Rambling Friday: Retreat Time!

I needed a break, and although I'd never been to this retreat, I felt I should go. Am I glad I decided to do so! Fun, relaxing, inspirational talks, a skit about worrying, a lovely tea party, walks, and stories that made me cry and smile--and happy that I'd decided to go. 

What's the profit of gying to retreats?

*It's a time or relaxation. Leave your worries behind. Focus on enjoying what's offered. Get the mental strength you need to go home and handle whatever negative things you might have to face. Develop a list of positive things that will keep you boosted even when seemingly impossible things face you. 

Remember:  There's always a rainbow behind the dark clouds. The sun will shine no matter dark the sky seems. You can take control of your life, your feelings, and your thoughts with help from above. Allow God to give you strength. Choose someone you trust and love to share a little.  

If you get a chance to go to a good retreat, take it! I'm sure you'll not regret it. 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Dust if You Must

Dust if You Must

By Rose Milligan

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better                                 to paint a picture or write a letter,                                              Bake a cake, or plant a seed,                                                    Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,                   With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb,                             Music to hear, and books to read,                                                Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there,                                                                                                     With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair,                                                                                        A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,                                                                                                                    This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,                                                       Old age will come and it's not kind,                                                       And when you go (and go you must)                                                     You, yourself, will make more dust.  

Rambling Friday: Friends

 

I've been thinking of two of my best friends: Jamin and Sharon, and what they mean to me. So those thoughts led me to this:

What are the three types of friendship according to Aristotle?

• A friendship of utility: it exists between you and someone who is useful to you in some way.
• A friendship of pleasure: which exists between you and someone whose company you enjoy.
• A friendship of the good:  this is based on mutual respect and admiration.

In my estimation, all three are good and beneficial to life. 

Now which category do my two best friends fit into? 

All of them! 

• Sharon and Jamin are both useful to me, as I hope I am to them in one way or another. We all love to write, we share our work, we share suggestions, critiques and thoughts about our writing. We can talk of other things too when we need to.
• We can giggle and laugh, talk seriously or not at all for days at a time, but when we do, it's sisterly and friendly.
• I know I certainly do respect and admire them, and I believe they do me. 

• “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
• 
  
  

• “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”
• 
  
  
  
  
•  
• The scripture says:
• Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother! 

Serious Wednesday: A Winner, a Question, and a Best Friends Contest

 

BETTI,

You are the winner of our July Contest

for a kindle copy of

Caleb's Destiny! 

Your prize is on its way! 

* * *

Question of the Day:

What book is the Number 1 best-selling book ever?

If you guessed the BIBLE, then you'd be right!!

Why do you think it is?

Here are some of my thoughts:

* It is God's Word

*It is a light on the path of those seeking Him

* It is the bread of life for those hungry for the truth

It is a fountain who wishes to be free from their sins

It is a shield of faith for those being persecuted by the enemy

It shows us the way to live Godly

It shows us the way to heaven

It gives comfort

It encourages us to hold fast to God's almighty hand

What is God's Word to YOU?

Be blessed! 

* * *

Best Friends Contest for August:

To win one of my KINDLE books for you...

(Your choice) ...

and to win one KINDLE book for a friend or relative...

Tell me: 

If you wanted to share one of my books to someone

* who would that be 

* and why?

Happy Wednesday! 

Rambling Friday: A Time to Be Quiet

We live in troublesome times. Few people would deny that. Work, diseases, living issues, family, friends, expectations and more increase the pressure on our lives. I'd love to offer some tips that may help:

1.  Exercise. It doesn't matter how old you are or young, exercise (if you're physically able with
doctor's permission) you can do some type of exercise. Stretch, move, walk, raise your arms, march in step. Take a walk, jog, ramble through a park or on a beach or in the woods. Whatever you choose will get your blood pumping and your mind more alert. Just remember to get your doctor's permission.

2.  Take your vitamins regularly. They add the essential nourishment that your body may lack. Think about it, and again, Check with your doctor if you have questions.

Eat right. Enjoy your vegetable, watch what you eat and how often.

Doing good for your body will be doing good for your overall health and mental state.









3. Take time to do things you love.  Have a hobby? Make sure you spend time on those. Puzzles? Needlepoint? Ancestry research? Traveling? Sports? Whatever you love doing, do it. It will be well worth your brain time!

4.  Spend time with family and/or friends. Read a book together. Play games. Go exploring. Listen. Laugh. Relax. Don't argue. Don't bring up touchy subjects. Realize you only have one life, and that is meant to do and be the best you can be. Use it wisely.






5.  And last, try some of these ideas:  light a candle, soak in a tub of warm water, swim, listen to music, take a boat ride, have lunch with a new or old friend or a relative you haven't seen in a long time. Try journaling, scrapbooking, carving, painting, praying, reading your Bible, talking with a minister. Get a pet, volunteer at a nursing home or hospital or lunch center for the homeless. There are plenty more things anyone can do to help ease the pressure of everyday life.

Stay determined. Stay focused. Resist negativism. Stay positive. Take action. YOU are the one responsible for yourself. Do it!

Prayers for a happy, healthy and productive rest-of-your-life!

Rambling Friday: A Kind Word

Oh, my, what's better than a kind word spoken or a gentle act of love to cheer the heart?

I was in the checkout line at Wal-mart the other day, and when I got ready to leave, I looked at the clerk and said, "You have a nice day."

She glanced at me, a bit of surprise on her face. Her lips widened in a smile and she said something like this: "Thank you. You are always so nice."

I'm not totally sure how it affected her, if she cared, or even if she needed the words of kindness. But, oh, they affected me. My own words. And her answer. From a drab day to a day that's like:

a fire sparkler sky,

An anchor is a storm-driven sea,

A ride on an old bicycle on a summer day,

Sunshine on a forest path after a week of rain,

Mustard seeds at the local grocery, reminding us to have faith.

Faith in ourselves, our kind words, our fellowman, our God.

We sure won't go wrong with those! 

Happy day! 

Serious Wednesday: PTSD: The Hurting Military Families

Many military people dread Christmas due to various sadness, physical problems, financial setbacks, and loss of loved ones. It's a struggle to move forward, to face each day let alone enjoy the season. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a serious threat to soldiers returning home.

I wanted to share a bit today that is the real--the true meaning of overcoming and/or getting through each day.

Here's a story example of possible causes of PTSD:
He started to scoot out onto the balcony when pain shot through his whole body, and he wanted to scream. He pulled himself from the window ledge and staggered forward two steps before falling on his face.

What had happened? Marshall’s screaming voice echoed outside his head, but the world had faded to mental darkness. His left leg had gone numb. He shook his head. He couldn’t lose consciousness. To do so might mean death. He hung over the rail and surveyed the climb 
he’d have to make. His stomach churned with nausea.

The pain, the danger, the loss and more can affect men and women so much it takes months, years even to recover.


The pain and fear of facing the unknown, of knowing you're injured...
“What happened?”

Her gaze flicked to the bottom of the bed, then back. “You were shot.”

The memory of that night swarmed in. “How long—”

“Must you talk? You’re still pretty weak.”

“How long?”

She sighed. “Two weeks. You almost died.”

Facing the fact that you are injured. Learning what exactly that injury is. Knowing you're at the mercy of the doctors, possibly your wife or family, sometimes it all seems too much...
“Jerry. Lie still. You’re too weak to get up.”

Squeezing his eyes shut, he gritted from between his teeth. “I have to. It’s too dangerous for you to be coming here.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do. Help me, and I’ll try it again.”

“I wasn’t able to get a doctor. Our family doctor is not to be trusted. You almost died. Medwin—my cousin—has a bit of medical training and he thinks a bone or bones was shattered in your leg. He did what he could but your leg still became dangerously infected. I thought—”

“What?”

Vanda bit her lip. “I thought we’d lose your leg if not your life.”

“The infection’s gone?”

“Yes-s. But it still looks bad.” Her brow lined with another worried frown. Her gaze flicked to his legs and back. “I-I’m not sure you’ll ever completely recover from that wound.”

The reality of the truth: you won't ever be the same as before. Through luck, carelessness and/or lack of training or funds or uncooperative military bureaucracy, life will never be the same.

Soldiers who've given their lives for their country and come back injured severely—and their families—face extreme difficulties. It takes strong and determined companions to get through, to accept the fact that this new life will be a life long endeavor. There are no magic wands to change the facts of war.

Besides the horrific injuries many face, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with its moodiness, verbal abuse, feelings of wanting to commit suicide, embarrassment, rejection, etc. takes its toll on soldiers.

What You Can Do:
In the second book of my THE SPIES OF WWII series, Book Two: A Flute in the Willows, I tried to show a bit of this in Jerry and the effect it had on Josie, his wife. Young and inexperienced, both of the Pattersons struggle to understand and deal with conflicting emotions. Josie's father, experienced in war service, offers advice and encouragement.

“You're going to have to be stronger than you've ever been in your life.” He warns Josie, and those words stay with his daughter over and over to strengthen and give her a boost to not give up on Jerry. In time her patience and love for Jerry win out.

“I'm here if you ever need to talk.” Knowing what military service is like, and having lived long enough to know a few things, Captain Ossie, Josie's father, offers, but never intrudes on

Jerry's emotions. In time Jerry does head to his father-in-law's office to seek guidance.

• Families need to understand that their soldier is going through unspeakable damages. Love, offer help and listening ears, don't talk when their loved one is moody, encourage and never, never give up on them.

• Appreciate Friends who are there, offering hope and encouragement. Accept any help given and be grateful you have those kinds of friends.

• Encourage your hurting soldier to turn to God. Ask and accept God's guidance as you do what you can for your soldier. God is truly the only source who can pull a person through. Whatever comes, God is the strength, the supreme encouragement, the one who understands all, and the one who loves you unconditionally. Lean on him. Trust. Believe.

Both Josie and Jerry come through their own personal, and shared, problems, with God's help, and understanding from others, that pull them through.

That's what it takes for servicemen/women to overcome the worst of the nightmare of PTSD and injuries during the Christmas season--or anytime throughout the year. God, understanding, and love.

Read about the Patterson's struggles and how God helped them overcome

their troubles in the midst of danger and heartache.

Amazon

Sunday Sunshine: Hold Your Tongue!

Need I say more?

A peaceful Sunday is wished for you!

Rambling Fridays: What of Life?

Yesterday was my birthday, and I don't know whether I should be happy and satisfied that I achieved another year or be sad because I'm another year older.

Right about now, I tried to make a list of the pros and cons, and other than the usual life's problems, I couldn't think of much to add on the "con" side, so I'm going to share some of my joys of having birthdays.

• I get flowers almost every year from my sweet hubby. I totally love plants and flowers. They cheer me, they're esthetically nice to gaze upon. They make me feel loved. They boost my emotions. 

• I have a ton of wonderful memories to enjoy and reflect upon.  One of our favorite things to do while traveling is remembering. And all the pictures I've taken through the years makes the past come alive!! We could have missed out on this blessing, but we didn't. That is something to be thankful for.

• Sometimes, but not always, I get ice cream cakes! Oh, the anticipation of getting one. Will it be this year? Has my husband forgotten I love them? And the delicious first, cold bite...

• The presents and cards from my son and his dear friend...and my close friends. What fun! Knowing that I have a wonderful son who cares about me. Knowing I have friends who love me. God's blessings for sure. It might be a beautiful card or a simply signed card by an elderly hand, but knowing I have those who care enough to remember...I am blest!

• Knowing that I've been given another year from God is a miracle of love! Thank you, God, for loving me and giving me so many wonderful blessings. 

Life is good.

Rambling Fridays: Give It Up for Friends!

The Bible declares that Jesus is a friend 

that is closer to us than a brother (or sister...)

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend” 
― Albert Camus

Ah, the friend who doesn't mind what the crowd says. 

He's too interested in conversing with you! 

**

“A friend is someone who knows all about you 

and still loves you.” 
― Elbert Hubbard

Now, that's real friendship.

Doesn't matter if you've argued.

Or if you disagree.

Or even dislikes you for a bit.

He/She still loves you just because

you're friends.

**

“It is not a lack of love, 

but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” 
― Friedrich Nietzsche

When your partner in marriage is not only

a husband/wife, lover, hero, etc.

but also a friend,

then, my friend, you surely have a wonderful marriage!

**

"Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer."

Jean de La Fontaine

As the Bible says, who has found a good woman 

had found a good thing.

So it is with friendship.

True ones come far between and are few in number.

If you're fortunate enough to have gained one,

cherish that friendship.

You may never get another.

Happy weekend, my readers!

Sunday Morning Peace: Friends, a poem by Karen Double

We Need More Friends

When going thru a sticky mess

A friend is better to possess

Than wealth or fame

Your name could claim

We need more friends of godliness.

The sleepless nights arrest your frame

You feel somehow that you're to blame

Feelings of dread won't pass away

And somehow worry fills your day.

We need more friends who stay the same.

A friend who's strong; quick to defend

A broken heart that seams can't mend

Dark the shadows and sorrows deep

The mountains high and all so steep

We need more friends true to the end.

How blest the tho't that Jesus is

Our friend if we are truly his.

And friends on earth do comfort us,

Encourage and help strengthen us.

In prayer, in faith, our vict'ry is.

--Karen Double

Blessings!

Tidbits of My Life

Fun, serious, and important tidbits.

Happy birthdays to...

the love of my life: hubby Dan with one of his old "toys"

Son #1's birthday. 

Love you, my first born.

Happy February birthdays to our nieces, Sherry Coleman and Christina Ratliff! 

Love you both bunches!

A special birthday wish for this young lady, wonderful friend, and 

fellow-writer. She's a blessing in my life!

   Grandsons Jonathan and Wes feeding baby calves

Special flowers from hubby!

Love!

Many blessings in your life!

Celebrating the Irish

Irish Wishes

May there always be work for yours hands to do,

May your purse always hold a coin or two,

May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Blessings

Tidbits of my Life

It's been awhile since I shared bits of my life, 

so thought it would be fun to share this month.

Here goes:

The release of the third book

in my Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series

A trip to Noah's Ark near Cincinnati

Camping near Charleston, SC

Hubby, Jonathan and pirate boat captain

after searching for the dolphins 

and exploring an island

Grandson roaming the woods with Grandpa

Till next time, have a wonderful, rest-of-the-winter!

Blessings