Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #83 Gem&Flame

The two words Ronovan chose for the haiku poetry prompt this week fit perfectly for the upcoming Valentine's Day this month.  I'm linking up my haiku at Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #83 Gem&Flame.

This flower with heart-shaped blossoms has a sad name for such a beautiful flower.  

Bleeding hearts

Now onto a happier scene, more like what one would think of on Valentine's Day.

chandelier above

the candle flame lit the gem

with lovely sparkles

Ten Things of Thankful

Since it has been a few weeks since last posting here at Ten Things of Thankful, I feel a need to explain my delinquency.

Before blogging and before caring for my Mom and now making every other day visits to see her at the nursing home, and before surgery, etc., I used to spend hours of researching to learn about my ancestors.  Anyone who has done any of that kind of research knows that there are often a few dead ends in the research.  I am no different in having a few lines that have been difficult to trace.

Well a few weeks back I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about my maternal grandmother's brothers and sisters.  I'd not been able to find much about them in the past, but usually I don't wake up in the middle of the night thinking about them either.  Perhaps it took that kind of a jolt to get my attention, since my daytime hours seemed to be filled with other stuff.  To make a long story short, that is how I've been spending my time.

Many people pursue family history research, and thus there is an increasing amount of information that is now online and quite often with no cost involved.  What used to require traveling to far away places, and libraries, now quite often can be viewed on one's own computer at home.  I've been rewarded by finding additional information that brings new light and understanding about my family.

Today I found the following on page 2 of the Indianapolis News, 27 June 1882.  Adam is my Grandmother's brother.  He would  have been about 11 years old at the time he drowned.  North Vernon is in Jennings County, Indiana.

"Adam Morgan, of North Vernon, was drowned while making an effort to save his Brother, who, while bathing, got beyond his depth. Ed. McGannon, a fifteen year old boy, who was standing by, plunged in and saved yourg Morgan, but was unable to reach Adam until life was extinct."

While reading some entries in old archived newspapers I read some articles that told of people who died from lockjaw.  The tetanus vaccine wasn't available until 1924, about 41 years after my great grandmother died from lockjaw.  I know that there are controversies about the use of vaccines, especially on young children, but I remember my parents concerns if my brother or I ever stepped on a nail.  I remember putting on rubber rain boots (meant to be worn over the shoes).  I was in a hurry to take care of some farm chore, and decided not to put on my shoes.  Long story short was that I stepped on a nail and it went through the boot into the bottom of my foot.  I had to be taken to the doctor to get a tetanus shot, "just in case."  I'm thankful for vaccines, and not to have to worry about getting lockjaw.

After what seems to be a never ending series of deaths and funerals, I've come to understand more the "circle of life."  Although the death of a person brings a degree of sadness and mourning to those left behind, it also brings a great deal of reflective moments to those who knew the person and those attending the service.  One learns even more about the deceased person through hearing the eulogy and stories shared.  There are lessons to be learned, if one hears and feels with an open heart.  I'm grateful that I'm having these opportunities to learn in these hallowed settings.

Trials are hard and may seem to go on forever, but they will end sooner or later.  My mother had been facing some challenges at the nursing home.  These weren't anything that had to do with her health or her care, but just something that was difficult to explain to her.  About a week ago, the situation resolved, and now all is well.  Isn't that the way with all of us?  Often we face situations that just seem to arise and can't be explained away, or fixed in an instant.  We have to endure, make do, try to do our best, until we get past and through the situation.  We may have a little reprieve before we face another challenge, or perhaps we'll go right into a new situation, having been strengthen from the past.  I'm thankful for being able to learn from all experiences.

How do you receive strength during your times of trial?  In church today, I sat with three other women discussing this very subject.  What was interesting was that all four of us spoke of how hymns, or certain lines from hymns come to our minds when we have tried to find solutions or comfort when facing challenges.  I've not ever tried to memorize hymns, but by singing them weekly, the words have been planted in my mind and heart.  In the very time of need, the words come quickly into my mind, often just a phrase.  Sometimes it is the entire hymn.  I'll go to the hymn book and read the words, and know that was what my heart needed to hear.  Many hymns have phrases from the scriptures too.  I am thankful for hymns, uplifting music and the scriptures.

Some of the sheep near us will soon be lambing.  I'm looking forward to seeing these little lambs and taking taking their pictures.  There is something about seeing new life that just brings joy.  I'm a sucker for those youtube videos of baby pandas, elephants, lions, etc. They make me feel happy.

The past few weeks, I've been trying out recipes given to my husband by his doctor.  It is kind of a modified mediterranean diet.  It has been interesting to try these recipes, which have required purchasing some items that hadn't been in our diet, such as tempeh.  I'm thankful to this new experience, even though some of the dishes require considerable more preparation time.

I went to an essential oils class recently.  It was interesting.  I've had an interest in the benefits of herbs for some time, so my attending one of these classes on occasion is educational for the most part, but I have used a few of the oils in a diffuser or topically.

A friend came to visit the other day, and brought me a bouquet of flowers, just because.  What a pleasant unexpected gesture!  I must look for ways that I can do more of the unexpected niceties for others.

I'm thankful for my family.  To know that we are close in heart and mind is a wonderful blessing.

My husband is a wonderful support to me.  The other day I was thinking about how much I love our little conversations, how he makes me laugh, and how much I love him.  We've come a long way together.  It has been a journey that has brought with it a lot of growth and understanding.    

Cee's Odd Ball Photo Challenge: 2016 Week 6

After stepping away from blogging for a bit, I'm ready to share a couple of photos at Cee's Odd Ball Photo Challenge:  2016 Week 6.

What I found interesting about this old snag was that in spite of what appeared to be at least two generations of beavers trying to lay waste to it, new growth at the base is shooting forth.  Was its inner core so strong that it was able to withstand even the gnawing of a determined beaver?  Was the beaver able to fell part of the tree and didn't come back for the rest?  There were many beaver dams along this stream of water and probably the present beaver population there could share quite the story of their ancestors who once lived there.

Tree gnawed by beavers (John Neal Memorial County Park, Lyons, Oregon)

The next odd ball photo was taken in the same vicinity as the first.  It was a good day for capturing reflections in the water.  I found this one amusing, because it resembles an arrow pointing to something.  There were many trails, ponds, streams, and an abundance of birds to be seen or perhaps missed if one didn't stop, listen and watch.  The "arrow seemed appropriately placed.

Reflection depicting an arrow in pond (John Neal Memorial County Park, Lyons, Oregon)

T J's Household Haiku Challenge - Watch

It is time for a new blog hop challenge.  It is TJ's Household Haiku Challenge - Watch.

For the last few years I've watched my mother's memory slip away piece by piece due to Alzheimer's Disease.  Sometimes when a person's memory begins departing, one wants to retain as much normality as possible, or what one perceives as normal.  Years ago when it became harder for her to read the small numbers on her watch, she decided she needed a watch with a larger face and numbers.  I'm not sure if a family member gave her this watch, or she bought it herself, but she continues to wear it.  She is beginning to have difficulty telling the time.  I'm unsure if that is vision related or due to Alzheimer's Disease.  The battery had died recently, so after getting the battery replaced I took a photo of the watch before returning it to her.  She hadn't even been aware the battery had died, but wearing the watch gives her comfort.

Mickey Mouse counted

the hour on large faced wrist watch

left her mind quickly

why did she look down

there where the wrist watch ticked time

that she couldn't stop

her years were slowing

like a wrist watch battery

which would stop one day

stuck in the moment

she looked at her old wrist watch

which told time not day

Ten Things of Thankful

Some weeks are better blogging weeks than others, or so it would seem the case with me this past week. This is the end of one week and the beginning of another, and although I failed to keep up the momentum of blogging last week, Ten Things of Thankful is an important part of my life.

This weekly blog post is a time when I consider the things that have transpired this past week, or the thoughts I have had that help me to realize how very grateful I am for the big things and the small things in my life.  There is quite a community of bloggers who link up to Ten Things of Thankful each week.  If you have a blog, and need a little jump start in your thinking or attitude, take some time to consider some of those things for which you are thankful. Post them on your blog and link up to Ten Things of Thankful.  When you read the things others have posted on their blogs, your eyes will be opened to the many possibilities, and you will feel even more grateful.  Each post has a place where you can comment.  Maybe you learned something from the post, or maybe you might be able to add a voice of encouragement, or a "hooray for you."  Comments are always welcomed.

Here is my list for this week.

1.  There is something to be said about making a commitment.  I want to stay healthy, so eating right most of the time is important to me.  Logging the things I eat and the calories helps me stay aware of what I am doing to my body.  I've completed week two on this log.

2.  Walking on the treadmill and using the stationary bike hasn't been quite daily, but my goal for the year is to walk or pedal 1000 miles.  I'm ahead of where I thought I would be by now.  Because I'm using this time to also do my scripture reading, I'm staying on course there too.

3.  This past week there was a need for some fabric pieces to use to make sleeping bags for the needy.  Since I had some pieces being unused I was able to clean our a little space in our closets by donating some fabric for this cause.

4.  It was time to have our car serviced this past week.  The place that does the servicing also sells auto parts, and some miscellaneous items such as greeting cards.  I really like the Leanin' Tree cards, so I stocked up while waiting for my car.  It was also a good time to read a book someone loaned me. If it hadn't been pouring down rain, I would have taken advantage of the 1-mile hiking area around the auto service and adjoining properties.

5.  This was another of those weeks when I said a very specific prayer, this time before going into a Goodwill store.  My Mom needed some larger clothing.  Within a very short amount of browsing time, I was able to find two articles of clothing, that appeared to have never been worn, from Buck & Buck which sells adaptive clothing.  I have never seen adaptive clothing in there.  This was a considerable savings and a blessing.

6.  Lori Henriques album, How Great Can This Day Be, is a nominee for the 58th Grammy Award for Best Children's Album.  I'm thankful to have had the joyful experience of hearing this on the radio this past week.  The song, by the same name as the title of the album, is one for all ages.  I'm thankful for Lori's amazing musical talent!  When I first heard this song, I didn't know it was on a children's album.

7.  My husband and I enjoyed exploring the John Neal Memorial County Park outside of Lyons, Oregon this week.  Thanks to reading an article in the newspaper about this park, we decided to see for ourselves.  It has a great trails around several beaver ponds and streams.  We were able to enjoy several hours of walking and taking photos of birds, reflections, beaver dams, etc., and it wasn't raining!

8.  After our morning walk around the ponds we stopped at the Gingerbread House to have lunch and of course one of their gingerbread cookies.  My husband had a bison burger with home fries and I had a chicken fajita salad.  A good lunch after a good morning!

9.  Yesterday my husband and I went to see the movie, Joy, based on the story of Joy Mangano, the home-shopping pioneer.  Since I don't watch the home shopping shows, I wasn't familiar with her.  This is quite the story of someone who had to pull herself up by her bootstraps!

10. After seeing the afternoon movie, we went to McGrath's Fish House for some clam chowder and also shared a small flat bread pizza that was lightly covered with some hot creamy crab mixed with artichoke spread.  This was very yummy.  I must try this at home some time, but not too often.  I don't want to log that very often.  This next recipe was shared on a Facebook closed group.  This will probably just remain on my wish list, unless I can figure out how to make just a very small portion.  There are several recipes online with slight variations in the ingredients.  It is a flourless chocolate cake using coconut oil and bittersweet chocolate chips.  It is baked in a springform pan.  It is very rich.  Any chocoholics will love this.

I hope you weren't hungry when you read this post.  :-)

Ten Things of Thankful

Well, like so many people all those good intentions of starting the new year out with a bang brought me back to the reality of what I could realistically handle this week.  Now that doesn't mean that there won't be other weeks where I'll just buzz right along accomplishing everything on my list, but this week it didn't happen quite as I'd planned.  I think I just got caught in the vines as I was trying to get to get to the light.

 

I'm linking this post to The Ten Things of Thankful blog hop.

1.  A very huge thankful for being able to have a blood test this week and also getting the results by the end of the week telling me that something spotted on a CT scan and an ultra scan recently was benign.  I'm thankful for the power of prayer.  I still have some follow-up appointments, but I'll take them as they come.

2.  The beginning of the week was a continuation of the cold snap begun on Sunday, so we stayed in all day hoping that the freezing rain and fog mixture would thaw. We needed to wait until midday on Tuesday to see that happen and to feel safe enough to make the trip to see my Mom to celebrate her 99th birthday with her, a day late.  There is one good thing to be said about Alzheimer's.  Even though we weren't there the day of her birthday, she had a birthday crown the staff put on her head when they celebrated her day.  The next day she'd forgotten that she'd had a birthday or why we were bringing her presents and cake.  It was truly more of a birthday week for her.  Some flowers even arrived for her on Friday.  I'm thankful for my Mom, and I'm thankful for all the people who try to make her life as pleasant as possible.

3.  I'm going forward getting exercise on the treadmill and the stationary bike, although I've been lax the last two days.  I'm thankful for the group that helps motivate me to keep at it.

4.  Wednesday I was able to go up to the temple with a couple of friends.  Because of a report of some slick spots and possible freezing fog we thought we'd leave mid morning instead of first thing.  As it turned out there had been a traffic accident and backup of traffic for several miles.  It had cleared by the time we left when things were starting to warm up.  I'm thankful we didn't get stuck waiting in a big long line of cars nor having to deal with road conditions that caused the accident.

5.  I've started tracking the calories of everything I eat.  I've done that in the past, but stopped doing it for one reason or another.  Since we hardly eat anything prepackaged, I can't just look at a box and write down the calories I see listed.  A lot of time, I don't use recipes, so it basically means referring to charts to see how many calories are in a given item of food and then doing the math to determine how many calories I'm consuming of what I have prepared.   There are newer cookbooks and recipes online which also post the calories for the recipes.  That is convenient if one can find recipes using the food items which are on your diet and adhere to your tastes.  I'm thankful for all the resources available to help us make good choices in taking care of our bodies.

6.  This week I attended the memorial service of a young woman who died suddenly of a very short illness.  She was a friend to many, including two of my children when they were in school.  The example of how she lived her life was exemplary of one who was ready to meet her maker.  She touched so many lives in her short life.  I'm thankful for her family and how they taught her, and how she lived her life.

7.  Sometimes getting older is just funny!  For instance, why did my hair decide it was okay to put a
cowlick on top of my hair, instead of what once was a wave?  Now this isn't just an occasional unruly cowlick, but one that apparently has taken up residence.  Hair spray might help, but I really don't  want to use that, for various reasons.  I suppose I should be grateful that I have hair!  That's it, I am grateful I have hair.  In the grand scheme of things, having a cowlick is so NOT important!  Who we are inside is really what matters.

8.  Speaking of hair, I got my hair cut this week.  I'm thankful that I am able to feel pretty confident that no matter which of the beauticians I get in the place I go for my haircuts, that they will do a good job.  My curly hair isn't very easy to manipulate into just any old style.  It mostly has a mind of its own.  Getting it cut and thinned is what I do.

9.  I've joined up with a FB closed group of friends that share "What's Cookin?"  It is a great way to expand one's horizons in the kitchen.  All that one does is tell and/or show what they are fixing for dinner.  Those in the group are varied in age, diets, and family size.  I'm glad that there isn't pressure in anyway.   People are totally honest.  Any parent who has had to be "taxi" for several kids for a number of after-school activities, and possibly evening ones, has probably succumbed to picking up some hamburgers or a pizza instead of cooking something that night.  That is okay.  I love honesty in people!

10. My online gospel study course is going well.  I'm finding it very helpful in understanding my Sunday School gospel course this year.

Plus 1 - My husband who is so supportive.  He has decided that vacuuming is HIS job!  How can I not like that kind of help.  It kind of started back when I was having a lot of back problems and then surgery.  That has been months ago.  Love him!

 

Cee's Fun Foto Challenge: White Flowers

Since we have received some white snow in this state recently, somehow the blog hop challenge at  Cee's Fun Foto Challenge:  White Flowers seems appropriate, if not seasonal.  Here are my three photos taken in other climes.  I think just a little color sets them off.