Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
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!
Hello Monday! This week is starting out beautifully! The weather is perfect at 70 degrees and sunshiny and beautiful! The low was 59 this morning! The high will only be about 82, with low humidity! So that is pretty close to perfect for north central Florida in mid October (or anytime!) And Praise God! The hostages are free in Israel, and there is PEACE in the Middle East! What a marvelous miracle that is! We give thanks to God for His mercy and grace on behalf of Israel and also the innocent families and people in that region who have suffered so much for the past two years. May this peace be a lasting peace and may hearts to be turned to God in praise and thanksgiving! We are thankful for the work of President Trump and his team of ambassadors and other leaders in that region who have finally come together and agreed to end this brutal war. Now we pray that it will last and that families will be able to get back home and rebuild their lives. That will take a long time, but at least this is a good start. May God send the help they all need to be restored.
Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post (and always!) For those of you who have asked and have been concerned about my wayward porch kitty, "Blackie", I am happy to report that he came back home this morning! He had been missing for almost a week, except for one late night visit Saturday night at 11:00 p.m. We were asleep in our beds, but we have a security camera on the porch and it made a "ding" sound, which woke me up and I checked the camera through my phone, and there was Blackie, jumping around from the chair to the table and down again toward the food bowls, which were empty. So of course I jumped out of bed and ran outside in my bare feet and nightie to welcome the wayward prodigal home. I "killed the fatted calf" and prepared a feast for him (a scoop of Meow Mix with a few "Temptations" cat treats on top) and gave him lots of "hugs" while he gobbled up his food. Sunshine came running up the steps from the woods nearby where he likes to hang out at night and welcomed him home too. But alas, as soon as Blackie was finished eating he disappeared again and did not return all day yesterday or last night.
So this morning I was a big dismayed when I went out to feed the kitties and not even Sunshine was there! I called and called and no one showed up. So we went on about our business and took a ride and a walk and came back home and Sunshine appeared for his breakfast. A little while later I looked out the window, and there was Blackie, again acting like nothing was amiss, as though he'd been here all the time and why was I so worried?
So, of course I ran out there and loved on him again and made sure he had plenty of food and water...and Sunshine showed up and was a little bit standoffish at first,
I think Sunshine was deliberately turning his back on Blackie and he came over to where I was sitting and plopped down in front of me as if to say, like the Prodigal's older brother: "‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ Luke 15:29
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
And pretty soon Sunshine warmed up to Blackie just like always,
and hopefully this story will be "and they lived happily ever after".
I sure hope so! Especially since we are going away in a couple of days for a vacation, and our neighbor will be feeding them morning and evenings. I hope they don't get scared off by the change in routine.
Anyway, I thought you'd want to know how things turned out for them. The Prodigal Son story is always such a wonderful example to me of how God loves us and is always ready to welcome us "prodigals" back home when we lose our way. I am very thankful for His unchanging love.
I may not have time to write again before we leave, so if not, I will see you when we return. Hope you all have a wonderful week too!!
I titled this post "Saturday Meanderings", and then I thought to myself, "just what does meandering mean, anyway?" So I looked it up on Google, and here's what popped up:
"me·an·der·ing
/mēˈand(ə)riNG/
adjective
following a winding course."
"a meandering lane"
Yep, that's just what I thought it meant...kind of wandering around from one thing to another, no particular direction, just a little bit here and there...yes, "following a winding course". That's what I'm doing tonight. So buckle up and come along for the ride.
Why don't we start out with a few words of Scripture to give us some guidance as we meander along this winding trail, okay?
Psalm 43:3 NKJV
"3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle."
That looks like a good way to begin this journey. Thank You, Lord, for leading me with Your light and Your truth! May I be led to Your holy hill and tabernacle...a place of peace and worship. Amen.
So, where do we go next? Well, it was chilly enough this morning (67) to "pretend" that it was really cold enough to put a "fire" in the fireplace. Well, it's a fake fire, and there's no heat turned on...and yes, that fan on the right is actually blowing cool air, but it was cloudy and windy and very chilly outside, and this just "felt good" to our minds anyway...
The message on the mug of hot tea says:
Job 37:14 NKJV
14 “Listen to this, O Job;
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
I noticed hubby's bathrobe stashed on the shelf of his nightstand, and again I felt that little "nip" in the air of my mind and felt the thrill of cooler fall days ahead on their way...
We actually went to the farmer's market and Trading Post at Deep Creek this morning, and I saw this little picture and rustic frame for sale, and the price was right and I couldn't resist...I told the clerk at the check out that it's a picture of my little dream cabin in the woods and it just makes me happy...
So there it is on my counter top above the kitchen sink where I can look at it often and enjoy the "view".
Next week we are taking a little trip to the mountains of N. Georgia with our kids and the grandpups, and we will be staying at a little cabin in the woods. I don't think there will be any snow, but you never can tell...stranger things than that have happened...but mostly we are hoping to see some beautiful fall leaves and get some fresh apples, apple cider, and fresh apple cider donuts while we travel around the hills enjoying the views. It's a much needed little getaway for us, and we thank the Lord for making it possible. If our kids weren't going with us and taking care of the driving and other arrangements, we would not be doing this. We are very thankful for them being willing to take us old folks along and giving us a nice little vacation. I will be taking lots of pictures and will share them with you when we get back home, since I don't plan to take a computer with me and I can't figure out how to write a blog post from my phone. If you're a FB friend you will most likely see pictures on FB throughout the trip.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
I believe God arranges these things for us because He knows what we need, even when we may not acknowledge how much we need it. I pray it will be a time of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment with our family.
And no, Blackie has not yet returned home. He's never been gone this long before, and I am getting concerned. But when it is an outdoor cat that is used to being free to roam and wander and "meander" along wherever he wishes, he may sometimes meander into places he shouldn't, and it may take him longer to find his way home. I pray he is safe wherever he is and that he will come home in due time. There's really nothing else I can do about it but wait and pray.
Sometimes we humans are like that...we wander and meander along, not paying much attention to where we're going or where we've been, and all of a sudden we find ourselves lost or trapped in a situation that we can't easily find our way out of. And we cry out to the Lord,"Lord send out Your Light and truth and let them lead me..." We need God's light to shine brightly along our pathway so that we can find our way back home safely. We need His wisdom to guide us and give us clear directions when we aren't sure which way to turn. I am happy to say that with God, we really don't need a GPS system or even a cell phone...we just need to say (or pray) the words and He will hear and answer us...but we need to train our ears to listen for His voice so that we will know which way to go.
Isaiah 30:21
"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left."
I've been paying a lot more attention to Sunshine these days as he still seems quite lonely. I just noticed that he is curled up on the front porch table, watching the traffic go by and probably watching for any sign of Blackie coming home...
But he caught me looking at him through the window...
And so he started heading in my direction...
He was trying to figure out how to get to me...
So he stepped over to the little table that holds that pretty penta plant...
And got as close as he could through the window...
So of course I had to go outside and give him some love and attention and reassure him that we love him and we are still here for him. He's been very clingy and if I had a litter box in the house I'd be really tempted to let him come inside...but I don't, and for many reasons it just isn't the right time to do that...(I keep telling myself this, anyway). But if Blackie doesn't come back we may have to think about these things a little more...(of course I'd have to convince hubby it's the right thing to do as well...)
That face is getting hard to resist...
Back to the Lord lighting my pathway and enlightening my darkness...and leading me in the way that is perfect...
Psalm 18:28-32
"28 For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
31 For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect."
I will put my trust in the Lord and let Him guide my pathway in this and all matters of life...then I know I can't go wrong.
I hope you have enjoyed meandering along with me on this pathway tonight. Yes, I will keep you posted on Blackie's journey, as far as I am able to know it, and whatever lies ahead. Meanwhile, I pray that God will "light" your lamp and enlighten your darkness, and lead you along a smooth and straight path. Perhaps He will even help us all to "run against a troop and leap over a wall", if needed. Remember, it is "God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect." We really can't go wrong with Him as our guide. Amen.
It's Friday already! Wow! And I realize I haven't had much to say this week, however, I want to thank each of you who left kind comments on my previous post. They are each one appreciated. There were, however, a couple of comments that I had to delete! One left a very negative political comment that was inappropiate no matter which side of the aisle one is on. Name calling and ugly slurs will not be tolerated. Sorry. This one was another anonymous commenter, thankfully. I'd prefer not to know who it was.
The other comment actually had a name attached, but it is a commenter I don't really know and who often leaves comments that usually have nothing to do with my post, and hence it appears to be a spammer. But this time this "person" made the comment with words that stated that my post was pretty much worthless and therefore why do I even blog? (paraphrasing...I deleted it so I don't remember the exact words). But it made me stop and think. Why DO I blog? Sometimes I do feel like my posts are not all that great, and I often question myself about it's worth. I'm not asking for commendations here...I'm basically talking to myself. The thing about social media is that people can take pot shots at you and disappear back into the woodwork without realizing the hurt or harm they may have done. Or maybe that was their intent. Whatever the reason, it made me question myself and if I weren't a fairly strong person I would be tempted to run away and hide. But I've taken stock and thought about it and realized that yes, there's always room for improvement, and I will endeavor to do better in the future, but I will be careful to check my own responses and comments to be sure that they cause no harm but only encourage and lift up the person. Certainly we can all use some constructive criticism from time to time, but it needs to be done with love and respect for each other. Enough said on that subject.
I mentioned the other day that I was looking forward to reading the newest Jan Karon book, "My Beloved", as soon as I could find it. Well, I found it at our public library and I think I was the first person to check it out! I can't wait to start reading it! This is her latest book in the Mitford series, which we all thought she was finished with, but she just couldn't let it all end. I hope to start reading tonight, right after I finish this post!
This has been a pleasant week, without too much going on. We've taken a few walks, and I was surprised to see this Great White Egret along our walking pathway. Normally we see them in or near water, but the water was across the highway you see in the distance. I guess he just wanted to come take a little walk in the woods. He was a lovely sight to see.
This past Monday was our grandson Noah's 26th birthday. We did finally get to talk to him and had a wonderful conversation, which was a real blessing to us. He sounds good and we are always thankful to hear from him. He lives in Maine, so we don't get to see each other very often. Every call is priceless to us.
Noah, last year on a trip out west
I've been enjoying this pot of Penta growing on my front porch. The light pink bunch is a separate flower pot that I put in the middle of the others, which were already there. The pink ones were a birthday gift from my neighbor (and her daughter) across the street...the same lady that I got our "porch kitties" Sunshine and Blackie from. She is doing better, but is housebound and needs some caregivers to come and help out from time to time. She's a dear lady and I am thankful to have her as my neighbor.
Speaking of Sunshine and Blackie...here's where Sunshine spent the whole day today, sleeping on the glass table on the back porch:
He's feeling kind of blue, I think, because his buddy Blackie has been MIA again. He was here yesterday morning for breakfast, but he'd been gone the day before and then all day yesterday after breakfast, and all day today. I don't know where he goes or what he's doing, but he has been doing this almost every week...taking off for at least a day or two and then he shows back up as if nothing was unusual. Sunshine stays right here close to home and watches for him to show up.
I feel sad for him because they are such good buddies and I know he's lonely. Hopefully Blackie will show back up soon.
(Older picture)
Speaking of neighbors, our new neighbors in the new house next door to us have agreed to come over and feed the kitties every day while we are on our little mountain vacation next week. I am so thankful for them being willing to do that! That's a real answer to prayer.
I don't remember if I've shared with you our new Ladies' Bible Study for this fall/winter:
The back description says: "You're not the only one who...struggles to trust God's plan for your life; wants to maintain control in the midst of the chaos; prays for a well-marked map from Jesus--but rarely gets one."
I think we all need to have a better understanding in our lives about how to trust God's plan for our lives, even when we can't understand what on earth He's doing. We want to be the one in control, but life just goes so much better when we let go of our own will and let God be in charge. It's not easy for us to do that, but there is so much more peace when we do.
I am thankful for this weekly time spent with other ladies, studying God's Word and sharing our own life experiences about letting God be in control.
I am also thankful that today has been a rainy day, pretty much all day long. Little by little our Still Waters Pond is getting "revived and refreshed" with new water. What a blessing!
This makes me think about this song, "Fill My Cup, Lord". When I was a counselor at the Methodist Youth Camp the summer after I graduated from high school, (many moons ago), that song was our theme song. We would go to area churches in between camps and our team would sing this song. So it became a very meaningful and favorite song for me. It is based on the story from John chapter 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. Here is the song:
1
Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking—
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”
Chorus:
Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
2
There are millions in this world who are seeking
For pleasures earthly goods afford.
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Chorus
3
So my brother if the things that this world gives you
Leave hungers that won’t pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray—
Chorus
Songwriters: Richard Blanchard
John 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of our friend Toni Taddeo.. Most people love to read. It opens other world's to us. Autumn weather is often conducive to reading as weather can be chillier and rainy. Cozying up with a book can be a lovely way to spend some time.
1. How do you relax in the evening after dinner?
I do love to sit in my recliner and read a good book. If I don't have a good book to read, I spend more time at my computer, reading and writing here in blogland. Sometimes, if hubby isn't watching football or other sports on TV, we will watch some programs together on TV that are mutually entertaining. Lately we've been on a binge watch of the old "What's My Line" game show from the 50's - 60's. We have found that very interesting since we both grew up in that era and many of the Mystery Guest contestants are entertainers from that time period that we remember. It's also fun to see the different kinds of occupations many of the regular contestants had, and especially funny when the "Star Panel" can't figue out what these people do. I also enjoy seeing the clothes and hairstyles from that time period. The show was on TV for over 16 years, so there are a lot of episodes to watch on YouTube. It's been fun for a change. However, that partially explains why I haven't been as active here in Blogland lately! LOL
2. Do you read in bed? What kind of books do you read?
No, I do not read in bed. That would be too uncomfortable for me, plus I believe bed is for sleeping, and so do my eyes. When my head hits my pillow it causes my eyes to go shut quite rapidly. I have to hurry up and say my prayers before I start drifting away into dreamland. Now, I must admit that I often wake back up during the night and cannot get back to sleep, but reading is still not an option for me since my hubby is sleeping away peacefully next to me.
3. Do you have a list of books you look forward to reading?
Not really a list. Here's what I'm currently reading:
So far so good!
And I just finished this one:
It was also very good. These are both a departure from my usual reading genre. I normally stay in the Christian non-fiction type books, but someone else (one of our blogging friends) had shared these books on her blog post, and I thought I would give them a try. I was not disappointed. They both have some mystery and adventure involved, and for the most part are clean and without any foul language, so that's a plus! I just don't like books that I end up being embarrassed when I read them, and these have passed the test. LOL.
4. What is the best book you've ever read and why? Or.. how about the worst book you feel you wasted time reading?
Well, of course the Bible is the BEST book ever written and read, and I keep reading it over and over every day, so that definitely is at the top of my list. But besides that, I honestly can't think of any one book off the top of my head for either category. I enjoyed the Mitford series by Jan Karon, and I understand her newest book is now available, so I am looking forward to reading it. I will probably wait until it shows up at the library since I do not purchase books anymore, unless I know the author personally, or unless I get it at a reduced price at a yard sale or something like that. Although, if I have enough credits on my Amazon account, I may just order it and apply those credits toward the price. That's one way I do buy books.
This morning we had to get up early and drive an hour + up the road for my hubby's Cornea Eye specialist appointment. Thankfully he got good news from the doctor, and he doesn't need to go back for another 6 months! So that was a real blessing!! Here's some pictures I took this morning as we watched the sun rising above the clouds:
And here it is on the St. John's River as we crossed over the "Black Creek":
And this was the moon last night: So much of God's beauty in our skies!
And here's a good thought for today:
Now I must go, as our kids are finally home from their trip to Minnesota, and they are coming over for a spaghetti supper in a few minutes. We can't wait to see them!! So tally ho, and away I go!!
It's the first Saturday in October, and I want to give it a big HURRAH!!! It's raining, it's pouring, and most likely the old man and woman are snoring, or will be soon enough! It's a great day for a nap. I love to sleep when it's raining, don't you? Our porch kitties sure do!
You really can't see the raindrops very well in these pictures, but trust me, it's coming on down!
You can see the rain a little better here:
The wind has been gusting and blowing the rain, and still the kitties sleep on in perfect peace.
I think the kitties can sleep through the storm because they know their Creator, the Master of the wind and sea...
Mark 4:35-41 NKJV
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He (Jesus) said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Oh that we could have such perfect peace and trust as these creatures do. Sometimes I believe the creatures are more in tune with their Maker than we humans are...just a thought...what do you think?
A little earlier this morning we took a country ride before the rains started. We were surprised to see this gorgeous creature strutting down the road:
I kept snapping pictures in hopes that he would show off his beautiful tail feathers, but he was in too big of a hurry to get out of the road:
I do believe peacock blue is one of my most favorite colors:
He eventually went on into the woods and back to wherever he lives, but OH! What a lovely sight to see today on this rather dark and cloudy, rainy day! This was definitely a bright spot and a big "HURRAH".
This was the sunrise this morning...another "Hurrah!"
Another "Hurrah" was yesterday when I went to the mailbox and found a package in it addressed to me. It was this beautiful fall top, which is a "belated" birthday gift from my sweet and thoughtful sister in law Peggy. When we were together for my actual birthday, she was wearing a top just like this one, and she told me then that she wanted to get one for me but couldn't find another one in my size. Actually, that was a good thing, because she was thinking I needed a smaller size, and when I told her that I really needed a large, she said she would still try to find one for me, but I really wasn't expecting that she would. Well, here it is!! And I LOVE it! It will be a great addition to my fall wardrobe and I will probably wear it everywhere for the next two months (Oct.-Nov)!
Here's a picture of Peggy wearing her top when we met for lunch on my birthday:
So now if we go anywhere together during the fall months, we will be twins. LOL. What a nice surprise, and another big "Hurrah!"
These Rose of Sharon flowers are really blooming nicely and enjoying the cooler days and nights lately! Hurrah!
Just some pretty goldenrod blooming down by the "pond": Hurrah!
And my sweet kitties last evening came down to enjoy the beautiful evening with me. They stayed right beside me while I walked around looking at flowers and things...and then they raced me back to the steps to see who could get up the steps to the porch the fastest! They won that race for sure, but it was such fun having them being so playful and sweet.
