Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

We did absolutely nothing to earn God's love. We were born into sin; we were at enmity with God. We were unlovable and undeserving. Yet Christ still died for us. "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8).

God's love is so abundant that He not only saved us from eternal damnation, but He adopted us as His own children. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1). He changes our very nature upon salvation so that we can become more like Him. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God" (1 John 3:9).

Prayer: Thank You, God, for loving me so much that You would adopt me as Your own child even when I could do nothing to deserve it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ" (Ephesians 2:3-5).

Jeanne:  Thank you for your setting up another week - the title Big Prayers is often so true.  So many never think about praying unless they are in "big trouble". 

A nice Sunday here - after our regular morning, we went out for coffee then stopped at a grocery store. We cannot figure out which church we like the best here - so we switch every so often.  With about six weeks here before we go home, the fridge starts looking rather weird.  I made a batch of egg salad for Don as he works hard on keeping his sugar numbers down so there are various things I try to keep on hand. 

Larry:  That was a bunch of talking with everyone in such a short time.  Fortunately, the drive back through some isolated desert was beautiful with flowers blooming.  I am cutting fabric and making little quail for something not decided yet. 

Happy Sunday!

No, Larry, I have never won a big prize at the health fair.  But I was sitting next to a friend a couple years back who won the big TV!  Does that count?    But the blood tests they do for us at no cost are worth around $200 if we had to pay for them, so that's certainly worth going for!

We went to Hugoton to church today, have our small group tonight, then plan to attend the movie Risen.  Beth and John will go tomorrow night, as she is too tired tonight.  He called to tell me she had already had them get her ready for bed.     She has very little stamina any more.

Happy Palm Sunday to you all.  I have never been in a church where they used palm branches, so I really don't know what that is all about.  I do know they spread palm branches and waved them as Jesus rode into Jerusalem before the crucifixion.

Jeff and Estie sang "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" this morning.  It's by Casting Crowns, and I'd not heard it before.  What a beautiful and meaningful song it is!

Carol, good to read your post, as always.  And Larry, always good to read what you are doing!

I think I will try to get a little power nap before time to go to our Connection Group.  Catch you later!

Hi everyone on a bright, clear 39 degree morning.  We should get to the low 60's this afternoon.  We had a nice church service yesterday with the little ones processing after the choir with the palm fronds with the littlest children at the end of the procession and oh so cute.  The middle school children's choir joined with the Chancel choir for the Anthem and they did a great job.  We didn't eat out yesterday as neither Pat nor I really felt up to it.  This morning Pat has a Circle meeting at church and I will go to my regular Monday noon meeting and then this evening is the men's meeting at church with the steak dinner.  Our speaker tonight is a chaplain from Fort Gordon. 

Jeanne, thanks for sharing the fine devotional thoughts for the week.  Dr. Youssef writes very well. 

Carol, since you are not year round residents in Tuscon it is nice you can visit different churches until you find the one that you really like.  I bet the flowers are beautiful in the desert this time of the year. 

Janet, didn't you win a very nice prize package at some event several years ago or am I totally dismembering.  The blood tests are really a nice savings and a benefit to the community in making folks aware of something at an early stage. Do most attendees take advantage of the offered service?  The palm branches are to help us remember the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem when they crowd shouted Hosana, which I just learned really means God save us.  Here is a better description of the word:  Hosanna is often thought of as a declaration of praise, similar to hallelujah, but it is actually a plea for salvation. The Hebrew root words are found in Psalm 118:25, which says, "Save us, we pray, O LORD!" (ESV). The Hebrew words yasha ("deliver, save") and anna ("beg, beseech") combine to form the word that, in English, is "hosanna." Literally, hosanna means "I beg you to save!" or "please deliver us!"

Thank you, Larry, for that explanation of "hosanna".  I had always thought it to be a praise word similar to Hallelujah, and am glad to know it means "I beg you to save!"  Very meaningful!

Larry, I did win $1000 at one of Darrel's alarm conventions, but that was before I even learned how to use a computer.  I can't remember any other big prizes, but do remember one that was huge to me at the time.  When I was six years old, I won ten silver dollars as a door prize at some program at school.  To me, that was a fortune!!    Good memory.

We went to see "Risen" after our meeting last night, and I must say, we were disappointed in it because we could understand so little of the dialog.  Other people, years younger than us, said they had trouble, too.  So I will tell Beth and John about it, if they want to go anyway, it's their choice.  But I am encouraged in that two of the three previews were for "Miracles from Heaven"  and  "God's Not Dead 2"  It is so nice that they are making so many good Christian films now!

We have a week with--so far--nothing on the calendar except a short app't for Darrel to get a shot tomorrow at 4:30.  WOO-HOO!!  That looks good to me!  It may change, but for now, I will celebrate the freedom! 

I think we will go to Garden and get groceries and other necessities today.  No reason to have to hurry home, so that's a good thing, too.

So, now it's time to get out of gym clothes, shower and get ready to go.

The community was saddened to hear of the sudden death of a man we all liked and admired.  He owned the main grocery store in town for years, sold it about 3 or 4 years ago and retired.  He was a good Christian man who did a lot for the community.  He and wife were driving, near Branson, Mo. and he had a heart attack and wrecked the vehicle.  She wasn't seriously injured.  We will all miss Cary.

Gotta go!

I went for a blood draw this morning only to find out that my Dr. Appointment had been changed from next week to May 9 So I go back a week before that for the blood draw. I drank so much water prepping for the blood draw, that I am spend a lot of time going back and forth the the bathroom. I wasn't notified that my appt had been changed. So I have let them know that I was inconvenienced this morning.

Going to Tai Chi practice this afternoon.

Hi everyone on another cool but beautiful day here with afternoon temperatures in the low 70's.  Today's main activity is our monthly Senior Luncheon at church.  Last night I attended the men's meeting at church and had a delicious meal including a big piece of steak.  The speaker was a 19 year member of the Chaplaincy in the Army stationed nearby at Fort Gordon.  He is a Major in the army had heads a unit of seven other Chaplains stationed at the Fort.  He spoke on the strong faith of Joshua as he lead the people into the promised land and how he relied on God.   

Janet, it must have been someone else who won a gift basket that included some appliance and a number of other things.  Either that or I dreamed that about some friend.  I would say winning a $1,000 is a big prize. Sorry you were disappointed in the movie you saw.  I hope it is a sign of the times that more God based movies are being made and having good attendance.  Enjoy your quiet week.  So sad about the man from your community having the heart attack and dying and while driving.  Sure glad his wife wasn't seriously injured.

Marilyn, I wonder how many people will be like you in not being notified of the change in schedule.  It sounds like another breakdown in staff responsibility, which seems to be happening a lot.  It sounds like you were well hydrated. 

A similar yet different thing from what Marilyn described happened today to me.  Well, sort of     The dentist's office called to tell me Beth had a cleaning app't at 2:00 today.  I was at lunch when she called, and she said she had tried the Care home and nobody answered.  I tried both of John's numbers, no answer; then went by dentist office.  They said they hadn't gotten hold of John either.  Finally the girl from Care home called and said they  didn't know where Beth was!  HUH???  Well, she said, John came in earlier and said he was taking Beth to Garden City!!  So I told her to call dentist office and tell them it is their responsibility to let us know when Beth has an app't, and that I will not be paying their $40.00 no-show fee.  They shouldn't wait until two hours or less before an app't before letting a person know!     If I had been told earlier, I would have written it on my calendar and reminded Beth, John and the Care Home about it in time for her to go.

Okay, off my soap box!    It got up to 81* here yesterday, after a very chilly start, and they are predicting near 90 for today.    Then, they say, rain and snow on Sunday!  Strange weather, for sure.  We are all praying for moisture so will be happy if we get some.  But the little ones won't be happy if they can't hunt those Easter eggs! 

Terrible about the terrorist attacks on Belgium this morning.  Sad world, but I'm so happy I know The ONE who is in charge and will have the final say about it all.

House cleaner is here today, so I've been trying to de-clutter ahead of her!

TTYL!

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful morning and headed to 75 degrees this afternoon.  I have several things on the agenda for today.  Pat needs to get a little package in the mail for a good friends birthday so I will make a trip to the Post Office later this morning.  I plan on going on from there to Lowe's to look at plants as getting the desire to have a new plant for my front porch that I can enjoy from my office windows.  Late this afternoon we plan on taking Scott to an early dinner at the Texas Roadhouse.  It doesn't open until 4 pm today.  We had a nice senior's monthly meeting yesterday.  The meal wasn't a favorite but OK and I enjoyed the speaker.  He talked about the early history of North Augusta and the main people behind its development.  This little town has some very interesting history as I expect most towns do. 

Janet, it sounds like John has yet to accept his responsibility to see that Beth gets places she needs to be like to the dentist office.  That is certainly no longer your responsibility and I think you are correct in saying you will not pay the fee for non-appearance as it isn't your expense.  You were warmer there yesterday than we were here.  The Brussels terrorist attacks were terrible and just the continuation of what we will likely be seeing more of in the future.  I told Pat last evening I was certainly glad I no longer had to ride the Washington, D.C. subway as that has to be a concern for folks who have to rely on it. 

Larry, you are correct in saying John needs to take over more of the responsibility for Beth, and he is doing better and better.  This situation, however, was not his fault, as the dentist's office didn't inform John, me, nor the care home of that appointment until after noon yesterday!  Grrr!  I'm sure he was going to Garden to get his driver's license, as he made two trips already trying to do that.  First time, he went on Monday, the day they are closed; and the next time he didn't have all of his paperwork.  Hope he got it yesterday.

The wind has come up and is blowing like crazy.  It isn't cold, but feels chilly because of the wind.  Ugh.

I just heard that Obama doesn't "feel" that Muslim terrorism is a "real" threat. Tell the people of Brussels that!  What an idiot.

Larry, what kind of plant are you thinking of getting?  I brought in my 5 geraniums and they are in my porch/prayer room/library.  They have bloomed all winter, still are blooming, but getting too big for the space.  I guess before I put them back outdoors I will need to cut them back.  Maybe I will leave them in the pots they are in now, rather than putting them back in the old bath tub.  Hmmm. I'm glad I can handle these earth-shaking decisions!   

Blessings on all who visit our cozy little corner here today!

Hi, friends,

I, too, enjoyed the devotional.

My goodness, I've enjoyed the discussions tonight.

I spent a few days pampering the old pancreas, and now am feeling better, thanks to the Lord.

I sure love each of you, and it feels like coming home to "hear" the conversations.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone. It is afternoon and just now posting. I was gone most of the morning with my usual Thursday activities. Before I left I spent my normal posting time setting up shortcuts on Pat's new computer.  I am now laying down to rest so just checking in for today and bypassing individual comments.

Hello all well Larry it is still morning here so I should say Good Morning (LOL) Today I am going to lun
ch with the Furry friend humans then on to a meeting. Not much else going on here, I've already made lunch for Keith. Oh I went to the church  around the corner to see if there was anything I needed and came home with a flat tire. Boo.
I don't have a spare just the little donut and it is a front tire so the donut is no help at all.  A friend is picking me up for the  lunch and meeting and we will worry about getting my tire fixed when I get back home.

Marilyn, your post made me chuckle.   "Oh I went to the church  around the corner to see if there was anything I needed and came home with a flat tire. "  Was that really what you needed?  Sorry, it just struck me as funny.  (I did see your 'boo'.  Those little donut tires are really dangerous to drive around on, as they were only designed to get you to a place to have your tire repaired.  Hope you can get that tire fixed soon.

We attended the funeral for the fellow who owned the grocery store here for many years.  It was to start at 11:00, and by 10:00 the church was packed.  They had a screen set up downstairs and a lot of chairs, and also have a small balcony, all of which were full.  His story was such a great testimony of the power of Jesus to save and totally change a life.  Wow.  And it was enjoyable, too, as Cary had a great sense of humor, loved to talk, pull pranks, and was just a real "people person".  Many stories of his life were told, and we did laugh a lot--just what would have pleased him, I'm sure.

Larry, thanks for checking in!  If you hadn't, we would have been very concerned!  Hope you have a good afternoon.

I painted a small watercolor as a birthday card for my sister, and in the process found just how rusty I'm getting in using watercolors!  But after a day or so, it started looking better to me.    LOL

Our favorite retired pastor died suddenly on a walk - he started a little church and it grew into a mega church.  He spoke and read Hebrew and Greek and could quote from memory - a fantastic memory - it was like going to theology school to know him.  Don says he was now welcomed with open arms in Heaven.

18 inches of snow at home and our nearest son lost a big tree that is leaning on a neighbor's house.  Someone will check our place.  Living near the mountains - it was a blizzard with winds over 70 plus mph - we sure missed that storm here in Tucson. 

Janet:  Such a lovely thought to paint a card for your sister.  To be so talented! 

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Hi everyone on this Good Friday morning.  It is overcast here but already 64 degrees and some rain late this morning and during the afternoon is in the forecast.  I expect to have a relatively quiet day.  The only thing on my schedule is to get a haircut and make a couple of follow-up calls.  Pat also will get her hair cut today.  The housekeeper will be here late this morning. 

Marilyn, hop you had a nice luncheon yesterday with the Furry friend humans and that you got your tire repaired.  I never liked to use the little donut tire either. 

Janet, that must have been some funeral and what a large attendance.  I  bet you are your own worse critic on your watercolor painting. 

Carol, the loss of your retired pastor must have been a shock for many people and a loss to the church community.  That was a terrible blizzard in your area and hope that tree didn't do a lot of damage to your son's neighbors home.  I bet you are glad you are in Tucson and were able to miss that storm.

Jeanne, thanks for posting the Good Friday graphic and the Hymn.  It has been awhile since I have sung that Hymn in church.   I am listening to it play now as I write.   

Jeanne:  thanks for the music - my dad used to sing a few of the old songs - remembering.

Larry:  Pastor Dixon was retired and still too young.  He was very active too with young grandchildren.  I always feel sorry for young grands not able to know their grandparents sometimes. 

Daughter sent a text message that she was alone when the blizzard hit - she used the snowblower two days to clear driveway and sidewalk - they had 28 inches of wet and heavy snow. 

Have a very Good Friday everyone.  The church we attend here has an uplifting Good Friday service that is so comforting to hear. 

After I posted that cross the song just insisted on being included.   

Hi everyone.  It is another overcast day that started out at 64 degrees.  There is a good possibility of some rain at different times throughout the day.  Pat and I both got our haircuts yesterday.  I got out the garden hose and washed down our front back porches to get rid of the yellow pine pollen.  I think I will leave the car out to day so if it rains it can get some of the pine pollen washed off of it.  A little bit ago Pat called me and I noticed she was all dressed up.  I asked her where she was going and she said to Easter service at the church.  I told her that is tomorrow, she was embarrassed but we both had a good laugh out of it.  She had completely lost track of the fact this is Saturday.  The only thing I have on my schedule for today is to go to Walmart to pick up a couple of prescriptions and a few groceries. 

Carol, does your daughter live near your home in Denver?  That is really a lot of snow to deal with and sure hope she had a snow blower to use and didn't have to shovel all of that snow off her drive and walks. 

Jeanne, glad that when you posted the cross picture yesterday you felt compelled to post the hymn. 

Larry The luncheon was great and I ate way over my calorie allotment for one meal, that Southwestern  chicken strip sandwich on chbijbatta bread was over 700 calories.
I have gained back 10 of the 40 lbs that I lost over the past 1½years.

Raining again today if it doesn't stop by after lunch Freckles won't get to go to the dog park, to play with the other dogs, well none of the dogs will get to go. We had a  good hospital visit yesterday, it took an hour just to do the patients on one floor, there usually iosn't that many patients left on Friday.  Yesterday was an exception, every room was full.

I've goot the worst cold I have had in many years,  head and chest , coughing, wheezing and blowing. At least I am sleeping well after putting an Essential oil blend on my feet and chest. I'm not sure what all oils are in the bl.end but I can smell Pepperment at times and I think Eucalyptus and something else.

Happy Saturday!

Larry, I empathize with Pat, as when I woke up this morning I was thinking it was Sunday, too!  I'm glad it isn't, yet, or the ham and the pies wouldn't be ready for Easter dinner!

We attended Good Friday services at the Methodist church last night.  It was such a meaningful and sobering service.  We do need to thoughtfully consider the great price Jesus paid for our salvation.  This morning I re-read the story of the crucifixion again, to help me try to understand it deeper.

Marilyn, sorry about the cold, and that Freckles and the other dogs may not get to go to the park to play.  They are so like little children at times, aren't they?

Darrel has sliced the ham off the bone, and I have three pie crusts cooling.  Yesterday I made meals for two families whom I wanted to bless.  I am making an extra chocolate  pie to give someone today.  Fun to be a blessing! 

We plan to attend the service our regular church has tonight (Sat. night rather than Sunday morning this weekend) and then go to the Methodist church again in the morning.  Then we will take the food we prepared and go to Hugoton for Easter with the kids, grands and great-grands.  John and Beth will go, too, if she feels up to it.

TMI?  Sorry!  See you all later!

My iPad is so slow - it is 5 years old and probably considered ancient.   Searching for different ways to speed it up or off to an Apple store. 

Larry:  Our daughter is about a hours drive from our house as we are south of Denver and she is in Boulder county closer to the hogbacks (foothills).  They always have a lot more wind and I mean hurricane force winds are not uncommon.  Yes, she has a snow blower - still she was home alone and had to take a long pole to shake evergreen tree branches and works out of the house over 70 hours per week.  Fortunately, she has underground wire and so do we so we never lose power anymore. 

Happy Easter everyone!  Janet:  Chocolate pie sounds even better than candy. 

Carol my oldest grandson lives in Deer Park and works in Denver, it took him 7 hours to get home from  work on Thursday.

Hi everyone and Happy Easter to your all.  We will soon leave for Sunday School and church.  It is cloudy but no rain in the forecast until this afternoon and evening.  We had some heavy downpours yesterday and we car was outside so got that yellow pollen washed off of it.  We don't plan on trying to eat out today as know a number of the restaurants will be closed.  We will just have a quiet afternoon. 

Marilyn, certainly sorry to learn that you are suffering from a very bad cold as know how miserable a cold can make a person feel.  It sounds like a lot of folks are ill in your area if the hospital is full on Friday. 

Janet, it sounds like you all will have a very nice Easter get together and certainly won't go hungry.  How nice of you to prepare those meals for others. 

Carol, my iPad is probably 5 years old and I haven't noticed it slowing down any.  In fact it was just updated to the latest software update a few days ago.  I sometimes think about upgrading to a newer version but just can't justify it as the picture is great on it and it works fine.  It sounds like your daughter is working to hard if she is working a 70 hour week. 

Good Easter everyone!  He is Risen!  I was up early just before the sunrise - lacking too much sleep.  Don had nose bleeds & whatever - so he is napping early this morning.  So tired that we opted out of a gathering this afternoon.  He has shoulder pain - a VA appointment tomorrow morning. 

Marilyn, I know the name of Deer Park but would have to look up the correct location.  There was a 2nd. storm much lighter that came through with only 3 to 4 inches of snow.  Not unusual for this time of the year really.  Bless you for all you do with hospital patients entertainment. 

Larry:   Cleaning out my Safari helped the iPad.  I had forgotten that I did that a few years ago.  too much to take care of anymore.  Enjoy your quiet Easter with your son!  Grandson who plays hockey is over now and down to college business.  We are on pins and needles - he is going to look at a few places - most in the mid-west and we will find out where he lands in the next month. 

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKxD8WnSYqQ&list=RDDKxD8WnSYqQ#t=43 we sang this at church this morning.

Hi everyone on a bright, sunny and warm morning with no rain in the forecast.  We are expecting to get to 79 this afternoon.  We did have some rain yesterday afternoon. 

We had a wonderful worship service yesterday to an almost full church, which sure looked good.  Many folks had provided memorial or appreciation lilies for the front of the church, including us in remembrance of Stacey and Shelia.  We were asked to take these home so I have ours in front of my office window where I can enjoy it. 

We had a quiet afternoon and evening and didn't try to go out to lunch.  I listened to Don's Classical Music program and napped in the afternoon and then watched the basketball games in the evening.  Today's schedule is light as just plan on attending a meeting at noon.

Carol, sure sorry that Don is having such discomfort and dealing with a bloody nose. Hope his VA appointment this morning will give him some answer and relief. Glad you have your iPad working better.  We talked with our son a couple of times on the phone yesterday afternoon but he had to work yesterday afternoon and evening so we didn't get together.  I hope your grandson finds the college that is what he is looking for. 

Jeanne, thanks for the new graphic and the hymn you posted.  That is a hymn that is very familiar to me and has been around for a long time that was written by Bill Gaither. 

Larry, that hymn is one of those that I can't get through without my eyes leaking.   

I love both those songs you posted, Jeanne.  The ones I learned while very young, I still know all the lyrics to!  And, Marilyn, thanks for posting "He's Alive!" by Don Francisco, one of my all-time favorites!  I wonder what ever happened to him?  I haven't seen nor heard anything about him in years.  I got to hear him in concert once years ago in Garden City!  It was wonderful!

Beth and John went to Hugoton to attend church yesterday morning, but when we arrived at Diane's house, they were sitting out front in the van.  John said they couldn't find the church!  He had the right address, but said he couldn't find any church on either E or W 6th street, except the Church of God.  And he didn't have Diane's number in his phone, and didn't want to call me as we were in church here.  My Father's House doesn't look like a church, as many don't now.  It's a former store or something. Well, they tried!  Beth really ate good!  I guess she likes Diane's, Mom's and Darrel's cooking!!    She hasn't had much appetite lately and has lost about 20 pounds.

I had a "J" night so took a nice nap this afternoon.  I hope that doesn't cause me another bad night tonight.

Larry, what kind of iPad would you recommend for me?  I send the iPad Air back as we couldn't get it set up, got the credit for it so now am ready to buy another.  Having more computer problems, too.  This one is probably 8 or 9 years old.  Should I just buy a new one?  I had a thing pop up today with a recorded message I couldn't shut off, looping over and over and over, saying I had a Zeus virus, blah, blah, blah.  Said to call the number on the screen, but that got me those scammers again!   I told the guy NO, then re-started the machine and that thing hasn't popped up again yet.  I was thinking an iPad might be the answer, but I don't know.

Hi everyone.  It is a cooler 46 degree and sunny morning and we are to only get to 70 degrees this afternoon.  Yesterday turned out to be sort of a lost day for me.  I became so tired yesterday morning that I wasn't sure it would be safe for me to be driving so stayed home all day and spent a good part of it laying down.  I got to feeling better last evening and had a good nap so am expecting a good day today.  I don't have anything on my calendar for today so will again take things easy. 

Janet, too bad that Beth and John couldn't find the church.  I bet you were happy to see Beth enjoy some good food.  Nothing like home cooking.  I hope you were able to rest last night. 

Regarding the iPad, you just had a lemon with your first effort and you are the only person I know of who has had such an unpleasant experience.  I still think the iPad is a great tablet and someday when I replace mine it likely will be with another iPad.  However, there are many other brands now that use an Android system that will accomplish the same thing and are usually quite a bit cheaper.  Samsung has a good reputation as do some others.  You might want to do a little Google searching on reviews people have given to different tablets.  I do recommend that you get a tablet that has the 10 inch screen rather than the 7 inch as it makes quite a difference.  If your computer is 8 or 9 years old I would highly suggest you look into getting a new computer.  You will see significant speed increases and it will come with the pre-installed Windows 10.  I would also encourage you not to call numbers that may popup on your screen like the virus one as you know they are up to no good. 

Good morning.  It's sunny, cool (38^o) and windy.  This week we can expect daytime temperatures to range between 38^o and 68^o.  And that includes the first couple of days of April!   

Nothing like spring in the north country!   

Good morning Larry and Jeanne!  It is cool and windy here in my corner of Kansasland!  I'm bracing for March to "go out like a lion," but expect we will have more of the same for part of April too.

I had a good workout at the gym this morning, and the soreness in my hip is improving gradually.

Larry, the iPad I got (and returned) was the Apple iPad Air.  I thought I might get another like it, but maybe just from another source.  I know now that you are right--I shouldn't have called that number, it was a trap.  Thank goodness I didn't fall for it this time!    scammers, anyhow!  Why can't they do some honest work for a living, instead of that?    Thanks, Larry, for your info and help!     And I'm so glad you feel better today, but can still take it as easy as needed.

We are going to back the car out of the garage, set up a table and start cleaning out the cabinets in the garage.  They are way past the time it should have been done.  I expect we will need a large trash can, too! 

I wish you all a great day.

Good morning I have a loaf of bread going in the bread machine, I only make the dough in the machine because I don't like the extremely tall aoaves but a normal sie. So I take out the dough and  cook it in the oven. 

I still have my cold but each day I am getting a little bit better, I really do hate the very deep cough, however it doesn't hurt to cough anymore.

I got an email that S&F was back up but my login is not working I am wondering if I have to re-register. I emailed Jeanne for help.

Marilyn, I see you got in OK and have posted.  :-)

Thank you Jeanne Yes I did get in and post.

Hi everyone on another beautiful Spring morning here in South Carolina and we expect to get to 73 this afternoon.  Yesterday was a beautiful, low humidity and sunny day here.  Pat and I decided on a late lunch/early dinner out and we went to one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants for a good meal.  We stopped at Kroger's on the way home as Pat had a few items to get there.  The main activity for today will be going to dinner at the church and getting to spend sometime later this afternoon and evening with Scott, which is always a highlight of our week. 

Jeanne, it sounds like you will be getting some fairly warm weather this week.  Spring is a wonderful time of the year as all the new life springs forth. 

Janet, sure hope you don't get any of those terrible winds and dirt storms that I saw on the news last night with the prospect of it being even worse in some areas later this week.  Glad you hip soreness is improving.  I would seriously doubt you would encounter any problems with a second try at the iPad Air but I know you would also like the Samsung or other major brand of tablet that is now available.  Did you buy your iPad Air directly from Apple or from another source.  I did feel much better yesterday.  Pat is also starting to  clean out closets and will donate a lot of linen she knows we will never use.  Amazing what relatives visiting will spur one on to do.  We expect my sister and BIL sometime next Wednesday or Thursday for a short visit.

Marilyn, we haven't used our bread machine in several years.  I suggested to Pat we donate it but she wants to hold on to it.  The bread you are baking sounds delicious.  Pat has used her bread machine to mix up the dough and then made cinnamon or sticky buns from the dough and baked in the oven but again not for a long time. Glad you are getting a little better from your cold.   

I'm late getting here today. 
Larry, I ordered the iPad from Blinq, a company Curtis has ordered from before.  I also wanted to ask you:  is Windows 10 very difficult to learn/adjust to using?  Curtis said it might give me as much trouble as changing to an Apple Computer would, as far as learning the new system.  As I sure am not good at this stuff, I don't want to make it even harder on myself.  Thanks for your suggestions.  I do appreciate you.

Beth's eye is really a problem.  They took her to the eye specialist yesterday, and they say she has glaucoma.  Her pressure in the left eye is very, very high, so they will put special drops in it for a week, take her back and then if it's still too high, make a hole with a laser to relieve some of the pressure.  That's what John said, but I'm not sure he got the story straight.  I will make sure I go along next week.  If i'd known they would let her see Dr. Fry, I'd have gone yesterday!     Then, a week later, she will finally be seeing a neurologist.  She is losing weight, down 25 pounds already.  But this Mom is still praying!

I've been awake since before three this morning, so I'm fading.  And am about to head for bed, even if it is still light out!

Hi everyone on a cloudy morning with rain in the forecast for us this afternoon.  It is now in the 60's and is to get up to 79 later today.  Just my usual Thursday planned with going to coffee this morning and then to the Wisdom group at church.  The rest of the day will be free.

Janet, I didn't find Windows 10 hard to adopt to at all.  However, I had used the various iterations of Windows over the years.  Some folks are getting a Windows 7 computer but if you don't have that on your old computer you might as well start the new one with the latest software.  There are some very easy techniques  to use where you don't need to get involved in the some of the newer details of Windows 10 although it isn't as daunting as it may seem.  As always I will be happy to try to help you in anyway I can.  One tablet brand I didn't mention is the Microsoft tablet.  My son has had that tablet for several years and likes it and it uses the same Windows 10 software which would make your use of it pretty much like using Windows 10.  However, I am not trying to make your decision for you. 

I am so saddened to read of Beth's continued health decline with her eye and that loss of weight sure doesn't sound very good.  While easier said than done I have learned to not go into tomorrow or worry about things in the future that I have no control over and to just appreciate the blessings of today and what I still have and to spend very little time on thinking of the past. 

Larry:  Trying to not predict what is ahead of us isn't easy but only praying eases the anxiety and reading "Jesus Calling" helps so much - they have bible verse to back up the daily meditation. 

Janet:  Comfort prayers for Beth, and you. 

Our lives seem to be changing faster on health issues for Don. 

Today, there is a small vase of daffodils on the desk in our little guest room - awaiting cousin Dennis and wife.  Corned beef is in the slow cooker for our dinner tonight.  They will stay two nights.  Next week, our oldest son and wife arrive to a hotel in Scottsdale area to look for a rental - this move is for her new job which she doesn't start until the first of May.  Their house is going up for sale in the Denver area a few days late because of two snowstorms in a row.  Thankfully, only a few broken branches and not other damage - it was a dilly of a storm.

Janet:  Good luck on the new iPad.  Often, I search google for "how to" and print instructions out - checking off one at a time in exact order.  That seems to work for me - Don can do everything when he thinks about it - I like the written orders.   

Now, I cannot get into Senior's and Friends. 

Hi, friends,

I've been busy doing things for my sister in law. Her apartment building has had to be evacuated for about a week while some pesky electrical problem is resolved. So, the cat needs some loving, food, and a clean litter box.

My only physical complaint is what feels like a shin splint in my left leg. I'm considering calling the doctor tomorrow to see what, if anything, can be done.

Great news, my daughter in law and granddaughter are coming next Monday! I really love them, and it will be such joy getting to share hugs and loving kisses.

May our Lord bless y'all.

Love, Ruth Ann

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Our operation for boiling down maple sap is in full swing. We have collected about 50 to 55 gallons of sap so far. it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon or syrup.  Ontario unlike Quebec we are not allowed to add brown sugar to our syrup to thicken the sap faster.

John, that takes me back to some very faint memories.  I haven't seen something of this sort since I was very young.

Hi everyone on a very rainy and stormy Friday morning in our area of South Carolina.  We have had some heavy rains and one lightning strike that sounded like it was in our neighborhood.  We are to have periods of rain throughout the day and night.  Nothing particular on my calendar for today other than to pay bills as this is the first of the month.  I think this will be a good day to stay home. 

Carol, Pat has that book "Jesus Calling", which was given to her by a good Christian friend.  It sounds like you will be pretty busy with company.  Do I read correctly in your posting that Don's health is getting worse?  I sure hope that is not the case but know that time marches on as we get older and health issues seem to multiply.  If you haven't already done so you will need to re-register and wait awhile to be approved and then you can log on to Seniors & Friends. The files were lost when the server crashed so we are getting a fresh start.  I just checked and the site is up and running this morning. 

Ruth Ann, to evacuate a whole apartment building must be a terrific task.  Nice of you to tend to her cat. Hope your leg pain goes away soon.  It has been many, many years since I had shin splints but still remember the great discomfort they caused. 

John, thanks for sharing the picture of how you make the maple syrup and I had no idea it took so much sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.  No wonder it is expensive to buy.  How long does the sap continue to run?

Jeanne, I have never seen maple syrup made as don't think that was done in Missouri where I grew up at least not in our area. 

Quote from: Carol on March 31, 2016, 03:33:26 PM
Now, I cannot get into Senior's and Friends. 

Carol, I hope you've managed to get back to S&F now.  We had a very bad technical problem requiring us to start over so make sure that you click "REGISTER" and not "LOG IN" as everyone is now a Newbie! 

That's a fantastic photo of your syrup operation John! 

Darrel and I have begun on a very long and arduous task--cleaning out and purging stuff in the garage!  Then to continue to every closet, shelf and drawer in the house.  Well, that's the plan.  We will see how our bodies hold up.  Neither of us can do a good half-day's work any more.    But we've at least made a dent, and have boxes and bags full of stuff to donate.   Why do we hold onto so much STUFF?? 

John, is there any reason why you couldn't add the brown sugar to the syrup for your own use, if you wanted to?  You must sell a lot of it, huh?  I'll bet it is expensive, since it takes such a huge amount of sap to make a single gallon of syrup.  Boy, that does sound good!  I bought a tiny leaf-shaped bottle of it when we were in Canada, and it was delicious.

Larry the sap season runs March and April about until the trees start top bud. Once the buds start coming out the season is over.
Janet we go by the Ontario rules. I find adding brown syrup effects the taste a bit. Also maple syrup in it's nature state is also OK for low sugar diets. as it does not seriously impact sugar levels in the blood. It sells in around the vicinity of 65.00 dollars per gallon.

Hi, friends,

It's good to hear from y'all again.

The maple syrup procedure reminds me a little bit of the way the old folks used to get molasses. In my grandparents' community in Alabama, the sugar cane was harvested, then under a shed about the size of a 2 car carport (as I remember), it was ground by a mule going round and round hitched to a harness and pushing a contraption that ground the cane and extracted the juice which dripped into a huge kettle over a wood fire. It was then boiled and stirred until it thickened into syrup.

Of course, it was very tasty.  The ladies made big yummy biscuits and as the foam was skimmed from the top of the mixture, it was put into shallow pans where it was mixed with chunks of freshly churned butter until there was a tasty slurry that all the folks, kids included, enjoyed on those yummy biscuits. 

I must have been about 4 years old when I had that memorable experience.

Today my leg feels not quite as painful as yesterday, so I was better able to take care of the cat. He was so glad to see me today that he really enjoyed marking my pants legs with his cheeks and purring, then meowing, then purring again.  A sweet experience.

Y'all have a wonderful day.

Ruth Ann

My first husband had been raised on Log Cabin "maple" syrup and didn't like the real thing.      

John it's a lot more expensive around here - my daughter bought me a small "jug", maybe about 1 pint, for $50.  And that was from friends with a small maple syrup/sugar business. 

Hi everyone.  It is a cloudy morning and we had a little rain a hour or so ago.  Yesterday we ended up with a little over 4 1/2 inches of rain in about 24 hours.  Needless to say things are a bit soggy here.  It is to get up to only 70 this afternoon and we are to see the sun.  We just stayed in all day yesterday.  Not much on the agenda for today.  I do need to make a quick trip to Walmart to replenish the breakfast drink I have each day.  I am looking forward to watching the two games of the NCAA Final Four that will be on this evening. 

Carol, we found that having to get ready to move motivated us to get everything cleaned out although we brought some things with us that now are being sorted out to be donated.  However, we just took it in small stages and it all got done. 

John, thanks for the additional information on the syrup making. 

Ruth Ann, nice memories of the biscuits and sorghum.  Glad your leg was feeling a bit better yesterday and hope today it is even better. 

Jeanne, I well remember having a lot of Log Cabin syrup growing up as we often had pancakes and on rare occasions waffles.  Thank you for helping with my avatar.  I didn't even notice until I had posted this message.   

Good morning, friends,

I have been on the computer. It's great to hear from y'all.

Have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

John, thanks for the info re the maple syrup.  I've never had the privilege of seeing the process, or of even living where the maple trees grow from which it is harvested.  My mom used to make sugar and water syrup for our pancakes, and thought it was great when the fake maple flavoring became available to put in it.  But I preferred it plain.  Darrel enjoys white Karo syrup, heated, on pancakes sometimes.  I remember the cabin-shaped Log Cabin syrup containers, in fact, I have a small one still--at least until this purge is done!    I'm sure you enjoy the "real thing" in Maple Syrup!  Do you use it in other ways than on pancakes and waffles?

Ruth Ann, thanks for sharing your memories of the Molasses making.  My folks used to buy "black strap molasses" and we used it in various ways.  It's said to be very good for you! I love it when something triggers our memories of days gone by and we can share them here! 

Larry I wish you could share some of that rain with us!  We are bone dry and blowing away!  Enjoy your games this afternoon and stay dry! 

My sweet husband just took the car to town and filled it for me, as I am going to Moscow soon to Toni's party.  And tonight is the Sr. Prom!!  I don't know what to wear!  (Memories!)

I need to get off here and get my teeth brushed.  It will soon be time to head out.  See you later!

Hi Janet. Yes maple syrup can be used in many ways. Most commonly on pancakes or waffles. It is also used over ice cream or as a sweetener in tea or coffee, or any other way you may like to use a sweetener in place of sugar. It is considered better for you than sugar.

Hi everyone on a 50 degree sunny and calm morning here in South Carolina.  The high is suppose to be 68 for a short while this afternoon.  I stayed up too late last evening watching the basketball games, neither one of which were particularly exciting.  The first game was a rout with Providence winning by over 40 points and the second one had North Carolina winning for over 10 points.  The Master's Golf Tourney week activities are underway and getting started on a very nice morning.  In addition to the golf, there are also many other activities going on related thereto.  Many of our church folks leave town during this week as school is on spring break and a number of people rent out their homes for the week. 

I had a really nice thing happen to me as I was putting my purchases at Walmart in my truck yesterday.  I had mostly pretty heavy items including 6 gallons of distilled water we use for the CPAP machines.  This nice couple walked by and saw I was struggling a bit as was exhausted from all the walking I had to do in the store and they wanted to help me load the purchases in the truck. I willingly accepted their kind offer and really appreciated the help. 

We will attend Sunday School and church today as usual.  I signed up several weeks ago to bring the devotional today for our Sunday School class and have something ready to share.  I expect we will eat out after church and then have a quiet afternoon.

Janet, we used to always have some clear Karo syrup to use on the table or mother would make the sugar and water syrup.  We had enough rain to share some with you a couple of days ago.  It seems you have been in dry conditions in your area for several years.

John, do most of the farmer up your way make their own maple syrup?

Time to start a new week HERE