The Best Kind of Snow, JusJojan, #SoCS

It is January which means it’s winter in the northern hemisphere which means in some areas the “S” word has arrived. We try not to say that word much here in hopes it stays away. Yea, that didn’t work for Halloween this year with 4 inches and low 20 temperatures. But I have for a picture of today’s snow, the best kind of snow – Snowed all night but due to the warmth of December, the roads were still warm and therefore the roads are still clear. So the trees were beautifully covered. The sky cleared a short while before turning back to winter gray and I was able to grab this picture.

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It is amazing to me how hard wood tree twist and turn their limbs for their leaves to get the best sunshine. Even nature knows what is best for it and it tries to get there. We humans sometimes over think things and go way in the wrong direction.

As we push into this new year guiding ourselves in the direction we think is best, let us take a cue from nature and find the best direction.

And as we search for that direction, think of the beauty of fresh fallen snow, its purity and beauty and remember to cover everything with kindness.

Kind snow

The Use of Pacifiers, #SoCS

What a controversial topic for a quiet Saturday morning that almost has as many opinions as there are types of pacifiers. My babies were thumb babies, those were more convenient but the disadvantage is when it’s time for them to be gone, you can’t throw it out the window while driving down the highway. My daughter bought one for her youngest nephew, her younger brother’s last child, which we both thought was hilarious. As far as I know, it was never used but I found this picture on line and thought I would share and no this is not my grandson but he is a cutie.

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But the passe I am referring to today is a total different type of pacifier and one I will miss when it gets to warm to use….the fireplace.

IMG_20191213_204620 — The passe at my house

These two can be running with the ball, yanking on the rope or just barking loud at each other as they race through the house. BUT when I turn on the gas fireplace, the world comes to a complete stop. So last night they were driving me crazy as I was trying to get some writing done, so I turned on the fireplace and five minutes later…

So we all settled down for a quiet evening and enjoyed the soft Christmas lights and a warm fireplace. Do you have things in your home to settle the loud noises of life? If so share away, I love seeing how we all learn ways to quiet the loudness of life.

I post this in with others who enjoy Linda G Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday and today’s theme is loud. I know my house really gets loud sometimes, so every effort at calm and quiet is well appreciated.

While this season can be loud with parties and family, remember this is also season of joy, love and peace. So share you peace with others and know that some are hurting in may ways. Even those who put on a brave face can still be hurting. So be kind through the season and carry it with you through the next year.

Kindness Christmas

And the Noise Begins

In betting which is noisier – inside or outside – I think it may bet inside. There is a basset hound(Max) in the basement howling and baying; there is a coon hound(Mimi) upstairs barking and baying in “attack attack” syndrome, the new puppy(Daisy) is whining and pacing because she knows something bad is going on because of all the noise and then there is a group on men pounding on my roof making all kinds of scary noises. It’s new roof time…before the snow next week…on Halloween…2-3 inch possible. Ugh. But my house is getting a new look, a new dress of protection from the outside elements as it were. The Saturday SoCS prompt for today is dress and I think our houses being dressed properly from the elements is just as important as us dressing properly for protection from the elements.

They say they will be done in 8 hours. I hope so as rain is coming b y 3 pm. We will see. In the meantime, noise.

As life brings you noise, remember there is a purpose somewhere behind it and hopefully the good side of it will shine through as God works his miracles. Is a new roof a miracle? It is for me as I knew there were issues but the last storm did enough damage allowing insurance to pay the bulk of a new roof. There is usually a silver lining in every noise of your life. Relax, embrace the good and allow God to do His thing.

Perservance

And as always, remember to be kind.

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Food for a Dreary Day, #SoCS

Last night was a fantastic night at a Home Free Concert. If you are not familiar with them check out the video below. They are an awesome a Capella country group that makes all their instrument sounds with their own mouths – their percussionist Adam is unreal.

That being said, getting home after midnight is way past my bedtime so today is a sit at home, drippy rainy day of watching football and eating tasty fast food.

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Linda G. Hill’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tast-.” Find a word that contains “tast” and use it in your post. Enjoy!

Even on a quiet stay at home day, you can still spread kindness. Its not always about seeing people face to face but having a tastefully kind spirit in all that you do.

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Our Amazing Mind, #SoCS-Blue

Our minds are an amazing gift from God that in some instances is phenomenal and in others its…Whaat??!?? I have heard it said that as long as you have the first and last letters correct and a general understanding of what is being said, your brain will make it right. On one hand that is great but on the other hand, its why writers had editors. It struck close to home when we purchased T-shirts for an community outreach program at church. We ordered shirts to let anyone know that we would pray for them right then, whatever was on their heart. What a great concept. The shirts came in, we loved them, several of us took one. I even posted one to show how excited we were about this. The next day we excitedly showed the pastor and he said “What? Did anyone proof read that before ordering?” “Well yea, we said…whats the problem…oh crap.” Three of us missed it.

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Okay I said. I can fix this so we can at least wear them, plus it will be another conversation starter. “Whatever” he said …”order new ones.”

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It just shows how our brains work for us when we don’t seem to be able to do it correctly ourselves. But it emphasizes how we all really need to care for each other and find unique ways to show we care…as in praying for each other. Those of us in the Christian religion like to say we are all brothers and sisters in Christ but it really goes deeper than that. We are all brothers and sisters period. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve…if you believe the bible is true.

I know for me, the idea of me coming from a one cell organism and developing into an ape and then into a human….yea, no. If that were true we would still be seeing that today. Now I will clarify that as there are some people who periodically act like apes and would probably get smack around by an ape if the ape saw that behavior. They don’t tolerate nonsense either.

The new shirts came in today so now we won’t embarrass the church. Funny how many people took one of those shirts with a “4” painted on it…hmmm.

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That being said, if ever I can pray for you about a specific situation or just an unspoken request just reply on any given post P4me and I will do just that.

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday by Linda Hill is blue and these shirts are blue although the coloring from house lights really change the color. Come join in and have fun and remember to always be kind. Let the ripples of kindness flow from you to the world.

kind ripples

Which Way??, #SoSC

The fun of playing with fellow bloggers and their challenges or prompts really gives you a chance to be creative. Linda G. Hill has a Saturday prompt with a weekly theme to get you creative. This week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt is Weigh/Way/Whey used in any manner as you desire – one word or all words, your choice.

I chose to go way out on a limb and include a photo I really liked from Irene of Heaven’s Sunshine and include silly poetry with it. Hope it brings a smile, as those who read me regularly know how I feel about smiles = happiness = kindness.

Bridge to Sunshine

Which Way Now?

I stand here and ponder where this bridge and path leads,

Is it the correct way or will it lead me to more weeds.

I know I must go soon as my hunger begins to grow,

My thoughts now ridiculous, ‘curds and whey the way to go’.

But which way is right will weigh heavy on my mind

For if I choose the wrong way my peace I will not find.

Anita Neal

In finding your peace, I hope it comes with joy and with the joy you feel I hope you are able to share kindness. Remember Kindness is a choice so I hope you chose to be kind.

kind ripples

The Art of Relaxation, SoCS

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Good day. My name is Mimi and this other…’doginthehouse’ is Max, he lives downstairs. Do excuse his goofy look, he can’t help it, he is a basset. The humans think he is adorable…whatever.

Due to my human’s excessively busy schedule this summer, she has totally forgotten how to relax so when she saw what the prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday by Linda Hill was, she went straight to the back of the house and became unconscious for awhile. The theme of the Saturday prompt seems to have something to do with being conscious, so my goal is to give you proper instructions on the art of relaxation while remaining to be conscious at the same time…at least most of the time.

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To start you day off right, you need to relax with the morning sun shining to warm your coat and get your blood pumping. This is especially important in the winter months. Max doesn’t care much for the bright morning light but his large ears are useful in hiding his eyes while he himself, looks relatively unconscious.

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As the day goes, the sofa is a favorite place for comfort while allowing you to be ready for the occasion protection mode you may need to get in.

On those really hot days, there is almost no way to cool so you just have to get by yourself and do the best you can.

In the winter, the sofa where mom had been sitting is the best, still warm. Good for snuggling down.

But I guess if you have had a really tough day, being unconscious is always a option if there is not other way for recharging.

We hope you enjoyed our instructions on the proper way to relax. Have a safe and blessed day.

Oh, and always, always remember smile and to be kind as much as possible.

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Photo A Week & SoCS, Leaves & Flowers

Nancy Merrill’s challenge and Linda G Hill challenge both fall into today’s task – dead leaves and new flowers. The winter was very harsh with crazy amounts of snow and what little spring we have had has been so wet the flowers are just not doing well. They need sunshine as well. We are toward the end of June and we have not had an 80 degree day yet to speak of. Weird. Those who despise the heat, like my daughter, are happy about that but I like my heat. An now that I have said that July and August will probably be awful. Go figure.

So you see below the effects of too much rain and not enough sun. Leggy plants, dying leaves and poor bloom production. All the petunias in this area seem to be so sad.

I went Wednesday and bought replacement for some of my pots. Went with Zinnias and Marigolds as they are hearty and very colorful.

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My lilies look to be opening soon so I will post those when they do.

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But today I needed a new filter for my fridge which took me to Lowes which has an awesome garden section…yea, spent another chunk. Its okay, I will pay it all off next winter. That’s something I don’t want to think about – this past one never seemed to leave.

Gardening and writing are my two “me” times, oh, and then there is also the clowning and face painting. Some of us are just on the quirky side but if my quirkiness brings a smile, then the quest has been accomplished. My goal is that if I can make someone forget for two minutes the trials they are going through and smile at my flowers or my silliness, then that is a day well spent. Never forget the power of a smile, a kind word or a gentle gesture. It shows the reflection of God for that brief moment and shares hope with all that come in contact with it. So smile often, speak gently and periodically hug when you can…and always be kind.

nature — When you show kindness to others, you bring out the best of yourself. A side effect of this kindness brings a brightness to their world and a happiness to yours.

Tails Uplifted, #SoCS

I know this is not really due until tomorrow but I will be burning the candle at both ends tomorrow. When I read the prompt and tried it, well, I had to write about it tonight. How many directions can you go with a sentence like tails uplifted. Yes, the brain went there for a split second but we do like to remain family friendly.

You see on my sofa is a book that stays there for me to grab in an instant as I look for any new bird that comes to my feeder, the National Geographic Birds of North America.

My finger landed in the middle of the page of Wrens stating “Tails are often uplifted”. The book is probably pressed to open easily there as I have a bird visiting that I think is a wren but I cant get him to sit still long enough for a good look. I need a set of binoculars so that I don’t run them off when I get close to the window. Below is a picture of “tail uplifted” and they indeed do that plus there is a prominent stripe of white across the upper eye area. I see the stripe of white but the color is grayish instead of brownish. Need him/her to sit still to verify.

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According to the map of location for each bird, the grayish ones don’t come in my area. Well, tell the bird book that as this bird is grayish – but maybe it’s a Warbler – they don’t come in my area either. Hmm, so the hunt is on.

As we hunt for the cuteness of the fluttery type, let us always smile and be kind. A smile is understood by man and animal alike as a kindness tool. So smile and be kind to everything.

kind smile

Linda’s prompt for Streams of Consciousness Saturday this week is the fun open and point.

Morning Silence, #SoCS

As the morning wakes today, the birds are chirping, sun is ever shining reminding us of the hope of survival. This morning’s reading came from Isaiah 41:13 says, For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.

That is so profoundly true as we watch and wait for the Mississippi to once again crest, hopefully for the last time at this stage for many years, currently at 21.54. But this morning is beautiful and as I sit and watch the birds fuss over the feeder, I am reminded of God’s care and love of them. Then I see the sun as it shines over my violets, their flowers shimmering like they are covered with tiny glitter.

And then I remember the history of this beautiful plant. I had bought three little violets to have in my office area when I was still working, you know, the $2.00 variety at Walmart. We were under florescence lights so they should do well. I worked in a manufacturing facility that make plastic buckets. The presses were on one side of the building and my office along with maintenance and the print shop were on the opposite side of the building, a building more long than wide. One day a hydraulic line ruptured from one of the presses just across from my no wall office shooting my side of the building with hydraulic fluid. Talk about a mess. And of course the three little violets were covered in oil, plants where the leaves should not get splash with water as it could cause them to spot and die. Now what. Well the thought was they are going to probably die but lets at least try to save them. So I gently washed them off and re-potted them in fresh soil and clean pots. I only lost one and you see how big they are today. This is proof of survival beyond visual odds with God’s loving hand.

So silently this plant reminds me every day, this too shall pass. So, grab God by the hand as he offers his love and strength and hang on. He will get you through. And as you are trudging through, remember others are trudging as well, although you may not realize it. We all trudge through life’s ups and downs. So remember to always be kind. Kindness reflect God’s love and hope for all.

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As Linda’s prompt for today’s SoCS of silence, I am reminded of the healing powers of silence. So come along and share your silent thoughts.