Archive by Author

August Bazaar Adventure: Shopping and Memories

7 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

August has kicked July to the curb. In a way, i am glad that August is here. Our daughter will be coming for a visit soon and we are looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to spoiling our granddog, Ollie.

Each year one of our local Methodist churches holds an enormous rummage sale. Except they call it a Bazaar. Whatever the name, it is a huge event held at the fairgrounds. It takes them a week to set up in the covered buildings.

This is a two day event, Friday and Saturday. My husband and I got an early start for us, we were there by 11:00 am. Thankfully, handicap parking was provided along with volunteers pointing out empty spaces. Otherwise we would have needed to park a fairly long way from the event and my husband wouldn’t have been able to handle to walk.

Once inside the buildings, my husband headed toward “man” things and I went straight to my favorite area, the kitchen and dining wares. I must give them kudos on their organizing skills. Every section has volunteers and a check out station.

I sorted through a collection of sharp knives. In the past, I have found my favorite brand of kitchen knife, Rada. I was in luck and found one and it was only 25 cents. Next I moved to the table with plastic items. At previous bazaars I have picked up pieces of Tupperware in great condition. I did find a very nice orange round canister but it was $8.00 and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t think what I would use it for. But then, I spied this interesting green container. I examined it and discovered it was a Tupperware piece I had never seen. I had to have it. It cost me a whole dollar. I haven’t found a use for it, but I am sure I will. If you know what it is, let me know!

My husband joined me in kitchen ware. A few days previous he mentioned he was looking for a small stainless bowl to use in his shop. I told him the bazaar was sure to have one. In fact he found two for the grand sum of $3.00.

He also found an item in the electronics he was considering purchasing. He was hesitant because the volunteers had told us that Saturday everything would be half off. I urged him to buy now as it wasn’t expensive and it was something needed.

Speaking about the half price sale on Saturday, I had found two ice cream makers, each marked $35.00. I didn’t need one, but it would be nice to have a spare. My husband and I decided to return for the Saturday half off. There was an item in electronics he was interested in and I would get an ice cream maker.

We didn’t linger among the other areas. The facility is not air conditioned. The heat plus the wall to wall people was a bit much for us, but it was good to see the excellent turnout. The proceeds are used to fund missions

We were later arriving at the bazaar on Saturday, not realizing the sale ended at 1:00 pm. We arrived around noon. Which was a bad thing but also a good one. So much had been sold! The volunteers were closing out their areas. The item my husband was hoping to buy was gone and the ice cream freezers were sold. But…the round orange Tupperware canister from the previous day was still there. When I picked it up to look it over, the volunteer said I could have it for 25 cents. Sold!

At home, I left the canister out for several days while my mind pondered its use. Then I remembered my aunt Geroleen. She keeps her coffee filters in a specially designed container that has a small tool with a rubbery end. No trying to separate the filters, the tool does it.

I remembered that I have a bar eraser. I cut a small amount of the eraser off and stuck a sturdy toothpick into it. It worked like a charm. Then it didn’t. The eraser I used was a white one and it crumbled. I’ll try a regular eraser next.

As I put the container into the cabinet with the canister I keep coffee grounds, I smiled as I realized the two canisters were meant to be together. Just like in the 70s. Did any of you own these pieces?

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Finding Hope and Purpose in Everyday Life

17 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

My friend and blogger sister, DiVoran sends a daily email that she calls a blogette, to her friends. . She shares encouraging words with us that she has found in her in her reading and devotional time. Almost always she includes a video from You Tube.

I especially loved this one.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Prov:19:21

I can totally relate to the verse above. I am learning to hold loosely the plans I make.

Though you may stumble, you will not fall, for the Lord upholds you with His hand.

Ps.37:24

Oh how often I stumble quite literally and in trusting God. So thankful for the promise of my hand being held up by my Lord.

Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.

Job 11:18

So much chaos across the globe. So much division. I find myself wanting to withdraw from it all. Thankful that I love our God of hope. My hope comes from Him.He gives me courage.

The video of the children singing reminded me of my childhood at their age. I loved to sing and I really belted it out. I’m pretty sure it was more like shouting . Thinking back, I don’t remember my parents ever chastising me for being a loud singer.

As i look at these joyful singers, I wonder about their future. Will they remember that they once sang loudly ad joyfully about the coming of the king? Or will life trials dilute their fervor and discourage them? I pray that the words of the songs are planted firmly in their young hearts, as they were for me.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

When Months Fly

10 Jul

VaOn the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I’m not sure where the month of June went.

Photo credit : WordPress A.I.

Last I remember, it was May and our beach vacation at Myrtle Beach was ending. We were packing our car, but not to continue with our plans to drive north into North Carolina to visit family east of Raleigh.

The previous morning we received a phone call from our daughter in Florida, that she had been to the emergency room most of the night with chest pains and other symptoms of a heart attach. Praises to God, it wasn’t a heart attack.

My husband and I decided to not make an impulsive decision about our travel plans, ontinuing as planned or change them to check on our girl. We had made plans for a family get together and our cousins were looking forward to our visit, as we were.

We prayed for guidance during the day, then in the evening we shared our thoughts and feelings. We would be driving to Florida in the morning.

We spent a week in Florida. Our daughter was ok, but feeling extremely tired. I’m fairly certain she would have skipped suppers without some help getting the meals together.

Her Rose of Sharon bushes were in full bloom while we were there. I was hoping the Amaryllis would be blooming, but it was not to be. They bloom to their own timetable.

We were able to have dinner with our friends, DiVoran and Bill during that week and a lunch with another friend. And, of course, I got to spend time with my grand dog,

Back at home, reality came swiftly. When we headed to the beach we were in the middle of our mice wars and had emptied all closets, looking for mouse signs. Now it was time to “pay the piper” and put everything back,

Photo credit : WordPress A.I.

The chaos in our bedrooms was not this bad, but when we looked at our mess, it felt like the picture!

And then the month of June happened and suddenly it is almost mid July.

Photo credit : WordPress A.I.

Does anyone remember the television soap opera that opened each episode with this

“Life sands in an hour glass, so goes the Days of our Lives?” Well I can tell you, our hour glass is on steroids.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Escape from the Mice.

13 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I mentioned last week that we were blessed with an unexpected beach vacation opportunity.

This came about while we were in the midst of the mice debacle. I was determined that the pesky mice would not deter us from the beach. Besides that we were experiencing mice fatigue.

How the vacation came about.

At the end of April, a friend texted and asked if we would like to join them for a week at a condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ironically, I had just been looking at the calendar and was pleased to see that we had an entire month with no doctor appointments. (If you are old, you know)

I told here we were available and she gave me the details.

Her friend had booked the condo but decided after the cancellation date to not use it. She offered the unit to my friend and since it had two bedrooms she invited us to spend the week with them.

We were still dealing with the mice invasion, our closets were emptied and the contents scattered. I debated for about 5 seconds whether we should go or stay and root out the vermin. We set out traps, packed our suitcase and left.

The condo was on the beach and we had a lovely beach view by day, and the lights at the pool area were beautiful and soothing in the evening;

Morning coffee on the balcony was a perfect start to the day. We spent time in the evenings chatting on the balcony while the men were glued to their devices.

One day we ventured out to find a seafood restaurant a friend had suggested in Murrell’s Inlet south of Myrtle Beach. I had looked them up online and their menu was enticing and the prices weren’t awful. Trusting the GPS we drove south. We weren’t sure what the restaurant looked like and we almost passed it by.

The food was delicious, each of us chose something different. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and ordered shrimp quesadillas. I was not disappointed. It was delicious!

Another day we visited a shopping and amusement area, Broadway at the Beach. It is laid out around a body of water and to walk around it is two miles. Fortunately motor scooter rentals were available and each of the men rented one. We women walked with a few rest stops. I was proud of us.

My husband loves hats and he enjoyed browsing but he didn’t buy anything. My friend adores purple and there was a purple shop. It was fun to see the variety, everything purple. Of course I had to browse the candy store.

There were a lot of shops to browse and Interesting restaurants. I wanted to have lunch at the Grumpy Monk, but the others weren’t enthusiastic about it.

On check out morning, we weren’t able to score a luggage cart. But the resort had very sturdy shopping carts and my husband grabbed one. It worked really well. Steered better than a luggage cart too.

It was a laid back beach week and exactly what we needed.

We had made plans to go from Myrtle Beach to visit with family in North Carolina.

But plans can change in a moment. A phone call from our daughter in Florida sent us driving south rather than north. More on that next time.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Unexpected Visitors: Mice

5 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I planned to post a blog last week, but became caught up in dealing with one and maybe more unpleasant visitors…mice. And they were hanging out in my walk in closet.

We had these unwanted visitors in the past but thought that we had foamed any possible entry.

Needless to say I was horrified when I opened my closet door and found what looked like shelled peanuts on the floor. I slammed the closet door, yelling for my husband.

I thought it was peanuts because I keep extra non perishable items in a heavy duty storage tote in my closet. Turns out it wasn’t peanuts but a package of dried beans. The horrid creature had chewed a hole in the storage tote and feasted on the beans. I still can’t wrap my mind about something so small chewing that hole.

I wonder if the beans gave them gas.

As we cleaned up the mess we checked the whole closet, pulling out everything. It was exhausting. Along with the mess we discovered that the wretch had damaged two sweaters, one that was my mothers and a favorite one of mine. My husband said the vermin was trying to nest.

That idea sent me into “the vapors’ or it would have if I were a Victorian lady.

We also cleared out two other closets. Thankfully there were no signs in them.

We put out traps and sticky pads and captured two of them. We haven’t seen any new activity for several days, but I still search my closet several times a day.

I am so over the mice. Any tips for mice destruction appreciated.

On a more pleasant note, I am enjoying the changes in the landscape.

In winter, our yard is stark and open, with bare trees silhouettes against the sky. Their leafless branches reveal the road and neighboring houses in full view.

Come summer, the trees transform, their branches heavy with lush, green foliage that weaves a a verdant curtain and closes off the outside world. It shrouds the yard in privacy, the road and houses vanish from sight.

Time to get the lawn mower going!

May is my favorite month in the mountains, that is when the peonies bloom. They are my favorite flower.

I also have a beautiful reddish Peony plant but it bloomed while we were on an unexpected vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. More on that next time.

Last year’s blooms

We aren’t great at growing annuals in the clay soil here. Pots and hanging baskets fulfill my desire for lots of blooms with out the failures. This is my favorite flowering basket. It doesn’t tolerate cold so it “winters” in Florida with us. This may be its final summer here in the mountains as it has become too bulky to easily travel.

Don’t forget, if you have any tips for ousting the mice, please leave it in comments.

I’ll close this post with a picture of granddad Ollie. Our daughter and Ollie came to visit in April.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Living Water for a Weary Soul: Finding Strength in God Through Life’s Troubles.

24 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged from JanetPerezEckles.com

A bit embarrassed to admit this, but I’m hoping you did the same at one time. After I washed my hands in the small but luxurious bathroom in the cruise ship, I was super impressed with the soap that left my hands incredibly soft and smooth.

So, like any silly Chica would do, as we packed to leave the ship, I wrapped the left-over piece of soap and stuck it in my bag. Why let that great soap go to waste, right?

Got home, washed my hands with that amazing soap. But to my disappointment my hands weren’t soft, but dry as they are when using any cheap soap. Hate to admit my silliness—my hands were soft on the ship, not because of the soap, but because of the soft water that flowed through the ship’s pipes.

That mistake was way too familiar.

Before I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus, I used the soap of deception—believing that the religious rituals I followed would gain me God’s approval. What I accomplished would please Him, and I believed my own desires were His too.

None of the above softened the blow when heartache, hardship, and devastation crashed into my life. After a sea of tears, Jesus became the captain of my life. The relationship with Him became my anchor. The gentle fountain of living water softened my heart and washed my pain away.

In the pain of your own life, His living water will quench the aching of your soul. His guidance will help you sail through the storms, and the power of these truths will keep your life hydrated with comfort and reassurance:

  • You’ll know where your help comes from. “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
  • When trouble strikes, count on his help. “God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
  • Similar to Paul, in your weakness, He’s working. And in Your insecurities, His power is active. “‘…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (Philippians 4:19)
  • Those around you may fail you and the world disappoint you, “…but God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

Jesus said he’s the living water. If you drink of it, you’ll never thirst. You’ll never hunger for fulfillment, for joy, security, or hope. Go ahead, toss out that soap of deception and allow the freshness of His living water to revive your soul.

Let’s Pray

Father, how often I had given credit to things of this world. But it’s You, Your grace, love, and faithfulness that washes the effects of adversity.

In Jesus name, Amen!

How will you allow God’s living water wash away your troubles?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Would you like to invite Janet to speak at your next event? Contact her here.

To view Janet’s speaking demo video, watch here.

Check out Janet on the cover of the 2025 February issue of Woman of Faith Magazine! To read the full issue, visit their site here.

Read Janet’s latest award-winning book, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy. Your copy waits for you here.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Previous Posts

Living Water for a Weary Soul: Finding Strength in God Through Life’s Troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles
5/23/2025

In My Darkness, I Saw Love.
Janet Perez Eckles
5/9/2025

Empowered to Overcome: Three steps to Stand Strong Against the Forces of Evil.
Janet Perez Eckles
4/25/2025

Two ways to overcome your fears.
Janet Perez Eckles
4/11/2025

How to Bounce Back Stronger: Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity.
Janet Perez Eckles
3/28/2025

When you possess this, miracles are in the making.
Janet Perez Eckles
3/14/2025

Hope always arrives.
Janet Perez Eckles
2/28/2025

Finding true love to ease the loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles
2/14/2025

What to do when feeling overwhelmed.
Janet Perez Eckles
1/31/2025

How to see God’s way out of our troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles
1/17/2025

Tags: , , , , , ,

Mother/Daughter Adventure Part 2

22 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Last week I wrote about our stop at Helen, Georgia on our way to visit Dahlonega, Georgia.

We visited Dahlonega briefly last winter and our daughter wanted to spend some time there exploring the shops and explore we did! I think we went into almost everyone. Sadly, I didn’t snap any photos.

After walking all over the downtown area we began looking for a place to get a bite to eat. I had spotted a British pub earlier and suggested we try it. Then my daughter opened the door and revealed a straight up long staircase. That was a hard no.

We walked on and came upon a cafe/diner. For the life of me I can’t remember the name. We both ordered the tomato basil soup combo. The soup was delicious. My daughter’s combo included a salad with fruit. I chose a bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich with their homemade pimento cheese. I am a sucker for pimento cheese.

We had one more destination. A practical one. I needed a new pair of glasses and after using Grok to compare price and quality I chose Costco Warehouse. The down side was that the closest one was two hours from our home. But…it was only about 30 minutes from Dahlonega.

I needed new glasses for a couple of reasons. They were about three years old and pretty well worn out. They frames were constantly needing to be adjusted so that the progressive lens were in the right place. The other reason is a good one. At my last ophthalmologist visit the doctor casually mentioned as he walked out of the exam room that my vision seemed to have approved.

I set up an appointment with my favorite optometrist for an exam. To his surprise my vision truly was improved.

We retrieved our car from the pay by the hour parking lot and navigated to Cumming, Georgia and Costco.

I should mention that Costco Warehouse operates on a membership basis. We have a membership which is why I included the warehouse in my search criteria.

We were blessed to secure a good parking space. Parking can be a major pain there. To my delight, the optical department was located almost directly inside the warehouse.

I totally dislike choosing new eyeglass frames. I put myself in my daughters hands and said “choose a frame.” And she did. Since I already had a vision prescription we found a sales associate, paid and was told the glasses would be ready in a week. Easy-peasy. Or as I like to say, Bob’s your uncle.

The drive home wasn’t nearly as pleasant with rush hour traffic but it didn’t matter. I was with our girl and that is always a good day.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

A Mother/Daughter Adventure Part 1

15 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

As usual, I am blown away by how quickly days and weeks fly by. My last blog was written in early April when we returned to the North Carolina mountains for the summer.

For years we rented a duplex cabin owned by our Florida neighbor. We usually were the first renters of the season and my husband would mow a path from the car to the house for us to unload. While our home doesn’t require mowing to unload the car, mowing the grass first thing has become my husband’s ritual. This year several days of rain delayed him and the yard was sporting the shaggy look.

My husband started the Japanese Maple as a small twig.

Aside from de-winterizing the house we began the carousel of doctor visits, round and round from one doctor to another.

Just as we were finishing the doctor rounds, our daughter arrived for a week’s visit. On her last trip to the mountains, we celebrated her birthday with a day trip to Dahlonega, Georgia. It’s claim to fame is the site of the first major US Gold Rush. People to this day go there to pan for gold. I think it might be more of a lark than real expectations.

On her birthday trip, the weather alternated between mist and rain. We enjoyed a meal at Smith House, but chose not to slog through rain to check out the rest of the town.

She was eager to visit Dahlonega again to explore the town and its quaint shops. Her dad didn’t feel up to the amount of walking that exploring would require, so we declared it a mother/daughter adventure.

As we were looking at the map app to decide on the best route for a two hour drive, we were delighted to realize that Helen, Georgia, was in the same area. We added it to our trip.

It has been years since we spent time there. Then the town was styled as a small Alpine village.The small village has grown tremendously. The original area is still there but now it has sprouted, with hotels everywhere. Unfortunately it didn’t expand public parking. We drove slowly looking for a parking place, and finally found several spaces at the Helen General Store.

I’m so glad we ended up at the general store. It had everything one could want except clothes including an impressive grocery section, a butcher case, a mini kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Their selection of cake slices and muffins was enticing. We chose to share a Hummingbird cupcake and one of their enormous peanut butter cookies. The cookie was the perfect texture for dunking into the excellent self serve one dollar a cup coffee.

When we went to the front check out counter to pay for our purchases, I was fascinated with this wheel of cheese sitting on a cutting board.

I’ve run out of time to write about our time in Dahlonega. Until next time….

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Indeed

20 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 

Photo credit: Word Press

 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

Photo Credit: Grok A.I.

  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.

 And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. 

He is risen indeed

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

My Two Minute Drill

10 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

We spent last week packing up for our return to the mountains. Our winter in Florida sped by and we enjoyed catching up with long time friends. There is something comfortable and warm being able to pick up the threads of friendship. Of course, we keep it touch over the summer but in person complete with hugs is priceless.

The Florida winter weather was delightful with cool nights and mild days. We savored it. The last two weeks we were there, warmer weather moved in and we knew it was time to return to the mountains. The day we left, it was a beautiful . The sky so blue and clear.

I am continually amazed that a mere 600 miles can make such a difference in the seasons. Florida was wrapped in full green when we left.

Spring is my favorite season in the mountains. I marvel each year at the appearance of tender green leaves on the trees. Our hydrangea bushes are sporting green shoots and I am joyfully awaiting the blooms.

Our front yard.

Our grass (weeds) is in need of a good mowing but we’ve had several rainstorms this week and the clay soil is mucky.

We made a grocery run into town and signs of spring were everywhere.

After the warm Florida temperatures, the cold mornings in the mountains are making me reluctant to leave the warmth of my comfy bedclothes. I am becoming a big fan of the snooze button on my phone.

To justify my snoozing, I whisper prayers for the day. Always I pray for Israel and the surrounding countries. It is such a mess and beyond my understanding. Then other concerns float into my consciousness.

This morning I snoozed until I only had two minutes before I needed to move it. This particular morning, I wanted to pray differently. I felt a prompt in my spirit, “pray for the lost.” Not for a specific person, but for those who need Jesus across the globe.

The times we are living through are chaotic and even frantic. I have watched a lot of football in the past. and as I prayed this morning, I felt as if I was in a two minute drill. No time outs, just execute what has been practiced.

.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →