RoyNan of the Cold

 Well, it is a surprise to see it snowing on this very cold Sunday morning. The flakes are small and the ever so often gusts create quite the stir of snow from fir trees and roofs. This has been an unusual storm and cannot recall in the recent past for this rather consistent snow fall. You can barely see the road out front even after snow plows slightly cleared a path. Seems to be a salt shortage throughout the state and it is reserved for emergency situations. I don't think cabin fever is an emergency to the EMS or sheriffs. I don't have cabin fever but looking at social media cabin fever is catching and the cures for it are closed due to the snow and ice. It's a dangerous circle. The sun has broken through and it is a joy to welcome the sun back. It will melt some of the snow. We don't get above freezing today and it will form as ice when the sun goes down. 

The Boys and The Siblings must have cabin fever. A couple of normal cat relationships are on thin ice...ha! It is mainly Chubola and she has been stalking her long time cousin GMoey and he happens to be the alpha cat. The past few days it has been a bit fragile and hissing is involved. All six are asleep as well as the head cat herder, Roy. He and I stayed up in shifts last night. Our upstairs HVAC is sub par to say the least. We should have changed it out before he retired. It runs and never shuts off and goes into emergency heat setting way too much. So after experimenting with a couple of space heaters strategically placed, one in the bonus room and the other at the opposite end of the hall. We do not feel comfortable about going to sleep with them on. Roy took the first watch. I relieved him at 1:00 am and then he replaced me at 4:00. With the low of 5 degrees and dripping faucets and running the dishwasher at 1:30am, we made it through a very cold night. 

During my overnight shift I finished The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. I've written before that I don't usually read Christian fiction, cause that seems like an oxymoron but this was a very good and engaging read. There is a lot of reasons why I loved this story but one thing that stood out is, the ending wasn't put in a box with a happy red bow on top. The story resolves of course but there are several lives we come to know and we don't quite know the end their end result. Great use of sentence prayers in the character's lives and dying to ourselves daily. One week, the end of life for Mrs. Kip and how her influence even there in hospice was used by the Lord. A couple of times I had to stop because the thoughts of my mom came rushing in and where my father put my mother for those last few hours verses where he passed under luxurious hospice care. I also remembered my last time I saw her, so fragile and translucent. I sat there and told her what a wonderful mother she had been, reminded her of a few funny stories and when I kissed her on her cheek, she puckered her lips and made kissing noises. I will not describe the conditions he left her in but I will say the room she was in was like a group passing thing. It was horrible for all the families involved but he could have chosen better. He could afford it ten times over and still have that loot he had treasured. No, he loved money more than he loved her. 

There is a therapist and author on social media, I've mentioned before, that puts these unthinkable situations one endures with a narcissist in perspective. One piece she has put into place for me is the dominant narcissist needing a flying monkey. The flying monkey is usually the heir apparent to keep abuse going to and for the next generation. Until recently, I had not known about the role of the flying monkey. I have a revised point of view on the April-ish 2024 thing and the end results of choices and decisions being made. The flying monkey has info sourced from my father that are blatantly lies and bits and pieces of stories he fashioned together to match his narrative of lies and fascinating foolery, that is to the uninformed. So, the flying monkey was paid to keep an ongoing legacy going. I will say once again, I don't care. They all worked for their money and I didn't have to and my reward, peace of mind and peace of heart. Truly, a gift from the Lord. In reading the book, Mrs. Kip, original thought here, it helped me process through those things with answers that make sense to all that happened in 2024. I'm at rest with it and have peace therefore there is the joy in that I will never have to talk to the flying monkey again.

We did another night shift thing Sunday into Monday morning. I started the book club February choice, The Mad Wife. I'm just getting into it. 

We lost power this morning and the Duke crew hope to have everything up and running by 11:00 am. A little over a thousand are affected. At 11:07, we were back in business. It would be nice if we could have a little more sun to warm things up. Then melt, then refreeze tonight. It doesn't look like we are going to get above 32 today. Tomorrow brings hope of more of a thaw. 

Snow Day!

 With the roads dry enough the sights and sounds of our busy road are back. As both Roy and I were up early this morning, we saw lots of firetruck and police lights on the corner around 4:30 am. With the temps being so low last night we wanted to make sure everything temp and water pipe wise were going well. I see naps in our future because we checked on things in shifts. We are finally above freezing and it is nearly two in the afternoon. Oh, I hate to see our electric bill these next two cycles. 

I am into the ballet this afternoon on Reels. My goodness, so beautiful. My friend Marti was a dancer in the George Balanchine company in NYC. Over the years I have been to a couple of ballets with her and her description of the work and all the creativity of dance mesmerized me. Our friend Jennifer bid on tickets to Swan Lake complete with dinner and she won. Four of us went to see Swan Lake. We sat in a side box with a serving area behind the curtain. We ate, pulled the curtain to sit in the seats and at intermission we went back to the serving area for dessert and coffee. We had our own bathroom and we lacked for nothing. It was my first time to go to a ballet other than recitals at a dance school. My first experience ruined me to ever want to go by just purchasing a ticket. My time as a trained dancer was very short because I didn't have the attention span to learn along with the details that are required but that same short attention span got hyper focused when it came to softball or volleyball. We each have our talents and interests. But after one hangs up ballet shoes or softball cleats, we still have the aches and pains from giving our chosen endeavor all we could. 

The don't expect too much storm this weekend forecast has changed and we might have a good amount with freezing temps in place. I've had to wear my heavy winter coats the past few days. It has been awhile since those have been taken out of the closet. Yesterday, we took both vehicles into Weaverville to shop. Then Roy went home and I went to choir practice. The store was crowded but everyone treated others with some patience. We are all there for the same thing, to restock and get ready for the next storm. I went back today after Bible study. We needed another container of chicken salad as well as more pineapple. The store was crowded but everyone was on their best behavior. All the stuff we needed was on the first two aisles and a checkout opened just as I turned the corner. So, it wasn't stressful. 

I just saw that Catharine O'Hara passed away today. She was 71. Most know her from Home Alone or Schitt"s Creek but Roy and I watched her on SCTV in the early 80's. Being much younger then we would watch SNL and then SCTV and still get up early and go to church. Her characters were so over the top and I loved how she delivered her lines. I remember my favorites being teaching English as a second language and her many characters on game shows. Wow! This is a shocker. She is already missed by so many and watching some of the clips more poignant. 

******

Snow! Snow Day! Snow this morning and tapering off this afternoon. We do not get above freezing until Monday sometime. It's beautiful to watch this morning. Thinking of going upstairs to get that view. I've seen only one truck on the road this morning. Road...that can't be seen. No snow plows or anything on major and secondary roads. Might be waiting for the snow to be over. We did see a snow plow earlier but the work was in vain cause the road is covered again. It is so quiet outdoors when it snows. One lone  ATV passes by occasionally and the kids one house over have been sledding down their driveway. 

Officially, no church tomorrow.  The temps will be brutal on top of everything else. This is one of those storms that people will talk about in the future. Surely the biggest one I have been in since moving here. 

The Day After the Storm

 This morning the update is slick roads with an icy sheen. About an hour ago a car slid off on our side the road. Good thing it wasn't the other because there is a drop off. The guy finally got his car righted and slowly proceeded. Hope he has a good reason and a clean pair of underwear for whenever he arrives. From the general consensus of all the weather forecasts seem to indicate we had more sleet than frozen rain. Some say we will have another round later in the morning but who knows who we are to believe. We are thrilled that we haven't had too much frozen rain but others are upset at the weather people. The big picture is, it could have been a lot worse and people would be upset if the forecasters said, no big deal. That kind of happened for Helene. Our neighbor above us texted me a little bit ago and the text was cleverly designed as a check on your elderly neighbors text. Don't mind that one bit and we usually have a few laughs along the way. This morning was no exception. We both decided reading took precedence over cleaning baseboards and such. I am also trying to stay out of the kitchen where most accidents happen in the home. Hey, for safety reasons. 

Our pot roast in the slow cooker was delicious and I am sure it will be delicious for lunch today, too. I used the Kinder Pot Roast spices this time but still use ale for part of the flavoring process. Included lots of carrots. 

It has been a while since reading two good, interesting books in a row. Family of Spies, off the chart good and now I am reading fiction and at the other end of the spectrum from spying. Of course the title alludes me right now and I'd have to go upstairs to find the book. Probably I would pick it up and start reading then go onto something else totally forgetting to return to the computer and report the title. Such is life with an ADHD brain. This January I have been reading a lot about my brain and yes, I do have one. It's probably upstairs with my book. There are a lot of good qualities that outweigh procrastination and not much of an attention span when it comes to things one doesn't really love. 

We are above freezing with still some sleet coming down at times. Roy is prepping just in case the FCC truck comes to pick up the trash tomorrow. No official word but the county schools have already released the statement, no school tomorrow. The next two days hold wind and single digit temps. I've seen several reels showing tree limbs snapping from the ice in Middle Tenn. Well, just looked up the official word for trash, on a one day delay cause the landfill won't be open tomorrow. When ice and snow are on the scene the world gets so quiet. Life slows down. The three to four hour window of reprieve gets the restless or the shoppers out on the road. 

Now it is Monday morning, the morning after the weekend. A gentle snow is falling with the sun trying to peek through the overcast sky. Think the high today is in the 20's. Most everything that can close, has closed for the day. Our area north of the city didn't see as much ice as others. We mainly had sleet. The pictures of damage in Oxford MS and Nashville TN is devastating. Our gentle snow is still falling but the sun is keeping it in check. 

Calm Before the Storm

 It is the calm before the storm. Preparation time. Go out and take care of things before the ice storm Fern makes her appearance. I will add this Fern to the Ferns I have known in life. At our condos there was a group of older women that spent every waking sunlight hour sitting by the pool. I was much younger back then and went out a couple of times but Fern kind of camped out at the pool to corner you in conversation. Not random either, she had picked her topic and most of the times her topics weren't that interesting to me. What was funny is the ladies reading their spicy books while they tanned and I could always tell when there were reading a "hot" page cause their feet were moving ninety to nothing. The other Fern I can remember is Miss Fern from the movie The Bad Seed. We put an offer in on a house near Balsam Mountain, thank you Lord someone outbid us, and the road the house is on, Fern Trail. Now Fern the ice storm is traveling across the country. 

This morning we went to Publix not to panic buy but to do our regular pickups for the weekend. Fruit, chicken salad, bakery bread as per usual and cat food. The only thing we bought that is different, a couple of gallons of spring water. We got there a little after 9:00 and shelves were restocked and checkout lines regular like. After we checked out and started putting things in the car, the parking lot was going a bit crazy as it was near 10:00 am. 

For lunch today I had Southern Baked Pie's tomato pie, mini version and it was very good. Delicious! I will order again. We got the petite apple pie with salted caramel as well. I took a couple of bites...oh my goodness, so good. 

It is now Saturday and I just finished up the leftover tomato pie, think little chicken pot pie size, and a couple of bites of the apple pie. The choices when I bake the rest, taco, roast beef and chicken. Have a pot roast in the slow cooker and snacks for ice storms. Nah, it's just the regular snacks we keep around the house.

So now, we sit and wait. Prepare and then hope. I love that the Lord has experience in storms of various kinds. So, it's good to trust Him with this. 

Pressing On

 It seems we don't have too many all day rain events here. Houston, oh yes and that could include several days of end on end raining ranging from misty to torrential. Most of the heavier rain went south of us so gentle showers are doing the job. We both have taken it easy today. Well, Roy is doing our taxes so I guess that doesn't count as easy, but a relaxed schedule. We are thankful it isn't me doing the taxes. World without end, amen. 

We've been Presbyterians for a little over a month and we are enjoying this journey. I know old school isn't for everyone but we have settled into it nicely. Roy started last week attending the men's Bible study and I've been attending the women's Bible study since the fall, the season not Adam and Eve time. Along with choir there are more opportunities for social interaction. Last week I read an article about slowing down verses shutting down. Interesting and I think this change is just what we needed. I was talking with a friend from Houston about this article and after having some trouble articulating my interpretation I gave her an example from this summer. It fit and said it all. 

Now it is Monday morning. A very cold one at that. We opened the Inn on the Catmore Estate last night and several took advantage but the innkeeper, Roy, is pushing everyone out at 11:00 or there abouts. It should be above freezing and besides the sun is out and there is play time to be had. 

We were on our way to church yesterday and the Mustang gave us a bit of an issue. We decided to turn around and get the truck but when we arrived home, the snow was so heavy that Roy was a bit iffy about going. I really wanted to be at church for many reasons but one is the choir anthem we were singing. It is one of my favorites. I texted two choir members to let them know of the situation. It's ironic because since 2010 or so I have not gone to big church in January on the advice of a Houston cardiologist. He knew because he said Baptists go to church sick most of the time. I would tend to agree with that. Now in January this year, I want to be in big church.  

*****

Thursday morning, below freezing and some snow on the ground. It doesn't look like our road has been salted or sanded. That means that even work trucks are driving slow this morning. The sun is out but we don't get above freezing today. Just got the text and email that Bible study is cancelled this morning. In part I'm glad cause of the roads but sad because the discussion is lively and we gain so many insights from one another. It is one of the best groups I've been apart of. We enjoy our friendship with the Word of God leading the way. 

Things I'm liking these days

My clearance jammies I bought at Sam's. Only had gray left so I ordered two pairs and I am so glad I did. Comfy and all that comfort for only $7.98 a pair. Here is something unusual, they are Lord and Taylor brand. Someone must have bought the name cause there hasn't been a Lord and Taylor for quite sometime. Loved shopping at the one in The Galleria. 

Rowe Casa Tart Cherry. Really helping me sleep through the night. Truthfully, I like all things Rowe Casa. 

Archer and Oliver for journals and paper products. Great presentation.

Earl Gray tea. It seems to be helping my heart stay out of flutter. 

The free time for reading. Almost finished with Family of Spies, nonfiction. In 1994 or so young woman finds out her family spied for the Japanese in Hawaii years before Pearl Harbor. Her family, from Germany. Her painstaking research and from all that questioning within what her father knew and if her elderly aunt who was the main cog of it all would ever share with her niece the adventures and crimes she was a part of. I'm about halfway through. 

Here is the last thing for this post, I read this the other day and of course cannot remember the author's name, but her or his sentiment is worth thinking about. Research shows that most Christians or church attendees cannot answer some of the simple questions to determine what they understood about the scriptures. The cynic in me says, many can answer but don't know how to live it but the face is we are illiterate in many ways. That info is interesting but their thoughts on quiet times and devotional thoughts is spot on. We romanticize quiet times all warm and special with hot or iced tea, depending on the season. Of course in the south we drink iced tea all year long. We have our specially bought journal or journals...I always think it is the journal that will inspire my thoughtful devotional writings. I just like journals with narrow lined paper. Now, I am not against devotions in the morning or vespers in the early evening, but we need to dig a little further in God's Word more than what we normally do. Yes, I am guilty. So far this month I have been hit or miss on this but pressing forward to the prize I will still make that effort. It will only do me good. 

Meanwhile, we have fallen prey to the malformation of “quiet-time culture.” Having a quiet time can be beneficial, but it often disciples people into a devotional style of reading the Bible. Devotionals are big sellers, and for good reason. They pair a snippet of Scripture with a bite-sized insight, leaving readers with a positive emotion to start their day: comfort, assurance, hope, inspiration. Christian living and devotional books comprise 41% of Christian book sales, while Bible studies a mere 8.5%. One of the best-selling Christian books of all time is a devotional that has sold over 45 million copies. 

Devotional reading limits which portions of the Bible we spend time in. There is a reason no one has written a devotional on the Book of Leviticus. But all Scripture is profitable. 

Quiet-time culture also delivers a short-term, instant-gratification reward. It elevates individual interaction with Scripture so that we view the most precious time in the Bible as personal, not communal. If you have been caught in a “what this verse means to me” spiral in a small group discussion, you have seen this dynamic at play.

Just A Few Remaining Thoughts of My Childhood Friend

 I haven't been able to quit thinking about my childhood friend who passed away this past summer in July. All these years and we were not close. We didn't speak ever again after I stayed a night at University of Texas with her. I have no idea why I was at UT nor how I got there because I didn't have a car. I was just down the freeway in San Marcos at Southwest Texas State but now called Texas State. It is just one of those blip memories and I guess I remembered the most important part, Leah. Our paths had gone separate ways. I became a Christian my junior year in high school but we did have a drama class together our senior years. She was meant for the stage and got parts in the musicals and such. My comedic side didn't really come about until long after high school being too afraid to be different than everybody else. For our senior drama exam we had to participate in a one act play. Leah got a dramatic role and I played the lion from the Wizard of Oz. Not the same play. Hmmm....I think maybe I did get the better end of the deal. Back in the day schools had drum and bugle corps not dancing corps but there still was a marching band. Leah made it into the Rebelettes, maybe playing fife or drum...I interviewed with the committee when they came to the junior high school and the first question I was asked, if I didn't make it into Rebelettes would I play volleyball. Being 6' in the 9th grade and athletic of course that is where they steered me. Leah came into her own and she took the path of the day, being a hippie. My path was determined for me, a dork. By our senior year we were nostalgic friends. Maybe we rode together to school sometimes but most probably my senior year cause I had use of a car.  

During the summers of 8th-10th grade we hung out in the evenings at her house. Cute boys lived next door to her and we never knew when one might just speak to us. We spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood. It was in 1969 and 1970 cause we talked a lot about UT winning national championships. Leah knew she was going to the University of Texas. She had her life planned out. She was going to go to law school and become a lawyer just like her dad. In 1969 and 1970 on those walks my plans were how I was going to, now as the young people say...unalive myself, once I got a drivers license. I was miserable without hope and saw no other way out...but then God. I became a Christian in January 1971 and got my license a year or so after that.  So, yep God's timing. And I think that is what has me so pensive about Leah and her life. Somewhere in those years between she, graduated from UT but she didn't go to law school there. I think she went in Houston. She got married and I think she had a daughter. She practiced law as a defense attorney with a couple of other specialties thrown in. But I don't think her career is the career she had planned upon. Doing some Google research tells me some of that info. She passed away in July, buried near her father and now also her mom who passed away in December. No obituary for Leah, at least none I can find. Surely her life meant something. I did reach out to someone who I thought might have known her and I did get some limited knowledge about her and that helped me with looking into other avenues. I found a picture, two pictures really of her in 2024. She did not look like the same Leah, in fact I would have never recognized her. Interestingly, we lived in the same area or at least her office was nearby. Of course I know I don't look the same as I did back in the day either, but people like her usually hold onto their physical appearance.  I think what haunts me are those walks with everything she planned in such detail and direction. She was meticulous about her appearance. Me not so much cause there wasn't a direction I could go on without some money. I did the best I could with what I had and it was a battle to have that. 

Last night I saw something that got my attention as I searched for anything else to know about my childhood friend. Surprisingly, I found something and then I knew exactly why there wasn't more information out there. A post from her daughter on FB,

 For me, silence is abandonment.

#adultdaughtersofnarcissisticmothers

#repeatingpatterns #RelationshipDynamics #whyaretheresomanyactualfrogsinthispond

She had a narcissistic mother. I had a narcissistic father and while narcissists share common traits it's different, but I understand. I just read an article on the six faces of narcissistic mothers. The end result of either parent is, their destruction of any self esteem of their child, holding onto to control of the child and lack of boundaries.

There will be no obituary to find.

New!

 A favorite show of mine is, King of the Hill, but like a lot of shows we love there are episodes we will skip. Although, if there is a good Peggy Hill quip I will watch just to once again here her misguided "in my opinion," about the obvious. I am feeling very Peggy Hill-ish this morning while writing about "new." Obviously since it is the new year, it is a hot word being tossed about. For me, this year it is different and not because I am noticing "new" in so many areas but the reality of so much new and so much God. These past few weeks have had such a delightful tune seeing God in the small, the ordinary and the mundane. As our pastor finished up chapter 65:17-25 in Isaiah, Looking Forward With Joy and I kept that joy and excitement all Sunday afternoon into Monday. In that joy we are new creations, the old has passed away and yay, all things become new. One of the things he said was, creation will be at peace and rest when all things become new. Yesterday, in our first Circle meeting of the new year, our first chapter being a new creation. Great timing on that for sure. One of the ending paragraphs talked about trinkets and souvenirs from our trips. I thought about all the Wendy Whitson prints I bought and had framed for our Rancho de Five home. I could look at those prints and remember where we had been and experienced. We just happened to be at The Biltmore the weekend that Antler Hill Village opened and Traditions, shop, had not only Wendy Whitson prints, they had Wendy Whitson there. In Texas I could look at those prints, most of them landscape scenes from the Estate. It reminded me of where we wanted to be when the time came. Now, those pictures are here hanging in various rooms, here. I am fortunate to have a mountain view from upstairs, but I still look at those prints and remember, then give thanks because we are here. 

Speaking of being here the tenth anniversary of tripping and falling at the Cracker Barrel in Lafayette Louisiana is coming up. Roy flew up before Christmas and we went back to Ranch de Five for Christmas and then for some doctor appointments I had in Houston. Critical cardiology appointment and a dentist appointment. I left for the mountains on January 18th. The story of the shattering of my hip is here

https://nancysmonablog.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-peace-that-passes-all-january-18.html

https://nancysmonablog.blogspot.com/2016/01/prepare-to-pick-up-mat.html

https://nancysmonablog.blogspot.com/2016/01/atumblenal.html

https://nancysmonablog.blogspot.com/2016/01/has-it-really-come-to-this.html 

I had forgotten some of the stories involved with the whole ordeal and I laughed so hard at some of those memories. But God was in and with the whole thing. In fact, I was back in Rancho de Five by October 2016 to prepare for bilateral knee replacements. And since I had met the deductible almost everything was paid for until the new year. There is that thought again, new. 

Roy left this morning for the men's Bible study at church. The kittos and I have been running into each other all morning. I think they were wondering if they would be fed but I assured them I have it all under control. They were fed on time-ish and they all are members of the clean plate club. They have wandered off to their various napping spots. I would like to run the vacuum cleaner but that would be counterintuitive to do so. 

Our neighbors gave us some of their sourwood honey and oh my, it is delicious! I've been using it in my hot tea and if we have biscuits, it will be used then too. 

I have learned from lots of reading these past few months that the traits or foibles or habits of mine are not exclusively my personality but my ADHD brain and how it works. I mean using without warning an above light or giving me a big spoon for soup....ahhhhh! Well, another trait has kicked in, a new journal for a new year...yep there is that new again but my brain always thinks purchasing notebooks and journals are going to make me begin and continue. Nope, but there is always hope.

Hit The Ground Running or Walking Fast

 Several blog posts ago I gave some quick observations when believers start throwing down and around all types of aspersions just because you won't let them boss you around anymore. The most popular of those legalistic Bible Bros terms is, the spirit of Jezebel. I mean really, in biblical content I would think that is much too much of a throw down for the description of most women because Ahab's girl Jezzy was really quite evil...more so than a woman who wants to change meatloaf night to Friday instead of Monday. We have had fun throwing around the term, spirit of the ten brothers around this Christmas season. Joseph's brothers who were jealous of him and that coat but we use it in relation to our cats. We have two that are especially jealous of any attention another cat is getting. 

Happy New Year! Happy 2026. This year's NYE was rather quiet as they go around here. When we first moved here, hardly heard any firecrackers but the last few years have experienced quite a few. Maybe it was too cold last night but our kittos were affected by the few boom booms we heard. We were concerned about Willie but it was Mr Mo. Roy finally found him and put him to bed. Then there was quiet. All in all that is pretty much a contentment evening. 

While Roy has been working in the garage this afternoon, I have been working here in the house of a few small projects. Gathered up t-shirts for Goodwill and getting some books together. Each time I clean out books I give away books that I thought I would never let go. Oh well. Once in an antique store in Burnsville, I saw a grouping of books and I owned almost all the same books. Thought, somebody cleaned out or it was a relative cleaning out books. For a moment I wanted to rescue them but where would I put them? Right now I am torn on reading because I have a book that I need to read but have two other books that tug at my heart because they are books that normally draw me in. So nice to have this problem again, though. It has been a long while to do what I always had done until I didn't...have multiple books going at one time. 

The following paragraph is for comedic thoughts only. It is not a spiritual statement by me or espousing beliefs. Just sometimes when I read the Bible, the silly side of me comes out. 

This morning reading the Bible in one year with Chad Bird got my comedic side going. So today in the OT we read about Noah and the flood. He talks about it is a pattern that we can see Jesus in. His point that Noah coming out of the ark, the place of refuge, is similar to the creation story. All things began anew. This is where my mind went off track...Noah came out of the ark, first. No pesky woman to mess this thing up, rethinking Eve and the serpent. We really don't hear that much about Mrs. Noah at all. In my mind she might have stayed behind to clean up that mess the animals left behind to get that security deposit money back. Friends who have been to the Ark thing in Kentucky said the experts think that God caused them not to poop and wee wee. So, people who do not believe that God can do miracles today accept the no poop deal. Well, I haven't a clue but there are days we would believe God for a miracle for our kitty kitties. Well, once again I digress and we were talking about messes here and there in churches. The miracle? Messes get cleared by someone. Which is not unlike a lot of women in ministry today, they are cleaning up the messes they didn't make. Although, the scripture said Noah and all his family came out of the ark. Do these ultra conservative dudes that will argue (their concept of ) submission to the death, yet hardly ever walk in God's love, except their hearts rejoice in declaring the judgement of God, to and for everyone but themselves ever use this example to make their point? Sadly, now they can't cause a woman thought of it. I thought about how Mildred and Gertrude could have used this in a skit with the nativity cookies... it would have been very funny. 

Monday morning fog, January 5th. It was rather thick at 6:30am and it is hanging around for the first day back to school after the Christmas holidays...I mean winter break. Whatever. It covers the preliminary work being done across the road to build more houses. Looks like one of the houses will be out of the sight line from our front windows. 

These have been some contemplative holidays as we rally ourselves to be ready for 2026. This week we hit the ground running. Circle, Choir and Bible study for me and Roy will begin going to the men's Bible study. Books to read, things to study and looking forward to lots of fun. 

I Am Resolved, Approaching With Joy

 Good Tuesday morning! A very cold Tuesday morning. We opened up The Inn on the Catmore Estate for our Feral Fam. They have taken advantage of warm beds and breakfast served up early. Even the orange cat I call Deadbeat Dad is behaving. We preset the dishwasher for a 2:00 am run to keep the water moving besides dripping faucets. Then came the 5:15 am washer machine usage. 

I participated and plan to do this again for 2026, The Bible in One Year with Chad Bird. After six and a half years with an unhappy pastor and family, unhappy leadership and a general malaise or would that be mayonnaise...of course it would be Duke's but I digress. Anyway, several times over those years I would often be taken by surprise when he'd say, you cannot approach the scriptures in wonder. Many times you'll come away disappointed. He also never encouraged although I think he thought he was, but his approach to a daily Bible reading plan was so pedestrian. Yes, one can get bogged down in Leviticus so maybe find a plan that doesn't go chronologically. Today in CB's plan, Luke 24...The Road to Emmaus. 

In other words, we have sought to ask and to answer the very question Jesus answered as he walked with those two disciples on the day of his resurrection.

In just a few days, as we begin 2026, we will do it all over again, not as drudgery, but with joy, energy, and a holy curiosity.

Approach with joy, I think I like that thought and want to put this in practice in 2026. It is a joy to approach and then wander and wonder those pages of scriptures.

I got Roy an electric tea kettle and he LOVES it. I have also been making hot tea as well. I always liked the Harney Tea, the hot cinnamon flavor. I also got a holiday flavor. He thinks the cinnamon is too spicy so oh de joy, more for me.

Wednesday morning, the last day of 2025. This year has gone by so quickly. The sunrise is beautiful and our coffee is really good this morning. I slept in a bit, by twenty minutes but hey, sleeping in is something I rarely do these days. We have a couple of errands to run when it warms up a little more.

Feels like the song, I Am Resolved should be one of those hymns sung on the first Sunday of the year. Growing up it seems like we sang, The Church is One Foundation for the first Sunday of the year. Have no idea except maybe it was just a good reminder for us. I usually do the One Word thing but I haven't given it too much thought. Stopped doing resolutions years ago. Maybe resolved should be the word...I think I am going with it because it means firm in purpose or intent, determined.

1. I am resolved no longer to linger,
   Charmed by the world’s delight,
   Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
   These have allured my sight.
   • Refrain:
     I will hasten to Him,
     Hasten so glad and free;
     Jesus, greatest, highest,
     I will come to Thee.
2. I am resolved to go to the Savior,
   Leaving my sin and strife;
   He is the true One, He is the just One,
   He hath the words of life.
3. I am resolved to follow the Savior,
   Faithful and true each day;
   Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
   He is the living Way.
4. I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
   Leaving the paths of sin;
   Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
   Still will I enter in.
5. I am resolved, and who will go with me?
   Come, friends, without delay;
   Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
   We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Much More To Remember

 2025 is wrapping up and all in all, it wasn't too bad of a year. I am of the opinion that our best year in the recent past was 2019 and I came to that conclusion looking at pictures and remembering all that we did and experienced. It was that last year before Covid. My memories have nothing to do with that although while in Houston that year I got some kind of a cold or crud before leaving to come back home. 

This morning we are having our first strawberries of the season from Florida and they are quite tasty. The familiar life cycle ends and begins this week. Barbers Orchard closed for the season on Christmas Eve afternoon but then a day after Christmas the Florida strawberry season  begins at Publix. 

I officially stopped seeing ads from Jen Hatmaker on skincare. My goodness always in my FB feed. Years ago I had a bad experience with that particular brand so on top of kind being aggravated by her book because of her self absorption and self centeredness, now I no longer have to see bits and pieces of her skincare regimen with a product that didn't like my skin. I don't know if it takes care of the other merch she is selling and yes, I am totally aware of how many times I referred to me in this paragraph. Ha!

2025 is the year I rediscovered reading, like all the way through, books. Several years of a devastating short attention span has taken toll. I have always had a selective attention span but even that is shorter than usual. Although, the shortened attention span never seemed to affect the love of buying books. Guess I'm practicing from yesterday's post, the intentional clutter, no matter, always a trend setter. Ending this particular thought with a HA! 

The best $4.00 I spent this Christmas for myself, earrings with four different color of Christmas bows, red, green, gold and silver. Got them from Penland's in Marshall. I'll put them away just and have them for next year. We just finished getting our Christmas decorations put up. We didn't do much outside and only decorated the dinning room. These rambunctious kitties would have demolished the tree if we had put one up. We did get a few things this year and while putting it all in containers I came across Christmas decor from our first year living in Cinco Ranch. Bought it on NYE day when they were pricing everything to go. Now, I just need to remember these things next year. I also found a jacket that I totally had forgotten about. Now, to keep or not to keep, that is the question. 

Sometimes we get a little help putting thoughts together when we read a story told by another, even another we haven't ever met. Our circumstances are nothing like the story but the emotions and feelings are. These past couple of years we have noticed that familiar places and people have expressed their wishes not verbally but with silent heart wrenching actions. You know where one can feel like there isn't room to fit in or even not desirable enough to let one down easy. Gee, I am guilty of doing this in the past, especially my tennis days and because of that I try not to behave that way. It used to be that I would pursue an answer, push for it. Of course the answer would hurt me but at the same time the feelings not to be expressed are and so there is that uneasiness. In those Covid years a friendship was lost that I would have bet money on never losing. Basically, on the political scene meshed with the harsh symptoms I was experiencing from the Co Vac caused a misunderstanding. We talked some but there was no rescuing anything. I stopped. It hurt too much to try. That comfortable ease in conversation was long gone. Then last year some family news came to me and dang it hit me hard and then it didn't. We made adjustments and moved on. The last paragraph of the story I read, "Don't wait for someone to make room for you in a life where you don't fit. The highway is long, the map is wide and the best seat in the house is wherever you decide to park."

Today, is the last Monday of 2025. I'm looking forward to the holding some wrap up on projects and taking some time to read for book club. I am also reading Theo of Golden. It got rave reviews and so far I like it but don't love it. Of course I am just a couple of chapters in it. 

There is a woman at church who looks just like my Grandma B. Same hair, profile and glasses. I wanted to take a pic to send to my brother but thought of her privacy and I am not one who usually takes pics in church. My goodness it felt so good to see someone who reminds me of some of the best childhood memories because of her. We didn't do anything special like trips cause my goodness she couldn't drive. But spending summers there at her home, exploring the apple orchard out back and reading her Reader's Digest Condensed books in that little nook off the dining room. That nook was just some white shelves underneath the windows filled with books and magazines. Plants were thriving on the top shelf and her outdoor metal and wood rocking chair was just right even though it was rather spartan in comfort. I have a picture I found in a magazine of a warm, inviting space with comfortable oversized chair and a small table nearby. That isn't how it was at grandmas in real life, but in my imagination it was that picture and so much more. 

2026 Trend, Intentional Clutter

 This is just such great news, anytime or Christmas time. The two trends for 2026 is antiques...okay that's good but the best is the new trend of intentional clutter. Behold, this shall be good news unto thee, stacks of books and such is back in style. Could this mean multiple TBR piles to enhance our cozy home? Well, I am ahead of my time cause I already gots all this going on. Good decorating tips rejoice! There is another term for this new trend as well, but I forgot it but it means to have things in your home that you love. When we were working with a designer for our home in Cinco Ranch, I had a difficult time with some of the suggestions that were made. What was what we liked verses what the designer thought it should be. After a bit, I just went with what I liked and incorporated some of the other suggestions. I read this morning if you lived through shiplap, millennial gray, modern farmhouse, customizing Ikea stuff and the like, if you love what is warm, storied and filled with what makes the home your home, go with it. Until I started downsizing a lot of our stuff, our home was filled with quirky treasures that translated into rustic chic...or something. Clutter is in! Well intentional and most of ours is. 

Our home is split, on the first floor Christmas Carols and on the second floor, WWII documentaries. Roy is in his WWII history world this winter season. It used to be me that watched all that because I love history but Roy enthralled with this new knowledge of Patton and Monty intersperses WWII with his comments on what his quiet time gave him. I love it! 

We just had a lovely surprise, Jon and Audrey stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas and they brought chocolate. 

December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas!

This morning we are taking it easy. A delicious breakfast started us off and I slept till nearly 6:30am. Wow, these days that's some late sleeping in. We have been invited to some friends this late afternoon for Christmas supper. We will be bringing the green beans portion. 

Our Christmas Eve service had the angel songs, a new Christmas hymn by the Gettys sung to the tune of Holy, Holy, Holy. We heard the Christmas story from Luke and we closed out the service by singing Silent Night. I only knew three verses for almost all of my Baptist life but there area a total of four. Wow, who knew? We exchanged Merry Christmases with our new friends, then headed home. The moon was in a perfect place to take a pic with the sliver of the moon close to the steeple. With the lights on from inside it made a beautiful pic from my phone. Two years ago we came to the Christmas Eve service at First Presbyterian and found it to be so beautiful in word and presentation of the awe and wonder of Christmas. That being part of the December sermons, awe and wonder. 

We ate Christmas dinner with friends from church. There were eight of us invited around the table and what a table and spread of Christmas goodies. Ham, yams, lima beans (love em), corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, homemade bread, deviled eggs and three desserts to choose from. We all were members of the clean plate club. We laughed and shared stories. And the icing on the cake, I got more info on the church book club. As we were leaving their home I looked up and in a moment's time, my Houston brain kicked in with when did a high rise happen? But closer inspection and remembrance of where we live, it was the mountain and all the homes lit up the sky...

Oh happy day of Friday after Christmas. Cooler than yesterday but the bottom should drop out on Monday...I think. We made a trip to Publix this morning. I was happy to find some ceramic Christmas trees half price. All kind of decorative items, more than usual it seemed filled tables and buggies. Kind of like not as many homes had Christmas lights this year. The marketing of clothes for JJill looks as if they misplayed the willingness of customers to pay full price. They held on for as long as they could and the past week or so, prices are cut in half. I took part of those sale items this morning. Nothing special just key pieces like blouses to take the place of items in the closet that are worn out. I have almost all my Christmas clothes packed away. I wore almost every item but December was more of a social month than the past few years. Social was always a big part of life for me and then the quiet came and I loved that season and continuing season of life, but now it feels like a perfect blend. You know not too isolated and not too peopled out. 

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, is the Christmas carol line I have thought about so often during the holidays. It holds so much meaning and now finally at this ripe old age it means so much to me. So thankful that the Word came into our world, He is with us always. O Come Let Us Adore Him. Not just in this season but also in the coming one as well. 

Christmas Thoughts Not in Order

I lost the Christmas contest with CourtneyS this year. Two years in a row, she has heard Merry Christmas Darling first. Drat!

This morning while getting ready for church, I was streaming KHCB and the start of the five days of Christmas. One of the first songs I heard this morning was the overture the orchestra at Houston's First Baptist played before each Pageant performance. The memories of finding my spot for the first act flooded in, remembering different parts over the years. Now, the music KHCB played is from different church orchestras and different singers from various churches all over the country but oh those long ago times complete with orchestration and voices, if I didn't have joy already, I had a little bit of a scoop more. 

Our friend Katrin came to our church this morning. So fun to see, visit and laugh with her. We had a brunch before the morning service. It was wonderfully done and so tasty. Roy made his biscuits. He hasn't made them in quite a while but the biscuit making doesn't leave, it's like riding a bike if you've done the proper learning and training. The church service itself held beautiful music, prayer, Lord Supper, ordination and a wonderful sermon. This month I have been thinking that changing churches and joining a new one is more of a full circle thing. The reverence, the purpose of praying, singing and hearing The Word in a setting that reflects more of the pilgrimage I began a long time ago is truly predictable but totally joyous. I read an article the other day by a, please brace yourself for an old person description, young person, embracing hymns whether they be the original version or ones that has been updated. He remembered his grandmother who didn't know who she was or anyone else, but she could sing hymns and know their meaning. He thought of some of the more modern praise and worship songs and couldn't imagine himself singing those when loss of memory sets in. I wanted to respond to just keep the song, You're A Good, Good Father at hand cause you can sing that song ad nauseum and nobody knows what verse you are on.    

We welcome this bright, sunshine overflow on this Monday morning of Christmas week. Think the low was 24. The Feral Fam was hungry this morning and are members of the clean plate club. I love having days where I don't have anything I HAVE to do or HAVE to be at. Christmas gifts have been ordered and delivered mainly supporting local or small businesses. I even got some cards in the mail. My friends, that is a huge accomplishment for me...mostly because, if it isn't late, it's not from me is the usual mantra. 

This is one of those Christmas seasons I am treasuring. Because of family issues while growing up and the years beyond were just so stressful. The energy it took to navigate the usual traps drained me. The narcissist in our family was at least consistent in using sabotage, anger, gaslighting, and then their being the victim when they didn't get the results they wanted from their behavior. It became so predictable if one paid attention in the weeks before Christmas or remembering anything from Thanksgiving, their behavior kind of gave a hint at their first offensive Christmas campaign. Of course they passed away a while ago, but changing our mindset is a continual victory of trusting in the Lord and experiencing or observing the Lord in the ordinary details of a celebratory season. I heard the term the other day, emotional incest, when a narcissist dumps their emotional baggage on their children to keep them small and the attention diverted. Believe me, I knew more about that kind of thing growing up than I should have.  

My friend from Houston sent Three Brothers Bakery gingerbread men for Christmas. Oh happy day! They are delicious and again I will have to say brings back great memories. I was looking at Christmas memories on FB of going to see holiday lights in the Galleria area and River Oaks. The huge Starbucks on Post Oak and Westheimer open on Christmas Eve. We'd get hot chockies and head out to look at lights. When First Baptist stopped their 11:00 pm Christmas Eve services or maybe it was about the time we couldn't stay awake for the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve services, we began attending the Christmas Eve services at St Martins. Wonderful music and taking communion in the service was a pink slipped offense while working at First Baptist since the Episcopalians use wine. 

I saw a picture the other day on FB and I knew even before reading the caption what I was looking at. It was the Santa house at the downtown park in the city where my parents were born and well I guess me too. Only we moved when I was a toddler but those few times we came back for Christmas while we were younger included a visit to Santa. The house had a choir singing as decoration. 

We have been invited for Christmas supper by some friends at our new church. I didn't even know how to answer because no one has ever invited us for a Christmas meal around here. 

Warmer than usual temps for Christmas but I just read that we will have two winter blasts in the beginning of the new year. This past one has gone by so fast.

Merry Christmas!

Quiet Zones

 I watched one You Tube video on singing alto 2 notes for Shepherds Pipe Carol. Just a fun memory of singing the most ahhhhssss in a Christmas song. John Rutter must not think too much of altos. Anyway, I try to keep that alto knowledge because one never knows when a Shepherds Pipe Carol emergency will happen. You know listening to an in person concert when one of the altos falls sick. From the stage, does anyone know the alto part? I would be able to run to the stage...well, walk briskly and save the song. 

Because I watched this video now my Reels feed is filled with how to develop the voice, most tonality and what to do in Christmas concerts etc...  Too much for me. Fortunately, in my non-musical life set in choir music I have sat in choirs with fabulous directors. So, I know how to look, how to form my mouth for notes, lifting the eyebrows and making eye contact with the congregation. I can do all of that, but the voice never changes. It's the same from year to year. 

While going through books and getting them ready to leave our house I stumbled upon a Christmas book, A Gentle and Lowly Christmas by Daphne Simpkins. It's a Mildred Budge book I think I have read just about all of them and at first, well, wasn't a fan but I loved how she would bring such deep spiritual thoughts in some of the simplest and creative ways in the ordinary of life. This book is one that I have enjoyed the most. Some of the petty issues that face so many churches, changing the time of Christmas Eve service or using battery candles for the singing of Silent Night. What? We're changing to the carol, Joy to the World are covered in such a kind but funny way. Even if you have been or are guilty of these kinds of things she presents them in a way to bring attention not trigger anyone to bitterness. Mildred is not the main emphasis since we have journeyed with her story in the past books but she has come to a place where she doesn't need to be in the center of the church prep for the Christmas Eve service or the reception afterwards. Level headed Mildred is in a quiet zone leaving details to those who are more than capable to take care of things and at a place where she can enjoy dare I say ponder these things in her heart. A couple of days ago I read a devo/article about Zechariah and the after effect of his questioning Gabriel while serving in the Temple. Almost every time I read it or read about it, the emphasis is on the questioning when he should have known better. This time the article is about what God did in Zechariah when he was in the forced quiet, in the quiet zone until naming their baby, John. Think about it, the neighbors and relatives were meddling in family business, Elizabeth says John, but they go running over to Zechariah and in my mind, my comedic mind I see this in a modern day way. The relatives and people probably would say, well, Elizabeth has that Jezebel spirit, she's trying to run the family. The rejoicing for Elizabeth stops so that the fringe can run over to Zechariah asking him about this news. The case is made that John has never been a name used in their family which could be written today as, we've never done it this way before! I don't know if there were family by-laws that said you can use any name you want except John. But Zechariah praised God when he could finally speak and then the family and friends were amazed and they rejoiced. They wondered what plans the Lord had for John, "what then is the plans for this child?' Insert background music of Que Sera Sera, Whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see. Que Sera Sera. Naming a child should always be left to the man or is it. Case in point, my father. I am named after his 5th grade girlfriend and my brother is named after a news anchor because my father thought his name sounded so distinguished. We don't want women taking over that...well, guess what, Elizabeth didn't name him, the Lord did. 

That Jezebel spirit stuff gets thrown about a lot today. If you really think about what you're saying, it can be hyperbole for just being a bossy woman. Jezzy was evil, really evil and you equate that evilness to a woman who buys the Christmas tree without her husband's help? Please! No one is singing, "I want to be a Jezzy girl" Ah, the Rick Springfield song. I read he is 80 years old now. Wow! It could be said that these manly retreats held during hunting season are really not to get men in a closer walk with God but to align themselves with Jacob's brother, Esau. You know he was a hunter and didn't make wise choices in wives and spent time trying to get a blessing that had already been given. He relied on, well he relied on Esau. Said in my best old timey voice, "he just has that spirit of Esau on him." You can add Cain, Nimrod, King Saul, Solomon and his son, I think Jeroboam Rehoboam to the OT spirit on them. Also as a reminder, Esau could have never been a deacon cause of the one wife clause but he could be a pastor. Hmmm....

What a stream of ADHD thoughts. My brain is rolling on the river this morning. Oh to take these ADHD thoughts and guide them to some more useful endeavor...vacuuming or dusting or starting a new book, even finish up the old one, The View From Lake Como. Must be the quiet zone of this morning that lit the flame. 

In conclusion, The Gospel of Luke shows in the beginning and in the ending, women seemed to be a little more spiritual than the men. Like I said, I am thinking of this in a humorous way but sometimes the humor shows the truth. Of course, if one gets really upset over this, well, you just got that spirit of the 10 brothers of Joseph on you. 

When It is Cold, Very Cold, Very, Very Cold

 I'd sing In the Bleak Mid-Winter only that officially, we haven't even reached mid-winter much less winter. December has been a cold one. All the weather reports state that once it is close to Christmas our area will have a warm up. Well, ding dong merrily on high... This next system arriving this weekend is bringing really, really cold temps. Some are saying the feel like temp will be -2. 

Just my observation from new catalogues coming to the house, if one wants to look officially Scottish, it is a very expensive look. Guess it is all that wool and plaid. Last Sunday I had a gray plaid dress I wanted to wear but I felt it was too hot to wear in the choir loft cause the choir loft can be rather warm. This Sunday is supposed to be so very, very cold I just might wear it. 

I've been looking for a particular picture of mine on FB but as I have searched I have found some pics of wonderful memories. I still have a lot of fun but those memories of fun times in Houston remain close to my heart. 

Yesterday, Roy and I ventured out to Pensacola, NC and Burnsville (it's excellent, said in my best Mr. Burns voice.) The past few weeks we have gone places that were devastated by hurricane Helene. Marshall, a couple of weeks ago and Pensacola yesterday. The river along 197 took away lots of earth making the drive a bit scary. One wrong move...you are on the rocks. Much less water than there used to be. Landmarks that I have used over the years are no where to be found. A little old grocery store that attracts men to a wooden stove surrounded by the retired, semi retired and maybe should be working and not goofing off men, made it. Don't know if many groceries are bought but I am sure there are always good stories. Both new but it would seem be mostly old stories that are still entertaining. I was shocked but the old wooden house right behind it looked to be a bit rearranged. There is still a house that slid with a landslide facing face down near the river. Private bridges are still out but a little bitty road has been hewn to reach those far reaching places. We went to Pensacola to see my friend Christy at her father's gallery and workshop. He makes woodcarvings and they are fabulous. We were able to bring a small piece back for our Christmas decor in the dinning room. No trees except quilt ones and we got another one to add to the collection. We have several of Christy's trees. Afterwards as we made our way into Burnsville, we punted our lunch idea and just did a little bit of shopping. Went to The Find and we did "find" a few things that needed to come home with us. We were welcomed home by Chubola and The Boys, not that they missed us but they must have been worried about their next meal. 

This afternoon we put on KHCB radio from Houston. Saturday afternoon is by request and so it has been a joy to have Christmas Carols on for background music. First song was from long ago Christmas Pageant days. Just trying to duck out of Happy Birthday Jesus. SOS-song over sung. Roy had Christmas music on this morning and I promise you in forty five minutes time we heard Away in the Manger and Mary Did You Know about four times a piece by different artists, but still...

I found by accident my childhood best friend who recently died, well her mom passed away with her service in Houston being last Monday. I read her obituary and her father's as well but not one for my long ago friend. She had it all, academically brilliant, beautiful and personable but something tells me it didn't end well for her. I also forgot her birthday is the day after mine. 

This morning, Sunday, with really cold temps and a little bit of snow falling, we are erring on the side of caution and not going over to church today. It's like Roy and I have traded places, he is really leaning toward not going and I thought maybe it might be worth the risk, but alas, he won me over with his reasons. We probably could have gone but he has listened to me when I've expressed concerns and won him over against the odds. 

We opened The Inn on the Catmore Estate last night mainly to get those who are reluctant a bit of a chance to go into the garage without fear. Tonight is the tester of temperaments with the temps going way down and a feels like temp of -2. We put out another large bed filled with blankets and soft fabrics to let them burrow into for comfort and warmth. 

Dave Ward, longtime Houston anchor and newsman has passed away. He was with ABC Houston for fifty years. He was on at our house during growing up years as well as high school, college and young married years. Many times I saw him at Rice Epicurean grocery store, which I called The Play Grocery Store. I just kind of played when I went there, it was too expensive to buy weekly groceries. Took a lot of chicken pot pie from there to pot lucks and tennis luncheons. But I digress. It's another footnote of passing and he was/is still held in beloved memories.  

Oh, the temps are dropping. We will set the dishwasher to run around 2:00 am as well as drip a few faucets. At least it gets above freezing tomorrow but we will stick close by. 

Season-ing

 Our wintery overcast day is flirting with the sun. Kind of late in the afternoon but hey...the gray has never bothered me nor the clouds. Sunday the early sky was covered by freezing fog and our drive to church came with frosted fields and icy boughs on trees. This morning rain accompanies the morning skies. The rich color of golden grasses and some trees still diffuses that soothing sense of the vastitudes of fall exiting the stage it has held since September now to winter's not so subtle entrance this year. Even after ten years I am in awe of experiencing the seasons in seasons timing, not like Houston many a year, three seasons could be experienced in one day. 

Saturday, we met with our pastor and an elder in our church...cause officially we are members of First Presbyterian Church. We gave our testimonies, talked about spiritual growth and all those important tangibles. Roy said to me that Saturday afternoon, "I'm thrilled to see you so happy and joyful." I think he said that because it has been a season or two or maybe six since I've (we've) been excited about attending big church services and being involved. Sunday morning we were presented to the church. 

The Mustang is in the shop and what we thought was noise from the convertible top in reality is a broken shock. Bummer. The mechanics are waiting for the part from Ford and soon enough Mustang Sam will be back in business. I had stopped driving  it and glad I followed that instinct cause we were told it is a safety factor and hazard. 

We are getting used to our low tech washing machine and dryer. And after a less than ideal installation of the dryer and the need for a quicker response than what we got, we took matters in our own hands and got the dryer hooked up with all the correct fittings and such. Really, it was more than an immediate need but the delivery guys kind of scared us. This is the first time I can recall being very cautious and a bit fearful of these guys. Even Roy felt it and we thought what if.... what if they send these guys back out to finish the job? I am so proud of Roy being nimble enough and I summoned muscle memory to be strong enough to help. 

During this Christmas season I have been thinking about our lives and the changes that have come about all because eleven years ago we stepped out in faith, bought a home with plans to retire here and all through the unknowns and knowns God is with us, Emmanuel. It might have been in 2023 that Roy came out on the back porch and we just visited and in that conversation he said to me, I really didn't realize how much I worked, how much I got wrapped up in projects, how much I traveled and how much I left on you to take care of, mostly by yourself. I was shocked, I hadn't really thought about it. It was life and you just do those things that need to be done with a little bit of fun in-between. Then he apologized. What a wonderful man and hubby. He didn't have to do that but it meant so much for me. We always joke that I know how to amuse and entertain myself. I am never bored. That gift helped me as I played softball, volleyball, took calligraphy lessons, tennis, book clubs, collecting first edition southern fiction, lunch and dinner with friends, and all things church including choir and Bible study. Oh, and sometimes those periods included a job or two. I think that now, after Roy has retired I enjoy our mornings. He is a consistent quiet time, early riser. I wish I was but I am not...evening quiet time for me. So as we drink coffee he will often say, I read something interesting this morning in....John or Matthew or wherever his reading plan takes him. And he will include football observations some mornings. It is one of my favorite things in this particular season of life, drinking coffee and talking about the meaningful and the absurd with Roy. 

The Mustang was ready to come home Monday and happy to have Mustang Sam home and road worthy.

Giving Thanks, Being Grateful

 Over the course of the last few years on X I have discovered several pastors that are not only enjoyable to follow, not just interesting, but their words and observations have been seeds planted in good soil. One particular pastor is Steve Bezner. Insightful with a good sense of humor. The physical church he pastored was almost destroyed or maybe that is was destroyed in Hurricane Harvey. Last year he announced that he was resigning from the church to be a professor at Truett Seminary, a part of the Baylor family. He wrote some on that journey of the old and the new, but he seemed to fall off the radar or maybe that should be algorithm on my feed. That is until yesterday. He had written on his substack and I just happened to catch it. Or was it a just happened occasion? https://bezner.substack.com/p/gratitude-is-transformative

As most of my fourteen readers know, I resigned teaching Sunday School at the end of summer. First, it was a leave of absence and after a few crucial heart related appointments by summers end, I knew it was a reality. I had a choice to make. Like Steve B, cause you know we are now internet pals, wrote of his heart being attacked by a virus when he was 24. Me too! Except I was 54 and got strep two times one winter and the virus went to the weakest muscle, my heart. He writes about cardiologist appointments through the years until the one in 2024. He had to make a choice of his family or his job. Doing what he loved ended abruptly. There is the process and each one of us process life differently but it comes to this point he makes, gratitude is transformative. No matter the individual processing.  "But I am not sad because I am thankful."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      So, here is where I find myself but only my experience is a little different from his. Once I quit I have never looked back. I was shocked not to miss teaching but began to experience such a sense of well being and freedom. Roy and I did very few daytrips because of various factors, but mainly because of the precautions I had to take until the flutter was corrected as well as BP. But the time...it has been full of wonder as well as hard work. 

I loved teaching Sunday School and I love my friends in The Joy Class. I am so thankful for that experience and to follow such a beloved teacher like Gale Murray. Over those years my study style evolved and in turn I gained more love for the scripture. Almost like back to those early days in college and early marriage when you gots to love the Word to make it through difficult times. This summer and fall gave me time and less stress to take advantage of that window of opportunity. The wisdom of Dr. Seger is not forgotten, you do well when you stay in the parameters. Oh, the other thing he said was, after asking what stressed me out and I said my hair. He patted my back and said hair isn't worth dying for. He's right and I've made the necessary adjustments. Through these years several have said, well now that you are doing better you can do______. Nope, I'll just have to re-work everything if I go back living, eating, well, just stuff that needs to be reworked and redesigned. I'll continue the straight and narrow. 

The years at Newfound for the most part were good and it was just the landing spot I needed when I first got to WNC. Making friends and participating in things was a balm to my soul. It was a good place to learn small, rural church life after coming from a large city church. Our former pastor gave the church a lot to overcome with yet more work to be done. I think everyone involved in those years from both sides might agree, it wasn't a good fit. Then Covid gave the opening for some to leave. Then a trickle process of losing members here and there. A big heart of kindness and joy at the church either moved or died. Those six and a half years were tiresome and made one weary. We stopped attending Christmas Eve services cause frankly, he was just too depressing. The music he picked was the slow paced, not that I don't love a slow Christmas song, but none of those happy and joyous Christmas songs for us. If we sang The Bleak Mid-Winter, I would have had to call CourtneyS. Not a Christmas sermon but just a regular one, he said don't approach the Bible with wonder because you might get disappointed if nothing doesn't jump out for you. What??? The wonder of God's Word, the wonder that God would send His Son for our sins, the wonder of living life to all it can be, the wonder of happy marriages and treasured friendships. I will takes my chances with the wonder approach and the reverence for God's Word verses any of the other approaches. But it looks like their new church they went to is a good fit for them and that makes me happy. It also looks like Newfound has called a pastor is a good fit for them. As for us, we have found a church that is a good fit for us as well.  

A life of gratitude makes us WHOLE, overwhelms us with LOVE, and moves us to LIVE generous lives. Erwin McManus, Stand Against the Wind.