Michael and Mary

Michael stands for:
M -- Manly. He stood up like a man when needed.
I -- Interesting. He was young and energetic and unique.
C -- Courageous. He fought for our country and fought for his loved ones.
H -- Helpful. Michael went out of his way to help those in need.
A -- Ambitious. He had some good plans for his future.
E -- Example. His manners and respectfulness, any young person could follow.
L -- Loving. He seldom failed to leave anyone without giving them a hug.

Thank you, God, for giving us this beautiful young person for 21 short years. Yes, we wanted him longer. We wanted to see his success in carrying out his future plans. We wanted to see him develop into a mature adult. We wanted so much for him. But we saw his thoughtfulness, his helpfulness, his love and concern for his family and friends, his courage, his dreams.

We'll always remember you, Michael. You'll always have a place in each one of our hearts. You were special and, we know, loved by the one who created you.

Michael, the bouquet I'd make up for you would include: Some Forget-Me-Nots because we'll never forget you; some red rosebuds to remind us of your respectfulness, our love for you and you for us, and your courage and youth; some Heather to show how protective you always were; and maybe a few blue camellia to remind you that you'll always be a burning flame of memory in our hearts.


Mary stands for:
M -- Magnolia. The beautiful classy flower of our family.
A -- Angel. You were an angel on earth.
R -- Radiant. Happy with your family and achievements.
Y -- Yourself. No pretense. What we saw is what you were. Real.

God gave us a real miracle when he sent you to your parents. Loving and sweet and caring and helpful, concerned about your family and friends, studious. We wanted you to mature, achieve your B.A., marry, and have the babies you wanted. Mary, you were real and one of a kind. There's a special corner in each of our hearts that will only be filled because we can cling to the memories of you and the 21 years we shared with you.

You were a blessing sent from Heaven above, a huggable reminder of God's unfailing love.

Mary, if I were making a bouquet up for you, I'd use the white Magnolia showing us that you were noble and dignitified; a single red rosebud for simplicity, youth, and to show our love for you; some statice to always remember you, a few Lily-of-the-Valleys to remind us of your sweetness; and a touch or two of Forget-Me-Nots to remind you that you'll always be in our heart.



Valentine's Day is in February. To be happy is to share our love. Here are some old-fashioned ideas to make you and yours happy.

Give a hug.
Smile lots today.
Send a card to someone hurting.
Tell your special someone you love them.
Tell anyone to have a good day.
Tell someone you're praying for them.
Buy something little for someone.
Write a note.
Write a poem.
Pray for those you love and those you don't know.



Quote:
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. He gave me life that I might enjoy all things.


Blessings. Till next week . . .

You, Me, and the Man Down the Road

Why do things happen in life? Why do we have heartache and hurt and worry?

Now this isn't a theological discussion. I don't know all the answers; I'm rambling.

I don't want it to be me or mine. I don't want to suffer, to see my loved ones hurt, my friends aching.

Why did my niece have to die Friday? Why did my nephew have to die Saturday? Why?

One person said, why couldn't it have been one of the others? I said, but which one? Who wants to pick out which one? Who wants to take that decision upon themself to make? Okay, today you're gone. Tomorrow, I pick YOU. No. Not me. I couldn't pick any of my nieces or nephews. Not my sons or anyone. It's too big, too horrible to face.

Living or dying is hard enough without making decisions that we have no right to make. I don't want the heartache. I'm selfish, I want easy sailing, I want good choices made, happy endings.

But life isn't like that. Sometimes bad choices are made. Wrong actions are done. Stupid words are said. Hearts are cracked. We suffer because of all those things and more. We've got to go on. Got to keep on living and making it one step at a time. Only knowing we have someone stronger than humanity to strengthen us, is what holds us up and steady.



NOTE:

1) I'll probably only be able to blog twice this week: today & tomorrow because of niece & nephews tragic deaths and funerals.

2) Tomorrow I'll be paying tribute to Mary and Michael on my blog.



Got too many magazines and books lying around unused? Here are some suggestions that will put them to good use!

Take to the half-price bookstore and trade for books you want.
Donate to a library.
Sell college books to other students.
Make envelopes with magazine pictures.
Use the pretty pages from magazines to wrap small gifts.
Make collages or do decoupage with them.
Sell them and donate the money to church.


Quote:
Friendship is holding hands and sticking together. "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs


Blessings.

Charles Seymour Interview

Hi, Charlie. Thanks for doing this interview. I'm really happy (and, yes, maybe a little bit jealous!) that you are now a certified author.

Caroline: How did you feel when you got the contract? The offer to publish your first book?

Charlie: It was a combination of shock, unbelief, and elation.

Caroline: How long have you been writing? Ever done anything else significant?

Charlie: In the past, I've written a few songs and some poetry, but nothing over a couple of pages.

Caroline: I just wrote on my blog Friday, January 26th, about research for my novels. Do you feel the need to research, and if you do, what kind and how much do you do?

Charlie: Research can help a little or a lot, depending on your subject matter. I love history, so the research that I did was quite fun. I tried to get all of my historical data as accurate as possible.

Caroline: What's the genre you write in? Is that your favorite?

Charlie: Pioneer Western/romance. Anything that has to do with the American west prior to 1900 AD is bound to catch my attention . . . movie or book!

Caroline: Can you explain briefly to my readers why you chose Tate Publishing? What all did you do to send to them? What was involved?

Charlie: I checked out several publishers and got accepted by more than one, but I chose Tate, because I had a good feeling about them. They appeared to be honest and open, they are a Christian publisher, and their overall contractual terms were better. All that I sent to them was my manuscript; from there, they contacted me.

Caroline: What's next on your agenda? Will you develop a series from this first book or move on to something different?

Charlie: I have already started on the sequel to my story and have retained all movie rights. I hope to find a way to have a movie done of the story.

Caroline: Are you planning on obtaining an agent?

Charlie: That depends on how large the whole business ends up becoming.

Caroline: How are you planning on promoting your book? How will the publishing company help you? How can we help you?

Charlie: The company is planning a publicity campaign: radio and television press releases and newspaper stories. There will be some publisher-organized book signings and some personal book signings. Other than that, any word of mouth or internet publicity is greatly appreciated.

Caroline: Where can anyone order your book?

Charlie: It can currently be ordered online at www.tatepublishing.com or if anyone wishes a signed copy, they can order one directly from me by sending a money order for $12.00 to: Charles Seymour
4156 Eastland Ave.
Louisville, OH 44641

Caroline: Want to tell us what the book is about and how did you get the idea for it?

Charlie: The book combines people that I know now, with people who actually lived in 1873. The best example of this is the main character of the book: The young man named Joshua ia actually my son, and the young woman that he meets and eventually marries really is Virginia Elizabeth Grant who was actually the niece of President Ulysses S. Grant.

Caroline: Tell us honestly (big grin): is it hard to write a book? How long did it take you?

Charlie: That depends on if God gives you the story or not. In this case, the story just came out of the blue, I did not know from one page to the next what was coming. I wrote the book in three weeks and had approximately forty hours invested between research and writing.

Charlie, thanks again for your willingness in being interviewed on Sunnybank Meanderings. We wish you much success!

Folks, check out Charlie's book: "The Spirit of the West."



Here are some more frugal, but fun, hints:

Glass Bottles:
* Use a narrow-necked bottle as a candleholder. The wax drips down the side and makes a pretty design.

* Fill a clear glass bottle with small candies.

* Make a bottle into a vase.

* Use a bottle with a wide opening as a change holder or bank.




Quote:
There is an exquisite melody in every heart. If we listen closely, we can hear each other's song. A friend knows the song in your heart and responds with beautiful harmony.


Blessings.

Snowflake Difference

They say that there's not one snowflake alike. Everyone of them is patterned differently. I've never used a high-powered microscope to examine them, but I've heard people do. Remember making those lace doily ones in school? Or using plain paper and cutting out the designs for homemade snowflakes? How many were you able to make or think of?

Why do I like writing, my one brother likes woodworking stuff, the other likes four-wheeling and flea marketing?

Why do I like gardening and my fish pond and my fireplace, others like their farm and horses, while others love the city lights? What makes us different from one another?

Did God have a sense of humor in planning humans that way? Does He laugh when we disagree, in His superior wisdom knowing that getting along would be so much easier if we'd let go of what we think things should be like?

Did God throw a cog in our wheels by creating identical twins just to make us sit up and take notice? Hey, here's a couple people that look alike. How much are they alike in their wants, and actions, and speech?

How boring do you think it would be if we were all carbons of each other. Would we have even cared? Or would we be complaining? "Do you have to do that the same way I did?" "Do you have to choose a fish sandwich because I did?" How quickly would we get tired of all that boring sameness?

What if all the animals were the same? Say, God just made ONE type of animal. Those who right now hate cats would be out of luck, wouldn't they? That old saying, "Love me, love my cat" would really be a statement then! And there sure wouldn't be any use of being afraid of horses or cows, if that's all there was. Wonder what it'd be like having a pet cow in the house? That would probably take some doing to housebreak it, wouldn't you think?

So maybe differences aren't so bad. Maybe learning a little more tolerance for how someone else feels would be a good lesson. I don't have to agree with what you think. I just have to learn that its not my perogative to change your thinking, if you don't want it changed. Your differences from mine is what makes you you.



NOTE: Tomorrow's blog will feature Charlie Seymour talking about writing and his new book: "The Spirit of the West". Make sure you stop by and read what he has to say!



February! Time to think up some hints for that sweetheart of yours, or even a friend, favorite relative, kid, or (big smile) yourself! So let's try this:

Here's another of those Gifts in a Jar idea's. This is for a Butterscotch Brownie Mix (you could probably subsititute other flavors life peanut butter, or whatever. Enjoy!

Layer these ingredients in the jar of your choice:

1/2 cup flaked coconut
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 teasp. salt

Layer in the order given into a wide mouth quart-sized jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Attach a gift tag, ribbon, or bow. Here's the recipe:

1 qt. jar Butterscotch Brownie Mix
3/4 cup butter or margarine (softened)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream the butter, eggs and vanilla.
Add the Butterscotch Brownie Mix and stir till mixture is well blended. Spread batter into a lightly greased 9 x 12 pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Cool in pan. Cut in squares.


Quote:
Like branches on a tree we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other.


Blessings.