Best Blog In 2008

Cynthia at Muse Swings and Janeen at ChaChaNeen have both bestowed this fun and adorable award among 15 blog worthy places to visit and I'm humbled and honored to be among them! Both are charming ladies loaded to their fingertips with quick wit and gentle kindness. Cynthia's wonderful way of looking at life keeps many of us amused and in stitches. Janeen is my sometimes 'secret agent' buddy on many Blog Adventures and she is also loads of fun. If you're not already following their blogs daily they are well worth the visit. They are consistantly entertaining.

Thank you ladies very much. Shake paws. I am deeply humbled by your kindness.

I am suppose to name 15 blogs that deserve this award.

Hmmm ... unfortunately, I am blessed with mostly the same blog friends that are also Cynthia's and Janeen's blog friends! What to do!? What to do!? Well, for now, this one time, I will bow out in passing an award on openly. I feel like all my friends deserve this award because I enjoy your posts and comments immensely. There are so many creative, intelligent folks out there.

I especially enjoy Linda and Iva's blogs. They are both excellent writers and I don't think they've been nominated yet.

Soooo, if you're here feel free to "take it".

Now sit. Stay. Take the award. Good girl (or boy). [lol]


Happy New Year Y'all!!

God bless!


♥ ∞

Sweetie Darling!

BBC television will be playing back-to-back episodes of one of my favorite British humor shows "Absolutely Fabulous" on New Year's Eve (Wednesday). Those of us who follow the show call it "Ab Fab" for short. I wish BBC, or some station, would also bring back the British 'classics' like "Butterflies", "To The Manor Born", "The Good Neighbors", "Sweet 16", and so forth. These are all my favorites too.


For those who are uninitiated with the 1990's show "Ab Fab", the show centers around Edina "Eddie" Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone who drive Eddie's sensible daughter, Saffron, up the wall with their constant drug abuse and outrageous selfishness. They go from one misadventure to another because of their carelessness in dealing with life. Numerous in-jokes and heavy doses of cruel humour have made this series a cult hit in the UK and here in America.

AbFab is truly adult humor and totally hilarious, therefore, it's not recommended for young viewers ... unless you want to use it as an example of how NOT to live! [smile]


The New Year's Eve episode where Patsy feels hungry.

Eddie and Patsy in the episode where
they were imagining what it would be like to be old.

So drink up Sweetie Darling! Sit back and expect to laugh your socks off. I know I'll be clued to the TV for several hours. This show is Absolutely Fabulous!



♥ ∞

Christmas Spirit Award

Groovy! I won another award!

This one is from my bloggy friend, and sometimes
blog secret agent buddy, ChaChaneen (aka Janeen).

Christmas Spirit Award

I'm suppose to name the 5 things I love about Christmas ...

OK, what I love most is ....

1. ... receiving all the Christmas cards and newsletters from people we don't usually get to hear from.

2. ... singing Christmas carols with family and friends.

3. ... driving around looking at all the Christmas decorations and lights.

4. ... eating all the sweets and yummy food dishes cooked by all our delightful Southern cooks. YUMMMMM.

5. ... the extra sweet, loving way people treat one another this time of year. I wish the good will would stay year round.

Then ... I'm suppose to pass it on to 5 friends.

1. A Little Birdie Told Me So ~ Stevie Wren's wonderful posts and terrific drawings are well worth the visit. She and granddaughter Avery have many 'adventures' together. It's fun! Stevie is a charming Christian lady.

2. All About Whatever ~ Rosezilla is a talented writer. Her posts are always good. She loves to garden and is quite good at that too.

3. Carey's Corner ~ Chaplain Carey's inpirational christian posts have helped me and many others through many a hard day. He and his family are great folks with good hearts.

4. Life's A Calling, Who Is This? (fka Chicken Soup) ~ Linda's insightful posts keep me very entertained. She's a sweet southern christian lady that homeschools her child. It's fun reading her blog.

5. Voila! Vintage Postcards ~ Marie displays beautiful vintage postcards. Visit her blog for lots of great gift ideas too. She's very talented.

Enjoy y'all!

♥ ∞

Funny Friday - After Christmas

Well, no dirt bike for me this year, so I thought I'd share a picture of my new motorcycle.
Santa sure has a sense of humor for an old fat man in a fur suit ... [LOL] :o)

♥ ∞

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Past (1971)

Christmas Present (2008)

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

From Sparky and Wiregrass Steve
Merry Christmas Y'all!


♥ ∞

Fake Magazine Covers

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

I found this free website today
and thought everyone might enjoy it.
I uploaded a picture of me as a tot
in 1958 at Christmas to experiment.
Do you have any on-line photo editing websites to share?
Give the fake magazines site a try and have fun!



♥ ∞

The North Pole Visit

Welcome To The North Pole!



I thought I’d make us all reservations for some First Class Hotel accommodations in case Santa‘s castle is full (he‘s so busy this time of year, you know?).

Well, at least the prices aren’t steep! [lol]
It’s a little hard to get to, so, I’ve provided a transportation.

It's the latest model. Me first! Me first! :o)

Or … there's the option of a ride with Santa’s reindeer.
Santa said they are equipped with their own personal GPS.
One person at a time please …



Well, here we are at the hotel.

There’s a place for your computer.

And a really cool place to lay one’s head.

Now let's drop over to visit with Santa.
[shhh] There he is now talking to the troops.

Looks like I'm employing a few of these little guys in my garden and didn't even know it!

In honor of the fact that I'm still a big kid at heart, I've posted a few links to help all of you track Santa and his reindeer after we leave here this Christmas Eve.

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.htm
(requires Google Earth download)
http://www.tracksanta.com/
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/home/seasonal/SantaTrack.html

Well, guess we’d better skeedadle home and hop in bed so we won’t miss Santa’s visit.
Um, watch out for the Polar Bear on your way out though.

Sometimes penguin are just a snack before the main course.


From the humble Bloggy home of My Thoughts Exactly and Wiregrass Musings
to all our wonderful friends out there in Bloggyland,
have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year!
God bless!



♥ ∞

The Husband Store

The Husband Store

A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch: you may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men have jobs.

The second floor sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love kids.

The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it".

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.

Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.


So as not to be accused of gender bias, here's one for the gentlemen:

A new "Wives Store" opened across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.

The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

Sparky

♥ ∞

My Three Mothers, Part II

Myra (Cook) Ackman
... continued from My Three Mothers, Part I ...

After my mother’s death in 1966, Dad remarried almost immediately to a woman he had only known a short time that had two children about my age from a previous marriage. This was such a disaster. My mother was barely cold in the ground and he was thrusting me from person to person with no regard for the outcome. This person was an odious woman who treated me like gum stuck to her shoe. So one night, I ran away, at the age of 11, I climbed from the bedroom window and started walking to Orlando (about 50 miles west of my home). I had no money, no extra clothes, no food, no clue what to do next but I was leaving. I couldn’t take the abuse from two people and figured I had nothing to lose. Dad found me before much time had passed (I was still in my hometown). He was uncharacteristically silent as I was returned home ‘unscathed‘. A short period later he and the odious one divorced (he never explained why but I doubt it was concern over my welfare).

During this time I also lost my grandfather (Dad’s father) and my mother’s brother, Uncle Darrell.

Dad then quickly remarried yet another woman whom he had only known a brief while. Myra remained my step-mother until she died in 2004. This was a third marriage for both. Myra also had children from previous marriages but they were all grown by then. Do you know how I learned about their marriage? Dad put me on a commercial airline flight to his family in western Pennsylvania, alone. He put a complete stranger, an airline stewardess, “in charge” of his little girl. I arrived back home and he blurted out, “This is your new mother.” Did we get along? Not at first. I was so badly traumatized by then, I’m sure I was quite a handful.

Myra had mild mental problems, nothing serious or dangerous, but I realize now how much she saved my life. She was never malicious or cruel and she did profess Christ as her Savior. She suffered a grindingly poor childhood growing up in the rural Kentucky Appalachian mountains. Her father was the Sheriff of their county and her mother worked odd jobs to make ends meet. I’m sure she must have put up with a lot of my sullen and confusing mannerisms. She very wisely scheduled for me to meet with a child psychologist who helped a great deal. Myra encouraged my being involved in a local church of my choice (wisdom beyond her years I realize now). I came to know Christ because of her and not end up in some drug infested hell hole with a needle up my arm. I never did illegal drugs, or anything illegal, actually. I always knew there was a Higher Purpose to life than what we’re wallerin’ around in down here because she took the time to continue my path down the right spiritual road. I think Mom must have started the ball rolling and Myra picked up the slack. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Myra was a multi-talented person. She could cook like a professional chef, sew tailor made clothes or home decorations, paint realistic pictures, decorate, and always had a perfectly clean home. She was really smart and very self motivated. Because of her I learned how to cook, sew, clean, write letters and thank you notes, show up to work on time and properly dressed, have correct manners, and do all the things that are so important. And, most important of all, she stepped between me and my father many times. When his yelling, cussing, name calling would almost come to blows, like a professional negotiator she would bring a calmness into the situation. When I grew large enough to physically defend myself, and I could throw my own punches, Dad quit hitting. At the age of 18, with a nice fresh High School graduate diploma under my belt and the ink barely dry on the document, I left home forever. I’ve never looked back. My ’only’ mistake was marrying too young. I married the wrong man the first time because I had no confidence in my abilities to survive. He wasn’t evil or abusive, we just weren’t made for each other.

But that's how Myra "saved my life" by directing my footsteps as best a step mother could.

And, then I met Steve and my life really started.

But that’s another story. A very happy story! :o)

My father and Myra

Thanks for letting me pour my heart out. I needed that ... and I need YOU! Thank you and God bless.

… THE END …
♥ ∞

My Three Mothers, Part I

It must be the season but I’ve had unusually frequent thoughts of my mother lately. My adopted mother that is.

Sparky the Crumb Cruncher (1959)

To clarify things since it can be all so confusing for the uninitiated, I have had three mothers:

My birth-mother, who gave me life.

Marian Estelle "Mary" McMahan (1959)
FindAGrave Memorial

My adopted mother, who shaped my life.

Helen Mae Koethe (1944) before her marriage to Dad in 1948
FindAGrave Memorial

And my step mother, who saved my life.

Mrs. Myra Cook Morgan Ricketts
and my father at their wedding ceremony June 1968
FindAGrave Memorial


My birth-mother, Mary, was 17 years old and unmarried. In 1956, this was a tragedy! She dropped out of high school, ran away from home to south Florida to stay with family friends and had me secretly. Two days later, I was property of my new adopted family and she was free to go on her merry way to do more as she pleased.

Helen, my adopted mother, apparently wanted a child. My father did not want something that wasn’t blood-kin. He never said these words directly, but his actions were frequent reminders of this little fact until the day he died. But Helen had a mother’s instinct. My father didn’t permit me to discuss my mother or have photos of her after her death, so, I have few memories of her. But this is one that still lives in my mind:

I grew up in Titusville, Florida, not far from Playalinda Beach (aka Cape Canaveral). We practically lived at Playalinda since it was so close. One day, while at the beach, my cousin Ricky and I were playing in the surf. I think I was about 5 or 6 years old and Ricky was only about a year older. He began pointing at the waves exclaiming, “Look at all the balloons on the water!” So, I ran out there wanting to play with the “balloons” and horrors of horrors, they were Portuguese Man ‘O War! In short order I was covered with poisonous, stinging, grasping tentacles! It’s a bit of a blur, but I do remember Mom suddenly rushing over to me, and with no regard for her own safety, rapidly pulling the tentacles from my young flesh. She became horribly stung right along with me. Thankfully Aunt Helen (Mom’s sister-in-law) was also along and she drove us to the Hospital which was at least 20 miles away. I had to get some rather painful shots and was covered in some kind of salve for days. It was pretty terrible. My father was typically disgusted that I had “caused trouble”, etc. But I just remember how my mother rushed to the rescue of her baby, like a mama bear protecting her cub.

My mother was taken from me suddenly one summer day in 1966. She had had a bad heart acquired at a young age from a bout with Scarlet Fever (thus the fact she could not conceive). The brain hemorrhage was sudden which caused her already weak heart to seize. She wasn’t overweight and she didn’t smoke. It was a total surprise to everyone. Something that today, if caught early, probably would never have happened. She was only 40 years old. I’m told that everybody liked Mom. She was sweet, gentle, physically delicate and ever so kindhearted. And also, thank God, a Christian. I was only 10 years old, but I still remember the phone call my father received from Jess Parrish Hospital that day. I can remember the look of utter anguish on his face and the way he cried. It’s the only time I can remember him crying or acting human. Then I can remember him lashing out in anger.

I didn’t realize that my life would never be the same.

It was a couple days later at the funeral, just moments after they put my mother’s body in the ground, I was crying and asking “Where’s Mom? Why are they putting her in the ground?”. I was so confused and frightened. My father screamed at me inches from my face to “Shut up! You’re only adopted! Why do you care?!” My life stopped at that moment. It’s like he had reached into my chest and stopped my heart from beating. I felt numb and dead inside. Yep. He tore up his parent card, and my heart, that hot day in August. Amazingly, though, I do not dwell on this much or the painful years that followed. It’s all in the past and I know now that he was doolally.

Despite his abuse and neglect I still have a few treasured memories of a sweet, loving mother that shaped my life that carry me though hard times even today.

Always a silent hurt,
many a silent tear,
but always a beautiful memory
of one we loved so dear.

God gave us strength to bear it,
and courage to take the blow,
but what it meant to lose you

... no one will ever know.
Author Unknown

….TO BE CONTINUED …
♥ ∞

You Are Invited To The North Pole!

There was so much fun at the Muse-Swings Christmas In Bloggyland Tour, that one of my other wonderful bloggy buddies has decided to "host" her own bloggyland party. With all these festivities and delightful food, I'm never gonna lose weight! This one will last from December 22nd to December 24th (Christmas Eve). What a splendid idea!

These are the rules:
1. If you're interested, inform Linda by replying at her blog. Place this invitation on your blog .. so we can make sure you are visited also.
2. You may give the reindeer carrots and sugar cubes.
3. The elves are friendly, but please remember, they are very busy.
4. Finally, have fun! And remember to laugh and smile.

I don't know about you, but I'm bringing LOTS of vino [uh hum] again ... and, I guess, a little food. Don't want anyone keeling over in the snow from hunger. [tee hee] It's doubtful if Gregory (of Peck and Paw Tours) will be able to attend. He's probably off somewhere with LL and her *borrowed* credit cards. But I'll be sure to sequester Santa for a moment, as he is a special friend of mine, for a visit before he's off on his travels. Don't want to delay him too long though, he does have to bring me that dirt bike!

So, please sign up at Linda's Life's A Calling blog today! It's going to be fun, fun, FUN!!

♥ ∞

A Christmas In Bloggyland Tour

Welcome! To the 1st Annual Christmas In Bloggyland Tour! Hosted by the lovely and gracious MuseSwings.

Wahooo!! Y'all saddle up! I'm all set!
It's time for Christmas In Sparky Land.

Sweetie, and a few unemployed elves, helped me decorate our humble abode in preparation for your arrival ...

... and Santa stopped by to help decorate the 2 wheeled conveyances ...

I've even put the dogs in a spare room for the evening. They'll be happier in there anyway. TVLand is showing back-to-back Lassie reruns. That should placate them for awhile.

I've got my bestest togs on (note the new motorcycle in the background for quick getaways) ...

So, don't be shy.
Help yourself to the vino and chocolate treats while you're here.
I have Jury Duty and have to skedaddle,
but I don't think they'll mind if I have a little nip?? .... [hic - 'scuse me]

I drug out the extra sofa to crash on for those who imbibe in a little too much with the hair of the dog (I'm looking at you Linda … ha ha). [hic - pardon me AGAIN!] Pass a cordial would ya? Maybe that'll mask that happy odor on my breath.

And to pass the time, a little photo show of Christmas' past featuring Sparky and Wiregrass Steve. That's me above in 1961 (I was 5 years old). Look at that pose. Gosh, even then I was a little ham. "Pam the Ham" is what they called me. If the camera was on, I was in front of it! ...

... and Sweetie's photo was taken in 1952 (he was 4). He was cute even then. :o) His mom said he was telling Santa he didn't believe in him. Pretty nervy for a kid approaching the Zero Hour of Christmas I would say! [lol]

Y'all come back soon now! Thanks for stopping by! 'Bye 'Bye!
Have A Very Merry Christmas!!
♥ ∞

A Christmas In Bloggyland Tour

Our dear bloggy friend in the strange far off land of Florida is hosting a Christmas in Bloggyland Tour on Monday, December 15! Everyone - and that means you - is invited to participate and share your holiday spirit with your bloggyfriends - however you wish - on the 15th.

Show your decorations, your memories, stories, pictures, recipes, music, art, poetry, nature - anything - whatever you like on your Christmas in Bloggyland post for the 15th.

1. Leave a comment on the MuseSwings post saying you'll be there!
2. Make a copy of the invitation and post it on your blog!
3. Add the HTML back to this post or to MuseSwings.
4. Tell your bloggiebuddies and bring more friends! Party! Party! Party!

MuseSwings will post the names of all of the participants on the 15th so everyone can take the Bloggyland Tour and visit all of the wonderful Christmas in Bloggyland posts.

Travel from blog to blog to see what wonderful things our bloggyfriends have done to celebrate the holidays. Leave comments! Have a wonderful adventure.

As always, the tour lasts all day and evening and covers every time zone and country.

I personally will only be able to participate half a day as I have Jury Duty in the afternoon. I love having Jury Duty here, it's actually fun! I get to see who's doing what to whom and why. I enjoy that but I'm nosey. [tee hee]

So jump in! The water's fine (or snow, if the case may be). See ya there my friends! Hope you can make it.

♥ ∞

On-Line Typing Test

I've slowed down a bit due to arthritis, but, I've still got it!

67 words

Speed test

Years ago, in the early 1980's, when taking the test to work for a job with the State of Florida Vital Statistics, I was clocked at over 75 wpm. That was with youthful fingers and long polished finger nails. I guess, the 'ol girl has still got it. :o)

Hey, how do you like the new background? It was time for a change.

It has rained cats and dawgs all day. It rained so hard earlier that it was actually raining sideways! Southeast Georgia was under a tornado watch but thankfully that has passed uneventfully. Well, can't go outside. Decorations are up. Everything is done. Sweetie is on a western Georgia hunting trip.

Not much going on today. [sigh]

Maybe tomorrow will be more fun.

God bless y'all!

♥ ∞

Southeast Georgia Alien Plant Life

Stepping through the sliding glass doors, rather than being greeted by the deliciously sweet aroma of dried autumn leaves to which I am accustomed, I was repulsed instead by a most odious smell. I searched around this area of the house, attempting to locate the perpetrator of my nose hair burning.

Finally, I pin pointed the source.

Under a back stoop, lo and behold, there was a freshly born alien plant life. I screamed at the top of lungs "Sweetie, come here! What is this!?"

My husband came tearing outside, "What's wrong?!" Probably thinking I had cut my hand off or something.

I asked him, "WHAT is THAT!" pointing at the odious offender.

He calmly responded "Oh, that's just a Stinkhorn. We used to call it 'stink cabbage' when I was kid." Then he continued to relate how they as youths would throw these horrible things at each other! [sigh] Boys ...

I had to look this thing up on the internet.

At the web site MushroomExpert.Com, the little monster has a rather fancy name of Clathrus columnatus, aka Stinkhorn.

"Ecology: Saprobic; growing alone or gregariously; often near woody debris (and apparently sometimes growing right out of the sides of living trees); in lawns, gardens, cultivated soil, and so on; from North Carolina to the Gulf coast, and in Mexico (reported as far north as New York); October through March."

Sure enough, there's wood mulch under the stoop and it's the right time of year.

Well, next time my nostril radar picks up one of these, I'm running the other way! The mushroom is a lovely orange color but it smells like dog doo on steroids. So, it just goes to show one, you can't judge a mushroom by it's color.

♥ ∞

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Photo Graciously Donated by Kirk M. Rogers

♥ ∞

Este Blog Investe E Acredita Na Proximidade! Yeah, It's Another Award.

NanaTrish (also known as Blue Foot this week .. ha ha) of Nana's Living The Dream has honored my humble bloggy home with another award! Nana lives in Blog Land that I am priviledged to call Friend.

This is the special "Proximidade" award. This award is a fine one because it focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world (kind of a Six Degrees of Separation sort of thing).

I wonder who the guilty party was that started all this award giving?

Anyway ...

"Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors.This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Nearly everyone I know has this award. I could only come up with 5 recipients (sorry) but I am proud to pass this award to:

1) Steviewren at A Little Birdie Told Me So

2) Rosezilla at All About Whatever

3) Linda at Chicken Soup

4) Marie at Cpaphil Vintage Postcards

5) Steve at Wiregrass Musings

Y'all enjoy! And thank you for being my Bloggy Friends (especially my husband, Wiregrass Steve).

Off subject, it has been EXTREMELY cold here in Southeastern Georgia! Last night it was 29 degrees! Every morning we awoke to frosty grounds. I know I got some giggles from some blog friends because they live further north. :o) Well, that's cold for us! I wish now I had been keeping track of how many days of frost we've had.

Motorcycling has been put on the back burner .... one would REQUIRE a burner in one's pocket to ride comfortably ... because of the cold. Try imagining 65 mph wind in one's face for over an hour at a time. Extreme weather can wear one down physically and that can be so hazardous on 2 wheels. I try to always dress appropriately but it's still tiresome, so, we keep them parked until balmier days.

Is it Spring yet?

♥ ∞

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

Yesterday, we drove our Jeep to Emanuel county here in Georgia. The roadways are so alive with color this year! The Turkey Oaks are absolutely stunning with their bright orangy red leaves. The Cherry Trees are brilliant yellows. Slash Pine trees stand out like sore thumbs now with their perpetual green leaves. There's just so much color everywhere.

This was a combination Genealogy and Motorcycle trip. I had a couple of tombstones to look up at the Old Canoochee Primitive Baptist Church cemetery for genealogy research. Then, we scooted on over to Statesboro to look at .... yeah .... you guessed it, dirt bikes. [blush] I still want one doggone it. I have looked at every possible 200 or so size dirt bike except the one I really want: 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. But, I think this 'want' will be put on the side line. Got too many things that need to be done to the ol' homestead. Aw, well. There's always next year. I feel very, very blessed (more than I deserve) and oh so thankful. I don't know what it is about being out in the woods. I always feel so much closer to God than in any building (but if you're reading this Pastor Scott, todays sermon was very good indeed).

Here's some of the views we were treated to yesterday.

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let Heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

Today He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
Today the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

Hosanna to th’anointed King,
To David’s holy Son;
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.

Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s Name,
To save our sinful race.

Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise;
The highest heav’ns, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid, 1719.
Music: Ar­ling­ton, Thom­as A. Arne, 1762; ar­ranged by Ralph Har­ris­on, 1784

God bless y'all!

♥ ∞

Casual Friday

I was never lucky enough to find a job where I could be THAT casual! [lol] I always had to dress 'just so' being in accounting.

Have a good'en!




♥ ∞

Sparky and The Church

Everybody that knows me personally, knows that I am not a “church goer” anymore. I had many years hence given up on the earthly church. I have my own strong personal beliefs and am seeking God’s face in my own way and pace. Also, I don’t like crowds. I’m not the least bit shy, I just feel real guarded around people I'm not sure of. I imagine all kinds of horrible scenarios or mind numbing confrontations.

But, since the elections, I have felt a deep need to be with others that are like-minded in loving God.

This being 2008, I picked out a local church by "Googleing" it. I knew the church was there I just never paid attention to their teachings or the people inside. So, I read about their core beliefs, read about the pastor and perused his writings. “Ok, that one looks ‘safe’”, I said. Wouldn’t want to accidentally attend a snake handler church or something equally bizarre.



I do imagine some strange scenarios, don't I? I’m so distrusting (or maybe just disturbing .. lol). I've seen and experienced too many bad things. (Thanks Dad.)

So, courage in place, I picked out a Sunday to attend. Wore my nice togs, picked out a stylish outfit, styled my hair, dabbed on my nicest perfume. Well, just my luck, it was pouring rain that morning. Not a gentle “Gee, this is nice” rain. But a gully washer, frog strangler, can’t see 5 feet in front of you rain. “Oh great. So much for having a good hair day.” Already this was not going well and I kept wishing I’d stayed home.

There’s the church building in front of me. It looked imposing. Oh God, now there’s people coming up to greet me. I mentally check them for weapons. Here comes the constriction in my chest, the ringing in my ears as I tense.

But, hey, they’re nice but not overly nice (that can be disconcerting). They don't try to hug me or anything really disarming. There are no heads flying out of windows, no human sacrifices on the altar. It’s the typical church with the fake gold cross and plain jane ‘altar’ with adjoining pulpit. Pews were cushioned. That’s nice on the tooshy. Hope I don't doze off.

So far, so good. I breath a little easier. The constriction in my chest has eased and the ringing in my ears has subsided.

The church service started. The people were friendly, the songs fun and the sermon inspirational and short (take note here preachers, keep it short and you keep my attention). Before you knew it I was actually enjoying this place! I relaxed and smiled.

After the service, Sweetie and I got to stand around and talked to the minister. He asked how and why we chose this church, so, I related the event leading up to that point. He got really tickled and a bit puzzled when I related how I “Goggled” him and the church (I reassured him it wasn‘t anything bad). He was impressed by how much I already knew about his writings.

Then I thought I'd be brave and added, “Also, I was making sure y’all weren’t snake handlers.” I thought I’d get just the classic giggle and wave goodbye.

Without skipping a beat, the minister retorted, “Oh, we use those in the evening service!”

We all laughed so hard our sides hurt!

Well, this guy has just passed the first part of the Sparky Sez You’re OK Test.

As we were leaving, the minister also told us this joke I thought I'd share:

A guy goes to a new church. The service started when they locked the doors and got out a box of snakes.

Frightened, the man shouts, “Where’s the back door?”

“We don’t have one,” the preacher shouts back.

To which the man said, “Where would you like one ….!!!?”

I can‘t wait to see how next week goes! Stay tuned ... :o)

♥ ∞

Advertisements From The 1930's

Make sure to check out the Lysol and the "dieting" advertisements!

Enjoy!

Aw, yes, we all long for the days of carrying our own church key, I'm sure!

(For those of you too young to remember,

a 'church key' was a common vernacular for can opener.)

I'll bet it's really hard keeping those camels rolled after their lit too.

They probably put up quite a fuss! har har

I'd rather get hit by a bus, thaaannnk yooou ...

However, his medical insurance company is canceling his policy.

Uhhhhh .... no comment ...

Ewwww ... I think I'll go with the lap band treatment first ...

Santa!? For shame!

(cough, cough) How sexy. (hack, sneeze)

And, on that happy note, I'll say good night ....

♥ ∞

My Letter To Santa

Dear Santa,

I was told that if I was good, I could have want I wanted for Christmas.

That's a verbal contract .... right?

Ok then. I waaaaant ....

... a 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. It's cheap. Honest!!

It's not expensive and I promise to always wear my protective gear. It's just a little single-cylinder street legal dirt bike.

Are you listening Santa?

So, can I have one ... huh? Pleeeeeezze?

I'm a reasonable person.

Well, SEMI reasonable anyway. [lol]

I have been a really good girl. [That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.] Therefore I feel like you owe me ... big time!

So, are we golden?

Goooood. Feel free to leave it in the carport next to my Suzuki.

Thank you!

Your Fan,
Sparky ♥ ∞

(Now Santa, my husband, who is totally unreasonable [but very cute], wants a Ducati Desmosedici. Don't know what that is? Don't worry, you don't want to know ... it's $72,500 and forever more out of your elves price ranges!! See I'm VERY reasonable!) [lol]

♥ ∞