Go Local

Gone local (loco, maybe) but coming back.
I'm back!
What a weekend for exploring "locally"---
Working locally with our "neighbors" on Tillman as part of our "Love Thy Neighbor" focus.

Playing locally ensued with friends who once lived on our street---how local can you get!

Shopping locally took on a new frame of reference. As a teen, "almost local" was every small town that surrounded my hometown. Friday (football) nights were often spent in Russellville, KY with friend, Mary Lou Blue. The next day I would ride back home with Daddy, who worked the stockyard sales there on Saturday mornings. So....when I was shopping local at Easy Way and saw farm fresh milk in old-fashioned glass bottles from said town, I pulled out my $$.
The fact that is had a verse on it (Numbers 6:24) made it all the sweeter.

I wonder if Daddy ever sold cows to "Kentucky Proud" JD Farms in Logan County?

TEXAS GENTLEMEN are TEXAS SPORTSMEN

Saturday sports from baseball and soccer fields to the lake.

John Parker gets a "coach-pitch" hit---glad Daddy was his coach.

Noah assists and scores for the Cajuns.

Caleb shares his PopPop's catcher position as well as number---13.

Nathan's small-mouth catch.

Sunday morning churchbound---

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9) A-men!

Praises---these godly young men, aka Texas gentlemen, are being carefully taught.

Happy Easter 2015

He is risen! He is risen indeed!!

Words worth hearing---all about "Seeing!"

http://www.allenbible.org/media.php?pageID=5

Trash Man

Trash walk. Trash talk. Trash pickup.

Grandson Andrew is obsessed with the "trash" industry. He knows that plastic goes in the blue bin. He often wanders over to straighten the neighbor's bins. He arranges and re-arranges the bins.

He awaits the Friday pickup. Gray can pickup is first. Then the blue can pickup usually comes later around lunch time. 

So....he sits and eats and waits. He can hear the "familiar" beep 2 blocks away. He watches his pick-ups in the alley behind his house and then he runs to the front to view the neighbors' pick-ups.

This morning Andrew and I took a "trash walk" using PopPop's post-surgery, long-handled grabbing tool. With latex glove, picker-upper and trash bags in tow, we "cleaned-up" the neighborhood park. He was enthralled and chatty about "nasty, stinky trash" and verbally classified the bins that each bag would go into. He was excited to get home and dispose appropriately of our haul!

Andrew might want to be a trashman when he grows up. That's a worthy thought. 

But.....I'm thinking more along the lines of an environmental engineer----one who enriches and sustains the green of "our Father's world."

Morning Sunshine

What a treat---Another Broken Egg just opened in our neighborhood (Park & Ridgeway)---clean and friendly with a tasty menu. Large yummy veggie/goat cheese omelet for hubby and a healthy choice for me.

For once I chose a healthy option. Do I hear applause??

House made honey-roasted granola w/ blueberry quinoa, toasted coconut bananas topped with fresh fruit
and drizzled with vanilla Greek yogurt,

Neighborly Gifts of the Garden Variety

Giftedness. The term has educators hearing competent domains. Giftedness certainly comes in a variety of abilities, talents---even emotional quality traits of generosity and kindness. 

It's what one does with his/her giftedness that counts.

Using that gift and "re-gifting" it by sharing with others, brings giftedness to the next level.

Neighbor, Art T. is a professional photographer. Recreating his visual gift (eye for beauty) is evident in his work----whether it's from his CAMERA extraordinaire or his iPhone 6 and all 34 photo apps.

Sharing his picture of my cherry tree brings it to that higher level!! Gifting his giftedness.

WOW---what a gift. Art can always make my garden "attempts" look good, even down to my weathered fence. His gifts keep on giving as I have seasonal ones hanging in my home for all to see and enjoy, especially me!
What a neighbor! What a gift!

Lighthouse Farewell

Farewell Lighthouse. A symbol of stability. A constant for many mid-southerners.

This morning's Commercial Appeal will be the last as a part of the Scripps (once Scripps-Howard) publishing group. Somehow that saddens me---and not because I've already been informed of a rate increase on April 15. It's another end of a journalism era for us Memphians. I was sad when the Memphis Press Scimitar, our afternoon newspaper, "bit the dust" in 1983. And now, more change.

The word is, that change won't be noticeable. I disagree. The lighthouse logo will be missing once the Milwaukee-based Journal Media group takes over tomorrow.

Knowing the One who is the light, (John 18:I2) I like the symbolism of a light house---helping the lost find their way. 

Even the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way," will disappear. I wonder if that means "Today's Bible Verse" will no longer be published.
Those words might be the only "light" some readers get. 

SPRINGTIME SNOW

March 28, 2015---9:30 AM snow is falling in Memphis, ableit lightly.

I can see it falling on my"new" forsythia, my cherry tree and daffodils, though you can't because it doesn't show in my picture.

Oh happy spring day! Rejoicing in God's world. (Psalm 24:1)

SWEET REMINDERS

"Mind the Message"
Dove Chocolate. Yum! 1/2 price after a holiday.Yum!! Yum!!

All have "messages." A melt in your mouth kind of message.

February messages seem to have many "heart" messages. (RX----2-a-day)

Recent ones were worthy of thought. Heart shaped truths.

• Listen with your heart. 
• Hold hands firmly, hearts gently.

Mind (heed) the message for your heart.

**Just found this in my drafts---and since I'm still eating on that candy,  it's still pertinent.

I'm prepping for a procedure, so it was a lucky find---fingers feel too weak to type.

Friendship of a Circular Nature

I talk in circles. I don't think I've ever had a linear thought---at least not post menopause.

Lately the "circular" talk seems to be getting worse. My main thoughts seem to take off down rabbit trails until even I don't know where I was going with that comment or thought.

Scarily, in the mental health field there's even nomenclature for my condition. Not schizo or A-D-D but simply----circle talker.

How grateful I am for friends who still love me enough to listen in circles and in some cases to redirect me.

Nancy E. is such a friend. Listening in circles. Listening to my particular brand of a circular conversation.

Sometimes redirecting or restating in order to get me back on course. 

After yesterday's mammogram, she was waiting and waiting and waiting and when I came out with final results she encircled me. Hugging circles are much appreciated by circle talkers. 

Much like Gloria Houston's, My Great Aunt Arizona, Nancy hugs when my reports are good (clear and linear) and even when they are not (thoughts and speech needing a little consolidation.)

Hooray for circular friends who understand.