The 15-Second Rule That Changed My Life: How to Let Go of Guilt and Live Free in God’s Grace.

31 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged from Janet Perez Eckels

Let me tell you what happened the other evening.

People are often surprised when I mention that I cook. Yes, I’m blind—and yes, blind people do cook. In fact, we do it quite economically. When no one else is home, there’s no need to turn on the lights. Imagine the electricity we save!

Last night, while my sweet husband was telling me about his day, I was peeling some carrots. In my hurry, I placed one too close to the edge of the counter, and sure enough, it rolled onto the floor.

Without hesitation, he jumped up and said, “I’ll get it.”

As he handed it to me, he added, “Here. Got it before 15 seconds.”

“Fifteen seconds?” I asked.

“Yep. If you pick something up within 15 seconds, no harm done. Learned that as a kid.”

I smiled. But then I paused. The more I thought about that quirky little rule, the more profound it became.

A Deeper Application

Sure, the floor is still the floor—whether something’s there for one second or fifteen, it still needs cleaning. But there was a lesson buried in that moment.

I started wondering… What if I applied that 15-second rule to my inner life?

How often do we let something negative fall into our spirit and just leave it there? How long does it sit before we even realize the damage it’s doing?

I’m talking about guilt.

Anybody know what I mean?

When Guilt Lingers Too Long

That sneaky emotion creeps in when you’re most vulnerable. Guilt slithers through your thoughts like a snake—slow and quiet—but poisonous all the same.

It shows up in moments of discouragement. And then it speaks:

“If you hadn’t done that, this wouldn’t be happening.”

“What were you thinking?”

“You’re not doing enough.”

For me, it’s thoughts like: “You should spend more time reading God’s Word, encouraging others, creating more leads, writing more…”

That guilt starts stacking up like clutter in a room, and before you know it, it’s stealing your peace and silencing your confidence.

But not anymore.

I’m Applying the 15-Second Rule

I made a decision: guilt doesn’t get to linger.

If something falls into my heart that doesn’t belong there—regret, shame, self-doubt—I have fifteen seconds to pick it up and toss it out before it spreads discouragement and sadness.

Why? Because guilt trips cost. 

And the currency is joy, peace, and a clear mind to serve God.

Here’s the Truth: God Already Forgave You

If you’re like me and you’ve got a list of past failures, here’s what you do:

  • Ask for forgiveness.
  • Believe—truly believe—that God forgives a repentant heart.
  • And then… move on.

If you’re dealing with something right now that’s making you feel guilty, address it. Correct it. Then move forward. Not because you’re perfect, but because He is.

Dr. Charles Stanley once wrote in his devotional: “Remember we are forgiven. If we confess our sins, He forgives. First John 1:9 promises us the process is that simple… The Enemy stimulates false guilt… Make a declaration: ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, I reject these feelings of guilt. They have absolutely no scriptural basis. They are false, and I refuse to acknowledge them.’”

The moment you do, the weight lifts. The lies lose their power. And your heart begins to breathe again.

Jesus Came to Give Us Freedom

He said it Himself: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9-10)

Life to the full. Not half-empty with guilt. Not dimmed by shame. Not heavy with regret.

That’s the promise—and the freedom—we get when we walk through His gate. A fresh start. A clean heart. Like a morning breeze, reassurance fills the soul.

Let’s Pray

Father, thank you for the freedom we find in You—liberated from destructive emotions and replaced by the peace and reassurance You give me—a beautiful gift wrapped in Your love.

What guilt are you still holding onto that God has already forgiven—and what would your life look like if you let it go… in the next fifteen seconds?

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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Peaches!

29 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Peaches are my favorite fruit. Always has been and probably always will be.

“This year’s peach crop in the South is exceptionally delicious. We’re fortunate to enjoy freshly picked peaches at their peak ripeness. However, peaches destined for shipping must be harvested before they fully ripen to ensure they arrive in good condition.

Ripe peaches are fragile. We have learned to wrap them in bubble wrap if we are taking them to Florida. Our daughter was visiting last week and took some home to her neighbors. She received a text this week from the neighbor saying she had one for lunch. It was the best peach she had ever eaten.

I made three batches of peach ice cream and still have a 2 quart batch in the freezer. We try to eat low carb and clean ingredients so we/I make our ice cream. I have two of the freezer bowl machines. I bought this one several years ago and it works great.

Photo Credit Amazon

The machine capacity is a little larger than a quart. After a few years I decided I would like a larger capacity machine. On the other hand, I didn’t want to give up kitchen space for a second ice cream maker.

Ninja has an ice cream maker, the Creami. I looked at it several times but it simply didn’t appeal to me.

Someone on social media mentioned the Kitchen Aid mixer offered a mixer bowl attachment with a two quart capacity.

Photo Credit Kitchen Aid

For a few weeks I argued back and forth with myself. The tipping point was that aside from the ice cream paddle, there would be no parts to store.

I have had some blips learning to use it. As I was making my first batch, I didn’t seat the paddle correctly. As the ice cream thickened the paddle slipped out of place. The machine began flinging ice cream over the side. I wish I had taken a picture.

Overall I am very satisfied with the attachment.

In anticipation of our daughter’s visit, I made a batch of peach ice cream in each machine. I am mulling the idea of making a vanilla or chocolate base and dividing it between the machines. By adding different mix-ins I would have two different flavors.

I haven’t limited my peach enjoyment to ice cream. I made a peach coffee cake, peach bars and no bake peach cheese cakes. (My daughter made the cheese cakes.)

I found most of my low carb recipes at All Day I Dream About Food

Grok AI is my source for different flavors of low carb ice cream.

Peaches are going away but apples are coming!

Mutsu is my favorite apple. Do you have a favorite?

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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The Cruise of a Lifetime-Part 12

24 Aug

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

After breakfast, we began a partial bus-and-walking tour of Vienna, Austria.  There’s just so much to see.  It seems strange to have an ultra-new building with the old buildings, but they seem to fit together rather well.  For the entire six years we lived in Germany, I hounded Fred about taking me/us to Vienna.  Never happened!  So this trip finally put us in that beautiful city.

I’m not a terribly good historian, but I have heard of the Hapsburg Dynasty.  Austria was the home for that dynasty.  The ship’s info sheet stated:  The rise and fall of the House of Hapsburg began along the Danube’s banks in 1276.  With Austria firmly in their grasp, the family gained new territories by marriage until their serial nuptials put most of Europe under their power.  As their wealth and territory grew, few royal families remained to help them acquire more kingdoms.  Their solution to this problem may have also been their undoing.  While the dynasty actually had its beginning in 1020, it wasn’t until 1273 when it moved to Austria.

The info sheet also said:  The Hapsburgs sought to retain their massive power through intermarriage between cousins or uncle and niece.  “The best spouse for a Hapsburg is another Hapsburg,” went the proverb.  The last of the Spanish line, Charles 2, was disabled from birth, perhaps from a genetic disorder typical in children born from siblings, and died.  It’s likely that the Austrian Hapsburg line ended for the same reasons.

While there are still living relatives of the Hapsburgs, for all intents and purposes, the dynasty died out in 1918, at the close of World War 1.

We walked through Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, which has a really dark interior.  I was unable to get any good pictures there.

But the outside is remarkable.  There is even a bronze model of the cathedral outside, that is to scale. 

We then walked through some of their Christmas Market.  It was still rather early in the season for the Christmas Market to be up and running, but there were a few booths set up already, and we enjoyed seeing them.

At 12:45 we met under the clock on the square and headed back to the bus and into the ship for lunch, which we had with Richard, Judy and Lucy.

At 2:00 p.m. we took a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace.  It’s very opulent, but beautiful.  

On our way into the Palace, there was a man on the sidewalk, covered in gold.  He was standing on a box, and was singing some Mozart – advertising a concert.  I just thought it was cute.  I gave him a short curtsy, and he replied with a small bow.

We had an early dinner (6:00 p.m.) with Richard, Judy and Lucy.  At 7:00 p.m. some of the group left for a Mozart and Strauss Concert, that was free to all who wanted to attend, since we had to change ships again.  Fred and I decided to stay onboard and pack.  Then we read some, and then were in bed and asleep by 9:30 p.m.

~~~~~~~~~~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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The Cruise of a Lifetime-Part 11

17 Aug

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

November 16th, Monday.  We were up at 6:00 a.m. to shower and dress.  We had breakfast at 7:15 a.m., with Richard, Judy and Lucy joining us (they don’t get up as early as we do).  By 8:00 a.m. we arrived at Emmersdorf, Austria.

At 9:30 a.m. we took a bus to the 900-year-old Melk Abbey.  It is situated on an outcrop rising above the Danube, crowned by twin towers.

Here is a model of the Abbey 
As you can see…we are fascinated by pipe organs 
They were not without music 

While the abbey was founded in 1089, and given to the Benedictine monks, the current abbey was renovated between 1702 and 1736.  It was originally a royal palace with ceremonial courts, guest apartments, grand halls and a library – which contains around 80,000 medieval manuscripts.

Courtesy Wikipedia 

The abbey has a blue room,

 a green room,

a marble room, and the mirrored room.

Many of the floors have beautiful wood-inlay.

This beautiful stairway is the beginning of the grounds.  However, since I still couldn’t maneuver stairs very well, we walked down (and later up) the ramp.

By 12:10 p.m. we were back on board the ship, and had lunch in the Lounge with Janice and John from Ontario.  We were also joined by the couple from Los Angles (originally Denmark) but we still did not get their names.

At 2:00 p.m. we sailed through the Wachau Valley.

The countryside is stunningly beautiful.  Both banks are dotted with ruined castles and medieval towns and are lined with terraced vineyards.   The Wachau is described as “an outstanding example of a riverine landscape.”  Noted for its cultural importance as well as its physical beauty, it is described:  “The architecture, the human settlements, and the agricultural use of the land in the Wachau vividly illustrate a basically medieval landscape which has evolved organically and harmoniously over time.”

At 4:00 p.m. we docked in Krems.

Fred and I decided to stay on board the ship because it would be getting dark soon and it was cool and windy.  Before dinner Fred and I watched the Monuments Men movie in our stateroom.  Really good movie, and gave us some insight into the Nazi greed and stupidity.

At 6:45 p.m. we went to the preview of tomorrow’s Vienna excursions.  Carl West told us we have to change ships again.  Following much groaning from the passengers – during which he remained silent – he said, “thank you.”

At 7:15 p.m. we had a traditional Austrian dinner.  We had our first schnitzle with potatoes, a small piece of chicken, wurst, and dessert.   Richard, Judy and Lucy ate with us. 

We sailed to Vienna overnight.

~~~~~~~~~~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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Strength and Peace

11 Aug

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Photo credit WordPress AI

Be strong and take heart, 

All you who hope in the Lord.

Ps.31:24

May the Lord of peace 

Himself give you peace

At all times in every way. 

The Lord be with you all. 

2Thess, 3:16 

God will show me the path of life;

In your presence is fullness of joy:

At Your right hand are pleasures 

forevermore.

Ps. 16:11

Surely God is my salvation:

I will trust and not be afraid. 

The Lord is my strength and my song;

He has become My salvation.

Isa. 12:2

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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The Cruise of a Lifetime-Part 10

10 Aug

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

This is the day we would be transferring from the Gefjon to the Skadi. 

Therefore, we were up at 5:30 a.m., dressed and finished packing.  We had breakfast at 6:45 a.m. with Richard, Judy and Lucy, and Danny who is retired military.  Richard liked to tease Danny, so we had a lively breakfast conversation.

We had to have our bags outside our door by 8:30 a.m.  We were also to have our room keys turned in by 8:30 a.m.  We boarded bus number 3 and left at 9:00 a.m. along with three other buses bound for Passau.  We rode the bus for one-and-a-half hours to Passau.

We moved from the Gefjon to the Skadi.  It was essentially the same ship, just a bit older.  We even had the same room number, 325.  We unpacked our tote bags (they would bring our suitcases later), then at 11:30 a.m. we went on a one-and-a-half-hour walking tour of Passau.

Passau (pass-ow) is known as the “City of Three Rivers.”  It lies at the confluence of the Inn, the Danube and the Ilz rivers.  It was originally a settlement of the Boil Celtic tribe, and later the site of the Roman fort, Castra Batava.  Passau was an important medieval center for the salt trade, the “white gold.”  It was transported from the Alpine salt mines to Passau, where it was processed by entrepreneurs called Salzfertiger.  The salt imports to Passau were forbidden in 1707, and that trade was lost.

During the Renaissance, Passau became famous for making high-quality knife and sword blades.  Local smiths stamped their blades with the Passau wolf, and superstitious warriors believed that the wolf granted them invulnerability.

When fires ravaged the city in the 17th century, it was rebuilt to reflect the baroque character that survives today.  Today, Passau is home to 50,000 people.

We were back on board the Skadi by 1:30 p.m. and had lunch in the lounge with Richard, Judy and Lucy.  By the time we had finished lunch, our suitcases were in our room, so we unpacked them.  We hoped this would be the only transfer we would have on this cruise.  One nice thing about a cruise – you usually get to stay in the same room for the duration, which makes it quite nice.  This was just a small disruption.

After we had unpacked, we went back into town.  We saw St. Michael’s cathedral first, 

and then Saint Stephen’s. 

It is one of the town’s foremost baroque landmarks and boasts the largest pipe organ outside the United States.  Beautiful.  It has 17,974 organ pipes, 233 stops and four carillons.  All five parts of the organ can be played from the main keyboard, one at a time, or all together. 

The Skadi sailed at 5:00 p.m.  At 7:00 p.m. we had dinner with John and Denise from California, and a couple from Los Angeles who were originally from Denmark (never got their names).  He was a German teacher in a high school in Los Angeles.

More interesting sights in Passau:

Remember, we were told that the incomplete “8” equals a “4” – therefore, the date shown is 1499. 
A plaque on the wall in the Glass Museum 

~~~~~~~~~~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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August Bazaar Adventure: Shopping and Memories

7 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

August has kicked July to the curb. In a way, i am glad that August is here. Our daughter will be coming for a visit soon and we are looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to spoiling our granddog, Ollie.

Each year one of our local Methodist churches holds an enormous rummage sale. Except they call it a Bazaar. Whatever the name, it is a huge event held at the fairgrounds. It takes them a week to set up in the covered buildings.

This is a two day event, Friday and Saturday. My husband and I got an early start for us, we were there by 11:00 am. Thankfully, handicap parking was provided along with volunteers pointing out empty spaces. Otherwise we would have needed to park a fairly long way from the event and my husband wouldn’t have been able to handle to walk.

Once inside the buildings, my husband headed toward “man” things and I went straight to my favorite area, the kitchen and dining wares. I must give them kudos on their organizing skills. Every section has volunteers and a check out station.

I sorted through a collection of sharp knives. In the past, I have found my favorite brand of kitchen knife, Rada. I was in luck and found one and it was only 25 cents. Next I moved to the table with plastic items. At previous bazaars I have picked up pieces of Tupperware in great condition. I did find a very nice orange round canister but it was $8.00 and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t think what I would use it for. But then, I spied this interesting green container. I examined it and discovered it was a Tupperware piece I had never seen. I had to have it. It cost me a whole dollar. I haven’t found a use for it, but I am sure I will. If you know what it is, let me know!

My husband joined me in kitchen ware. A few days previous he mentioned he was looking for a small stainless bowl to use in his shop. I told him the bazaar was sure to have one. In fact he found two for the grand sum of $3.00.

He also found an item in the electronics he was considering purchasing. He was hesitant because the volunteers had told us that Saturday everything would be half off. I urged him to buy now as it wasn’t expensive and it was something needed.

Speaking about the half price sale on Saturday, I had found two ice cream makers, each marked $35.00. I didn’t need one, but it would be nice to have a spare. My husband and I decided to return for the Saturday half off. There was an item in electronics he was interested in and I would get an ice cream maker.

We didn’t linger among the other areas. The facility is not air conditioned. The heat plus the wall to wall people was a bit much for us, but it was good to see the excellent turnout. The proceeds are used to fund missions

We were later arriving at the bazaar on Saturday, not realizing the sale ended at 1:00 pm. We arrived around noon. Which was a bad thing but also a good one. So much had been sold! The volunteers were closing out their areas. The item my husband was hoping to buy was gone and the ice cream freezers were sold. But…the round orange Tupperware canister from the previous day was still there. When I picked it up to look it over, the volunteer said I could have it for 25 cents. Sold!

At home, I left the canister out for several days while my mind pondered its use. Then I remembered my aunt Geroleen. She keeps her coffee filters in a specially designed container that has a small tool with a rubbery end. No trying to separate the filters, the tool does it.

I remembered that I have a bar eraser. I cut a small amount of the eraser off and stuck a sturdy toothpick into it. It worked like a charm. Then it didn’t. The eraser I used was a white one and it crumbled. I’ll try a regular eraser next.

As I put the container into the cabinet with the canister I keep coffee grounds, I smiled as I realized the two canisters were meant to be together. Just like in the 70s. Did any of you own these pieces?

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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The Cruise of a Lifetime-Part 9

3 Aug

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

Saturday was a sailing morning, so we slept in a bit, and went to breakfast at 8:15a.m.  We had our breakfast with Richard, Judy and Lucy. 

Lucy and Judy 
Richard and Art, our server 

We are now on the Danube River. We went through the last two locks on our journey during breakfast. These are the first locks that lower the water level rather than raising us up a level.  Most interesting process to watch.

We spent time with the Richard, Judy and Lucy until lunch, which we shared with them.  They are such fun people to be with.  Still reminiscing about Albuquerque.

Carl West had informed the passengers that we would be able to purchase a flash drive with all the pictures he had taken on this trip.  Fred purchased one for us.  I had taken quite a few pictures, but thought that the ones Carl had taken would just add to our experience and memories.  NOTE: Carl West followed each day’s excursions, and was snapping pictures all the time – usually of the groups and what we were seeing.

We docked at Regensburg at 1:30 p.m.

At 2:00 we began a walking tour of Regensburg.  Regensburg is the oldest city on the Danube, and one of Bavaria’s most beautiful, best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.  The Roman Gates of 179 AD are still standing.  It was a very cold and very windy day, so we were back on the ship by 3:45.  As Fred’s Mother, Kitty Wills once said when we were with her and Charlie in Edinburgh, Scotland, “I’m just about as cold and wet as I care to be!”  So we returned to the ship.

There is an area in Regensburg that has brass plaques in the bricks with people’s names and dates on it. They were murdered by the Nazis during World War 2.  Their relatives never wanted them to be forgotten, so this was their way of memorializing them.

Occasionally the Danube overflows its banks, and the river water floods the city.  Here are a few markers with dates – about 15′ to 20′ above the river’s normal level:  February 1893 and June 2013.

Oskar Schindler (of Schindler’s List fame) lived in Regensburg from 1945-1950 in the Goliath House.

Notice Goliath’s left arm around the window frame 

He immigrated to Argentina in 1950.  He died in 1974, and at his request, is buried in Jerusalem.

A point of interest:  Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013) grew up in Regensburg.  He was the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415. 

We stayed on the ship the remainder of the afternoon, since the weather was not too good.  We had a short nap, and just rested.

At 6:45p.m. we were in the lounge where Carl West gave us all the information on the ship transfer the next day.

We had dinner with Jane and Steve (Colorado) and another couple. 

By 9:00 we were back in the room to pack is much as we could of our clothes for the transfer the next day. Because we would have to get up early the next morning, we took our showers before we went to bed. 

Some interesting pictures in Regensburg:

Greenpeace was making a statement  
A Christmas store 

A Christmas store

It’s beginning to look like Christmas

This beautiful wood-inlay table in a shop window 
Notice the horse-drawn carriage on top of the sign 
Cathedral artistry 

~~~~~~~~~~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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The Cruise of a Lifetime-Part 8 Continues

27 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblogged

Nuremberg is considered to be Bavaria’s second-largest city.  It attracts tourists with its varied history, medieval Aldstadt (Old Town) and grand castle.  It is surrounded by massive walls, and boasts an abundance of 15th and 16th century art and architecture.

Courtesy Google 

A bit of history about the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal:  It is a little over 100 miles in length, and was started by Charlemagne in 793.  While this original canal was abandoned, a second attempt was made by the Bavarian king Ludwig 1, beginning in 1846, and included 100 locks.  With the advent of railroads, this water route was also abandoned.  It wasn’t until the late 1950’s, after World War 2, that planning began again.  The current canal took over 30 years to complete (1960-1992).

On our tour, we passed a beautiful cemetery where, among others, Albrecht Dürer and his wife are buried. 

Courtesy Wikipedia 

 Albrecht Dürer was an artist from Nuremberg (1471-1528).  While he is known for all types of painting, etc. and is considered Germany’s renowned Renaissance draughtsman, he is known to Fred and me as the artist of the “Praying Hands.”

Courtesy Wikipedia 

 We lived on Albrecht Dürer Strasse when we lived in Wiesbaden, and became quite familiar with his story behind his “Praying Hands” painting.  His residence and workplace is now a “museum,” and some special exhibits include a painting and printing shop, where various techniques are demonstrated.  Unfortunately, we were unable to stop and look.

Albrecht Dűrer house – Courtesy Wikipedia 

Sandra Bullock, the American movie star, had lived in Nuremberg for quite a while, and speaks fluent German.  Her father was a U.S. Army employee, and her mother produced German operas.  She lived in Nuremberg until she was 12 years old, when they moved to the United States.  Years later, when she visited Nuremberg, she gave an interview.  At the end of it she called her niece by name and said, “it is way past your bed time.  Be a good girl and go to bed.”  Sandra’s grandmother still lives in Nuremberg.  

By 1:30 we were back on the bus, going to the ship for lunch in the lounge.  At 2:45 we took the bus back into town and walked around and took pictures.  We saw a cathedral,

Courtesy Wikipedia 

an open-air market,

 and the beginnings of a Christmas Market. 

Beautiful city.

We were back on the bus by 3:45 and back on the ship.  We noticed a cute decal on the back fender of the bus:  a flying carpet.

We sailed for Regensburg about 6:00 p.m.

We had supper at 7:15.  Our table mates were Denise and John from Half Moon Bay, California, Barbara and a friend from Massachusetts.  Carl told us that we would have to change ships, because the river did not have enough water in it to support the ship with all its passengers.  We had been alerted prior to the cruise that we might have to change ships because of the recent drought.  Although we had hoped we wouldn’t have to change ships, it looked like we would be doing it, anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~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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The Cruise of Lifetime-Part 8

20 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

Friday, November 13, 2015

We were up early and were at breakfast by 7:15.  We were to have a very busy day this day.

We arrived at Nuremberg at 9:00 a.m. and we began the World War 2 tour.  We visited Zeppelin Field, the Congress Hall, Documentation House, and the Memorium Nuremberg Trials.

The Zeppelin Field was where many of the Nazi rallies was held.  It was not as large as we had expected.  The buildings had been reduced to just a few, and the center building had sported the Swastika that was blasted off after the war (famous picture of that event).

Every few yards along the perimeter, there was a building.  When the guide asked if we knew what they were, many in the group suggest one thing or another.  He said, “it’s really very simple.”  When I said, “restrooms,” he said, “that’s right.”  With the 250,000 people assembled, they had to have facilities for them.  (These two pictures were taken by me and cropped)

We visited the Documentation House, which is attached to the Congress Hall.

The Congress Hall was built at Hitler’s demand, and was to be used only for one time each year.  When Hitler was asked how all these buildings would be paid for, he replied that, after they won the war, they would get the money from those Germany conquered.  The Congress Hall was built in the shape that was to duplicate the Roman Coliseum.  The Documentation House held many photos and memorabilia from the Nazi era.

We sat in the courtroom where the Nuremberg Trials were held in the Palace of Justice.  Fascinating room, with large placards holding pictures and notes about the trials. 

Lots of information was given – through the placards as well as our knowledgeable guide.  He mentioned Robert H. Jackson, who President Truman appointed as U.S. Chief of Counsel for the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.  He made some outstanding statements (courtesy Wikipedia):  

Closing Argument for Conviction of Nazi War Criminals

Robert H. Jackson, U.S. chief of counsel for the prosecution of Nazi war criminals

An advocate can be confronted with few more formidable tasks than to select his closing arguments where there is great disparity between his appropriate time and his available material.  In eight months – a short time as state trials go – we have introduced evidence which embraces as vast and varied a panorama of events as has ever been compressed within the framework of a litigation.  It is impossible in summation to do more than outline with bold strokes the vitals of this trial’s made and melancholy record, which will live as the historical text of the Twentieth Century’s shame and depravity.

Nuremberg Prosecutor (1945-1946) Speeches

One of the most famous statements he made was:

            “The true applicant before the bar of this court is civilization.”

Strategies of the American Chief Prosecutor Robert H. Jackson

It all had a profound impact upon us.

~~~~~~~~~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.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

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