Tasty Tuesday Tip

There is a new drink available at Chick-fil-A. If summer was a taste, I think it might taste like this drink, Mango Passion Tea Lemonade.

This is my suggestion... try it unsweetened. 

Monday Musings ... cleaning

I gave up hiring someone to clean my home. It was pointless to clean before they cleaned. On most days, I enjoy cleaning.

I appreciate linen closets where sheets are folded neatly, towels that are organized, and things look tidy. I love a clean bathroom, sleek kitchen counters, and a freshly made bed. Simple pleasures.

It bothers me when my mirrors are dirty or there are streaks in windows.  It bothers me to see spots, smudges, dust, and clutter.  One source of irritation is the  ongoing process of cleaning. Cleaning never ends.

I recently read an article about the Zen of cleaning. While I don't understand all that Zen stuff... I know I love the smell of clean, the look of organization, and the simple beauty of clean. I enjoy the process of cleaning dirty counters, folding sheets when they fit nicely together, wiping dust away, and looking at a room once it is clean.

Cleaning and organizing is a process... I continue to learn... and practice.

My great grandmother was an expert at cleaning. Here is  of her favorite sayings ... the author is unknown.

"Everything in its place

and

A place for everything." 

Happy Birthday... Mother

"Behind all your

stories is always

your mother's story,

because hers is 

where yours begins."

Mitch Albom


Today is my mother's birthday.
She would have been 90 years old.

Thrifty Thursday

" I shop at thrift stores a lot. I have a lot of silver pitchers and I put my flowers in those. I collect antiques, so there are a lot of old rocking chairs. My friends call my home the vortex because nobody wants to leave."

Monica Potter

Instead of buying flowers at a local grocery store, I  decided to
go outside and cut some flowers from one of my flower beds.
See the silver rabbit? It was one of my finds at a thrift store.

Tasty Tuesday

"Food is our 

COMMON 

Ground

a 

Universal 

Experience"

James Beard

Monday Musings ... waiting

During this pandemic, does it appear  that  as a community we have experienced a collective pause button. Many of our normal activities have been cancelled, rescheduled or transformed to look differently.

While we wait for a vaccine for COVID-19 do we wear masks, practice social distancing, and increase hand washing? Or do we complain and grumble? Are you discovering new ways to stay connected ? Are you finding joy in the midst of this current  turmoil?

How do we wait in the midst of a crisis? Is is possible for one person make a difference when the problems seem insurmountable? Do we take the opportunity to become better informed? Do we wait for the crisis to end before we can experience any joy?

What lessons are available to us while we wait ...

"Stop waiting for Friday,
for summer,
for someone to
fall in love,
with you,
for life.  Happiness is achieved
when you
stop waiting for it
and make the most
of the moment
you are in now. "

Author unknown

As a father ...

"As a father has compassion on his children.
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him."
Psalm 103: 13

Pet of the week ... Bowie

There is something sweet about having a pet in your home.  Pets add so much joy to our lives. People who live alone enjoy the companionship.

During this time of social distancing and quarantine, I think this is an excellent time to adopt a pet.  You have more time to train your puppy.

This week's pet is Bowie.  Special thanks to Erin for sharing pictures!

Juneteenth

Freedom

As most high school students learn,  President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.  Many of students are not aware that it was not until two years later, the news finally reached  Galveston, Texas.  At that time, 250,000 individuals in Texas were still enslaved.

Juneteenth celebrations have long been recognized in Texas. Slowly, celebrations have been expanded across the nation. This year marks the 155 celebration of Juneteenth.

This flag is the symbolic representation of the end of slavery. Created by Ben Haith in 1997. Haith is the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. In 2000, the flag was revised to include the date, June 19, 1865.

The star... represents Texas, the Lone Start State.
The colors ... red, white, and blue represent the American Flag. This is a reminder that the slaves and their descendants were and are Americans.

Today, there is a nationwide effort to make Juneteenth a  national holiday. What do you think?

Monday Musings ... Reconciliation

"If there is to be reconciliation,

first there must be 

truth."

Timothy B. Tyson

... justice for his chosen ones

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary."

For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me I will see she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me."

And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says, And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18: 1 - 8 (NIV)

Friendship Friday

"What draws people

to be friends

is that they see 

the same truth.

They share it. "

C.S. Lewis

Source:  "The Four Loves" (1960) 

Thrifty Thursday

"The habit of savings is itself an education; it foster every virtue, teaches self denial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind."

T.T. Munger

I agree with T. T. Munger. It might be worthwhile to research and see if shopping at consignment stores might save you  some coins.  I have friends  (Jenny and Gail) who tell me which is the best Goodwill store in our community.
😀

Do you shop at thrift stores? What is your favorite thrift or consignment store?  Have you ever shopped at thrift store only to find  a hidden treasure within your purchase?

I am perplexed to understand why people would put thousands of dollars in their sofa for safe keeping. Yet ... some people have done just that... put cash in their couch.

What is the mission of the Salvation Army?
"Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human
needs in His name without discrimination."

My Daddy's favorite charity was the Salvation Army.
They serve the needs of people.
They offer food, shelter and clothing for those most in need.
When disaster strikes, you will often find the Salvation Army providing help. 

Walking with my Fitbit

On March 14, 2020, I received my Fitbit. Each day since then, I wear my watch to track my daily steps.

Each week, I receive a weekly report that informs me of my progress.
On June 1, 2020, I received this notification. While, I have not been to London, I think this is a cool way to illustrate my miles walked.

How do you keep track of your exercise efforts? Whatever you do... Keep Moving!

Turn up the music

What is your current playlist?  I think I need of day of music.  Maybe tomorrow I will begin my day with a song. All day long, I plan to have songs fill my heart and space.

"I think music itself is healing. It's an explosive  expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music,"
Billy Joel

Monday Musings ... healing racial hostility

"Ephesians 2: 15 -16 is clear: 
Jesus does not intend to reconcile us to God in pieces, in shards, and splinters. No. He intends to reconcile us to God as a whole, and new unified humanity made whole in him. Healing racial hostility is a gospel issue."

Abraham Cho

... hear my cry for help

"Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness,
with you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, LORD detest.
But I, by your great love
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.

Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies
make your way straight before me,
not a word of  from their mouth can be trusted..
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongue they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name rejoice in you.
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5: 1 - 12 (NIV)

Friendship Friday

"We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey,

especially the goodness of people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don't overlook it. "

unknown source

Thrifty Thursday ...

Investments ...

"An investment in knowledge 

pays the best interest."

Benjamin Franklin 

#blackouttuesday

Tasty Tuesday

"Non-violence is a permanent attitude
we bring to the breakfast table and bring to bed at night."
Coretta Scott King

Monday Musing... science

What is the science behind mobs and mob mentality?  Have you struggled to understand the violence that is happening across the nation and now the world? In order to make sense of what is happening, does science offer any insight? 

Mina Cikara a Harvard professor and Jenkins a researcher at the University of California are the authors of a study on Mob Mentality.  In this very brief quote, they share insight worth reading. 

“Being part of a group changes how people think and behave. Training with a team, for example, can drive athletes to push their physical limits.

But crowds can also be dangerous, in part because they promote a so-called mob mentality. When acting with others, individuals often feel more anonymous and less responsible for their actions, including acts of aggression. Sometimes they may even commit wrongdoing knowingly to seek the approval of those around them.  In our research, we found evidence suggesting that being swept up in the excitement of a crowd can make people lose touch with their personal moral code – and in turn, more likely violate it.”*

As I read their words, I think about people who are not violating a personal code.

What happens if an individual does not have a moral compass?  I wonder, what happens when groups have an agenda other than social change. What is going on if their agenda if something more sinister?

As a child growing up in the sixties, I witnessed tv images of peaceful demonstrations by thousands of people from all over the country during Civil Rights movement. Those peaceful demonstrations were interrupted by water hoses, spraying of tear gas, and dogs sent to attack people.  The demonstrators were peaceful.

How did that happen? In the basements of African American churches civil rights leaders organized and instructed demonstrators on the way of peaceful nonviolent resistance.  The training was intentional.  Even... after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist church a black church... and killing four girls and injuring others... the movement largely remained nonviolent.

Today’s violent demonstrations after the death of George Lloyd have overshadowed the peaceful demonstrations. It is my hope and prayer that the God will give wisdom, direct leaders, calm storms, bring peace, comfort to those who mourn, and that the hearts of people will be turned to God. 

* A portion of their study was published in Time, January 28, 2016, The Science of Mob Aggression