Pictures

2 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

I think I’ve mentioned several things before:

 

  1. My Aunt Jessie – my mother’s only sibling, collector of plates and other items

 

  1. I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

  1. I did scrapbooking for quite a while

 

  1. Fred and I eat at Cracker Barrel quite often

What brought these things to mind, is that we were at Cracker Barrel recently and I saw a picture that I had noticed before. I kept telling Fred that it reminded me of pictures I have of Aunt Jessie as a small child – actually wondering whether or not it actually was my Aunt Jessie. I know that Cracker Barrel collects odds and ends of “old times” to display in their restaurant/store. I suspect they travel far and wide at antique stores, and such, to find the treasures they want. They have items on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. I keep forgetting to “look up” and see what they have. Interesting stuff.

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Credit Google search and Cracker Barrel website

 

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Credit Google search and Cracker Barrel website

 

I have also mentioned the deer head hanging above the Cracker Barrel fireplace in every Cracker Barrel I’ve been in. It reminds me of the one we had hanging in our dining room all the years I was growing up (please see my post of July 10, 2016 – Family Treasures – Part 6).

The particular picture I have of Aunt Jessie that reminded me of this picture connection, is on a 3″ x 3″ piece of glass, and is literally painted on that glass. It has always fascinated me.

I probably would not have made any connection between those two pictures, had I not done a lot of scrapbooking, and that glass picture was there for me to place in a book. I always thought it was a neat thing to have – a picture painted on a piece of glass – but it wasn’t until I saw the picture in Cracker Barrel that I made any connection.

My shot of the Cracker Barrel picture
Picture on glass

So I thought I would show my readers what prompted me to write about it. I told Fred recently that when I got the pictures together, I would probably say, “oh, they don’t look anything alike after all!” But it’s fun to think about.

Who knows? It could be a long-lost picture of one of my family members! Stranger things have happened!

And here are a couple of other pictures of Jessie, that actually look more like that Cracker Barrel picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What to say to a depressed loved one. 

1 Oct

Walking by Faith , Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Depression, anxiety and worry are the enemies trying to kill our peace and they are on the rise among men, women, and teens. Why? Few know the answer. But here, Dr. Michelle Bengtson has important guidelines so you can help someone begin the victory path.

09-23-16 Bengston

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Proverbs 18:21

What we say to others can either build them up or tear them down. We must take care not to further injure someone in their suffering from something we say.

As a neuropsychologist, I’m witness to the well-intentioned but misdirected words of friends and family to depressed loved ones that only serve to pull them down further.

When people suffer from depression, they often also harbor low self-esteem, guilt, and shame. What they crave is to know they are loved, accepted, and not alone.

Let Scripture help you determine what to say to a depressed loved one: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Here are a few things to say to someone struggling with depression:

  • I love you. There is no better time to hear this than when they are struggling to love themselves and wonder if others truly love them too.
  • I’m here for you. This is one of the most comforting things you can say to someone feeling alone.
  • You are important to me. It’s vital to know they are still acceptable, accepted, and important.
  • I’m sorry that you are going through such a painful time. Expressing your sorrow for their pain communicates that you care, even if you don’t fully understand.
  • Is there something I can do for you? This communicates your willingness to help and just your offer will lend comfort and encouragement.
  • You may not believe this now, but you won’t always feel this way. The depressed individual often needs reminding that there is hope.
  • We will get through this together. This communicates your acceptance, and your love.
  • Nothing. Actions often do speaker louder than words. I remember when Job encountered great hardship. Job 2:13 says his friends came and sat with him for seven days and nights. During that time, they didn’t speak a word because they saw how great his pain was. Words could do nothing to help his misery, but their company spoke volumes.

Remember, when you are speaking to a depressed loved one, your goal is to encourage and uplift them. “But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief” (Job 16:5 NLT).

How will you encourage a loved one today?

 

Source: What to say to a depressed loved one. | Janet Perez Eckles

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It Takes Time

30 Sep

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

Thank you, Lord, for your promises.
Thank you for your loving care.
You satisfy our every need.
Your presence is everywhere.

 

Patience is a trait that takes time to acquire.
It isn’t zapped into our being.
God uses situations as learning tools.
such as waiting for things we are not seeing.

 

It takes time to form relationships-
a bonding of two souls.
Patience is essential
in working toward our goals.

 

There is no substitute for friendship.
It begins with our Lord, above.
What a friend we have in Jesus.
The Cross is the symbol of love.

 

I want to follow in His footsteps
in helping my fellow man.
Even in my old age,
I know my Savior has a plan.

 

Keep looking up, dear friend.
That’s where our future lies.
Our physical body is subject to death-
but our soul never dies!

 

sunset-with-upraised-arms

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Trapped in Florida

29 Sep

On the Porch

Onisha  Ellis

Our time in Florida has certainly not been boring. Unfortunately the action has been of the golden years type. ( You know, when all of your gold goes to pay doctors, tests and medicine) We expected to spend two weeks in Florida  checking in with our doctors and then flee the Florida heat. My husband’s first visit seemed innocuous, a routine eye exam. Then the doctor “saw” something which led to two tests being scheduled. Next came a trip to the orthopedic doctor for him to get a simple steroid shot. Yep, not simple. He needed an MRI. We followed this up with a visit to the primary care doctor for him to go over the results of the first two test results. Guess what? Another  test is needed AND a specialist is the only one who can  order it which  requires setting up a new patient appointment. Have you ever tried to get a new patient appointment with a specialist? They are booked for weeks and some, months in  advance. Our two-week visit is turning into three weeks and we are putting our foot down. Either the doctor schedules the next test ASAP or we are going back to North Carolina and enjoy fall.

i scrolled though some of my fall photos and here are a few.

Not a Fall photo but I love it.

In addition to all these doctor visits, the hot temperatures have triggered some ferocious lightning storms and it appears like another may be exploding soon.

storm-clouds-palm-trees-copy

On the positive side, it has been fun catching up with old friends, sneaking a pumpkin donut at Dunkin Donuts with my daughter and not to be overlooked, a much appreciated hair cut with my favorite hair stylist. I would tell you her name, but she is hard enough to get an appointment with as it is

I just thought of another plus for being in Florida in the fall. High-Speed-Internet. I am sure I have moaned about our internet speed in the mountains before. I am truly grateful to have internet up there but having fast internet is bliss when I am attempting to create graphics for Rebekah’s books. I made one today. If you take a look at the book titles, you won’t find one with a fall title. We go straight from summer to winter.

seasonsof-faith-fall-leaf-large

And now it appears we have a hurricane named Matthew that may or may not turn towards Florida. The positive side is I do enjoy a rainy day.

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My 2016 Mid-West Trip~Part 13

28 Sep

A Slice of Life

 Bill Lites

 

Day 13 (Thursday)

 

As it turned out, I was disappointed to learn my friend, Terry, woke up with a sever crook in his neck and couldn’t go with me to the museums today. After breakfast I wished him a quick recovery, and headed out for Birmingham. My first stop today was to visit the Southern Museum of Flight located adjacent to the Birmingham-Suttlesworth International Airport. The museum’s collection of airplanes is located in a small exhibition hall (beautifully restored static displays) and outside static aircraft displays two blocks away.

 

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The outside displays are enclosed in a chain-link fence with no access. So, any pictures of the aircraft on display there have to be taken through the fence, which sometimes can make for a difficult process.

 

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I had tried to contact someone at the Old Car Heaven Museum in downtown Birmingham, but was unable to find out what their operating hours were. Greta took me to the correct address, but there were only two cars out front and the doors were locked. Just as I was getting ready to leave, this guy pulled up and went to enter the building. I asked him if I could take a look at the museum’s cars, and he told me to walk around to the back stairs and ask for the mechanic.

 

 

3a

 

The mechanic’s name was Tom, and he didn’t seem too happy to see me. After I told him I just wanted a quick look at the museum’s cars, he cooled down some. He walked me around the warehouse full of some 103 cars of all makes and models, in various stages of restoration. He informed me that he was the only mechanic, and was responsible for keeping all the cars running, and preparing the ones the boss wanted to display for any given event the restaurant/lounge sponsored. I told Tom I understood his frustration, when Fred (the guy from around front) let someone in without notifying him. He warmed up at that point, so I took some photos, and he told me all about some of the museum’s unique cars.

 

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Next on the list for today was a visit to the Baker Vintage Motorsports Museum located just east of Birmingham, off I-20 in Leeds, Alabama. This is a huge five-story museum complex housing somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 motorcycles, represented by over 200 manufactures from 20 countries, plus 100 race cars and automobiles. The museum building is laid out in such a manner that you can take an elevator to the fifth floor, and then slowly walk on a gradually sloping circular walkway, around the interior of the building, allowing you access to all of the motorcycles and vehicles on each floor as you slowly travel down.

 

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Each of the older motorcycles (beginning with many from the early 1900s) is perfectly restored, while many of the newer models look to be brand-new. This is an absolutely amazing display. In addition to the Vintage Motorsports Museum, the Barber Motorsports Park includes a world-class 16 turn 2.38 mile road course, and a vehicle proving ground which are both open to the public. If you are a motor sports fan, and ever get a chance to visit the Birmingham area, be sure to check out this museum and motorsports complex. You will be overwhelmed!

 

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I had planned to visit the Avondale Brewery, which was not far from the Old Car Heaven Museum there in Birmingham, but they did not open until 4 PM. While I was waiting for them to open, I Googled breweries in the area, and found that there were two others close.

 

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So, I went down the street a few blocks from there to see if I could get a tour of the Good People Brewery. They were open but informed me that they only gave tours of their brewery on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

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So, it was back to the Avondale Brewery to wait. I took a walk to stretch my legs, and down the block, I came across the Post Office Pies Restaurant.  The name intrigued me, so I stepped inside the door, only to find out that it was all about pizza pies, not dessert pies.

 

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At 4 o’clock I received my mini-tour of the Avondale Brewery. It consisted of two very small buildings and was a very quick tour. I commented to the tour guide/office manager how, as far as I could see, they had all the processing equipment that Budweiser had, and she said, “We would be a tiny speck on a sheet of paper compared to them!”

 

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On the way to the motel, I spotted the local Longhorn Steakhouse and stopped for another dose of my favorite meal of their baby back ribs, a sweet potato and a garden salad with ranch dressing. Then I headed for the motel to record today’s activities and prepare my list for tomorrow’s museum visits. So ends another great day of scenic travel and museum visits.

 

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—–To Be Continued—–

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Autumn

27 Sep

A Life to Live

Melody Hendrix

“Come little leaves”, said the wind one day. “Come down to the meadow and we shall play. Put on your dresses of red and gold, for summer is past and the days grow cold.”
Dancing and leaping the leaves went along, until winter called them to end their sweet song. Soon, fast asleep in their earthly beds, the snow lay a coverlet over their heads.
George Cooper
How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.
John Burroughs
And always remember. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Maya Angelou
 florida-fall-leaves-copy
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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Clouds

26 Sep

My Take

DiVoran Lites

1a

 

 

Clouds of infinite and irreplaceable variety

Flowing and developing like a water-color painting.

Angry black clouds and Jesus rising from sleep to speak:

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Clouds with sunlight and silver linings.

Peace that passes understanding.

 

 

 

 

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Enmu

25 Sep

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 Enmu

Is that title intriguing? Does it add a touch of mystery? You might figure out the “U” is University, and you would be right. Remember I said in previous musings that I grew up in the great state of New Mexico? That’s where the “NM” comes in. The only letter left is “E” – and – you guessed it – it stands for Eastern. Okay, all together now: Eastern New Mexico University.

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credit Google search and ENMU website

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ENMU Admin Building – credit Google search

 

 

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Concept Art for ENMU stadium – credit Google search

 

That was my first venture into the collegiate world. It is located in Portales (por-tal’-es), New Mexico, about 18 miles from Clovis, NM – also Cannon AFB – and a little farther to Texas. Several girls in my dorm had come over the Texas line to attend ENMU. Portales is about a four-hour drive from Albuquerque, so it wasn’t somewhere where I could hop home very often.

 

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Photo credit Jimmy Emerson

 

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Photo credit Google search

 

I tend to be a “people person” so it would not have mattered too much to share a room in the dorm with someone new.

 

 

However, as God planned it, my best friend, Billie Ann, decided to attend ENMU as well, so we were roomies. Too many times, that situation can break apart a good friendship. I’m pleased to say that Billie and I continue to be super good friends to this day. Here’s a picture of Billie and me the first day at ENMU, before we headed off to church. We hadn’t even had time to unload our bedding and suitcases. (See…we wore those pointy-toed shoes back then! Nothing new here!)

 

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Back in high school, Billie’s older sister, Becky, Billie and I formed a singing trio. As a child, Becky had contracted polio, and wore braces on her legs, and walked with crutches. Billie and Becky are not very tall people, so it was funny to see us – two shorties and one tall girl in the middle. Actually, Billie played the piano for us, so she was sitting during our singing times. Becky and I sang along with her. We were actually pretty good – not bragging or anything, of course. Fred said he thought we could have cut records – but we never did.

Here is a picture of us at my house, during one of our rehearsals. I’m the tall one. Becky is 4’7″ tall, Billie is 4’9″ tall, and I am 5’6″! Can anyone say “Mutt and Jeff?”

 

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We did imitate some of the current trios, and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I remember Moon Over Miami, Mr. Sandman, and several others.

However, back to ENMU – I was not a terribly good student in high school. And I really can’t remember why I didn’t apply to UNM right there in Albuquerque. But I didn’t, and so went to ENMU. It was a small town, and a fairly small campus, and my first experience with dormitory life. Interesting – and not one I cared to repeat. Fortunately, Billie and I returned to Albuquerque after one semester.

But I found the academics to be quite good, and felt that I learned quite a lot. I actually made good grades while there, but of course, Fred wasn’t there to distract me!

Billie and I attended the BSU on campus (Baptist Student Union), and made some good friends while in that organization.

It was a fun experience, and I’m glad I had that opportunity.

 

 

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Prosper where you are planted.

24 Sep

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Unhappy where you are? Not pleased where God put you? Joy is around the corner. Find out how you can blossom where God plants you with my friend, Kathy Carlton Willis’ uplifting insights.

~~~~~

09-16-16 Kathy Carlton WillisWe were excited about our brand new home, but not so much with our new sod and landscaping. It struggled to survive the move. Of course, the 100-degree heatwave didn’t help matters. The crux of the problem was transplant shock. Those green leafies were traumatized by being uprooted from their comfortable setting and placed into strange new surroundings.

We did all we could to “love on” our greenies. We refreshed them frequently with nourishing drinks of water. But even with the proper care, the bright green leaves of grass, trees and plants dimmed to a straw-like gold. Transplant Trauma.

It takes time and the proper care for transplants to adjust to new surroundings, and then they snap out of the shock and turn green again.

I know what it’s like to be a transplant, and perhaps you do, too. You wonder how it’s possible to prosper where you’re planted when you’re dealing with your own version of transplant trauma. We didn’t get to stay in the hometown of our childhood. No, God uprooted us. Took us from the comfort of what we knew and loved, and moved us to a new area that needed us. God often sends us to parched places—to rejuvenate others with refreshing green ministry.

Sometimes it takes a while to get acclimated. We go through a period of transplant trauma. Shock. The refreshingness of the lush green we offer others temporarily turns to dry hay. With the right amount of time to adjust, and with the loving care of our new surroundings, we green up again. It’s good to know it’s just a temporary condition.

Sometimes we come to a new place still grieving the loss of what we left behind. We bring that trauma with us until we come to accept it. Other times, we are eager to get started in the new ministry, but are confronted by the culture shock of the new area. We adapt. We add the water of the Word, confirming our calling to our new spot. We soak in the SONlight. We allow our Heavenly Master Gardener to tend to our needs while we tend to the needs of others.

Are you yearning to prosper where you’re planted? Repeat this phrase with me: “Transplant trauma is temporary. God’s tender loving care is permanent.”

Source: Prosper where you are planted. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Make a Joyful Noise

23 Sep

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

“The holiest of all holidays are those kept

by ourselves in silence and apart.

The secret anniversaries of the heart.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

I applied Longfellow’s words to my heart

and brought Christmas into view.

I decorated my Christmas tree.

I wish I could share it with you.

 

A beautiful glass cross adorns the top,

and tiny white angels express their song.

When I keep my thoughts on Jesus, our Lord,

I have Christmas all year long.

 

The Christmas Gift

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