Chapter 1, Page 31, Book 08

Once upon a time, a stately oak tree realized that its strength was beginning to wane. When the wind was strong, the once proud tree shook ominously and made suspicious creaking sounds. With great effort, the tree grew some fine new branches and began to feel secure once more. But when the next gale came, it felt some of its roots snapping and, had it not been for the support of a friendly neighboring sycamore tree, it would have fallen to the ground.
When the oak tree recovered from the shock, it turned to the sycamore and asked, "How is it that you were able to stand your ground but to help me also?"
The sycamore tree replied, "While you were busy growing new branches, I was strengthening my roots.

Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow


GOOD MORNING !

This morning bright and early I’m off to go to The Central Ohio Stroll for Epilepsy in honor of one of my Grand’babes’. I call her my Sweetheart and she is for sure. Getting a hug from her is one of the best things in my world.

This is a fund raiser that I try to do each year to raise money for them and also to educate people about what epilepsy is all about. Don’t think I’m brave and weathering the Northern Ohio winter weather because I won’t be, I’ll be inside an enclosed Mall area doing all my walking. This mall graciously lends their space each year for all of them and there are a lot of people involved. Until DS#1 and his family got involved in this I never knew how many people are affected and in so many different ways.

All but two of my Sons and their families will be there along with many in DDIL#1’s family. We stand united in the cause. We support each other in the good times and bad. Being there for each other when it counts, and sharing the joys and sorrows as they come.

My good friend and also one of my dulcimer buddies is riding along with me. She has no family of her own but has enjoyed being a part of ours for over 25 years now. It’s good I’ll have company because long drives are not my thing. More and more anything over an hour long is too much and I tend to get drousy and don’t want to fall asleep at the wheel for sure.

I’ll be taking pictures for you all to see tomorrow and also of our January Birthday celebration for all those that can make it too. We’ll go back to DS#1’s and do some celebrating. Hopefully I’ll be able to head home around 4:30 this evening as I want to make it home before it is completely dark outside.

It’ll be a busy day and one packed full of things to do. I know I’ll be one tired out Grand’ma’, but a happy one…

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

To us, family means putting

your arms around each other and being there.

Barbara Bush

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 1, Page 30, Book 09

Sometimes we are so busy we forget to count our blessings
For decades an old man had been stubborn and crabby. Nothing his wife, children or grand children did seem to make any difference. Nothing pleased him.
Then overnight he changed. Everyone wondered what had happened. One day one of his young grandsons’s decided to ask him.
The old man said—
All my life I’ve been striving to face incredible problems for the hope of a contented mind. I’ve decided to be contented with out it.
Never start counting your troubles until you’ve counted at least a 100 of your blessings. By that time you probably won’t think you have any troubles.
GOOD MORNING !
I was dreading the results of my car’s check up yesterday. Most every time I’ve had to take it to the service center, I’ve wound up putting out a small fortune for repairs. Occasionally I can get away with just an oil change or having the tires rotated, but that doesn’t happen often.
The good news is I didn’t even have to pay a cent this time. They said the noise I had was fixed by replacing the serpentine belt and since I’d had this belt replaced less than 6 months ago, they replaced it again for free. They also washed my car! So, yes, I’m counting my blessings for sure.
Now my mind is at ease, because I know the Silver Streak is once more working as she should and I can do my weekend traveling with no worry.
I just hope the doors of the car aren’t frozen shut when I go out to leave for work this morning. Sometimes car washes are not a good thing when it is freezing outside.
Did I or did I not just count my blessings???

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

All blessings are mixed blessings.

John Updike

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 1, Page 29, Book 09

A little boy is telling his Grandma how 'everything' is going wrong -- school, family problems, severe health problems, etc.. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does.

Here, have some cooking oil.

Yuck, says the boy.

How about a couple raw eggs?

Gross, Grandma!

Would you like some flour then?

Or maybe baking soda?

Grandma, those are all yucky!

To which Grandma replies:

Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.

But when they are put together in the right way,

they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way.

Many times we wonder why he would let us

go through such bad and difficult times.

But God knows that when

He puts these things all in His order,

they always work for good!

We just have to trust Him and, eventually,

they will all make something wonderful!

He sends you flowers every spring

and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen

Very wise words today from a Grandma


Good Morning !

I have come to think of my self as ‘old fashioned’. It seems in this fast paced world I move much too slowly.

I have always had a yearning to live a simple life, one from centuries past. But If you think about it women did all the baking, cooking, sewing, tending, and men built the homes, shelters, tended the animals, worked the ground.

I love the ideals of really living from the land and in communion with GOD and the Earth. But I know I’m not ever going to be able to tend a garden living where I do and with my challenging green thumb.

A lot of people say we should be getting rid of television. I really think tv is ok in it’s place, we just have to choose wisely what we watch.


I could start making clothes, household decorations. I do love to sew but you know the cost of material now a days makes what you sew just as costly as what you can buy on sale most of the time.

What we really need is to live a life of love, of purity, and of genuine compassion. To live from the heart. Are these old fashioned ideals? Maybe, but they sure are good ones.

Back to work for me today. I did enjoy my snow day yesterday. Today I get the Silver Streak (the name I gave my car) checked out to see what the terrible noise is. Hopefully it won’t cost too much.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY


In spite of the fact

We complain and lament,

And view this old world

With much discontent,

Deploring conditions

And grumbling because

There's so much injustice

And so many flaws.

It's a wonderful world,

And it's people like you

Who make it that way

By the things that they do.

For a warm, ready smile,

Or a kind, thoughtful deed,

Or a hand outstretched

In an hour of need

Can change our whole outlook

And make the world bright,

Where a minute before,

Just nothing seemed right.

It's a wonderful world

And it always will be,

If we keep our eyes open

And focused to see

The wonderful things

Man is capable of

When he opens his heart

To God and His love.

Helen Steiner Rice

‘On Ya’-ma

Instead of the usual standard of good and bad,

ask how beautiful something is

and whether it makes you happy.
Author Unknown

Chapter 1, Page 28, Book 09

When the snow is still blowing against the window-pane in

January and February and the wild winds are howling without,

what pleasure it is to plan for summer that is to be.
Celia Thaxter
GOOD MORNING !

I’m dreaming of my little place in the woods right now and how grand it will be when camping season begins and I can get my chair out in the sun and just relax and soak up some warmth.

There are lots of trees around so if it really gets too hot you can park yourself in the shade for awhile, but the sunshine is going to look a whole lot grander to me this year than it ever has before.

Today there is a WINTER storm warning in effect for our area.
I don’t know yet if I’ll even make it out the drive to work. I’ll just be taking it one snow shovel full at a time. There are people who love winter and I say they are blessed for sure.

Ohio is not the only state suffering from this particular storm so we are not alone in our misery for sure. The news is full of one disaster after another. Icy roads, downed power lines, and the list goes on.

On the bright side of things I also saw on the news that down in Australia it is 95 degrees.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

One must never lose time in vainly regretting the past or

in complaining against the changes which cause us discomfort,

for change is the essence of life.
Anatole France

‘On Ya’-ma
Happy are they who learn to bear

what they cannot change.
J.C.F. von Schiller


6:36 am I made the decision to stay home--sick day--sick of snow

Chapter 1, Page 27, Book 09

This is the beginning of a new day ...

I have been given me this day

To use as I will.
I can waste it ... or use it for good,

But what I do today is important

Because I am exchanging

A day of my life for it
When tomorrow comes,

This day will be gone forever,

Leaving in its place

Something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain ... and not loss;

Good ... and not evil;

Success ... and not failure;

In order that I shall not regret

The price that I have paid for it
I will try just for today,

For you never fail ...

Until you stop trying
Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !
I won’t bore you with the details but more snow is coming our way today. My car is also making a strange noise and I’m hoping that it is only the cold weather causing it. I’m trying with all my might to be cheerful and positive for sure.

When you think about it, the weather really does have a lot to do with the way we feel. I under go a complete transformation on a sunny day at the beach. One of my favorite sayings is to BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED. Right now I’m planted in over a foot of snow that just won’t go away. More just keeps coming.
We may not like where we are planted, but must make the best of every circumstance, for the good Lord in His all knowing wisdom must have a reason for putting us where we are today. To be content in every situation is not always the easiest thing to do
Today I’m going to strive to unfurl those petals and make the most of what I can, even in a not so good situation.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

You must bloom where you are planted

In the garden we call life,

And bring some special beauty to

Each corner where there's strife.

Perhaps you're but a dandelion,

Wishing you were a rose,

Yet in this place of growing things,

You're the one God chose.

It's up to you to finish what

The Good Lord has begun,

By growing just the way you should

And face the rising sun.

There's room for you, if you

but choose,In a glorious array

Of beauty from God's garden, that

He'll add to his bouquet.

Unknown

‘On Ya’-ma

Every flower that ever bloomed

Had to go through

A whole lot of dirt to get there!

Author Unknown

Chapter 1, Page 26, Book 09

IT WAS SO COLD THAT . . . . .
We had to stop eating with metal cutlery.

Some people walked around for days with spoons or forks stuck to their tongues!
Hitchhikers were holding up pictures of thumbs!
Roosters were rushing into Kentucky Fried Chicken and begging to use the pressure cooker!
When I dialed 911, a recorded message said to phone back in the Spring!
The optician was giving away free ice scrapers with every new pair of eyeglasses!
Kids were using a new excuse to stay up late: "But Mom, my pj's haven't thawed out yet!"
Pickpockets were sticking their hands in strangers pockets just to keep them warm!
The squirrels in the park were throwing themselves at an electric fence
Grandpa's teeth were chattering - in the glass!
The dogs were wearing cats instead of chasing them!
Starbucks was serving coffee on a stick!
Levi Strauss started manufacturing electric jeans!
The rats were bribing the alley cats for a snuggle!
We had to carry around hammers and chisels so we could get out of our parkas!
When the cows were milked, we got ice cream!

Milking the brown cows, we got chocolate ice cream!
Author Unknown
GOOD MORNING !
It will be another very cold week for us here in Northern Ohio. I’ve got my layers on for sure. There is the long johns , the tee shirt, the sweater, then I put on my coat, gloves scarf and boots. Oh and I forgot to mention the wool socks too. I must be getting more exercise than I think just carrying the weight of all those clothes around.
I have lots of clothing in my closet that seems never to get much use. The in-between clothing, the stuff that is not quite winter and too warm for summer. Those are the days we rarely see. It seems we go from being hot to being frozen.
I am not going to let this cold defeat me. I am positively thinking spring and I will persevere. That is a promise!
Thank the dear Lord for a furnace that works, a car that runs and has heat and for warm clothing.
I owe,
I owe,
It’s off to work I go…


THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,

Full of sorrow, trouble and woe

It's then I have to remember

That it's in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top

And never experienced pain,

I would never appreciate God's love

And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn

And my growth is very slow,

Sometimes I need the mountain tops,

But it's in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand

Why things happen as they do,

But I am very sure of one thing.

My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing

When I picture Christ on the cross

He went through the valley of death;

His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining

When I'm feeling so very low.

Just give me a gentle reminder

That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord

And use my life each day

To share your love with others

And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord

For this one thing I know

The mountain tops are glorious

But it's in the valleys I grow!
Author Unknown
‘On Ya’- ma

Chapter 1, Page 25, Book 09

It's spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it, you want - oh,
you don't quite know what it is you do want,
but it just fairly makes your heart ache,
you want it so!

Mark Twain

You can't see Canada across Lake Erie, but you know it's there. It's the same with spring. You have to have faith, especially in Cleveland.

Paul Fleischman

GOOD MORNING!

The temperature outside might still be in the teens, but winter is as good as over to my way of thinking. If I mention that spring is on the way, I'm met with incredulous looks and grunts of ridicule. Does anyone else feel it?

One of the signs that Spring is on the way is the lengthening of days. I noticed the other day that it was still daylight and it was past 6:00 in the evening. Another sign I’ve noticed is the sound of birds chirping

It is time to feed the birds, donate clothes, get back to exercising and walk, walk, walk (just as soon as the walkways clear). Time to start over

In spring mode, I reconsider my unfulfilled January goals and resolutions. It’s not too late to eat vegetables, save money, get up early and pray – to blossom with the springtime flowers. The fever springs me into action: I am committed to keep the unkept promises of the new year … now a mere one month old

Soon we’ll be waiting to see if the ground hog sees his shadow.
Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition.
The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.
I’ll be sure to report on his prediction when Feb. 2nd rolls around

My usual Sunday is a day for renewal and refreshment so I’ll be going off to church here a little later this morning to get my weekly dose. As always you all will be in my prayers.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

Proverb

‘On Ya’-ma

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.

Bern Williams

Chapter 1, Page 24, Book 09

BUMPER STICKERS . . .

Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

Sometimes I wake up grumpy; Other times I let him sleep.

It's as BAD as you think, and they ARE out to get you.

I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

It's lonely at the top, but you eat better.

Reality? That's where the pizza delivery guy comes from!

Warning: Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear.

3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.

Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Words do two major things: They provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.

Jim Rohn

GOOD MORNING !

I love bumper stickers. When you are on a long trip it is fun to see just how many you can find. They break the monotony and lighten up what is sometimes a stressful ride.

If I put a sticker on the back of my car it would have be to LIFE IS A GIFT. I do believe that God gave us that gift and that is why we are to live in the present enjoying each moment as it comes.

I’ve heard some say that if it’s a gift , then where can I go to exchange it. We can’t exchange the gift but we can choose how we live it for sure. Every day of my life I have choices about what I want to do. I can either enjoy the day or wallow in my misery. I choose to enjoy it and make the very most of it.

One sign I saw said: Enjoy the life of your time.
It is a thought-provoking way to say - Seize the day. Life is short. You only live once

If we get to overwhelmed by sadness or anger the time we could have had to spend loving and laughing is lost. We may end up complaining and feel bad about today. Don’t let it happen. Let’s count our blessings and see why we should love life today

Today we have our health, today we have someone to love , today we have a job, today we have the opportunity to begin anew.


THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Life is a gift we're given each and every day.

Dream about tomorrow, but live for today.

To live a little, you've got to love a whole lot.

Love turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Life's a journey always worth taking.

Take time to smell the roses...

and tulips... and daffodils...

and lilacs... and sunflowers...
Count blessings like children count stars.

The secret of a happy life i

sn't buried in a treasure chest...

it lies within your heart.

It's the little moments that make life big.
Don't wait. Make memories today.

Celebrate your life!
Author Unknown

‘On Ya’- ma

Human life is purely a matter of deciding what's important to you.
Anonymous

graphics by:

Chapter 1, Page 23, Book 08

One of our friends told about preparing to drive to a college in California to pick up her daughter at the close of school. She told how they had everything loaded in the car.

Expecting to hear something about praying for a safe trip, she then asked the children, "What do we do before we start a trip?"

Immediately a little girl piped up, "We go to the bathroom."

The family that prays together stays together.

religious motto taught by Father Patrick Peyton 1947


If the need for families that pray together and stay together was important in the late ’40s, it’s 10 times more important today

When people pray together and know each other’s prayer intentions, that creates the kind of trust where children would come to their parents when they need help rather than seek help elsewhere

Good Morning !

Last week I did an entry in this journal on the importance of dining together and what wonderful things can happen around the kitchen table. I was reminded by a dear friend that praying together as a family is equally if not more important.
Of course I now live alone but when we are together as a family we do pray together.

As little children learn their bed time prayers, they also need to know that prayers at other times are valuable too. Our family always prayed together before the evening meal. Any special requests from anyone in the family were always included in our prayers at that time too.

When we gather for one of our Family Feasts now, we still pray together before our meal too. There are many things we do like lighting candles, to remember special blessings and also to remember those not with us.

Mother Teresa was a woman of prayer. So was Mahatma Gandhi. They both taught that without prayer: personal, couple and family prayer, we are left to our own resources, which are meager. But when we plug in to God who is the powerhouse of prayer, we are enlightened, strengthened and equipped by the Holy Spirit to do works that would be impossible to people like us with limited intelligence, insight and creative ability

Prayer helps us to turn to God with child-like trust. It helps us to walk humbly with our God.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Never underestimate the power of prayer!

If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than

it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer.
Richard J. Foster

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 1, Page 22, Book 09

The sorrows will come, and the joys will come too.

Each has their place in filling life with richness and meaning.
Ralph Marston

Good Morning !
Life is full of joys and sorrows for sure. Some are bigger than others and better than others, but it’s important to know how to deal with them. Sorrow without Joy would make life unbearable. And likewise all Joy would take away from the pleasure we feel when we have it.
We are always concerned about how long a trial is going to last and wondering why we have to go through it. How long it takes is not significant; the inevitable result is the important thing

The world has a woeful shortage of joy and a surplus of fear, worry, discouragement and depression. Think of joy as a strong foundation that supports a variety of healthy emotions, including happiness.

To grow in joy, we must resist not only self-pity but also being self-centered and self-absorbed. For joy to flourish, we must focus on loving others and especially on loving God

Try to follow this formula:
Add to your life gratitude, humility, forgiveness, faith, hope, patience and love. Take away resentment, anger, fear, worry, materialism, greed, jealousy, complaining and pride.
The result?

Joy!

My prayer today:

May our lives be filled with the Joy that only You, Lord, can provide.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black and all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes both my joys and sorrows I stored. But though the gold became heavier each day The black was as light as before With curiosity, I opened the black I wanted to find out why And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole Which my sorrows had fallen out.
I showed the hole to God,and mused aloud, "I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile at me. "My child, they're all here with me."
I asked, "God, why give me the boxes, Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,The black is for you to let go.

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 1, Page 21, Book 09

Never miss an opportunity to make others happy,

even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !
There is not much of anything to share today. Things at my house and at work are pretty quiet. I seem to spend most of my time clearing snow and trying to keep warm. Family activities are at a minimum during the winter as the weather makes traveling impossible most of the time.
I’m not sure what today will bring, but I’ll always be willing to share a smile or a hug…if there is anyone around to share it with. We always want to try to be the best person we can be no matter what the day is like.
It is Wednesday – Over the Hump Day so that ought to count for something I guess. After today there will only be 2 more days til the weekend ! In the winter I love the weekends only because I get to stay inside and keep warm.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, "Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread that would be kindness. But if they put a little jam on it, that would be loving-kindness

‘On Ya’-ma