THE MYAN CALENDAR -

RIGHT or WRONG? ... DECEMBER 20 2012 ....

My plans for tomorrow have not changed.  Only problem, every time I make plans something happens.  Therefore I have no plans for tomorrow. 

Bossman got a new garage door opener yesterday for me.  He hopes to get it installed over the weekend.  Hope he kept the sales slip.  Wonder if you can get refunds on December 22nd?  We may not need the garage door opener after all.

Yesterday had a ring neck pheasant in our front yard, checking things out.  Got this pic of him.  I saw a lady pheasant on our property a couple of weeks ago.  Maybe he was trying to find her address.

Batten down the hatches.  Supposed to be a duzy of a storm heading in tonight for tomorrow.  As I said, maybe I won't need a garage door opener.

Now, enough of the non-sense, but that seems to be what I do best.

I am enclosing the following poem.  You may have read it, maybe not.  But I wanted to share.  This poem was also read at the closing of the Dr. Phil TV show yesterday.  A very moving ending.

  LET US NEVER FORGET

BY

CAMEO SMITH OF MT. WOLF PA

 

T'was 22 days before Christmas, around 9:38

When 20  beautiful children stormed thru heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

 

They were filled with such joy they didn't know what to say,

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse,

"This is heaven" declared a small boy. We're spending Christmas in God's House.

 

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same,

Then He opened his arms and He called them by name.

 

And in that moment there was joy, that only heaven can bring,

Those children all flew into the arms of their King.

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

 

And as if He could read all the questions she had,

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad".

Then he looked down on earth, the world far below,

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe...

 

Then He closed his eyes and He outstretched out his hand,

 

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land,

May this country be delivered from the hands of fools,

I"m taking back my Nation,  I'm taking back my schools".

 

Then he and the children stood up without a sound,

"Come now my children, let me show you around".

Excitement filled the space, some skipped, and some ran,

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

 

And I heard him proclaim as he walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT".

 

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT

IT COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE ... DECEMBER 19 2012 ...

First of all Bossman is off of the 'painter hook'.  He didn't know the painter was coming either.  Panhandle was supposed to call and set up an appointment.  Guess they decided an appointment wasn't necessary, good old crazy lady would be there.

If I wasn't crazy before, I am now, and it is not just the painter. 

A few days ago told Bossman my garage door wasn't working properly.  It would go up, then when it was supposed to go down it would, then right back up again.  Took several trys to get it to stay down.

Bossman said there was probably a rock, or dirt, or some such thing on the garage floor that triggered the emergency feature that would not let the door close if there was something in the way.  Duh!!!  Didn't matter that I had checked for that.  Period.

Well, you know what went on yesterday.  Full day lost for anything productive, when kitchen and dining room  full of painters stuff.  Did get to meet my sister, had a nice relaxing dinner, gift exchange and good gossip session.  Goood ending to a bad day.  Little did I know.

Came home, pushed the button, garage door went right up.  Drove  into the garage. hit the button, door went down, came up.  Hit the button, door went down, came up.  Hit the button door went down came up.

Just about then saw Bossman.  He wanted to know what I was doing.  He just happened to be downstairs at the right time.  Told him I was trying to shut my garage door, that "hasn't been working right".  He just shook his head, went to the opening, cleaned up the floor (that had nothing on it) and wiped off the bottom of the garage door (that had nothing on it).  Then told me to hit the button.

Garage door went down.  Garage door came right back up.   We went through this scenario for almost half an hour, him standing inside my car (of course with the door open) so he could reach the opener, making adjustments.  Hit the button.  Same thing.   More adjustment.  Hit the button.  Same thing.  He finally admitted that the garage door opener had gone bad.  Duh!!!

He did something, got the garage door closed.  Permanently.  My car is in the garage, the door won't open, I am grounded for who knows how long.  Like I don't have anything to do that means leaving the house.  Sure hope he remembers he is now in charge of picking up the mail and newspaper on his way home from work.

I don't have the strength, and these doors don't have anything on them remotely resembling handles, so there is no way I can open the door.

Guess I could start  the car and back out real fast, taking the door with me.  But I don't think that would go over so well with Bossman.  So am grounded. And didn't even do anything nasty to deserve being grounded.

And how is  your day?

Hope it is better than mine.  I have both the painter here inside, and the landscapers here outside.  Will be another non-productive day.  Sure am getting tired of playing solitaire.  

Be glad you're not here and God Bless.

I CAN HARDLY WAIT

FOR THIS YEAR TO END ... DECEMBER 18 2012 .....

Is this wishing my life away?  No. It's just that this has been such a - the only word I can think of right now - nasty - year.  In every way.

Seems as though very litttle has gone right.  Somewhere along the way I have lost my rose-colored glasses.  Sure wish I could find them again.  Today is just another example.

My sister who lives in Martins Ferry Ohio and I take one day close to Christmas when we get together, go out to eat, have our gift exchange, just enjoy ourselves.  We are both very busy, we are both retired, and we both, well, we're busy.

In November we compared notes, and found that we were both free today.  Tuesday.  December 18th.  Otherwise one or the other of us was booked (not in jail, but just busy).

We still have 'cosmetic' work to be done on the new kitchen, etc.  Bossman been trying to get this scheduled.  He even asked me if I was going to be here, and if not, what days would I be gone.  Told him I would be available to stay home, if necessary, every day EXCEPT Tuesday, December 18th.  What is hard to understand EXCEPT?

Last I heard, he was waiting for a return phone call to schedule  the two things that needed done - the electrician to finish wiring the outlet in the back of the island, and the painter to put the second coat of paint on our dining room walls, and poly coat the mouldings that hadn't been poly'ed yet.

Last I heard.  Crazy me.  I actually thought I would get to meet my sister today.  Ha Ha Ha!!!

I have all her presents wrapped and ready to to.  Kept today free of all necessities because it was going to be a fun day.  Boy, am I nuts or what?

Five minutes (5) before I was going to leave to run a couple of errands before meeting at 11:30 for lunch and stuff, guess what.  The painter is knocking on my door.  This is Tuesday.  I am supposed to be gone.  Boy was I wrong!

Painter told me it would be an all day job.  Of course.  Called Ruth.  She asked what else was new.  That is the way it has been.  This is her only free day.  It WAS my only free day.  

So we made our plan.  I will call her the minute the painter leaves, and we are going to go out on the town tonight.  We are going to celebrate Christmas.  We are going to eat.  We are going to have our gift exchange.  I am not leaving a note for Bossman telling him where I am and why.  Let him figure it out.  For all he knows I ran off with the painter.

And how was / is your day? Merry Christmas and God Bless. 

WHAT IS THERE TO SAY

AFTER YESTERDAY ... DECEMBER 15 2012 ....


My TV was out until yesterday afternoon.  The dish had been bumped by the landscapers and threw it off course.  Bud was here as promised, re-positioned the dish, and the TV was back.

I was better off without the TV.

Yesterday's tragedy is un-imaginable.  I sat and watched, and listened, and, yes, cried.  How could this be?

I can't begin to imagine trying to cope. 

I'm proud of all my facebook friends, the kind words, the out-pouring of love and compassion they all have for folks they did not know.  Knowing doesn't matter.  Careing does. 

I don't know if we will ever really understand what triggered yesterday's tragedy.  Probably not. 

I can't imagine being one of the first responders.  They will never forget, and their lives, also, will be changed forever. 

As the days pass we will recover from the shock, go about our lives and try to live normally. But I wonder, what is normal?

Please remember to keep every one who has faced a tragedy, whatever it may be, in your prayers.  They have a long way to go, and will never regain what was once normal.  Be grateful, and God Bless. 

AND THEN ----

YOU OPEN THE MAIL!!! ... DECEMBER 14 2012...

Health-wise I am functional.  At least I am up right, doing what needs to be done, and feeling pretty good. 

My neurological appointment is a go.  UPMC called yesterday afternoon and I am scheduled in Pittsburgh January 10 at 9 a.m.  Hopefully they will find the problem.  Because there is definitely a problem. 

Watched the tv at noon yesterday for the news.  Then about 4 p..m. usually turn it back on for the evening news.  No TV.  We have 2 boxes, 4 TV's and nada.  Called.  Repairman coming this afternoon, said it sounds like a problem with our dish.

Which wouldn't surprise me.  The landscapers are back, are now building the retaining wall in the front.  Back hoe, bob cat, all kinds of stuff, and right under our satellite dish.  Bet you know what we are thinking.  If you don't, lucky you.

And, of course it was Thursday night - and, of course, football.   Bossman not happy.  Bosslady not happy either.  But then I opened the mail.  One of my friends sent me a letter, and I feel I just have to share it.  Perhaps you have seen it, perhaps not, but any how, here goes.

A CHRISTMAS LETTER

 

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.  They would often sit together and admire the great works of art  Then the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.  He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.  The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

 

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.  A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.  He said, "Sir, you don't know me but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.  He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  He often talked about you, and your love for art".  The young man held out the package.  "I know this isn't much.  I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this".

 

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.  He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son.  The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.

 

He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.  "Oh, no sir  I could never repay what your son did for me.  It's a gift".  The father hung the portrait over his mantle.  Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

 

The man died a few months later.  There was to be a great auction of his paintings.  Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collections.  On the platform sat the painting of the son.  The auctioneer pounded his gavel.  "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.   Who will bid for this picture?"

 

There was silence.  Then a voice   shouted that we want to see the famous paintings.  Skip this one.  But the auctioneer persisted.  Will someone bid for this painting?  Who will start the bidding? $100. $200.  Another voice shouted angrily we didn't come to see this painting we came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids.

 

Finally a voice came from the very back of the room.  It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.  "I'll give $10.00 for the painting".  Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

 

We have $10.00.  Who will bid $20.00?  The crowd became angry, they didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. 

 

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.  Going once.  Going twice.  Sold for $10.00.

 

A man in the second row shouted to get on with the collection.  The auctioneer laid down his gavel.

 

"I'm sorry, the auction is over.  When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.  I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.  Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.  Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.  The man who took the son gets everything".

 

 

 

 

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross.  Much like the auctioneer, his message today is:  "The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?"

 

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

 

 

Think long and hard about this.  God Bess.

TALK ABOUT

COMPLETE OPPOSITES...DECEMBER 12 2012....

Yesterday dark and dreary. Today bright sunshine.  Yes, there is frost on the pumpkin, but the sun is shining.  No complaints from this house.

Another thing to think about.  THIS IS 12 -12-12.  The 12th day of the 12th month of the year 2012.  Just stop and think a moment.  This will NEVER happen again, unless we change the calendar and add a 13th month, etc.  Next year, 2013, we can have a day - the 13th - a year 2013 - but never a 13th month.

Of course we could re-number the months. 

January #13.  February #14.  March #15. and so on. Then in January we could have the 13th day of the 13th month of the year 2013.  How many words ago did I lose you?

Also heard on the news of a wedding taking place today (12-12-12)  Everything is a 12.  Number of attendants, number of words to be spoken during the taking of the vows.  Number of tables for reception.  Number of guests per table.  I could go on and on and on. I'll bet  that  family is on the verge of a massive melt-down.

Either that or they were already melted down and just acting normal.

Two weeks from today it will be finished for another year. The clean-up will begin, the end of year sales will begin, and life will go on. 

Every New Years we pray that the new year will be better than the old one just ending.  It never seems to work out that way, but we are the eternal optimists.  It must be going to be better, It couldn't possibly get any worse. 

I think I would rather be a disappointed optimist than a dreary old pessimist.  Which would you rather be?

Have a good day and God Bless.

IT IS A COLD

AND DREARY DAY ... DECEMBER 11 2012 ....

Just a bare trace of snow, and a little bit of ice.  Everything is gray.  No spot of color any where to be seen.  I'm glad I Went to Staples yesterday and shipped the presents that needed to be shipped.  I also shipped the picture a customer had ordered for her husband for Christmas.

They had seen this particular picture hanging in my display at the Washington Co Fairgrounds Christmas festival.  She could not find my card.  So she called Family Festivals (the promoters of this show), told them she needed my telephone number.

It just so happened I had e-mailed them that same day about next years festivals.  Talk about perfect timing. 

This customer got my number, gave me a call, I had the picture in stock, and it went UPS yesterday.   Delivery scheduled for today. 

I also have all my gifts for locals wrapped, but not under the tree because there is no room under the tree.  Guess I'll stack them with my bears, who, by the way, are my Christmas card this year.  I'm  a little low on creativity right now.

As you have probably figured out, yesterday was a good day.  Today also starting out good, so will be back to baking cookies.  I have 8 tins I have to fill for Christmas gifts.

The only cookies Bossman likes are chocolate chip.  He keeps asking when I am going to bake them.  Told him they would be last.  If I bake them too soon they will be gone before Christmas, and then he would probably think I should bake him another batch.  Right!

Needless to say no one else gets chocolate chip cookies in their tins.

Also want to get started on my menu for Christmas dinner.    

This is the only time of the year that I make my shrimp cheese ball to eat with crackers, and my candied walnuts.  I usually have to make a double, sometimes a triple recipe of the nuts, as they go so fast. 

Other than all the above, I really have nothing to do.  If my head stays on straight, I will be going on a one day bus trip on Saturday with daughter-in-law Tammie to the Columbus zoo decorated for Christmas.  Should be a wonderful photo-op.  Of course for me everything is a photo-op.

Time's a wastin'.  Better get crackin'.  Don't drive yourself crazy and God Bless.

SOMETIMES THE SMALLEST THINGS

ARE THE BEST...DECEMBER 10 2012 ....

A word, a smile, a gesture.  Worth more than money can buy.

As you all know regular deer season ended Saturday.  Our farm was quite busy.  The youngest hunter was in her mid-teens   The oldest was 84.  And all the ages in-between.

They came and went for two weeks.  There were times we had 4 or 5 ATV's in our shop/shed.  5 or 6 pickups in the driveway.  Even a trailer or two.  There were dirty utensils in my dishwasher every night.  This was their home away from home for two weeks.  Some nights they  went to their real homes.  Other nights they crashed in our downstairs family room, sleeping on the futon, the recliner, the cot, and their sleeping bags.  They watched TV, took their showers, had a ball.

They have contributed a lot - a no longer being used refrigerator now in the shop.  Also a micro wave, a coffee maker, chairs, even a heater to keep the temp comfortable when it is cold outside.  They all gather in the shop for their for lunch.  Everyone brings something - crock pots full of stuff.  some nights after cleaning up they all go to the highlands for supper.  They are having a ball..

 They use our smaller shed for hanging their deer. Bob cats got in there one year and did a number on one of the deer. They cut and wrap and freeze the meat to be eaten during the winter.  You probably wonder - doesn't this bother me?

No.  For one thing I never know they are around unless I happen to be down stairs when someone comes in to wash up or use the rest room.  They never fail to be polite.  I try to stay out of their way.

Saturday night, after dark.  They had cleaned up all the trash that accumulated during the season to dispose of it. ATV's were loaded in to pick ups or trailers.  Another season was ending.

I was at the computer.  I heard footsteps coming up from the family room.  There were the hunters.  They wanted to see Bossman's new kitchen.  They also wanted to thank me - of all people, me - for 'putting' up with them, making them feel welcome, giving them a comfortable place to call home away from home.

I was told that there were not that many folks around that would share what we had with them, they could never thank Bossman or me enough for our hospitality.  And then a kiss on the cheek and a hug, they went on their way, to tell their stories of the ones that got away, of the ones that didn't get away, and the great two weeks they had had.  

I did nothing but put their dirty utensils in the dishwasher.  But they made me feel like a queen.  A kiss, a hug, a kind word.  Worth more than a million dollars.

I count my blessings every day.  I hope you do the same and God Bless.

17 DAYS UNTIL

CHRISTMAS ... DECEMBER 08 2012 ...

Am looking forward to a new year - which is not that far off now. And in looking forward was also looking backward.  To the year coming to a close, and some of the good times.  Of which there were many

One of my more fun weekends was the one in which my friends Judy and Ted spent the weekend with me.  On Friday night we attended the wedding of a mutual friend's daughter.

That left Saturday and Sunday.  We ran around.  We took pictures.  We ate out. We had a great time.  I was looking at some of our pictures - thought this would be a great time to share some of them.

We visited McConnell's Mill State Park, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob.  We had a great time.

These 3 pics were at McConnell's Mill.  As you can see, Judy is well into photography.   She is very good.  She is also an artist.  I love her paintings.

The next pics were on or way to Fallingwater.  Since no photography is allowed at FLW's homes, had to by-pass those photos.

And last, this was the last pic taken on our way home.

I hope down the road we have another chance to take some time and do another photo shoot.

Good friends.  Good times.  Good memories.  What more can you ask for.  Hang onto these three things and you will never be lonely.  God Bless.

18 DAYS UNTIL ...

CHRISTMAS ... DECEMBER 07 2012 ....

December 07, 1941 - Remember Pearl Harbor?  I do.  It changed everything. 

December 07 2012 - 71  years later.  Things are still changing. Some for the better, a lot for the worse.  Where have we gone wrong?

THAT's THE WAY IT WAS - the title of my new book that I have just completed.  Hopefully it will be available sometime in 2013.

I remember how our lives changed.  I remember the strange things that went on that I didn't understand until many years later. 

My husband served in that war.  He was with the 251st Station Hospital unit.  He was in the South Pacific.  He was on board the ship outside of Japan when General MacArthur signed the peace treaty.  He was in Japan until his discharge.  He was changed.  We were all changed.

But all the memories are not bad.  For many years, until his health began to fail, he and I attended the 251st Station Hospital annual reunion.  What a great weekend that was.  We attended every reunion except one.  A different family hosted this reunion, in a city near where they lived.

We planned part of our vacation time for this reunion.  We visited,and learned about, many cities and areas that we would not have visited otherwise.  They talked of the funny things that happened, the good memories they had.  They never discussed the actual war, the fighting, the horror stories. That had been blocked out for ever.  We all  just enjoyed being together for a weekend, the families and friends.

Tom and I were lucky enough to host two of the reunions, the first in Wheeling WV, near where we live.  We had arranged for a  bus tour of the area.  I could not believe the amount of history that our tour guide gave us that I had forgotten about, or did not know about. 

Most folks arrived at the destination on Thursday, Friday was meet and greet, and eat and stuff.  Saturday was the special day, the tour, or whatever our hosts had planned.  Saturday night was the banquet,  complete with entertainment, and Sunday  we  all parted company, anxiously waiting for the next reunion.

The second reunion we hosted, several years later, was in Washington Pa.  Tom's health had began to fail, and as it turned out it was the last reunion we were able to attend.

One of the high-lights of this reunion was that the local newspaper, The Observer-Reporter, sent  a reporter and photographer to interview the service men, and learn about them, their time in the service, and the enjoyment of the reunions.  They did a wonderful job of reporting in the newspaper.

There are no more reunions.  The folks, part of the Greatest Generation, are gone now.  So much history is gone.  So many stories still un-told.

December 7 - the holidays are in full swing.  But I never see this date on the calendar that I don't pause, and remember, all those many years ago, how our lives changed forever.  There aren't many of us left that actually were alive at that time.  Soon we will all be gone, and it will be just another page in the book of history.

I wonder - what will future generations think of this time in our history.  Or will they just shrug it off.

Please say a prayer for the 'Greatest Generation' and God Bless.

19 DAYS UNTIL....

CHRISTMAS ... DECEMBER 06 2012 ....

And a very productive day it has been.  At least for me. 

Went to town this morning to do some errands and ended up getting my last Christmas shopping done , except for the few gift cards and packing the cookie tins.

This afternoon baked two more kinds of cookies .

I sliced the pastels, which I made yesterday, and baked them.  They are called pastels because you divide the dough in half, make one half green and one half red.  Boring.  So I have to be different.  Nothing new abut that.

I do add the red and green food coloring to their respective half of the dough, but then just mix it a little.  Once the dough is rolled, refrigerated over night, then sliced to bake, you have really pretty red and white, or green and white, marbled cookies.  Doesn't change the taste, but sure do look pretty.

I also mixed and baked my Christmas White Cookies.  Why called white?  Because the are white.  No color, nada, none, just a white cookie.  They are soft, tasty, and good.  And white.  A nice contrast with the pastels and the Mint Chocolate Delights, which are, of course, chocolate.  Duh !!!

And fourth are my English Toffee cookies, which are a light tan with tiny pieces of English Toffee (hence the name) through the cookie. Completely different color and taste.

I have about 5 other Christmas cookie recipes I will be making, but not today.  Right now I want to wrap a few more presents.  Sooner or later will do the labels for my Christmas Cards, but that is not on the list for today.  Don't know which list it is on, but somewhere, sometime, somehow, they will be mailed.

My tree is as done as it will be.  Got a star.  Too heavy to put on top of tree with it's little holder.  Asked Bossman if he could make it work.  Nope.  Told me it was too heavy. I needed to find something else.

I didn't want something else.  I wanted THIS star.  THIS star was going to work one way or another.  I have spoken.  So be it.

Guess what.  The star looks just beautiful on top of the tree.  Guess it takes a woman to figure out these things.  Took Bossman two days to notice the star was on top of the tree. He asked how did I get it to work.  Told him that was for me, and only me to know. I don't think he would approve, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him, or me.

I'm sure you have to be tired of hearing about the "Perils of Martha" so will close out for today.  There are many many friends on facebook who need our prayers at this time so please take time to say a prayer.  You don't need their names, God knows who they are, and God Bless. 

20 DAYS TILL....

CHRISTMAS...DECEMBER 05 2012...

That's not very long.  In fact it is a very very short time.

I do have my Christmas cards - but have to get them addressed and in the mail.  Am working on cookies, but a long way to go.  At least I have all the decorating done that I am going to do.

I need to get my Christmas dinner menu made.  Of course turkey and ham are a given.  Along with the mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.  It is the other stuff.  That is where the road-block appears.

I think I will make my old fashioned home-made cheese cake.  It is not like the ones you buy.  This recipe goes back to my Mother's time, and so far has always been a favorite. 

It is one of the recipes that you dirty every mixing bowl you have,, but it is worth every bit of the time it takes to make.  When completed it fills a 9 x 13 pan.  It disappears instantly.  You better hope you are at the beginning of the buffet line..  Or else get yours first, then fill your plate

That is as far as I have gotten.  Of course everyone brings something, we end up with a 7 course banquet.  Maybe even 8 courses.  We have been so blessed.

Am working on the gifts that have to be shipped.  I will pack them in their individual boxes, and hope that none go to the wrong address, then take them to Staples and ship UPS.  That way they are delivered to the door.  I have never had anything lost or broken.

And since this is not getting anything done, I had better get cracking. Holiday dinners are always open house.  If you are alone there is always room for one more at our table.

Enjoy this special time of the year, don't work yourself to death, and God Bless.

CRAZY MIXED-UP

WEATHER...DECEMBER 04 2012....

Yesterday's high was 70 and sunshine.  Today's high is 39, cloudy and raining.

Don't know what tomorrow will bring.  Don't know how to dress.  Don't know nuttin' from nuttin'.  I guess the weather and I are alike - neither one of us is normal.

Otherwise life is good.  The rooms have quit spinning.  How novel.  I had forgotten how good it is to just stand still.  Nothing moving.  Not even me.

Well, that is not quite accurate.  Did get first batch of cookies baked yesterday.  Got grocery shopping done today, and got my Christmas cards printed. Also got some of the things I needed for other cookies.  Will probably mix up the pastels today. They have to be refrigerated over night before baking. They are really easy. And good.That will be two down, umpteen more to go.

Couldn't decide what pic to use for my cards this year.  Every day it was something different.  Finally decided that was ridiculous.  How can it take days to decide on a pic??? 

So went with the easiest choice - seeing as how I had it printed out already.  My Christmas Bears are wishing everyone Merry Christmas this year.  Aren't they the lucky bears?

Found a star for the top of my tree.  Have always had an Angel.  All the Angels I found this year were too heavy.  I was afraid they would fall off.  So found a really pretty star.  Guess it was time for a change. Anxious to see how it looks.

Too much has happened this year.  Too many changes, not all of them good.  Am hoping 2013 will be an easy year - no major catastrophes, just a nice, calm, year, to give me a chance to re-group, re-think, re-arrange, re-evaluate, are there any other re's out there I have forgotten?  If so, let me know so I can add them to the list.

21 days until Christmas.  Don't forget to count your blessings and God Bless.

BEGINNING

PREPARATIONS ... DECEMBER 03 2012 .....

Yep.  Trying to get started.  What decorating we are doing is done.  Tree up, Christmas bears in place, the Nativity on display.  Now for the busy part.

This afternoon am getting all wrapping paper, etc., out to start wrapping presents.  Have three boxes I have to ship - one to Maine , one to West Virginia and one to Arizona.  They have to be done first.

Also have to get cookie tins ready.  Hope to start baking today or tomorrow - cookies, cookies and more cookies.  The first batch will be my Mint Chocolate Delights. 

I try to do one batch a day for umpteen days.  I usually fill 12 tins.  We have so many here for Christmas dinner, and I hate to have anyone here who does not receive a gift.  So tins of home-made cookies are for them.

In addition to the cookies I make candied nuts.

I have also chosen what picture will be my Christmas card this year.  I have used pictures that I have taken for my cards for 30 plus years.  Not people pictures, but Christmas themed pictures.  Something different every year.

Keeps me hopping.  So guess I had better sign off here and get busy.  Yesterday was a good day - The Steelers beat the Ravens.  What a ball game. 

Take care, enjoy your day and God bless.

I AM GOING TO SHARE

A CHRISTMAS STORY ... DECEMBER 01 2012 ......

This is a story I had written for Volume 3 of my IF ONLY I COULD TALK books.  Each story in my talk books is told from the subjects point of view. I hope you like this.

DONKEY'S STORY

 

I am cold and tired.  The journey has been long.  I don't have any other name except "Donkey".  I belong to a man named Joseph.  He has as always been kind to me, sees that I have enough to eat, a dry place to stay.  But this journey has been long and hard.  If I am cold and tired, I can't begin to imagine how Joseph and Mary must feel.

 

 

Joseph did not want to undertake this journey, especially with Mary expecting a child at any time.  How do I know this?  I might be just a donkey, but I do understand what they talk about.  They had to make this trip.  All citizens had been ordered to Bethlehem for someting called a census and taxation.

 

Joseph was very considerate of Mary.  At the beginning, Mary walked along side of Joseph.  They talked, sometimes laughed, but were always together.  Occasionally I had to slow down as Mary would tire, and there were times we would stop to rest.

 

Today, though, when we were preparing to continue our journey, Joseph did not place their belongings on my back, but instead placed a rough blanket and helped Mary up.  I would be carrying her instead of their belongings.

 

Then Joseph placed their belongings on his own back.  In that fashion we resumed our journey to Bethlehem.

 

Mary cried as she saw him struggling with their few necessities, but he wiped her tears away and told her not to cry.  He could handle this.  He said we were just a short distance away and should arrive sometime late in the day.

 

Later, as we were walking, I heard Mary gasp and cry out, not loud, just sort of a whimper.  Joseph stopped immediately and asked what was wrong.  She said she thought we was going into  labor, the baby would probably be born before morning.

 

Poor Joseph, he looked so frightened.  Coming to my head he placled a hand on me and told me tht we would have to hurry.  Mary needed a place to lie down, a bed and a roof over their heads.  I immediately picked up my pace, which isn't to say much, as I only have slow and

slower.  But I tried.

 

As we approached the gates to the city I couldn't believe how many other travelers were already there.  We had seen some on the road, but nothing like this.  Where did they all come from?

 

Finding a sheltered corner, Joseph left Mary and me saying he would find us a place to stay.   We waited and waited.  I could tell Mary was in great pain.  I became quite worried.  What could I do?

 

Finally I saw Joseph hurrying toward us.  How relieved I was, but then I saw his face and knew something was very wrong.

 

Joseph related that there no rooms anywhere in the great city of Bethlehem.  All were filled to overflowing.  He said he had just about given up hope when the last inn he entered had a compassionate inn-keeper.  He told Joseph that although there were no rooms available, he did have a small stable behind the inn which had clean hay inside and would protect us from the weather.

 

Crying, Mary answered that ANYWHERE would be good, we needed to get there as soon as we could.

 

Arriving at the stable, Joseph hurriedly gathered together large armloads of sweet smelling hay making a bed for Mary to lie on.  While he was doing this I watched as Mary carefully sat down on the side of a feed trough.  I just stood there, waiting, now knowing what I should do.

 

Once the bed was finished Joseph gently helped Mary lay down on the bed of hay.  Then Joseph turned to leave, saying something about somebody called a mid-wife, when she cried NO - there is no time. Our baby is on the way!

 

I moved further back into the stable where I found some oats and a little bit of hay.  So I decided to have my supper.  I tried not to pay too muh attention to the humans as I figured they would do what they had to do.

 

After a long time, I heard a final faint cry, then Mary's weak voice, and Joseph answering that they had a SON.  He was God's Son and his name was JESUS, just as God had instructed.

 

At that time I really didn't understand what all the fuss was about.  I moved a little closer and saw a really tiny person, wrapped in some sort of cloth, with only his hands and head visible.

 

The next thing Joseph did was prepare a very little bed in one of the feed troughs in the stable, and then he laid that tiny little person on that bed of soft, sweet-smeling hay, a bed in a manger.

 

Mary drifted off to sleep, Joseph sat watching.  After our long journey I was so tired that I drifted off to sleep also.

 

Suddenly I was awakened by a bright light shining right into the stable.  Looking up I saw this big beautiful star right above us, shining down on the baby.  And I heard singing! I have never heard any more beautiful music than I did right then.  I thought I must be  dreaming, but Joseph said something about "Angels" everywhere, singing and telling the world that GOD'S SON had been born, telling them not to be afraid.

 

Suddenly I heard a strange new sound, very faint and soft, but gradually increasing.  I had such a funny sensation as I listened, then suddenly I knew what it was - It was the animals!  All the animals were singing to the new born baby!

 

Nothing was harsh or loud, just a soft lowing, baaing, birds were singing in the middle of the night!  They never sing at night.  The horses were neighing, every living creture was praising this baby.  Even I, a lowly donkey, had to sing, but never had my braying been so soft.  It was as if something else were braying for me.  I looked down, and even the mice, living in the stable, were sitting up and singing in their little faint voices.

 

As the singing went on and on, I had the most wonderful feeling, as if I, a lowly donkey, were experiencing the most wonderful night in eternity.

 

As the singing gradually died away, people began arriving, travelers that had come for the same reason we were here, to pay taxes, and residents of the city, all bringing food and clothing for the baby, and then standing back in awe.  Then shepherds began arriving.  They had seen the star and heard the angels, and left immediately to come and worshipp the KING, bringing lambs as their gift offering.

 

I was tired, just wanted to sleep, but so much was happening!   I didn't want to miss anything.

 

Then to my astonishment three new visitors arrived - I heard them called the Wisemen.  These Wisemen had been traveling, following the star, until they finally arrived in Bethlehem.  They had brought gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense.  After paying homage to the baby Jesus, they told Mary and Joseph that they had to return home, but were going by a different route because King Herod had heard about the new KING and wanted them to tell  where Jesus was.

 

For the rest of my life I would be "the donkey" that carried Mary, then Mary and the baby JESUS.  Many years have gone by, I am now old, have forgotten many things, but the memory of that night in Bethlemem, when the animals sang, praising that tiny new baby, is as fresh today as it was back then.

 

I am only and old donkey, but the memories I have of the bright star shining on the new born baby, the anges singing, the animals singing, the visitors arriving, the gifts given - what a memory.  How blessed I have been, just a lowly donkey, that I was able to be a part of this wondrous event.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this story.  Read it, and remember, what Christmas is really about.

 

Have a good day and God Bless.