April 6 #1minFiction Challenge

Cranny’s #1 Minute Fiction Challenge this week made me laugh as my mind went in a whole different direction. Come join in to share you thoughts.

The Glass Box

“Hey George, come look. Those weird creatures are coming up out of the ground again. Hurry, come look before they leave.”

“Ignore them Martha,” said George as he moved away out of sight. “The more attention you give them the longer they stay.”

“But George they are fascinating to watch. Come look.”

“No.”

“One of them has that light box thingy that gets bright when he puts it close to his face. I wonder what it does?”

“George, are you listening to me? Don’t you even care?”

“No.”

Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of animals at the zoo? I bet they think we are the weirdest creatures of all.

Regardless of the creature you come in contact with, always be kind…but if you need to run first, then run and be safe, then be kind from a distance.

Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge April 5

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge. The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.

For today’s prompt, use the theme of unraveling in a piece of writing.

Life

Life should be filled in purity

Instead it shows prematurity

Unraveling itself in immaturity

Firmly bound in obscurity

Remember to always share kindness with those who feel lost in this world. It will help them find heir feet of security.

CFFC: Fire

This week with Cee’s CFFC challenge, our topic is celebrating Fire. Photos of fire, fiery colors, flames, fire stations, fire trucks, etc. are all allowed in this challenge.

While fire can be devastating when out of control, it is also a source of enjoyment and relaxation that we all can enjoy. Below, Daisy shows the benefits of relaxation.

We call them pacifiers because all activity stops immediately to enjoy its warmth.

Fires can be also used as a tool. This was a house on the property of my church that we used for various activities. But the foundation was beginning to crumble and we felt it was getting unsafe. So we donated the house to the fire department to be used as a training tool. They used it for several months with various rescue trainings for new fire fighters and then when they were ready to graduate, they used it as training for house fires. With a lot of older homes in this neighborhood, it was a powerful training tool for the new guys in showing how easy home fires could get out of control. They were even surprised how fast this one went up and how hot it got – 100 year old wooden home.

And then there is the fun side of fire fighter training where new fire fighters learn how to handle the hoses but at the same time play with the kids at the park.

And then we close showing the peaceful evening of a winter sky where we have the most beautiful sunsets. The sky does indeed look like it is on fire.

As you go about you day, remember the beauty, the power and the warmth of kindness and share it often.

Encouraging Signs of Spring

For whatever reason, this spring seems to be dragging it’s butt. In reality it is probably just me, as I am so ready to be outside and working in my flowers. And the seeds planted in the small pots for the community garden are well on their way of needing to be in the ground real soon.

Today we had more rain…with snow mix…tomorrow more rain but maybe a hint of sunshine. I honestly think spring is close. I now see the robins in my yard. A sure sign for me.

Its not a real clear picture…but neither is spring. So onward we go. Then in two and a half months we will be complaining of being hot. I heard an old man say one time that there are three stages of life – you are born, you pay taxes and then you die. How sad is that? I was born in the last century, I paid 2021 taxes yesterday, so all I have left is death???

Guess that old man doesn’t know me that well. I just got started and have yet to dance…so dance we must. And as the breeze flows gently through the air we dance in its currents…

While these have not broken through the ground yet, I look forward to their dance. I planted them last year so hopefully they will dance with me this year. Just a note to remind you while things may seem dreary, you can always dance. Some may laugh, some shake their heads but all will smile. What a great excuse to dance in life.

Have a safe and blessed weekend. Laugh, dance, smile and ALWAYS be kind.

Profoundly Jealous

While I love seeing everyone’s beautiful spring flowers…I am a bit jealous. Well, maybe more than a bit but please don’t stop sharing. It makes it easier to know it is coming when this morning I again had to scrape the snow off my car before going to my appointment. Seriously!!! UG!!

As the sprouts continue to grow in my office for the community garden, I find hope in their determination. But if it doesn’t warm up soon, they are going to hit the ceiling.

When I got home from shopping I checked out the yard as Daisy did her business. Currently not snowing but you can feel the light mix as it hits your face. ENOUGH ALREADY!

The dianthus around the mailbox is trying and my irises are peeking through, so I know it coming. I’m just being impatient. This is the last day of March, so hopefully this lion takes his winter coat with him as he leaves.

***I think the lion won this one…at least for the midwest.***

Hopefully we can all enjoy the warmth of spring and the beauty of new flowers. And when we do lets us all remember the beauty of kindness.

Cellpic Sunday, March 28

Found a new wonderful blog to follow with amazing pictures. Journeys with Johnbo. Check out his blog for some amazing pictures.

While this was not taken of a fantastic sight, to some, it did make me smile. And it was taken from my cell phone. Proof that spring is coming. Yay!!

From the office window at church, this cardinal was enjoying the feeder.

He chirped with every bite. I was not sure if he was calling others to come eat or if he was saying “Mine”.

As always I remind you to be kind. You never know what comfort you may give someone who is hurting.

Monday Encouragement

Too often Christians will over think and stress on doing what they think is needed and then will miss out on the joy of being with God. Randy’s message Sunday about stress was reflected again in my devotion tonight about this self-imposed stress. The devotion mentions how we get so stress over doing the right thing for the kingdom so we can “bear fruit” that we miss the point. Bearing fruit is a term in the scriptures to show we are following Christ and sharing His love for the kingdom. But bearing fruit has very little to do with how hard we are working and everything to do with how well we are connected with Jesus. The devotion book “Jesus Speaks” by Steven Scott, reminds us that for any branch to have life that will produce fruit, it must first have sap. The life-giving sap flows up through the vine, then out to the branches. Scripture reminds us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. If we are not connected to the branch, we will not gain the life-giving sap.

The only way out spiritual life can bear fruit is to stay connected to Christ and His words. Our purpose is to bear fruit for the kingdom, with some being planters, and some being waterers but none of it will be able to be done if we are not connected to the vine. The scriptures are our connecting tissue to the vine where His Spirit flows. And as long as we stay connected to His words we will receive the life-giving sap from above.

When we do not have the life-giving sap, we can not plant or water…or share His love and that is our goal. And eventually our connection may harden and be of little use.

For when we are able to share His love, by sharing His truths, and bearing fruit, then God will be glorified. It doesn’t matter if we were the sower, the waterer, the encourager, the friend, or the total stranger that is sharing God’s love, we will all get to rejoice with those who reap the benefits of that shared love. So stay connected and watch God work.

Have a safe and blessed week and be kind in all that you do.

FOTD, March 28

Technically for me its still the 27th but…We are tying in with Cee’s challenge for the 28th to showcase the beauty of flowers regardless of the day.

Since mine are not up yet, I give you archives of last summer as the hopes of this summers sunflowers are just now breaking ground.

My neighbors loved my sunflowers so much last year, we are planting them again this year. They are just beginning to break ground in their little cups. Hopefully it will warm up soon before they get too big. LOL.

And with all things spring in mind, lets warm up our kindness as well.

Controversial Spring

Spring in the midwest can be beautiful, maddening and extremely temperamental.

For example: One one hand we have flowers coming up…

**Daffodils beginning to show their greenery**

Then on the other hand…we have ice.

**The (dirty) bird bath is a block of ice**

We got way less than expected snow fall this winter for our area but the polar air from Canada gave us TOO much cold for longer periods of time. Ready for April!!

Four days until April…Come on flower time.

And remember, as flowers begin to show their beauty that make us smile, share your beauty in the form of kindness and help others smile.

Weekly Prompts Challenge, Mother

This weekend, SueW and GC have challenged us with perhaps a loving memory or maybe a current love in talking of mothers, even plants have a mother. I repotted several baby spider plants yesterday at my office as the mother plant is doing very well. My one at home is just getting started.

Mothers, we all had one. Some were good, some not so good. My mother, while she had issues (as we all do), it was her mother that taught me the most about courage, faith and surviving this life. She was a school teacher so it is not surprising that she always taught.

***Miss Lottie, as others called her, and her love, Brownie***

But I did write a poem about my mother and gave it as a frames gift in 1986 for Mothers Day, a lifetime ago. While is may not be a great poem, its value far outweighed it errors because it came from the heart – which is where all family love should come from. And she loved it.

Like A Rose

Like a rose’s sweet fragrance that floats through the air,

So does a mother’s love as it flows through her home.

Like a rose that reflects its rich vibrant color,

So does a mother when she is loving her children.

Like a rose’s thorns that beckon you to beware,

So does a mother who safely guides her children.

Like the velvety softness of the rose’s soft petals,

So soothes a mother’s hand and voice calms a fear.

Like the beauty of a gentle swaying rose,

So the beauty of mother forever will glow.

And as always, I close with a reminder of kindness. We can never be too kind as somewhere, someone will be watching and be encouraged.