Happy Halloween

My husband Paul and me in 1995.

Me and my grandchildren Jess and Andrew in 1996.

Love Me or Leave Me

I just watched the movie Love Me or Leave Me with Doris Day. She played the famous 20's singer Ruth Etting. The dvd also has two short movies R. E. was in. Ruth Etting sang nothing like Doris Day, but she did have a wonderful, sweet and bird like voice.

Red tulips

Fall can be pretty, but I long for spring.

Pink tree

Daffodils

Laura Ingalls Wilder

I read a wonderful story about Laura Ingalls Wilder in an old copy of Ideals magazine. I loved her books and of course the tv series, Little House on the Prairie. I will give you one of the paragraphs from this article.

Late in life Wilder wrote a letter about how much the world had changed since her childhood. But she saw some things as constants. Her words describe in perfect simplicity the philosophy that lay behind each and every one of her books: "The real things haven't changed," she wrote. "It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and to have courage when things go wrong." These plain and truthful words embody the spirit of Wilder's writing, certainly, but they are testaments to something far greater--the spirit of the American pioneer. Wilder's philosophy, after all, was not unique or of her own invention. What makes her books so very compelling is not that they are the story of one family, but that they tell the story of countless nameless, faceless pioneer families who lived and died without notice, but whose courage and perseverance opened the American West and shaped our nation.

Alcohol

I want to know why the tv newcasts keep pushing alcoholic drinking on us. Practically every day they are telling us how good alcohol is. Most of the time they tell us women to drink, today they told men to drink. Apparently there is a minor health benefit, but then they have to qualify it by saying to drink moderately, and don't smoke and keep your weight normal and eat a healthy diet and get exercise along with the moderate drinking to get the benefits. What is moderate drinking? How many people stop after one drink? How many drinkers can say they follow all the other recomendations for good health? I am a non drinker and I am not going to start drinking now just because the news media can't think of anything else to tell us. I think they are justifing their compulsive habit. I also know that alcohol is addictive and potentially very harmful to the person drinking and to anyone who is around them. I won't go into drunk driving or family abuse. I'll say it again, How many people can quit after one drink?

A Loving Heart

In Margaret Walker's novel Jubilee, Vyry, the mother, speaks of her commitment to love.
"Keeping hatred inside makes you git mean and evil inside. We supposen to love everybody like God loves us.
"And when you forgives you feels sorry for the one what hurt you, you returns love for hate, and good for evil. And that stretches your heart and makes you bigger inside with a bigger heart so's you can love everybody. You can lick the world with a loving heart."
Pulpit Digest

Google Earth

If you haven't tried Google Earth yet, you are really missing something! I flew over my house this afternoon, then on to Disneyworld, and then over to California, and over the Pacific to China. You can go anywhere! You can see buildings, cars on the roads and people walking. Fantastic. Yesterday, I flew over Niagara Falls. This is so fun. I can't believe it. Amazing. I knew about it but I never used it until now. Just think, while I am walking down the street, I could be having my picture taken by a satelite and shown all over the world. You can also go to Yahoo satelite.

This is me.

About John Wesley

This is an article I cut out of someplace.

John Wesley's Record

John Wesley traveled two hundred and fifty thousand miles in forty years; preached forty thousand sermons; produced four hundred books; knew ten languages.
At eighty-three he was annoyed that he could not write more than fifteen hours a day without hurting his eyes, and at eighty-six he was ashamed that he could not preach more than twice a day.
He complained in his diary that there was an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning.

Evangelical Methodist

Trust And Keep On Trying

Don't feel you're a failure when doing your best
It may be your faith is being put to a test
Just keep right on trying, Pray "God lead the way."
Trust His Almighty Power and don't go astray.

He loves us, He wants us, He bids us Come All
Bring Him all our troubles, He answers our call
His answers may differ to what we've in mind
But, He sees the future so, trust and you'll find

His ways though not our ways are all for our good
If we follow His teachings and live as we should
He will not forsake us, but stay by our side
He will not forsake us He will provide!
(the Vendor)

Build-a-Bear Rosie

This is a picture of the Build-a-Bear that my daughters Christine, Sharon, and Michelle bought for me for Mothers Day this year. Actually I picked it out. At first when they asked me if I wanted one I was undecided. Then I saw the pink poodle in the online store. I knew I would love to have that one. So her name is Rosie and the little companion is Brigitte a Beanie Baby I bought years ago and put away (I forgot I had it.)I was so surprised at how much they look alike. The Build-a-Bear company have since changed the looks of the pink poodle and I don't like the new one.
This is the poem that comes with the Beanie Baby.

A girl must always look her best
You can tell by how she's dressed
Pretty bows, pink poofy hair
Brigitte is full of charm and flair!

And that goes for Rosie, too! I have the most wonderful, loving daughters. Thank you.

Birthday Parties

Last week we got a call from my husband Paul's mother. She invited us over on Fri. It was to be her birthday, her 79th. We went and all her kids and some friends were there (one of her daughters lives in Cal.) We had a great time. She planned the party, prepared the food, and baked the cake. I was reminded of something that happened a long time ago. When my kids were little, of course, I had birthday parties for them. One day as my birthday was approaching, my (former) mother-in-law, asked me if I was planning to have a party for myself. I thought it was a silly idea, to have a party for yourself! But, now I understand. When you are young your kids are with you all the time. But, when they grow up you need to be with them. Planning your own party is a way to get your family together. It also made me think that most everyone likes to have a birthday party! I think next year I will plan a party for myself.

Wash Day

If you are one who dislikes doing laundry, here's how the Amish women do it. (all in one day)

1. Start a fire in the wood burning stove.
2. Fill tubs with water and put on the stove to heat.
3. Sort clothes according to how dirty they are. Wash loads in the same water saving the dirtiest clothes for last.
4. Soak dirty work clothes in a tub.
5. Soak diapers in a tub of bleach water.
6. Fill the wringer washer with water and soap.
7. Put the clothes in the washer. The washer is powered by a gasoline engine.
8. Put the clothes through the wringer into a tub of rinse water. Use a plunger to push clothes around.
9. Put clothes through the wringer again.
10. Hang clothes to dry.
11. Gather clothes off the line.
12. Press, fold and put away.

At the end of the day, they thank God "for every sock, every shirt, and every diaper, because they tell the tale of a healthy, growing family."
I got this from the Amish Heartland magazine.

Smiles

I have another poem from The Vendor. This is my grandson, Gabey.

Smiles

There are times in life when things go wrong
It seems so useless to go on
We may feel worthless, sad, alone.
It seems like all life's joy is gone.

Now we should never feel this way
'Tis God who plans how long we stay
And if we could do no more than smile
Then the time sure would have been worthwhile.

For if by our smile some joy was wrought
Would we not then be serving God?
Our love would shine to brighten the day,
And help another on his way.

Amish Country

Today my husband Paul took me for a drive to Amish country. The sky was blue, the sun was hot, the trees and flowers were beautiful. I read somewhere that the Amish don't persue happiness. They persue simplicity and Godliness. Whenever I go there I try to bring home Amish magazines. I said if I ever found a good recipe I would give it to you. Well, here it is. It is from a magazine called The Vendor.

Sunshine Pie

A pound of patience, you must find
Mixed well with loving words so kind.
Drop in two pounds of helpful deeds,
And think of other people's needs.

A pack of smiles to make the crust,
Then stir and bake it well, you must.
And now I ask that you must try,
The recipe of this Sunshine Pie.

Animal Crossing

My daughters Christine and Sharon introduced me to Animal Crossing. It is a Nintendo game cube game. When I first saw it, I thought it was silly and childish. Then I started playing it and now I am hooked. It is a game that has no end! You just go along day by day doing things (and there are a lot of things to do). Chris also introduced me to adventure games on the pc. I played C.S.I. and Sherlock Holmes, and Nancy Drew. Those games have ends. Now, she got me into Big Fish online games.

Thanks Shari!

I want to thank my daughter Sharon for making this blog so beautiful. I know she had fun doing it. She is my third child. They say the average family has 2 1/2 children. I am glad I had a whole child instead of only 1/2. The flag is Ohio, which is unique because it is the only flag in the union with a pennant shape. A lot of people like to put recipes in their blog. If I come across good one, I'll include it here.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:... Prov. 17:22

Phil. 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil.4:8

Fall Colors

While driving yesterday I couldn't help noticing the fall colors. This is not my favorite time of year, spring is. But, right now the colors are mixed with the green. It is so pretty, and, I noticed the fall flowers, too. I hope we all can appreciate the colors while we have them.

Forever and a Day

I am recommending a movie today called "Forever and a Day" which I borrowed from the library. It was made in 1943 and takes place initially in war torn England. It's the story of an old house and all the people who lived in it since it was built. There is a huge cast of well-known actors who donated their pay for the war effort. There are a few funny moments which I would like to relate to you. The first was a conversation between two women. The first lady says, "My husband and I go to the air raid shelter every evening. It's such a nuisance." And the second lady says, "Before the war, my husband never took me anywhere." Then later in the film the old gentleman is pacing the floor awaiting the birth of his grandchild. He says, "Why do women have to have babies? Why can't they lay eggs like penguins?" LOL, hee, hee, hee, rotfl! Well, I thought it was funny. Anyway, I think you will enjoy this movie, too.

Mom

My mother died in 2001. For some reason I never received a death certificate. I asked my brother for one and I got it today. I didn't know that reading it would make me cry. It's hard to believe she is gone, because she lived so far away. I didn't see her very often, but just knowing she is there and that I could visit her was a comfort. I can't talk to her any more, I can't hear her laugh any more, I can't ask her questions, any more. I wish people didn't get old, and I wish people didn't die. I know I'm going to heaven when I die, because I trusted Jesus. I hope I see my mother and dad there. She passed away in Aug. of 2001. It was right before the 9/11 attack. I was very stressed out after the attack, like a lot of people. I knew a lot of people lost someone but I wanted to shout "I lost someone, too".

Fall

Well, it's time to bring out the fall clothes: the turtlenecks, the sweaters, etc. In a way it's fun to wear clothes you haven't seen for months. My apartment doesn't have heat yet, so we have to use small electric heaters. When the regular heater is on it gets too warm. We can't adjust the temp. We do that by opening the windows. I think I need to find some really warm socks, not too tight or too bulky.

I have been blessed this summer, Paul bought me a Casio music keyboard, and we got the internet at home. This winter will be a little less boring.

I can't stop using capitals. tee, hee