Little Free Library

18 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 Our daughter, Rebekah, brought a book to read on the flight up from Florida and it was a page turner. Now as her visit was drawing to a close, she needed a fresh book for the long wait at the airport. Isn’t it crazy that the wait to get on the airplane is longer than the flight?  I knew that our local Community Center had a Little Free Library, and suggested we look there for a book to read on the flight home.

 

 

The anticipation of not knowing what you will find, makes it a fun adventure. Will it be a classic or a thriller by a popular author? I would be tempted to choose a local cookbook if one were in the box. Of course, choosing a book or books to leave is fun too. Should one leave something funny, self-help or inspirational?  I think leaving a book that I enjoyed would be fun.

Of course, if you are an Indie author, leaving one of your own books could be fun too!

What sort of book would you leave at a Little Free Library?

 

Speaking of authors and books, Rebekah is participating in the Grace Filled Summer Book Sweepstakes.

 

We are entering an exciting and happy time of year. Summer…a time for fun, relaxing, going barefoot, hanging out with family and friends around the grill.  It’s the perfect time for the Grace Filled Summer Sweeps 2018. And summer reading has never been this much fun with eight stellar authors and their exciting and insightful books. This is a sweepstakes. So, each author will give away a copy of her book according to the most interesting, clever comment.  In your comment, please let us know which book you’re dying to read, and also your second choice. This way we’ll be sure to give everyone a book that’s to their reading taste.

 

If you are interested in entering, head on over to the blog:

 https://graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/2018/07/16/grace-filled-summer-book-sweeps-2018/

 

 

 

 

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.

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Rock Solid

17 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

I saw this on Amy Voskamp”s website Monday night. During a difficult period in my teens, I lost all confidence in myself. As I began to think on my past and what had precipitated my crisis, I realized that as I drew away from God, so my confidence fell away. Eventually I learned the only identity that mattered was my identity in Christ.

 

 

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Horseshoe Lake

16 Jul

 

My Take

DiVoran Lites

with

Patricia Franklin

 

 

If you see the video first you will better appreciate the rugged terrain in the story.

 

 

 

 

This is a reply about last week’s blog from my childhood friend: Patricia Franklin.

Dear DiVoran,

Your blog, “Hermit Dam” reminds me of the time when I was a kid and I went to Hermit Lake with three of my brothers to go fishing (what other reason was there?!)  The older ones had done odd jobs to earn money to buy the pickup, and once they had it, they used it for all kinds of work around town, and for going fishing. Since you had to park at the beaver dams and hike to the lake we always started out about daylight to get there in time for plenty of fishing.

But, we never stopped at Hermit really, everybody fished there, and the good fishing was up higher at Horseshoe Lake. The problem was, it was a cool, cloudy morning, and instead of clearing up, it just got worse. By the time we got to Hermit, we were in the clouds.

We started on up to Horseshoe and got to where there was a break in the clouds and you could look down into the valley between the two lakes. There are (or were) three ponds between Hermit and Horseshoe. We got to that point and, looking through the fog, the ponds looked large enough to be a lake. At first,we thought we had reached Horseshoe, but we walked up further, and then back down again to the ponds, and knew we had a ways to go. By then it was raining and I was freezing cold, even though I was wearing a waterproof poncho.  We were above timberline, and there was not much shelter there. I sat down next to a large boulder that gave me a little protection from the rain while the guys decided what to do. We were never worried, just cold and wet. Our parents would only have worried if we had been out after dark.

 

Google search

 

Our eldest brotherBill, a teenager and a Boy Scout decided we would go back down to Hermit where we might find more shelter among the trees and some wood for a fire. We got down by the lake and started looking for some dry wood, and twigs under the bushes.  Bill started a nice little campfire to keep us warm and give us a comfortable spot to eat our bologna sandwiches.

 

 

By the time we finished lunch we were too cold and too wet to go fishing, and as there was no sun to dry us out, we walked back down to the pickup. We were home soon after not disappointed about the fishing, but satisfied with the fun day we’d had trekking into the mountains.

Later, they improved the road and people could drive all the way up to Horseshoe. I do not know if that is a wilderness area now or not, but I too am deeply grateful for adventures like this in another time and place.

Love,

Patricia

 

 

 

Author, Poet and ArtistDiVoran 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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Meal Time~Part 1

15 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

I can remember the time of my life when eating out was a special time.  It was just assumed that we would be eating at home, no matter what meal it was.  I really don’t remember eating “out” very often – more as I became a teenager – but still not very often.

I just remember my mother being in the kitchen a lot, cooking.  It’s funny that she never really just sat me down and taught me how to cook anything.

I do remember one of my best friends, Mary, who was an only child.  Her mother had her cooking full meals by the time she was eight years old!  I used to think that was really a hardship for her, but then her mother was a strange person, to begin with.  I guess it was for the best, however, as Mary and her husband had a small restaurant for quite a while.  And she made the best guacamole I’ve ever eaten.  She made it seem simple and easy.

Even in my early years of marriage, I remember coming home from work and make our supper.  There was almost no conversation about going out to eat.  Again, it was just assumed that we would eat at home. Of course, it didn’t help that we were early-marriage-poor and couldn’t afford to eat out very often!  We may not have had fancy meals, but they were home-cooked.  We had a lot of hamburgers, hot dogs, and – yuk – tuna casserole!  I don’t think I’ve made tuna casserole since the 1960’s!  I really over-did that meal.  But it was quick, and inexpensive, and we had it a lot.

Mother’s meals consisted often of pot roast – and she could make a roast that would just melt in your mouth!  It would fall off the bone it was so tender.  I’ve never been able to duplicate that – even when I cooked it in my pressure cooker.

 

Credit Google Search

 

So I gave up on that particular meal, and just enjoy it when we have the opportunity at a good restaurant.  Our favorite is at the Liberty Tree Inn at Magic Kingdom.  Theirs is the very best!

 

Credit Google Search/Walt Disney World – Liberty Tree Tavern lobby

 

I also remember that, if there was any roast left over, mother would grind it up, add mayonnaise and either relish or pickles and a hard boiled egg, and it became a meat salad.  Spread it on bread, and you have a lovely sandwich!  She didn’t waste anything!

 

Credit Google Search and Pleasant Hill Grain website – meat grinder

 

Mother also made really good mashed potatoes. I’ve finally found a way to make good mashed potatoes, without too many lumps in them.  We have one meal that we like with the mashed potatoes – beef tips in gravy.  Yummmm. Except for browning the meat in a skillet first, everything else is done in the Crockpot (except the potatoes, of course).  Fix it up in the morning, and it’s ready for the supper meal.  It goes quite well over good mashed potatoes!  Or egg noodles, or perhaps rice…but the potatoes are the best!

 

 

Mother mashing potatoes, Granny getting something from the cupboard

 

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

 

 

 

JUDYJudy 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.
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing.
She was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
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.
She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.


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How to see God’s hand in our darkness

14 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Reblogged July 14, 2018

 

Some friends and I sat at a table in a local restaurant. “Hi Amy!” I said looking in the direction of my friend’s three-year old little girl. “Did you like your visit to Disney World?”

She didn’t answer.

“Honey,” her mommy said, “Mrs. Eckles can’t see. You have to say yes out loud, not just nod your head.”

We chuckled.

“Close your eyes,” her mom said. “That’s what Mrs. Eckles sees.”

We continued our visit, her mom and I chatted about silly stuff during the meal. Then suddenly Amy’s mom paused. “I’m sorry Amy; you can open your eyes now. And go ahead and eat your food.”

We hadn’t realized during the whole time we were talking, she still had them closed, and the plate of food, untouched, sat before her.

Setbacks and Disappointments

That reminded me when the sting of setbacks, the jolt of disappointment closed the eyes of my heart. And in the darkness of my pain, I missed God’s banquet set before me.

We all do that sometimes. The rehashing of negative details blocks the view. And dark memories of the wound cover the path to healing.

Blind to all that goodness, we test God’s patience. How often must He whisper, Open those eyes and check out the banquet of blessings I placed before you. Look at the possibilities. Take a peek at what I have prepared for you.

It’s all for us.

He offers and invites us to see what he designed. He longs to show us His hand at work right now. At this moment. In our current situation. And in the midst of today’s heartache.

In each of them, He’s preparing something new, something good and beautifully unexpected. He warns not to look back; but focus ahead. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Our days shine with hope, with fresh beauty, and with delight when we choose to perceive what God is offering.

Let’s Pray

Father, open my eyes to see beyond my circumstance, beyond the hurt. And instead, help me to look at the colorful horizon painted by your love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What might God want you to see in the midst of your situation?

Janet

______________________________________

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.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/encouragement/how-to-see-gods-hand-in-our-darkness.html

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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Today I Choose to Sing

13 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

My voice may not send up a pleasant melody but my heart sings in perfect pitch.

 

 

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Mini Road Trip to Alabama

12 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Last week our daughter in Florida came to visit us in Western North Caroina and we took a mini road trip to Alabama. When we stopped at the Unclaimed Baggage and Freight Store in Scottsboro, Alabama on our road trip last summer, I thought she would enjoy exploring it as she is a serious bargain hunter. Before we arrived at Unclaimed Baggage, we made a stop at the Lodge Factory, just over the line into Alabama from Tennessee. The people who work in the store are super friendly and always seem to be happy. Their smiles are worth the stop!

 

Check out the kitchen tools on the statue

 

Here is a little from their website. If you use Lodge cast-iron, you should visit their site.

Originally named The Blacklock Foundry after Joseph Lodge’s friend and minister, the company gained success until May of 1910 when it burned down. Just three months later and a few blocks south, the company was reborn as Lodge Manufacturing Company.

 

The drive to Unclaimed baggage from the Lodge store was uneventful  except that we gained an extra hour of shopping time when we crossed from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time. Here is a short excerpt from their About page.

 

In 1970 Doyle Owens headed to Washington D.C. with an idea, a borrowed pick-up truck and a $300 loan to pick up his first load of unclaimed baggage. Selling the contents on card tables in an old rented house, the venture was an instant success.

 

We walked into the huge store with seemingly endless rack of clothing. Our daughters face had  look of someone who is overwhelmed. Sensing her confusion, I suggested she start looking at hats as she loves collecting them.

 

 

 

Her “finds”

Our stop for the night was Huntsville, Alabama, home of the US Space and Rockert Center, the Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center. Husband and I had only driven through the city on our road trip last year, so we were looking forward to touring the next day. As a bonus, our daughter would be able to pick up some background information as well as absorb the culture of the area for the sequel to her award-winning novel , Jessie.

 

 

 

We chose an early start the next morning for two reasons, first to buy tickets for the daily bus tour and second to see as much as possible before the oppressive heat was in full force. We were successful at snagging tickets but not so much at avoiding the heat. It was a hot, humid day and neither the buildings nor the bus had adequate air-conditioning. (Tip: Don’t visit during the summer!). The Rocket Center had some interesting exhibits as well as hands on activities. Husband and daughter took a go at attempting to land a Space Shuttle.

 

 

Rebekah crashed in a spectacular manner. Her dad landed successfully but “ground control” had some serious comments about his landing skills.

We marveled at the cramped conditions ithe early astronauts endured n the space capsules . Rebekah slid into a Mercury capsule but it was so tight, she didn’t slide all the way into it. While she was in , several people approached and we urged them to take a turn inside. They all backed away with panicky looks on their faces.

 

 

I think our favorite stop on the bus tour was at the ISS payload building.  We were able to view the command center which is staffed 24/7 to communicate with the station. We were fortunate that one of the staff came out and gave us an interesting talk about the work of the ISS ground communications team.  There were several children in the crowd and they asked great questions.

 

 

As we were leaving, husband snapped a picture of our daughter in a space suit. It was a fun day, even with the heat . Rebekah was able to check off another item off of her Space bucket list. She toured Johnson Space Center a year ago and holds an annual pass to Kennedy Space Center. Next on her list is Greenbelt, Maryland and the Goddard Space Flight Center.

 

 

As I said, this was a mini road trip and the next morning we were headed home to our beloved mountains and cooler temperatures.

 

PS: I forgot to mention that our daughter, Rebekah is participating in a promotion that is giving away a copy of The Magnolia Table cookbook by Fixer Upper star, Joanna Gaines as well as a $25.00 Amazon gift card. Click below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Drag Your Guilt Folder to the Trash

11 Jul

 

 

JanetPerezEckles.com

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Memory Lane Trip~Part 4

10 Jul

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

 

Day 4 – Friday 4/20/2018

 

I was out bright and early this morning heading west on I-10 to visit the MKT Railroad Depot Museum situated at the little “Pocket Park” in Katy, TX.  This turned out to be a small restored 1894 railroad depot, whose memorabilia centered on the history of the Missouri/Kansas & Texas Railroad (MKT) and its influence on this part of Texas in the early 1850s.  According to Wikipedia, the town appears to have taken its name from the early evolution of the MK&T Railroad.  Once called “the K-T” that, over time, evolved into “The Katy” and I guess the people honored the railroad by naming their town “Katy” when it was officially established in 1896.  The depot provided the MKT with passenger rail service needs until it closed in 1957.

 

 

Next I headed west on I-10 to Sealy, TX where I turned north on SR-36 for a short side trip to visit the Austin County Jail Museum located in Bellville, TX.  Greta took me to the address I had given her for the museum but I was confused.  A sign on the building said “Austin County Jail” but it looked new, modern and functional. I strolled inside and asked about the museum, and was told this was the “real jail” and that the jail museum was downtown on Bell Street.  For some reason the internet information is using the “real jail” address instead of the museum’s address.  Anyway, this 1896 jail replaced a smaller 1886 structure, and served Austin County until 1982, when it was closed and converted into a museum. I stopped by for a photo, as the museum was closed.

 

 

Now I spent another hour traveling southwest on several Texas back roads, to get back onto I-10 west, so I could visit the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum located in Schulenburg, TX. This is a very interesting museum for any model aviation enthusiast like me.  The museum displays memorabilia, artifacts, and technical data covers the history of the Stanzel brother’s model airplane designs, and their influence on the country’s model airplane industry from the early 1930s to the present.

 

 

Heading west again, I took another little side trip, south of I-10 this time, to visit the Gonzalez County Jail Museum located in (you got it) Gonzales, TX.  There wasn’t much new about this 1885 jail except for the size of it. This jail was almost as big as the Austin County Jail and I couldn’t imagine the need for such large jails in the mid-1880s.  The city of Gonzalez is only about the size of my hometown now, so I can’t see it that big back then.  That goes for the large city hall and huge mansions I saw as I drove through the town.

 

 

This time it was northwest on U.S.-183 and then just a few miles north of I-10 to visit the Pioneer Flight Museum located in Kingsbury, TX.  As it turned out, the museum was the headquarters for the Vintage Aviation Services facility there at the Old Kingsbury Aerodrome.  A couple of cars were parked in front of an open hanger so I stopped for a look.  There were two, what could have been, vintage airplanes being built or repaired.  I called out for someone to show me around, but no one seemed to be there, so I took a couple of photos and left.  I learned later that the museum aircraft were in another hanger that was closed when I was there.

 

 

Traveling west on I-10, my next stop was to visit the Texas Transportation Museum located on the northeast side of San Antonio, TX.  This is a small museum with memorabilia and artifacts covering the history of the Longhorn & Western (L&W) Railroad and other transportation advances over the years in and around the San Antonio area.  In addition to offering short train rides, the museum houses a model train layout and several antique automobiles.

 

 

I had planned to stay two days in San Antonio because of the many museums I had on my list to visit there. So now it was time for Greta to take me to the motel so I could check-in and find a good Mexican restaurant where I could enjoy some good old TexMex food.  My pre-trip research for the “Top 10 Best Restaurants” in the cities where I was going to spend the night, listed “The Alamo Café” (what a coincidence). So that’s where I ate tonight, and they were right – the food was great.  One of the best Chili Rellenos I have ever eaten!

 

 

—–To Be Continued—–

 

 

 

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 58 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, writing blogs for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

Bill’s favorite Scripture is: Philippians 1:6

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A Long-Ago Memory

9 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

Just recently, as Fred and I were driving along, I spied a sign that stated “Assistant Nurse Training.”  Hmmm, I thought to myself, and then voiced to Fred – “just WHAT is an ‘Assistant Nurse?’” He didn’t know, either.

And that led to a discussion between us. Might that be a candy-striper? You know, those young girls who were volunteers and wore “uniforms” or pinafores of red-and-white stripes that helped around the hospital?  And that brought a memory to me that hadn’t surfaced from my mind in many, many years. I was actually a candy-striper at one point of time in my life!

 

Credit Google Search and Wikipedia Candy stripers in training in Tallahassee, Florida, 1957

 

I remember I was in high school, but had my driver’s license, so was able to drive myself to my volunteer job.  It was after school, as I remember.  I don’t recall too many of the things I had to do, but I remember feeling quite good about the position.  According to Google, there are still candy-stripers in hospitals today, but without the pinafores – probably because there are now male students working, not just the female students.  And they are called junior volunteers.

I remember, in high school, that I thought I would go into nursing.  After flunking out of chemistry class, I realized that I really wasn’t called to that profession!

I googled the Assistant Nurse and came up with the title of “Certified Nurse Assistant ” or CNA.  The information I gleaned was written by Alison Doyle and stated best this way:

A nursing assistant’s duties revolve mostly around the basic daily physical care of patients and associated record keeping. You might help patients use the bathroom or take care of other sanitary needs. You might feed patients who cannot feed themselves, turn bed-ridden patients to prevent pressure sores, transport patients, and help ambulatory patients walk.

You might also change dressings, help with surgical prep, check vital signs and weight, and perform a basic urinalysis. If a patient summons help, you’ll be the one to find out what they need. You’ll have to keep proper records of everything you do and you’ll have to pass on your observations of your patients to your supervisor. You will also be responsible for maintaining your work at all applicable professional and legal standards.

That’s obviously more detailed than what a candy-striper does.

 

Credit Google Search and All Nursing School website

 

But that also brought up a memory from Fred – his mother was a “Gray Lady” back in the 1930’s.   Webster defines it as:  a volunteer worker of the American Red Cross who provides nonprofessional care and services for the sick and convalescent usually in hospitals.  Here is a picture of her as an in-training Gray Lady, but for the Salvation Army.

 

1936 – March 16 – Kitty in training at Salvation Army children’s hospital, NY

 

In her memoirs she stated:

  My step-mother didn’t want me home and “under foot” I guess, so she arranged for me to go for training in a Salvation Army children’s hospital in Brooklyn, New York.  I didn’t protest too much and, since your Dad-to-be could visit me some weekends, I went for the course, which was one year, leading to a glorified child care nursemaid or some such.  I never finished.  

 

She may not have finished that program, but the training she gained from that led her to be an excellent mother to her four children.

It’s amazing how a simple street sign can turn into such a discussion and search!  But what a fun and interesting memory that provoked!

 

 

 

 

JUDYJudy 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.
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
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.
She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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