Thursday Thankfulness

Sunrise, Wednesday morning, 6/24/2026. It was too foggy this morning to take a picture!

Is it really Thursday already? This week sure is flying by! And so is this month! Wow! Someone posted that today is exactly 6 months until Christmas! I am not sure I want to think about that just yet! Someone also told me a week or so ago that they already have Halloween stuff for sale at Cracker Barrel! Now that's just downright crazy! I tend to want to take each month and holiday as it comes. Let's just enjoy today to the fullest while it is here, and in due time we can enjoy whatever holiday, event, or "celebration" that comes up.

Right now we need to focus on the 4th of July and the 250 Years of Freedom events that are happening.  I wonder what you are all planning for the 4th?  Anything spectacular?   We really haven't made any particular plans yet. I need to talk to some family members and find out what they want to do. We may just be staying home and try to keep cool!  There will be fireworks in our town, so we will most likely go find a good vantage spot to watch them. Sometimes we see enough from right here in our own backyard.  In the past we have normally had a family gathering of some kind, and we make homemade ice cream. That's a family tradition...but I'll save more about that for when we get closer to the day, and also for when I find out if we are going to do that or not this year! So stay tuned. Regardless of whether or not we do anything, we are VERY thankful for our nation and our freedoms that we hold dear, and for all those who have served our country to help keep it free! That is definitely not something to take for granted.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts on my previous posts.  I have been a bit behind in reading and am trying hard to catch up, but I feel like I'm on a treadmill that keeps getting faster and faster and I just can't keep up.  This infected tear duct has kind of bothered my reading ability, but the antibiotics are starting to kick in and I feel like there is improvement now and it doesn't hurt as much. So I am very thankful for that, and glad that I went to the eye doctor when I did. I am also thankful that we live in a small town and that getting in to see a doctor never seems to take a long time...both our primary care physician and our eye doctors are very good about working us in when we have something like this pop up, so that we don't have to go to an emergency room or wait forever to see someone. There are some advantages to small town living.

And just look at all these blueberries I picked off of our own bush!  And see how many are still there ripening! Wow! I have really been enjoying these blueberries on my nightly snack of yogurt and granola! What a treat and blessing to be able  to grow your own!!

Oh, and look at how the zinnias are blooming!!! What fun to see them pop open and be so bright and cheerful!

Our friend Debbi from "Debbi's Front Porch" calls these zinnias "Old Maids".  I'm not sure where that comes from, but I looked it up HERE, and it will give you more information.  Here's some excerpts from AI:

"Zinnias were popularly known as "Old Maids" from the 1920s through the 1950s. The nickname is believed to have originated because the flowers bloom continuously all summer, lasting an exceptionally long time in both the garden and the vase. [1, 2, 3]

Why Were They Called Old Maids?

• Lasting Beauty: Their incredible longevity and resilience were affectionately associated with the image of unmarried women who stayed youthful and vibrant. [1]
• Classic Garden Staple: They were commonly planted by older women and widows in the South who cherished their bright colors and easy maintenance. [1, 2]"

Whatever the reason, they are delightful to see blooming in my garden, and apparently I am not the only one who loves them...

What is that large black object in the middle of my garden...again!!!????

Well look who's here!! None other than our rascal Blackie!

"Hi Mom! Were you looking for me???  Here I am, just taking time to smell the flowers!"

"Sorry, Mom, if I smashed your flowers down again...but they will spring back up, I promise!!"

Back inside, if I want to know where Blackie is, he can usually be found hugging his scratch pad, which is infused with catnip. Not only does he scratch it like a wild cat, but he lays himself down on top of it and guards it so that no one else can get to it. I wouldn't dare try to remove him or that scratch pad right now. He is quite enamored with it. LOL.

However yesterday he was very quiet for a long time and I didn't know where he was, until I went into the kitchen and found him here:

Somehow he managed to pull the seat cushion off of my rocking chair, and laid down on it on the floor and went to sleep. I think what happened was when he tried to jump up on the chair, the cushion must've slipped off and landed on the floor, so he decided to just stay there.  

Life is never dull with Blackie around. He does keep us on our toes. (Mostly just trying to find out where he's hiding next!) Did I mention that we are thankful for him? Did you guess that already? LOL.

Today we dropped by the church to see how the quilting ladies were coming along with getting things ready for their yard sale tomorrow. They were busily hanging up all the clothes that we brought them from my friend Maura's house, and it was nice to see just how much there was! The sale was supposed to be Friday and Saturday, but since our friend Opal passed away, her Memorial Service will be held Saturday morning at the church, so the quilting ladies cancelled the sale for Saturday so they can all participate in the Memorial Service.  

I am thankful for the dedicated people we have at our church, who are ready to serve in so many different ways, and especially when things happen unexpectedly and plans have to be changed. Many of our ladies will be helping with the food for the reception that follows the service.  I will be making a dessert to take. Still haven't decided exactly what, but most likely a cake of some kind.

9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10

Well friends, that about wraps it up for today. I am thankful for each of you, and your friendship means so much, even if we don't ever get to meet in person...this connection here is so precious.  Thank you.

Tuesday 4~So Tell Me

 

So Tell Me....



This week's questions come from Sparky! I hope you enjoy doing them.


Let's talk about you .....


1. Music. What kind of music do you enjoy? Are you musical?

I mostly enjoy Gospel music, Hymns, some contemporary Christian music, Old Sacred classical music, and then of course the oldies from the 50's & 60's (my generation!).   I am musical in that I love to sing. I do not play any instruments, but my voice is my instrument. However, sadly, with age, it isn't as strong as it used to be, but I still love to sing in our church choir and will continue to do so as long as I have any voice at all, Lord willing.

Psalm 95: 1-7

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song.

3 For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

7 for he is our God

and we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.

2. Travel. Where have we been? What's your favorite destination(s)?

We are not big travelers. Never really have been.  But in our years of ministry we moved a lot to go to Seminary, etc., and then on to different churches throughout the eastern/southern United States. Right now our favorite destination would be the mountains of north Georgia in the fall, but I would dearly love to go back to Maine and New Hampshire some day, where we used to live and where our only grandson still lives.  It's just a long and expensive trip for us, so I don't know when it's going to happen.


3. Occupations. Did you end up working at what you wanted to be? Do you wish you'd done something else, if so, what? etc.

I really didn't have any great aspirations for a career. I worked at the occupation God wanted for me...a wife, mother and then a Pastor's wife.  However, I did quite a few jobs along the way to supplement my hubby's often rather meager income in the ministry, but my main "job" was being a wife and mother, and that is what I really wanted to be. HERE is a link to a fairly recent post about my "Jobs"for a more in depth look at this subject.

4. How do you keep from being bored?

I've never really truly been bored. I try to keep busy with enjoying my home, reading, writing, and most of all observing God's Creation in nature.  I can stay pretty well entertained just watching the birds outside our window.  And then taking rides and walks and enjoying whatever I happen to see along the way.   Like this huge staghorn fern up in this old oak tree beside the restaurant we went to on Monday to meet my hubby's brother and wife for lunch:

That thing is huge!  Apparently it has been trimmed most likely due to having some dead leaves from the winter time...but it is coming back beautifully, and it is HUGE!

Of course, no trip to the Mason Jar restaurant would be complete without a picture of my favorite bear:

He's all ready for the 4th of July, I see!

And I always love to get a picture of this longhorn bull on the wall inside the restaurant...with the reminder to "Eat like no one is watching".  LOL. We did.

And here is who we went to see, my hubby's brother Billy and his lovely wife Peggy:

And here's the three Steiner men:   

Our son Benton was our driver. Rose wasn't able to go with us due to her work schedule.  And there was a picture of me, but it is on my brother-in-law's camera/phone, and he hasn't sent it to me yet, so that's okay. You know what I look like. LOL.  And actually, I was looking a little funny because I currently have an infection of the tear duct in my right eye, which makes the eyelid look puffy and red. My brother in law noticed it right away even though I was wearing glasses and I though it was camouflaged. The first thing he said to me was, "Pam, what's wrong with your eye?" LOL. I said "Gee thanks, Billy. Leave it to you to notice my only flaw immediately!" All in good fun. LOL.   I ended up going to the eye doctor yesterday and he prescribed some antibiotics for me, so hopefully it will start feeling better soon.  I said with as much crying as I've done lately, I can't imagine how my tear duct got clogged up and infected! 

I guess that's all I have for this week's Tuesday 4.  I'm sorry I'm late. The last couple of days were busy, as you see from above.  The rest of the week isn't looking much better. There will be that Yard sale at the Quilter's Shop on Friday, and they had to cancel it on Saturday because we will be having the Memorial Service for our friend Opal, who passed away on Sunday.  Oh, I do pray this is the last Memorial service for any more of my friends for a LONG time.  It's really been hard to see so many go on before us...but I am thankful that I know where they are, and I will see them again someday. That is our great comfort and hope and prayer.

Thank you for joining in each week. You have made this such a wonderful experience and I know Toni, in whose memory we continue, would be pleased as punch.

Monday Monday: First Monday of Summer!

 

This morning's Sunrise!

This old hymn came to my mind as I was enjoying this beautiful sunrise this morning...

When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer

To Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

2

To Thee, my God above,

I cry with glowing love,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The fairest graces spring

In hearts that ever sing,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

3

Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

(I left out verses 4-5)

6

Be this, while life is mine,

My canticle divine,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th’ eternal song

Through all the ages long,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

You may not be able to see it in this picture, but there is a big Pileated Woodpecker sitting in this tree below:

Now you can see him!

Up, up, and away!   There were actually two of them flying around, and maybe even another one in the trees back behind us as we took our morning walk Saturday morning.  If you aren't familiar with this prehistoric looking huge woodpecker, you can read more HERE.  It's always a thrill to see them.

Reminds me of this song..."I'll Fly Away"...

Some glad morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To a home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone,

I'll fly away;

Like a bird from prison bars has flown,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joy shall never end

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Yeah, when I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Source: Musixmatch

I guess I am full of music in my mind this morning.  Why?  Well, this song above in particular...You see, yesterday morning, (Sunday, to be exact, Father's Day, and the first day of summer), when we got to church I was told that yet another of my dearest friends had just that morning "flown away" into heaven.  My dear sweet Opal, our former pianist and choir member and very dear friend had left her earthly body, and she entered her eternal home on "God's celestial shore", and she, like that "bird from prison bars has flown"..."to a land where joy shall never end."...

I had just recently told you about my friend Opal HERE, on her birthday in May,

and she had been recuperating so well from the past couple of years since she had a stroke and other complications. She'd been at home for the past few weeks and doing really well. We talked on the phone every week and she was making such good progress. But then, yesterday morning  God called her home. Apparently a massive heart attack.  It was time for her to "Fly Away"...we sang that song together as she played it on the piano for our church so many times in the past years...and finally it was her turn...like that big old woodpecker we saw flying away...Opal heard her Master's call, and she answered and flew away to glory.  

Needless to say, I was a bit of a cry-baby in church yesterday morning. It was quite a shock for all of us, as we all loved Opal.  But I can see her healthy and strong again, running through the fields of heaven, and also able to play and sing beautiful music once again.  Oh, how I will miss her! But I am SO happy for her!   Please remember her dear husband Larry and her daughter and family out in California in your prayers, as they mourn her loss.

I'm so glad I listened to the Lord prompting me to do something special for Opal on her birthday on May 1st.  One thing I've learned in the past month regarding friends...listen to the voice of God when He prompts you to make that phone call, write that card, visit that person...we just never know when it will be the last time we will see that person or hear their voice.

So, after an emotional morning, we came home from church and the boys were here for lunch to celebrate Father's Day with us. Rose had to work, sadly, but we are going to meet up with her and Benton this morning and drive south to The Mason Jar to meet John's brother Billy and his wife Peggy for lunch, so I have to get a move on!!

We had grilled chicken thighs, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob and tossed salad. It was wonderful. So happy our boys could be with us.

And Blackie says hello this morning from my desk...

He's looking out the window into the dark to see what's going on...

And he took over my desk chair...He's a rascal...but we love him.

And look at that rose! It came from the same bush as the other two...totally different! God's gift to us today.

Okay, I must run. 

Hug your family. Call your friends. Visit the sick. Send cards to those you can't visit.

Life is short. None of us knows when it will be our turn to "Fly Away". Be ready to meet Jesus every day.

Friday Foto Friends...So Much To Love

 Here it is Friday evening...we've just had some really NICE long rain showers, and our Still Waters Pond is still "dry", but I think that big old sponge is getting filled up and it won't be too much longer before it starts overflowing!

All that area from the two pine trees and all the way across all that bright green on the other side should be under water!  I believe the bright green on the far side is actually lower and wetter, hence why it is so green. All the dark area is just plain old dried up muck, and little by little it is soaking up the rain and eventually it has to start showing puddles on the top and eventually it should fill up all the way to the pine trees. It's still a long way off, but with every day of rain that we get, the closer we get to it filling up.  One day at a time!! We are thankful for every drop of rain that falls!!

So today we did something extra special. Our son drove us in his pick up truck down to visit the home of our friends Woody and Maura, who both recently passed away and whose Celebration of Life I attended last week.  Their granddaughter and her young adult son are now living in their home, and she is in the process of going through things and determining what to keep and what to give away. The reason we went is because she wanted to donate their clothes to our church's thrift store and/or our quilting group, for their yard sale that is coming up soon. The proceeds from the yard sale go to purchase more fabric and materials to create all the wonderful lap quilts and bags that our ladies sew and donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville.  They are amazing as to how many lap quilts they make each year. Just yesterday they took 108 quilts over there, and that's the 2nd or 3rd time they've done that already this year!

 Here's a picture of them when they took 116 quilts, 285 tote bags, and 19 crochet' blankets back in March!

These ladies really rock!!!

So anyway, we filled up the back of our son's pick up truck with so many big garbage bags full of clothes, you would not believe how many...and I forgot to take a picture of it all! Here's the closest to a picture of it I got...that's his truck in the driveway of our friends' home, and by the time we were through gathering the bags, the back of that truck bed was full all the way to the rim and packed solid! It was a LOT of beautiful clothes (my friend Maura always dressed like a lovely queen!), and we still left some behind because we ran out of space.

While we were there we took some other pictures outside their lovely home, which overlooks the marshy canals leading out to Big Lake Kerr. Our friend Woody built their home on an island many years ago, and had to literally build a causeway to drive out to the house. He was an engineer/builder, so he knew what he was doing.

The Sand Hill Cranes are right at home there under the old live oak trees and swaying spanish moss...

Looking out toward the lake...

There's those cranes again...They think they own the island...

The canal leads out to the lake.  Even though it has been such a dry year, they are now starting to get more water in the canal and around their island.  It is truly an idyllic place to live...

We had a nice visit with their granddaughter, and we plan to stay in touch with her. Her life as certainly been turned upside down through all of this, and she definitely needs our prayers.  But she is a solid and good Christian young woman, and I know God has some wonderful plans for her.

While we were there she asked me if I would like to have one of Maura's teapots from her collection. Of course you know what I said...

 This is the one I chose, and I have placed it in the middle between two other things that Maura had already given me before. The little cream pitcher you have already seen. I had forgotten to show the beautiful china cannister on the left before. (I keep tea bags in it).

And then I remembered something else she gave me some time ago...these delightful little pink and white tea cups and saucers!  It looks like they all belong together, doesn't it?

I chose this teapot because I loved the style and somehow I knew that would be the one that Maura would want me to have. She and I thought a lot alike on many things, and we both appreciated beautiful old china and especially teapots.  I did not look to see what markings were on the bottom of the teapot until I got home, and this is what it says...

Here is a link to what I discovered about this particular "mark"on the china:  "Jean Pouyat Limoges stands as a beacon of French porcelain excellence, blending centuries-old traditions with innovative craftsmanship that has captivated collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Originating from the heart of Limoges, France—a region synonymous with superior porcelain production—this brand encapsulates the elegance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its hand-painted designs, luxurious gold accents, and timeless aesthetic appeal, Jean Pouyat pieces have adorned dining tables, display cabinets, and prestigious collections across the globe."

It would appear that this teapot is indeed very special in many ways...but to me, it is special because it belonged to my dear friend Maura, and I will treasure it in her memory always.

After we delivered the bags of clothing to our church, we took Benton out to lunch at the local Hog Wild Burger & Shakes restaurant and we all had a great hamburger and then we headed home before the rains started! Thankfully God held off the rains until we got the clothes delivered and we were safely home. Praise God!  

These little rosebuds were blooming in the yard, and I brought them inside to enjoy...

Thankfully, since we've been finally getting some more regular rains, the roses are blooming again!

Here's a Psalm of Praise to Our God...

Psalm 63:1-8 NKJV

Joy in the Fellowship of God

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

"1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips

6 

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me."

Tonight I am filled with gratitude to God for His mercy and lovingkindness, and also for the sweet friendships He has blessed us with throughout the years. I am thankful that the kindness of our friends and their granddaughter will continue on through the gift of the clothes that will, I'm  quite certain, bring in some much needed money to support the ministry of our quilting group to the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House.  So, in essence, Woody and Maura's legacy continues. It may not seem like a big thing, but when you see how God uses those funds to create blankets and items to encourage and bless those who are going through such difficult times in their lives....well, it truly is a blessing, and I know my friends would be pleased to know that something like their clothes could become a blessing to others...and to those who actually buy the clothes at a price they can afford as well! That is another gift that goes on giving.  I am happy that we had a small part in that blessing by being the delivery people today. It's all a part of the chain of God's grace and love extended to others. What a blessing indeed!! 

Good night my friends.  It was a good good day. 

Recent posts regarding the passing of our dear friends:

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/06/thursday-thankfulnessthe-blessing-of.html

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/06/happy-sundayflag-day-and-beyondon.html

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/04/easter-saturdaywhile-we-wait.html