TBT

It took me so long to figure out TBT that it's already Friday. TBT is NOT "friends breaking ties" as I first found.

Throwback Thursday it is. Thanks daughter, for explaining to "your" mama. 

Computerese and #hashtag talk is not for the faint of heart. We, Medicare Mamas, need a dictionary devoted to these tech buzzwords.  Of course, it would have to on-line because words come and go so quickly. We'd need clickable access to a bit of meta data.

All that aside, here' my TBT image, circa 1950. (Baby brother Bobby, 4/2/51, had not arrived yet.)

I assume it's Easter. Not only am I wearing a corsage but I also have on a coat. Another indicator that it's Easter, and not Mother's Day, is that "big brother" Buddy does not have the requisite red rose in his lapel. Roses were always "cut" and worn on Mother's Day. Years later, the first Mother's Day after Mother died, I "cut" and wore a white rose in her memory.

This particular TBT image was chosen because in less than a week, brother Buddy and I will be traveling cross country with our spouses. We'll be together on Mother's Day. I might have to put a rose in his lapel.

Terrific Tuesdays

I know---it's Thursday but I've been running a little s-l-o-w this week on timely blog entries. A spring fever, of sorts......in a "fever" of lists and scheduling and planning and, and, and! Sarah Young calls it "fear that manifests itself in excessive planning." (Jesus Calling, 4/24)

But, thanks to the kindness of Nancy E. 2nd Presbyterian's 4/28 Terrific Tuesday luncheon was a much needed "perspective-lifter." (Jesus Calling, 4/26) To begin with, there was time for pre-lunch tea given by aproned ladies from My Cup of Tea, one of my favorite cuppas. 

After "tea and talk, a delightful salad plate was served by the WOC, Carolyn Weber, author of Surprised by Oxford, a favorite read for me in 2012. A bit of a book review was given in my 12/18/13 entry as I recalled liking it so much that I read the bulk of it in one weekend.
So-o-o-o to have Dr. Weber speaking at the luncheon, not only slowed me down for a bit but gave me lots of ongoing food for thought. 
Her presentation was entertaining as well as thought provoking. Her book references to TDH were funny as were the new acronym TBH (tall, bald and handsome) 
TIDBITS

• CD is an ambulatory thinker---she likes to walk and think
•  Life is fatal for all....but believers have hope for eternity with Him. 
• Architectural designs of old cathedrals had folks "looking up"---such looking up is much need today as many folks look down as they go about their own busyness! 
• Remember that unbelievers often have no God touchstone in their lives---no God frame of reference. 
• hannah w smith
• It's important to live our lives as a walking Bible (Hannah W. Smith) as we might be the only Bible some people will ever see.

Weber is a true wordsmith, evident in both her writing and her speaking----digging deep into English literature & quoting from literary works of Donne & Sayers to poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. 
Hope to very soon set aside a "Terrific Tuesday" to read her Holy is the Day: Living in the Gift of the Present. Reading Carolyn Weber's works would add a "terrific" label to any day.

Happy Birthday, Hubby

I like it when hubby celebrates a birthday because that means he catches up with me.

What is hard about any birthdays at our house is that I buy gifts in advance (usually because they are appropriate AND on sale) Then, I seem to travel down memory loss highway when I put them away for safe-keeping. 

So safe that I can rarely find them in a timely manner.

Even friends have been victims of my "secret stash" forgetfulness. Today was no exception, No gift with his card. Hopefully, I'll find it  eventually----tho I have been known to stretch the "eventually finding" to an entire year or better.

Oh forsooth----such am I!
It is so hard being me when frugal and especially forgetful are descriptors most folks associate with me.

I keep losing said memory piece!

A Life Well-Lived

 “Life well-lived” was the phrase I heard several times at today’s  funeral for Dr. A.B. “Bud” Weir. 

A God-honoring life. 

A life devoted to his wife and service to others. 

A life that embodied Micah 6:8……as for many years both he and his wife, Sunny, walked humbly with their God. 

Fully devoted, faithful to the Lord and faithful to each other. 

On fire for God. Follower of Jesus Christ.

I know this to be true because of the heritage I have seen in Dr. Weir’s children and in the grandchildren whom I know. Bud Weir “walked his talk” as the pastor said, and passed the spiritual baton on to each of his four children.

He shared his life in love and service to family, friends and many others whose paths he crossed. He shared his faith that never wavered, and he shared his hope that was based on eternal truth from God’s word.

In essence, Dr. Weir's legacy outlives his life because his family carries on the spiritual impact left by their father. 

That, my friends, is truly “a life well lived!”

Palatable RX

Some medical diagnoses and prescriptions are easier to "swallow" than others. This is certainly true in the physical realm. 

Last week's diagnosis of a frozen shoulder didn't sound so bad when the RX was coupled with physical therapy and NOT a cortisone shot or surgery. Hard work. Exercise. I'm willing to do that to accomplish healing and restoration of the weak/atrophied area. 

But....the question is, how did I get to this point? 

Was the gradual physical decline so gradual that I overlooked it? 

Was my loss of effectiveness due to underuse or neglect? (Romans 12:11)

The same questions could be asked about weaknesses in my spiritual life?
Does something major have to occur to get my attention?
Am I allowing neglect in my spiritual life to give way to greater "threats."

Time in God's word. Intimate time with the Lord. Both are a palatable RX for refreshment and restoration.

Eye catching--Heart rending

Some signs can really get one's attention. This ABC one got mine.

A John 7:24 reminder-----Judge not according to appearance.

Mindful Queries

I have a field on my mind that needs plowing. (Anne Wilkes Tucker) 

Do you have weeds in you mind that need to be "pitched?" How does one plow under weeds of fear?

Lately my "mind field" feels more volatile than weeds---more of a "minefield." 
Unseen hazards but they are there. Explosive. Fearful dreadful thoughts waiting to erupt. An area planted with explosive mines, that need to be tempered by God's truth. Too often the war of fear wages on.

In yesterday's Jesus Calling, Sarah Young wrote that the mind is the last bastion of rebellion. Rebellion! I'm fighting with myself---I didn't see it as fighting against God. But God has a way of opening my eyes to my misunderstandings.

...but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6b)

GOD's Word has the answer!

Botanical Heritage

This time of year I tend to reflect on the "gift" that keeps on giving. A "pass it on gifting" which I have continued with family and extended to friends.

The beauty of my old-timey snowball bush takes me back. Back to the "heritage" books of Margaret Louise Hooper, "my" Mama Davenport, who brought a snowball bush with her when she left the Hooper homeplace between Guthrie, Ky & Hampton Station, TN, (memory blurs exact location). It took root in her own yard on the Davenport property/farm in Montgomery, TN---a part of Hampton Station community. From there a cutting was taken to South Second Street in Clarksville, TN---not far from Davenport's Grocery on Commerce St. at 3rd, as I recall.

From there, a cutting went back to Kentucky to Mother and Daddy's house at 2211 South Virginia. A new cutting was started the year each of my brothers and I were born. A cutting from my bush came to Memphis with  me and I plan to keep sharing it when each of my kids have a place to grow it. Meanwhile, friends and neighbors share a part of my botanical heritage.

Food, Friends, Fun in Northwest...

Folks who know me, know that I eat my way thru a vacation---and often vacation ratings are "higher" with  the Liles crew when food adventures have been a part of it.
This past week's Arkansas jaunt with friends was no different.....

Starting with dessert first.....(sampling delish sugar cookies, back left) followed by a cold strawberry chiller soup and YUMMY chicken salad at Cross Creek Sandwich Shop in Conway, AR, where everything is made fresh---worth the detour!!

 Followed by "splitting" a Key West burrito (chocked full of salmon, crab and shrimp) at Table Mesa Bistro in Bentonville, AR. Even the "cheap date" appetizers were tasty---Medjoohl dates stuffed with gorgonzola, cream cheese & wrapped in hardwood smoked bacon.

 Sharing "Rissoto balls" appetizer....

and trying a "Pig's Ear" salad, just because I could, was a fun lunch at Tusk and Trotter.

Not miss out on a sweet ending---a strawberry crepe from the "BEST FOOD TRUCK in AR" winner,
ice cream from the Spark Cafe Soda Fountain beside the Wal-Mart Museum....,

and a perfect sugar cookie from the (closed on Tuesdays) Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art capped off our Wednesday afternooon!!

Trekking to the Ozarks

Consider this blog entry a recommendation for a jaunt with friends to Northwest AR, Bentonville in particular. Just feast your eyes. Tomorrow you can visually & metaphorically feast your taste buds.
BTW, it helps to have a friend house you in her lovely home---tho 21C museum hotel is always a good choice for those with deeper pockets than mine.

Springtime is a beautiful time of year to visit. Dogwoods, redbuds, and snowballs are all popping out in greeting.

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, built by same designer as Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, AR.
But this one......was just right up the road in Bella Vista, AR.

Just go through the doorway to see our "Father's World."
Even on an overcast day the outside peeks in and gives light.

Purple pathway.....

For the physically fit, the footpath from Compton Gardens can take you to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Man's tree in the forefront of God's trees.
Beauty inside and out awaits each Crystal Bridges visitor.

In AR even Tom the Haymaker brings a unique form of beauty in the middle of a field. He rolls his hay into people.
Bentonville is 345 miles from Memphis. It's worth the drive---especially when you make it with friends!