Things I've Learned . . .

. . . that will serve as "Living Tips" for today!

I've learned that if you're the boss and you stop rowing, you shouldn't be surprised if everyone else rests too. (how true! how true!)

I've learned that everyone can afford to be generous with praise, it's not something available only to the well-to-do. (how marvelously wonderful!)

I've learned that what you are thinking, you are becoming. (Whoa! and ouch!)

I've learned that there's no substitute for good manners. (Is there anything more beautiful than a truly, well mannered person regardless of the situation?)

I've learned that it's harmful for parents to live out their athletic fantasties through their children. (or any other dream; let them do their own living and dreaming! Your job is to pray, encourage and hope!)

I've learned that you should keep your promises! (smile)



Quote:
God's gifts are never loans; they are always deposits.


Blessings!

LIVE FOR TODAY
FOR TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says."

She read the words " United States of America "
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"

"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"

"Yes!"

"And?"

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!”

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient . . .

Garden Hints:

TIPS FOR VEGETABLES:

• Store carrots in ground if they are in well drained soil.
• By mid-October, or if frost is predicted, pick all tomatoes, whether they are ripe or not. Refrigerate or freeze ripe tomatoes.
• Wrap green tomatoes or hang the entire plants (with unpicked fruit) upside down. Alternatively these can be stored in a brown paper bag in a cool dark area.
• In late October cut back asparagus stalk to the ground. Mark the location. Mulch 3 to 4 inches.
• Prepare vegetable beds for spring and remove all debris.

Quote:
October's poplars are flaming torches
lighting the way to winter. --Nova Bair

Blessings

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

- by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

• I would have talked less and listened more.

• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

• I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

• I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

• I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

• I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

• I would have cried and laughed more while watching life.

• I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

• Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

• When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . . look at it and really see it. Live it and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff.

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you all have a blessed day.



Feeling guilty? Yeah, me, too.

Maybe tomorrow--if I feel like it, I'll tell you what I wish I'd done differently.


Hint:
Live for today as if there was no tomorrow. (and that said, is enough of a hint for anyone!)


Quote:
We have not made ourselves, we are the gift of the living god to one another. --Reine Duell Bethany


Blessings!

The Wonder of Living

Skip down and read the quote I used today on this blog. Now, take a minute to think about life, and your life precisely.

Of course, I realize that for many people (me, too!), spiritual faith comes into play here. It is the anchor, the stronghold of our lives, the "what" (or who) that gives us a reason, a focus for our being.

Make sense?

But aside from that, what gives you pleasure in living? Esthetical feelings. That warm fuzzy feeling. The exhilaration of being alive. What do you really like about your life? Enjoy doing?

I have one friend who raises a certain brand of dogs. She does it well, makes money on it. You can see the love for her canine friends in her eyes. She works hard at making this a success in her life, but she also gets pleasure from it. It's that extra something that provides the needed "fun" in her life. (Work though it is!)

I have another friend that is an excellent pianist (been jealous of her ever since I've known her! Grin!), plus she sings with her husband. But something must have been missing. Somewhere along the line, she needed something else to make her life a little more interesting. She went back to school, became a nurse. Loves that career! Gave her fulfillment.

Another friend is just a homemaker (and the word "just" does not belittle her homemaking skills). She does it well. She has a love for children, feels an obligation to bring joy into children's lives and hearts--so much so that she adopted two children--and this was after raising her own brood--and did a good job of it, too! Successful? Joy? Sure, probably plenty of it, along with the weariness of mothering two active children.

For me, writing (I can hear you! You knew what was coming, huh?) I wrote when young. Wrote in school and college. But . . . I didn't pursue it as a career, as the joy in my life. Thus, I occasionally I'd feel that niggling thought: you're not doing what you're called to do. Or . . . You won't live forever, when are you going to accept the ability I've given you?

I know the failings in my own life: the tendency to crowd my life with activities and things. The stress I live under. The weakness of not enough determination--sometimes. The weakness in fearing failing and rejection. Why did I wait almost too long?

The joy of creating something worth reading, the satisfaction in finishing a 90,000 novel--or 45,000 novel! The fun in research. The ability of taking separate words and connecting them into a book. AH!

Then as a bonus you have times:

Sitting with someone you love reading together.
Traveling down a highway, listening to a good tape, watching the beautiful scenery.
Playing with your children or reading a book to them.
Watching their faces light up when they first see the Christmas tree.
Hearing your son say, "He's my brother. I love him."
Watching the sun rise or the moon set.
Watching the moon through the treetops.
Reading the adoration in your dog's eyes.
Hearing your loved one say, "I love you."
Feeling that love without words.
Feeling the fear and dread when someone you love is in danger (why is that a blessing? Because you have someone to fear for)
Washing the car together.
Soaking in a hot tub.
Seeing a newborn (child, animal)
Experiencing the excitement of getting ready for a vacation.
Anticipating an evening out with friends.
Watching the city lights.
Seeing the lights of Albuquerue in the distance.
Feeling the ocean waves hit you, suck at you, getting you wet.
Feeling the ancientness of the Native Americans.
Living. Breathing.


One of my very best fun things to discover is a new breakfast dish that I really like. Love fixing them, too! Thought you might enjoy this breakfast recipe hint for today!

Make Ahead: French Toast Bundt Pan Breakfast
(created by Leslie Sausage)
(a cross between coffee cake and cinnamon rolls!)

12 (very cold) unbaked dinner rolls
2 eggs
1/3 c liquid hazelnut coffee creamer
1/4 c pancake syrup or honey
3 T butter, melted
2 T sugar
1/2 T ground cinnamon
1/2 T vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Buy frozen rolls or make the rolls yourself; but this works best if the dough is still very chilled from the refrigerator before the dough starts rising.

Cut rolls in fourths. Combine the other ingredients in a bowl. Dip rolls in mixture and place in Bundt pan which has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Pour remaining mixture over rolls.

For make-ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at this time.

When ready to prepare, loosen cover and let rise at room temperature until rolls rise to the top of the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees f for 35 minutes. Invert onto a serving platter. Drizzle with syrup and powdered sugar. Slice and serve with additional syrup.

Hint: Don't eat too many!



Quote:
The wonder of living is held within the beauty of silence, the glory of sunlight . . . the sweetness of fresh spring air, the quiet strength of earth, and the love that lies at the very root of all things.


Blessings.