Thursday Thankfulness and Friday Fotos

Friday Morning Update: Blogger seems to be having issues with publishing comments, so I am unable to comment on other blogs, and I cannot reply to comments here. I think others are having the same issue. Hopefully they will have it resolved soon, and we will all have a lot of catching up to do to visit and comment on blogs! I hope you have a lovely day in spite of these issues. Hope we can all visit again soon!

Good Thursday evening! I am writing this tonight because we will be back on the road again tomorrow for another doctor appointment and I won't have much time to read or write. This has been a very busy week with appointments and activities beyond our normal slower routine, so I am playing hide and seek with my blogging friends and other computer activities.  

However, between appointments I've tried to take some time to enjoy the beauty around us every opportunity I could.  The other day we were getting a light rain shower, (praise God!) and I noticed these juvenile Bluebirds flitting around in the trees...I was so happy to be able to get a couple of pictures!

This one looks like he's more of a drowned rat than a bluebird!  Poor baby must be molting...or he's just really wet.   He looks kind of sad.

Thankfully Mr. Blackie was inside and not out trying to catch the bluebirds unaware.  Rather, he caught me unaware and jumped up on my desk so quickly and silently I didn't even notice until all of a sudden there he was!

Look at that face! He's looking at me with that look that seems to say, "Mom! Would you please quit messing with this contraption on this desk and pay me some attention??"  

But soon he got bored looking at me (and I did give him some attention and loving until he started getting bitey), and then he was jumping back down and off he went in search of other adventures.

Yes, he's definitely a character!!!

This morning's sunrise was beautiful! It kind of qualified for the rhyme "Red Sky in morning, Sailors take Warning...Red Sky at night, Sailor's Delight."   It definitely was a portent of rain to come, and we did get some nice little showers throughout the day, but nothing really stormy.   That's fine with me. I'd much rather have the gentle slow rain that soaks in anytime!

I'm so happy the rose bush has been blooming again now that we are getting more rain...of course I have to cut them and bring them inside where they can be enjoyed. I often stop and smell the roses throughout the day.

They really don't last very long outside where it is so hot, and the bush isn't that visible to passersby for them to enjoy, so that's why I bring them inside where they can be fully appreciated while they last.

As a matter of fact, I just went outside right now and cut this rosebud that I noticed was blooming when I was outside earlier.  The others shown above have actually already died and I had to throw them away, so I was happy to have this new little bud to enjoy while it opens.

These cute little pink flowers  were growing in patches throughout the yard, so I took some pictures because I knew the lawn was going to get mowed the next day and they would be gone for now.  This is the first I've seen them all summer, because it's just been too hot and dry.

Portulaca, Purslane...growing wild in my yard  This link will tell you more about them. They aren't just a weed!

And my new batch of zinnias is finally starting to bloom!

Zinnia (Old Maid)

I didn't get a very good close up of this Skipper on top of the zinnia because I was using my cell phone camera from a distance. He was a bit flighty and so I couldn't get any closer without scaring him off.

"About Skippers

Appearance: Skippers belong to the family Hesperiidae. They look like a mix between a butterfly and a moth, featuring stout, fuzzy bodies, large heads, and hooked antennae tips.
Flight Style: They get their name from their fast, darting, and erratic "skipping" flight pattern from flower to flower.
Common Species: You may spot fiery skippers, sachems, or common checkered-skippers feeding on your garden flowers. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Why They Love Zinnias

Nectar Source: Gardeners widely note that zinnias—especially semi-double varieties—are a favorite food source for small butterflies like skippers.
Easy Feeding: The open shape of zinnia blooms gives skippers a flat, sturdy landing pad while they sip nectar."

Finally the "Cape Honeysuckle" has decided to bloom. I've been waiting all summer!

Cape Honeysuckle

I wanted to thank you all for your concern and prayers for my hubby the other day when we went to the Eye Surgeon for a check up.  He did determine that the cornea was swollen and that he needed to be put back on some steroid drops for a few weeks and then go back in a month. However, there's been a snafu with the insurance company needing more information about why he needs this medicine before they will permit it to be filled, and apparently the doctor has been too busy doing more surgeries, etc., to answer their questions, and so it's still in limbo. But the good news is his eye seems to be correcting itself as each day it appears to be getting better and he is seeing more clearly. So maybe he doesn't really need the medicine after all?  However when and if they ever get the prescription filled, he does plan to use it because he has other underlying eye issues that need to be addressed as well.  Sometimes between dealing with insurance, the pharmacy and the doctor things can get quite exasperating!  Still, we rejoice that the eye is feeling some better!

I had also mentioned that we needed to get haircuts somehow this week in between all these appointments. I had a dentist appointment yesterday morning for a cleaning, which was scheduled for 10:00.  About 8:00 they called me and asked if I would mind coming in at 11:00 instead because their  hygenist was running late for some reason. So what other choice did I have but to say yes? And so  I took the opportunity to call our hairdresser to see if she had any openings that morning that would get us both in and out before 11:00, and she said yes, come on at 9:30!  I took that as a little blessing from God because we both truly were looking pretty shaggy and we had a funeral to attend today among other things going on and no other time to get it done. So we got our hair cut and still had some time to kill before my dental appointment, so we took care of a little bit of shopping at the Dollar Tree and Marshall's, which are both right close to the Dentist office.

One thing I like to get at Marshall's is some pretty seasonal hand soaps for the bathrooms and/or kitchen. They always have so many cute ones to choose from that aren't very expensive, and their scents are nice without being too overpowering. I am very "SCENTSITIVE" to SCENTS, so I have to always give them the sniff test before buying. The one in the middle is so cute with some little doggies on the label, so I plan to give that one to Rose for their house, since of course they have doggies.

Today was the Memorial Service for the man from our church who passed away from cancer last week. It was a very nice service and well attended. I was so surprised to turn around and see two ladies that do not attend our church and are not family members of the deceased...but they are the managers of our local Dollar General store that is right here in the entrance to our neighborhood. Our friend who passed away also lived in our neighborhood, and apparently he shopped at that Dollar General quite often and must have been very friendly with these two ladies, as they are both very outgoing as well and we have a good rapport with them every time we go to the store to shop, which is quite often since it's so conveniently located about a block from our house. I know our friend who died was a very godly man who shared his faith openly with anyone, and it was quite impressive to me that he had made such an impact on these two ladies (who do not appear to be religious at all) that they wanted to come to his funeral.  That really touched my heart to see them there.

Here is our friend, who was in the Navy and loved all things about the sea...

So it was fitting to have this poem in the bulletin for his service:

I had never seen this poem before so I looked it up to see where it came from, and here is the information I found online:

"A Sailor for the Lord" is an inspirational poem written by Richard John Scarr. [1]

The complete text of the poem "A Sailor For The Lord" by Richard John Scarr, which reflects on an old sailor's final voyage on God's heavenly seas with revered shipmates and an angel at the masthead, can be found in the referenced source. [1]

— By Richard John Scarr [1]

We also sang this hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", which is also known as The Navy Hymn.

Eternal Father, strong to save

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave

Who biddest the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard

And hushed their raging at Thy Word

Who walked on the foaming deep

And calm amidst its rage didst sleep

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood

Upon the chaos dark and rude

And bid its angry tumult cease

And give, for wild confusion, peace

Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea

O Trinity of love and power

Our family shield in dangers hour

From rock and tempest, fire and foe

Protect us wheresoever we go

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea

Words: Will­iam Whit­ing 1860

Music: Melita, John B. Dykes 1861

One thing I've realized at each of the funerals we've had in the past year, and there have been too many, when given the opportunity for people to share some special memory of the dearly departed one, there have been such beautiful stories told of their faith and kindness and amazing works that they have done for others during their lifetime. I am always blessed by these testimonies, but I am also left with a feeling of wonder...it makes me wonder what will others have to say about my life when my time comes? And each time I come away with this sense that I'd really better get on the ball between now and then or there won't be much to say.  But actually, it's not so much about what I do or don't do that really matters as much as where I put my trust and faith, and when I keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith  (Hebrews 12:1-2), I can run this race of life and finish it with confidence and joy...

"1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

And then I pray that someday it may be said of me the words from this passage from Proverbs 31:25-31:

(especially verse 30)

"25 Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates. "

That would be the description of a life well lived, by God's grace and strength..."A woman who fears the Lord..."...that is my goal for this life.  And please understand that "Fear" here does not mean that I am afraid of God, but I revere Him and trust Him implicitly, no matter what.  That is my goal in life.

Well, it's time to wrap this up and get to bed. Tomorrow is another busy day. Actually, hubby is having an MRI, which is an annual check up to keep tabs on a condition that we want to make sure is still under control with no reoccurance, and that's all I'll say, but prayers are always appreciated. Thank you!

Good Night dear friends.  Thank you again for being special friends. That really means a lot to me.

The Day That Changed My Name

I started to write this yesterday, on August 16th, but the day kind of got away from me and I never got back to it.  It was a wonderful day, with lots of congratulatory messages on Facebook, and some other special blessings.  So now that it is Monday morning, I will pick up where I left off yesterday and try to get caught up!!

August 16, 1969

The Pastor announced to the congregation: "I now introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. John F. Steiner"

(Written yesterday) So, today is the REAL anniversary day...57 years ago today, August 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., and on that day in 1969, my name was changed. I don't know about you, but it took me a while to get used to being called "Mrs. Steiner". It seemed as though my whole identity was changed in a moment, with the reciting of our wedding vows and saying "I Do", I was no longer the girl I used to be for the first 18 years (going on 19 in a few weeks) of my life, Pam Mursch. I was now Mrs. John F. Steiner, Pamela Anne Mursch Steiner, or later I changed it to Pamela Mursch Steiner, which made my initials "PMS", before that was a well-known thing. LOL. I've gotten some looks over my initials throughout the years since. I think the initials have caused some people to give me a wide berth. LOL.

 I still basically go by the name "Pam", although Pamela is kind of my alter ego name...the more mature, elegant and kind of Victorian lady that I picture myself to be...hence the name of my dollhouse is "Pamela's Victorian Cottage", and the actual website name of my blog Closed Doors, Open Windows, is pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com. But in reality, I am still just plain old Pam, a girl who enjoys being outside in the woods and trees and looking at nature more than staying indoors and doing housework or having hobbies that require things like sewing or needlework or other types of hand crafts. Truly, my main hobby is writing this blog and taking pictures of most everything and everyone I see.  And loving my hubby and my family and most all , my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And I especially love that when I met Jesus, He also gave me a new name...and even though I don't know what it is yet, it is written down in heaven in His book...and some sweet day He will call me by that name and welcome me home to heaven to be with Him forever.

Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

But until then, I will gladly and proudly still be called by my current name, the one bestowed upon me on our wedding day 57 years ago.  And I am extremely thankful that nothing has happened to cause me to change it, Praise God!!

And so now, I am back to writing on today, Monday...and here's what we did yesterday after going to church.  We knew that our son Scott was coming to the house as per his usual Sunday habit to do his laundry and have lunch with us and then head back to his home in Jacksonville. It's a long drive, almost 2 hours, so we do appreciate the time he spends with us so much.  

Since Benton and Rose both had to work yesterday afternoon, it was just going to be the three of us for lunch. So we stopped by the new location of the Hog Wild Country cafe' and picked up some of their delicious BBQ ribs and a few sides.

This is my plate...and actually, I couldn't eat the whole thing, so I gave Scott one of my ribs, which he gladly devoured!

You will notice that I set the table with our wedding china for the occasion! We don't use it very often, but I thought this was a worthy occasion.  If you wish, you can click on THIS post from the past to see more about our wedding china and other wedding events and memories from the past.

I used our original wedding cake topper as our centerpiece....it's a little worse for the wear after 57 years and many many moves, but it's still standing!  The bell on top used to be white, but I think it's made of some kind of sugar and it turned brown over the years.  I'm just amazed it's still intact!

Here"we" are, from on top of our cake:

Here we are cutting the cake:

And here we are "having our cake and eating it too!" LOL.  You can see that my hubby was a gentleman even then. LOL.  

And here is "the Great Escape" after the reception under a hail of rice being thrown at us...look at my short little dress! LOL. Well, it was 1969, and my navy blue dress was actually quite modest for the times when mini-skirts were all the rage...

Here we are now...same couple 57 years later, but instead of being able to run through the crowd to our car, it looks like hubby is holding me up! LOL.  And my Navy Blue and white dress is a tad bit longer! 

This song keeps coming back into my head as I think about the past 57 years...and I believe the lyrics to this song by Andre' Crouch tell the story pretty well...

"I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
there've been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.

Chorus:
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places,
I've seen a lot of faces,
there's been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Chorus:
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Chorus:
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word."

Yes, that chorus says it all. We've been through a lot over the past 57 years, but truly, through it all, we have learned to trust in Jesus and we have definitely learned to depend upon His Word to sustain us and teach us in the way we should go.  We are so very thankful for that faith that has carried us through some pretty difficult timess, and  that has given us the hope that only God can give us, for eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

Hebrews 12:1-2 says it well:

"1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Without this faith, our story might have been very different. 

"I thank God for the mountains,and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do."

Amen.

Thursday Thankfulness

 Happy Thursday!  There's nothing in particular on my mind, but as Thursday seems to be the day to think about being thankful, perhaps that's what I need to do!  

Here's the current weather report...91 degrees and do you see what I see?  Thunderstorms are expected around 9:00 p.m. today!  Although we have found this phone weather app to oftetimes be less than accurate, we are going to pray and claim by faith that this is true! Also, it is predicting rain for the next 3 days and then again several days next week! SO, if this is accurate, we will be doing some happy rain dances!!  Please pray with us that it is true! We need the rain SO badly.  It is SO hot and dry right now. The one thing I am very thankful for is our air conditioning.  After we had been outside a little bit this morning, as soon as we stepped back into the cool comfortable house, I said, "Thank You, Lord, for our AC!"  I don't take it for granted as they can be temperamental things, especially when you need it most, so I thank the Lord for it regularly.

I am thankful that even though our Still Waters Pond is still totally dry, life goes on...there's some green grasses growing out there on the pond, which tells me that there are some lower areas with moisture in them, and the grass is still growing around the pond (and we had to have our friend mow all the way out there and he didn't get stuck in the mud because there still isn't any mud).  

I am thankful that the flower seeds I planted are all growing in spite of the fact that I just kind of dumped them all in there together. Hopefully that ring of sprouts will soon be full of flowers! Oh, we got those terra cotta stones at our local building supply place and put them around the little garden. It looks a lot better than it did before. However, that is on a slope and it was tricky getting them to stand up.

I am thankful that our little vegetable garden is still growing and producing "fruit"...Look at those tomatoes!!!! Praise God!!

Aren't they beautiful?   

I am thankful that even though we have to pay for our water here since we are on a community water system and not our own well, we are able to water our little garden and keep it going in spite of the drought. However our water bill is a bit higher than normal, and we are also on a bit of a watering restriction, so I have to be careful...that's why I am really looking forward to this rain so I won't have to do so much watering.

The squash plants are looking good too...

That's a baby squash!! WooHoo! Growing your own food is so much fun!! Thank You, Lord!!! We are in this together!!!

Here's my sweet garden helper...well...I'd say he's more of a "supervisor" than helper, but he sure is sweet.

Did you say you wanted to see more pictures of Blackie?  Okay then, I think I can manage that...

Here is where he managed to jump up onto this morning,  and thankfully hubby alerted me to come get him before he could do any damage to anything on top of the buffet, but of course I saw it as a photo op and had to take a few pictures first, keeping a close watch on him  (and that tail) to make sure he didn't knock anything off. After I took my pictures, I kindly removed him from the danger zone.

When I first got there (and before I could get my phone ready to take a picture) he was actually over there by the dolls and their tea set. I think he wanted to have a tea party with them, but then he noticed his reflection in the mirror and that was something new and interesting...

Then he noticed the little bird on the little church birdhouse, and was studying that when I decided it was best to get him down from there before he decided to eat a little stuffed bird. LOL.

My hubby wears these flip flops in the house and has some Dr. Scholl's insoles on them to make them feel better on his feet, but Blackie found those to be quite interesting and was enjoying playing with them.

I am thankful that we have fun with this kitty, and that he really isn't destructive, just curious. 

He has been a joy and a blessing in disguise to us.  

One day last week we took a walk at a little park in our community that is beside a little lake.

Hello!

I really wasn't going to go down that slide, but I can pretend...

Hubby was working hard at some chin ups...

 (of course his feet were on solid ground, LOL)

Some people never grow up!

The lake was calm and smooth as glass.  I didn't have my good camera with me, so the pictures were whatever I could get with my cell phone.

Well,looky there! A beautiful Great White Egret was flying across the lake:

You can see along the shore that the water level is quite low in this lake also, but at least it isn't dry.

That's because this is a real lake, and our pond is just a pond.  

It's still beautiful, and I am thankful that there is water for the birds and fish here...

Here's some food for thought from God's Word about not giving up, but continuing to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" in this life.  It may look different for each one of us, but when we keep our gaze on Christ, He will help us make it safely to the finish line...

Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

The Race of Faith

"1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I am thankful for that encouragement as I face my daily struggles and routines. My struggles are nothing compared to what Jesus had to endure for my sake. He ran interference for us, and is there waiting at the finish line to welcome us "home".  That is truly good news to me.  I hope it is for you as well.

Okay, friends. That's it for today. I just got a notice that a book I requested is ready for me at the library, so I can go pick it up and have something new to read in my "spare time".  

Blessing to each and every one of you!!