyone.  Tomorrow is the last day for voting in the challenge.  Please take the opportunity to check out the wonderful photos and if you haven't already voted please do so! HERE

I am all ready to go out the door to visit Madison, IN.  Madison is a river town on the Ohio River.  The website tells that there are antique stores, homes to tour, parks and restaurants.  I will know a lot more when I get back.  Edit:  I just now got a call from Steve, the minister.  Another lady is going so I am going to drive also.  That's good.  Hawaii will get us there!

I finished 'Sophie's Heart' last evening.  My, what a gallant lady!  I do believe the first page, Sophie gets into your heart. 

Well, now I have to re-think.  All I know is I will put Madison, IN, in my GPS and go!  Steve acted like he didn't know how to get there for sure so I think he was going to rely on me and my sense of direction and cell phone Navigation!  He may follow me.

Looks to be a beautiful day.  I put in Madison, IN, for my weather and it is to be hotter there than at home...it is south quite a few miles!

Hi everyone.  Another overcast day with the possibility of some rain.  Yesterday we didn't have a drop of rain and it got pretty warm again.  We went down to Atlanta this morning as Pat hada 10 am appointment with her knee surgeon.  He was very pleased with her progress and said she didn't need to come back for a year.  While she is doing that I went over to Stacey's old apartment and disassembled a set of shelves that she used for storage and then in the trash as they have served the purpose intended.    I also got her vacuum cleaner and a few other things to take to her new apartment since she is finished with it in the old place.  After her appointment I picked up Pat and we went to Stacey's new place.  She wanted to see it and we  spent some time visiting with her and then had lunch with her at a nearby Mexican place.  We came home and crashed for a couple of hours.


Pat, so sorry to hear of the tragedy involving members of your family.  However, certainly a blessing that no one was hurt.  Perhaps other members of the family can help restore some of the photos as well as help with other material things.  Judy, I didn't realize this was the fire you had mentioned earlier.

I am late in posting, but have been here a couple of times to read.  I have felt really "blah" today, don't know why, except for being stressed and concerned about Beth.  That can do it.  She is feeling a little bit better, but her blood pressure is still too low, and I asked John to keep offering her fluids and encouraging her to drink.  I told her that if she is the same tomorrow, she is going to the doctor!

We plan to watch the RNC again tonight.

Larry, glad Stacey is all settled into the new apartment, and that you and Pat are safely back home, too.

So sad about Angela's and Steve's house, just heartbreaking.  I am praying about what my part in helping should be.....

Janet, I've been praying for Beth and will be lifting her again tonight - in the wee small hours, I'm sure.   

Hi, friends, after working yesterday then spending quite a bit of time with my son, I was extremely tired all day.

This all will pass, if it's the Lord's will.

I'm sitting here enjoying such a cute picture named "Loving-the-Water!" Often, these photos really lift my spirits.

Much love, and many prayers for all,
Ruth Ann

Janet:  Hugs to you tonight.  I hope you can have refreshing rest.

Larry: It had to make you feel so good to get Stacey into her new home. 

Pat and Judy:  How nice that you were able to gather some very necessary things for the family who lost everything.  We have seen so much of that this year with fires in our area and now the homes under water in the latest storm.