Play on Words

Some time ago, I noticed a renovated, attractive business that was put in on a corner we passed every day on the way to town.  I commented that I was glad they replaced the tire shop that had been there. An  artistic  sign was put up, with a collection of images of varied sizes and shapes of bottles. It even said, "The Bottle Shop."

 Being something of a collector of bottles,  I remarked, "I would like to go look at their bottles,"  Then it dawned on me that it was a liquor store!

I recalled a dim memory of a story in an elementary reader about a bottle shop where a man created bottles by heat and a blowing device. My eight-year-old imagination was captivated by the colorful pictures and graceful shapes of the bottles. I think that is where my fascination for bottles began.

A friend likes a chicken recipe for coq au vin, and she surreptitiously visits a liquor store for this ingredient, hoping no one will see her and get the wrong idea. But now grocery stores sell liquor anyway. 

My husband has been wanting a waffle iron, and he bought one yesterday since my old one needed to be replaced.  We couldn't wait to use it this morning and looked forward to breakfast. We figured out the instructions and soon had some lovely waffles on our plates. Then I remembered we had no syrup! I searched the cupboards and found a couple of empty bottles with barely a smidgen in the bottom. We made do, and enjoyed the crispy treats. Now I will have to go to the store for a new bottle. Not that kind!

Tex-Sons!

Hooray! Getting to go to Texas next week to see family. Our son,  Benjamin, teaches school and will  be on Spring Break, so he has made arrangements for us to come for a visit! We will also see our oldest son,  Mark, and possibly Trevor, who also lives in Texas.

I  was a little concerned last night that it might not happen, when I got worried about persistent discomfort in my upper back between shoulders. Even went to the E.R., but found it was just muscle spasms! Praise God! I guess I'm pretty healthy for my age!

I admit a cloud of doom hung over me when I thought I might not be able to take the trip.  Thankfully, our heart felt prayers were answered!

Philippians 4: 6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We were supposed to go to a Bible study at the home of friends last evening, but I sent a text that I wasn't feeling well and was getting checked out at the E.R.  Imagine my surprise when three of them showed up at the hospital room after their meeting! Not only were they glad to hear my good report, (one eyed the display screen on the wall and pointed out my perfect blood pressure and pulse) one kneeling, they prayed for me beside my bed!

I think I will get to see those blue-bonnets yet!

Pantry Panic!

I bought a bag of lemons the other day, thinking of making my favorite pie--lemon meringue. (I do believe lemon is my favorite of all flavors!) The beautiful yellow orbs lingered in their bowl, and I almost forgot about the pie. At long last, I remembered to buy refrigerated pie crusts.  Then it hit me! I didn't have a recipe, and I didn't trust my memory for exact directions. All my cookbooks have been in storage since our move months ago.

I mentioned my plans to my daughter in Tennessee, and she recalled, "Oh, I remember how you taught Bethany (my grand) to make lemon meringue pies one summer!" True, I did, and we made lots of them, because a Mississippi neighbor had gifted me with a bushel basket full of lemons! Not just run-of-the-mill lemons, but lemons the size of grapefruit!

That didn't mean I didn't need directions now! Searching the internet, I was only successful in finding glowing promotions of sites one could join, great pics of pies, but no recipes! Complaining to my husband about it, I showed him the phone view of my dilemma. Surprise! A recipe came up for "Grandma's Lemon Pie." That would work, and so would I!

I wrote down all the ingredients, and was studying the process, when everything disappeared. I did the best I could, but the screen would not cooperate!  Plunging in, I got out the four eggs it called for, separated the whites for the meringue, and reviewed my list of ingredients. I mixed them up, probably not in the right order and cooked the filling  to the right consistency.

The meringue was perfect, and I was ready to pile it on, when I realized the crust needed to be  baked! Turning up the oven,  I trusted it was done, although a little pale. Nevertheless, the topping browned nicely when all was assembled, and I must say, it was the BEST lemon meringue pie I have ever tasted! Thank you from one grandmother (Mimi) to another! It was no lemon!

Burning the Candle at Both Ends!

Well, not really, only at one end! We had bought ear candles at the recommendation of our daughter. "Shannon can hear again!" she had said of her husband, on whom she used the candles to remove built-up wax in his ears. We found the "candles" in the ear section of Walmart's health care area, and after watching a tutorial of the process, we finally undertook the experiment.

The tutorial showed the "patient" lying on a table with  his head turned to one side, while his assistant gathered the supplies: a bowl of water, a lighter, and a foil pan in which she made a hole for the candle. Then carefully placing the candle in his ear, she lit the "candle," which was made of a special paper.

The candle was trimmed at inch intervals, when the burnt portion would fall into the water. The pan protected the subject's face. Soon she deemed it time to remove the rest of the candle, peel back the paper at the inserted end, and voila! A yucky deposit of ear wax was on display.

Well, our experience wasn't an exact replica. Howard lay on the sofa, so the pan on his head was unlevel, the burnt inch couldn't fall into the bowl of  water due to the give and take of the sofa cushion, and the burning candle fell into the foil pan, narrowly averting my husband's hair.

After figuring out how to peel back the paper of the candle, we did manage to see a little wax. Then it was my turn. I rested my head on the table, and although it was a little scary with my spouse holding a lit candle in my ear, I survived. I even heard the crackling  noise of melting wax! He removed the candle and everything got louder! I could hear better! No wonder, with the amount of residue that fell out!

Tomorrow we're going to get two more candles for our other ears! It should be a cinch now that we are professionals!

Kaden

He is walking! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a video of our youngest great-grandson taking his first steps! He recently became a one-year-old and has become quite proficient in crawling up and down stairs, running in his walker, and whirling on the Roomba floor vacuum.

Suddenly it seemed I was seeing a little boy, instead of a baby! Confidently, he manfully took five  steps, to my gleeful amazement.  I'm sure he will even be running by the time I get to see him again, living far away as I do.

He likes books, and I was able to get him a couple of sturdy baby books at Christmas time when we visited there. Then for his birthday, we sent him a cute little book with the title and story line of "Kiss Me!" He may be too interested in walking for anything else for a while.

The Bible is full of verses on walking. Ephesians 5:1 says, "Therefore be imitators of  God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." I think of how sweet-smelling he is fresh from a bath, and walking in love from his family.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight,"  2 Corinthians 5:7. A baby may not realize it, but when he starts to walk, it has to be by faith. He plunges on, determined, though he may fall, but as the Bible says, He will not be utterly cast down!

My daughter says her first grandchild likes to go to the grocery store. He is entertained by getting out of the house and riding in the shopping cart, especially when he gets a free cookie from the bakery department to munch on. He may not be walking, but to him, this is quite a ride!

Good Neighbor

"Look, Howard," I gasped in awe at the sight of  a huge, yellow, brilliantly bright moon  hovering over the horizon. On the way home from church, we had just entered the highway to the country when this spectacular surprise came into view. How gorgeous to see it hanging there in the blackness of the night sky!

Staring at it, I thought of how I viewed the moon as a little girl. I never called the shadowy design of the surface  the " Man in the Moon." I could only see a lady brushing her hair, hair that floated aloft in its wavy beauty. I remember lying on the  grass on our rocky hilltop and marveling at it even then.

Genesis 1:14 tells us, And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons, and days, and years. (15) Let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth." And it was so.

(16) God made two great lights: the greater light to  rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also."

As a child, I was told not to look at the sun, or you would go blind. (If you tell a child not to do something, it may be the first thing they will do.) I looked at the sun, and felt blind for a few seconds, but thankfully, no  longer than that! 

Another foolish memory from childhood was how we would whirl around to get dizzy, then lie on the ground to feel the world rock! Dizziness is the worst thing I can think of now!

Many romantic songs have been written about the moon. Sweethearts love to dream and fantasize looking at this great marvel of God. It seems to inspire hopes, desires and even memories. Men have even gone to the moon, sending back to earth the realization of God as our Creator!

The Color Purple

Texas may have its blue bonnets, but here in Oklahoma we are having a colorful display of purple blanketing roadsides, fields and lawns. The spreading masses are really a nettle, and are called henbit nettle. When mowing season comes, they will disappear, but for now we can appreciate the splash of color complementing the newly-green grass emerging from the dead thatch of winter.

Soon we may see purple in a drape that appears on crosses at churches, which brings to mind the purple robe put on Jesus when he was being scourged and mocked before his crucifixion.

John 19:1, Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. They said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they hit Him with their hands.

 Purple is the color of royalty. Some say that His tormentors put a scarlet robe on Jesus. The color purple is the combination of blue and red mixed together.

Another harbinger of Spring is the bed of pansies that often border houses, even in cold  weather. They come in colors of yellow, red, purple and white, to name a few.  In the song, "April Showers," there is a line that says, "It isn't raining rain you know, it's raining vio-lets." Violet is a color similar to purple. I once had a basket of violas, miniature versions of pansies, and often purple in color.

I have seen so many accounts lately of people who have died, gone to Heaven, and come back to earth. Invariably, they tell of the beauty and depth of color in grass and flowers, unlike any color on  earth! That will be an eternal Spring for all who have put their trust in the King!

Spring Fever!

What a beautiful day to be outside! After the cold, bleak days of late, it felt so good to be in the sunshine today! Many other people felt that way, I could tell, as Walmart was quite busy.  In fact, we met friends going in the door, and going out the door!

Kids and little tykes were everywhere! I couldn't keep my eyes off the little ones when we stopped at MacDonald's.  They were so cute bundled in their wraps, a little over-sized but clumsily charming heading out the door with a harried mom.

Son  Trevor told me on the phone last night that the day after March 15 marks the beginning  of warm weather.  Here's hoping! Grandson Reid, who travels with singer Jason Crabb and entourage, was in the Asheville, NC area a few days ago and related how beautiful it is over there.

They were performing at The Cove, a Billy Graham chapel and retreat center, where many television episodes of the Gaither program were held. Reid was  excited to tell of meeting Will Graham, son of Franklin Graham  and the late Billy Graham's grandson, who also portrayed his grandfather in the movie, Unbroken.  (At Reid's next appointment, a new acquaintance was the governor of Mississippi!)

Our whole motive for going to Walmart was to buy a basketball! Son Greg had related a story to my husband about an older gentleman he met whose health and physique had declined, but after purchasing a basketball and bouncing it 1,000 times a day, he became strong and healthy again!  I'm waiting to hear the ball bounce!

Heartthoughts: Country Gentleman

Since our dog, Jack, has become a little adventurous, like getting in the road or roaming too close to the horses in the neighboring pasture, we decided to get some kind of control collar. Of course, he has a collar with his tag on it, and as menacing as it looks with silver brads, it does nothing to interfere with his meandering.

So we visited the pet department of a farm supply store and was shown a collar called a pet trainer. It featured a shock button that would stop the dog if he got past a 100 yard boundary.  We bought it, but unfortunately, we found that we would have to monitor Jack and push the button ourselves! We had thought it would be done automatically!

Now we are considering a step-up  product featuring underground fence posts and wires that would send the warning electronically. That all depends on if we return the original set!

Meanwhile, Howard's attention is diverted by a shipment of 29 baby chicks that require care. Before our son, Greg, left for several weeks on a work assignment, he readied the cage, ordered the chicks, and bought chick feed. Since two of the babies have died, we wonder if they should be eating their medicated feed!

Not sure if they were getting enough water, since the water dispenser we had on hand was leaky, my concerned spouse purchased a new watering device yesterday. So far, we have lost no other chicks, so maybe it was the water issue.

It is a beautiful, sunshiny day here, with puffy, white clouds floating over head, evoking thoughts of a picnic.  But with the 60  mph winds blowing, life in the country is no picnic!

Penny Wise

We had closed an account recently, and the next month we got a statement that we had an unpaid balance of one cent! Do we mail them a penny?  Or write a check for 1 cent? Well, today Howard decided to pay it locally, so we headed to the store. On the way, I looked at the statement we had brought, and it looked as if they owed US a penny! Which I really think they did, for the amount was enclosed in parenthesis on the statement. Anyway, they accepted his penny, so all is well.

I got to thinking about the poor widow in the Bible who gave her last bit to the temple offering. Mark 12:41 tells us, "And Jesus sat over against the treasury,  and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

(42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make it a farthing. (43) And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast  more in,  than all they which have cast into the treasury:

(44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of  her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

A farthing is a quarter of a penny as in an old English coin. Jesus mentions "farthing" in Matthew 10:29 when he says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father."

There are many sayings about this small coin, such as, "A penny saved is a penny earned." Or "A penny for your thoughts."

I read of a woman who always picked up a stray penny. When asked why she did that, she said, "Because it  has God's name on it." And it does  have the words, "In God We Trust" engraved on the copper coin!

Well, it didn't take our last penny to pay the account, but we paid it to the last penny!

Heartthoughts: Encounters

People can be so kind! Today in Walmart, a man smiled and  thoughtfully  stepped aside, letting my husband go first through the inner door with his handicap cart. After selecting the items we needed, Howard remembered he  wanted to buy hash browns, which he loves for breakfast.

The store had recently re-arranged things, and I wasn't sure where they were.  Then I saw a young woman without a shopping cart sweep into the frozen food aisle, grab something  and turn to go.

"Do you work here?" I asked, to which she shook her head,  then said, "What are you looking for? I know where things are and can help you find it."

"Hash browns," I said.

She rushed to the end of the aisle, pointed them out and said, "They were there where you were looking, but they've been moved down here!"

I thanked her, then thought about her kind gesture. Usually, shoppers are intent on their own mission, eyes averted and non-communicative. I find myself doing the same thing, not being naturally extroverted, contrary to my sociable husband.

My retired preacher spouse loves to hand out scripture cards with uplifting, encouraging verses, especially to those with whom he does business, even for the smallest purchase. "Read it, don't throw it away," he admonishes. They usually look at it, smile, and thank him, promising to read it. He often gets feed back that it helped them and they have kept the card.

Not long ago, we had parked next to a vehicle when an older man rode up in his handicap cart. Seeing my husband's cane, he offered the cart to him, getting appreciation from Howard, which led to a long conversation, Turns out he was a retired doctor, a Christian, and very friendly. They had the best talk (while I waited, standing on  one foot, then the other).

The doctor told of an incident with a patient on the operating table that he had no idea how to keep alive. In his despair he prayed.  He said then it seemed God took over and everything fell into place.

Shaking hands as we left,  Howard gave him a scripture card, which he promised to read. Most people are good people!

Psalm 68:6

I was feeling particularly lonely and blue the other day and really feeling sorry for myself, living so far away from most of my scattered family. Even though we get to see our six children's families  periodically, distance is always a factor.

Several years ago, most of us lived in relative proximity to each other, then Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast where we were pastors of a church. Our church was badly damaged, but over the next couple of years it was restored,  thankfully by many wonderful volunteers from all over the country. By this time, hurricane fatigue had set in and we passed the church on to another pastor.

Meanwhile, our daughter Amy's family moved from our Mississippi area to Georgia, her husband's former home, and daughter Julie's family re-located to Tennessee. Hurricane Rita had recently hit Louisiana where our son Greg's family lived. They moved to Oklahoma, where we eventually joined them.  Our three other sons live scattered in Texas.

Anyway, I think God heard  me and took my lamenting as a wordless prayer, for a few hours later, I got a phone call! It was my grandson, Reid, whom I never hear from in his busy life as a young adult. "Mimi," he said, "I'm going to be in Tulsa next week with Jason Crabb's tour, if you want to come and see me."

Would I! It was music (no pun intended) to  my ears! I hadn't seen this grandson in nearly a year, since our 60th Anniversary celebration! My heart felt so light with the expectation! I thanked God for this  blessing and  opportunity! We had a wonderful evening and so enjoyed being with this kid grown into a mature young man, so handsome, personable and thoughtful to his Mimi and Pa Pa!

The concert was amazing as well!

Fourth Snow of the Season!

Woke up to snow this morning!  Predictions were given for snow showers a few days ago, but nothing was forecast since! I questioned whether we could even make it to church, since the roads had not been sanded this far from town.  (I learned later that many churches would not be open today.)

Besides that, my spouse had parked both vehicles near the house, and I wasn't at all certain he could get them up the steep terrain to the driveway. He was successful with our smaller car, but the Honda van could not make it up the slope.

Anyway, we did make it to our house of worship by cautiously creeping along until we saw some sand trucks doing their job, and traveling became easier. We were only a few minutes late for our Berean Sunday School class, which we thoroughly enjoy. Then Pastor preached a wonderful, illustrated message to the congregation, small though it may have been.

The wind was bitter cold when we scrambled from the car to have lunch at our favorite restaurant, and even worse when we came out!  Thankfully, at least the roads were clear this time, and we were so glad to get back inside the warm house!

So much for Global Warming! Evidently we are in a weather pattern originating in deep, ocean currents, which we can do nothing about. Scriptures in the Bible tell of God's creation of which He is in charge:

"Oh Lord my God , You are very great: You are clothed with  honor and majesty, Who cover yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire." Psalm 104:2-4.

Alexa has just informed us that snow showers are predicted for tonight.  We will see what God decides!

T-U-L-S-A, Straight Ahead:

Lights! Camera! Action!  Well, not quite, but that's the way it seemed last night as we attended a Jason Crabb concert! We had been forewarned that the music might be a little loud, but we weren't prepared for the sweeping, colored lights that bathed the arena of thousands!

We had come to the concert at the invitation of our grandson, Reid, who is part of Jason's team. Since Reid lives in Nashville, we took the rare opportunity of getting to see him, as well as looking forward to hearing this nationally-acclaimed, Dove Award and Grammy Award winning Christian artist.

Turns out there was a Christian Women's Convention there, scheduled to end at 9:00 p.m. Jason's concert would close their meeting. This gave us time to enjoy a wonderful dinner only 9 minutes away from this imposing, 11,000 plus-seat, multi-purpose arena, The Mabee Center, on the campus of Oral Roberts University.

Reid met us at the entrance and soon settled us in our seats where we would be comfortable some  distance from the platform.  The music became quite loud as beams of light swept over the crowd in the elevated rows of seats, adding to the heart-pounding rhythm of the drummer and guitarists' beat. People stood and applauded all around us, but I was still trying to make out the lyrics!

Soon the music became more mellow, as it was toned down  when Jason did more worshipful songs.  Across the auditorium the crowd rose with hands lifted in praise, especially when the singer shared personal testimonies and experiences of his family.

At the close of the concert, our thoughtful host, Reid, took us to meet the star of the show. Swarms of fans stood in line to have  CDs autographed by Jason. Not to worry, Reid put us at the head of the line to have his boss turn around  so he could introduce his Mimi and Pa Pa and cousin Adam, who had driven us to the event.

We left with souvenir t-shirts, hats, and a complimentary CD, and memories of a wonderful night, even though we didn't get to bed until past 1:00 a.m. !



























































































































more mellow as Jason segued into familiar songs interspersed with friendly, down home patter about faith and family, closing with a spirit-lifting message and worshipful praise music.

As the concert closed, masses of people formed into a long line to have CDs  or books autographed by Jason Crabb. Reid took us to the front of the line, where Jason would turn to meet us as Reid introduced his Mimi and Pa Pa, as well as our grandson, Adam, who  had chaffeured us to the event.

We rode home in a warm glow of memories of a great evening, even if we didn't get to bed until past 1:00 a.m.!