Saturday Meanderings

Today was a lovely autumn Saturday...a perfect day for some "meanderings" here and there.

We took a little ride in the country and came across this flock of wild turkeys doing the "turkey trot" across the field. Actually, they had just crossed the road in front of us, and we had to stop quickly for one of the stragglers. I would like to have had more time to get a better picture (maybe even have time to put the window down!), but there was a car right behind us who almost rear-ended us when we stopped, so hubby didn't want to hold up traffic any longer.  I see at least 11 or 12 turkeys there! I think they are getting out of town before Thanksgiving arrives!  LOL.

We ended up on this road where this old "Florida Cracker House" is... (You can click on that link for more information about Florida Cracker Architecture)

2026-looks like nature is about to take over this old house.

If you've been with me here in blogger for a while, you may have seen this old house before. See this link:  First post about this old house in 2017.  There was some interesting discussion about what people remembered about these old houses on this post:

First picture I took of this house in 2017

The next time we drove by was in 2020, and there was some yellow tape around the property and it looked like maybe they were going to either do some work or maybe sell it?  But apparently not.

Link to former post about this house in 2020

2020

I am concerned that the next time I drive by that house it may be gone or totally swallowed up by nature. I sure wish someone would rescue it and restore it before that happens. But it may be that all the family has either died or moved away and no one seems to care about it anymore. It makes me wonder about the old folks who lived there and raised their families in that house...and now perhaps they are also forgotten. 

This kind of leads me to these next thoughts...I actually hadn't planned to go there, but now it seems I am supposed to...

On Thursday morning I was awakened out of a sound sleep with some strange sensations in my left upper chest and neck area.  I've experienced this before, and it always goes away in a few minutes...not sure if it is a kind of heart issue or a heartburn issue or anxiety, but it was enough to wake me up and make me a bit concerned. I woke up my hubby and he got me a baby aspirin, and I just sat there a while and tried to decide if I should go to the ER or just wait and see how things go.  Actually after a little while it subsided and I was able to get up and move around and go about my normal morning routines.  Only one thing concerned me that I had never experienced before with these episodes, when it was time to read our morning devotions, I normally read out loud from a devotional guide with scripture verses.  Even though I was talking normally, when it came time to read, I was having difficulty forming the words as I read them. My mouth muscles and my brain didn't seem to be quite in sync with each other and it was quite an effort to read.  That kind of scared me, but as the morning wore on I was feeling much better, even though I was kind of tired and headachy most of the day. I decided to call our doctor's office and see if I could get in on Friday, and they just happened to have had a cancellation on Friday afternoon, so thankfully I was able to take it.   When I got to the Doctor on Friday, they did an EKG and checked all my vitals and did the exam for stroke, etc.  Although my EKG showed the same slower response in the right ventricle that had been seen a year or so ago, the doctor still did not see that as anything to be too concerned about. I passed all the other "tests" and he really didn't seem too overly concerned with what he was seeing, but to be on the safe side, he has ordered a CT Scan for me, which hopefully will be scheduled next week. He is trying to rule out a TIA or any other possible malfunction.

These verses below seem to speak to this issue of how I feel about these things...

Psalm 73:26 

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I feel much like that old house that is outwardly failing and perishing, but I think about the lives that lived in that house over the years and how full of life and love they must have been during those years...and their spirit continues on into eternity even though the building they once called home is perishing.

  

Our human outward bodies are perishing, but the soul of our internal being is eternal, and when we keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus, He will give us the strength we need to keep moving forward here until the day He calls us home to our eternal home in heaven. Then this outer shell will become dust and crumble in the earth, but our internal soul will live forever.   I am thankful for this hope of eternity through faith in Christ. No matter what the world may throw at us, we have an imperishable home in heaven that cannot be destroyed.  Praise God!

So Friday afternoon I didn't want to cook supper after an afternoon spent at the doctor's office, so we called Benton, who is still batching it this week until sweet Rose comes home from her father's in Minnesota on Monday, and we decided to go to Hog Wild Country Cafe' for supper.

I took this picture of Benton to send to Rose to show her his new "girlfriend", so she'll hurry up and come home! LOL.  Thankfully she's a good sport, and she sent us pictures of the pies she was baking for her father.  We are happy for her to have this opportunity to spend some time with her family there.

Today was another beautiful morning, and after our ride earlier, when we got home I wanted to stay outside and enjoy the fresh cool air for awhile.  Here's my fall t-shirt:

"Life is Good~Go Outside"

I set up the scarecrow and we bought a pumpkin at the "Walmart Pumpkin Patch" the other day.(LOL) , and I put out my "Happy Halloween" Black Cat flag that I got for my birthday...

I also finally put out this beautiful outdoor decor, which was a birthday gift from a very dear blogging friend...

I couldn't decide where to put it, and tried it on this shepherd's hook in the yard, but it was so windy today that I was concerned it would blow a bit too much there...

So I decided to hang it on this planter trellis frame in the garden, and Blackie approved of this decision:

Speaking of Blackie...this morning someone (not me) forgot to close our bedroom door and also our closet door while Blackie was inside the house for his breakfast.  After he finished eating he disappeared for a while and I didn't notice where he had gone. I went into our bedroom and was calling him, but no response. I looked in our closet, and there he was, asleep (before I woke him up) in the little baby cradle that our son built for me a few years ago to hold my sweet Baby Elva doll...but it is a little too big to put beside my bed in this house, and so it was relegated to the closet and my hubby likes to store some of his comfy pants and t-shirts there...and Blackie discovered it and decided it was a great hiding place for him to take a nap, snuggled up in "Daddy's clothes".  

I took this picture to show that there is still another baby doll and some other stuffed animals in there as well...but poor Blackie looks like he's going to cry and say ,"Please don't make me move".  And so I didn't. I let him curl back up and sleep awhile longer, and pretty soon he came out of his own accord and said he was ready to go outside. LOL.

Doesn't he look pitiful? He's holding on to Daddy's pants and pleading with me not to make him go. Who could refuse such a face as that???

This afternoon has been windy and cool and actually a little bit of a rainy day, and it just seemed like a good day for chili. So I made a pot of chili and called Benton over to share it with us while he and hubby watched some football.

The pot of chili while it was simmering on the stove. Smelled so good!

I meant to take a picture of our bowls of chili, topped with cheese and fritos and sour cream, but I forgot, so here's my clean empty bowl, so you get the idea. LOL.

I also made a pan of brownies, and so we had that for dessert...

Here's Benton enjoying his brownie, while the puppies, Sugar and Spice, are snuggled up next to him on the couch. I know they miss their Mom.

Well, friends, I guess this is all for today. I do feel much better, and I feel confident that everything is going to be fine, but prayers are always appreciated.  It's just one of those things as we get older, things happen and we need to be prepared for whatever comes next. But when we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we do not need to fear what the future may hold.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

Proverbs 31:25

Here is the video of our service and choir song for tomorrow morning.  This really goes along with what I've been trying to say...I hope you will take the time to at least listen to the song. It is so beautiful.

Romans 15:13 

"13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Amen and Good Night!

Living or Fading? - Updated

9/20/2016:
Interestingly enough, I wrote this post one year ago today...and as I re-read it today I was struck by how similar things are right now in my life. I haven't been doing much current writing because we have a guest with us this week from out of state...a woman who lost her husband very unexpectedly due to a heart attack a couple of years ago...a different woman than the one mentioned in my post written last year, but with very similar needs and sorrow.   It seems as we age, we very sadly can expect this to happen to more and more of our dear friends.  May the Lord continue to give us wisdom and compassion as we give counsel and comfort to those who are grieving.


Original Post 9/20/2015
It's Sunday afternoon and I haven't written anything new lately.  Sitting here wondering about what to write...I need some new inspiration I guess. I'll be back later. Going to go take walk-about outside. Maybe I'll get some ideas.  If I do, you'll see it here later. If I don't...this won't get published. Bye for now.

A little later......

Okay, I'm back.  Went outside...took a little walk with my hubby, tried to talk about "life" in general while we had a few minutes to ourselves away from the folks inside the house...but it was too hot to stay out for long...so he went back inside to watch football, and I sat on the front porch for a few minutes and decided to take a picture of the first thing that struck my fancy.  Here it is:

What do YOU see in these pictures?  Same view, just two different perspectives.

I'll tell you what I was thinking while I was looking at this view.  Recently I was visiting with a friend who lost her  husband to cancer a little over a year ago.  It's been a difficult year for her in many ways. I won't go into any details or betray any confidences...but I thought to myself that I wouldn't want to trade places with her for anything.  I looked at these trees and thought that the dead tree in the background is how my friend must feel...stripped bare, broken, and alone. Exposed to the elements without any shade to cover and shelter her from the storms of life.

The tall pine in the foreground is how I feel having my life-mate still with me.  Alive and
strong, able to withstand the tempests that come and go, knowing that I do not have to face those storms alone...and so thankful to the Lord that that is the case.

In the second photograph you might notice the Sycamore leaves in the foreground. They are starting to change color with the upcoming autumn.  Soon they will fade into a golden hue and then turn brown and blow away.

This coming week I will have a birthday...my sixty-fifth! (new note in 2016---that was last year. Gonna be a year older this year! Old age is creeping up on me).   I don't mind telling you because it is a significant age. I am thankful to have reached this "great age" and still have my health...and my husband.  I don't say this boastfully, but thankfully. So many of our friends our age have already lost a mate and are having to enter their "golden years" alone...something they never thought they'd have to do.

I didn't intend for this post to be depressing or sorrowful.  But it is facing a reality of life.   Our golden years are already upon us...and it is only a matter of time (and/or unexpected illness) that we, like those Sycamore leaves, will begin to fade, dry up and blow away.

Even the Bible tells us about this in Isaiah 40:6-8:

"All flesh is grass,

and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the Word of our God stands forever."

The Psalmist continues this theme in Psalm 103:15-16:

"As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it,

and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more."

But I like what the Psalmist goes on to say in the next verses (17-18):

"But the MERCY of the Lord is from 

everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear Him,

and His righteousness to children's children,

to such as keep His covenant,

and to those who remember His commandments to do them."

And look at these encouraging words  in the final verses of Isaiah, chapter 40 (28-31)

"Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives POWER TO THE WEAK,

and to those who have no might 

He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD

SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

This wonderful passage tells me that my friend who feels alone is NOT alone.  And for those who feel weak and powerless, they have the everlasting God holding them up and giving them strength. 

No matter what our age or current status in life, whether we are getting old and dried up, or are alone and feeling empty, we need to remember that we are never alone.

I am also reminded to count my blessings daily.  Not one of us knows what each day will bring...so we need to live each day giving glory to God and trusting Him to see us through whatever may come our way.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,

and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Psalm 34:17-18

Some Answers To Help with the Old Age thing...

In my last post entitled "Where Does the Time Go?", I was distressed about the effects of aging on my mind and body...and after writing about that I kept thinking, "There must be some positive and creative way to slow down this process."  I was thinking up some clever time management techniques that I could share with you, if I knew of any...or great mental exercises to keep the brain functioning and memory sharp...again, if I could remember any to share.

And then in our Sunday newspaper came this little "Parade" magazine, which I always love to peruse on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  But I was too busy writing my soliloquy on aging to take time to read the paper. It got shoved under the end table beside my chair, and I didn't pick it up until this morning before getting dressed for work. "Parade" Magazine is the closest thing to a tabloid that I ever read. It's pretty benign, and usually has some good articles. The one that caught my eye was entitled, "Live Longer & Better" by Gretchen Reynolds.  It's actually a quiz to see if you know "what it takes to enjoy a healthy old age."  I've attached a link here so you can take the quiz for yourself!  Parade Magazine Live Longer & Better Quiz , January 27, 2013.

The first question is what got my attention...

1. "Which of these is most likely to improve your memory after age 50?"  The choices are:

• a.  Solving crossword or sudoku puzzles
• b.  Going on regular walks
• c.  Taking ginkgo biloba supplements.

Our walking path

What do you think?  I was happy to see the answer was b., Going on regular walks...especially since that is what I've been trying to do when I can get home before dark and on the weekends.  (Click on this link to one of the recent posts I  wrote concerning taking a walk)  

The other question I really loved was #5:

5.  "True or false:  To feel younger, just open your window blinds.  Answer: TRUE!

"Looking out a window onto natural, outdoorsy scenes may reduce blood pressure and other markers of stress, several new studies show.  More remarkably, in a 2009 experiment reported in the Lancet, older people in Hong Kong who lived near open, green spaces had longer telomeres, a portion of the DNA strand that often shortens and frays with age. In effect, they had younger cells."

Now THIS really made my day!!! Since moving to the forest, I keep my window blinds open all the time (except at night).  I absolutely cannot stand to have the curtains drawn or the blinds shut when there is so much beauty right outside my window! I must have really long "telomeres"!   

I know not everyone has bird sanctuaries and bears and a national forest right outside their windows to look at, but most of us can find something green and beautiful to feast our eyes upon if we try. Maybe combine these two particular ideas and take frequent walks in the park or the woods or wherever you have some "natural, outdoorsy scenes" to enjoy.  If it will actually enable you to improve your memory and feel younger...wouldn't that be worth the extra effort?

Now, my friend Susie over at Recovering Church Lady  might find quiz question #9 particularly interesting:

9.  "What's the best way to motivate yourself to be physically active after age 40?"

• a.  Join a gym
• b.  Adopt a dog
• c.  Cut out a photo of first lady Michelle Obama's biceps
• d.  Hire a personal trainer.

Guess what the answer is?  Yes, Susie, you are correct!  The answer is: "b.  Adopt a dog!"

According to this quiz, "In a recent Canadian study of people up to age 80, dog owners were found to walk about 300 minutes per week, almost twice as many as those without a canine."   

So, for all you dog lovers out there, Susie, Dawn, at "Beneath the Surface" "Jeskmom" at "A Word About Words", and all my other blogging friends with furry buddies, everytime your pooch looks at you with those big brown eyes and wags his tail in hopes that you are going to take him for a walk...you are actually doing yourself a big favor and improving your physical health as well as your mental acumen!  (I don't have a dog, but my walks and open blinds must be improving my mind, because look at that big word I just used! "acumen", which means "keenness of mind, shrewdness", according to Webster.)

 There's my walking buddy, way ahead of me!
I'm the one lagging behind, smelling the flowers and watching for bears.
The Jingle Bells are for the bears, not me...to warn them that we're "out there",
so they better stay hidden!

So, my friends, let's get up off our comfy computer chairs/couches, go throw open the curtains and let the sunshine in, put on our walking shoes, and get outside and improve our brains, feel younger, and stay healthier longer!

I feel smarter and  better already!  How about you???

Senior Moments ??

"I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge.  Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails..."  Psalm 71: 7-9

This picture says it all.

The 71st Psalm is entitled (in my Bible) "A Prayer for Old Age".  I had "old age" on my mind today...what's left of my mind, that is.  It seems as though I had a major senior moment today when one of the young whippersnappers at work asked me if I had prepared a check for "Joe"...and I had no clue who "Joe" was, and certainly no idea as to why he needed a check and for how much...   Then this young smart fella asked me if I remembered a conversation several days ago regarding this "Joe", and the fact that he should be paid for something he apparently did...and I honestly could not remember a word of it.  At that moment I "became a wonder" to this young man.  He could not believe that I could forget such a thing.  However, a word in my favor...I never received any written confirmation of this request, and therefore, I am not held responsible for writing checks without written requests and backup information. So I was saved.  God was my strong refuge...He gave me a way out...and my mouth IS filled with His praise!

But the fact remains startingly clear...I truly did not remember this conversation until after being prodded (hit over the head practically)...and that is what troubles me. Now, I could make lots of excuses, like I have been working through some major work related projects, stressful meetings, huge responsibilities and constant demands for my attention to many details beyond the normal scope of my usual load. I recently took a brief vacation out of state to visit my son who has cancer and to celebrate my grandson's 13th birthday.  I'm still playing catch up at work and at home as a result of that excursion. (It was well worth the extra work to spend that time with my family...regardless of the mess on my desk when I returned).

"Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, saying, "God has forsaken him; (her) Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him."  Psalm 71:9-11

Actually, I am not fearing for my job or my sanity at this point.  I know that God is with me...and He will NOT forsake me either way.  But in this day and age one can see how quickly people can lose their jobs for the simplest of reasons...and we know that we are all like a "dime a dozen" when there are so many younger, smarter people out there begging for work.  So when these "senior moments" come along it makes us stop and think..."Could I be slipping mentally?" (no comments from the peanut gallery out there please).  "Am I really getting to the point where I need to consider retirement?"  "But Lord, I still have too many bills to pay and need to keep working for at least XX number of years so we can survive..."

"But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.  My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits.  I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only."  Psalm 71:14-16.

"O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and grayheaded (almost), O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come." Psalm 71:17-18.

I know that God is still in control of my life...whether I work or whether I find that I just can't continue on.  I am secure in Him.  He, who has brought me this far in life, will not fail me now when I start to fail.

"You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again from the depths of the earth.  You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." Psalm 71:20-21.

"Also with the lute I will praise You, and Your faithfulness, O my God!  To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed." Psalm 71:22-23

Yes, I will continue to praise my God and Savior no matter what...as long as I have breath (and a sound mind).  (Maybe even when I don't have a sound mind...I will still praise Him). 

"In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Psalm 56:11

Thank you for listening as I worked this out.  I was trying not to let it bother me...but I guess it did. That's why this blog is such good therapy for me.  It forces me to think these things through and explore it through the eyes of God. When I put these issues under the microscope of God's Word, I realize that I have nothing to fear...no matter what.  Amen?

I hope you have this same confidence and hope in the Lord.  It sure does help! 

"In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame."  Psalm 71:1

Senior Moments? Bah Humbug!!