Finish Every Day

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Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

As some of you know, when I was in El Paso last September, a part broke behind the refrigerator and water gushed out of the pipe flooding almost half of the bottom floor. Water had poured from the kitchen to the living room and under the walls to the other side of the house where my craft room and laundry room floors were soaked. The baseboards were sopping wet and it was a huge mess! Workers came to help clean up and to dry the walls out. A contractor came out to assess the damage, but nothing could be done about the cleanup because El Paso had another surge of the virus. Stuff from the pantry, laundry room, and craft room floors were packed into the guest room for the time being. Since there was nothing else I could do, I returned to Waco to be with John. The house stayed a mess until December when the crew could come to fix the walls and the carpet. I went back to El Paso in December to visit my dad, Jonathan, and my niece, Breanna, (who was going to spend Christmas with us). All that stuff in the guest room needed to be moved out to make room for Breanna. John stayed in Waco working and came for Christmas. There was so much cleaning up to do and putting things back where they belonged. I had a running to-do list every day of things that I wanted to accomplish while there. Jonathan and Breanna were a HUGE help in getting the house back to normal. At the end of every day, I had to be satisfied with what we could do and know that the tasks would be finished in due-time. It felt good to leave the house all put together this time before I left for Waco again. Even through all the crazy busy days of cleaning and organizing, I still was able to spot a few stray gifts! Here are a few I noticed while in El Paso (to be continued in the next blog post). A photo collage is at the bottom of the page.

Left photos- top and bottom: This is the guest room. And it did NOT look like this right before Breanna showed up. The bed was covered with boxes, kitchen items, and craft supplies due to the flooding. I was so glad some of the damage had been repaired right before she arrived so I could make the room ready for her.

While Breanna was with us, she made her family’s recipe for salted caramel popcorn. The hole in the middle of the pan is where we couldn’t keep our hands out of this delicious snack when it came out of the oven. It was so good!

Middle photos- top to bottom: During the post-flood cleanup, I dusted all the blinds, and while were at it, we cleaned the downstairs windows. One day, Breanna and I just stood at the clear living room window and watched the birds for quite some time. We were fascinated to watch them eat, play, fight, and rest. If you feed the birds, they will come.

There were a few really nice days outside, so Jonathan, Breanna, and I took our dog for a walk around the neighborhood. I sure do love the blue skies of Texas.

The photo of the pinecones was taken on another walk. Pinecones always make me think of my friend Carolyn who loves them.

Right photos- top to bottom: You don’t have to go searching for gold to find treasure. Sometimes riches are there in your own backyard. I saw this view out the back window that had been newly cleaned as well. The windows were like picture frames that day. The gold leaves on the tree were stunning as the sun shone right through them.

Ahhh….flowers from Jonathan. We had always prayed that our son would be, above all, humble and kind. His heart is big and his generosity is a blessing. These are flowers he bought me when I was visiting in December.

You wouldn’t know that this living room was a mess a few weeks ago. The carpet had been torn out and this area was not organized at all after the flooding. When the new carpet was being installed, we all agreed the room felt light and airy. We liked not having so many things in there to clutter up the space. We used to have a nice coffee table in the middle of the room, but we all saw the area looked better without it. You can see a bit of my dad in the photo relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. As the sun sets, we like to finish the day with the bright lights off, lamps turned on, and candles lit.

(P.S. I see the upside down horse shoe on the wall in the living room. Yes, I know right-side-up is the proper way to display it. I will put it on my to-do list. 🙂 )

If Nobody Smiled

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If nobody smiled, and nobody cared,
And nobody helped us along;
If every fellow looked out for himself,
And the good things all went to the strong;

If nobody cared just a little for you,
And nobody thought about me,
And we stood all alone in the battle of life,
What a dreary old world this would be!

Life is sweet because of the friends we love,
And the things that in common we share;
And we want to live on, not because of ourselves,
But because of the people who care.

It’s giving and doing for somebody else–
On that all of life’s splendor depends;
And the joy in this world, when you’ve summed it all up,
Is found in the love of our friends.

-Arthur James Hayden

I am thankful for a record of graces through the love of friends and family this season. Merry Christmas to you all!

Peace Bread

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Peace Bread

Ingredients:

2 c. unbleached thoughtfulness

2 c. patience

1 tsp. empathy

2 Tbs. melted love

3 Tbs. sweetness of honey

1 c. warm milk of kindness

2 tsp. forgiveness

Instructions:

Combine kindness, sweetness, and forgiveness in a small bowl until frothy. Mix with the remaining ingredients and gently knead. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until double in size. Remove dough and knead again. If dough feels stiff, add up to a quarter cup of compassion. Form into desired shape for second rising. Bake in oven until golden. Serve warm.

Illustration from the book: Almost Amish – One woman’s quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life, by Nancy Sleeth

Make Christmas a Verb

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Poem by Mark F. Stone

For many, the gifts are the be-all and end-all:
the big screen, the tablet, the Barbie and Ken doll.
For me, gifts I get are like ice in the sun.
I cannot recall them. No, not even one.

How did I find a true way to remember
the import of each twenty-fifth of December?
The quest to acquire is an urge one can curb.
The lesson I learned was: make Christmas a verb.

Knock on the door of your neighbors who deal
with aging and loneliness. Bring them a meal.
If you have means and you live in fine fettle,
drop off some greens in that little red kettle.

Visit our vets who are hurt and express
your thanks for their service as they convalesce.
Deliver to others a luminous glow.
The gifts you will cherish are those you bestow.

Silent Gratitude

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Silent gratitude isn’t very much use to anyone who has done a lot for you. 

G. B. Stern, Robert Louis Stevenson: The Man Who Wrote ‘Treasure Island,’ 1954

Two years ago, I starting looking for what I call “stray gifts” in a day. Stray gifts can be anything- a surprise note in the mail from a friend or family member, a beautiful day in which I just feel really good and alive, or quiet moments to rest, read, and relax. Every day, there is something new to discover that causes me to feel grateful and to say, “Thank you, Lord.” I hope these entries reach someone else who will engage more in life and who will choose to participate in God’s treasure hunt for all the good things He gives. Here is the most recent record of graces. (Photo collage below)

Gifts Written: Three cards for me in the mail in the last few weeks and a cross-stitched bookmark made by a friend with my favorite Bible verse.

Gifts in a Whistle: We used to buy electric kettles to heat water for hot chocolate, tea, or instant coffee. We’ve had to replace a few over the years because they just quit working. This time, I decided to buy an ‘old fashioned’ kettle with the whistle to heat water. It should last a long time! With the electric kettle shutting off automatically when ready, I would walk away from it and do other things. Usually, I forget about the water because I get busy. With this one, I need to be more mindful of what I do since the water is heated on the stove. I stay around the kitchen and do some tidying while waiting.

Gifts of Time: We spent one day last week with some friends we hadn’t seen in a long time. We enjoyed a good meal out together and a leisurely walk around the town square, poking around some of the shops there. I stopped to take a photo of the courthouse clock because I wanted to pay attention to the time – the time we are never guaranteed. Back at their house, we enjoyed coffee and talked for more hours, then stood outside to quietly watch the sun set. On the way home, the moon was bright and our hearts full and grateful for the day.

Gifts of Life: It has been very sobering to realize especially this year that life is fragile. With many lives lost to the virus, we are more aware of the gift of today. In the photo below, I am with our church ladies in Mexico. Two of these women have lost their husbands this year – one to COVID and the other to years of illness. Our lives are better for having known these women and their husbands who were part our church family for years.

Gifts of Encouragement: One of the best things I hear almost every day is John encouraging an elderly veteran who struggles with the online VA health websites, “That’s ok, sir. You know a thousand different things that the younger generation will never know.” (John works from home helping other veterans navigate the VA health website.)

Gifts Welcoming: I love a pretty wreath on the front door. I found this Boxwood Wreath for 50% off at Hobby Lobby and I had a 40% coupon for the ribbon!

Making Amends

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Fear not November’s challenge bold—We’ve books and friends, And hearths that never can grow cold: These make amends!

Alexander L. Fraser (1870–1954), “November,” c.1918

Amend: to make better, to improve

While looking up inspirational quotes for a blog title, I noticed that November quotes seemed dark and dismal. The trees will be bare soon and the cold winds are coming. Darkness falls early and the nights seem longer. I did find one quote that was positive that I used. Of course, in my stray gifts scavenger hunt, making amends with the season appealed to me. “We’ve books and friends”, wrote Fraser. There are other gifts of the season which can help improve the overall mood for the coming months. Here is my latest record of graces. Photos added in a collage below.

Gifts in a Park: John and I went to a local park last week and found a walking trail. I’m thankful he can get out and walk – especially on uneven surfaces such as a nature trail. Last year at this time, he was recovering from two hip replacement surgeries. The view of the rock and the trees from the road was what made us want to park and explore. I love to see the changes in leaves every week.

Gifts Fascinating: I was bent over trying to get a good photo of a spider on the side of the path when a lady walking by stopped and asked if I was trying to identify a plant. I pointed out the spider web and told her I thought it was really interesting. I had never seen one like this before. “Oh wow”, she said. “I would have never noticed that!” As far as I can tell, this is a garden spider or “zipper spider” and is harmless – but I still don’t want to get too close. It’s huge!!!

Gifts Big: They say everything is big in Texas and I believe it- especially after seeing that garden spider and a large bee during our walk! It was pretty buzzing around the flowers.

Gifts in Perfect Days: Last Sunday was a perfect fall day. Little by little, colder weather is creeping in. We have had a few days cold and rainy, but that’s ok. Everything is cyclical and warm days will be here again. In the meantime, I can enjoy comforting soups and homemade bread, hot cocoa – rich and chocolaty, and cozy blankets to wrap up in when I’m cold.

Gifts Simple Pleasures: Things that feed the soul: fresh air, blue skies, peaceful days and pathways, simple activities like fishing, bike riding, frisbee golf, walking dogs. Many people were out enjoying the day as well.

Conscious of Our Treasures

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We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

Thornton Wilder

This week’s Stray Gifts:

Gifts of Respect: I hear John every day on the phone guiding other veterans through the government health computer system. Some are sons and daughters calling on behalf of their father. Some are wives calling for their husbands. Some are elderly veterans who do not want to even bother with the internet but are being forced to through the changes from paperwork to updated technology. Some veterans call needing to set up a way to renew their medicines or to contact their doctor through the veteran’s health site. John is tech support, yet he gets calls for all types of reasons. Many times, he is on the phone listening to a widow wanting to know what is the next step. Some are frustrated veterans who are upset and need to check up on a complaint filed. Some are veterans trying to go back to school or who need to know where to file for disability compensation. By the end of the day, John is mentally tired. So many people need help – and not just with tech support. He does the best he can to listen and help or to transfer the veteran to someone who can. Each veteran who calls or family member who calls for a veteran, he shows them respect and always says, “Thank you for your service to your dad” or “I appreciate the care you show your husband in helping him with this issue” or “Thank you for your service to this country”. Respect. It is a small word, but has the potential to change someone’s day from a hurting one to a hopeful one.

Gifts in Reading: With all of John’s joint issues (ankle, hips, and shoulder), I’ve been doing more research on the benefits of collagen rich bone broth. I’ve been making my own broth for years, but I might learn something new here. The local grocery store sells packages of just bones. He wasn’t ready to add chicken feet to the broth making, 🤣 (even though I’ve read they are good for it). I’ve always used bones leftover from rotisserie chicken. Thankful for research and guidance in health and wellness.

Gifts in New (to me) Music: One of my New Year’s resolutions was to explore new Christian music. I came across the group Southern Raised and have been enjoying this talented family, their bluegrass style, and the encouragement they share. One of the songs, “Ravens Still Fly” is about how God took care of Elijah by the brook Cherith (I Kings 17). This powerful song is one of my favorites.

“Are you deep in despair? You feel like nobody cares? You can’t find your way or the words to even pray. Just hold on, He’s not gone. Rest by the brook. Take another look. Lift your eyes to the sky – ravens still fly.”

Gifts in Work: With John working for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, it is nice that they work with his disabilities. He worked half a day today fighting a migraine. After lunch, he was able to call in sick, take some medicine, and go to bed.

Gifts from Others: I have a few friends who text me their beautiful gifts often. Just this week, three friends shared something that caught their attention. The cover photo was shared by a friend in New Mexico. She and her husband had gone for a ride out in the Zuni Mountains (near Ojo Redondo Campground) and enjoyed the beautiful day. What a striking site with the bright yellow leaves of the Aspens, the deep green of the Ponderosa Pines, and the very blue sky. “‘Nothing like the beautiful blue skies of the Southwest,” she said. The photo of the deer was shared by a friend in Pennsylvania. The acorn photo was sent by a friend in Texas. She liked the acorn’s really big hat! Sometimes, when maybe it’s difficult to find a “stray gift” myself, I look through photos that were shared with me. A flower shared earlier in the year by a friend is currently my laptop background photo because its beauty took my breath away. I like to put reminders in my sightline around the house. Even if I don’t step outdoors some days, I still am surrounded by nature that nurtures.

Tonic for the Soul

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Wouldn’t it be an exhilarating tonic for the soul to take a moment to appreciate the simple, good things in life which are so bountiful…? 

Author unknown, c.1949

Tonic (definition): a medicine that invigorates or strengthens: anything invigorating physically, mentally, or morally

Finding stray gifts in a day is exactly like taking a dose of medicine. There are so many aches and pains which ail us in a day – and I don’t mean just physically. Our souls feel battered by watching too much news, or by having to work too hard, or by just taking care of all the life-things. When do we get a break?

When I take time to appreciate the simple and the good, right there is when I get a break. It stops my thoughts from going down the path of the Prodigal Son and the “Why not me, Lord?” All along, I have my very own gifts lovingly placed in front of me, strengthening me, causing me to keep looking for more of God.

Here is this week’s compilation of stray gifts. (Photo collage below)

Gifts Shared: 1) Quietness as John was in bed one day with a migraine. It may not sound like much, but we were together, at least, in our shared apartment. 2) Time shared watching a few movies after he woke up and then walking to the mailbox tonight. 3) It always brings joy when others share their #straygifts throughout the week – a deer in the yard, a beautiful tree against an October sky, a freshened up flower box, gentle music from a neighbor’s wind chimes, a pumpkin pie made for a hard working husband…and more. What a blessing to me to receive these messages from those who are looking too.

Gifts Country Rodeo: 1) Respect for God, the flag, and our country 2) Families spending time together having fun 3) Fresh air and freedom (Oh, and funnel cake!)

Gifts in Animals: 1) A frog in the same spot every night on our walk around the apartment complex 2) Friendly neighborhood dogs out with their humans 3) A cute little rabbit hopping across the lawn

Gifts Blooming: Jonathan sent me a photo of some of the roses blooming in our yard back in El Paso.

Gifts in Imagination: John and I were driving around Waco last weekend and spotted this house on the corner of a busy street. I can’t imagine that someone built this house in the current state of traffic here. Maybe it was built when the area was farm lands, I don’t know – but it was ‘swoon-worthy’. This house, all fixed up and in the country, would be a dream house for me. I imagine roses around the perimeter of the house, maybe hanging ferns and a swing on the front porch, fresh paint. It’s fun to dream. I wonder what the inside looks like! I love to see beautiful old homes and their architecture.

Gifts of Change: Cooler weather calling for cozy soups and comfy sweaters

A Gentle Grace

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Beauty is such a gentle grace. Like God, it rarely shouts, rarely intrudes. Rather it woos, soothes, invites; it romances and caresses. We often sigh in the presence of beauty as it begins to minister to us – a good, deep soul-sigh.

John Eldredge, Get Your Life Back, Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

I go through phases of posting my #straygifts on social media and other times when I am quiet. I have been posting a bit more, so thought I would share the most recent collection here on the blog. A collage of photos (in random order) will be at the bottom of this entry.

Gifts Sunset: 1) Transition from the day’s work into night’s rest 2) Layers of color spread over the horizon 3) As the sun was setting on one side of the road, the moon was rising on the other. The view was breathtaking.

Gifts Fresh: 1) Crisp apples with breakfast 2) Autumn air on our face and arms as we ate breakfast on the porch 3) The sound of children laughing on the playground behind our apartment

Gifts Seasonal: 1) Fall craft paper – my favorite 2) I don’t always have the time to make greeting cards, but I was able to while in El Paso for a few weeks. 3) My creativity is seasonal because sometimes, I just have no idea what kinds of cards I want to make. Other times, like in these cards, I made them one right after another and the creative “juices” were flowing. I made 28 cards within a few days.

Gifts Hopeful: 1) John’s appointment with the surgeon last week went well. The shoulder looks like it is healing. If it continues to hurt, though, an MRI will be done in a few months to see what’s what. 2) Gradual cooling temperatures that make it actually feel like Autumn. 3) We live closer to our Dallas area friends now (less than 2 hours) and we may be venturing out to visit a few here and there in the coming months.

Gifts Conversation: 1) Talk of plans for the future and what God may have in store for us 2) Texts setting up a visit at the end of the month with friends 3) A phone call from my niece who is in college in TN

Gifts Outside: 1) John and I went to the Riverwalk here in Waco yesterday. It was a beautiful day to be outside and to take a walk. He could not have done this a year ago before his first hip replacement surgery. 2) Fresh breeze surrounding us with scents of grass and of the water off the river 3) Huge old oak trees with branches growing in all directions

Where There Is Patience and Humility

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Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.

Francis of Assisi

Recently, my husband and I were watching an extreme adventure challenge through the internet. There were over sixty teams with four members in each one. They all had to find their way through the jungle, through rivers, through darkness, through freezing rain, through mud and they needed to work together to endure to the finish line. The challenge was grueling. Putting themselves down or putting others down did not allow for effective teamwork. Team members offered constructive criticism when needed and provided compliments and encouragement often. To succeed, the teams had to know their strengths and their weaknesses and adjust their mindset accordingly. When questioned in an interview on how their team was doing, one member commented, “Why be angry? When there is a solution, there is no need for anger or frustration”. What patience! What humility! “What wisdom!”, I thought.

When I feel frustrated with myself or with another ‘team member’, I know where to find the solution. God gives wisdom to endure to the end. The only way to make it through life’s grueling challenges with patience and humility and without anger is to seek the solution through Him in all things.

James 1: 4-5, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”