Daydreaming

I need a vacation. A real go far, far away from home vacation. I'm thinking of a trip to NYC. It's been a couple years. It was summer the last time I was there. I have a week of vacation that I must use before the end of April. Not sure what April in NY is like. Maybe still very Wintry? I wouldn't like that. I have a few friends scattered around the country I could visit but I'd hate for them to feel obligated to entertain me.
Then again I would like a trip to another country or tropical island. But I haven't a passport. I think it might take longer than the end of April to get one. Maybe not but I'm not even sure where I would go. Ireland or Germany or Australia or St Lucia or Barbados sound nice. Four new walls and new people.

I Call This A MIRACLE!!!

GOD is FAITHFUL. Today my doctor told me that I do not have Lymphoma nor Hodgkin's Disease as was suspected. I went to the doctor with a swollen gland above my left collarbone. I Googled the symptom the day after I found the lump and called for an appointment with my doctor the next day. That was last Wednesday. I went to church that night and had the congregation anoint and pray for me. I didn't tell them what we could be up against. I wanted them to focus the Power of the One Who is on our side.
I went in for my follow up today and all the test they ran came back good. They will do a sonogram in a week to check out the remaining swelling. I decided as soon as I found the lump to PRAY POSITIVELY. I focused on God and His power not on the symptom. Every time I realized that a doubtful thought or scenario was coming into mind I would quote what the BIBLE says about God and his HEALING power or of His LOVE for us and so forth. Everytime I touched the mass I have spoken to it and said, "God is Greater" or "By His stripes we are healed".
The week has been a struggle. I know that I am only human and falter many times But God is FAITHFUL. You can dismiss this but I call this a MIRACLE!

Game Day

Saturday I did something that I don't think I've done in a long time. I joined some friends for lunch and board games. Actually, we only played one game but it was fun. Alan and Angela were our hosts. I know them from church. I'd not been to their house before, so I followed Doug and Amy (& their son Jacob) there. David and Cynthia (& their 2 girls) were already there. Cynthia brought the game: "Loaded Questions". It's one of those games where you must know the personality of the players to have an advantage. I didn't win but we had fun. The kids played with the Wii or some other video gaming system.
The lunch was great too. Burgers and Chicken fillets and Salad and Potatoes and Asparagus and Chips and Veggie tray and Strawberries.

Faith

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

In the midst of turmoil it is sometimes hard to believe that we can overcome a dismal situation. But we must keep our hope in God. Hope is a goal; a focal point. We must focus on God, not the situation and keep faith in Who He is. Focus on the POWER that is in Him. Refuse to concentrate on the negative. Locked in a pool of water, in darkness, rats will soon drown. But if there is a light visible in the darkness they will swim to their last breath. The light is HOPE. Jesus/God is our HOPE.
With His WORDS He created this universe and all that is in it. He has AUTHORITY to change any situation. We must seek to be in the center of His Will and focus our prayers on His ability, NOT on our human frailty. He has not changed over the centuries. It is man who has changed.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob."

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Mark 11:23 "For truly I say to you, That whoever shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he said."

"George" by Brian K. Raynor

Today is Presidents Day, so I'm posting a painting I did of George Washington. I call it "George". It's another painting that was displayed at On Common Grounds until they closed. These days "George" is just hanging around my house.

Save the Wabbit

This morning as I was headed down my driveway I noticed something black wiggling alongside the drive. I stopped to find it was a little black bunny. I got out of my car to investigate. The rabbit was obviously tame. I picked it up and discovered someone had tied a thick black shoestring around it's neck -it was strangling the creature. I tossed the poor soul into my car and backed up to the house. Ran inside for scissors and with some effort was able to free the rabbit from the noose. Not sure who the idiot was that put the shoestring around the bunnies neck but that person needs a good kick in the cottontail! I put the rabbit in what serves as a dog pen when I have a dog. Depending on the rabbit's get away skills (which don't seem to be too good) I may or may not have a new pet when I get home.

Bugatti

This beautiful Bugatti (Type 57S Atalante) was found in a barn in NE England recently. One of only 17 built! Auction estimate is over 12 million. Where are these barns?!! And why aren't they on land owned by my family? I heard that these vehicles could obtain speeds up to 135 mph. Incredible speed in the 1950's! And not too shabby by today's standard.

Snowfall

Snow fell again last night. It fell for the first time this season on
January 20th. There wasn't too much snowfall last night but it was
beautiful coming down. The sparkling white layer it left on everything
is, sadly, all but gone tonight. Nothing like the snows of yesteryear.
As a child, a snow day was exciting and seemed to last forever.

As a working adult snow days come and go so quickly that they're
hardly remembered. As an aged person, I suppose, they may seem to
linger painfully. I heard an old man say with an almost teary voice
that he couldn't wait for Spring and Summer to get here.

The Day the Music Died

Headstone in City of Lubbock Cemetery




Buddy Holly September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959

Christmas is really over!!!!

Saturday I finally got the Christmas tree disassembled! I hate the chore of Christmas clean up. Bringing the holiday clutter down from the attic is not as bad as putting it all away. Maybe because when decorating, nostalgic feelings and anticipation of the holiday makes the chore more celebratory and less like work. I made several trips up to the attic. That's another mess in itself. In the midst of all the dust covered junk that has accumulated up there I wondered why I hold onto to things. Worthless things, really. Antiques Road Show will find no treasure there!