What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Tuesday 4: Books, TV, Movies and more...

 This week the Tuesday 4 meme was all about Books, TV,  Movies.  I didn't participate in the meme yesterday because I just couldn't come up with any interesting answers. But I enjoyed reading everyone else's thoughts on the topic.  You can check them out at the link above.  But the first question was...well, what the heck. I might as well play along. Better late than never...


"Hello Friends.. welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Just 4 questions each week. So glad you are joining in and the more the merrier!"

Books.. TV.. Movies are the topic of the week.

1 A movie theme song will play every time you walk in the room.. what is it? (consider asking family or friends)  I finally came up with a song as I was looking out my window at the little Bluebird house in our yard...



Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's "actch'll"
Everything is "satisfactch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
Yes, sir
2. What movie, book or TV program could you live in?
Anne of Green Gables....
Most of you have heard that I was named after Anne of Green Gables...my middle name is Anne, spelled with an "e", because I was a redhead and my mother loved this story, and when she saw me for the first time she knew she had to give me that name...

3. Is there a book/movie/TV quote you often think about or that effects you in some way?


4. OK friend, its your turn to organize our Blogger Movie Night where we get together as a group for snacks and movies! What movies have you planned for us tonight and what snacks are we going to have?


Well, based on all of the above answers, I guess we will watch those three movies:  The Song of the South (zippity doo dah!), Anne of Green Gables, and The Sound of Music.  Snacks...We will have fruit cake and cherry preserves and raspberry cordial, in honor of the famous tea party that didn't turn out so well that Anne of Green Gables had with her best bosom friend Diana...well, maybe we won't have that exactly, but we will have popcorn for sure because I think we should always eat popcorn while watching movies. And maybe a delicious homemade pizza.  Drinks? Well, probably sodas and/or iced tea or coffee if you prefer. OR how about a Root Beer Float??? Haven't had one of those in ages!!

Okay, I did it. Sorry I was so late. I just needed some inspiration from the rest of you.

Speaking of bluebirds, Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird have been quite busy lately...apparently the babies have arrived and the parents are coming back and forth with juicy bugs for them all day long.  It's hard to get a good picture because they are in and out so quickly, but here's the latest today of Mrs. Bluebird:

Maybe she is singing "Zippity doo dah!"



On another note, I started my physical therapy yesterday for my neck.  I will be going 3x a week for three weeks, and then we will re-evaluate my progress. I am also scheduled for the epidural in my neck later this month. Praying that will help.   Yesterday at the PT appointment I was being asked to think about all the things I can no longer do because of this pain and discomfort in my neck.  I guess I hadn't really thought about it that way. But when faced with the question the reality hit me...there are things that I have not been doing or find difficult to do because of decreased strength in my arms, which is caused by the pressure on the nerves in my neck.  One thing I've noticed is that it is very painful/difficult for me to lift a full pitcher of iced tea and to put it back in the refrigerator:

Lifting a gallon of bleach or milk or anything that size is also very difficult:


Even lifting this teapot full of hot water to make a pot of tea is difficult because I can't use two hands on it when it is hot:


The therapist also asked me about reading..."Can you sit and read a book?"  I hadn't thought about it like that. I just knew that I have not been doing much reading at all in quite a while, and when I do try to hold up a book I have to hold it up in front of me at eye level so I don't bend my neck down to read, and that is why I am finding it difficult to sit and read anymore for any length of time.  

It is also why I sit at a desktop computer rather than try to use a laptop. Thankfully that is what I have and what I prefer anyway.  I've tried to use my hubby's laptop, and I find it very difficult.


But the thing I thought about the most that made me kind of sad was realizing that I no longer feel like inviting people over for gatherings at our house, which is something I've always loved to do. Our house has always been the gathering place for family holidays, etc., and now, with the exception of our immediate family here for a meal now and then, I just don't feel like going through all of the work it takes to clean/cook/ and clean up after for larger groups.  That actually makes me sad. But in reality, since last year's pandemic, no one really wants to travel and come anyway so I guess it doesn't matter. If we get together we have to find a place half way where we can meet at a restaurant or something. Or someone else has to do the cooking and cleaning...which is a nice idea, don't you think?

So, my goals in getting better is not to focus on what I can't do, but what I can do.  I don't want to be a person who just says I can't do this or that anymore. I want to be a person who CAN do.  Even though with something like degenerative disc disease my neck and spine will probably not really ever get better, but with proper exercise and PT the goal is to hopefully strengthen the muscles that support those areas and fight this thing and not let it define what I can and cannot do or who I am or will become. That is my hope and prayer.  

Remember this song?  Maybe this should be my theme song:

"I'm only human I'm just a woman
Help me to believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway that I have to climb
Lord for my sake teach me to take one day at a time

One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time

Do you remember when you walked among men
Well Jesus you know if you're looking below it's worse now than then
Pushing and shoving crowding my mind
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time

One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine
Yes just for my sake teach me to take one day at a time"


Thanks for sticking with me here friends.    Oh, one more thing.  Our dear blogging friend Martha Jane Orlando from "Meditations of My Heart" lost her dear mother this week after a prolonged illness. Please remember her in your thoughts and prayers.  
Also, another dear blogging friend, Mildred from Laurel Wood is having some health concerns and I know she would appreciate your prayers as well.   Thank you dear friends. You're the best!

31 comments:

  1. I do hope that the therapy will give you back at least most of what you had lost. i am also waiting for more consultation with a doctor regarding my shoulder/arm pain. By now, I am fairly certain it is arthritis related, as that has affected more of my body as well.

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    1. As my mother in law used to say, "Those "ritis brothers" are real mean...specially that arthur ritis!! Praying they will be able to find some answers for you. Therapy seems to be the way to go, at least before it gets too bad. I am hoping it is going to help me. Keep us posted about your situation.

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  2. What a perfect song choice! I loved 'Song of the South' and (suprise!) remembered all the lyrics. Didn't know that, your being named for Anne of Green Gables! I've not seen that movie, so yes. I'd love to come eat pizza and enjoy a root beer float with you. 😁
    Interesting examples you've shared about P.T. It sounds as tho' your 'coach' is really committed to helping you achieve a happy compromise. Please, keep us informed!

    Yes, I was sure sad to hear about Martha Jane's mom. Holding both she and Mildred in my prayers. One Day at a Time!

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    1. Thank you, Myra. If you watch Anne of Green Gables, be sure to watch the version I linked. There are other versions, but in my opinion they are not as good as this particular one and this actress. That's my opinion anyway, for what it's worth. Of course there is a whole series of films, but the first one is the best. Would be fun to watch it with you!!

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  3. Chronic pain is a thief. Praying that you will feel much better as you do your therapy. I watch a lot of Bob and Brad on You Tube. Many of their things have helped me a lot. And The Lord is still in the healing business. Asking for His gentle healing touch on your neck.

    (Yes, those photos were on the Maine side. We western Maine folk are spoiled by the beautiful views of Mt. Washington. The poor folk of New Hampshire do not see her as we do. There is such a thing as being too close to the mountain to see it.)

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    1. Thank you for your prayers. Yes, I believe in divine healing. God is The Great Physician and I know He is still able to heal. Praying He will do just that. I believe He is also directing me in this situation and I am glad to have been led to the therapist that I have. So far so good. There is an overlook in Maine near Limerick I think, where we used to stop to take pictures of our family when we were enroute to Fryeburg Fair from Lyman. The White Mountains were in the back ground. Favorite place to stop. You are blessed to live where you do!! Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Praying for you, Pam, and hoping the PT helps you get back some of what you have lost to the pain. I love the Bluebird song. Perfect!! Love you too! xo

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    1. Thank you so much, Terri. I am hoping it will help strengthen my muscles so that I can better support my neck, which hopefully will relieve the pain. That's the goal. We shall see how it goes. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

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  5. I like those movies you chose, and the snacks! Root beer float for me, please! Thank you! As one who lives with chronic pain, I can tell you that your positive attitude is very precious. I hope the PT helps you regain much of what has been put aside due to the pain and lack of strength.

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    1. Thank you Holly! Is your name Holly Rose? I find that so interesting. My sweet daughter in love's name is Rose, and her mother's name was Holly. Holly is now with the Lord, but her daughter Rose surely misses her. And here you are, with both of those sweet names. So very interesting. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. That means a lot. I pray for you and your pain as well. Jesus is our "Great Physician". We can rely on Him. Have a blessed day.

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  6. Pam: I took some items to the church office late last year. They were for our womens circle to take to our missions focus in our city. The person in the office that day said," we meet in two days." I looked at her and said, "I live one day at a time." Little did I know that I truly would live the rest of last year and part of this with that frame of mind. Thanks for posting the words to that song. Peace and blessings to you and yours. I am continuing to pray for you.

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    1. Thank you, Cecelia. Yes, when we are faced with uncertainties in life, it helps us to realize that we need to live one day at a time, and live it to the fullest and doing our very best for Jesus every day. Thank you for your kind thoughts and words always. Have a blessed week.

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  7. While you're in PT keep focusing on the things you can't do just so they can help you, but of course keep the positive attitude about what you can do too!

    I have some major neck problems too and have for years, but I have learned not to move certain ways or be in certain positions that aggravate it. For example, backing out of a parking space I have to turn my body, not my neck. It's weird to adjust to at first but little things can make a big difference. Strength training works wonders too.

    I'm so sorry to hear Martha lost her mom, I was hoping maybe things would be better the next time we heard from her. Her strong faith will carry her through.

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    1. Thank you, Martha. Yes, I have to back out of a parking space the same way. Thankfully now we have one of those cameras in our car so I can see what's behind me, but it doesn't really help with the side rear views, does it? Today we will start the real exercises to help build strength. He says I am doing what is called "muscle guarding", which is tensing up my muscles to protect my nerves from pain, and then I get the spasms when I tense up so much. So I have to learn to build strength in my muscles rather than just tension. I hope that makes sense. I expect the exercise will also cause some pain...but you know what they say, "no pain, no gain". So here we go. Thank you again...

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  8. I have lived one day at a time often….

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    1. Actually, I think it's probably the only way to live! No one is promised tomorrow! But I know what you mean. Live one day at a time and live it fully. Have a blessed day today!

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  9. Thank you, Pamela, for asking your blog friends for prayers at this time - it means so much!
    You and I are right in tandem in the movie department. I love all three shows you mentioned and would watch them over and over.
    Glad your neck assessment and treatment is coming along well, too. We all need to focus more on what we can do, not what we can't do. I have a feeling that with this therapy, you'll be doing more than you ever thought possible in just a matter of time.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. You are so sweet to take the time to comment right now. I know you must be going through so much following the passing of your mother. Praying for you and your family. I've thought about Virginia too, who knew and loved your mother. So wonderful she had that opportunity to get to know her Great Grandmother. Not many of us are given that chance in life. (((hugs))) and prayers for you all today.

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  10. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah is such a delightful song. It does suit you to a "T".
    Your ongoing neck pain sure sounds like mine. Really, I went through all that too. Golly, I did all that with the PT, shots, pain killers, etc. Nothing helped, in fact it made it slowly worse. If that's your situation, don't be afraid to demand more tests. I went for years with undiagnosed problems and what was needed was surgery. What finally determined what was really wrong was, I think it's called, a CAT Scan(?) where the technicians run that die through the veins and follow it on the x-ray like thing. I had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Hard to diagnose. Doc took out a rib on the right side. *boom* Pain is now all gone but I am permanently damaged from all the "treatments". Please, please, please don't hesitate to say something isn't working! Wish I had.
    Sending Love & Prayers xx

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    1. Thank you, Sparky, for this information. I am so sorry you had to go through so much pain in the process of finding the right diagnosis. I can only imagine how bad that must have been for you. In my case, the MRI and xray pretty clearly show what is wrong...and it is much the same as what I had going wrong in my lower spine, for which I've already had major surgery 14 years ago. It will continue to get worse with age, so I hope I can learn now how to cope with it and build strength to help. If not, I will end up having surgery eventually, but I hope not. Neck surgery is very delicate, as you know. I appreciate your concern so much, and I am so glad you found the answer that has helped you. That is definitely an answer to prayer!

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  11. I love Song of the South! It's one of the first movies I remember going to see in a theater. I hope you have a copy of it, though, because I am pretty sure in these times it is about as incorrect as a movie can get and many would be offended. Sigh. Disney as pulled or at least posted warnings about other classic movies being offensive to some on the Disney+ app and I haven't seen Song of the South yet in my browsing. Ya know...I'm starting to get kind of offended by all things being taken away from us.

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    1. Yes, I am highly offended by what "they" have done to our society as a whole. They are dismantling our history, destroying our culture, and coming for our faith next...but that is one thing they can never take away from us. Anyway, I was able to pull up the youtube videos of Song of the South with no problem, but I didn't pursue it any further than that. It would be sad to lose that classic story.

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  12. Yes the PT people have a lot of questions that help to determine just what your treatments should be. It is a very enlightening (and kinda depressing) process, isn't it? And along the way we realize where we have learned to compensate (or avoid).

    I hope you begin to feel better with all of this.

    The Blue Bird family is very interesting. Families with children are very busy, aren't they? (smile)

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    1. Yes, the PT people do have a lot of questions...that is how they figure out where it hurts and hopefully how to "fix" it. And yes, I know I have done a lot of compensating and avoiding, which isn't always in my best interest. I also hope this will help, and also help me avoid having surgery. But when something is called "degenerative"...that usually means it keeps getting worse. So we will pray this helps. Yes, I love watching the bluebird family. They have been very entertaining this year. I am paying close attention now as the new babies may start poking their heads out of the house soon. I know it has to be getting very hot and crowded in there. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again for having such good ideas!! Hope you are having a good week. (((hugs)))

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  13. That's a good movie theme. Sounds like a fun movie night.

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  14. This was a fun fun post and oh my goodness, I am ready to come and grab that big pitcher of ICE TEA!!--it looks so frosty cold and good! Glad your new physical therapy is going well, you hang in there girlfriend and you will get better!! Love those blue bird pictures....they are so sweet aren't they? I haven't seen ours lately....maybe they have all flown down your way, ha ha! Love all the old songs you mentioned. I love most all the old songs and movies, especially the old Judy Garland movies, I do so love the old musicals. And the Esther Williams movies....have you seen those Pam??---oh they are so amazing, big glittery production numbers and Esther Williams in all her mermaid glamourous costumes!! One of my most favorite movies is "meet me in St. Louis", love all the songs but ESPECIALLY THE COSTUMES AND THE HOUSE THEY LIVED IN!! (early 1900s) Loved the dancing and the choreography and one of my favorite songs---"ding ding ding goes the Trolley!!" LOL. I also love the movie "Easter Parade" of course and any old Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers dancing movies. Happy weekend my friend!! Hugs!

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    1. Thank you Debbi. Please come sit on my swing with me and we shall enjoy a big glass of iced tea while we play with our dollies. Yes, I have seen those lovely old movies. Would be fun to watch them again sometime. Esther Williams was amazing. I am watching our bluebirds every day, hoping we will get to see the new ones fledge from the nest again. It has to be awfully hot in there for them. Thank you for writing. Please take care.

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  15. I like those movies you chose, and the snacks.
    Praying for you to lose your pain!

    https://gloriasretiredlife.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you, Gloria. It would be a fun girl party with those movies. Lots of giggles and laughter. That's what I need right now, to ease the pain for today's PT! Hopefully it will get better soon. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

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  16. good movies.. good snacks and thank you for joining in.
    I know a wee bit about pain lol. Physical therapy and getting stronger will help a huge amount! praying for you.

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    1. Thank you, Annie. Better late than never! I know you do know about pain, I am so sorry. I am experiencing a bit of it...my neck is rebelling from this PT deal. I hope it will help if it doesn't kill me first. LOL. Take care my friend...

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