Monday Musings ... Tuesday edition

"Don't wait for the Knight in Shining Armor. His armor is shiny because he has never been to war.  Instead look for the knight with torn and tattered  armor. He is the one who knows how to fight and is sure to be the one who can keep you safe from harm. "

Instead of waiting for the knight in shiny armor. Be prepared to fight your battles.  Remember to suit up with the correct gear. 

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength if his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ...

Ephesians 6:10 -11

Friendship Friday

 "Find a group of people who 

challenge and inspire you;

spend a lot of time with them, and it 

will change your life."

Amy Poehler

Here is my  friend who  makes me smile, laugh, think deeply, live with abundant love for God and His people. 

Walking 2022 Activity stats

 My walking year in review from Fitbit 2022

• Top Exercise Walk 
• Best Active Zone Day 418 minutes May 30 
• Best Step Month October
• Best Step day November 2 ... 12,404
• Average Daily Active Zone Minutes  124
• Total Steps 2, 624,950

"Walking is man's best medicine."

Hippocrates

Looking back, I am thanking God for every step I was able to walk in my home, in the  neighborhood, at the parks, at the beach, in the desert ... After struggling with knee pain, I hope I never take walking for granted.  

Tasty Tuesday

 "Love is in the air,

air, and it smells 

life coffee."

One of my favorite childhood memories is  remembering the fragrance of coffee each morning. My father would brew coffee for my mother. Of course, he would pour himself a cup. The smell of coffee reminds me  of family, preparing for work and getting ready for school. Coffee reminds me of loving parents. 

While I don't drink coffee, I enjoy a tea latte. 

Monday Musings ...

 

Pete ... pet of the week

 "Every dog 

must have

his day, 

Jonathan Swift

Peter is this week pet. Sweet, 

Friendship Friday ...

 I think Bell Hooks said it perfectly, " For most people, what is so painful about reading is that you read something  and you don't have anybody to share it with. In part what the book club opens up is that people can read a book and then have someone else to talk about it with. Then they see that a book can lead to the pleasure of conversation, that the solitary act of reading can actually be a part  of the path to communion and community."

Over the years, we discussed books in restaurants, in family rooms, gardens, and even a weekend get-away at Shaker Village. 

Book Club gathering usually include food, whether it is eating a meal at the Trustee Table at the Shaker Village or enjoying appetizers and wine before book discussions. Our friendships have deepen over the years.  

  

What are you fighting about...

 What makes you so angry enough that you  want to fight?  How do you determine what is worth fighting about. When someone disregards your feelings do you want to argue?  

It is tragic that some people will fight over  any number of things. Here are just a few things that individuals make disagree over ... movies, books, clothes, music, basketball games, football games, politics, shoes, traditions, and so goes the list. 

This morning, I listened to a short devotion... it focused on "Fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

After hearing the devotion and reading the scriptures, I decided my most recent fight was really pretty petty. 

Seriously, some thing are simply not worth fighting over. 

Tasty Tuesday Donuts!

"Do people love donuts?"

"According to the data. 96 percent of Americans like donuts. To be more precise, 56 percent say that they absolutely love donuts, 40 percent like them and only 3 percent of Americans claim to dislike them (who are those people?)"

Last year, we  visited Duck Donuts in South Carolina.  The donut menu is pretty amazing.  Cheers to donuts and coffee. Cheers to donuts and milk. 💜

Monday Musings ... nonviolence

 "Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it, it is a sword that heals."

Martin Luther King King, Jr. 

lovingkindness

 "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness 

in the morning,

For in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way 

in which I should walk,

For I lift up

my soul to You.

Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)

Elliot ... Pet of the week

Elliot is this week's pet. 

Friendly, handsome, and quiet

"Your house will always be blessed with love, laughter, and friendship if you have a cat."

Author, Lewis Carroll 

 

Friendship Friday

My friend has a wonderful way to display her handbags.  What I like the most about her handbags ... the colors, organization, and variety.  There is nothing wrong with having materials possessions as long they do not possess you. 

Thrifty Thursday

Growing up I was oblivious to the cost of my clothing. I was fortunate to have parents who were wonderful providers. I do remember going shopping for school clothing.  Funny I don't remember  shopping for play clothes. 

 Today, it is fascinating to look at some old clothing ads. 

Looking at this ads gives me so much to wonder about... What was the average salary of middle income families? This ad must have been for a discount store. 

I am certain that every article of clothing was most likely made in the USA. 

We can ...

This is a list of We can statements are from a local middle school. I think this list is a good one for everyone. What do you think?

We can be helpers

We can be kind

We can be scholars

We can be creative

We can be friends

We can be dreamers

We can be giving

We can be inventors

We can be Anything! 

Tasty Tuesday ... Clio

What happens when you combine Greek Yogurt and Chocolate? 

Clio has created a great Greek Yogurt Bar.

This bar has the  smooth consistency of a 3 Musketeers Bar.

It boasts eight delicious  grams of protein

You will find Clio is the yogurt section of your grocery store. 

 

Monday Musings ... courtesy

 According to Alexa, courtesy is defined as an adjective as excellence of manners or social conduct or polite behavior. 

 

What is the most important social courtesy to teach a child?

According to John Rosemond, “My answer to that great question: To not interrupt adult conversations. In learning to not interrupt, a child learns patience which is to say, impulse control. It also strengthens the social boundary that should exist between the child and adults; hence, the children respect for adults.  In other words, being taught not to interrupt adult conversations, including phone conversations benefits that child as much or more than it benefits adults. “

John Rosemond, family psychologist, American columnist, public speaker

 

In the vernacular of African American community, “Don’t interrupt grown folk’s conversations.”

So prepare your minds

 "So prepare your minds for action and exercise self- control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in all you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."

I Peter 13 - 17 (New Living Translation) 

Memories of Christmas

While Christmas is now over, the smell of Christmas trees brings back sweet memories to me.  Families are bringing their trees to a local park where they will be used for mulch. 

Friendship Friday

"There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. The magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you live for others, they will live for you."

Pararmahansa Yogonanada 

What brings this group together each week? Mah Jongg

During Covid, our games stopped. We connected via Zoom just to stay connected. 

This picture was taken during one of our Groovy Movie discussions. Do you meet weekly with friends? Now the weekly games have resumed. 

Thursday Fun

 

IKEA

My IKEA clock is where I display some of my Nativity scenes. "IKEA is where you will find affordable, furnitures deals, stylish home furnishings, fresh design inspirational and delicious Swedish meatballs."

Where do I store my nativity scenes? I carefully wrap each individual item in each scene. Then, I store them in a hat box and place in my closet. On Friday, the Christmas season officially ends with the Epiphany. 

Tasty Tuesday

 

Monday Musings...

What are  some of the most popular  New Year's resolutions? Here are some popular resolutions. Losing weight, exercising more, eat healthier, saving more money, spending less, .  

What about naming your year by selecting one word.? What do you think of this idea? Here are some words that may help you think on deciding a word of your own: Reflection, dedication, love, surrender, compassion, faith,  

Need some help to select a word of the year? Google, Word of the Year for 2023. You will discover so many possibilities. 

Naming your name for the year may help you focus your intentions. What do you think about selecting one scripture that will help you as enter this year. 

Any light bulb ideas? 💡 

Welcome 2023 ...

 Welcome 2023. It is a brand new year, a fresh start, new beginnings, restart, reboot, refresh,  and time to recalibrate and focus fully on God. 

Last night, I went to sleep in 2022 and woke up in 2023! Grateful for another year. 

This clock was part of the decoration for the celebration event for a Rev. MRG and wife and  as they were preparing to Shepard a church in Michigan.

Make the most of every moment we have in 2023.  Happy New Year.