Pet of the week, Cooper

Cooper is this week's pet. Golden Retrievers are one of the popular breeds of dogs in the US. I think there are three reasons. Here are my thoughts, they are gentle, faithful and intelligent. In my experience, I think that they are also easy to train.

Friendship Friday

"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend."
Charles H. Spurgeon

It is my hope that you have a friend who is a prayer warrior. "C" is that friend to me. As I look back over the years, I see how God has faithfully answered so many prayers in her life. Her faithful prayer life is an inspiration to her family, her friends, co-workers and of course me. 
In every aspect of her life, she always gives God the glory.

She is the person who I can text early in the morning 6:00 a.m.
I ask her, Will you bring me a salad for lunch? Her answer, "Of course."
While I was recovering from surgery, she was such a blessing.
She continues to be a blessing in my life.
I thank God for her friendship.

Thrifty Thursday

" Thrift is not 

an affair of

 the pocket

but an affair 

of character."

S.W. Straus

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

According to their website, Jameson Tavern is one of the oldest operating taverns in Maine. In addition, the DAR (Daughters of American Revolution) have placed a monument in the garden of the restaurant naming this tavern as the Birthplace of Maine.


If you visit Maine, I hope you will stop in Freeport. 

My grilled shrimp salad was delish.

Monday Musings ... Maine

"Maine is a joy in the summer. But the soul of Maine is more apparent in the winter."
Paul Theroux

During our travels last week,  we agree that traveling to Maine in the summer is indeed a joy.  At this time of the year, we discovered that the temperatures are milder, the water seemed bluer, and we missed the peak travel season.

We took a tour in  Portland, enjoyed taking pictures of lighthouses,  drove along the coast in Kennebunkport, parked by the Howling Cave,  shopped in Freeport, Maine and enjoyed seafood.

I think it would be nice to visit again ...
but not in the winter.

... fixing our eyes on Jesus

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on the Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." NIV
Hebrews 12: 1 - 3  

Pet of the week Joey

Joey is this week's pet. He is a trained service and therapy dog.

As a trained therapy dog, Joey is able to go to nursing homes.  What are some of the benefits of petting dogs?
Here are four:
1. Reduces blood pressure
2. Reduces anxiety
3. Boosts relaxation chemical in your brain (serotonin)
4. Reduces the stress chemical (cortisol)

We met Joey and his owners in Vermont at Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Parlor.

If Joey could talk, " What do you think he might say? "

Friendship Friday

Every vacation can hold special moments.

On our recent vacation, we had a highlight moment when we visited our friends. T and J live in Fairfield Connecticut. Years ago, we became acquainted while we were both vacationing in South Carolina. Now, we work to make sure the connection remains strong by arranging visits.

We enjoy a deep connection as we share our lives.


We end our visits with prayer. There is no better way to end our time together than to seal it with a prayer to God. Our friendship is centered in our love for the Lord Jesus.

Thrifty Traveler

"You don't have to be rich to travel well."
Eugene Fudor

The joy of travel is often in the anticipation of the trip.  For weeks, "J" and I planned our trip. Our excitement grew as the date of our departure drew closer.

How are we Thrifty Travelers?
We develop a budget.
We take advantage of all of our available discounts and coupons.
When available, we enjoy free hotel breakfasts.
Enjoy the concierge level. Light dinner and desserts are often available.
Say yes, when friends offer free lodging.
Is this a road trip? Bring fruit and other healthy snacks.
Take advantage of tours.
Enjoy free walks in the cities. If you cannot walk long distances... simply take breaks.
Finally, Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

Juneteenth

"Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was June 19th that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation  - which had become official January 1, 1863."
@BlackAndUnited

Tasty Tuesday

Last Thursday, we visited the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury, Vermont. This tour is informative and affordable. If you travel to Vermont, I encourage you to make this a part of your visit.
At the beginning of the tour, we saw a movie, next we went to the observation platform,  and the last stop was the tasting parlor.

Visitors were able to taste a new test flavor ... I forget the name... 
I do remember, it tasted good. 

samples of the test flavor

Monday Musings ... values

"When you are led by values, it doesn't cost your business, it helps your business."

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

The following is a
statement from  Ben and Jerry's 
National Call for a Moral Revival. 

"This year, Ben and Jerry's celebrates 40 years in business. We're also celebrating four decades practicing social responsibility - meaning we operate to add value to society."

"In 40 years, not much has changed in terms of our commitment to working for a better world. Today, we're supporting the Poor People's Campaign. This is national modern day movement named after the 1968 Poor People's Campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. until his assassination. ..." 
To learn more and to become involved at click here:
 The Poor People's Campaign

Local Justice Ministries are also another way to become involved in making a difference in the people who are living on the margins of life. 

The father ...

"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; 

he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him." 

Proverbs 23:24

Sometimes we get righteousness twisted... we think it is about us. It is not. Our righteousness is from a right relationship with God.  That relationship is as a result of our faith, belief, repentance, and trust in Jesus.

 It is a joy to have so many wonderful memories of my father. Daddy was a gentle yet strong man. His daily expression of love to his family were treasures. Today, I'm grateful for the wonderful father my husband is to our children... and now our granddaughter.

Pet of the week, Louie

The American Kennel Club describes the Shetland Sheepdog as extremely intelligent, quick  and obedient. This breed is also known as the Sheltie.  The website has some fascinating  facts about this breed ... they are famous for the Sheltie smile, they are always learning new tricks,  and they are also great watchdogs.

We meet Louie this week on a  tour of the Ben and Jerry store in Vermont.  I will share more about the tour next week. 

As long as Louie's owners had him cradled in their arms, he was good. Otherwise, Louie was a barker.

Friendship Friday

“Happy couples make it a habit to refocus. Because it’s quite normal to be distracted. So they talk. They get away for a while. They pray. They go on a marriage retreat. They take a second, 3^rd, 4^th, or a 5^thhoneymoon.”

Bo Sanchez

“J” is more than my partner and husband. He is my friend. This year, we celebrate forty years of marriage.  This week we have had an opportunity to get away, pray, and refocus. We reflect on our history and refocus as we look to the future. 

Thrifty Thursday

"I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living."

John D. Rockefeller

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ... a sandwich

Traveling in the south ...

"Jack, I’m really hungry." With those few words, my dad’s was on a mission to find a something for my mother to eat. 

  

I know it was difficult to find a restaurant before fast food chains dotted many street corners. Daddy found a restaurant. Finding the correct entrance, he made his way inside to purchase a sandwich.  Mission accomplished.   Returning to the car, he presented the sandwich to my mom.  

Sitting in the front seat of our family’s Buick, my mother took one bite of the sandwich then …   she threw it out the window.  Mother explained “It doesn't taste right! “

Siting in the back seat, I did not see my father’s face. Years later, I remember my parents re- telling this incident over and over.  She took one bite and realized that something might be wrong with the sandwich. 

That was over fifty years ago, when we traveled to Tennessee I always an uneasy feeling when we traveled south.. Life in Tennessee was different than in Indiana. It was a time when separate entries and facilities were common for blacks. 

This I know, every act of cruelty or hatred did not make my parents become bitter. I can recount incident after incident, where they were often treated less than. Yet, they did not let anger consume their day or their lives. They did not become bitter. By their example, we understood that life was not always fair. Their example allowed their children not let life’s hardships make them bitter and angry. 

They chose to be engaged, informed and always vote.  

In their daily lives, mother and daddy, chose to live a life of love. Loving God, loving each other, loving their children, their work…

 “Be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21 (KJV)

Friendship Friday

I'm grateful for this wonderful group of Mah Jongg
friends. We meet once a month for an afternoon of play.
Did you know that having fun is important as you age?
Now you do!

"Friendship is a common grace for which we should continually thank God for. "
Jackie Hill Perry

 

Thrifty Thursday

Daddy often encouraged his children with this advice, "It is not how much you make, it is what you do with what you make." I am sure that this advice is not original to my father, yet it is good advice. 

Monday Musings ... Locker Room

There are a few moments when the Y's locker room is quiet. On most days, there are so many noises going on at the same time it's often overwhelming … laughter, bits of conversations,  the noise from blow dryers, the sound of water from showers, different rings from cell phones…

I heard a first today… someone watching a Netflix on their phone. The locker room was almost quiet. Except for the faint sound a noise from a phone.

She was making the most of her day… watching a movie while doing her  hair and putting on make-up. I did not ask her about the name of this Netflix program. 

How do you make the most of your day? 

Pets of the week, Salty and Pepper

Do you remember Falcon? He was a previous pet of the week.   This week, Falcon welcomed Salty and Pepper to spend a few days with him.  This pair looks very comfortable.

Friendship Friday

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

This scripture refers to the interaction of two individuals  who are seeking to improve one another. Personal and spiritual growth is achieved in community. God allows us to be in relationship with others so  we can encourage, instruct and offer correction to one another.

How did our friendship begin? In August of 2017, we were paired as co leaders in a Bible Study Fellowship school program. At the end of the school year, I had a deep appreciation for my friend's faithful service to the Lord.


We all need friends in our lives to encourage us by their example to live a life fully committed to the Lord. We pray, trust God's perfect will and surrender our will to His.

Who are the irons in your life? Who offers correction with love? Who encourages you? If you need a friend... ask God. Expect God to answer your prayer.

We are kinda opposites... she is a runner... not me
she is young... me not so much... she is an engineer ... not me
We have more in common... mothers, wives, sisters, daughters,
most of all
we love Jesus.