So, what are birthdays? Well, back to Webster, birth is described as 'act of bearing or coming into life, extraction'...........Ouch....... Well, from a womans point of view, I would have to agree to at least a part of this definition. (LOL). While the word birthday, in itself, is defined as the 'day on which a person is born or it's anniversary'. Broadening this definition, I truly believe, that the only real birthday we each experience is the day of our actual birth, every year thereafter, we celebrate 'the anniversary of our birth'. But, again, however what path we chose to follow, birthdays are always fun and for our family, the month of July is full of them! When our parents were alive, we celebrated a birth anniversary every week of the month and to celebrate them amass, we usually had a family picnic or family gathering during that month to celebrate. Starting with July l, my mothers anniversary, Dad celebrated on the 12th, my oldest sister on the 26th, and the baby of the family on the 3lst.

Interesting how family birthdays sometimes fall, as recently I have learned that a dear friends family members celebrate birthdays on the very same day that my family does. How unique!

But have to share with you, that this year, the 31st of July is a little bit more fun, at least for me, as I am being given the opportunity to 'ride' my baby sis for she is 'coming of age' on the 31st. Now all of you know the definition of coming of age these days, don't you??? It means being able to collect Social Security, except she tells me that new laws do not allow her to start this new adventure in life until ten months after her actual birth date. But, whatever, in the meantime, I am having fun just by teasing her a little since all the other siblings have long passed that anniversary, by sending her a little quote each day reminding her of this great upcoming event.

We all need patience to accept the truth, and the truth is, we are getting older, with each passing day, but I am hoping that some of the quotes sent this far, will brighten her day. Here are some of them, and maybe one or two that she WILL BE receiving yet: (l) Support BINGO, keeps grandma off the streets. (2) It ain't age, it's the dern mileage. (3) At my age, FLOWERS scare me. (4) That SNAP, CRACKLE, POP in the morning ain't your freaking Rice Krispies. (4) I'm not old, I'm chronologically gifted. (5) Retirement is the best medicine. (6) FLORIDA-God's waiting room. And, maybe it is best said by number 7, "GOODBY tension, HELLO pensioin". After all of these, I hope she is still speaking to me!!

But, life can be grand. Not always great, but it can be grand. Just a matter of how we approach it, by never letting yesterday live up too much of today or by going ahead and making mistakes for it at least proves that somebody stopped talking long enough to do something. By welcoming opportunities to allow more doors to be opened keeping in mind the fact that oft times opportunties look bigger going then coming in spite of all of our efforts.

OK, Sis, hope you aren't too mad at me by this time, I do love you and hopefully I will be able to share a portion of this eventful time in your life but I honestly cannot say that I 'wish I were your age' because I have been there, I have done that, however, I would like to interject the fact that this I have found to be true...'the nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow'!

Challenge of the week:

"Happiness is not the result of what we HAVE, but of what we ARE."

"Happy 65th, SIS".

Well, my challenge this week is going to involve an adventure that I personally embarked upon, about four years ago, that resulted in my finally meeting with a 'friend' that I made as a result of this new fang dangled apparatus we all call 'the computer'.

This is the story. As I said, about four years ago, sitting down to my computer, a morning ritual, one bright sunny morning....... tho I doubt that the Kansas sun was not quite as bright and warm as the Arizona sun from which the incoming message had originated....... I noticed a message that came from a person unfamiliar to the usual mailings I received. And, since each time I access this unusual contraption, I scan to see just what messages are actually the ones which I want to receive. Not necessary to tell those of you reading this about all the 'trash'.......and there are some mighty nasty messages that sometimes come across our screens if we are not careful.....Well, I noticed that this one in particular came from a person of my same profession seeking information. This was not unusual, but the questions that followed were unusual, for this new person, or client, however to be addressed, had accessed the website which I had functioning at the time, and was requesting information about which I had never before been inquired of. I am still not sure what exactly the purpose was for his choosing to check out this community, other then possibly the fact, that he had once called this part of Kansas 'home' and maybe he was a little homesick. I cannot answer that statement at this time. However, here is the unusual part of it all ..... you see, he accessed the website, as I said, scanned the Homes For Sale list in our area and as he was scanning the pictures, came upon a very interesting subject for in one of the pictures of a home, he saw, displayed in the reflection of the large picture window of this listing, a home across the street. Guess what that reflection was?!? Well, it was none other then a picture of the home in which he and his family had experienced many happy times during his early childhood. He was truly amazed. Question and inquiry was responded to, and friendship followed.

A 'computer' correspondence covered many subjects over the years, and the final cumulation came about just several days ago, when he was finally able to make a return trip back to his home town, invited his neighbors and a church friend, who by the way will soon be celebrating 103 years on this earth, and honored me also, by the invitation to join he and his 'old' friends for lunch! I was given the privilege of selecting the site for lunch, and when I mentioned home made french fries, the problem of where to eat was solved immediately.

On Thursday, at ll:30 it all happened. We met at the Log. We laughed, reminisced, phone calls were made to his parents so they could visit with those in attendance and we even all ended up playing what might be entitled 'Can You Top This', as our life stories extended, of course, to none other then our own families. Neat. And even neater, these two travelers were headed for a two week vacation with friends and family and which was to be topped by attending a Barbershop Convention. So, guess what? We enjoyed several renditions of harmony that comes about when the mouths of a human beings curve into O's, then they lean toward each other and beautiful notes are heard. Kora was delighted and listened with a raptured attention to those voices as they serenaded her with "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", one of my favorites. Such a fun filled several hours!

As I sat with the group, listening and sharing in the excitement of renewed friendships, hearing their voices as they shared memories, feeling the waves that bounced across the table from person to person, I couldn't help but marvel at what friends mean to all of us. Frankly, I sincerely feel that friends and angels go hand in hand! We all know angels exist, but sometimes since they don't all have wings, we just call them FRIENDS!

Friends, whether they be old friends or newly acquired friends, like families, are one of the most important aspects of our lives! A treasure, worthy of true enjoyment by all! So, if it be necessary, do surprise yourself and discover that joy, in each of your lives!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Remember this......FRIENDS are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly!

Now, if I had a tendancy to be overly superstitious, last Sunday would have been a challenge and I will share with you reasoning for this statement. You would have thought it was Friday the 13th instead of Sunday, for I was just a trifle frustrated. I was looking for a recipe. And I looked and I looked everywhere for just one particular one that I had in mind, for you see, I found a gallon of peaches which I had frozen about a year ago, in the back of my freezer when I had gotten all this energy to defrost it earlier in the week. They needed to be recycled. Decision to be made was, how and what to do with them. Then, this idea hit me, and I know why, for I thought of my father and his love of peaches. On the 12th day of this month, if my father were alive, he would have celebrated his 107th birthday. I knew what I would do with the peaches! I would make spiced peaches!

Probably if you were labeling this particular food item, you would undoubtedly say it was 'as scarce as a hen's tooth'. Where would you find spiced peaches, let alone a recipe to make them? So, the search began. First of all, I went thru the favorite book of my mothers recipes, but it was not to be found. So, then the process of going through my collection of cook books continued. Now, the shelves that hold my supply of cookbooks are certainly more then one, for I would rather read a cookbook then a novel on a cold, wintery, blustery winter day! I love to read cookbooks! Now, mom used to make spiced peaches, especially for my father. Not exactly my favorite food item, really considered it more of a delicacy, and then all of a sudden I remembered. At the Germans from Russia convention which I attended last month, I recall one of the 'old timers' *(ahem), saying that his mother used to make spiced peaches and he could not find them anymore. As we all know, sucess is often just one idea away, so why not check out the German-Russian cookbooks which I have. I found it. So, sucess of all sucesses, I made spiced peaches.

Isn't it amazing how our brains function? We don't remember days, we remember moments! I remember my father being pleased when mom would place the delicacy of a plate of spiced peaches on the table for the evening meal, when all the family was gathered together. Was not often, but when she did, he was pleased. As I think about it now, I am sure it is something he had as a child, way back in the 'old country'. He probably associated it with a happy time in his childhood, or something his mother made special for the family, or possibly was made for a special treat at a special event, whatever it was, it was never shared with us, so we just have to imagine what it might have been and why it was a pleasing food to his palate. There again, it takes a lifetime to forget someone, and deep down in my heart, I believe that dad had someone deep down in his heart that he did not want to forget!

Here is the recipe:

SPICED PEACHES

1/2 CUP SUGAR 2 CINNAMON STICKS
1/2 CUP WATER 6 PEACHES, PEELED
1/4 CUP VINEGAR AND HALVED
10 WHOLE CLOVES

In large saucepan, bring the first five ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer about 10 minutes. Add peaches, simmer until heated through, about another 10 minutes. Pour into a shallow baking dish, cover and chill overnight. If you want to use them as a dessert, garnish with sour cream and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the top. Yield: 6 servings.

Forget it is Friday the 13th! Just think of it as another day in history, a day that is a gift to you to enjoy and make the most of it!

CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK"

"A remedy for sadness is to recall a memory that makes you smile!"

Well, now if that be the case, tell me why, on Thursday morning, around noon, as I am driving in my car near the railroad tracks, all of a sudden, this thought comes to mind..........'Holy mackerol, it is Monday and I forgot to put out the trash and the trash truck will be there at one o'clock'. Then, as quick as that thought came to mind, another entered the area which said, 'oh, face reality, it is Thursday, yesterday was the 4th of July!'. Of course. But are you like me and when holidays occur (which they seldom due any more) in the middle of the week, I have to take time to recalculate my whole time clock into thinking about which day of the week it is?????............Now, if you tell me that is age, I won't agree!!! Reasoning. Well, I hear lots of people a lot younger then I am saying the same thing. But, that is ok. At least it keeps our life from being boring and makes the brain cells work overtime, which is good for all of us.

Yes, another 4th of July has come and gone. History takes us back to 1776, on July 4th, when representatives of the British colonies adopted an eloquent statement which formed the reasons for declaring their independence from Great Britian. Though much quieter in those days, it still formed a basis for celebration, and celebrate we do on that special day. It is a birthday celebration after all. And what do we normally do on our birthdays? We celebrate! So, on that day, we celebrate by appreciating and commemorating our independence and freedoms.

FREEDOM....Think of the many lives that have been sacrificied to preserve our freedoms. And, it is not ended. We must continue to set good examples for our younger generations as good examples have far more value than good advice anytime. We can marry the mate of our choice, we are not sold into marraige. We can have one, two or however many children we feel we can afford, not limited to one child. We can attend the church of our choice without fear, we are not harassed or lose our lives because we chose to worship God in a public place. We can buy any car our budget will allow, American produced or that 'foreign job' which someone described my faithful Toyota as one day. If our pocketbooks will stand the strain, we can buy a hundred thousand dollar home OR we can buy a cute little two bedroom charmer. We live in a land of opportunities and thus we are blessed! Yes, we can explore and enjoy at least four beautiful freedoms each and every day of our lives. FREEDOM of speech. FREEDOM of worship. FREEDOM from fear. FREEDOM of want.

And so, what 'rattles your cage' on the 4th of July? Amazing how each and every person or family celebrates. Possibly with a family gathering, a picnic, homemade ice cream, or maybe a trip back home to see mom or dad or grandma or grandpa, or maybe just a day of resting and relaxing at home, possibly mowing the lawn, enjoying some time on the deck. BUT, when there are children involved, no need adding what else enters into the picture. FIREWORKS! And, each year, they get bigger and better. Communities come together. And, if you are like my generation, we prefer possibly a more calm entertainment to end the day by turning on the tube to the Boston Pops and enjoying the patriotic tunes, and watching the people as they wave their flags, stand at attention and sing their hearts out. This year, added to this event, was the Kansas City Symphony at the renovated Union Station in KC, so I found myself joining the throng that, with that little black box in hand, was switching from channel to channel trying to take in all the things that were happening at the same time. Oh, I know, I could have recorded it, but I wanted the thrill of seeing it, being a part of it, at the time it was happening, not later.

As I observed those people on the screens, the one word that seemed to keep popping into my mind was COURAGE! Think of our forefathers and what courage they had to have to endure and persevere through to come to this country and give US the freedoms we are enjoying today. Courage has to be contagious! Isn't it amazing that when a brave person takes a stand for an issue that is right and correct, the spines of others are stiffened! Courage is very important. We need to practice it in our daily routines. Maybe if we think of courage as being like a muscle and the fact that it is stiffened by use, it will be easier for us to face the uncertainties that we are sure to face in the future, for there is certainly nothing wrong to hope and pray for the best!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Help me to start each day with a new ATTITUDE and with plenty of GRATITUDE!"

Have a good 'un..........Nadene

As you may, or may not have noticed, I have been out of commission for a time. Found it necessary to 'go under the knife' a little over a month ago and been recuperating, which included a three week hospital stay, undergoing extended therapy in the rehab department of those facilities. Been quite an experience, but bear in mind, I am far, far from being the first person who has encountered this venture. As a matter of fact, it seems to be quite common, though, of course, it depends on each individual and their needs. Possibly my length of time for rehab was based on necessity due to the severity of the surgery, but as the ole saying goes............."I've come a long way, baby". I am happy to announce that I have progressed from a walker to a cane, and the cane only a necessity now when I leave my home, so hopefully that too can become a thing of the past in a short time. Through all of the days, and hours, and nights (ahem), there were times when I couldn't help but think.....'Wouldn't it be neat if whenever we messed up in our lives we could simply press CTL.....ALT.....DELETE.....and start all over again??'

But, when those negative thoughts began to gather in my brain cells, it was then that I would grab that most favorite Book of all times, and be thankful for everyone around me.

And there was plenty to be thankful for! For the physicians, the trained nurses, their expertise and patience and encouragement. For the son who took nearly a week out of his life, away from his family, and spent it caring for his mother. For the daily calls from the daughter many miles from here. For the cards, flowers, daily calls from a God child on the east coast. For the visits from a special nephew who shares his birthday with me, bringing his family each day to check on me as well. For other family members who visited, called and cared. For the surprise call from a favorite 'cuz' on the west coast or the visits from cousins visiting from Calfornia and Oregon. For all the friends who 'popped' in to see how I was progressing never minding that that gal sprawled out on the hospital bed probably looked like death warmed over a time or two that they visited. To the sweet little hospital attendant who listened to my tales of woe about how bad my hair looked and volunteered to 'help me fix my hair'...........going on to say that she enjoyed 'fixing little ole ladies hair'............and to my surprise when she said those words, I could not see any other person in the room at the time, so had to grasp the situation by the horn and let her do just that to this 'little ole lady' for I discovered that I was the only one in attendance so it had to be ME to which the reference was being made!!!! Sure made me feel a whole lot better to look in the mirrow and see a similar face smiling at me for a change after she gave me her undivided attention!

And last, but not least, to the sweet little sixteen year old granddaughter who has spent....to this writing..nearly 2 weeks staying with her ole granny, driving her to therapy, doing the housework and cooking and generally just being here when Granny needs help! What a blessing!

And the prayers! My congregation and friends and family all saw to that problem, helping me through all of this. As a matter of fact, while still pretty much bed fast, the staff kept giving me words of encouragement by telling me how well I was progressing considering the extent of the surgery, but then came the morning when the therapist said, 'you must have a strong prayer chain going for you because you certainly are healing fast'! Praise the Lord!

Albert Einstein was a very intelligent being and one of his famous sayings is..."Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". I thought of those words when one day, during a course of conversation with a close family member, I mentioned that I would be happy to be soon released from the facility as each day more and more patients were added, some close friends, and that I found it to be really depressing seeing the health deterioration of some and his words of comfort were..........'think of the nurses, the doctors and the caretakers'. Need I say more??

True friends are those who really know you but love you anyway and we must never forget that friendship begins at home because friendship with OURSELVES is all important because without it, we cannot be friends with anyone else in the world! It is true, FAMILY and FRIENDS are truly important!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"FAMILY and GOOD FRIENDS are like stars.....you don't always see them, but you know they are there".

Blessing to one and all, for your prayers, your concerns, your calls, your cards. So, so appreciated!

Have a good 'un....Nadene

How often have you sat in a mall waiting for family members, and watched passerby's? Isn't it interesting? I like to do that. Sometimes if I really get bored, especially in a mall, I play a little game with myself, like trying to guess what profession a particular passerby may have. Or watching a mother with children, how she treats them, and how she disciplines actions not pleasing to her at the time. I recall an incident that happened when our son was probably in the first or second grade, hopefully we were teaching him some proper etiquette, and one was to hold the door for others to let them pass through. Well, we happened to be in a larger nearby town, and as we were exiting the store, he was practicing what he had been taught, so he stood and held the door while people passed through. And they passed through, and they passed through. True some people did mind their manners and say 'Thank You' while others acted as though it was actually his duty to stand there and hold the door for them, ignoring him totally. Hubby watched the chain of events for awhile, and finally he went back to the door and relieved him of his official duty as 'door holder', then followed it up with an explanation of people and why they act like they do, whether positive or negative. But, when all of this was happening, I particularly found it to be sad. People ignored this cute little curly haired boy holding the door open for them. I would think that my son must have felt pretty 'neat' being given the honor, the priviledge of helping others. He was doing this thing for the right reason. He was not asking to be told 'Thank you', true, but you should have seen his little face light up when someone was kind and told him they appreciated his help, accompanied also by the sad expression of disappointment for those who acted as though he was not even in existance.

Now, wouldn't it be fantastic if we could be more loving and caring every day, letting our actions speak louder then our words? Can't we take the time to hold each moment as special?

You know, and I know, in certain cases, it is that 'age thing'.........you know, when people are getting older. Each day passes and many are filled with notices in the paper, on the computer, via phone, of the loss of a friend, neighbor or acquaintenance. Did we call that friend when we thought about him/her the last time? Is the obit for her/him? Did we goof again by not doing what we thought about doing at the time? Sometimes we just need to step outside ourselves to see our own wonderful potential. Oh we all realize that you can't spend your whole life tring to make everyone else happy, 'tis true, but is it so very hard to try to be courteous to everyone you meet?......to help someone who needs help?.........to talk and visit with others in a soft caring voice?......give compliments and mean them?........to do a good deed and pass it on?........I have read somewhere that the most satisfying work a human being can do is helping others!!!! Hey, if that is the case, we just all need to get back to work!

Remember to act! Don't put if off. Act today! Tomorrow may be too late keeping in mind that 'he who serves others serves himself as well'.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Good Intentions", like food, spoil if not used! Put them to work!

Truly amazing the many truths held in those three little words!

I count my blessings often but this last week has been very, very indictative of the meaning of this weeks headlines for the weekly challenge......'Old Home Week'

If I started back just one week, it would involve a second cousins's 40th wedding anniversary. Held at the local VFW last Sunday afternoon proved utterly delightful! The hot temperature we were experienced outdoors was relieved as soon as we entered through the double doors of the VFW. Greeting relatives is always a delight and some of the immediate family traveled quite a distance to be with everyone for this special event! And we got to visit. Words, like the following, were heard repeatedly........ 'My goodness this is your granddaughter? What a pretty girl'..........'You are grandparents already'.......' I hear you got several good oilwells in the past several years......ahem'......'Have you had much moisture so far this spring?'......were just a few of the often repeated sentences I heard.

But, as I looked about us, there were many who were 'no longer in our midst', there only in thought and that brought a little sadness to our hearts, but realizing that life marches on regardless, we made the most of the moment. The running films of the wedding of the couple celebrating showed the wedding march at the dance held on the day they were married and as one watched the people as they passed by, on the screen, couldn't help but shed a tear or two remembering those that were in attendance on this day, in spirit only. Made us appreciate every little thing that we have, especially family, for life is too short and sometimes their amenities are too few. Have to make the best of the moment, but it was 'old home week' with those that were there. Hugs, laughter, some tears and lots of happy voices sharing the moment!

Then, though about a week earlier than normal, was our County Fair! And, yep, there is no better time in the world than to share 'old home week' during these festivities. Watching the proud 4-H young people compete is always a treat to me, repetition of the time with my children in years past. This year, a great-great niece, using her grandmothers recipe...............(belonging to my oldest sister, who by the way is celebrating her 87th birthday this very day) won the Grand Champion Ribbon in the sponge cake division using her great-granny's recipe. My sis was elated!

My granddaughter drove me right up to the door for the two nights performances which we attended on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, so we got to see the local talent perform. The Spike Jones Band.....ah, remember them????? About 5 young men from this community did an excellant performance, believe they took top in their division. Another night, had an Elvis impersonator. I personally liked his style better then the 'real' Elvis, but he was lacking one thing.....his costume failed to include a copy of those 'bell bottom trousers'. Had the rest, ....voice, sideburns, similiar actions and the looks for comparison.

But, as we sat there, between numbers on the program, people would walk by, wave, come over to where we were sitting, give us hugs, visit..............yeh, it was 'old home week', for sure! NEAT!

Coming home from bridge one day, my granddaughter informed me that one of my 'old classmates' had called, but he would call later. He did. He happened to be in town for an aunt's funeral. We enjoyed several visits during his stay here and he was able to meet with several other classmates as well during his stay here in his 'ole home town', but the sad part was when he told me that his trips back here would probably be very limited now that his aunt had passed away and ties would not be as close as they had been in the past. Another reminder of appreciating every single moment that we have!

I filled in at a local bridge club for a friend experiencing illness in her family, and was able to renew old acquaintenances there as well as meet a new person from a nearby community, adding further to the enjoyment of the lunch and afternoon of cards!

Recuperating from a total knee surgery, my recovery includes three days of therapy at our local hospital and I need to interject here, we have a wonderful, wonderful staff at this facility! And, they are busy, attributating to that factor!. I have only been assigned to do therapy in about half of the rooms set aside for this department, but that place simply buzzes from 7 in the morning until 5, and after hours, you see many of the therapists visiting patients, both long term, and short term on the two floors of the hospital. They are a neat crew!

Now, you talk about 'OLD HOME'!!! For the majority of us, we live our lives in a circle of friends, and it is quite evident here. Though my sessions last less then an hour and a half, every time I go, I amazed to see someone else there, someone I know. We, in spite of the pain that we sometimes have to endure....you know, 'no pain, no gain'...........have a ball visiting. Helps all of us. Some are in because they have difficulty walking, others injuries from baseball or car accidents or falls, many recovering from various joint surgeries. All ages.... Why, I have to admit, I saw several people that I had not seen in several years, so was a nice reunion. For many of us, a lot of changes have occured in recent years, and when I see all this happening, I realized that I am truly blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face..............not wrinkles..........remembering that so many have never laughed and many have died before their hair turned silver! And, you know something else, as you get older, you get more positive!!!! Thank goodness for that. Because, in feeling positive you care less about what other people think. You don't belittle yourself as much. Why??? Hey, you have earned the right to be wrong! Right?? Somewhere I read that if you haven't grown up by the age of 50, you don't have to! Blame me, I will take the responsibility for that statement!

Weddings, family reunions, funerals, special church events, county fairs, class reunions, anniversary specialities, baseball games seem to be abundant this time of the year, so take advantage of each and every event. Put your heart into it. Take out time from your busy schedule, be a part of the event! You will be glad later that you did.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Remember that close family ties and good friends are like stars...........you don't always see them but you know they are there!"

A very familiar story. Lots of meaning between each sentence also!

Well, all of this week, I have been thinking........it is finally time to get back on the bandwagon, and write a 'Challenge of the Week'. Several people have commented that I have been lax for these past several months, and even though I have been giving it some thought to do that, frankly, have not felt up to it...........but, when I did think about getting back into the groove............. the phrase, 'Ah, the Prodigal Returneth', kept popping into my mind. Why?? Am I really a prodigal?

Now webster defines 'Prodigal' as lavish, wasteful, a waster, a spendthrift.................and you know, I find myself having to think why I would compare what I have experienced these last weeks to a 'prodigal' except, perhaps, for the fact that one time, I heard my mother comment about a neighbor whose son had taken off for a large city, gone several months and returned home to a totally different lifestyle and at that time, she, in a joking way, said, 'ah the Prodigal returneth'.

Well, in a way I may be a 'little' prodigal. I have returned. I feel like somewhat of a human being once again. The pain is subsiding..... I am getting some of my strength back, do not have to take a nap at the drop of a hat...... I can run my own sweeper,..... I can drive my own car and not have to depend on others to take me hither and yonder. I can cook my own meals......and the list goes on and on. And, for all of this, I am thankful and happy! I am back among the living once again, going about the daily tasks, happy to do so!

But 'lavish'? Don't think so! 'Spendthrift'? again doubtful.......Oh, I am sure that I dipped pretty hard into the pockets of my insurance company as the fees charged are astronominical! Blows my mind at the cost of things, and the waste that goes along with it. Surgery is not cheap! Then again, my insurance premiums are certainly not cheap either! Even though I do not see myself as a demanding sort of person, I felt, this time around (experienced the same surgery just a year ago).......that the care lacked in various areas, and therefore, recovery is not as expedient as heretofore.................and heaven forbid, if the health care bill is passed that is before our Congress at this point in time, suffering is bound to increase........not only for the elderly, but for ALL! Pray that does not happen! Take action, when applicable!

Pill upon pill was evident. For pain, for this, for that.... but I like the little quirp I read which read.......... 'Among mans most effective medicines is a sympathetic ear'...................Of course that is true. Phone calls from family.... from friends ......physicians visit to talk through the aches and pains one is experiencing...... that friendly face that you see as you glanced up at the door of your hospital room, ....that beautiful bouquet of flowers with a balloun attached saying, 'Get Well Soon' which caught every little uneven flow of air in the room and bounced around for hours............or the beautiful peonies picked from your own garden by a neighbor and brought in for you to enjoy as you were not home to see them blooming............or the bouquet of fragrant roses a dear friend gleaned from her rose garden for your enjoyment..............the little vase of flowers from another congregation saying that the flowers had graced their altar at the Sunday services of that particular congregtion..........the dear friend who knows I just love her scrumptious baked sweet potatoes, bringing me several meals of those delicacies when my appetite was way out of control and absolutely nothing looked appetizing.........or the little bags of peppermints to calm the stomach a bit.............the cards, the letters and above and beyond, the prayers.......all of these, all of these, superceeded any pill that was brought in for my consumption by the health providers!!

Well, it is all over. Recovery is underway...........exercising will continue, which won't kill me, for sure.................can't run or dance yet, but hopefully that will return...........the scars will diminish and life will go on..........the Prodigal has returned!

Challenge of the Week:

"Nobody will believe in 'U' unless 'U' believe in yourself!"

This time of year is normal for most family vacations. School is just around the corner. Summer school has ended as well. County fairs in this area, the annual festival in Wilson is over, the farmers have their ground ready to plant the fall crops..........it is time to take a break, relax, and head for the relatives or other places of interest BEFORE school starts, before it is time to put in the crops, before the winter storms come.

We live in an action-orientated world, for sure! There always seems to be something to do and no time to rest! But rest is appropriate.............Rest is right. Our times of rest refresh us. We have good examples to follow. Our Lord rested on the seventh day after working and creating a world all week. What better example can we have then that!

This 'changing' world is not always the best, as i see it! There is little time to rest. As a matter of fact, I look around me and wonder if people know how to 'rest' anymore.

Things have changed so much in the last 20 to 30 years. I can't help but think back to how things were when I was growing up. Each day of the week seemed to have a schedule of events, but they all led up to Sunday.....and Sunday WAS A DAY OF REST!

Everyone had a job to do each week day, Saturday was a day of preparation for Sunday but Sunday morning, rest began.
Sunday school was a must, followed by church services. Maybe we had guests for lunch, maybe we went to some friends house as their guests, then the afternoon would be reading, playing, maybe a community baseball game in the summer months, winter months would be card games. If we stayed home, we read, some would take naps. We rested. A light lunch in the evening prefaced more peace and quiet. listened to some favorite radio programs, read, played more cards. Company would come for a visit. We might make a freezer of home made ice cream, a big treat! Mom would always have a cake or pie ready which she had baked on Saturday along with the other food prepared in preparation for Sunday. No work!

Vacations then were far and few between..........maybe an occasional trip to relatives in another state........possibly a trip to the mountains to get away from the heat of the summer. Of course then, travel was limited. No airplanes, few trains.

Memories of family gatherings still linger in our minds, much like the memories being made today when families travel to such far-away places as Europe, Austrailia, Alaska...........or cruises to various parts of the country. There life remains the same, just not as structured. This is all well and good so long as we remember that VACATION is an intermission.............VACATION is like a recess..............VACATION is to be a holiday from the normal activities of life.

It is absolutely fabulous to enlarge your world by enjoying others worlds................that is what life is all about!

Some jokester once wrote this little quirp..............."VACATION in the winter when there really is something to get away from".........which may be all true, but there again, it depends on where you go when you go on a vacation in the winter...............lucky, lucky, when it is Florida! Been there..........done that.........and it is GRRREAT!

Planning a vacation is a responsibility, not an option. Spending lots and lots of money does not make a 'vacation'............a vacation. Some of the most memorable times I recall our family having for vacations was simply joining other friends at the local river for a camp out over the weekend.......roughing it. Fishing, cooking over a fire, watching the floating stars in the sky. Listening to the sounds of the night as we spread blankets on the ground and on the floor of the station wagon for those ansy about the bugs, drifting off to sleep surrounded by the sound of running water and quiet sounds of the night........ or maybe to another state to visit some relatives and friends for several days, to reacquaint cousins with cousins, brothers with sisters, enjoying one anothers company, good food and lots of good conversation. When we did this, we did not have to send out post cards saying....................'having a wonderful time...wish I could afford it'. LOL

To me, vacation simply narrows itself down to this..........vacation is a time for a change.........a time to enjoy yourself, enjoy the company of those around you..........a time to relax..........a time to forget the normal routines you have during the rest of the year..........a time to make memories you can share for many years to come.......Vacation is a time to make a GOOD change because any change that does not bring about an improved change in your life is certainly something that should be reconsidered for future endeavors with you, your life, your family!

So, I leave you with this ......

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"TODAY" is the best time to find peace and rest............
Tomorrow may be too late!