Fields ...

"You know you're from Indiana when ...

You took backroads to get there - why sit in traffic?"

Words...

Is there really light at the end of the tunnel?
What if we say this ...   bring light into the tunnel. What does that look like? Carrying light into dark situations, bringing words of hope into our culture that is struggling with divisiveness, hatred, and confusion.

I am looking forward to participating in  a writer's workshop where we look at ways we can bring light into dark places. The facilitator will guide us through a series of exercises to help us discover lessons in suffering.

 Since suffering is inevitable it might be worthwhile to gain deeper understanding for ourselves and possibly truths to share.

Cloyd the Cat

"Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit 

that will cause the most inconvenience."

Pam Moore

Cloyd the Cat looks at ease at the breakfast table. Is he looking at the biscuits or maybe the sausage? Whatever, he looks very comfortable. Cloyd lives on a farm near Maysville.

Friendship Friday

What does a model friendship look like? If we could measure  friendship traits what would be  the most important qualities? Is what we feel and experience  the best measurement of friendship?

Even our most trusted friends must struggle to balance their lives with our needs. We know from personal experience that we often try to balance it all ...  family, career, and personal responsibilities.  We  understand  that we cannot always be available to our friends.


I think our best model for friendship is Jesus. In scripture, we discover true love in Jesus.
I love I had the opportunity to experience  true friendship in community with these friends.

coffe or tea

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea;
but if this is tea, please bring some 
coffee ... "
Unknown

Tasty Tuesday

Our Water Fitness  class enjoys celebrations. We celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bridal showers,  recovery milestones, and missing you celebrations. This morning, current members and formers members gathered together to reconnect.

Some class members stay, others pop in and out, and others drop out. Whatever the circumstances, we enjoy visiting. 

This is breakfast is Blue and White Pancakes.
This breakfast was shared with a friend.
One friend ordered the BLT and Egg Sandwich.
Are you able to read the dish description of the Elvis Pancakes?
If not, here goes:
A stack of three buttermilk pancakes,
 filled with fresh sliced bananas,
peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.
Served with your choice of two sides.
Oh My.
😲

Pet of the week, Emmett

"Time spent with cats is never wasted."
Sigmund Freud

That may be true for Sigmund. I wasted a few minutes trying to get a good picture of Emmett.

I found it impossible to get a good picture of this week's pet. He was unwilling to sit quietly and pose for me. Cats are certainly not like dogs who will sit when  you say sit. No so with cats 😮

 Emmett is a sweet boy is 14 years old.

Wonderful Words ... and the World's Best Book Club

Each month, I usually attend at least one book club. On some occasions, I have attended three. Yes, that is a lot  of reading. Book selections range from mystery, historical fiction, biographies, psychological thrillers, and non-fiction. Some of the most compelling books are nonfiction.  Real life events that seem made for television, yet real life is often stranger than fiction. Exploitation, murder, love, redemption, the real nitty gritty stuff of real life. 

Over the past ten years, I have also been a part of  BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) .Yes, the Bible has themes of betrayal, birth, poverty, racism, tribalism, boundaries, wisdom, addiction, hatred, love, sacrifice, rejection, acceptance, life, death, surrender, poetry, songs, and the common theme from Genesis to Revelation: Jesus.

Going strong for over fifty years,  BSF has grown to transform the lives of millions of women and men . We are members of the largest and best book club in the world. Each week, people from 70 countries meet to discuss and grapple with the truths and what how ancient words intersects and impacts  daily our lives.

Words that bring joy when there is sadness, words that bring hope to those who are in despair, words that comfort those who grieve, words that offer joy, words that offer instruction, and words of eternal truth. 

Indeed. Wonderful Words

In September of 2019, BSF will begin the study of the Acts and Letters of the Apostles . Mark your calendar. Visit their website to locate a class near you. Daily readings and  weekly group discussions make this a one Book Club you will love as it transforms your life.  Visit their site by clicking on here BSF

I love these words from the Gospel of John.

“In the beginning was the Word,  and the word was with God,  and the Word was God.”

John 1:1 (NIV)

Tasty Tuesday ... appetizer

Appetizer ...
a small dish of food taken before a meal or the main course to stimulate one's appetite. 

This appetizer served four individuals before dinner.  We enjoyed the combination of textures, colors, and flavors. The arugula was drizzled with a balsamic dressing.The little puffs ... potatoes... 

Monday Musings ...

In the drawer of  my bedside table,  I have a small stack of thank you notes. This stack of handmade cards were created by elementary age students Some of the cards are addressed to me  reading “Thank you Aunt Jacqueline for the books.” .    

Why are they saying Aunt Jacqueline? Then, I remember Dawn! My niece teaches in an elementary school in Indianapolis. Each of her student were instructed to write  a thank you note. On the outside of the cards, they drew flowers, cats, animals and creatures.  Inside the folded papers, students wrote sweet notes.

I have kept those notes for over two years. I loved reading their notes. It is my hope that each of those students continue to enjoy reading, learning, and writing thank you notes.

In a recent article from Wellness Mama she states five reasons writing thank you notes are important. 

1.    Improve Mood

2.    Good for Physical Health

3.    Helps you stand out

4.   Foster Connection

5.    Revives a Lost Art

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Dawn students are fortunate to have her as their teacher. She is imparting life lessons. I know that Lane ( Dawn’s mom) stressed the importance of writing thank you notes. 

Success and Struggles

"Successful mothers are 

not the ones who have never struggled.

They are the ones

that never give up,

despite the struggles. "

Sharon Jaynes

Happy Mother's Day 

Pet of the week

I need to use my calendar to record the pets of the week,
Have a great weekend! 

Friendship Friday

I confess, I am a bit jealous of my friends who possess both beauty and brains.  Engineers, teachers, and technicians.  Then, I  remember... be grateful.  Friends  who are generous to share their insights, recipes, training tips, jewelry,  and encouragement.  I am incredibly blessed.

These women encourage me to be brave.

Beth Moore also encourages us to be brave.

"Be brave, Jesus followers. Be brave in love. Brave in truth. Brave in witness. We are not here long. By the grace and power of Jesus, let's have the guts to live this thing like we'll wish we would've. It is not too late for scaredy cats. Jesus is so worthy."

Indeed. Jesus is worthy.

Pet of the week, Rory

Kathyrn's Rory is a sweetie.
She is almost 8 years old.
Look at that face!
😇

"Did you know that each year almost 1. 5 million shelter animals  are euthanized. (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats)" This number was taken from ASPCA's Shelter and Intake data.  If you or someone who know is looking for pet, I suggest you investigate the animals at your local animal shelter.

I am so happy that this week's pet is Rory a rescue dog.

Rescue the mistreated
Save the injured
Love the abandoned
Quote from Pinterest

Friendship Friday

#IMHO
In my humble opinion, everyone needs friends who are able to make you laugh. These two young women spread joy and laughter in classrooms in our community. Our city is fortunate to have these women in the classroom making a difference in the lives of students.

For nine months, of the year, I am fortunate to serve with them in BSF. They make smile. They also encourage me and challenge others to live a deep and satisfying life in the LORD.  They handle difficult life issues with God's grace and love.

It is a joy to know them.  I hope you have friends who make you laugh and challenge you.