Monday Thoughts:
Well, it's happened ...
I thought I was excused from CA jury duty because of my age !
Nope
This came in the mail Saturday...
I am not a happy camper. Now I have to see if I can be excused again.
I do know its our civil duty but I don't think I can handle it any longer.. Prayers appreciated.
So this is the message to MYSELF !
That's all I've got for today.
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
I just thought I would give all of you a bit of an update on life around here.
First of all, thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers for our son Steve.
He really has not had any ill effects from his car accident. His brain has been kind of worn out from dealing with the insurance companies, but there is good news on that front too.
The insurance company of the "crasher" has totaled Steve's car and is giving him a a very nice settlement. Not really enough to get a new car but it will help him get a good deal . He also got a car rental to carry him through the process. We will see where it all goes from here. Its been a real answer to prayer.
Subject #2
Remember the wonderful sale we had on the glass hen candy dish? Well ...
It arrived broken and irreplaceable. Fortunately we had insurance on it so it will take care of the bulk of the cost. We are so sad and we know it was packed really good. This isn't our first rodeo. Can't cry over broken glass but ...
#3
Dave and I had our sweet daughter from another mother ... Karen ... over for dinner last night. She is really doing very well since the death of her mother and my good friend Lynne. It was fun to chat and laugh and even watch a bit of tv together.
No photos, I completely forgot.
I'm so glad that Dave and I are finally feeling like part of the human race again.
The stomach flu is ugly stuff but the good thing is I lost a pound and a half in the process.
Some bright tulips from my archives to brighten your day.
Have a great weekend and hope some of you aren't frozen in the Arctic Blast!
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
Thankful Thursday
First of all, thanks for all of the questions on my last blog post.
I guess you are realizing that I really like quirky things and am always on the lookout for them.
When my Hubby and I were roaming around in an old antique shop in the Foothills near our home we saw all sorts of interesting things.
The Cow Milk container is actually medicine for livestock. The side of the box gives a bit of information. I thought since Wednesday was Wordless it would be fun to see everyone's reaction to the display.
Now on to Thankful Thursday ...
Yesterday our son Steve was in a car accident. He's okay so far ...
He was going 35mph onto the highway following a dump truck. All of a sudden a car came up behind him at full speed and slammed into the back of him. I thank the Lord that the rear end collision didn't push him into the heavy dump truck in front of him.
This happened in Las Vegas where Steve was for business. He managed to tape, bandage and tie up the car and drove home to Sacramento ... over 600 miles.
He made it home and has been involved with insurance companies since then. I can't imagine how stressful and tense the drive was coming home. Thankful that the car was sort of drivable. I haven't talked with him yet today since I know he is busy with the whole car thing.
This is certainly not something that he needs right now. Financially its a huge blow and makes his independent photography business a lot more difficult.
I am just so thankful that he is okay. It could have been awful.
I'm also thankful that he didn't have to contend with the dense fog in the valley.
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
Monday Meanderings:
I have been reading so many blog posts concerning our world and the happenings of the day.
It made me think about an old gospel hymn we used to sing.
During WWII, Ruth Caye Jones, a pastor's wife, was reading a newspaper and seeing all of the casualty reports. She began to jot down thoughts and words. The bible verse of II Tim. 3:1 was a trigger and also Heb. 6:19 ... "This is the Hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."
In Times Like These:
Here are the words to the great old hymn...
In times like these we need a Savior
In times like these we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus, yes, He's the One
This Rock is Jesus, the Only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
I really want to thank you for all the prayers and kind thoughts and concerns.
This getting back to full health and strength is a long trip "uphill".
We definitely are feeling so much better, but the body is still weak and I am kind of droopy. We continue to just rest and basically do nothing but the bare necessities.
One really great thing happened for us yesterday.
We sold another item on eBay.
Rough Days for the last few days.
The Flu hit our home with a vengeance over the weekend.
At our ages its not such a good thing.
Ours has been more of the stomach kind than having to do with the lungs.
Very thankful for that.
Today we ALMOST feel human.
Tis a long road but we can see the end of the ick may be soon.
Peaking into better days ahead.
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
In reading my devotions this morning
I felt these words were especially for me
But perhaps they are for some of you too.
" Let Me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you."
You would like to see a map showing all the twists and turns of your journey.
You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead.
However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.
I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey.
My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way.
Stay close to Me whispering My Name and being in communication with Me. Then you can walk through this day .
My abiding Presence is the best road map available.
Exodus 33:14
John 15:4-7
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
Since I shared a bit about our time in Kenya yesterday, I thought I would bring you up to date on a wonderful man we were involved with, and remain friends with to this day.
His name is Solomon Saitoti Ole Tuukuo. As a child he was sponsored through Compassion International. It literally saved his life . Fast forward to our time in Kenya. Solomon was our friend, guide and had begun to "Give Back" by developing a school for the poor community of Namuncha through Compassion Int.
He was so young and full of caring for his people.
This picture is from 2009.
The necklace I am wearing was made by this beautiful woman since I was "Mama".
Now it is 2025/26.
Solomon is the Project Director for Compassion International in his district of Kenya.
He is married and has 6 kids at last count... I know this photo only shows 5 ... ones in the oven.
in 2010 Solomon got his Undergraduate Degree and then this past December 2025 he received his Master's Degree.
All during that time he was working in the community bringing wells to that drought worn part of the country, planting trees with another organization to refurbish the earth. He was also helping in many ways at the Namuncha School. This was all while he was studying and raising his family.
Solomon has been recognized as a major part of his community and furthering the Maasai culture.
He has been chosen incoming Nakuru County Senator and has received this honor from the President of Kenya and for the establishment of a new game reserve park in the area.
I am so proud of this Godly man and the future of Kenya through his endeavors.
His motto is : "Chasing dreams no matter how long it takes".
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
The weeks are flying by.
We are again at Thankful Thursday.
Where do I start? I have been reminiscing a lot lately. I guess the older I get the more I am prone to do this.
I am so thankful for all the serving and travel Dave and I were able to do.
Thinking back to 2009 and our time in Kenya. It was such a blessed time for us.
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Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
I do hope your weekend went well.
We survived the latest rain storm in our area. There were the usual areas of flooding in our back and side yards.
Thankfully the pumps did their job.
And this is no longer the view today.
On another note:
Since many of you bloggers have been talking about journals for this new year of 2026, I thought I would show you my goal too.
I won this lovely blank journal from Shug and I just love it.
I am titling mine "Lessons and Blessings" for 2026 like several of you have indicated.
I am excited to get started and be committed to writing on a regular basis.
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
I hope your new year will be the best one yet !!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE !!!
A new year and a "New Years Baby"
84 Years and Counting !!
Love you to the moon and back Dave ...
My best friend ...
The best Dad to our sons
The best Papa to the Grands
A servants heart that is full of compassion and generosity
Loves the Lord with all of his heart
I am blessed to be by his side for the past 62+ years.
Happy Birthday 😗💗
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
Monday Meanderings ...
There are only 3 days left to the year 2025 !
The year has been full of Ups and Downs but I am thankful and looking forward to what 2026 holds for us.
I am sharing one final Christmas batch of photos and then its on to "Life in the Fast Lane" ... NOT ...
Since we don't really need anything we decided to go out to a restaurant for our Christmas Gift to each other.
We went to the Hibachi Grill. We haven't been there since last June.
It was tasty and we ate too much since it's a buffet. Once a year is about all our tummy can take.
For our photo album I am sharing these pictures of our two sons and some of our grand kids.
Mark and Kellie ...
Well folks, I think I have Meandered enough for this year.
Wishing you a great New Year.
Always be Grateful
Always be Kind
Merry Day After Christmas !
Believe it or not, the sun is shining again though there is the "promise" of rain this afternoon.
Dave and I had a so called quiet day yesterday as all of the family was at other family celebrations. Since the weather was so crazy we were really ok with staying cozy at home.
Its been years since we had such wild weather ALL Day Long. The thunderstorms were centered right over our town and it felt like they were right over our house.
The rain came down in buckets...
There was a break in the weather and the sun came out. I sat out on our patio and so enjoyed the warmth.
