A FINE FRIDAY FIND!

Growing up in a small town in KY, I learned the importance of access to a public library. Tall steps took me up to the large front door of the Carnegie Public Library,. Upon entry, a left turn would take me to the Nancy Drew books! 

How grateful I am to Andrew Carnegie, a generous philanthropist, for funding more than 2500 libraries and 7600 church organs......a man who provided both books and church organs all over the world.

These days, I'm in a new "book" place, under construction but not closing doors to books for patrons.

A book I found there today was a perfect "Friday Find" for me. It took me to a "time-gone-by" of the National Storytelling Festival. The anthology of short tales, many from the Appalachian area,  (Appalachia) not only speak to my heart but aid my need for shorter tales/manuscripts in my appreciation for the art of storytelling. Tales I have personally heard through the years by the individual tellers themselves.  

Donald Davis. Elizabeth Ellis. Bill Harley. Doc McConnell. Jay O'Callahan. Kathryn Windham. Jane Yolen.

A step-back that reignites my enthusiasm for the written word, even when reading is not quite as easy as it once was.

"In everything I give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

GRAND GRANDS!

Yesterday's entry shared words from my eldest grandchild. 

Words that blessed my heart.

Today mail from my youngest grandchild blessed my heart.

Her words blessed me as well. She even asked me to say hi to her cousin Jackfor me. 

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. (Proverbs 17:6)

Regardless of age, my "grand grands" bless my soul in many ways!

*BTW, Today is International Friendship Day---with several close friends to pray for, esp. KB!

WORTHY WORDS!

This past Sunday, I received worthy words..... from a grandson, no less.

WITHOUT COMPLAINT! 

A prepositional phrase that spoke volumes to me. Complaint, the object of the phrase, greatly needs the preposition "without" in my life......I need to modify dissatisfaction! 

In a concise manner, think remove! 

No bellyaches, cranky fusses, grumbles, gripes, grouching, moans or worries!

Words that led to conviction of fear but covered in love. 

FEAR NOT! The most used command in Scripture......with both a sense of belief and relief! God always has a plan. 

Think....God's got this! 

God's "words of grace" in a thin silence/low whisper came to Elijah (not in wind, earthquake or fire)

AMEN!

IDIOSYNCRATIC BEHAVIOR!

Idiosyncratic⁉

At least it sounds better than weird, grow up, or get real! 

Today is "CHOCOLATE DAY" FOR ME!

The above responses are a few comments I have received from folks, especially when I respond "no thanks, it's NOT a chocolate day" to their offer of a chocolate treat.

"My" Molly who knows (and accepts) my discipline limiting my chocolate intake with my propensity for chocolate told Hubby and me of The Smoky Bean, a new Bryson City bakery/coffee shop (+ hot tea) with delicious chocolate almond croissants! Of course, we had to try it. Quirky or not!

Hooray! An eatery/bakery opened on Tuesday---- a rarity here!

Eating outside overlooking the Tuckaseegee River was amazing as temps were still cool. Another plus was watching a tern on the rivers edge until he took flight with a sharp note. (aka kip)

A perfect fit for my "idiosyncratic" behavior and birder Hubby's view to look at the bird's to the air! (Matthew 6:26)

As I started this blog entry a bit late, I'm signing off! 

I only have 20 minutes to eat a bowl of Caramel Brownie Moose Tracks. (My Mayfield Premium Ice Cream choice, because I'm out of my favorite Mint Chocolate flavor)

"Idiosyncratic" behavior #2......I never eat any chocolate after 3pm. Such behavior might interrupt my sleep patterns! 

BUILDING HOPE!

🎶"My HOPE is built......

on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness! 

"In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

He is my hope and stay." (Edward Mote)🎶

...... and stand on Christ the Solid Rock.🎶

A positive earworm to begin the week!

HARVEST!

Biblically, harvest symbolizes gathering of both crops and as a spiritual metaphor of reaping results of one's actions 

The earth has yielded its increase; God our God shall bless us.(Psalm 67:6)

Our youngest grand child loved helping her PopPop "harvest" tomatoes for our salads while she visited us. 

Seeing her "recent" harvest on our window sill brought a smile to my face even in the midst of a painful experience.

May we continue to thank God for all our circumstances knowing He can use even the "hard" times to bless us and sow seeds of righteousness in our lives.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

How does one live in the moment?

Think here and now!

Embrace the present!!

Be anchored in God's Word!

LOVE

 the LORD your GOD 

with all your 

HEART

SOUL

MIND

STRENGTH

(Mark 12:30)

EYE-CATCHING TRUTH!

Words have a way of catching my attention in the most convicting way!

My Word A Day calendar was a gift from daughter Molly. It was probably a way of helping me keep up with what day. Of course, she knows my lifelong fascination with words.  

Desultorily, certainly describes my actions these past few years. It's a course of wandering around and not remembering where or why!

Think metaphorically jumping from one activity or thought to another!

Random.

As frustrating as it is, it's life for me these days. 

Whether it's age-related or brain plaque related.

But God reminded me from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks."

"His" Word....is the word that counts!

SPARKLE!

I have an affinity for collective nouns! 

Not a "batch" of cookies or a "bunch" of grapes. Not even a swarm of bees, on-slaught or plague of locusts, pack of wolves or pride of lions.

My true affinity is nouns for groups of birds. 

Think gaggle of geese, murder of crows, murmuration of starlings, parliament of owls. Thanks to neighbor, Susan H, who shared the collective noun "poult" for baby turkeys with me yesterday!

Thanks also to ljj who reminded me of the collective name for an insect who flies!

A SPARKLE OF FIREFLIES

What truth stands out among all these collective nouns to me?!

The LORD God made them all! 

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS!

How does one serve the LORD with gladness?

This morning hubby and I listened to Cole Huffman's Gospel church July 5, 2026 podcast which espoused the value of serving the LORD......from Psalm 100. Just click to listen. You will be glad you did!

A few of my many notes....

• Gladness---a watch word for serving the LORD.
• Gratitude leads to gladness.  
• Serving the LORD aligns with His will and purpose.
• Thanksgiving and praise are a dynamic duo.
• Thankfulness is a Password to God's WiFi.
• Singing puts one into deeper joy.
• Happiness (a positive, but variable, on-slaught of emotions) comes and goes but joy remains. 
• For the LORD is good. (v.5) with an enduring love and faithfulness to all generations.

Join me today in making a joyful noise unto the LORD.