In Loving Memory: Myra Cook Ackman

Myra (Cook) Ackman

Her memorial at FindAGrave

Twelve years ago today, I lost my precious step-mother of 36 years. She was a determining force for the better part of my life. Since her passing I have tried to hallow her memory with praise because of the endearing impression she's made on all who knew her. Many times I find myself reminiscing about some funny quip or some bit of advice that has helped me through the years.

She was blessed with a raiper wit that comes from growing up poor in the Kentucky mountains. Her humor was quick and merciless. Myra grew up in a coal mining community but she was "trained to virtue and grace, in faith and God's fear." An expert self-taught seamstress, she was rarely not at the old Singer sewing machine. Memory is sometimes muddled but with fondness I remember one joke in particular she would say when 'caught' sewing on a Sunday. Because Myra was of the die-hard Baptist faith, she would say she would have to remove all the stitches with her nose when in Heaven because she sewed on the Sabbath.

Her cooking was superb. A kind of cordon bleu but with a country flair. She could take an ordinary meal and make it special. We are still serving many of her delicious recipes, especially around the Holidays.

When I hear a Polka, her favorite music, it still brings a smile. Her favorite song, though, was Last Date by Floyd Cramer. She would crank that tune up and sway to the melodies that spilled out of that old cabinet record player. Last Date is one of my fav's now too.

In 2008, four years after her passing, her memory was still fresh, I wrote a brief story about how she came into my life.

Rest in peace dear lady. I'll bet you're sitting next to Floyd Cramer listening to him play for the heavenly bodies. I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven with our blessed LORD Jesus.

Got Questions: What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability?

Mill Creek Church Cemetery at sunset

There's been several discussions about maintaining our faith in God on many of my favorite blogs. I feel cheered by their showing of faith. I appreciate these wonderful Saints more than words can express. Along this same line of thought, I thought it would also be edifying to discuss how important it is to encourage one another in the gathering shadows of these Last Days.

Every day He tarries is a day to witness. Every day He tarries is a day to love the sinner but hate the sin. And every day we draw nearer to our sweet LORD's return for His faithful.

Since almost all who read this blog are professing Christians, this next year will be especially bumpy spiritually, financially, morally, not just for America, but for the world. The world has told God to leave our schools, science, government, politics, entertainment, work places, and even many of our places of worship. In His place the darkness has crept in.

As we earnestly pray for God to forgive our ignorance and to return to our every day lives, let's try to remember to be upbeat and friendly to others. Let's share the joy of Jesus Christ in spite of the wickedness that envelopes our nation and fight the fear that grips our souls. Perhaps we can make, even if just for a moment, someone's world a little bit brighter so they won't feel desperate. May our kindness help lead them to Christ while the light lasts. Let's also show others WE ARE HIS and nothing, yay, NOTHING can come between the love of God and those who put their faith in Him.

"These are the times that try men's souls." [Thomas Paine, founding father]

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." [Romans 10:17]

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." [1 Thessalonians 5:11]

With Christian Affection,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

www.GotQuestions.org

Question of the Week

Question: "What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability?"

Answer: There much temptation already in the world today, and Satan is working overtime to create even more. In the face of such temptation, many Christians seek out an “accountability partner” to pray with and help share the burdens that come with doing spiritual warfare. It is good to have a brother or sister we can count on when we are facing temptations. King David was alone the evening that Satan tempted him into adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). The Bible tells us we fight a war not of flesh but of the spirit, against powers and spiritual forces who threaten us (Ephesians 6:12).

Knowing we are in a battle against the forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us, and this may include making ourselves accountable to another believer who can encourage us in the fight. Paul tells us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We know without a doubt that temptation will come. We should be prepared.

Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is fighting and perhaps feeling that someone else might better understand and sympathize. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things are not going well at work and just where the bar is on the way home. Where do we find help? We want to do what is right in the sight of God, yet we are weak. What do we do?

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression of encouragement or moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan. Being accountable to one another can provide those missing ingredients.

The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Body of Christ is interconnected, and we have a duty to each other to build each other up. Also, James implies accountability when he says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Accountability can be helpful in the battle to overcome sin. An accountability partner can be there to encourage you, rebuke you, teach you, rejoice with you, and weep with you. Every Christian should consider having an accountability partner with whom he or she can pray, talk, confide, and confess.

© Copyright 2002-2016 Got Questions Ministries

When Insults Had Class

These inglorious insults are from an era before the English language became boiled down to 4-letter curse words.  

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A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."

"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress." 

"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

 "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow 

   

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second .... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.

   

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop 

   

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

 "I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb

 "He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others." - Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating

 "In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand 

    

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

 "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts ... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening.  But I'm afraid this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

Wordless Wednesday

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Got Questions: What Is Catharism?

Like many of my readers, I also peruse a great deal of medieval literature and history. During these mental travels into the past I had come across a few references to the Catharism cult and a few others. Curious as to what they practiced, I looked them up and thought I'd share the findings. From all this reading, I've learned that our ancestors where a superstitious lot!

Cathars where a strange bunch, weren't they? They vaguely remind me of the present day cult of worshiping the earth (i.e. Climate Change, Progressives, etc.). I guess that's because they worship the same 'god of the air', the great deceiver, the father of all lies, satan.

Many years ago I read part of the Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin book, referenced below. If you don't have that in your home library, I highly recommend it. Knowledge of what's right and wrong help to understand the enemy that we may fight for Him. This is a spiritual warfare, after all. [Ephesians 6:12, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8]

Thank you LORD Jesus for protecting us from such deceits that we may worship you in truth. Amen.

~ ~ ~ ~

www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "What is Catharism?"

Answer: Catharism is the term used to describe a set of quasi-Christian beliefs held by a group of medieval ascetics known as the Cathars (or Cathari), which means “pure ones.” According to Catharism, everything physical was created by the evil god of the Old Testament, and everything spiritual was created by the good god of the New Testament. The Cathars believed that human beings are really angels trapped in corrupted matter, forced to reincarnate until finally released by a ritual of purification.

One of the tenets of Catharism, which began in the 12th century, was a rejection of marriage. Cathars forbade marriage for a couple of reasons. First, they believed that humans were simply angelic beings imprisoned in flesh—and angels are genderless. Also, the Cathari believed that procreation was an evil act, since it prolonged the suffering and evil of the physical world. Cathars were also vegetarian and pacifistic.

Catharism taught that salvation required a ritual known as a consolamentum. This was vaguely similar to baptism, with the addition of speaking in tongues and fasting. A Cathar typically observed the consolamentum as late in life as possible, since he believed any pleasure taken in the world after the ritual would corrupt his spirit and prevent him from ascending to heaven. Many Cathars undertook the consolamentum on their deathbeds, then voluntarily starved themselves to death in order to guarantee purity in the afterlife.

Theologically, Catharism was dualistic; biblically, Catharism is completely false, although the Cathars claimed to be Christians. Scripture says that the same God who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) is the One who came in human form for our salvation (Acts 3:13). Unlike Catharism, the Bible says that each person is born and dies only once (Hebrews 9:27), has a human soul (Genesis 2:7), and is saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). No ritual can save us (Titus 3:5), nor are all worldly things inherently evil (Genesis 1:31).

In modern times, Catharism might be seen as a quirky or even progressive religious group. But in medieval Europe the Cathars were considered radical and profoundly dangerous to the stability of a fragile society. Those who denied the authority of the government to wage war and who refused to procreate were seen as anarchists threatening the culture. Catharism also rejected the Catholic sacraments and almost all other religious traditions. Unsurprisingly, Catharism was heavily persecuted by the Catholic Church; they were the particular targets of at least one minor Crusade and parts of the Inquisition. Catharism died out in the 14th century.

© Copyright 2002-2016 Got Questions Ministries
Recommended Resources: The Kingdom of the Cults, revised and updated edition and Logos Bible Software.

Alison Weir Has A New Publication

Anyone else a medieval history freak fan like I am? Nothing gets me more excited than a new book on this subject, especially the Tudor dynasty (think Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, Elizabeth I, etc.) I have multiple books covering these Monarchs and more. One of my favorite authors, after David Starkey, is Alison Weir. Imagine my joy when I learned that Ms. Weir has a new book that is set to be published January 12th. Of all the people I've studied from that era, I know very little about Lady Margaret Douglas.

I've restocked the tea stash, hubby will cook scrumptious scones sprinkled with sugar, and my favorite reading chair is all set to go. After the 12th I'll be the one in the corner reading quietly about life 500 plus years ago. History is a marvelous teacher if we'll all just listen and learn from our ancestors mistakes. Which reminds me of the saying:

"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." -- George Santayana

And I pray (literally) that our Nation will learn from our current horrendous mistake making 2017 the start of our own Renaissance. Wouldn't that be splendid?! One can hope.

Have a blessed day folks.

Blogger Is Changing The Rules Again

Apparently, Google is changing things around again. If you're one of my "followers" and do not have a Google account (who doesn't have a Google account these days!?), it will be necessary to create one and re-follow anyone on Blogger.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

I wondered why I suddenly lost about 10 or more 'friends' in the past week. This is why. So, I went ahead and deleted the old "Follow" button since it will be rendered inactive by the 11th, and placed the new Google+ Followers button on the right hand side. If you would be so kind as to click, I do appreciate it. I've placed it below the Motorcycle Websites list (you can see where my priorities lay ... lol).

This is new to me also. Please let me know if I need to re-follow any of you. Thanks.

I'm still nursing a mild head cold. Just my luck, the sun is shining and it's lovely outside. *sigh* I would so love to ride. Maybe by the end of the week ...

Sources For More Information: Google Friend Connect, Blogger Videos

PS: Now I just noticed that the Google+ Followers button on this page is not working. *sigh* Can't figure out why and I'm too weary to check any further. Sorry for the inconvenience. Stay tuned sports fans ...

PSS: It's been fixed ... I hope. ~:)

The Day After

These creaking bones are moving slow today. I blame the damp weather but it could be just plain laziness. The rain started last night at the party, then temperatures began to drop and now it's gloomy. Today has been as quiet as the tomb. Somehow after coming down off the sugar debauchery of last night, Hubby and I have managed to stay busy most of the day.

It just dawned on me I hadn't shared the pics from last night. I do apologize for the sorry picture quality. I'm still trying to get accustomed to the smartphone camera. Apparently, there's a trick to getting good photos from this thing. Wish now I had taken the Olympus.

Our long time friend and host, Daniel, cooking the roast beast.

He's a master with the smoker.

My plate of smoked pork, pork & beans, cole slaw, beef steak tomato.

There was much, much more and I made certain to sample it all.

My husband's homemade Banana Pudding was a big hit!

Hubby enjoying his meal with me next to Kawasaki Mule.

Now, you know I'd be near the machinery.

This is just a small view of the building Daniel built for

his parents last year. He's quite the master craftsman!

I added a star on the little girl's face. Since she is a minor,

I don't have the parents permission to put her face in

cyberspace. Just want to protect all the little ones.

We're being 'good' tonight, having a strictly vegetable supper (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it). *lol*

Thank you for stopping by. Hope your day was blessed.

Happy New Years

Even though I am not usually a very social person, we have plans to be at a friends house tonight celebrating the New Year. This will entail consuming mass quantities of sugar that is sure to induce a few comas, eating the roast beast, playing with guns and riding 4 wheeler's. Yeah, everything that is, I hope, politically incorrect. *grin*

I hope your New Year's is happy, bright, and safe. See ya next year my friends!

Happy Christmas Everyone!

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[comments turned off ... spend time with the loved ones!]

The Guest Bedroom Is Completed

We are finally 'finished' with the house remodeling! Here's the photos below. Please forgive the brevity. We are both so whipped that the mental processes are completely gone. And I'm sure normal people are more concerned with getting everything just right for The Big Day.

Before the stinky old carpeting was removed.

Preparations made, the first board goes in place.

I know that 'almost' only counts in horseshoes and grenades,

but we are truly Almost There. *grin*

Ta Da! The floor is finished!

This is the Guest Bedroom all put back together

and we are both long necking a Blue Moon.

It might end up being two ... *giggle*

I know everyone is super busy so I appreciate your taking time to stop by. And if you're really bored, the complete home remodel is here. I should have taken a picture of the money as it disappeared too. *lol* 

Have a blessed rest of the week folks.

A Monday Hodgepodge

Pearls Before Swine

It just dawned on me, that it has been days since I visited blogs or posted here. Y'all must have thought I fell off the face of the earth.

The cartoon above reminds me of our family. It will just be the two of us this year (their choice, not ours). What are your plans?

First some news, I think we have finally found a church in which to feel comfortable in. Sundays usually find us in the First Baptist Church. Being a "grace believer" I will not be "joining" (i.e. submitting to water baptism) but it's a pleasant diversion every Sunday morning. I spoke to the Pastor briefly about it, and he said it's not a problem. Without "joining" one just can not hold office or vote in the business part of their church. Thankfully, I'm not interested in any of that anyway. But the natives are friendly and there is a motorcycle club called F.A.I.T.H. Riders in which we are members. That should pacify even my persnickety side.

We have started on, hopefully, the final remodeling project in our 23+ year old stick built home. It's taken over a year to accomplish all the necessary interior projects but it's been well worth the financial and physical pain. The current project is the guest bedroom. It still has 23+ year old carpeting. First Hubby removed the smelly carpeting in the closet and placed nice easy to clean floor tiles. Today, we've removed everything from the bedroom except the ceiling tall bookcase out into the hallway. The bookcase needs another coat of white paint before moving on. Then we'll started pulling up carpeting and replacing it with the floating Pergo flooring.

And something else good came from all this work.

Experience is a wonderful teacher. For most who know me they know that one of my absolute favorite hobbies is genealogy / family research. I've been following people's migrations and habits for years. It's become second nature to figure out why an ancestor moved or did whatever they did during their lives. I also study a lot of old photos. This leads me to I keep all our photo albums in this closet that's being renovated. This week, whilst everything was in a disarray, I began thumbing through an old homemade photo album that belonged to my adopted mother, Helen, who had died in 1966 when I was 10 years old.  I have few memories of my mother. The reason being that like a monkey in a cage, my father was good at flinging obscenities or threats in my direction whenever I even so much as spoke to him, so, I quit asking him anything at a young age. Anyway, I happened on a couple of old Polaroid photos in the album that I'm sure I must have looked at a million times two and wondered "Who are these people?" since there was no writing on the photos. Well, I was sitting on the bed casually looking through the album and I had one photo of Mom in one hand, and this one below in the other, and I finally realized, this is my Mom at a very early age! She always had that serious look on her face. My Mom and her brother, Richard, where the only children of Richard Darrell Koethe, I, and Edna Margaretta Strain. This has to be her in that very treasured photo album. That was such a very joyful moment to discover a photo of my Mom for the 'first' time. It's a nice Christmas gift.

And I'm still enjoying, and learning about, my new Smartphone. I feel so modern. *lol*

If I don't get to post again before the Holiday, I hope everyone has a very happy, prosperous and safe CHRISTmas season.

Smartphone

Guess who finally joined the 21st Century? And this was after I swore up and down that I would never, not ever, no way, cross my heart and hope to die, nuh uh, ever have a Smartphone and be able to text! So much for swearing.

Crow sure is tasty. *lol*

My husband has one too. So this afternoon we camped out on the couch (as if we have nothing else to do ... NOT!), he in his corner and me in mine, and we proceeded to learn how to use the newly purchased toys. Even though Technically Challenged, I still managed to download two very cool ring tones: Stairway To Heaven and Santa Baby.

Anyone in the market for two well used flip phones? *grin*

And, happy news, it's raining! Finally. Thank you LORD for your mercy. It has been dangerously dry in SE Georgia. Now that our one mile of shifting sand road will be ride able again, I picture a ride in our very near future, with the new smartphone to show us the route.

Now, how cool is that.

Got Questions: Did Jesus Go To Hell?

www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.

Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.

Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption . . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”

Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.

As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

© Copyright 2002-2015 Got Questions Ministries

A Day In A Country Life

There hasn't been much going on in our neck of the woods worthy of note. However, today we had a friend drop by and help remove a 30 foot Red Cedar that was too close to the carport.

Notching the tree in preparation of a fall.

Thar she blows!

Now the fun begins ... disposing of all the limbs and debris.

And a pleasant surprise. An early Christmas gift from Santa.

I know, OMGoodness! It's a 'bling'! The necklace is made from Sterling Silver. The stones blue Tiger Eye. I nearly suffered whiplash during the last visit to the Tractor Supply Store and my husband noticed. He's such a sweetie. Now if I can just find a way the earrings wear it under my helmet ... (ouch) *lol*

Funny Friday

Now, that's something to beleaf in.

And now ... for something completely different ... >>

Two Irish nuns were sitting at a traffic light in their car when a bunch of rowdy drunks pull up alongside of them.

"Hey, show us your boobs, ye bloody penguins!" shouts one of the drunks.

The Mother Superior turns to novice Sister Margaret and says, "I don't think they know who we are. Show them your cross."

Sister Margaret rolls down her window and shouts, "Screw off ye little freakin' wankers, before I come over there and rip yer nuts off!"

Sister Margaret looks back very sweetly at the Mother Superior and asks, "Was that cross enough?!"

I'm afraid that the dog will just have to Let It Be.

Thankful Thursday

It's the day after the San Bernardino, California, massacre by more mentally ill Mohammedans (i.e. satan worshipers). So, it seems that World War III has begun in earnest and our country is officially in the thick of it. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families this morning. Will Americans continue to look the other way? Or will my fellow citizens say "Enough!" and demand that all those involved in this evil political system be deported or jailed immediately? Do they love their children or grandchildren or their own lives enough to care? Or will they just buy another electronic device and tune out hoping it will all go away? Time will tell.

There is a lot to be thankful for this morning. One is I still live in a part of the country where we are armed and can defend ourselves when there are wolves everywhere that want to kill unarmed citizens.

I am thankful for the food in our larder, the fuel in our vehicles in which to express my freedom of movement, our income -albeit meager- which still keeps the hungry wolves from our door, and a loving LORD who will watch over all of us who believe.

By the way, I'm having trouble with Blogger. I'll send a post 'out there' and it takes literally hours for it to appear on-line. Anyone else having this issue also? I don't know who to contact to correct this error, so, guess I'll just have to live with it for now.

Ride safe out there.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24New International Version (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Setting The Cruise Control

Ok, things have suddenly gotten crazy hectic around here. With my husband pre-cooking many items that need to be chilled, me washing up, cleaning the house, running errands and now I've injured my right hip again! Bummer. Anyway, I'm going to put the blog on cruise and concentrate on the Holiday.

Here's wishing everyone in my bloggy world a very Happy Thanksgiving, even the dear ones across the pond. Wish you could join us here in the States. You'd be more than welcome at our table.

From my house to yours, stay safe and have a lovely rest of the week. Be chatting with you all soon!

A Card For You

Double Heaping Of Blessings Hodpodge

The giblets are simmering.

This year, we get to have two Thanksgivings. The 'free' turkey won at the local IGA has already thawed, so, husband said, "Better cook it now." Works for me! I never turn down those kinds of lovely smells. The Jack Russell Terrorists, especially Jack, haven't left the throw rug sitting near the stove all morning. He's such a moocher. There will be  the traditional cornbread stuffing, homemade turkey gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and mashed sweetened yams for dessert. There's probably more but I've drooled on the keyboard and have to stop to clean it up. *grin* Yum yum!

For the official day, we've been invited to our local dear friend's home for another happy repast. By the end of this week my belly will look like an overfed turkey. Guess I'd better steer clear of the woods. *lol*

El Cheapo Telephone Stand

Last Friday, my husband bought an antique telephone stand for only $19 at a local auction. This little number is solid wood, very well made. He's been refinishing and repairing the table as the weather permits all weekend. There's really plenty of furniture for our tiny living room but I wanted a small table next to the love seat. Fits nicely, don't ya think?

And it's finally cooled off in our neck of the woods. The sky is a deep blue, the air fresh and crisp. It's so pretty today. I think I'll start raking all the Long Leaf Pine needles that the wind left us this weekend. They would add a nice touch around the roses bed.

I hope everyone is having a good day and will be able to enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Thank you for visiting with me today.