Giovanni and the Magnolia Tree

29 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

 

Hot pink flowers growing through green grass

Yellow cosmos glowing to be seen

Cherry laurel with a network of roots

Choke the yard. Call them choke-cherries.

A neighbor who owns a store knocks

On our door, wants to know if he can chop our

Chokers that grow yellow, inedible seed pods

That drop to the ground like accomplices to

The network of underground roots that choke out all other vegetation.

“I have too much energy,” says Giovanni “don’t want to spend it at the fitness center.”

We said yes, but tied a ribbon to the small, misshaped baby Magnolia

Which yearned to be free of overshadowing.

On Sundays, sometimes, we’d hear the crack of the ax

Against a tree and the ker-thump when the giant fell.

We never had one pang of remorse.

We and the magnolia wanted sunlight and at least a glimpse of blue

When most of the cherry laurels were gone,

The magnolia began to grow.

It was warped and scraggly and would never be anything but a runt.

Didn’t look like other magnolias, but it was free now and perhaps someday we’d pick a big flower from its

Boughs and wouldn’t have to ask someone else in the neighborhood

For a blossom to put in on a bowl where it could fill our olfactories with

Fragrance and our eyes with its creamy white petals and bright yellow filaments.

One day, I suppose it was a few years later,

I happened to look out a high window

To see the Magnolia tree, though still not shapely,

Reaching with its grateful branches

Into blue background

Taller than the remaining cherry laurels

With every dark green leaf polished to a flash.

In my mind the tree

Told me all it had needed was light

And there it was, thriving,

Giovanni thrived, too

And fairly newly married has

Possessed a baby son,

Giovanni may be seen every day walking the

New walking child

On cold days the tot wears a thick white sweater with a fuzzy, matching cap.

Sometimes you see them with the stroller coming home from store up near the highway.

Maybe someday they will chop trees or hike the world just to be together and spend their energy.

And the magnolia with be white with flowers.

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Let Me Tell You About My Grandchildren~ Katie Part 2

28 Jan

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills 

 

 

I mentioned last time that we have two sets of grandchildren – one set (boy and girl) from our oldest daughter, and one set (boy and girl – twins) from our youngest daughter.

I also mentioned that our oldest granddaughter, Katie, has complained that I have written about all the grandchildren except her! So I wrote that post for Katie. And so is this one. I’ve remembered some things about her that I would like to share.

I mentioned that Katie has recently graduated with a degree in Theatre Design and Management. Her specialty is stage management. And she’s very good at it! When she was here back in September of 2017, Fred and I took her to see La Nouba at the Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs. Fred and I have seen it several times, but Katie had never seen it. While I knew she would enjoy the show – it is very much like a three-ring circus at times!! – I also knew she would be keeping an eye on all the production end of the performance. That’s just her nature now. She did just that, all the while enjoying that magnificent performance. We are sorry to see it ending in 2017. We hope they will bring another type of performance like La Nouba to this venue.

Katie, Karen and Brian came down for a visit January 1st this year for a few days. The weather was not the best, and so we thought to do some things indoors. One of the things we did was to take them to Disney. Well, we parked the car at the Polynesian Resort at Magic Kingdom, hopped aboard the Monorail, and got off at all the resorts along the Monorail track. We saw all the Christmas decorations still up in the Grand Floridian Resort, and Polynesian Resort, and the Contemporary Resort. It’s a fun thing to do, and free. And Disney really does it up right!

 


Credit Google Search – Grand Floridian Resort

Here’s a picture of her in front of the Gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian Resort.

 

 

While at the Contemporary Resort, we came upon a “Gingerbread” stand – there was a small gingerbread house, with a booth where one could purchase a cookie and cider.

 

Credit Google Search – Contemporary Resort

As we were ogling the display, we noticed a remote-controlled BB-8 rolling around. It rolled toward Katie, and stopped and “looked up” at her. Katie was enthralled!! It is a memory to keep, for sure! (P.S. – in case you don’t know who BB-8 is – it is a robot from the Star Wars series)

 

 

Karen told me once that Katie had asked her why Grandpa (Fred) called everyone “Jack?” Well, you see, when Fred gets upset with other drivers, he says things like, “where did YOU learn to drive, Jack??” And other goodies. Just a name he pulled out of the hat to call other drivers.

I know there are other funny and adorable things about Katie that I will remember in future times, but at the moment, these are for my readers to enjoy. I have most certainly enjoyed remembering them and putting them to paper.

Katie – I love you! Granny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Just in case…being prepared with what you really need.

27 Jan

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

 

 

Just in case…being prepared with what you really need.

 

January 26, 2018

Reblogged January 27, 2018

Get a load of that little packing pouch.

Filled with all sorts of vitamins, lotions, medicines, scissors, tweezers, band aids, Neosporin, etc. Until a few years ago, my little cosmetic bag was mostly empty when I traveled. Now it seems to overflow with items I don’t necessarily use on a regular basis…but things I might decide I need while away.

It’s crazy that I pack so much in this little bag because when packing my clothing and shoes I try to get by with just the bare minimum with maybe just one extra shirt or pair of sox. I really do like to travel light but as I age my “just in case” bag becomes more and more important. After all, I don’t want to have a migraine ruin the trip, or find my aches and pains slowing me down.

So, while my suitcase has enough for what I really need my little cosmetic bag is over-packed with items that MIGHT be needed. That seems a little crazy. And it makes me wonder if I’m doing the same spiritually.

Our spiritual lives can sometimes become routine.

Our spiritual lives can sometimes become so routine that we ended up doing the bare minimum to just get by. When we are confronted with a challenging situation, we may not really have what’s needed to get us through. To be victorious.

If all we do is punch our ticket each week at church or read a quick devotional followed by an even quicker prayer, then I dare say we’re not ready; we’re not prepared. And our spiritual suitcases are nearly empty. And with nothing to draw from, we are defeated, discouraged, and downcast.

Yet, how much better if we had our “just in case” bags overflowing with God’s Word, with God’s promises. What if we were prayed up and in constant communication with our Commander so we were prepared to fight battles and receive direction. What if His Word was so dear to us we were in it daily and “at the ready” so we could more easily recall the wisdom needed for the moment?

What if we had prepared ourselves by learning to know God’s voice through spending time with Him so that when a challenge presented itself, we were able to clearly hear Him speaking to us to reassure us, to motivate us, to direct us?

Have the Right Bag

Having the right bag, the “just in case” bag, packed and ready would make all the difference in our lives.

I’m no better than anyone else at spiritual preparation but when I think about it and how vital it is to us, I am encouraged to set it as a goal this year and to strive toward reaching that goal.

Won’t you join me in 2018 in re-filling your own spiritual “just in case” bag?

Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Let’s pray.

Father, at the beginning of this new year, I recognize how important You are to me. I really need you in all areas of my life. And I appreciate that You, too, desire that. I want to be sure my own spiritual “just in case bag” is always ready. Thank you for helping me accomplish that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mimi

Originally posted on Mondays With Mimi, used with permission.

Source: Just in case…being prepared with what you really need. ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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It is Always Too Soon to Quit

26 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

author of Window Wonders

 

 

 

Let your dream be bigger than your fear.
Hold on to your vision and persevere.
The fuel for your journey is a spark.
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

Love always perseveres.
a force strong and true.
It motivates your best interests
and brings out the best in you.
.

Don’t despise the day of small things.
It is the small thing that forms
the framework of our day.
Keep an attitude of gratitude
as the Lord leads you to do
all things His way.
.

Father Jean Nicholas Grou wrote:
“Little things come daily, hourly, within
our reach, and they are no less calculated
to set forward our growth in holiness than
are the greater occasions which occur but
rarely. Moreover. fidelity in trifles. and an earnest
seeking to please God in little matters is a test of
real devotion and love.”

Let your aim be to please our dear Lord perfectly
in little things.”

 

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Florida Butterflies~Skippers

23 Jan

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

 

Skippers are a family, Hesperiidae, of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).  “Are Skippers butterflies or a moths?”

 



 They fly during the day like butterflies, but have some characteristics that seem to set them apart from other butterflies. Scientists have generally compromised by declaring skippers to be a third category, somewhere between butterflies and moths.

 


 
Being diurnal, they are generally called butterflies. Their host plants are those in the legume family, so a vegetable gardener may occasionally find these caterpillars on their green beans or peas. You will find them on Beggar ticks (Bidens). A very common and important wildflowers. Also known as Spanish needles and tickseed.

 


  
 Long-tailed skipper caterpillars are “leaf-rollers” – they take shelter inside leaves by using silk to draw the leaf around them. Caterpillars make a nest out of a leaf or leaves and spend their time in the nest when they are not eating.

 



When they lay eggs,

they sometimes make stacks of their eggs when laying on their host plants!

 



Worldwide in distribution, skippers are richest in the tropics. More than 3,500 species are described, with approximately 275 in North America, many of which are found only in Arizona and Texas. Most skippers are small to medium, usually orange, brown, black, white, or gray. A few have iridescent colors.

 



 Skippers have large eyes, short antennae (often with hooked clubs), stout bodies, and three pairs of walking legs. Their flight is often rapid, making wing movement appear blurred. Adults of most species have long probicscises and feed on floral nectar, but some also take up nutrients from bird droppings. Males have scent scales found in modified forewing patches.

Butterflies, moths, skippers; really… what is the difference?


The answer would primarily be the antennae. Butterfly antennae are thin with knobs on the tips most of the time while skippers have hooked ends instead of knobs.

 



The order Lepidoptera consists of approximately 265,000 species of butterflies and moths worldwide and only about 7.5% of them are butterflies. Moths are much more abundant than butterflies, but, why is it that we notice more butterflies? This is easy to answer. Many moths are nocturnal, they are active at night. We notice butterflies more often because they are usually more colorful and active during the day as they visit our flowers and gardens on a regular basis. But, there are actually more day flying moths than there are butterflies.

The colors displayed on butterfly wings can be any color imaginable. But when you think of a moth, you think browns, tans, and dull colors.There are many moths that have beautiful bright colors and butterflies that are dull brown for camouflaging.

Next week we’ll look at some strange and lovely moths you may have seen in your garden.


 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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Poeming

22 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

 

Why oh why must every thought

Demand to become a poem

That’s arrogant and demanding.

How can I put down my toothbrush

To write a poem?

How can I stop sweeping the floor

Folding laundry

Cooking supper

Going to the bank?

To write poems, poems, poems

How can I take the time to type them?

So they’ll not be lost?

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Let Me Tell You About My Grandchildren

21 Jan

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

 KATIE

 

Fred and I have two sets of grandchildren – one set (boy and girl) from our oldest daughter, and one set (boy and girl – twins) from our youngest daughter. There is a wide age difference between the two sets – about 12 years in fact. So while they know each other, and probably like each other, they don’t really see each other that often.

Our oldest granddaughter, Katie, has complained that I have written about all the grandchildren except her! So this one is for Katie. As I think of or remember other things that have happened in her life, I will share them.

Since we moved to Florida when Katie was just a little thing, most of the time that family has come to visit during the Christmas holidays. Therefore, Katie has seen our house almost exclusively decorated for Christmas. It’s really funny to have her visit now – at a non-Christmas time and as she looks around the house and exclaim that “this is just wrong!” We have to rearrange the furniture in the living room to accommodate the Christmas tree that is placed in the center of the front windows. I guess she feels it should always be there – because that’s the way she remembers it.

They arrived one year for Christmas and I had made a different arrangement on the kitchen bar. The minute she walked in, she said, “that’s wrong! Where is the candle you usually have here?” So she got out that candle and replaced it with what I had done already. She’s a hoot!

Katie was a good student in school, and has recently graduated with a degree in Theatre Design and Management. Her specialty is stage management. And she’s very good at it! We were visiting with them last November, and were able to see a stage play that she had managed. She did the lighting and the sound, all by herself – in addition to being the stage manager! She has managed about 10 shows in the Chicago area. Five or six of them were in college, with some being the assistant stage manager, but she has managed four professionally, and is currently working two shows at the same time.

While in high school and college, she actually performed in some plays. Perhaps that’s where she felt the itch to manage. Here she is in a play. Her character was “Sadness.”

On another note, when our daughters surprised me for a late 75th birthday in Virginia last year (see my post  Surprise!)

 

 

Karen asked Katie if she was prepared to be idolized for the weekend. When Katie asked her what she meant, Karen said that her cousin, Hannah, would probably hang on Katie’s every word that weekend! And she did! It was so fun to watch.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The richness that costs you nothing…a post that will make you shine

20 Jan

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

 

Reblogged with permission January 20, 2018

 

The richness that costs you nothing…a post that will make you shine.

January 19, 2018

 

Oh, those words that can cut right through! And then there are those that can soothe our pain.

Here’s what happened.

Last week, I stepped to the counter at my doctor’s office. “Here is your referral for your blood work,” the receptionist said. But her words, though simple and mundane, were delivered in a delightful, pleasant tone.

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Then I leaned toward the desk and added, “And stay as sweet as you are.”

Her reaction surprised me.

“What did you say?” She said then paused. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me lately.”

What? I gave a simple ordinary comment and it touched her. Can our words have that power?

I think they do. So, when hubby came home that night I gave him the usual hug and after a quick peck, I said, “Do you know how much I look forward to you coming home?”

He picked me up and twirled me around. “…So sweet,” he said.

Theory proven.

There you go, my theory proven. Words spoken are like a fishing line. Cast them out and you’re sure to reel something in.

And that something depends on us. Caring words reel in pleasant results. Conversely, raw words cut through the heart.

Listen to what L. Tomlin once said, “Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain.”

But the contrary is also true; people have a deep need to be encouraged. They have a longing to feel valued, appreciated and accepted. Our words can speak to that need.

And the effort is easy. Positive and kind words are available at all times. And even better good news is that our words are the beginning of the love God commands we must extend to others…even strangers.

Here’s the true test.

I decided to use this approach with telemarketers. Whenever they call, I search and choose words carefully.

I answer the phone. “Did you say your name was Mary?” I ask. “Well, Mary you sound like you’re a nice person. So very sorry that I can’t accept what you’re offering. But what I’ll do is pray for God to bring success in your life. Is that okay?”

There’s usually silence. But one woman seemed touched because her voice choked as she said, “Thank you. I needed to hear that today.”

We all have that power. Those sounds that come from our lips called words make a difference. They can change an attitude. Transform negativity. And ring a bit of joy into an otherwise gloomy life.

No wonder God said, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21)

And as we speak life into others, the beauty is that what we say also comes back with positive, satisfying, and pleasant feelings that make our soul happy.

Delight in that feeling as you consider that…

  • Words are free.
  • They require little effort to say them.
  • They’re always available.
  • They can be chosen with love.
  • They can turn a life around.
  • They can calm anger down.

Speaking loving, sincere words are like tracing a colorful rainbow across the gray skies of someone’s life.

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for the power of my words, may I use them to make a difference, to bring your light into the darkness of others, and may I be quick to praise and slow to tear down. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What influence have your words had lately?

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.

 

Source: The richness that costs you nothing…a post that will make you shine. ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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Mindfulness

19 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

author of Window Wonders

 

 

Mindfulness is being aware of this moment.
Listen to your heart.
Your life matters.
Live it fully from the start.

Water the seed of optimism.
Have a love affair with life.
Think positive thoughts
and you will drive away the strife.

How will being mindful
help you with your pain?
Being aware of God’s presence
will bring peace to your heart again.

 

 

Credit to CrossCards.com

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May Your Faith Bloom

17 Jan

Bill will be on a break over the next few weeks. I will be posting random pictures and posts until he returns. If anyone would like an opportunity to share a blog or photo, leave a comment and I will send you and email-Onisha

For today, I am sharing this inspirational photo from Crosscards.com. They have wonderful cards.

 

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