Archive by Author

Dirty Kale

21 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Breaking news yesterday!  Kale the fabulous super food has been added to a list of shame. Yes, the dirty dozen list of foods with pesticides.

According to a New York Post story,

“It’s kale’s time to move away from the spotlight,” says Food Network host Skyler Bouchard. She says that “anyone who’s into food could tell you that it’s already been on the way down” since its heyday when the green received a shout out on Beyoncé’s sweatshirt in her 2014 music video for “7/11.”

Do people really choose which foods to eat based on a celebrity sweatshirt? I can see being influenced if the sweatshirt sported a picture of  a luscious donut, but for me–never kale!

 

 

Our minds are shockingly easy to program. We see or hear something often enough and without realizing, we gravitate toward it. Just this week I found myself being subliminally programmed by my husband. He enjoys painting ocean (sea) scapes and has been working on perfecting his wave spray. Instructional You Tube videos have been white noise in the house for several days and I have viewed several versions of the painting he is working on. I tell him it looks great and he paints over it. Go figure!  Anyway, back on point, on Monday I chose verses from Philippians 2 for the Facebook post I create for our church. After I posted it,  I realized why I chose that particular photo.

 

I am hoping the husband doesn’t figure out how easily I can be programmed!

Back to the kale. A big shout out to whomever developed the eat more kale marketing plan. it was brilliant. I wonder if the same person is running the  current eat more cauliflower campaign or more likely, they are lolling on a sunny beach somewhere, drinking adult beverages and laughing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a winnerAfter 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.

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Joy With No Expectations

19 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

 

 

 

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Seeking Peace-Give to Others What I Seek

15 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Regardless of the religion or philosophy, one premise seems to be consistent: You receive what you give. As an opinionated person, I find it hard to only speak words of peace. I’m not fond of the “every thing is beautiful and perfect” people, because that simply is not real. Life is raw.

I do tend to be one of those people who comes up with explanations for why someone acted poorly or unwisely, to see from their perspective and I have found that can be annoying to others. So what is a person, me, supposed to do?

Examine my heart.  As I seek peace does my life reflect it?

 Proverbs 27: 19

As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart

 

 

 

Love: Love in both thoughts and actions is a path to peace.

Joy: Don’t become weary, but remain in joy.

Peace: Peace comes by not giving up on giving.

 

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Not a Fan

14 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Well, I’ve given it 4 days and have come to the definitive conclusion, I DON’T like Daylight Savings Time.  In fact, as far as I am concerned, the science is settled. My friend DiVoran emailed me this cartoon. I loved it.

 

I need dusk and nightfall to alert me that the day is ending. Encroaching shadows nudge me to begin preparing supper and full nightfall signals the end of my day. Fans of DST claim that it gives them more daylight to mow the grass, do other chores or have fun outdoors. That’s great, but once night arrives, you are beat and bedtime looms without the benefit of chill out time.

Since the country does not revolve around me, I guess I will concede to DST with as much grace as I can muster, and enjoy the bright side. Morning daylight won’t disturb my last chance of sweet dreams before the alarm starts my day.

 

 

I'm a winnerAfter 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.

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Completely Satisfying

12 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

AW Tozer had so much wisdom.

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Pleasing God is easier than you think

9 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

My friend and I attended a talent show a few weeks ago. Rumor spread that this would be a great event. Singers filed on the stage displaying their best performance as they chose a song to delight the audience. But deep down, they coveted the first prize.

Great songs, beautiful voices.

But unexpectedly, one of the contestants gripped the mic and began his song. Then he paused, and pulled out a harmonica. With gusto, he slid his lips from side to side creating contagious melodies that made us all sway and tap our feet. Then he followed up with the rest of the song with effusive passion, bringing a glorious ending to his performance.

The crowd jumped to their feet, cheered, whistled, and roared with applause.

Wow! What happened?

Nothing extraordinary—all he did was to take an extra step, do something different, add a special flair, and move beyond the ordinary singing.

You and I know that deep, deep, really deep inside we also want to do that extra special thing in life. That feat in our journey that others would recognize as important, significant, and worth noticing. Maybe not for the masses crowded around us, but maybe just for our simple, personal satisfaction.

But in the audience of life, God is also watching, He’s observing our moves, motives, and desires. And good news…contrary to human expectations, He doesn’t expect us to pull out a harmonica, nor perform extraordinarily to please others

Instead, He wants a simple servant heart, committed and true. In the midst of sorrow, He wants our trust. When answers don’t come, He still longs for us to trust Him. And when life turns dark, He simply wants us to trust in Him for the outcome.

He expects us to…

…love Him, trust and lean on Him. His demands are simple. But we are the ones who make them complicated. We want to reach success, but He wants us to succeed in trusting Him first. We want a nice house, but He wants us to house His promises in our hearts. We want a trouble-free life, but even when trouble abounds, He wants us to delight in the freedom of His ways.

We’re tempted to perform, but He wants us to instead find purpose in Him.

We sweat trying to please, but He doesn’t expect grandeur, just gratitude because His applause is ready when we simply “trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” He calls out the instruction: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart…Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:3-5, 7).

Pray With Me

Father, show me the silent place in your presence. The place where I don’t have to perform, prove anything, or measure my work with the world’s gauge. Grant me contentment while I wait for your next calling. I ask this in the name of your son, Jesus.

Whom are you trying to please these days?

Janet

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Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

 

 

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

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Seeking Peace-Even When the Time Changes

8 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

It seems silly to be disturbed about the upcoming spring forward time change but it annoys me. I am not a morning person. Never have been.

 

 

This moves from annoying to soul-searching as I dig into what really bothers me about spring forward. Since this occurs on a Sunday morning, I have to get up an hour earlier to make it to our 9am Sunday morning class. I’m not sure which pastor decided we should begin meeting at 9am. Didn’t he know that Baptist always begin at 9:45 am?

It comes down to this, Is my hour of sleep more important  to me than gathering in fellowship with my sisters and brothers in Christ? Am I being legalistic  or lazy? And this is where my losing peace comes in.

 

 

Love: God loves me  infinitely even when I don’t want to give up my sleep. I want to show love the way He does. Not there or even close.

Joy: I can choose this Sunday to be grumpy or joyful.  Grumpy isn’t a lot of fun.

Peace: Because I am secure in His love, I can be honest with him.

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Singed Again

7 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. No part of my hand was singed or nicked in the making of these muffins. After my experience on Tuesday with the curling iron, I started off Wednesday by singeing a finger just below the knuckle, on a Belgian waffle maker. This hurt less than the curling iron, but left a blister. Maybe avoiding small electrical appliances would be a safe choice in the future. But then again, maybe not. A couple of years ago I was testing something in the oven and my pointer finger drifted up and touched the oven element. Youza! That burned. I am left handed and my husband is doesn’t like me to use sharp knives because from his right handed point of view, I look like I am going to stab myself.  I very seldom do so but after my electrical injuries, I am going to stay far away from an electric knife!

Wednesday was a perfect Florida Winter day. Loads of sunshine, a brisk breeze and a high around sixty degrees. It has been a warm winter and I didn’t want to waste this glorious day inside.   After my finger singeing we decided to drive up to Daytona to check out Academy Sports, a chain new to our area, although they do have them in Orlando. I would have preferred to go to one of the river parks, stand of the banks with outspread arms like in Titanic and savor the wind. But it would have been chilly

 

 

After strolling through several of the stores at the mall, we had a late lunch at one of our favorite places before driving home.

 

 

 

It was a good day.

 

PS The banana nut muffins are low carb, Keto and the recipe is in the  Keto Gatherings cookbook by Kristie Sullivan. My husband had one after they came out of the oven and gave them two thumbs up.

i almost forgot. Here is the video from last Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

I'm a winnerAfter 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.

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I Am a New Creature

5 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Today was our bi-annual blogger luncheon and I planned to post early until I had a mishap. I’m not big into make up and hair, but for this special occasion, I borrowed my daughter’s curling iron in an attempt to tame my wild hair. Two passes with the curling iron went well. Then I decided to be cautious in handling it. Big mistake. After looking at it carefully, I grabbed the HOT BARREL. Ouch! I flung it down and of course it landed in the sink. Fortunately I had enough sense left to verify there was no water in the basin before quickly unplugging it. I put ice on my hand and ran cold water over it, then I asked my husband to pick some aloe, which I rubbed over it. Looking around the kitchen, I decided to put some colloidal silver on it as well.

The good news is that it did not blister and although I packed a thermal bag with ice for our trip to Orlando and the restaurant, I didn’t need it. I did send up a prayer for healing, so am giving God credit. It truly did hurt for a time. After returning home I spied the curling iron on the vanity and cringed. I think it will be a good while before I attempt using it again. Wild hair rules!

I am blessed with my fellow bloggers who love me, even when my hair is wild and I thank God for them.. And isn’t it great that God doesn’t judge us by our appearance? In him we are a new creature and each day brings more grace and mercy.

 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, all things become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

Let’s walk in the newness of the Spirit!

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Seeking Peace-No Matter What

1 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Every time I read this verse it resonates in my soul.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

—HABAKKUK 3:17–18

Today I was blessed to enjoy a picnic lunch with precious friends at a new park on the river. My happy places always involve water or mountains. There is something elemental in them that calls to me and soothes.

 

Pam and DiVoran
Me and DiVoran

Today the humidity was high and a haze blurred the V.A.B. (Vehicle Assembly Building) that stands proudly across the river at Kennedy Space Center. I love the swings. Tonight this small park will be jammed with locals and out-of-town folks, hoping to witness the first flight of the Space X crew module.

 

UPDATE ON SPACE X Launch:  We got up at 2AM to view from the river. Liftoff was exactly on time, the rumble was a roaring success. Heat lightning flashed behind the rocket, adding drama.  Loved it.

 

 

After lunch  my husband and I drove the road to Playalinda Beach to get photos of the rocket on the pad. The beach road crosses marsh and if you like that sort of thing as I do, it was peaceful and beautiful.

Using zoom lens
Long view

Love- Experiencing the love of friends who accept me with all my flaws and models Christ’s love for me.

Joy- Being rooted and grounded in No Matter What.

Peace- Savoring the beauty that God created in nature and in friends.

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