Tasty Tuesday

"Let food be thy medicine

and medicine be thy food."

Hippocrates

Monday Musings ... pioneer and heros

Monday Musings 

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled, “The Unsung Pioneer of Handwashing” In this article, Lindsey Fitzharris, shares the remarkable contribution Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis to the science of handwashing. Semmelweis was the first doctor to recognize the importance of hygiene in stopping the spread of infectious diseases.

Of all the health practices that we now embrace handwashing may be one of the most practical.  In the midst of our current covid-19 pandemic, health authorities continue to emphasize the healthy practices staying at home, social distancing, and hand washing.

“It is difficult to feel any sense of optimism during the covid-19 pandemic, but one source of encouragement is that simple soap and water can be a powerful defense.  The coronavirus that causes the disease is enveloped in fatty layers that are easily dissolved by detergents, exposing the core of the virus and causing it to perish, That’s why public health officials keep stressing the importance of washing our hands.” Lindsey Fitzharris

So, in honor of National Doctor Day… thanks to Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis for discovering the important of a simple act ... washing your hands.

"March 30th marks the annual observation of National Doctors Day. This day was established to recognize physicians, their work and their contributions to society and the community.  On this National Doctors Day, we say "thank you" to our physicians for all that they do for us and our loved ones. 

Keep me safe, my God

One of our neighbors took chalk to concrete,
It reminds me of a stained glass window.

Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord,  "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

I say of the holy people who are in the land.
"They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight."
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

Lord,  you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
 I will praise the Lord who counsels me,
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue
rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the
realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see
decay.
You make known to me the path of life
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16: 1 - 11

Pet of the week, Dandelion

Dandelion Doodle  is this week's pet. He was better known as Dandy. This is what Shelly (Dandy's owner) shared about him.

First, Dandy was 13 years old. He was her daughter's dog. Once her daughter moved to Colorado, she and her husband took over ownership.

"On his good days, he was hilarious. His favorite song was, "Happy Birthday". He would sing along. He has so many vocalizations I thought he would just start talking one day."


After a  series of serious health issues, last month, they had to say farewell to Dandy. This is a tribute to Dandy  to the dogs who provide comfort and companionship.

Can you tell by his ears, he was frightened?
I know that there home is different without Dandy. 

Friendship Friday

"When the world is so
complicated, the simple
gift of friendship is within
all our our hands."
Maria Shriver

Monday Musings ... Words

Words

Looking down, I had to smile. Underneath my feet on the sidewalk, I see words written in chalk. Children had taken their chalk to concrete to deliver words of hope and encouragement. After days of self- quarantine, children in our neighborhood are finding creative ways to get outside and express themselves.

We often discover the power of words when we need them the most.  This is especially true in our current crisis. It is in these times, we embrace God’s Word, the power of prayer, and the source of strength in community.

Words from family and friends are important, the most significant words are from God.  Charles Spurgeon said it best; “One word from the Lord is like a piece of gold to a believer, who is like a jeweler, shaping and hammering out the promise for a number of weeks.”

Pet of the week, Kitty

Do you remember this previous pet of the week?

I love this picture! 

"Time spent with cats is never wasted."

Sigmund Freud

Petting pets can help relieve stress. 

Friendship Friday

"Wasn't friendship its own miracle, 

the finding of another person who made 

the entire lonely world seem somehow less lonely."

Hanya Yanagihara

Face Time, texts, and emails

 Social Distancing ...
As a result of social distancing in some ways our world has grown smaller... then deeper.
Many of my friends have taken seriously the advice to stay home. We are staying home. Yet, are friendships are growing deeper.

I was thinking about numbering the emails that have passed back and forth over the past four days.
Instead of counting the number of emails,  here is a short list:  spring cleaning, adopting a  puppy, making dolls for children who are waiting for surgery, eye surgeries, cleaning a sock drawer, grocery shopping at Trader Joes, Whole Food Shopping, airplane trips, wedding, grandchildren, mediation, dreams,  children, grandchildren, cooking, menus, jigsaw puzzles, movies, laughter,  news conferences, carry out, ... It is with intention that we stay connected.

"People crave comfort, people crave connection, people crave community."
Marianne Williamson

When this is over

When this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversation with neighbors
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
A taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself

When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and  may we stay
that way - better
for each other
because of the worst.

Laura Kelly Fanucci

An Irish Prayer

An Irish Prayer

May God give you ...

For every storm, a rainbow.

For every tear, a smile. 

For every care, a promise.

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends.

A faithful friend to share, 

For every sigh, a sweet song.

And an answer to each prayer.

PointofGrace.net 

Friendship Friday

Their friendship began as students at a local university. Today, nearly twenty years later, they remain dear friends. How do they maintain their friendship? I think, it is because they stay connected and share a common love of family and friends. 

Plus, they share an amazing sense of humor. It is a joy to see them together. 

"A friend is someone who understands your past, 

believes in your future, and 

accepts you just the way you are.

Unknown

Before

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you were born I consecrated you; "
Jeremiah 1:5 a (New King James Version) 

These words were spoken to Jeremiah the prophet. Yet they speak to all of us. God knew  each of us before we made our entrance into the world. 

Wishing my son the happiest of birthdays.

Monday Musings ... gratitude

"Gratitude and toxic positivity  are not the same thing. 

Gratitude captures the appreciation for the good that is right in front of us. 

It doesn't mask issues, stop us from setting boundaries, or having hard conversations. 

Toxic positivity is an overt focus on being positive as a means to avoid the hard things."

Tory Eletlo 

your works are wonderful ...

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's
womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that you full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when, I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in
the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body
all the days ordained for me were
written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts,
God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of
sand-
when I am awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139: 13 - 18

Today we are celebrating our daughter's birthday!