I Dance! I Live! I Love!

My iPod (actually now it's my iPhone--I lost my iPod) has 

a lot of different kinds of music on it.

Much of it is contemporary Christian, and much is secular.

Today I'm thinking about some songs that are secular

but have messages with great value--

A type of crossover, to me at least.  

I remember that Susan told me about this first song.  I don't remember the year, but it was before the time of iTunes (for me anyway), because I went right out and bought the CD.  She said she was proud of me for keeping us going after the disheartening diagnosis.  Her comment and this song were very important to me. 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
And when you make the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance! 
  

 I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you make the choice to sit it out or dance...

I hope you dance!  

I guess I may have taken the song literally--we went to General Dynamics Recreation and took dance lessons!  We weren't too successful, but we had a great time trying. 

************** 

Then there's this one--I imagine most of us have given some thought to it:

...someday I hope you get the chance to Live Like You Were Dyin'

I might not have the courage to go sky divin' or the strength to go Rocky Mountain climbin', but...

I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying...

And I took a good long hard look at what I'd do if I could do it all again...

And I said someday I hope you get the chance to

Live Like You Were Dyin'  

('cause we all are, you know!)

**************

I placed the newer ones first.  I can't, however, omit the one which was sung at our wedding and played at our 50th anniversary celebration and again at Jack's funeral.

I'll be loving you...Always, with a love that's true...Always.

When the things you've planned need a helping hand, I will understand...Always, Always.
Days may not be fair...Always; That's when I'll be there...Always.
Not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year, but
Always.

**************

This one is surely a favorite!

I see trees of green, red roses too; 
I see them bloom for me and for you;
And I say to myself..."What a Wonderful World."

I see skies of blue, clouds of white,
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights;
And I say to myself..."What a Wonderful World."

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, saying "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I love you."

I hear babies cry...I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself, "What a Wonderful World."   
   

    

 

The Futility of Arguing

In doing my "Proverb a Day" this month I was reminded of the futility of arguing.  Even if one does not believe in the Bible, I believe a case could be made for this: Arguments are rarely "won" or "lost."  Just stop and think about it.  When can you recall actually walking away from an argument dusting your hands and feeling like a clear winner?  Or when can you remember saying, "Well...I believe I was wrong about that and you were completely right!"


Now, why would this be?  Well, the main reason is this:  The person with whom you are arguing more than likely thinks he or she is just as RIGHT as you think you are!  This was a revolutionary thought when it first came to me.  That other person is not just being arbitrary.  They actually think they are right!  Even though you KNOW they are not!  Stop trying to prove your point!  You're not going to be successful anyway!  You'll do nothing but cause more disagreement and bitterness!


Actually, "When two quarrel, both are in the wrong."  (Author unknown)  I also found several quotes about not entering into quarrels in the first place.  "Be not the first to make a quarrel, nor the last to make up."  Proverbs 17:4 says, "It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don't let it begin."

Remember, "A soft answer turns away wrath." Proverbs 15:1.  It may feel like at the time that you are giving up your rights.  But...you're actually maintaining them!  Don't waste a precious minute of your precious life in an exasperating and quite probably futile attempt to prove yourself right.  Personally, "I'd rather be happy than right!"--any day!


If I haven't convinced you, then please consider this:

  If you must argue,

 "Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument!"

  (Richard Whately)

                   (It's amazing what one can find on Google!)



    

Still Grateful

I should be getting ready to go to Bible Study Fellowship.  Alas, I'm not because I'm puny.  I have made it through the winter months without falling prey to any cold or flu symptoms, but now I have a very sore throat.  And I sneeze.  And take Cold-Eeze.  (And make rhymes!)

In spite of my circumstances, I have gratitude on my mind and in my heart this morning.  I blogged about my gratitude journal HERE.  Unfortunately I have not become any more faithful about writing in it, but I'm going to do so this morning.  Why am I grateful, me with the aching throat?

Well, I'm sooo thankful that I can wrap up in my blankie and just sit in my chair this morning.  The majority of my life I would have had to keep on keepin' on--responsible either for sweet children or later for a husband placed in a helpless situation neither of us expected.

If you read that prior blog, the unexpected reason for gratitude it featured was coffee!  It's still way up there on my list!  Coffee is very soothing to my semi-raw throat.  And it's especially good out of this very special mug my cousin Sarah brought me!

 You're all welcome that I'm keeping my germs at home!

 **************************

Just realized that the earlier post was before I knew how to put pictures on my blog.  So here are a couple of pictures of the journal.

  

Practice Hasn't Made Perfect Yet

If you will click HERE you will find my introduction of my new hobby.  I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for a progress report.  You haven't?  I am sort of insulted!  Well, here it is anyway.  Don't worry.  It's pretty short.  I'm progressing fairly slowly. 

  

I did this arrangement when Sarah came to visit.  It was one of my best so far, mainly because of the gorgeous flowers I found!

I particularly love monotones or striking duo-color combinations. The purple irises with their yellow throats looked so beautiful with the fabulous yellow roses.  

When I was preparing for Easter at my house, I created this arrangement.  I was very proud of it, and it lasted for days--with a fabulous scent!  The florist at Kroger helped me select the flowers.  The color palette was beautiful, and included some pale coral color orchids that he brought "out of the back."

  

The following arrangement precipitated my update today.  These are lovely tulips, but I don't think tulips will be my favorite flower to arrange.  

I used clear scotch tape to divide and make partitions for the tulips, but they didn't quite cooperate as I wanted them to. 

My arrangements may not be perfect, but God's flowers certainly are!  Onward and upward!  I'll keep you posted!

******************
 A funny thing happened to the tulips overnight!

Yep, those are the same flowers.  They stood up all straight!  
This is how I expected them to look.  

This phenomenon might possibly, perhaps, in some probability
have happened because the arranger (moi) did not
get in any hurry to get the tulips in water upon arriving
home with them.  (Can you say lazy?)
So...if you're taking lessons from me (who am I kidding?)
rush to get your flowers back in water!  
Unless you like the droopy look, which I now think I might. 

 

The L-C-G Wildlife Sanctuary!!

That would be the Linda-Charleigh-Girl Wildlife Sanctuary, and we are just about tuckered out over here!  The responsibility is a lot for us to handle!

Just take yesterday, for example.  Not only were the durn squirrels taunting C-G, they were drinking out of the pool.  The pool that the durn ducks were getting in repeatedly.  When I'd sic Charleigh on them, the squirrels would run, but the ducks are getting braver.  They swim back and forth very nervously, but the "enforcer"  sometimes has to expend quite a bit of running and barking effort to get them to vamoose!  Now don't get me wrong...I think the ducks are very pretty, but Jack thought they were so nasty that I feel obliged to run them off by any means possible.

Then there was the little baby bird.  It hopped right up to the window with C-G carrying on hysterically on the inside.  I don't know why I didn't take a picture of it.  It would fluff its tiny wings occasionally.  Finally I realized...it couldn't fly yet.  I did not know how to help a baby bird.  I had to leave early to go to a play, and it was huddled up by my air conditioner, still alive.  And its parents were flying around squawking ferociously!  I was going to give it some bird seed when I got home, but it was gone.  I was very sad.

Perhaps you read about my late night encounter with a "rat" outside that same window!  Did get some pictures of it--still around today.

I guess you can see why I thought it was a rat, but it's actually a baby possum.  I can't get over how tame it and the baby bird were, coming right up to the window.  In spite of this:

She didn't run or bark at the possum.  I didn't give her a chance with the baby bird!

Getting closer!

What a day!  Then we heard the horrible wind and rain during the night.  Get back with you later.  The girl and I need a nap!

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

JO KELLY and MARY DOLLAR!

But I wanted every one of you to win.  Thank you so much to those who persevered and were able to feed my ailing ego by making an official comment on the blog.  I'm really sorry more of you weren't successful--especially those I know really tried!  

Please keep on reading my blog.  I will absolutely treasure any comment you make--Facebook or in person is fine! 

Want A $50 Target Gift Certificate?

The longer I blog the more I discover about the process.  For example, did you know that Blogspot actually keeps track of the number of people who view my blog?  I didn't know this for a long time, because the only way I could tell was by the number who commented on my Facebook page or who would tell me they had read it.  (And I cherish every single one of those comments!)

Now for a surprising fact.  As of April 1, 2013, my blogs have had 5,853 views!  I am amazed.  And I want to know that you read it!  I am absolutely shameless in seeking validation!  I am going to resort to bribery!

At the bottom of the blog there is an official spot to "Post a Comment."  Only a handful of my friends are able to do this.  Even Rob, my computer hip son-in-love told me a long while ago that he had not succeeded in making a comment.  So...poor pitiful Linda almost always has 0 comments on her blog about her otherwise exclamation point life.  (I did get several comments from strangers about my new roof, for some reason!)

This is what I'm gonna do:  I am giving away two $50 Target gift certificates to two randomly drawn persons who are able to "Comment" on this blog.  And I'm going to tell you how to do it!

At the bottom of this page, after the blog, click on "No comments" or "# comments."  When the comment box opens, type me a sweet, loving, complimentary message (or a short "Hey" or "10-4!")  Then there is "Comment as" and a drop down menu. The way I comment is with my Google account, which is free and easily obtained right here: https://accounts.google.com/signup   (I know it's tiny, but it's "clickable!") You can also choose to comment as "Anonymous," but be sure to sign your name in the body of the comment so I will know who "Anonymous" is!

Then hit "Publish."  You will be asked to prove you are not a robot.  Your message will not appear on the blog immediately because I have "Comment Moderation" enabled in order to prevent spam!  But I will read, approve, and shazam!  Exclamation point Linda will have herself a comment!  (And be eternally grateful!)

If you have problems posting, here is the video which helped me.  http://screencast.com/t/CQjAJoeAAMB7.  Or feel free to emaill me at mimiljls@aol.com. 

My winner selection process will of necessity be pretty primitive.  Since I do not know how to generate random numbers, I will probably have to write "all" the names (I hope there are quite a few!) on slips of paper and draw them out of a hat--but, I will be scrupulously honest!  I will do this next Wednesday, April 10th at 12:00 noon!

Oh, dear.  What if no one responds?  Well I guess you'll find me at Target on Wednesday afternoon, drowning my sorrows in shopping.

P.S.  You can still "like" and "comment" on Facebook, too!  
        Now I getting greedy!  But it's gotta be on here to enter 
        my give-away!!!!! 

I Think You'll Love This!

There are two things I would like to tell you about Proverbs--a book just about in the center of the Bible.  First is this story.  Occasionally on a cruise the cruise director will determine which couple in a large audience has been married the longest.  On one of our cruises, the winners were asked to what they attributed their lengthy union.  It  was the man who responded.  He said the secret was to read the Bible and Proverbs every day.  This was many years ago, with much water under the bridge since, but I have never forgotten it.

Then last week my Susan told me she had a scripture for me that I was going to love!  It had been shared in her Bible Study Fellowship class by Sandy Clark, one of her new BSF BFFs.  And guess what?  It's from Proverbs.  See if you can figure out why I LOVE  this verse.  Proverbs 12:10a (Living Bible translation) "A good man is concerned for the welfare of his animals."  (Smooch, smooch, kiss, kiss, love my Charleigh-Girl.  And the aoudads with their sweet faces even though their horns scratched my car, and the poor bird that flew into my window, and...)

As I was looking up this Proverb, I saw many more that are so good!  Therefore, for the month of April I am going to present,
A Proverb A Day Helps Keep The Devil At Bay on my Facebook page.  Thanks, Sandy and the little old man on the cruise ship!

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O.K.--I'm on Day 3, and I wish to make an update or two.  First, I think all verses will be from The Living Bible unless I state otherwise.  Second, there will be different types of Proverbs.  I hope some (like today's about the crabby woman!) will make you laugh a little and maybe say, "I never knew that was in the Bible!" Then some (like yesterday's about God refining the heart) will be thought-provoking and uplifting.   Just be blessed!

The Morning After Easter 2013

I have something to tell you which some of you may find surprising.  After my 14 guests left yesterday I did absolutely nothing!   As I am sure you all know (who could miss it!), the weekend also included the Cinderella ball.  Whew!  I was plum tuckered out.  

I made certain executive decisions based on the privileges of age and circumstances.  I used paper plates, plastic cups (a first!), and I even bought ice tea so I wouldn't have to make it!  I drew the line at disposable eating utensils or paper coffee cups, so...the silverware is still in the sink soaking!  And the dirty cups are still, well--dirty. 

And I've never felt more joyful than I do this morning after Easter. Why?  Because:

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart!  

Got to go JOYFULLY clean up my kitchen!