BIRDS! BIRDS!! BIRDS!!!

A bird lover resides here! Hubby tends and feeds his birds well! Some even swoop in and out as if to remind him more food is needed.

So grateful for this poster from JA.

On the 5th day, God created birds. (Genesis 1:20)

Birds teach us the beauty of simple living as they often work together to care for their families!

Obviously our Heavenly Father uses hubby as part of His divine provision to feed His birds (Matthew 6:26)

Allow God to use you!

As the temps cool!

"CHOOSE-DAY" TUESDAY!

A text from sweet friend JA had me thinking of all the best things to choose for this Tuesday.

Admittedly, I had to choose to quit complaining first so all the joy could spring forth!

Choose love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and gratitude❣️

In a nutshell....

CHOOSE JESUS!*

*A reminder I see daily in my prayer room!

HOPE -FILLED LIFE!

Hope---as an acronym or acrostic?? Does the linguistics matter?

Regardless of the etymology for hope; hope involves wait.

Think a positive expectancy even in difficult situations. Optimistic!

Note "holding" as verb (Present Participle/Gerund) indicates an on-going action. That's what hope is......on-going!

As I often say.......Enough said!

55 "BER-SARRY YEARS" & COUNTING!

"Whom God hath joined together".......

.....let no man put asunder!

A big thanks for the above text from JoLynn to all the texts, cards & calls from family and friends with lots of memories----from the Greystone Inn where they would hang our napkins on the back of our chairs if we left the table, to boat rides and golf carts to the swoosh of desending on ice-cold sliding Rock. Some of the calls included "Ber-sarry" singing which had us smiling and remembering the "old days.

A BIG thanks to all❣️

GOD LISTENS! GOD HEARS!

God not only listens! God truly hears!!

Above all, hold unfailing your love for one another, (1 Peter 4:8a, RSV)

A privilege of true fellowship!

FRIDAY FAREWELLS !

Two grandsons with varying last names but sharing an unusual middle name, (Davenport) are leaving one  dwelling place and heading for another.  Actually the new dwelling places are oh so similar but in different states. AR and NC. Think campuses! 

LEAVING FLORIDA

WITH A UNIVERSAL DETOUR!

How time has flown!

A NC car full!

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY BOUND

Where has time gone?

From South Holmes to tp a  campus dorm.

.....ALBRIGHT # 307 ..........

FULLY DECORATED AND ORGANIZED BY THE WHOLE FAMILY

Cousins with not only blood connections but spiritual ones as well!

HALLELUJAH!

ISAIAH 40:8 !

A picture that includes the verse that says it all.

May I always remember this OT truth!

JOMC

Just One More Chapter!

Read it on Goldie's shirt as she reads sprawled on the porch!

Readers in S's prayer chair.

Readers on the floor in the bookstore.

Readers in the grass. 

Readers in a library. 

Readers old and young together, in NYC, no less.

Readers together in bed.

Reading. Reading. Everywhere.

Granddaughters after my own heart through the years.

Just One More Chapter!

🎶MUSICAL PRAISE! 🎶

LYRICS LEADING TO PRAYER!! 

🎶I love you, Lord🎶 a short worship song written in 1978 has been my lead-in to my night-time prayers for family recently. When John Tagliarini, Music Director at BC FBC, led the choir in singing it during Sunday's Worship my spirits were lifted! Plus, the lyrics "sealed the deal" as a quiet prayer of praise for me to use repetitively (4x) in my God-pleasing personal worship.

(Laurie Klein, 1978)

In heartfelt declaration of love to the Father who sent His son, Jesus, to Him be the glory!

LESSONS FROM ELIJAH

Life Lessons are often learned in the struggles. People can see Christ in our up and down lives. Such was the truth for the times of Elijah.

His  name alone means, “My God is Yahweh.” He challenged Israel against worshipping false gods. "The Lord alone is God." 

Elijah was not perfect. Even after a great miracle on Mount Carmel, he became fearful and discouraged. Think human nature. 

A man just like us. 

Our lives should be congruent with the truth of God's word. 

Morals seen in Elijah's own life by those he served, taught obedience even in the hard times, to practice truth with courage, in the midst of fear and overwhelming circumstances. 

Trust God's provision and pray with persistence.

Not perfect but faithful.

 

..Elijah prayed, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”  

(1 Kings 18:21, 36-37)

In life, with all it's struggles, our actions should be in agreement/harmony with the entirety of Scripture.

Think congruity!

NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY!

National Friendship Day* (popular in the U.S.) is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of August, falling this year on August 2, 2026. 

What a great day to honor friends who are valued and loved.

Think supporters of love and joy in one's life.

Providers of gifts that keep on giving.

Think prayers and prayer reminders! 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

True Friendship = Fellowship of Friends in the LORD!

*A big thanks to Betsy M. from my FEC PRAYER for REVIVAL GROUP who sent me my quilt heart which I will be wearing again today. As the card says....

Friends are like old quilts--

Pieced together with time and love and

made stronger and more enduring with 

every stitch and piece.

Each one is a unique 

patchwork of memories,

backed with trust,

filled with shared experiences

and quilted with Joys and sorrows.

All are comforting, versatile and made more

Precious and beautiful with time.

(Romans 12:19-20)

GOOD SATURDAY MORNING..........

...........from grandson, Caleb!

His morning text woven with words of love and a picture of God's morning sunrise...... 

..........A beautiful way to begin my day!

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.

WITHOUT FEAR!

Too often, I struggle with fear. How does one overcome fear, especially as they age?

The fear of God is the way to live without fear!

It's a starting point for being sensitive to God's greatness and his graciousness as Sinclair Ferguson describes it. To know him is to love him wholeheartedly and unreservedly. (Banner of Truth p. 74)

Think loving reverence!

JOYNOTE!

JOY is the BEST Medicine! Hmmm....it's  not on sale at Walgreen's!

Sadly, I have not been singing notes of Joy lately! 

But God, had me start afresh in the Deep Creek parking lot with a message, seemingly just for me.....on a a license plate, no less.

It didn't have a melody, just a note! 

Think JOYNOTE! 

If a spiritual boost is needed, it comes from heart joy! 

Joy found in God's word.... (chara in Greek, simchah in Hebrew) 

• Boosts the psyche.
• Helps relaxation.
• Creates unity with other believers.
• Increases tolerance to pain/struggles allowed by God. 
• Did I hear a giggles aka "note" of laughter ⁉︎

God often fills us with joy through His presence----through His people.

His people rose to the occasion on my behalf. (texts, a memory from 2009, a devotional book in the mail, a neighbor's smile, a special cane to "lift" both my body and my Spirit, Pastor Buddy's reminder...."Keep praying it will keep you staying".....(implying importance of staying right where God has placed you) and shared prayers from prayer warriors, without a specific request from me.   

A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22a) Dispensed from the hearts of others NOT from RX though both Karen and Cassie dispense joy through kindness at the corner of 50-US 19.

Joy is more than a moment! Joy is a sustaining anchor seen on a license plate across from my handicap parking place! And.....not for the first time!

.....shout to God with cries of joy. (Psalm 47:1b)

Keep your eyes open for any JOYNOTE God might send you!