The garden is in all its glory now! I'm constantly on the lookout for destructive insects, so I have to know what they look like. I've educated myself on which bugs are good and which bugs are bad; but sometimes it's hard to tell. When I find destructive bugs, I have to eliminate them right away or they'll destroy the crop on which they thrive. If I don't get rid of them, I can kiss that particular vegetable goodbye.
One needs to also know which bugs feed off the destructive insects. I've finally learned what the larvae of a lady bug looks like, so I never destroy those as lady bugs feast on aphids. Those tiny aphids suck the life from plants. Last year I had to pull out an entire row of peas because of an aphid infestation; I was hesitant to spray with insecticide as I would kill the lady bugs if I did so. The peas were pretty much finished producing by then, so I tore them out, stuffed them into a garbage bag, and put them in the trash bin. I didn't want those bugs returning!
Just as I need to destroy destructive bugs which come into my garden, I must also destroy or remove things in my life which harm my walk with God. Each one of us must do so. We have to learn to recognize those things early on and take action quickly or we'll lose the opportunity to bear fruit. Wrong thoughts, attitudes and words can be destructive, as can be certain types of music, movies or television shows which we watch. Bars and nightclubs and other entertainment spots which grieve Christ's heart should also be avoided because God wants us to produce good fruit, and we can't do that if we're consuming ungodly nourishment.
Weeds are a constant problem in any garden, and it takes a watchful eye to keep them out. Once a weed takes hold and produces seed, it spawns a new generation just like it. Weeds occur where we are planted; destructive insects come from everywhere. A weed can come in the form of a family member who tries to undermine your faith, a co-worker who gives you a difficult time, or even a well-meaning church friend. Allow the Word of God to saturate your life; it will form a protective shield, a barrier, where no weed can grow to produce another crop of weeds.
God is good and doesn't let us grow in our gardens alone. He brings into our lives circumstances, people and events, words of encouragement, a timely phone call, to help us recognize and eliminate those destructive things in our lives or to deal with them in a godly manner. Never reject instruction or correction from the Word or from a fellow believer or you might be inviting a host of insects to eat your fruit before it's begun to grow. God helps us in many ways, and other Christian people are one of his favorite choices.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019
Memorial Day Salute
Memorial Day - those of us who've been around for a while remember World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War and all those who paid the ultimate price for keeping the world safe and our freedoms intact. We honor them all.
I was in high school when the Vietnam War was raging. So many of the boys with whom I went to high school probably served and died over there. I can't name names, but the statistics would bear this out. While watching a program on the Vietnam War the other night, I learned that over 33,000 of our soldiers killed over there were only 18 years old! Eighteen!!! Young men on the threshold of their adult lives, cut down on foreign soil, never to experience the joys of marriage and raising a family, as well as all the other challenges which go with living a full life. Sad indeed.
So it is with this in mind that I remember all those fallen through the years, including all those wounded and maimed, those who survived but whose lives were changed forever, those who suffered from PTSD and took their own lives because of the horror which they had lived. I'm forever in their gratitude, as we all should be, for without their sacrifices our current world would certainly be different.
May God continue to bless the USA.
I was in high school when the Vietnam War was raging. So many of the boys with whom I went to high school probably served and died over there. I can't name names, but the statistics would bear this out. While watching a program on the Vietnam War the other night, I learned that over 33,000 of our soldiers killed over there were only 18 years old! Eighteen!!! Young men on the threshold of their adult lives, cut down on foreign soil, never to experience the joys of marriage and raising a family, as well as all the other challenges which go with living a full life. Sad indeed.
So it is with this in mind that I remember all those fallen through the years, including all those wounded and maimed, those who survived but whose lives were changed forever, those who suffered from PTSD and took their own lives because of the horror which they had lived. I'm forever in their gratitude, as we all should be, for without their sacrifices our current world would certainly be different.
May God continue to bless the USA.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Planting Time
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Planting time has arrived. The soil has warmed up enough to plant seeds and seedlings, at least here in North Carolina. But I can't plant anything without preparing the soil, so I add fertilizer and dig and turn the soil over again and again, making it loose and well aerated.
Several years ago we purchased raised garden beds to put on the deck, raised on legs so the top of the planters are about hip height. We now have four of these, and they have taken away the back-breaking job of weeding and maintaining our vegetable gardens. Before I plant anything, I create a drawing of the four beds and decide where I'm going to put each vegetable, purchased weeks ago through a catalog. My tomato seedlings are also ready to be planted, so today, before the storms of this evening arrived, I planted my summer vegetable garden.
Even though the seeds are now in the ground, my work doesn't stop there. I'll be in the garden every day, waiting for the seeds to sprout and keeping a watchful eye out for any bugs which may destroy or damage my crop. Soon I'll see the different plants emerge, arching their stems toward the warm sun, then spreading their leaves to catch as much sunlight as possible. From experience, I know my garden, which has plenty of space between plants right now, will have little or no space between plants.
I'm continually amazed at how different seeds produce different fruit. All I have to do is put the seeds in the ground at the proper time, and God does the rest.
Just as each seed produces a specific fruit or vegetable, God has given each of us abilities to use for His glory. I can't try to imitate someone else's gift and expect to do what I'm not gifted to do just as I can't expect melon seeds to produce peppers. Each of us is different, and God knows what we are capable of doing, and if we allow Him to plant us where He wants to plant us and allow him to prune and fertilize us as needed,
we'll produce much fruit to bless others.
(The photo is of a previous year's garden.)
Planting time has arrived. The soil has warmed up enough to plant seeds and seedlings, at least here in North Carolina. But I can't plant anything without preparing the soil, so I add fertilizer and dig and turn the soil over again and again, making it loose and well aerated.
Several years ago we purchased raised garden beds to put on the deck, raised on legs so the top of the planters are about hip height. We now have four of these, and they have taken away the back-breaking job of weeding and maintaining our vegetable gardens. Before I plant anything, I create a drawing of the four beds and decide where I'm going to put each vegetable, purchased weeks ago through a catalog. My tomato seedlings are also ready to be planted, so today, before the storms of this evening arrived, I planted my summer vegetable garden.
Even though the seeds are now in the ground, my work doesn't stop there. I'll be in the garden every day, waiting for the seeds to sprout and keeping a watchful eye out for any bugs which may destroy or damage my crop. Soon I'll see the different plants emerge, arching their stems toward the warm sun, then spreading their leaves to catch as much sunlight as possible. From experience, I know my garden, which has plenty of space between plants right now, will have little or no space between plants.
I'm continually amazed at how different seeds produce different fruit. All I have to do is put the seeds in the ground at the proper time, and God does the rest.
Just as each seed produces a specific fruit or vegetable, God has given each of us abilities to use for His glory. I can't try to imitate someone else's gift and expect to do what I'm not gifted to do just as I can't expect melon seeds to produce peppers. Each of us is different, and God knows what we are capable of doing, and if we allow Him to plant us where He wants to plant us and allow him to prune and fertilize us as needed,
we'll produce much fruit to bless others.
(The photo is of a previous year's garden.)
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Struggles
Now that I'm in my "twilight years", I've been experiencing feelings of failure with so many things in my life; I have a lot of years behind me and plenty of time to think! However, I don't know if I'm comparing today's world with the world of my day. In today's world, we have technology which provides information and connectivity at the touch of a button. In my day, meaning the late 60's through the early 80's, we had nothing other than the local library and friends and family who could offer advice on child-rearing or any other struggle being faced. There were no play dates with other kids in the neighborhood or my circle of friends; my kids played with other kids on the block. There wasn't a vast array of books and websites from which to glean information on practically anything; we just had Dr. Spock and his book on child rearing. There were no exercise classes for baby and mommy, nor were there a variety of gyms from which to choose where you could exercise. Yes, things were vastly different those many years ago.
I mentioned several posts ago that I had spent 10 years in a children's home, from the ages of 8 to 18, and I left with very little knowledge of the real world and how it operated. I married a young man whom I'd met at a camp in upstate New York less than a year after I graduated from high school; he lived in Illinois, so we settled there, in his world, after we married. Motherhood came quickly, and the extended family I thought I had was non-existent, other than to play with my kids when we visited. I had no support or relative on whom to lean, not only during those years, but during my entire life. I never had anyone to mentor me or to model for me what a wife and/or mother and now grandmother looked like, especially one who called herself a Christian. I feel like I flew by the seat of my pants most of the time.
Needless to say, I've struggled with relationships and marriage all my life. It's not been easy, not only for me but also for my three sisters. All of us have been divorced.
Even attending church is vastly different now. I began attending an Assemblies of God Church back in the late 80's and have been attending Pentecostal churches ever since. The teaching I've received in these churches over the years has been a far cry from what I received as a child and young adult and mother in the Baptist and Methodist churches I attended. My walk with the Lord is so much deeper and different now, and I often wonder what my life could have been if I'd attended such churches when young and had had the knowledge of God and living for Him that I have now. I often wonder these things when I'm trying to fall asleep at night.
Despite my failures as a mom, my kids have solid marriages and happy families, for which I'm eternally grateful to God because He covered my failures and shortcomings with His glorious grace! If not for God, the thoughts of suicide which invaded my mind many times during my 20's may have won out in action. I've been to counseling several times throughout my life, and one of my counselors told me that "for all you've been through, you should be a drug addict or an alcoholic." I thank God that He held me in the palm of His hand during all those years of failure and sin, never letting me go until I came back into His presence and let Him take control of my life. But, being the sinful person I am, I still struggle with being all that God has called me to be, yet He hasn't given up on me and never will.
I've tried to be transparent in this post and hope it touches someone, giving hope and faith that God will never leave you nor forsake you either. I've experienced His faithfulness firsthand, and you can, too.
I mentioned several posts ago that I had spent 10 years in a children's home, from the ages of 8 to 18, and I left with very little knowledge of the real world and how it operated. I married a young man whom I'd met at a camp in upstate New York less than a year after I graduated from high school; he lived in Illinois, so we settled there, in his world, after we married. Motherhood came quickly, and the extended family I thought I had was non-existent, other than to play with my kids when we visited. I had no support or relative on whom to lean, not only during those years, but during my entire life. I never had anyone to mentor me or to model for me what a wife and/or mother and now grandmother looked like, especially one who called herself a Christian. I feel like I flew by the seat of my pants most of the time.
Needless to say, I've struggled with relationships and marriage all my life. It's not been easy, not only for me but also for my three sisters. All of us have been divorced.
Even attending church is vastly different now. I began attending an Assemblies of God Church back in the late 80's and have been attending Pentecostal churches ever since. The teaching I've received in these churches over the years has been a far cry from what I received as a child and young adult and mother in the Baptist and Methodist churches I attended. My walk with the Lord is so much deeper and different now, and I often wonder what my life could have been if I'd attended such churches when young and had had the knowledge of God and living for Him that I have now. I often wonder these things when I'm trying to fall asleep at night.
Despite my failures as a mom, my kids have solid marriages and happy families, for which I'm eternally grateful to God because He covered my failures and shortcomings with His glorious grace! If not for God, the thoughts of suicide which invaded my mind many times during my 20's may have won out in action. I've been to counseling several times throughout my life, and one of my counselors told me that "for all you've been through, you should be a drug addict or an alcoholic." I thank God that He held me in the palm of His hand during all those years of failure and sin, never letting me go until I came back into His presence and let Him take control of my life. But, being the sinful person I am, I still struggle with being all that God has called me to be, yet He hasn't given up on me and never will.
I've tried to be transparent in this post and hope it touches someone, giving hope and faith that God will never leave you nor forsake you either. I've experienced His faithfulness firsthand, and you can, too.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
House Cleaning
Through the years I've written several devotional readings, and I'll be posting them on occasion. I hope they bless you.
You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may be clean also. Matthew 23:26
I think most women will agree with me about housecleaning -- it isn't a job we necessarily enjoy and it's far from appreciated by those who live with us -- but it's something that must be done. I haven't yet figured out how to live in my home and keep it from getting dirty; there just isn't a way. Now, I could give my house a thorough cleaning, lock the door and go live somewhere else, but what would that accomplish? My husband wouldn't be happy about leaving his home, nor would my cats! And the new place in which we lived would get dirty and need to be cleaned, too, even as the house I locked up would still get dusty. There's no way around it; housecleaning is a fact of life, a necessity, and a job which must be done over and over again.
I'm happy with the thought that when I get to my heavenly mansion, I won't have to clean it. I don't know how that's going to work, but I'm certain God is going to deliver us from the drudgery of daily life on this earth.
But in the meantime, I'm still here, so I have to vacuum and dust my home on a regular basis, as well as clean the bathrooms. If I don't, the hardwood floors would have dust bunnies on them, the area rugs would be covered with dirt and cat fur, and the furniture would be useful as a writing tablet with all the dust on it. Often I have to force myself to do the housecleaning, and it can be pretty disheartening because I know that a few days later, it won't even look like I've cleaned the place, and I'll have to do it again. Thankfully, Bob helps with the vacuuming!
Despite all this drudgery, I do find an element of satisfaction in cleaning my home. God gave us a lovely home, furnished and decorated with nice things, and I can show my thanks and honor God by taking care of what He's given us. And strangely, I also find joy and a sense of accomplishment in doing a good job. Even though it may not be outwardly noticed or appreciated by our family members, we need to remember that God sees our hard work and appreciates it' we give Him glory by our hard work.
Our hearts are our spiritual homes, and we must keep them clean also. Just as I clean my house, I must seek forgiveness and mercy at the feet of my Heavenly Father on a regular basis for the dirt, the sin, that creeps into my life. If I allow sin and its friends to inhabit my heart, my soul, I'll become dirty within, and that will be reflected in my outward life. But if I keep my heart clean before God and allow Him to work in me, my outward life will reflect Hs character, His likeness. The satisfaction and joy I experience by living this way is far greater than the way I feel after cleaning my physical house.
We need to keep our spiritual homes in order, clean and tidy, for only then will we feel comfortable with Christ living in us. If we have dirty, hidden rooms, locked up tight so no one can see what's inside, including God, we won't want God walking around our spiritual homes, for He will ask us to open those doors which we've closed to Him. Then, and only then, can God cleanse us and flood our dark rooms with light; He will help us keep every room in our hearts clean and open to His loving care.
You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may be clean also. Matthew 23:26
I think most women will agree with me about housecleaning -- it isn't a job we necessarily enjoy and it's far from appreciated by those who live with us -- but it's something that must be done. I haven't yet figured out how to live in my home and keep it from getting dirty; there just isn't a way. Now, I could give my house a thorough cleaning, lock the door and go live somewhere else, but what would that accomplish? My husband wouldn't be happy about leaving his home, nor would my cats! And the new place in which we lived would get dirty and need to be cleaned, too, even as the house I locked up would still get dusty. There's no way around it; housecleaning is a fact of life, a necessity, and a job which must be done over and over again.
I'm happy with the thought that when I get to my heavenly mansion, I won't have to clean it. I don't know how that's going to work, but I'm certain God is going to deliver us from the drudgery of daily life on this earth.
But in the meantime, I'm still here, so I have to vacuum and dust my home on a regular basis, as well as clean the bathrooms. If I don't, the hardwood floors would have dust bunnies on them, the area rugs would be covered with dirt and cat fur, and the furniture would be useful as a writing tablet with all the dust on it. Often I have to force myself to do the housecleaning, and it can be pretty disheartening because I know that a few days later, it won't even look like I've cleaned the place, and I'll have to do it again. Thankfully, Bob helps with the vacuuming!
Despite all this drudgery, I do find an element of satisfaction in cleaning my home. God gave us a lovely home, furnished and decorated with nice things, and I can show my thanks and honor God by taking care of what He's given us. And strangely, I also find joy and a sense of accomplishment in doing a good job. Even though it may not be outwardly noticed or appreciated by our family members, we need to remember that God sees our hard work and appreciates it' we give Him glory by our hard work.
Our hearts are our spiritual homes, and we must keep them clean also. Just as I clean my house, I must seek forgiveness and mercy at the feet of my Heavenly Father on a regular basis for the dirt, the sin, that creeps into my life. If I allow sin and its friends to inhabit my heart, my soul, I'll become dirty within, and that will be reflected in my outward life. But if I keep my heart clean before God and allow Him to work in me, my outward life will reflect Hs character, His likeness. The satisfaction and joy I experience by living this way is far greater than the way I feel after cleaning my physical house.
We need to keep our spiritual homes in order, clean and tidy, for only then will we feel comfortable with Christ living in us. If we have dirty, hidden rooms, locked up tight so no one can see what's inside, including God, we won't want God walking around our spiritual homes, for He will ask us to open those doors which we've closed to Him. Then, and only then, can God cleanse us and flood our dark rooms with light; He will help us keep every room in our hearts clean and open to His loving care.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Spring Brings Hummingbirds
Today is Sunday, a day of rest, or at least it's supposed to be a day of rest. My husband and I worked in the yard, doing what I consider to be relaxing, yet it was work still the same. I planted some creeping phlox and hollyhocks in a huge pot and am looking forward to the time when the blooms on the hollyhocks attract the hummingbirds which frequent our yard. We've taken videos of them fighting territorial battles and "dancing" to attract a mate around our feeders. They are such amazing creatures, the only bird which can fly backwards and hover over a flower as their long tongue sips the nectar from a flower. We'll be putting up our feeders in a week or two as the hummingbirds have always come back the first or second week of April in this part of North Carolina. We always get excited at their return!
Thought for the day: Like a spring of pure water, God's peace in our hearts brings cleansing and refreshment to our minds and bodies. --- Billy Graham
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Thought for the day
Thought for the day: C.S. Lewis: "God gives His gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them."
I guess we need to be empty of ourselves so we can receive the fullness of God.
I guess we need to be empty of ourselves so we can receive the fullness of God.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Spring flowers and hope
Spring flowers -- how we all love them. But they have to be planted in the fall in order to bloom in the spring. You can't plant tulips in April and expect them to bloom. They won't.
Many years ago I planted 105 tulips and hyacinth bulbs around the roses in one of my gardens while I lived in Connecticut. It was hard work; I spent a lot of time on my knees, digging and planting those hard bulbs. My back and arms ached when I was done, but I looked forward to the coming spring when I would enjoy the fruits of my labor. But first I had to patiently go through the harsh winter months. Did I worry about my newly-planted bulbs freezing? Did I worry that they wouldn't grow when they should? No! I knew the bulbs had to go through the cold months before they would bloom in the warmth of spring. Even though I couldn't see anything happening, I knew those bulbs were setting down roots, roots which were necessary to produce a flower. And so I waited as the ground froze and the snow fell. I waited as the snow melted and the rains came. I waited for there to be more sunny days than cold, cloudy ones. Then I waited as the sun poured out its warming energy, pushing back the frost and ice in the ground with each passing day.
I eagerly checked the flower bed each day, but there was nothing. Yet I didn't throw up my hands in aggravation and walk away, never to check the bed again. No, I kept checking because I had faith that those bulbs I had so diligently planted months before would be up sooner or later. And one day, there was one bulb, then another, and another, and more every day. Soon every bulb I'd planted was up through the chilly ground, reaching for the warmth of the sun. It didn't take long for buds to appear, then the beauty of those flowers unfolded, lasting for days, their fragrance filling the air, enticing my senses. I finally was able to enjoy all my hard work, but it took months of waiting and watching.
Our society seems to have become a "microwave" society, wanting things instantly. With on-line ordering, computers allow us to shop from the comfort of our homes and receive the items ordered within a few short days. Patience seems to have been lost through the years. We've forgotten the joy of expectation.
Believers can also be impatient. We get down on our knees and put our petitions before God, then get up and expect the answer to come overnight in an e-mail or text message. Or we expect to see immediate results from our work, whatever that work may be. Time is of the essence with us. Time is of no importance to God. And so He teaches us to plant, to keep a dream or a desire or request deep in our hearts. He doesn't forget it's there. He knows. And so we go through time, often months that seem cruel and harsh and difficult, thinking nothing is happening as we want it to happen. But God is working in us or around us, setting down deep roots of faith so we can produce a good harvest. And we wait and wait and wait, hoping for a sigh of answered prayer or results from all our hard work. More months, or even years, may pass, and we eagerly anticipate God's hand bringing about results. When nothing seems to be happening, discouragement can easily set in. But one day, one glorious day, you will see a tiny bit of growth, something that wasn't there yesterday, and it will grow larger each day. Often storms may still come, cutting off the warm sun and slowing that growth, but all storms pass and the sun always reappears. Finally, just when you think all the growth is not producing anything, a bud appears, and that bud bursts forth into a glorious flower which brings honor and glory to God alone.
Whatever your desire, whatever your hope, whatever your dream, whatever your work, don't give up. Keep on believing. Keep having faith. You may be just one day away from seeing the results of all your hard, diligent work, of all your prayers, of all your dreams. God is faithful. Just as the tulips and daffodils will always bloom in the spring, so will God always bring results and answers into our lives.
It's with this hope in mind that I keep believing for my book, "Amanda's Hope, A Choice for Life", to get onto bookstore shelves and into the public's hands, all to the glory of God. I see growth but no buds yet, but I'm holding on.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
New Blog Title!
So, I finally found a new name for my blog, something more fitting for the stage of life into which I've grown with age. Yes, I'm getting older all the time, and I've come to the conclusion age sneaks up on you and you don't even realize it! As I sometimes say, I got old when I wasn't watching! I'm also not ashamed to tell my age (69) because many people don't get to live as long as I've lived, so "I'm not ashamed to say and I'm glad for every day" is what I tell people now. Every breath I take is by the grace of God, so will I be ashamed to speak of His grace? Never!
For those of you under 50 years of age, grasp every moment you can with your kids, grown or not. Before you know it, they'll have families of their own, and when those families expand and include children, your grandchildren, life takes another turn for your kids and for yourself. Our eight grandchildren now range in age from five years up to 20 years, and we've been in the grandparenting phase for over 20 years now; even thought it's an amazing time of life, it comes with its challenges, but the rewards are innumerable.
Because I was raised in a children's home from the age of 8-18, I've not had a role model in my life for any phase of my life. I learned about marriage when I married; I learned about being a mother when I became a mother; and now I'm navigating grandparenting on my own. Sadly, I've failed at many things in life, failed those who counted on me, failed to be what God had planned for me to be. But all I have is the here and now; I can't undo any of my past mistakes or failures; I can only learn from them and pray for forgiveness. I want to be the best nana (that's what my grandkids call me) I can be; thus the new name for my blog.
I hope you continue reading and hope some of you will even comment on my posts. I've felt like I've been writing in a desert, sending my posts into cyberspace, and it would be good to know someone, or lots of someones, are reading and hopefully benefitting from what I write.
Thought for today: God knows us intimately; His Word states, in Matthew 10:30: And even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
For those of you under 50 years of age, grasp every moment you can with your kids, grown or not. Before you know it, they'll have families of their own, and when those families expand and include children, your grandchildren, life takes another turn for your kids and for yourself. Our eight grandchildren now range in age from five years up to 20 years, and we've been in the grandparenting phase for over 20 years now; even thought it's an amazing time of life, it comes with its challenges, but the rewards are innumerable.
Because I was raised in a children's home from the age of 8-18, I've not had a role model in my life for any phase of my life. I learned about marriage when I married; I learned about being a mother when I became a mother; and now I'm navigating grandparenting on my own. Sadly, I've failed at many things in life, failed those who counted on me, failed to be what God had planned for me to be. But all I have is the here and now; I can't undo any of my past mistakes or failures; I can only learn from them and pray for forgiveness. I want to be the best nana (that's what my grandkids call me) I can be; thus the new name for my blog.
I hope you continue reading and hope some of you will even comment on my posts. I've felt like I've been writing in a desert, sending my posts into cyberspace, and it would be good to know someone, or lots of someones, are reading and hopefully benefitting from what I write.
Thought for today: God knows us intimately; His Word states, in Matthew 10:30: And even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Retreat
Over the past weekend I was in North Myrtle Beach, SC, with about 110 lovely ladies from my church. We had a guest speaker and spent time in the Word and time in prayer and in listening to God. Hated for it to end, but the time there brought me new friendships with younger ladies and a refreshed spirit.
A small thought for the day: Every moment is important, so cherish each one, for time can slip away through our fingers like sand in an hourglass.
A small thought for the day: Every moment is important, so cherish each one, for time can slip away through our fingers like sand in an hourglass.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Drawing again!
Because I'd been away from blogging for so long, things had changed and I didn't know how to upload photos from my computer as that wasn't a choice in the menu any longer. I've found out how to do that now, so below are a few of the colored pencil drawings I've done in the last two years. Remember horses are my favorite animal!
The colored pencils I use are Prismacolor pencils, artist-grade waxy pencils which allow for blending of the colors and lots of detail. The last drawing of Lindt Chocolate bar was for fun; it's my favorite candy! The real package is on the left and the drawing is on the right. I made the drawing look as if the paper had been torn off the bottom; I didn't want to draw all the small lettering on the bottom of the wrapper!
I'm heading to North Myrtle Beach, SC, tomorrow with a bunch of ladies from my church for a women's retreat, so my husband will be left to fend for himself! I hope he survives!
The colored pencils I use are Prismacolor pencils, artist-grade waxy pencils which allow for blending of the colors and lots of detail. The last drawing of Lindt Chocolate bar was for fun; it's my favorite candy! The real package is on the left and the drawing is on the right. I made the drawing look as if the paper had been torn off the bottom; I didn't want to draw all the small lettering on the bottom of the wrapper!
I'm heading to North Myrtle Beach, SC, tomorrow with a bunch of ladies from my church for a women's retreat, so my husband will be left to fend for himself! I hope he survives!
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Active again!
I'm back!! It's been almost six years since I've posted on this blog, and hopefully I'll continue to post on a regular basis. What's happened in the last six years? We've had another grandson, bringing the total to eight grandchildren with seven of them being boys! We are blessed indeed!
I was laid off from my job in March of 2014, but it was a good thing for me as I was discontent at my job and had nothing to do most of the time. Because I was so close to my 65th birthday, I didn't bother to look for another job and haven't regretted the decision. I've been spending my time doing things I love to do and hadn't had the chance to do for years. First I started making soap, something I'd never done but had always wanted to try. I marketed the products at the Durham Craft Market every Saturday, setting everything up under a 10x10 canopy and selling for 4 hours. It was fun and brought in extra money for four years, but I dropped that when I returned to my drawing. I hadn't drawn anything for about 18 years but was able to get right back into it. I discovered colored pencils as my new medium and have been enjoying drawing horses, my favorite animal in the world. Well, I have cats and love them dearly and have never had a horse and probably never will have one, but I think they're magnificent. I'm now stretching my wings and trying to master water color, which I find very difficult.
I've also continued gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and thoroughly enjoy the growing season in North Carolina. My husband also retired almost three years ago, and we purchased a used travel trailer, so we've given up tent camping and have embraced trailering. Many years ago I said I'd never do that, but time, aging and surgeries have changed my outlook; we don't mind having air-conditioning and heat, as well as a bathroom, in our small trailer. We don't travel far with it because our car is only a V6, but we have several state parks close to us and enjoy getting away from our normal routine and out into the open spaces. We've also purchased a kayak and enjoy paddling around the lakes at the campgrounds.
I've continued writing books and have republished "Amanda's Hope", so it has a new cover and design but is still the same book. You can purchase the book on Amazon by searching BOOKS and my name. You can also go to my website, www.barbaranstewart.com/ to purchase the book or order it through Barnes and Noble. In the meantime I've reworked another story I've written, "Stay of Execution," and hope to get that published sometime this year.
God has been good through the years, even through a difficult foot surgery and recovery. One summer I was blessed to take care of my son's three boys for the summer; when they started back to school, I felt like I'd been laid off again! We loved having them every weekday and missed them so much when summer ended.
We've become involved with Open Table Ministry here in Durham and help every Monday to serve a meal to the homeless people who come to the church where it's served. We don't cook but churches and civic groups sign up to bring food for at least 140 people, and when they arrive we help them set up and serve the food then clean up afterward. We've seen babies and small children come in with their mothers and sometimes with their fathers, too, and that always breaks my heart. I've come to know some of the people and their struggles. Open Table helps them get jobs, provides transportation at times, helps them get housing, provides free clothing, and many other things as well. My daughter is on the Board of Directors.
Other things which keep me busy are knitting and crocheting. I've made numerous stocking caps and donated them during the winter months; I make baby blankets when someone I know is having a little one; I spend time each week with an invalid friend and help her as needed; I babysit at my church when MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is in session, so you can see I'm a busy person. But I love what I do.
As I entered this "retirement" stage of life, I knew I wouldn't be sitting around my house eating, drinking and being merry, or traveling and having a good time. I knew I would be serving and helping others as that's what God's called me to do. There are so many needy people in the world, so many who need help in myriad ways that to sit and do nothing is, to me, wrong. As long as God gives each of us breath, we should be working and helping those in need. That doesn't mean you can't have a vacation or go somewhere you'd love to visit; it just means that we shouldn't live for ourselves, but for others and for the God who created us.
I hope you'll check back occasionally as I continue blogging. I'll post short stories and/or events in our lives. As always, God is the source of life and all goodness.
I was laid off from my job in March of 2014, but it was a good thing for me as I was discontent at my job and had nothing to do most of the time. Because I was so close to my 65th birthday, I didn't bother to look for another job and haven't regretted the decision. I've been spending my time doing things I love to do and hadn't had the chance to do for years. First I started making soap, something I'd never done but had always wanted to try. I marketed the products at the Durham Craft Market every Saturday, setting everything up under a 10x10 canopy and selling for 4 hours. It was fun and brought in extra money for four years, but I dropped that when I returned to my drawing. I hadn't drawn anything for about 18 years but was able to get right back into it. I discovered colored pencils as my new medium and have been enjoying drawing horses, my favorite animal in the world. Well, I have cats and love them dearly and have never had a horse and probably never will have one, but I think they're magnificent. I'm now stretching my wings and trying to master water color, which I find very difficult.
I've also continued gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and thoroughly enjoy the growing season in North Carolina. My husband also retired almost three years ago, and we purchased a used travel trailer, so we've given up tent camping and have embraced trailering. Many years ago I said I'd never do that, but time, aging and surgeries have changed my outlook; we don't mind having air-conditioning and heat, as well as a bathroom, in our small trailer. We don't travel far with it because our car is only a V6, but we have several state parks close to us and enjoy getting away from our normal routine and out into the open spaces. We've also purchased a kayak and enjoy paddling around the lakes at the campgrounds.
I've continued writing books and have republished "Amanda's Hope", so it has a new cover and design but is still the same book. You can purchase the book on Amazon by searching BOOKS and my name. You can also go to my website, www.barbaranstewart.com/ to purchase the book or order it through Barnes and Noble. In the meantime I've reworked another story I've written, "Stay of Execution," and hope to get that published sometime this year.
God has been good through the years, even through a difficult foot surgery and recovery. One summer I was blessed to take care of my son's three boys for the summer; when they started back to school, I felt like I'd been laid off again! We loved having them every weekday and missed them so much when summer ended.
We've become involved with Open Table Ministry here in Durham and help every Monday to serve a meal to the homeless people who come to the church where it's served. We don't cook but churches and civic groups sign up to bring food for at least 140 people, and when they arrive we help them set up and serve the food then clean up afterward. We've seen babies and small children come in with their mothers and sometimes with their fathers, too, and that always breaks my heart. I've come to know some of the people and their struggles. Open Table helps them get jobs, provides transportation at times, helps them get housing, provides free clothing, and many other things as well. My daughter is on the Board of Directors.
Other things which keep me busy are knitting and crocheting. I've made numerous stocking caps and donated them during the winter months; I make baby blankets when someone I know is having a little one; I spend time each week with an invalid friend and help her as needed; I babysit at my church when MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is in session, so you can see I'm a busy person. But I love what I do.
As I entered this "retirement" stage of life, I knew I wouldn't be sitting around my house eating, drinking and being merry, or traveling and having a good time. I knew I would be serving and helping others as that's what God's called me to do. There are so many needy people in the world, so many who need help in myriad ways that to sit and do nothing is, to me, wrong. As long as God gives each of us breath, we should be working and helping those in need. That doesn't mean you can't have a vacation or go somewhere you'd love to visit; it just means that we shouldn't live for ourselves, but for others and for the God who created us.
I hope you'll check back occasionally as I continue blogging. I'll post short stories and/or events in our lives. As always, God is the source of life and all goodness.
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