Happy New Year With Updates ❄️

 

Greetings everyone! I know, it's been months and months since my last blog post. There was a lot going on and I went MIA. Guess I shouldn't have done that because including y'all in our daily doin's is important to me. Thanks for sticking around. I sure do appreciate you all beyond measure. We're all fine. 

Thankfully, no one is devastingly ill in our family, or anything, I just had to get the ketamine out of my body. It left me feeling non-plus and sad.

Notice the new header, profile photo and info? Yep. Updated that too. I'll explain the sans the motorbike below. 

Briefly what's happened since August:

❄️ Late August the Church ministry at the Waycross Rehab we had initiated and were part of fell apart because of our Pastor's wife's health issues. Poor girl, she really suffered. Jackie didn't get out of her own Rehab's until late this year. She is now better and back in fine fettle as my Kentucky step-mom would have said.

❄️ September our area was struck by Cat 4 Hurricane Helene. I know that other areas suffered far worse but it left our place very devastated. There were downed trees, debris, houses & buildings ruined, loss of power, missing dogs, etc. everywhere. We were without power for 10 days. Even growing up in Central Florida I don't think I've ever gone through anything that trying because of weather. It was very hard but, God is good, we survived. 

❄️ October Steve shot three deer. After processing our freezer is full. He'll try for at least one more but only because we're sharing the extra's with an indigent neighbor. Which, by the way, he, Tommy, the fellow many of us neighbors are helping, is doing better. He had both cataract surgeries awhile ago and also received relief for his injured shoulder. Now Tommy only needs to have his rotting, missing teeth fixed and move out of the hovel he's renting. Everyone is trying to help with that. Maybe he can find a good rental (or maybe buy a cheap house?) that takes him and his dog soon. We're praying about it. Things are looking up, anyway. 

❄️ October we sold both motorbikes. Yep, you heard right. After 50+ years of riding, we've both hung up our 'spurs', so to speak. Riding the steel steeds is lot like riding a horse only they don't bite and they don't have to be fed everyday. 😁 Funny thing, thus far, I don't miss it. Not yet. I feel kinda relieved. Selling them had to be done. Some hobbies get to be too consuming of finances and time. Plus, it was prudent to move on. Do something else less strenuous. 

❄️ November President Trump & Vice President Vance were voted into office. Praise the Lord! What an answer to prayer! I've been praying that the criminals in our Government will be removed. We must protect the children. Disagreeing over politics is OK, it's healthy, but what the Left were/are doing is criminal especially to the youngest and weakest. All this must stop. We celebrated Thanksgiving with Niece Deborah and her lovely family in Jacksonville. We had a good time. I love these get-togethers. 

❄️ November our Nephew Bobby turned 33! 33?! Where did the time go?? That can't be right. I remember when he was born. Such an adorable little child. Had the cutest smile and infectious laugh. He grew up and is now a fine young man. We're very proud of him. He, his sister, and his parents are trying to move here. That would be super cool if they can. 

❄️ We celebrated Christmas a little early this year with our dear Niece Deborah in Jacksonville. Attended Westside Baptist Church the Sunday before with her, her mom and her family. We had a great time. There are sweet, loving people attending there. Then we dined at the Longhorn's on Roosevelt. I had my Wild West Shrimp and a Blue Moon. Steve had the Grilled Salmon. Yum! Oh, how I wish we all lived closer. I always miss being around her and her family.

❄️ No New Year's celebrations for us. We both fell asleep in our easy chairs by 9 pm. 

Other than daily doin's I think that's about it for the highlights. I'll try to do better with visiting everyone's blogs and posting.

I hope your day is blessed in the light of God's love.

❄️💓❄️💓❄️

✨ Sparky ✨

Just Briefly: Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season

 

Howdy y'all! 

Hurricane / Tropical Storm Debby is still upon us as I pen these words. Her 'skirt' (the backside of the storm) is still dumping on us right now. Our rain gauge registers 7 inches at this moment with more comin' down. It hasn't stopped. Pierce, which is our county here in Georgia, is totally flooded. So is Ware, Brantley, Appling and all the other surrounding counties. The roads, dirt and paved, are slowly collapsing or are a soupy, slippery mess. There are wrecks being reported all over. For safety reasons we've had to cancel the Ministry at the Rehab tomorrow, plus all the other appointments we were to keep. I am so grateful we never lost power, are safe and dry, no trees have fallen, and have lots of groceries on hand. Giving God the glory. Thank you everyone for asking and praying. Sending prayers for everyone else especially up in Savannah and beyond. They're catching it today and it's lower there since they are on the ocean. 

We're good. I know God is in control and it will all go according to His perfect plan.

Y'all be safe. I'll be visiting blogs as I can and will be on FaceBook when it's working. 🤪

 💙🙏 💙🙏 💙

Monday Musings: Thoughts And A Keto Recipe

Good morning! I hope everyone had a delightful weekend? Ours was quiet, which is always nice. Didn't go anywhere or do anything of note on Saturday. Sunday was Church with all my dear sisters and brothers. 

Afterwards we shopped at a new place called Warehouse 203 in Blackshear. They have "train wreck" items: second hand products sold at bargain basement prices. Unfortunately, it's super hot and humid here and they had no A/C in that metal shed. Even with the fans blasting away I wilted after about 5 seconds. I subsequently scooted back out to the truck, turned the A/C on full-blast, and waited on Steve to finish his purchases. Thanks to underactive thyroid my thermostat does not work too well.

On Sunday, we all learned that Jill Biden will not seek a re-election this November. Read that again. Y'all know that's true since according to sources she is the one that's been signing Bills and running the show for the dementia patient. So I hear the Democrats want to run the Queen of Word Salad, Kamala, instead. Good luck with that.🤣  

I made the above dish a couple of days ago. It is pure heaven in a dish. This recipe is a true keeper. Trust me, it doesn't taste keto. It's rich, satisfying and tasty. 

Keto Reese's Lava Brownie (link)

Ingredients
1 large Egg
1/3 cup Cottage Cheese 
3 tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 serving sugar-free Chocolate Baking Chips
1 tablespoon softened sugar-free Peanut Butter

Directions
Blend all ingredients except peanut butter or chocolate chips.
Pour into a small greased glass dish. Stir in chocolate chips gently.
Microwave for 1.5 or 2 minutes. Watch closely. 
Remove. Whilst warm drizzle softened peanut butter on drop. Enjoy!

Serves 2-4 depending on size of slices. 

May what I share give God the glory and edify the Saints. Sunday, I woke up with a start. I dreamed(?) that Jesus Christ our Lord was standing at the door knocking with uncountable amounts of small lights before Him. Everything around the lights was in total blackness. Suddenly, He stopped. Then all the lights gathered together and shot straight up into the Heavenlies. I had to think about it for awhile because it was so startling. (I'm a slow thinker) During Bro. Bob's sermon it all together in my head. Jesus is giving everyone one final chance, then all of us who trust and believe in Him will be gathered up and removed. No, I don't know when and I'm not going to guess. That's up to Him. But, we are close. 

Today it's laundry, clean house and yard before it's 100*, straighten this and that. The same 'ol same 'ol. 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope the rest of your day is delightful. Keep witnessing, praying and looking forward to that glorious resurrection that is to come. Love ya.

💓🙏💓🙏💓

Monday Musings & Another Birthday

Good morning folks! What a weekend huh? 

First of all I want to thank everyone who prayed for me concerning my sour attitude. Things feel a whole lot brighter. I know it's because y'all are Prayer Warriors plus Church was really fulfilling yesterday. I felt lighter inside after the uplifting service. God answers prayer and I'm super blessed that there are others who pray too with loving hearts. God bless you!  

Now on to the sad news, there was an assignation attempt on President Donald J. Trump Saturday the 13th. Those of us who are keenly attuned to what is right and wrong according to God's Holy Word have been expecting an attempt what with all the hateful rants that spew from the hellish Leftist media and our Government. We're all aware that the ranting, raving, lies and threats was meant to enrage some looney tune to make such an attempt. Sadly, one innocent bystander was murdered, others wounded and many traumatized. Their lives are forever changed because of the evil hearts of those in 'power' and in the propaganda machine. But we know that God is bigger than all our silly doings. The Left mean it for evil but HE who is our God and King means it for good. [Genesis 5:20] I'm sure we're all praying for the victims families, for President Trump and his staff and family. My question is, how did the shooter get within 130 yards of our President on a rooftop and in plain view? Some in attendance even pointed the shooter out to authorities before the terrible event! Hmmm ... This kind of reminds me of how the CIA murdered President John F. Kennedy, his brother Bobby, and the men who did the dirty deed. I hope someone will follow the money trail on this one. 

On to something more pleasant.

Today, our two Jack Russell Terriers brothers, Sam (left) and Jack, are 11 years old.  Where did the time go? I remember those first few weeks after bringing them home. As puppies they were so rambunctious and destructive! I thought I was going to go completely crackers before they finally calmed down. I even threatened to take them back to the breeder at some point. Glad I didn't now. Now that we're feeding them "real" food from the table (cooked eggs, chicken gizzards, etc.) and not the store bought kind in a bag, their health has improved greatly. That's saving us major bucks too. It's so much cheaper to be healthy. 

Why does the font suddenly change here on Blogger like that? Strange ... 🤔

This week will be busy. There are the usual errands of groceries and the like but one very important errand will be Steve taking our friend Tommy to his first eye appointment on Wednesday to start the ball rolling on the cataracts removal. Poor man is nearly blind now but good news is his life is improving as each month progresses. Things are looking up for him and that makes us all so happy! Thanking the Lord for answered prayer. And thank YOU for praying for him. Maybe soon Tommy can return to work too. He's really excited about that, I can tell. 

Thank you for stopping by, your prayers, and kindly words. Remember you are prayed for too. I hope the rest of your day is happy and bright. Keep looking up! Jesus may be taking us out of the way of what is to come very soon. God bless.

💙🙏💙🙏💙

~ Sparky ~

Currently

Currently ~ ~

The Weather ~ It is hotter than a Georgia Firecracker right now but that's normal for July. Any outside work is done very early, or at least we try to.

Yesterday a dead or dying Oak fell against the back fence which needed to be dealt with. Why do these things always seem to happen when it's miserable out? The chainsaw wouldn't start, so, I fetched the giant clippers and Hubby used the gas powered pole saw. By the time we were finished we felt rode hard and put away wet. We could hardly move out of our comfy recliners. It's rough getting old. I thanked the Lord anyway that it did get done, put on the firepit for later and we survived. 

Watching ~ Back to back MST3K on YouTube. Some of the quips an one-liners are so hilarious I can't even drink my ice tea. We don't watch any major network news anymore. Makes life a lot sweeter staying away from the propaganda machines. It's all lies anyway no matter what channel one watches. Can I get an Amen? 😉

Feeling ~ A bit deflated lately. This started right after the May 8th event (Dislocated Finger) and daily now it seems to hang on in ever increasing volumes. This traumatic event seems to have knocked the ever lovin' stuffing outta me. Or maybe it's because I need to give up riding which was going to happen anyway? Who knows?! But lately small things are getting on my nerves. I feel like I was 'short' with someone at the Rehab Center! Bad girl! This is very unusual. I'm usually so upbeat, calm and friendly. Really, I'm quite joyful (because of Jesus). I love people and helping. I'm just not happy for some reason. Gotta shake this off! I do hope these feelings are only temporary. I don't like acting sad or being grumpy.

Looking Forward To ~ Having thick cut Rib Eyes tonight. I know this may sound odd but we pan fry ours with lots of salted Amish butter or rendered tallow (beef fat) and yummy spices. The Rib Eyes are so good cooked this way. Never dry or overcooked. 

Thinking ~ How I need to stroll down in the blazing heat and biting bugs to the mailbox. Being debt free we seldom receive mail anymore but have some today. I only know there's mail because we're using that USPS Informed Delivery. That feature rocks!

Making Me Laugh ~ 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope y'all have beautiful remainder of the day. Keep looking up because the stench of what's going on worldwide has to be reaching His nose. I really do think Jesus will be taking us outta the way soon. May we all keep being kind, loving others, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ until we're rejoicing at His feet forever.

💙🙏💙🙏💙

~ Sparky ~

Monday Musings: All Is Well

 

Greetings folks! 

🏍️ It was nice taking a couple of weeks off from blogging. I may do that more frequently. Actually, we have been quite busy with "busy work", as we used to say, but I did need a break from another obligation. The "busy work" was the day-to-day dealings of life. Nothing bad. Everything is fine. Still attending Church. Still conducting the Wednesday ministry at the Waycross Rehab. 

🏍️ My Dislocated Finger has good days and bad days but the good days are beginning to out number the bad. Thank you Lord for that. The bills are starting to roll in, which is fine. I've been expecting them. I'll be thankful to be done with all that. 

🏍️ We're still trying to sell our motorbikes. Not even a nibble. I guess the economy is simply too poor right now. Gas, food, medicine, previous obligations must come first. I get that. Might come up with another plan. 

🏍️ Rain has returned to our little dry neck of the woods which is an extra blessing from God. It's supposed to rain today, in fact. I can hear the thunder now. 

🏍️ Here in America this our 248th 4th of July. This is when we celebrate our Independence from British tyranny. Well, it didn't last long did it. Our Country started the downhill spiral about 1850, slid even faster since the Gilded Age in 1892, and from there it hasn't stopped, in fact, it's escalated. Anyway, we continue on. It will be a short week for many. Every day I try to pray for our Country as all who read this blog and others must do as well. We all pray that the criminals running the Government will be removed and good Christian people put in their place that we will no longer suffer from their oppression and loss of human rights. May we turn our hearts back to Jesus Christ our Saviour, pray for forgiveness, stop glorifying sin, stop harming children and each other, and then may God shower His gentle mercy on us.

🏍️ Oh, I also did want to share something I think is kinda neat. Our home is located about 150 feet from the road where our mail box is. It's often hard to tell if or when the mail is delivered. Recently I learned about something called Informed Delivery by USPS. I signed up and it works fairly well.  If there's expected deliveries that day, the site will either e-mail or text the homeowner. Click the link and at the Dashboard the homeowner can see what is expected to be delivered, if it wasn't delivered USPS can be notified, and that it was indeed delivered. This includes packages sent through them. Super cool, right?! It lags a little behind but I like having this feature. Just thought I'd share that nifty feature.  

🏍️ That's all I've got. Thanks for stopping by. I hope y'all have a wonderful remainder of the day. God bless you all and keep looking up. 

💙🙏💙🙏💙

Monday Musings: In A Relationship With An Air Conditioner

Who can relate? 🙋🏼😆

Gosh, it's been hot. 🌞 And it's dry as powdered toast. We need rain badly! The weekend was going along swimmingly, we were chillin' inside after Church, then late in the afternoon our big, beautiful, expensive Trane central air conditioning unit decided that 3 years was long enough to behave and it quit cooling. "WHAT??!!!"  😒 was my first reaction. Not cool (literally). Ok. DON'T PANIC (I did). 🤦🏼 To keep me from whining Steve retrieved the 8,000 btu window unit from storage. Panic subsiding. We keep this one on hand ever since the last time the A/C quit. It doesn't cool like the big unit but it does alright.

Note to those living in Southern climes or other areas were heat is brutal: keep one of these bad boys on hand for just these kind of occasions. We can't afford one of our usual local A/C repair people anymore since they upped their call outs to $300, so, we've hired a fella from Church for repairs. This will be our first time using him. I pray he's a good one. 

Thus, I sit waiting for help to arrive. It's all good though. God is still in control and whatever happens may it bring Him glory. It's His Royal Way. Amen?!

To cheer me up, my dear blogging buddy at MadSnapper sent some pretty cool (there's that word again) graphics of the swirl she made on her blog recently. Mad is so talented! I tried to figure it out on my own with Corel PaintShop Pro but this is above my pay grade. Which one is best? I like 'em all. Thanks MadSnapper! 

We've had a couple of nibbles on selling the motorbikes. Thank you everyone for the prayers. There's nothing concrete yet, though. I think the economy may be suffering too much to sell anything other than necessities like food, medicine or gas right now. We can wait. I know everyone is trying to survive. All in God's time. 

Well, I'd better go. That laundry isn't going to finish itself. 

Thanks for stopping by. I pray your day is wonderful, joyful, healthy and very cool! 😁

💙🙏🏻💙🙏🏻💙