Last sunrise and sunset of 2022

 

From the rising of the sun...

...unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.  Psalms 113:3 KJV

Big ole head.

 "Mum! Mom! Mama! Maaaaaammaaaaa!  Iz you wachin dat fooootz ballz game!?  "No, baby, Mama isn't watching that football game because your big ole Marmaduke head is in the way!"  😂

This is my bestest friend, Mavi!  She rescued me but she thinks I rescued her.  

I call her "the cottage pup" but she's really just a heathen, most days, but she's a quick learner and tries really hard to be good and please her Mum.

I have a project I am working on and I am sure Mavi will be included...a lot! 

Keep watching for news about that.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

S.A.D.

Dear  friends, the dreaded mental health issue of seasonal affective disorder, has come over more.  I knew it would but I was hoping it would pass by since I am teaching and not able to spend hours and hours of just sitting and being depressed or angry and yes, even feeling sorry for myself.  I has told you many times how much this time of year just drags me down.  It is a horrible disease and it doesn't help that I have no friends or close family...not even one.  My kids have their own lives and my husband is not encouraging at all.  I thank God for my dog because she is the only thing that brings a small smile to my face.  This will pass...surely...but for now it is something I have to deal with and suffer from every year.  

I really don't want to put a damper on everyone's holiday cheer by posting this but it helps to put words to my disease and to have a good cry.  So, please, if you happen to even still read my blog, enjoy your evening.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

12 more...

 

Hello, dear ones.

 Dear friends,

I am sorry for going missing.  I have been down with a sinus infection for going on three weeks and really haven't felt like doing anything.  Mainly because I have a nice, heavy, brain fog due to the congestion.  It has been miserable.  I can't take antibiotics that would help so I just have to let it run the course.  I've had nine days off from teaching and those would have been glorious if not for the infection.  Even then, it has been so nice to not have to get up at 5:00am and deal with the drama that lives in elementary children's heads!  Yes, love, that is a thing.  

I was supposed to go back home for Thanksgiving but unforeseen circumstances made it where my sister couldn't join my brother and I so we decided to do it another time.  I had no plans to cook Thanksgiving anyways, whether I made the trip or not.  PawPaw and I had a nice, quiet, meal and rested.  I watched a lot of football and he slept.  I have to say, as strange as I felt not going to all the trouble of Thanksgiving, I enjoyed it, as well.  

On Saturday, our daughter and son-in-love brought the grandbabies over to decorate our tree.  I have to say, they did a wonderful job and it is the most beautiful tree I've ever had.  I thought I would share a peek with you.  Trust me that the picture doesn't do it justice but, really, do they ever?

I made the large snowflakes out of lunch bags and computer paper.  I love it and the eyes of my sweet little grandson when we turned the lights on was priceless.  He said it was Nana's Winter Land!  I love that!

Well, dear ones, it is time for me to say goodnight.  I do have to get up at 5:00am and head back to school.  I will miss having some extra free time even if I felt horrible most of the time!  

Grace & Peace,

Pam

The Day the Snake...

Sunday was a day like any other Sunday.  The sun was shining, I was smiling...  Took my Grandblessings to church and I was riding high in the Lord.  We sat in our normal pew - the grands and I, did- said hello to congregants sitting near.

As we stood to sing and worship, we were all enjoying the moment. Suddenly, one of the men folk jumped up and high-tailed it to the altar ... Then another did the same. Now being raised Pentecostal, I naturally thought the Holy Ghost done got a hold of those brothers! WooWeee... we gonna have church now!

Then... I remembered I was in the First Baptist Church of Small Town Oklahoma. Ain't no Holy Ghost up in the Baptist Church... Oklahoma or anywhere else. Y'all know what I'm talking about!

As we are singing, the Brother's continued what they were doing, the worship team kept right on singing, and the Pastor kept right on letting them!

By this time, I began to get a bit anxious because this behavior is way out of the norm... something must be happening down there at that altar.

Just about that time one of the men folk picked something up and started walking toward the door. I'll be danged if he didn't have a snake by the tail. That little demon was wiggling and trying to get away... and Lord bless those singing ladies... they just kept right on singing although their eyes were big as saucers!  Never missed a beat.

When I figured out what was really going on... I said - either in my head or out loud can't really be determined - I said, "Get thee behind me satan!". Lort, help me Jesus! WAAAAAHHHHHH!

Now, let me tell you, If it had been me to see that demon first, all those precious Baptist folks would have thought the Pentecostals had infiltrated the camp! I would have been walking pews and shouting at the top of my lungs because - Bless Jesus - I had nary a hoe nor a gun! The First Baptist Church of Small Town Oklahoma, would have been reduced to a pile of sticks! Whoooo... Lort!

Being outside with those demons is one thing but don't you put me in no building with one!  

Now, Ya'll, let me tell you. Those sweet singing ladies, finished their song and then asked who was it that brought that thing in the church! Everybody laughed... except me... and my grandson, God love him. He hollered out, "I did!".

Oh... No... He didn't either! Y'all know that little dumpling wouldn't have a behind to sit on if he had!  Y'all know exactly what I mean!

*Disclaimer -- Now before some of y'all get your knickers in a twist, I can poke fun at both the Baptist and Pentecostals because I was raised Pentecostal and have attended Baptist churches for a long time! I know what I'm talking about... and y'all do too!  LoL

First taste of Autumn

Hello Friends,

We are enjoying our first real taste of Autumn.  The mornings are crisp and exciting.  The evenings are wonderful for sitting in the old porch swing and enjoying a nice cup of my favorite Chai tea.  Maybe a cozy book and a tea cake.  I don't have a lot of time to enjoy those things, now that I teach full time, but when I get a minute I simply must take advantage!  The following photos are not mine and as much as I wish I did, I do not live in a perpetual Autumn.  The beautiful pictures are some I ran across while looking for cozy craft ideas.  Something about each one was especially appealing to my senses.  I hope you enjoy.

I hope your Autumn is filled with beauty and memory making.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Yes, I am a nerd...Reading A to Z

I don't usually do the memes that circulate through blog-land but this one is right up my alley.  I don't know who or where this one started so I'm going to link back to Myra at Respice, Prospice.

******

Books A to Z

Author you've read the most books from:

I don't know who I've read the most from but I would have to say Beverly Lewis would be close to the top.

Best sequel:

I don't care for sequels but M.C. Beaton's "Agatha Raisin Mysteries" is a series that I could read many times over.

Currently reading:

"Return of the gods" by Johnathon Cahn   If you want to truly know what is happening in our country, right now, this is a must read. Trust me, your eyes will be opened...WIDE!

Drink choice while reading:

Either coffee or a cup of tea

E-reader or physical book:

Without a doubt, a real book! I do use an E-reader or Audio books occasionally but not often.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school:

I can't think of one right off hand but I bet it would have been the bookworm or nerd! LoL

Glad you gave this book a chance:

"The Secret Life of Bees"

Hidden gem:

I'm not sure if they are as hidden as I think but Viola Shipman's books are gems in my eyes. Especially, "The Charm Bracelet".

Important moment in your reading life:

Every moment I am reading is important.

Just finished:

I haven't really had time to read much since school started back.

Kind of books I won’t read:

I absolutely will not read anything that is of a sexual nature or has foul language. I figure if the author has to put that in a book he/she is not worthy of my intelligence. Obviously, they aren't intelligent enough to write without that garbage.

Longest book you’ve read:

My never-ending book is, of course, the Bible. I read it daily and have for 50 years. The longest book I've read is probably "Gone with the Wind" or perhaps "The Thornbirds"

Major hangover because of: (What book has stayed with me the longest)

The entire "Left Behind" series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.  

Number of cases you own:

Four...plus tubs and tubs of books in storage.

One book you’ve read multiple times:

Bible

Preferred place to read:

In bed with a cozy throw, a cup of tea or coffee, an Autumnal candle burning on the nightstand and maybe a couple of old fashioned Ginger Snaps.

Quote that inspires you, or gives you all the feels, from a book you’ve read:

So many!

Reading regret:

Not taking the time to read more

Series you started and need to finish:

None. If I start a book or series, my mind will not let it go until I finish them all.

Three of your all-time favorite books:

I can't say there are only three but the ones that come to mind are the

1. Bible,
2. Where the Crawdads Sing
3. Any of the classics like Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Web...

Unapologetic fan of:

Children's and Young Adult books

Very excited for this release (more than all the others):

Hmmm...I have no idea what is coming out.

Worst bookish habit:

Buying tons of books for my grandchildren that they will probably never read! They aren't bookworms like Nana!

X marks the spot - start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

"Stuart Little" by E.B. White

Your latest book purchase:

I don't remember all the titles but I just spent $100 at my school's book fair. Gifts for those grandbabies who will probably never read them! *face palm*

Zzz snatcher book (the last book that kept you up late):

None...Sleeping pills keep that from happening!

 Dear Friends,

As you may have noticed, I have not posted in quite some time.  I have accepted a full time teaching position and for the time being, I am focusing on that.  If you are still hanging with me, thank you so very much!  I hope to be able to start posting again soon but know I am still visiting your wonderful blogs when I can.  I love you all!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

New project

 Hello Friends.

Everyday before I begin cooking supper, I have a cup of my favorite tea and a couple of cookies or biscuits.  I enjoy taking a break before I get busy again with my evening chores and preparing for bed.

Before this relentless heatwave hit, I would take my tea and biscuits out to the porch and enjoy a little time swinging and listening to nature.  I decided to do a little something to record my observations, in a poetic way, for my family to read some day.  I wanted to share a few pictures with you to encourage you to do something like this.

I found these little sketch journals at Walmart.  I think they come three to a pack.  They are small enough to tuck in your apron pocket and just big enough to record three or four short sentences.  I keep an archival ink pen with it and when I head out, for my tea, they are on the bookshelf next to the front door

I believe it is important for every book to have an introduction page so I wrote just a tiny bit about why I was keeping the journal.

Just a little example of what I write on each page.  Every day has it's own page and only one written page.  I sometimes add a small stamp or some kind of doodle.  Not always.  Only when the page seems like it is saying, "I would be so much better with...say...a bird.".  

So, friends, that is my latest project.  I hope to continue these tiny journals until I can no longer write.  Hopefully, that will be a long way into the future.  I encourage you to start something that will become part of your legacy for the next generation and more.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

**P.S. -- It has been said that my brain is like a fairytale world.  I lost that for awhile but it is coming back a little at a time.  How about you?  Do you take time to dream?

Hello

 Hello Friends.  

I hope it is cooler wherever you happen to be than it is here.  It is simply unbearable.  I know we aren't the only ones who are dealing with the monster heatwave.  I pray we all get some relief, sooner rather than later. 

In my last post I mentioned giving my laptop to my granddaughter and was looking for suggestions on a new one.  I researched and shopped until I was more confused than I was when I started.  I finally settled on the only brand I've ever owned.  It is an HP and is a really nice laptop.  I am having to get used to the keyboard because it is way different than my old one.  I keep hitting the wrong keys or the touch pad and it will do something weird.  It really is slowing me down in my typing, but I will get used to it and all will be right with the world once more.  I like it well enough, but my favorite thing is the backlit keyboard!  Yes!  I never knew what I was missing by not having one!  

So anyways, I just wanted to check in and say hello and I've been thinking about all of you.  I will be back soon with some things I have been working on.

Stay cool, my friends.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Call to prayer and suggestions needed.

 Dear friends, time has gotten away from me once again.  My posts seem fewer, and further apart, these days.  So many days, I start out with good intentions but then boredom settles in to the point of laziness.  I simply can’t get motivated to do anything except the minimal daily household chores.  I know it has a lot to do with the current state of the economy and atmosphere in this country.  I look around, at other countries, especially those that are at war, and realize I am blessed.  The guilt of my whining is enough to snap me out of it…for a mere moment.  We must remember how blessed we are to live in this country…whether we believe in the politics or not.  We must pray for America!  Rise up and fall to our knees because that is the only way we can fight.  God is still in control and has given us the right to pray.  Friends, I try not to get political but the current situation, we are in, warrants a call to pray!  

Over the holiday our grandblessings stayed with us while the parents were on vacation.  My granddaughter mention that her laptop was “a piece of garbage” so I gave her mine.  Sooo…I am in the market to purchase a new laptop but, oh my goodness, I can’t believe how much I don’t know about technology, these days.  It is mind blowing!  Any suggestions or wisdom you can throw my way would be appreciated.  Should I splurge and seek my first born to get a Mac or spend a little less…very little less…and just go with a regular laptop.  Either way, I will be paying on it for the next year!  

Well, sweet friends, I should go hang the laundry on the clothesline.  Stay cool if you can and remember to pray.  

Grace and Peace,

Pam

Finding things to do and heat wave

 Hello friends.  I trust you are doing well.

I've been staying close to home trying to fill my days with chores, crafts, and other activities to beat the boredom.  Gas and grocery prices have put an end to the plans I had for this summer but we must do what we can to make the budget go farther.  It seems that budget needs to be stretched a little more with every trip to the grocery store.  So, what can we do to keep ourselves entertained while staying home.  Here is a list of things that might help.

* Change up your decor.  Give the room a good cleaning while you're at it.

* Try new recipes that you wouldn't normally make  

* Make yourself a candlelight lunch.  Doesn't need to be fancy.  Add a nice peaceful playlist and enjoy.

* Sit on the porch and enjoy a tall glass of herbal tea or ice water.  

* Explore your backyard.

* Take a walk

* Learn something new

* Write an old fashioned letter

* Read a classic book 

This is just a sampling of things I have been doing.  I will post more at another time.

Oh friends, it has been so hot here.  A real heat wave! I am thankful for the rains of Spring that, at times, seemed too much.  Now, we  have no rain in the forecast and probably won't until Fall so the trees and lakes have to rely on those spring floods to survive.  I won't be long before the grass becomes crispy and brown.  Summer is brutal here but it is the time to "Be Still" and take in all that God has created for this season. 

Grace & Peace,

Pam   

Thank you and the beauty in every day...

Dear friends, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers regarding my last post.  Things have calmed and life goes on.  I have to say, though, it is all because of God's grace and mercy...and my turning it all over to Him.  I decided, not only to let God deal with it but to simply pray boldly, confidently, and to not engage over the things that always start the downward spiral.  Unfortunately, even though I am a Christian, I do have a temper and a mouth...and more emotions than is probably healthy...so this has been a challenge but I also know the battle is not with lost loved ones but with the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy.  So again, thank you for the prayers.  I do appreciate them so much.

I haven't seen or had to kill anymore snakes!  I am definitely grateful for that.  You know, I take the Bible literally and when I see a snake I immediately think of the Garden of Eden, the serpent, and Eve!  If she would have just had a shovel or hoe!  LoL  

I don't know what the weather has been like where you are but we have had many days that start with rain but then end with sunshine.  All the trees and flowers are thriving and are super happy.  We have Privet Hedges, that have the sweetest white flowers, all around our place.  

They give off the most wonderful perfume.  I could sit and just smell the air for hours.  Before long they will be gone because they don't last long so every chance I get I escape to the side yard to enjoy them while they are in bloom.  That is what I am doing right now.  Oh, friends, I wish you could smell them...mmmm.

Oh and the honeysuckle!  For the past couple of years the honeysuckle vines didn't bloom.  Oh maybe a little but nothing like in years past.  It is once again blooming and going everywhere!  I missed it.  Some folks call it a nuisance but I call it a beautiful memory of my childhood running through the woods of East Texas.  

My pretty roses started off so good but as is the norm, here in Oklahoma, the crazy winds blew petals all over the place!  Soon the winds will die down and more blooms with come along.  We must always enjoy the beauty when it is in bloom and be patient for the next round...Same goes for every day.  Enjoy today's beauty and wait for tomorrow's. 

The herb box is looking good.  Can't say the same for the tomatoes and peppers.  Oh, they are doing ok but not like these plants.  At this point, after 16 years of trying to have a garden, if I get one tomato and pepper, I will be happy!  It is so strange.  Before we moved here, I never had a problem growing anything.  In fact, the place we lived before only had enough space for a 4' X 4' garden.  I grew enough food, in that tiny space, to feed us and to share with neighbors.  I know the ground here is almost all that sticky black clay and that is probably why nothing will grow in ground but I have made numerous attempts at raised beds but they, too, have failed.  I have used the best soil mixes and the very best seeds and plants but nothing happens except everything dies.  I have seen the same thing this year with the radishes and spinach.  They came up and within a few days they were dead.  Makes me wonder what is in the air we are breathing.

Sweet friends, it is time for me to say goodnight but I wanted to share a picture of my precious grandson.  We were in the middle of a  pretty intense game of Go Fish and the look on his little face was priceless!  

Thank you, friends, for stopping by and allowing me to share the beauty in our every day.  Sweet dreams, amazing you!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Prayer needs and snakes...no, don't pray for the snakes.

 Hello friends.

So, it's been a long while since I posted and then it wasn't much of a post.  I've been dealing with some stuff that simply took every bit of energy I had.  Mental energy that is.  Unfortunately, it is still going on but I have decided to turn everyone and everything over to God and let Him deal with it.  Friends, that is a hard thing to do for someone who is a "fixer" and take charge person.  I won't go into details but I have gone through every emotion in the book and even almost talked myself into walking off and never looking back.  If it wasn't for my Grandblessings I probably would have.  Things got real, for me, when I looked into the face of a loved one and saw so much evil and hatred.  I felt like I literally was face to face with the devil.  Needless to say, much prayer is still needed and appreciated.

So...on a lighter note.  We've killed two huge snakes in the past three days.  

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Help me, Lord!

 Have y'all seen these!!!???

Oh! My! Word!

Lord, help me!  

He Is Alive!

 

Nature Crafts and Survival Bread

 Hello Friends.

I've been meaning to post but the days get away from me quicker and quicker.  To be truthful, I have been a bit lazy.  Our weather has been all over the place.  One day it will be sunny and very warm.  The very next day, it will turn so cold and either sleet or snow.  I am so ready for a more pleasant weather pattern, aren't you?  I am also ready to plant a few veggies and flowers.  A few years ago, I swore I wouldn't even try to grow anything in the soil e have on our place.  It is very dense and almost all black clay.  It is just not good for anything, really, except maybe weeds.  This year, with the price of food getting more expensive, with each visit to the grocery store, I will be trying to grow a few things in containers and raised beds.  I've never had much luck with that either but I am going to work harder at it and hopefully produce at least the makings of salads.  Surely, I can grow spinach, radishes, cucumbers and a few herbs!  Surely!  Certainly, I won't be able to grow enough to feed us throughout the year but every little bit helps, at this point.  I believe, we as a nation, are at a point where we should all be looking for ways to help with the budget and simply surviving.  It is getting crazy.  I've never seen anything like this and I have seen a lot of lean and even broke times.  I was thinking about what I call survival foods and I remembered one of my favorite breads, Hot Water Cornbread.  Now you can't get much easier and inexpensive than that.

You can trace Hot Water Cornbread back to Natives of the Americas and to the slaves.  I, however, only came to know about it in 1980 something.  When I married my ex-husband, I met the sweetest, kindest, most gentle soul I've ever known.  She was his sister-in-law but she quickly became my friend and in many ways, my mentor.  She was also a strong, hard-working woman who cooked many frugal, yet delicious, meals.  One of those meals turned out to be a lasting favorite of mine.  Purple Hull Peas and Hot Water Cornbread.  More times than not, there was fresh tomatoes and onions straight out of the garden.  Most of the time, there was chow-chow and sweet tea to go with it.  Oh my goodness, friends!  I am almost drooling just telling y'all about it.  She always had something yummy on her small counters.  The one I remember most is the cornbread.  I made a batch for supper and thought I would share the recipe.  There was plenty left over so I can have some, slathered with real butter and maybe some honey, for my breakfast.

Hot Water Cornbread

Ingredients:

    2 cups white cornmeal (self rising or regular)

    1/2 - 1 tsp salt (1 tsp is too much for me but I use kosher salt which seems a bit saltier than table salt)

    2 cups of boiling water

    Cooking oil, shortening, or bacon grease.

Directions:

Preheat an iron skillet (or whatever you have).  Add the cooking oil to the pan and allow to get super hot.  Not to the point of smoking but just before.  Mix the cornmeal and salt together, making sure that it is very well combined.  Slowly, stir in the water.  You may need the full two cups or slightly more/less.  You want the consistency to be that of thick cream of wheat.  Form the mixture into patties, about 3/4 inch thick.  Carefully place the patties into the skillet of hot oil.  Once you see the edges start to brown, gently turn and brown the other side.  Cook for about 4 minutes each side or until golden brown.  Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.  Enjoy!

*You can add a bit of bacon grease to the mixture for added flavor or maybe even through in some chopped bacon pieces, green onions, or whatever you fancy.  Either way, these are delicious without adding anything.

**********

It is Spring Break so I get to see my grandblessings a tiny bit more than when they are in school.  They came out today and spent some time at "Granny's House".  I try my best to keep them off of their phones and tablets, because let's face it, I don't get to see those beautiful, precious eyes and smiles as much as I would like.  Besides, I can't imagine that all that screen time is good for anyone much less kids.  I always have some little project or activity planned for them.  Today, we made Four-Leaf Clovers with things we found while walking around the place.  

We gathered grasses, small twigs, pecan hulls, flowers, leaves, small gravel and other fun things.  Now, understand, one grand does pretty good at looking for things and one grabs a handful of whatever he sees first and calls it good.  Still, it is fun to look for treasures with them.  

I cut out the clover shapes, last night.  Once we had all of our "gatherings", we came inside and started gluing them to the cut outs.  It was so much fun but you might want to use a hot glue gun rather than the old stand-by, Elmer's School Glue.  It takes forever for that to dry.  If you do use a hot glue gun, please don't let the littles do it.  You sit down and enjoy your babies, while YOU use the hot glue gun.  That's just to cover myself from getting sued or bashed because someone let their kiddo use the hot glue and they got burned.  I am sure most of you have the good sense to not let that happen but you never know!  

Here is one of our finished Four-Leaf Clovers.

Well, friends, I hope you are still visiting every once in awhile.  Thanks for doing that.

Have a beautiful night and rest well in Jesus.

Grace & Peace,

Pam 

 

 

Hello Friends,

With all the cold and winter weather, I have been dreaming of warm days spent sitting on the porch.  A glass of iced tea, lemonade or simply water, and the music of nature, sounds wonderful.  Ah but it is a couple of months, yet, before I can sit outside without freezing.  I can hardly wait.

Today, it has been cold and gray.  I have filled the bird feeders a few times and will do it once more before turning in for the night.  I've enjoyed watching the little birds flittering around trying to get everything they need to keep their energy up through this cold spell.  Such sweet little things.  Each one with a personality and routine.  Funny how the same species can be so different in their actions and habits.  I have thought about keeping a journal to compare each one.  I suppose we are all like the little birds in many ways.  All have our little quirks but all of us are God's children.  

Friends, I have not been a very good blog neighbor.  So much has happened in your lives and I have not noticed.  I love visiting your blogs but sometimes I am so preoccupied that I barely even skim over them.  My apologies to each of you. 

Grace & Peace,

Pam  

 

Good evening, Friends!  

I hope you are doing well.  It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted.  I wish I had lots of things to tell you but I have simply been enjoying my days and piddlin' with this and that.  

My long term subbing assignment came to an end on February 1st.  I've subbed a few days since but mostly I have been doing what I love most.  Taking care of my home and Mister.  Never do I tire of that.

Our Grandblessings spent the weekend with us and it was a lot of fun and noisy!  We don't get to see them as often as we used to so when we do, we just let them go crazy.  Would trade those giggles and hugs for no amount of money.  That's the good stuff!

I have been tending a rye flour sourdough starter for a few days.  Yesterday, I made Crumpets with some of the discard.  While they were a little denser than I like, the flavor is amazing.  Toasted with a pat of real butter is really yummy!  I don't know that I will make them again but I wanted to see if using the discard was an option to throwing it out.  I so hate wasting food.  There are more recipes I will try as well.

Well, friends, our weather has turned cold again.  We enjoyed spring temps for the weekend which allowed us to take the Grands to a world renowned park here in our area.  We had a lot of fun but today a strong cold front came through.  Tomorrow, and Thursday, we are under a  winter weather advisory.  Predictions are for freezing rain and sleet.  That, as always, makes me worry about my trees.  We have very large trees and I love them for the shade they provide in the hot summer.  I would be heart broken if we lost some of them.  Oh goodness, it seems all I talk about is my trees.  Apologies but I simply love nature!

I saw this and I giggled just a bit but only God can make a tree.

Sweet dreams, my friends.  May God bless you and keep you

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Quiet weekend

 

Good evening, friends.

We had a quiet weekend here...almost boring!  We ended up getting between 8" - 10" of snow.  I know to some that is an insignificant amount but here it is a lot.  We only get snow like that every few years.  Fortunately, we didn't get the normal ice storm before the snow began falling.  I am very happy about that.  In the past, we have lost trees and had some that were badly damaged but survived.  Our pecan trees are my constant concern.  I have prayed for those trees on many occasion, be it snow, ice, or tornado.  We don't use the pecans much but they are a source of food for my beloved bird and squirrel friends.  They provide shade during the brutal summer months and have been a safe place for my grandbabies to play under.  I didn't mean to get off on the "life of trees" rabbit trail but growing up in East Texas, trees have been an important part of my life and always will be. 

I should get things ready for work since I need to be in bed so early tonight.  Sweet dreams, friends.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Good morning, friends.  

Sitting by the window, I am amazed at the beauty of the black and white world outside.  I have spent many winters with the curtains closed, only opening them for just a brief second to see if the snow has ended.  Of course, I have had the passing thought of how beautiful, and clean, the new snow looked.  Then I would retreat inward and fall into the darkness once again.  

Even as a child, I had no use for winter.  While my siblings built snowmen and had snowball fights, I would watch out the window, very briefly, and then retreat to my bedroom and read a book.  Maybe that has something to do with the time we lived in Michigan where I had to walk to school in the snow.  School did not close for inclement weather.  Folks there were used to snow and it was just another day to them.  Being from Texas, I was not used to it and absolutely despised that nine months that we lived there.  We never had snow days in Texas.  We rarely had enough snow for that.  When we did, I simply could not understand why anyone would want to, intentionally, go outside.  The very idea was insane.

As I sit here, looking out the window, I still don't want to go outside but watching the snow devils twirl and swirl across the field, makes me smile.  Noticing how the snow has piled up, in drifts, on the south side of the house, while the wind blows from the north side, amuses me.  Seeing the patterns the blowing snow has left, in it's wake, intrigues my artistic side.  Watching my tiny bird friends eating from the many feeders makes my soul happy.  I am reminded of the old hymn.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The Scriptures tell us, 'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.' (Ecc 3:1) and 'He has made everything beautiful in it's time' (Ecc 3: 11).  As I sit at the window, I will reflect on how God has blessed me through the darkness and winters of my life, and enjoy the beauty of the moment.

Grace & Peace,

Pam
 

Be Still

Good Evening, Friends...

It has begun to snow and it is very cold.  In years past, I would dread the snow and ice.  Winter, in general, was the season I detested.  I suffered from S.A.D. for the better part of my life.  The dark, dreary, cold left me lifeless and feeling as if there really was no end to the sadness that invaded my very soul.  Quite literally, I would become sick.

This morning, I realized, I haven't sunk into that darkness this winter.  Many things have attributed to that.  The weather has been remarkably mild with lots of sunshine.  I have been incredibly busy with my substitute teaching assignments and haven't had time to notice the season.  Working towards having a quiet spirit, and trying to live slow and intentionally, has helped immensely.  

This morning, as I was preparing for my Bible reading, God placed Psalm 46:10 on my heart.  "Be still, and know that I am God.".  I have kept that verse with me throughout the day.  I realized, that is exactly what I have been doing.  Learning to have a quiet spirit and slow living, has been all about being still and waiting on God.

I can't say whether I will be able to get through the rest of the winter without falling back into that seasonal darkness.  Only God knows what next winter will bring, but for now...this night...I will 'Be Still' and continue trusting God for my mental wellbeing.  It is the only way I can make it to the next moment.

Goodnight, dear friends.  Sleep well and rest comfortably in the Father's arms.

Pam