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Cruise Memories-Part 2

16 Dec

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

At the end one of Cruise Memories Part 1 I mentioned our active social life, meaning doctors, doctors and more doctors.

I had no idea how prophetic that statement would turn out to be. My husband developed pancreatitis which involved three procedures to clear it up.

Additionally, we drove a family member to Duke hospital in Durham, NC, a seven hour drive. Fortunately we were able to spend the night with family before repeating the seven hour drive. That was pretty rough on my husband’s strength. but we were happy to help.

Then we began another round of doctor, I mean social visits.

I am happy to say that we have ten whole days with no doctor appointments. And so, I give you, Cruise Memories Part 2

The final day of the cruise was a sea day. My plans for the day involved a trip to the Quiet Cove coffee bar and a lazy day of reading. The daughter had another idea. The Diaper Dash.

I’ve seen the race on the daily activity schedule on other cruises but it didn’t interest me. But hey, if my daughter wanted me to watch it with her, I was in. She promised it would be fun.

The race is held in the ship’s atrium. A specially made race mat is rolled out on the floor for the baby competition.

Point of order, Diaper Dash is the previous name of the event. It has since been “rebranded” but for the life of me, I can’t remember the new name.

As we waited for the event, I was stunned at the size of the gathering spectators.

The event even had an emcee who introduced each competitor complete with funny descriptions of their strengths as well as leading the cheering for the babies.

I hope the video above plays. The babies and their parents are so darn cute. I am now a Diaper Dash fan.

That evening we were treated to fireworks at sea. The fireworks were preceded by a deck party with lots of music. A crush of people went to the upper deck early to get a good viewing place. We didn’t want to be part of the crush so we held back. The husband isn’t a fan of crowds. He decided to stay in our stateroom.

It turned out that was a good strategy. The fireworks were directly overhead.

Off in the distance we could see lights from another ship. I assumed it was lingering for their guests to view the fireworks. I was wrong. To our surprise the ship in the distance began shooting off their own fireworks! It was another Disney ship.

After they finished their fireworks, our ship began. It was as if the sister ships were saluting each other.

We were in a perfect viewing area and the fireworks were spectacular. It turned out we were also in a perfect spot for going inside and grabbing an elevator before the crowds began surging in.

When we made our way back to our room, my husband said that he had a perfect viewing place during the display. The ships position placed the fireworks directly in front of our balcony.

The cruise was only 4 days but that was just right for us. Plenty of time to read, snack and enjoy delicious meals. It was fun exploring a new ship. I wouldn’t say no to another cruise on the Disney Destiny.

Christmas is only ten days away. We wish each of you the joy and blessings of Christmas. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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

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Aerobics and Hearing Aids

14 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

AEROBICS AND HEARING AIDS – reblog

I wrote this back in 2013, but enjoyed re-reading it.  I hope you do, as well:

 I have been an “exerciser” for many, many years of my life.  As a matter of fact, I began jogging more than three months before I shamed Fred into jogging with me. We’ve never stopped doing something in the way of exercise.

 So it came as no surprise to me to find an “aerobic dancing” class beginning shortly after we arrived in Heidelberg, West Germany.  One of the military wives was teaching the class.  I took the class and loved it!  The interest was so great that she wanted to have a partner to help teach – and she selected me.  I taught the remainder of the three years we were in Heidelberg.   This was our logo and color.

During that time, there was one lady in my class who always stood in the front row and to my right (I was facing away from the students).  As we conversed, I thought she had a speech impediment.  After we got to know each other a bit better, she told me that she had been born with some hearing loss.  She wasn’t totally deaf, but enough so that she couldn’t hear the way most words were sounded.  That explained her speech.  But she had hearing aids that helped her so much, and she could understand all the cues I shouted out in the class.

As interesting as all that is – to me anyway – that’s not the end of the story.  We returned stateside and began our life in Virginia.  Our oldest daughter had met her future husband while in high school in Heidelberg (his father was our American pastor), and he had returned to the States to attend college – where she was attending, of course.  They married a few years later.

One evening, around Thanksgiving time, I received a call from our son-in-law, saying that, on their way to see his parents in South Carolina, our daughter had fallen asleep at the wheel and they had crashed.  I was furious that he would only say that she was “in with the doctor” and wouldn’t give me any more details – like…..is she still alive???!!!

I asked if he wanted us to come and take them back home (they were only about an hour from their apartment).  He agreed.  He then said, “wait, here is the paramedic who will give you directions to the hospital.”  This young man came on the phone and gave me the directions – with the very same intonation that my aerobic student had!!  I knew at once that he had hearing loss, and not a speech impediment.  And, by God’s grace, I was able to understand every word he said – the first time!  No repeats.  God had prepared me, all those years ago, for that very moment, when I would need my wits about me, and to understand this young man’s instructions.

I could end the story there – that is the main thrust of it – but I want to tell you of God’s gracious hand in all this.  You see, when our daughter fell asleep, the car drifted, and our son-in-law looked up and screamed, which woke her, and she drastically over-corrected.  That caused the car to roll several times.  Amazingly, there were no other cars around them – just down the road a bit – no other cars involved in the crash.  There was an off-duty ambulance behind them that stopped, and the paramedics gave aid.  They could have rolled off a bridge and crashed onto the road below them – but they didn’t – they just rolled to a stop on an embankment.  While the car was totaled, our children only suffered a few cuts and bruises.

Our God is loving and faithful and gracious, indeed.

O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us…

Psalm 12:7

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possib

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Recovery-Part 6

2 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

As time wore on, and Fred became more active, I decided it would be good for both of us to take him “out” of the facility for lunch.  I had to plan it each day ahead, as the kitchen sent out a menu for the next day’s meals.  It meant getting him in the car, then collapsing the wheelchair and putting it in the trunk of the car, then reverse it when we returned.  But it was totally worth it.  He did so enjoy getting out.

One day as Fred and I returned from a lunch out, I saw a pair of sandhill cranes by the front door of the facility.  Amazing!  I sent these pictures to our family and friends, and one friend asked, “did you ask permission to enter??”  I mentioned the cranes to a couple we see frequently, and he said they’ve been hanging around for the three years that couple had been there.  Wow!

Now let me tell you about some of the residents I’ve really interacted with:

The Hat Lady…I noticed her right away, as she is always wearing a hat – at first it was a crochet hat.  That caught my attention, and I asked her if she had crocheted it herself.  She grinned and said no, but I complimented her anyway.  Then it got to when I was to walking down the hall and seeing her, would say “there’s my favorite hat lady!”  She would grin at me.  And as the weather became warmer, she started wearing other hats, usually one with a brim that looks like a leopard skin.  One day I said, “I’ve been calling you Hat Lady, but I don’t know your name.”  She looked up at me and said “Virine” (she pronounced it Vi – REEN).  So I alternate between Hat Lady and Virine.  She must come from the islands, because she loves to sit outside even in Florida’s hot summer sun – wearing that brimmed hat and a sweater over her dress.

There are two or three ladies who are permanently in wheel chairs, residents, who take the time to brush their hair and put on makeup each day.  I admire them.  They are quite friendly, and we have struck up quite a few conversations with them.  Two are roommates and are best buddies.  One, Diane, has been there 10 years, following the death of her husband.  She shared with me that when he began to get into dementia, they went looking for a facility for him, as she couldn’t care for him.  At the one where he eventually stayed, as they were leaving, he said, “Di, I really like this place.  Can I stay?”  She said she knew they were at the right place.  As for her… as she said…this is home. 

And then there is a lady – one who makes up herself each day – who I am convinced wears a wig, because her hair is long and quite black, and she wears a turban-like head covering each day.  It took me over a month to get her to smile back at me, but now she does.  One funny incident with her…I was walking past her room one day, when she was in bed and I heard her call “purple….purple….I need to blow my nose!!”  I had to laugh at that one – calling a CNA to blow her nose – because I’ve seen her up and walking!

Carol is there for her husband, who is a resident.  He is unable to walk, always in a wheelchair.  She is there daily, and reads to him.  He must wear a head-set, and she speaks through a microphone so he can hear her.  

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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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.

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When you Possess This, Miracles are in the Making.

15 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged from Janet Perez Eckles.com

My ten-year-old grandson got up from the dinner table, walked over to me, and tapped my shoulder. “Nana, thank you. I love the noodles you made. But next time can you put a little less salt. I’ll still eat them, but I’m just telling you for next time, okay?”

I gave him a tight hug. “So sorry,” I said, “it’s not what you expected.”

His heart of gratitude touched me. He could’ve complained and refuse to eat it, but he chose to thank me anyway and eat salty noodles.

That night I put my head on the pillow of shame. Unlike my grandson, if I didn’t receive from God what I expected, or not in my own timing, disappointment set in. And a sense of discouragement took the place of contentment.

Sadly, that discontentment is popular today.

We have expectations and wait for God to serve the answer in the way we anticipate. And when that doesn’t happen, we wonder why. We question our faith, and our once complete trust in God isn’t complete anymore.

But God sees the full picture, including our sense of disappointment. What He’s looking is for gratitude for even little things. He’s expecting praises in everything. And He’s more direct in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 when He says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Give thanks in all circumstances? 

Even when we’re still in the same sorry situation, with no change for the better or with no solution either? God says yes. Consider if these prominent folks in the bible displayed discontentment:

  • What if Abraham became disappointed when God asked him to sacrifice his son? He would have missed his calling to be the father of many nations.
  • What if Moses allowed his weakness to diminish his trust in God? He would have missed his role to be the instrument to set the Israelites free.
  • What if David focused only on the punishment for his sin and failed to praise God for His forgiveness and redemptive love? He would have remained a poor me sinner relegated to obscurity.
  • What if Noah would have succumbed to the ridicule of the people and stopped the building of the arc? He and his family would have also drowned.
  • What if fear and disappointment would have filled Paul during the episodes where he was beaten, tossed out, and imprisoned? He would not have seen the world around him turn to Jesus.

You and I are no different.

God sometimes gives direction for our journey but doesn’t reveal the reason for each stop. At times, God provides only small amounts of success to test our character. And sometimes, God brings about an answer contrary to what we asked to test our trust in Him.

No matter how many plates of salty noodles the world serves you, the test is on. Will you praise Him for what God has done? Will you thank Him for what He’s doing? And will you be bold enough to praise Him for what you know He will do?

If the answer is yes, then you’ll find how miracles come wrapped in gratitude.

Let’s Pray

Father, I thank you for your patience when I fail to trust in You completely. I praise You for forgiving me when I fail to thank You through all the stages of my journey.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What miracles will your gratitude bring?

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

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day with our Anti-Valentine Day Daughter

14 Feb

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

It’s Valentines Day!

I shopped in Sam’s Club earlier in the week and their flowers, especially the roses were unusually gorgeous. One doesn’t generally buy Valentine’s flowers before the big day, maybe the night before, so I imagine the rush to purchase them will be significant.

I remember a Valentine’s day many years ago. I was at a chain drug store and had a chuckle at the men standing in line with boxes of candy and Valentine cards. It was evident they were silently commiserating. I suggested to my single daughter that the drug store seemed like a place to meet a lot of men. Her answer ” Why would I want a man who waits to the last minute to get a gift?”

She hasn’t celebrated Valentine’s Day since high school. This year I decided to surprise her with a gift and card. I tucked it into her work bag. The gift was six tiny, donut shaped Belgian chocolate.

This is the card I made on the computer.

I wanted to write a poem for the inside of the card that would express how much we appreciate her unique self and how much she is celebrated. Well that was beyond me. I turned to Grok, my favorite A.I. and asked for a Valentine poem for a much loved single daughter who isn’t a fan of Valentine’s day.

I was pleasantly surprised.

I hope your Valentine’s day is exactly as you wished. My husband and I will celebrate with a trip to Culver’s where we will choose two pints of their delicious ice cream. Each of us chooses a flavor and we share.

If there was a Krispy Creme Doughnut store nearby, I am sure he would want to celebrate there as well.

What do you think about the Valentine verse written by Grok?

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 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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God’s Splendor

30 Dec

My Take

DiVoran Lites

For the Pure and Shining One

Set to the melody of “For the Feast of 

Harvest” by King David

 

Lord, your name is so great and powerful!

People everywhere see your

Splendor;

Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens,

Filling the earth with the fame of your name!

 

You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies.

Strength rises up with the chorus of 

Singing children.

This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth.

Childlike worship will silence

The madness of those who oppose you.

 

The Vagle Brothers

When we all get to Heaven!

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Let’s Eat!-Desserts-Cakes-Part 2

20 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Photo Credit Google Search and NYT cooking

I don’t remember just where I got the recipe for my favorite pound cake, but I made it often when we lived in Wiesbaden, West Germany, and the years following.  It was a bit time-consuming, as the “batter” needed to be whipped with an electric mixer (at that time I only had a hand mixer), until it turned “white.”  That’s a little difficult to describe, but the batter actually takes on a “white” look after being beaten for a while.  The cake doesn’t work well unless it gets to that point.  And the color change IS noticeable.  The other ingredients are added, then baked in an Angle Food pan, or possibly a Bundt pan, if you desired.  I liked the look of the Angle Food pan.  After cooling, the icing is made and applied.  It consists of softened cream cheese and crushed pineapple, as well as powdered sugar mixed together.  It became one of my favorite cakes to make and eat.  The cake itself was wonderful, but with the icing…yummmm.

I made that cake one evening when the Deacons from our church in Wiesbaden had come to our house for a meeting.  The cake went fast, many asking for seconds, in spite of how rich it was.  One gentleman came up to me and told me that he didn’t like pineapple…but this was the best cake he had ever eaten and would I give his wife the recipe??!!  

Since this was one of my favorite things to make, when we moved to Florida, I made it for one of our family gatherings.  Not one single comment – good or bad – from anyone there!  And so, I’ve not made it since.  No need to make something no one liked.

One of my favorite cakes to make, and an easy one, is what lot of people call Texas Sheet Cake.  I got the recipe from a friend, named Mabel, so I just called it “Mabel’s Chocolate Sheet Cake.”  The cake mixture is actually made in the 15″ x 10″ lipped pan.  Mix it all together, then bake.  While cooking, make the chocolate icing, with powdered sugar and pecans.  Put the icing on the cake when it comes out of the oven, then let it cool together.  I learned the hard way that it is tastier when it is completely cooled.  For some reason, it just doesn’t taste as good when it is warm.  Weird!  But this is a GREAT cake.

When Kraft developed its Miracle Whip salad dressing, they presented a cake recipe to help market the salad dressing.  Sounds strange, but it made the BEST chocolate cake ever – nice and chocolatey and moist – probably the most moist chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten.  It became my brother’s favorite cake.  There was also an icing along with the cake recipe that took a bit of work.  But it was well worth it.

Mother used to make the cake fairly often, especially when Bill (my brother) was home, but made it less frequently after he left home.  I believe I have made it once or twice, but not very often.  As I said, it is a bit of work, and I tend to be lazy!

When we were first married and Fred was studying at the Seminary (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas), we were poor students.  But somewhere I found this recipe for Lemon Jell-o Cake, and I remember making it often.  However, I haven’t made it in many years, but I remember the taste of it, and how much we enjoyed it.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Love, the Motivation of our Lives

2 Sep

My Take

DiVoran Lites

1 Corinthians 12:2

If I were to speak eloquently in earth’s many languages and the heavenly tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clangy cymbal.

And if I were to have the gift of prophecy with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the great gift of faith that could move mountains but never learned to love, I would gain nothing of value.

Clangy cymbal

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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I’m Experimenting

1 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I am frustrated that weeks go by without writing a blog post. It’s not that I don’t have ideas, they fly through my mind. But then they fly right out when I am ready to open up the computer and write.

Hence, the experiment. I am going to approach writing my blog as daily journaling. The entries may not have any connections to each other. So here I go.

Sunday

A good day overall. We had a singing group at church, Debra Perry and Jaidyn’s Call. They were excellent. The only downside was I couldn’t seem to turn my hearing aids low enough to totally enjoy their songs. I downloaded two of their songs that especially touched me, “God Sees Your Storm.” and “At the End of Every Prayer.”

If you enjoy Gospel music, you should check them out. Debra Perry and Jaidyns Call

Monday

Summer’s heat seems to be abating, granted slowly. I have ventured out onto the porch this morning for my quiet time. I’ve missed porch time.

I am reading a short book written by Charles Spurgeon about eccentric preachers. Edward Brooke lived from 1779 to 1871. “A large man, he spent the final 10 years of his life in a confused state.” I am moved and encouraged by the final note in his diary

Monday evening: Thankful for the morning’s quiet time. The rest of the day contained annoyances. Although, the homemade keto peach ice cream was a nice after dinner treat.

I ended the evening thinking about crayon envy. You would think that being a septuagenarian I would have gotten over it. And it is a weird thing to be thinking about as I never excelled at coloring. But there was this classmate and she had a brand new 64 count box of Crayola crayons every year. I had a 16 count. For the most part, I didn’t care since coloring wasn’t my thing. But I did envy that her 64 count box had a burnt sienna crayon. Even now I have no idea why I wanted that color so badly. . She was a nice child and would happily lend it to me. I still remember her name, Gail.

Tuesday

Today wasn’t a blog worthy day. The only thing worth mentioning is that technology and Facebook are stressing me out.

I create scripture graphics for church and use the Canva program.

It usually is a champ but yesterday Canva and Facebook decided to bicker. No matter how many changes I made in Canva, Facebook would reject the format. Sunday night Facebook was happy with the format, but I guess it didn’t like Monday…or Tuesday.

Canva support is puzzled but they are working with me to resolve the issue.

Thursday

Well, the experiment has been interesting to me. This week I have seen that most of the thoughts swirling through my mind either aren’t developed enough to share or aren’t appropriate for the blog. A lot of introspection going on.

Part of my experiment is adjusting to writing on an iPad. I want to be able to do this but find the different commands challenging.

I think I will experiment for a few more weeks and see how it goes.

SURPRISE! This morning Facebook allowed me to post this graphic. Feeling hopeful.

Do any of my fellow bloggers use Canva and have you had any issues?

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 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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