Archive by Author

Onigiri and the Like

6 May

Jacob gives us a recap of his activity in Japan. Be sure to visit his blog for more frequent updates~Onisha

jnightlight

SO TASTY ART This was our glorious platter, from which we created art

Alright, it’s been a busy week, so there’s gonna be some recap here. It starts last weekend, when Friday finally came and I decided to go to an Onigiri party that some club at school was hosting. After classes (Of which I have one, first period on Friday morning) I had nothing to do until 6 PM that night. Daniel and I were in a similar boat, so we decided to explore because why the heck not.

So after meeting with my Nihongo Partner and having an awkwardly quiet lunch with her friends, we headed out into the wild world. To be fair, the lunch was mostly silent due to my misunderstanding of Japanese, which was evidenced by one of my greetings. When she introduced me to her first friend, she said “Hajimemashite” (はじめまして), which means “Nice to meet you”…

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A Time To Be Alone

5 May

Kitty

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Bill got to the airport by 6:00 a. m. We talked all the way there so the forty-five minute trip went quickly. I have been encouraging his sixteen-day trip because I want him to feel free to do what he wants to do, just as he encourages me. But on the way, I let him know that I wished he wouldn’t go for so long. He said he wouldn’t always; he thought about ten days would be good in future. I think so too, though I must admit I am looking forward to being alone, but not alone during this time.

Being seventy-five and seventy-six, and having been married fifty-six years—being first-born perfectionist, control-freaks requires a lot of discussion, and a great deal of give and take. Brush fires flare, but are soon snuffed out by love and forgiveness. Above all we know how blessed we are to have had each other and our family for all these years without any major disasters. But still…we’re both independent and we both like things to go our way. It’s the little things.

After I got home I spent time with my journal, reheated the coffee I took along, had an egg and toast and went back to bed for an hour. The first thing I did when I got up was to take all Bill’s pills off the dining room table and put them in his room out of my way. I set up my book prop and a couple of books as a reading station for meals, moved the large rug in the studio to a spot I like, and started a new shopping list. Some things I want to buy myself but he’s so efficient at taking the list and going to the store that I find them delivered before I even go out. What I want right now and have been wanting for a long time is a new kitty litter scoop, chosen by me. See what I mean about it being the little things?

I had to laugh when I sat down at the computer. There are a few things that bug Bill no end, so he left me this:

DiVoran—Please use this checklist while I am gone-Thanks.

  1. Lock all doors at bedtime.
  2. Lock all doors when you go for your walk.
  3. Turn off the water after you water your plants &flowers.
  4. Make sure refrigerator door is closed before you go to bed at night.
  5. Take out the trash on Friday mornings-No recycle until I get back.
  6. Turn off coffee-tea makers & cup warmers before bedtime. (I guess that means I’m allowed to forget and leave them on all day.)

Love ya,

Bill

So for two whole weeks now we are free. He will drive, drive, drive in the deserts and mountains of the Southwest and I will write, write, write in my comfortable house that I love.

Ecclesiastes three is a popular chapter and I use it a lot. I believe there is a time for everything. I like it that in our marriage there is a time to be together and a time to be alone. I’m glad also that there is more time together than alone and that we still have each other after all these years.

1 wedding

 

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Do You Know the Way

2 May

From My Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

 

 

 

 

The Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early

in his career when he arrived in a small town to

preach a sermon.  Wanting to mail a letter, he

asked a young boy where the post office was.

When the boy told him, Reverend Graham thanked

him and said, “If you come to the Baptist Church

this evening you can hear me tell everyone how

to get to Heaven.”

“I don’t think I’ll be there” the boy replied.  “You don’teven know your way to

the post office”.

 

“JESUS IS THE WAY”

When things go wrong, as they often do,
and I am feeling low-
experience has shown me that Christ is the answer.
It is to Him that I go!

God has not promised skies always blue-
but on His faithfulness you can depend.
He said He will never leave or forsake you.
His mercy has no end!

When your load is heavy,
and you are feeling blue-
Look up, my friend.
There is help for you.

Jesus is waiting with a father’s love
His help and strength to give.
You have only to call on Him-
You will truly start to live!!

How do I know this?
Experience has been a great teacher
I have put God’s word to the test-
He said, “Come unto Me, all ye who are weary
and I will give you rest,”

Remember the secret of a wise young man
who would become king.
“David strengthened himself in the Lord, his God”
(1 Samuel 30:6)

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A New Writing Tips Book for Authors

1 May

In April, I had the opportunity to proofread 52 Weeks of Writing Tips by author and editor Bob Nailor. I was impressed with the subjects covered and the brief, concise manner. In my review I called it a “total package” Since Elyse Salpeter is a fine writer and author herself, I decided to reblog her rather than write my own post since I have company coming and if you live in the south, you know those are exciting words!

Elyse Salpeter

52weeks You know that saying “You can never stop learning?” It’s true. I always feel like I have something to improve upon. I love writing, but I’m privy to committing a lot of cardinal sins. It’s one of the reasons I desperately need an editor (and she points out every single one of those little buggers to me, too!)

I’ll be honest here – I’ve never been one to read long books about the craft of writing. Maybe it’s my attention span, maybe it’s my fantastical imagination, but I can never get into them. For me, the best way to learn the craft is in pieces at a time. That’s where author Bob Nailor comes in. He has been writing a special blog, featuring author writing tips, every week for over a year. He tackles one subject at a time, in small, manageable segments that are filled with examples and easy…

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A Memorable Trip Across the Desert~Part 2

30 Apr

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Bill

So we headed down the road, as fast as the old flathead “V8” would take the Mercury, and safely pull the trailer, all the time watching the temperature gage closely. If we didn’t come to a “Trading Post/Filling Station” before the temperature gage reached “Hot”, we would pull over and pour the two bags of water into the radiator and take off again. Somehow, we managed to limp from station to station, across the remaining (?) miles of desert and into Albuquerque the next afternoon. I didn’t have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel that night. Whew! Was that ever a stressful trip! Wouldn’t you know it, our friend Leon, thinking we would get into Albuquerque in plenty of time for some rest, had set us up to attend a New Year’s Eve party that evening. Remember, we had not had any sleep for over 30 hours. But, we got cleaned up, left the Mercury dripping in DiVoran’s folks’ driveway and went to the party in Leon’s can. DiVoran’s aunt commented as we walked out the door to our last party for a long time, “Oh, I’m so glad I’m not young anymore.” We managed to stay awake until midnight, and had a great time, but then we slept until almost noon before DiVoran’s dad, Ivan, woke us.

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 That afternoon, after a diligent search for an open auto parts store, Ivan helped me replace the leaking water pump. We added antifreeze to the cooling system since the temperature was below freezing in Albuquerque at night. After I drove the Mercury around several blocks to make sure everything was working right, we discovered the antifreeze had eaten thru the seals in the second water pump, and we had to drain the system and replace that pump too. That finally took care of the water pump problem, and we installed the proper thermostats so DiVoran would have a working heater during the winter.

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The rest of my leave was spent having a great visit with my folks, my aunt Jessie and Granny. DiVoran and I had a T-bone steak dinner with all the trimmings at our favorite “Mom & Pop “ restaurant down town, and a superb lobster dinner at our favorite seafood restaurant uptown in the Nob Hill area. When my leave was up, I said goodbye to friends and family, left DiVoran with her folks and took the train back to San Diego and my ship. That was a lonely trip, but as usual the U.S. Navy found lots of things to keep me busy for the next eight months.

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When I look back at some of the things we did as “Young Adults”, it’s hard to believe we had the nerve to strike out on adventures like that, thinking nothing of the possible challenges we might come up against. Oh well, that was back when we were all young and indestructible. Remember those times? Back in the “Good Old Days?”

 

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Ah………Springtime

27 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

I  have a hard time deciding which is my favorite season of the year. I really love Spring. All the trees leafing out……..those with blossoms..blossoming …..all the flowers popping up their heads, full of color and fragrance. Just knowing the earth is coming back to life. The temperatures are mild with very low humidity – I really like that, since I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the humidity is practically non-existent. There are so many days here where we can open up the windows and doors and let all that fresh air flow through the house.

However, I also enjoy the Fall. Here in Florida, Fall seems to take a bit longer than in other places, but it does get here eventually. Once again, the humidity takes a dip, we can open up the house, and the living is great. I almost enjoy Fall more than Spring, simply because I know it will be months and months before the humidity hits us in the face again.

But Spring brings its own neat stuff. One of our favorite things to do – especially at Disney and especially at EPCOT, is to be on the lookout for new baby ducks. We’ve seen them swimming in the ponds quite often, so we look there. Occasionally we see them following-the-leader (momma duck) along some of the walkways.

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They are just so CUTE! Just the other day we saw cars stopped along the roadway, to let the momma duck and her little ducklings make it safely across the street. So I guess we aren’t the only ones who enjoy that sight.

 

We were at SeaWorld recently, and we saw three sets of Spoonbill wading birds in their respective nests in one tree. We assumed there were either eggs or newly hatched babies in the nests, but the nests were too high in the tree for us to see.

Another favorite thing is for us to see the Sandhill Cranes with their babies. Those little fuzzballs really aren’t so little! And we especially get excited when we see mom, dad, and TWIN fuzzballs! Adorable!

As I said, Springtime is just the time for the earth – and life – to come back into its own. It’s such a joy to watch.

They (Your blessings) are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23

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Overcoming Fear of Snakes

26 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Janet

04-25-14 lizardI’m a rare bird. I’m not afraid of snakes, not really. Could it be that I don’t see them?

The other day this was put to the test. My 6-year-old granddaughter jumped on my lap. “Nana! There is a huge lizard on the carpet.”

Huge lizard? She likes lizards and she usually guides my hand to grab them by the tail (catching them happens to be a common thing in Florida).  But this “huge” lizard might in reality be a snake.

So what does a logical, collected and calm blind Nana do? I grabbed my most effective and best weapon—a broom. “Quick, honey. Guide Nana to the place you see it and I’ll sweep it away.”

After many diligent but futile efforts of chasing that reptile under the toy box, under the clothes hamper, inside the closet, we gave up.

Not knowing where it would appear next, peace for the day slithered out, too.

You’ve been there, haven’t you? Life is going along fine and then suddenly something appears unwanted, unexpected.

-Read more of Janet’s encouraging message  at: http://www.janetperezeckles.com/overcoming-fear-of-snakes/#sthash.cZS4KpdS.dpuf

His Way

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

My website in English

En Español

My story (video)

Inspirational video  just for you.

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The Touch of the Master’s Hand

25 Apr

From My Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

 

 

 

I wasn’t designed to be you,
nor you to be like me.
Isn’t that refreshing?
We are designed for eternity.

 

Our gifts from God
are to help our fellow man.
When you see a need-
supply it the best you can.

 

The following poem by Myra B. Welch
depicts it so beautifully.

 

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

“Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks”, he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar.” then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll maker it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three”…But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow:
Then wiping the dust from the old violin.
and tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

 

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice:
And going and gone”, said he.

 

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand.
What changed it’s worth?” Swift came the reply.
“The touch of a master’s hand.”

 

And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd-
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of potage”, a glass of wine:
A game–and he travels on.
He is “going” once, and “going” twice,
He’s ” going” and almost “gone”.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.

Myra B. Welch

 

jesus hands

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A Memorable Trip Across The Desert~ Part 1

23 Apr

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Bill

 

 

Our last day in San Diego was December 30, 1957. DiVoran and I were in our shorts and tee shirts loading a 4’x 6’ trailer and our 1950 Mercury Sedan with everything we owned. As usual, I had waited until the last minute to finish the last of the packing and we were working up a sweat trying to get on the road before dark. A thick fog rolled in around 5:00 PM, which made for eerie working conditions. As it turned out, it was almost midnight before we left San Diego, headed for “Route 66” and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The U.S. Navy had given me ten days leave before I was to ship out for Japan, and I was taking DiVoran to live with her parents, and attend beauty school while I was gone.1                                               

The first few hours passed without a hitch, but as we got into the Arizona Mountains, the outside temperature became frigid and the temperature gage in the car crept over toward the “Cold” peg. Evidently, the previous owner of our Mercury had removed the thermostats from the cooling system, and I didn’t know it. Guess what?   No heater. We started covering up with everything we could lay our hands on, but were still freezing cold. As we entered the desert, on the eastern side of the mountains, I noticed the temperature gage had started moving off the “Cold” peg, and was slowly climbing toward “Normal”. That was not a good indication. That’s when I started looking for one of the many “Trading Post/Filling Stations” that were spaced at intervals along Route 66 back in those days.

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Lucky for us, we came upon a “Filling Station” just before the needle reached the “Hot” peg. We stopped to see what the problem was, but the station was closed. We were on our own. Here we were out in the middle of the desert; it was pitch dark, and we hadn’t seen a car on the road (going either way) for miles, and now, no mechanic to help diagnose the problem. Did I mention it was freezing cold?   Well, once I lifted the hood, it didn’t take long to figure

out what was wrong. One of the two water pumps had sprung a leak. What could we do?

The station had a water hose that we used to fill the radiator, and we always carried two full “emergency” water bags slung over the front bumper.

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—–To Be Continued—–

 

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100 Years and Counting….

22 Apr
Today we are pleased to have our friend Patricia Franklin on Old Things R New. It is so good to have her back for the day~Onisha
Patricia Franklin
A Few Thoughts 

Easter Morning!  I’m sitting here in my backyard contemplating and marveling at the meaning of Easter and realizing He really does make all things new! 
There is new growth on my rose bushes. The new blossoms are out on the tree and a brand new baby squirrel explores the branches and discovers the delicate new growth and enjoys the sweet taste for the very first time. There are new blossoms on the strawberries in the garden and plenty of new weeds and dandelions that popped out since our much needed wet spring snow of two days ago. 
But I have been impatiently waiting  to see if our 100 + year old plant will grow this year in our garden. We brought this plant several years ago from the old family home and transplanted it here.  It was very sparse last year, and we were not sure it would make it another year.  Yesterday, I spotted little dark green leaves coming up in the garden spot. Was that the beginning of this special plant, or just another weed taking over the area?
This morning after greeting the newly risen Christ at church, I hurried home and ran to the garden spot to search again for the new life of the plant.  Lo and behold, three strong green leaves were open and reaching for the sun (Son) !!  It is not a weed, it is the 100 year old plant…. alive and well!  I realize again, He really does make all things new on this Day of Days!  Praise God!

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