One of the fondest memories I have of my daughter is her zest for beautiful and outstanding 'sunsets'. We are blessed with living on the edge of town, with a view of the west totally unblocked, due to wheat fields and the prairies of Kansas, so she acquired hundreds of pictures of sunsets. She would be outside, playing or visiting with a friend and the front door would open and in she would rush, head to her bedroom and emerge with her camera, 'ah, another pretty sunset'.

Probably the reason for the title this week was the result of spending a little extra time with a friend this week who has been having a few health problems and she brought up the subject, 'goodness, it is nearly the end of March already, where does TIME go?'

Well, where does time go? How do we spend the precious time that we have on this earth? Do we spend it wisely? Do we wish we had more time to just sit back and watch the world go by? Is TIME like a rainbow, first you see it and then all of a sudden it begins to dimish and in no time at all, it is gone? Where did IT, the rainbow, go? And, yes, just where does time go?

It has been said, that to leave footsteps on the sands of time, you have to be on your toes! And, how often, oh how often have you heard the words, "Take ONE day at a time!". Easier said then done.

You know, if we live long enough we have a lot of 'first days' along the journey of life. First day of school. First day after graduation. First day after a relationship begins or ends. The first day on a job, the last day of a job. The first day in your very own home. The first day after your first child is born. The first day after a parent, or a child, or a spouse has died.

So, tell me, what do I have to do to get everything finished that I think I need to do? How can I ever begin to get all those things I have stored away in the hands of friends and loved ones that I think should be able to enjoy them as I have? How can I find the time to plant those beautiful flowers I saw in another yard recently and be able to enjoy them here at my home as well? Where can I find the time to travel to other places to visit with friends, with relatives that I have not seen for some time?

My mother always used to say that when time flew by so fast, it was a sign you were having fun! Mom always had a zest for life! She tried to make the most of what she had, that I remember. And you know, living to the ripe ole age of 93, I remember her saying to me one time, when her body was wearing out, she was hurting, having trouble recollecting memories, "Nadene, when I die and go to heaven, I am going to tell God that the one thing in my life that He could have done better was to give me more TIME when I was young and could enjoy my family more, instead of all the time that I have sitting here in my chair in the nursing home and not being able to do anything anymore". My heart ached for her as she shared those words with me! But, you know, the older I get, the more empathy I have with those words of wisdom which she spoke to me that day. ....... Knowing Mom, I bet she has already had that conversation with God!

This new time change has probably created a few of the thoughts that have been more prevelant in our minds as well. Even the computers are puzzled by another of mans interventions. Will we ever learn to let well enough alone?

Guess I will have to just let time fly back fast. I can't stop it! I don't have the answer to where time goes. Does anyone? I am of the firm belief that years teach more then days ever do, so basically, we just have to go with the flow!

So, my challenge for this week is:

""Between each day and setting sun.....
Set aside some time for fun!"

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape
my mind.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he/she is,and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first or the last time!".

Example........Sis remembered the library in school. ' Not much bigger then a closet', she said, and she was correct. It probably measured 5 feet via 9 or 10 feet, with a library table down the middle with tiny chairs to sit on while you were reading. The small window at the end of the room provided the reading light. The second input provided some humor to the situation when she wrote that not only could you give directions to everybodys house in town, even without street names, but if push came to shove, you could even tell when they went to bed, who came to visit with them and whether they went to church on Sunday or not. Thanks for the input.

So, what else went on in a small town??? One thing, in particular, I will always remember, AND, be grateful for. That was '4-H'. Yes, learn the 4-H's. Head, Heart, Hands, Health. The pledge went something like this. "I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to great loyalty, My hands to larger service and My Health to better living for my club, my community and the whole world".

It was in the mid 40's, and the Fairview Scouts 4-H club was formed. Carl Karst (lost in the View Nam war) was President, Eddie Lee Funk was Vice-President, Doris Haun was Treasurer and I was Secretary. We were given some of the best lessons in the world by our dedicated leaders in the field of Parliamentary Proceedure. And, just last week, I read in our local paper a report of a local 4-H club and noted that they reported who made the motion, the body of the motion, who seconded the motion and the fact that the motion carried. It is truly amazing, in this day and age how many people lack the knowledge of making a proper motion. My life was doted with official responsibilities and time after time, the Rules of Parliamentary Proceedure that I learned in the days of my 4-H days returned and guided and directed me through some difficult situations in that field.

But, it was not all Parliamentary Proceedures, at the meetings we were assigned topics to give lessons for the next meeting. We had projects and, the town kids, had to take projects different then the kids who lived in the country, of course. We were delegated to cooking, pet care and such while the country kids had a wider range, including livestock. But, at each meeting, we learned about their projects, they learned about ours. Today, Girl and Boy Scouts have joined this organization in a form to give our youth a balance.

I know that it happens more often then not when siblings enter a new grade of school and the teacher will comment, "Oh, you are Jane, I had your sister Sue in school two years ago"and then horror of horrors, she has the audicity of calling you by your older siblings name one day in front of the whole class! But, to top that off, have you ever had it happen that the teacher said, "Why Jane, I had your father in my class". Where did that leave you? ?

And now, an early challenge. Can you name everyone you graduated with??? If asked that question, my response would probably be, "Which class?" Oh, I know, and I will be the first to admit, the ole memory bag looses more and more of its air each day, but I can proudly say, given enough time of course, I think I could still name those I graduated with from eighth grade (easy, only 4), and may take a little longer for the two HS classes, but, yes, I think I can do it? And, sitting here thinking, I am blessed knowing that the living majority of the members could be rightly identified. Of course, I am certainly at an advantage at this writing as we just had our class reunion this fall. Do I have to tell you how many years??? But, all joking aside, it is great to look up at my bulletin board beside my chair here at the computer, look at the familiar faces, enjoy the memories shared with them during my school days and following, the fun we had at the last reunion while, at the same time, being saddened by the loss of two members in just the short time since our class met as a whole. I cannot help but think that the measure of life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation, and that we cherish long after the loss of someone.

A small town tradition that I believe is universal is that you consider the town next to you, especially in the competitive world, as 'snooty', or 'uppety', but if the truth were known, it is actually just like your own town. I recall one incident involved a basketball game with a very competitive neighboring town, and someone, during the game, went to the girls bathroom, stuffed the stools with paper, and stuck them someway so they kept running. Soon, the water was coming down the hall! What a disaster. The people were not only surprised but apalled to think this could have happened. Well, the whole gym turned into an uproar and before we knew what was happening, the cheerleaders were doing a chant which went something like this............"I would rather be a rain drop, a rain drop and die, then a drip from ..................and named the town". It happened only once! Our principal saw to that. The next morning............ special school meeting in the gym. He was a very special man, knowing how to handle those situations, and tho the incident was probably never forgotten, it was dismissed as we were assured of an apology!
This was about as unforgiveable as dating someone from a neighboring town or was it really 'cool' !!!

Snipe hunting. That was done. Never did find any snipes though. But had lots of fun hunting for them even though you got the car about as filthy and dusty as possible driving over all those dirt and sandy roads in the country. And better yet, if you had a truck, and those pipes you had just gotten didn't have the dust blown out of them yet, this was the time to do it!!!

But dragging Main was the best! What better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday evening, especially if you didn't have a date. Guys in one car, gals in the other. Up and down Main, soon the guys were following the girls, (in my days that is the way it happened) and before you knew it, maybe one of the gals or guys changed cars, and rode with the others. Or, better yet, the evenings ride ended at the Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone and you all gathered in a couple of booths. Often wondered what the manager thought when he saw a couple cars of teenagers drive into the parking lot. Was it $$$ signs in his eyes, or was he thinking, "Oh no, and I was just thinking of closing up and going home". Gas was probably about less then 50 cents a gallon then! Dragging main was not only a passtime, it was a sport and many a couple became man and wife as a result of that passtime!

The fun part of going to the grocery store was not having to worry about always carrying money with you because you made your purchases, they were totaled on a big silver plated cash register, no electricity involved, and then you said 'charge it please'. Some of the guys admitted to trying to buy cigaretts but you can image how sucessful that was when the store clerks knew you, knew how old you were and if you dared to even try to buy a pack, your folks were sure to know within a matter of hours what you tried to do. A 'no-no' in a small town! Big brother might be your best friend in the world at a time like that. So, consider the fact that big brother did buy them for you, just where could you smoke them? In the barn? Go the country and drive on back roads while you had a puff?

Yes, I admit to living in a 'small town' back then, but another one of the inputs I received after last weeks writing was, ' and you still do live in a small town', and yes, I guess I have to admit to that, though considering the comparision I can do to the size of 'yesteryear' to 'today', oh well..................whatever, it all narrows down to this fact that you can take the girl out of the small town but you can't take the small town out of the girl.

Challenge of the Week:

"Never regret anything that makes YOU smile!".

So what sparked my choice of this subject for this weeks challenge?

Well, several things for that matter. Take a look at the calendar. Watch your mailbox, look at the 1099's coming in. April 15th is just around the corner. It is not only the day that several of my very special friends celebrate their birthdays, but it is also the deadline for filing your State and Federal taxes. As a matter of fact, I just handed my info to my tax accountant this past week. WHEW!!!! Got that out of the way for another year. After New Years and all the resolutions I make each year to do my bookwork faithfully, every month, every entry, precise, immediately, I have a tendancy, probably of human nature, to fall by the wayside with all of my other fellow humans and wait until the last minute and then hurry and scurry to get everything ready for the accountants review. Human nature. Always there to haunt us!

Life is hard enough. "Going it alone" makes it even more difficult then it has to be at times. We need other people in our lives to console, encourage and challenge us. Our pain is cut in half when we SHARE it, our joys are double.

This brings to mind an event that happened this past week here in our own little ole home town. A town meeting was publicized for Tuesday by our City Council for the people, the constitutents in the wards which each council member represents, to express their opinions on a new project that has been proposed to them via a gentlemen, who I have been told originates from the state of Illinois. The proposal involves the building of 20 or more homes, priced at sale price of $300,000.00 with the city being asked to grant a tax abatement allowing for a 10-year tax abatement on each home, involving a tax abatement of possibly $70,000 per home, based on the current basis of estimated taxes of $7,000.00 per house, yearly. This could vary, of course, but budgets and basis for taxation have to be determined and any and all figures must be examined and studied. Well, the meeting was well attended. Additional chairs had to be set up within the meeting room. People were sitting in the hallways. It was, as you might say, a true representation of the city, of its members and their thoughts on this issue. The people who are now paying real estate taxes presented, and rightly so as they are paying the bill, a true picture of their feelings stressing the fact that they are certainly for 'progress', but with each person sharing in the burdens of taxation, as the paragraph above states.....'Our pain is cut in half when we share it, our joys are double'.

I, myself and believe many others felt the same way, came away from the meeting proud of our city and the people who live in it and call it home. It was presented in a professional manner and the townspeople left the meeting, placing their trust in the council that their actions in the future would reflect a positive flow that would benefit all. Only time will tell.

I have to reflect back to an incident I observed with, and, about my father. I was probably but a teenager at the time, but I happened to be in the presence of my father and a good friend of his who was carrying on something fierce about having to pay taxes. The other man farmed just south of town and was not a happy camper. He carried on and on about 'why HE should have to pay those taxes for all the other people'. I watched my father retain his composure until the breaking point and then he said something like this...' (calling him by his given name)...he said........"now just why do you think that you are better then anybody else and do not have to pay your share of the taxes? You have the money, you can afford them. You should be happy that you are blessed that you can pay them. Now, think. You get lots of things back from paying your taxes. Think about when you called the Sheriff when someone stole that bull. You drive on blacktop roads and you bring your kids to town to school. You go to the hospital when you are sick. Somebody has to pay for all those things. You and I both have to pay. We use them all and if we all pay our share, it will be easier for all of us". As I sat and listened to them that day, I did not realize it then, but I was given my first lesson in taxation. 'Share and share alike' and all will be happier for the situation. So true.

Many other things can be said for taxes because, being the humans that we are, we want WHAT we want WHEN we want it. Not then, but now. If we could just remember that good examples have more value then good advice. As I see the situation, I have been blessed to be able to pay my taxes in this city and county for over 60 years and I pray I have passed this legend to my children. ......" you have to pay your way, and if you do, it will be easier for everyone".

Shall I put that subject in the box with 'daylight savings'? Again, check out the calendar. Sunday is the day! 'Spring ahead, Fall back'. Will probably take me at least a couple weeks for my body to adjust to the new time, but I will give it a try as I seem not to be able to find anybody who can give me a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time in the first place. Can you? Just remember to change those clocks or you may find yourself being at the right place at the wrong time, especially Sunday morning.

Death! Well, I am not as well versed on the subject as possibly I should be but again the calendar tells me that in just a couple of weeks will be Holy Week. Maunday Thursday, Good Friday followed by those glorious Easter services when we are reminded of what our Saviour did for us. We are told over and over again that we begin to die the minute we are born, that being of human nature.

All the marvels of geriatric medicine cannot forestall the effects of time. Our sensisitivy grows dull. Legs and arms aren't steady. Our teeth all out. Our eyes require stronger and stronger glasses. So at what ages do these events occur? Well, as you all know, it varies with each individual but if you consult the book of Colossians, it offers some good advice. "Devote yourselves to prayer....Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders...Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone".

Those verses are pretty reassuring that we can follow those instructions even tho our teeth are falling out, we have poor eyes, our hands are trembling. Again, a blessing that we are never too old to serve God and our fellowmen. Wonderful, wonderful way to approach the season ahead. The rest I will put in your hands, Pastor Dennis!

Challenge of the Week:

"There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience".

Have a good 'un. Nadene

There are times in all our lives when change is basically 'under construction'. Times of great change, times of contemplating a move and then having to settle back into reality, times of grief and heartache, times of joy and anticipation.

My e-mail has been bombarded recently with a headline which says "Easter is early this year", and that it is.

Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, (which, by the way is March 20). The Hebrew people used to identify Passover, based on the lunar calendar, therefore it moves around on our Roman calendar, so there is a possibility that Easter could actually be one day earlier, on March 22, instead of March 23, which is the date on which we celebrate Easter this year.

What I found interesting in this article was the fact that this is the earliest Easter any of US will ever see for the rest of our lives! Someone 95 years or older would be the only one having seen it this early before and it went on to say that none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Comforting fact?

One thing we will not have to put on our worry list is seeing it any earlier as it will occur in the year 2228 (220 years from now). Now, my father, if he were still living, would probably remember it as being this early before, as it occured in 1913, and being born in the year 1900, he would have been 13 years old. The last time it was on March 22 was in 1818. AND... the next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 or 277 years from now!.

And so, it all narrows down to this one fact...............'no one alive today has or ever will see it any earlier than this year'.

So, are you up to the challenge of enjoying Easter this year anyway??? Hey, you know why I love to do these challenges? Each and every challenge that each of us do, in our own lives, help us build strength and character!!!

Imagine how many moms are taking their daughters to the stores to pick out an Easter outfit? Sweater or a short sleeved shirt? Skirt or pair of warm slacks? Black shoes or is it time to break out the white ones? And, so, how about Mom herself? The solution to this years Easter being so early might be the fact that instead of ONE Easter outfit, you are going to have to buy TWO, depending how warm or how cold it will be that early Easter morning. AH??!!???

It has been told that pine trees know when it is Easter. How? We are challenged to watch the tops of the pine tree about two weeks before Easter (even a little earlier then this writing) when little yellow shoots will begin to sprout and then branch off and form a cross so that when Easter Sunday arrives we should be able to see these little crosses on top of the pine trees.

I wish I was blessed with a pine tree to watch this unfolding.

So what about the changes in our own individual lives? Look at the changes that we have experienced during our lifetime already. For instance, the beautiful big bathrooms, some with sunken tubs or jacuzzi's, we enjoy today, compared to the Saturday night bath routine in the big old tin tub, sitting in the kitchen, near the heating stove for warmth, OR listening to songs like "When the Red, Red Robbin Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin' Along" OR "Over There" instead of the songs of today where they seem to have two lines of lyrics and sing it over and over and over for a good (which seems like anyway) an hour or longer, OR the days of penny postcards compared to the spiraling cost of postage today caused by the spiraling costs of all the other things which we use and enjoy, OR the days of being able to use a Big Chief tablet for almost anything that needed to be recorded and posted whereas now it involves the purchase of a thousand dollar (or more) computer OR the ten cost for a loaf of bread instead of one nearing three dollars today, and MILK, oh well, enough is enough. Think you all get the drift. Think what basically I am trying to say is.....""don't miss the magic of this moment by focusing on whats to come"". Changes and more changes, for sure.

Need to insert here a note of appreciation for the response to my 'Death and Taxes' challenge last week. It was a challenge. It did make us think. The suggestions and comments you offered were marvelous. I know you are reading!!! It did, however, open the door to just one further comment in this area and that being, it is my firm belief that no one, or few if any, are against change or progress and growth so long as we follow the ways of Him who taught us that we were put on this earth to help all and not just a few. That, in itself, is one of the greatest CHALLENGES that we have to face if we are to follow in His footsteps.

So, enjoy Holy Week and keep this challenge in mind as you do:

CHALLENGE:

"Each change and challenge we face, day in and day out, helps us build strength and character."

Thus far, have tried to take a part in every event in my own special way this year, but today dawned very different for the minute I opened my front door to let my four-legged companion out to greet the new day as well, I had to say.......................'The Easter Bunny has been here'..................He had been, for adorning every little hiding place in my front yard ....and the back yard produced the same results...........was a brightly colored egg, carefully tucked under, beside, sometimes in full view of every nook and cranny. What a memory maker.

I really should not have been that surprised for late yesterday afternoon, my door bell rang and there stood neighbor Suzy with her four-legged companion Lizzy Jo, beaming from ear to ear. She had several reasons for this visit to her next door neighbor. First and foremost, she had called earlier to ask for prayers for daughter-in-law in labor, followed several hours later with news that she was now the proud grandmother of her second grandson, Alex Raymond Krug. However, in her hand she bore a bright blue card, which when read, said 'You Are Invited to an Easter Egg Hunt', stated todays date for the event, to be held on Buffalo Acre (??) and followed by BYOB. No, it was not the usual BYOB, it was further described as 'Bring Your Own Basket'. She is continuing a tradition of this neighborhood, started years and years ago when our children were small, mine followed by hers................continuing the tradition that selfless caring is what friendship is all about! And, like always it was great. This year, she had probably a dozen children attend, had big hats for those brave enough to don one for the event, carrying their baskets and having a ball. I heard one of them barely able to contain her excitement as she revealed 'I found the golden egg', "I FOUND THE GOLDEN EGG"..............Even tho it was very necessary to wear coats, thank goodness mittens were not a necessity. What fun! The joy on those childrens faces was a wonderful sight to behold and I was thankful that though my grandchildren were not able to attend....and neither were Suzy's..........we were allowed to share in past memories, looking forward to such an event again next year and thankful for each precious moment granted in the sharing of friends that is graciously given to us as a continued blessing among friends and neighbors! Today was special in its own unique way!

Palm Sunday in my 'growing up' days meant it was Examination Sunday at church for the new Confirmands, then Good Friday followed with a solemn service when we left the church in the dark to be able to arrive on Easter Morning for the service of Confirmation and celebration of Christ's Resurrection!

St. Patricks Day always meant we had to wear something green to school that day. Anything, maybe a pair of socks, or a ribbon in our hair, or a hankie in our pocket that you could pull out quickly to show someone when they were determined to 'pinch you' if you didn't have something green on. Then we usually had a little program about the Irish and that days celebration though it was very doubtful that many in the German community in which I grew up could claim Irish blood as running in their blood streams. It was the thoughts that counted.

Spring, well, it was usually cold and did not really seem like Spring even though the calendar proclaimed it was actually Spring. But, we had to rely on a little inner thinkings which said, 'Spring is here. We can play outside. We can go barefoot and run around without shoes and coats. We can play marbles and jacks, fly our kites, get a softball or baseball team organized and best of all.....................'school is about over for this year!' YEH!

But, if I had my druthers, my choice of this weeks special day would be Easter! It was not the Easter Baskets where we might find a couple jelly beans in a basket laden with tufts of grass or baby sprouts of wheat, along with l chocolate Easter Bunny, usually in a cellophane box, and of course real (not plastic) colored eggs (which we learned to help mom color on Saturday, the day before, after we got old enough to no longer believe in the Easter Bunny)......... but it was the church, our faith, our family, our community, all our friends, coming together that made Easter special!

Amongst friends visiting together this past week, one friend stressed the fact that she felt that there is a 'special' feeling among people during the Easter week of Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, then Easter Sunday. They act different. They tend to act and react to different situations in a totally different atmosphere. Comparing it to Christmas, we all agreed that, 'no, Easter, was the special holiday in the Christian world'. Christmas was too commericialized.

This past week, I have had two special friends send me something I would like to share with you. It is about Jesus, and folding the napkin. It started out with the question, 'Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?'..

Reading John 20:7, it tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes but was neatly folded and placed at the head of that stony coffin. Of what significance could that possibly be? Was that act important?

It went on to tell that in order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, one has to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day, for the folded napkin had to do with the Master and the Servant. The servant would set the dinner table for the master making sure it was done according to the masters wishes. Table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, out of sight, until the master had finished eating as the servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished. NOW, if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard and would wad the napkin and toss it onto the table. By this gesture, the servant would then know it was time to clear the table for in those days the wadded napkin meant, 'I',m done'. BUT if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside the plate, the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, "I'm not finished yet". The folded napkin meant..........................."I'M COMING BACK!"

CHALLENGE always and not just this week:

"REMEMBER THE FOLDED NAPKIN", HE is coming back".

Have a joyous, blessed Easter all.................Nadene

Check out the word 'people' in YOUR dictionary. Bet you a hundred to one that each and every one will see and read into the definition of the word, something totally different. Why, do you say, are we guilty of doing that? Well, being of the human nature that we are, we, inadvertantly, use the word to mean what we think it means, to us, in our own view.

My dictionary describes the word 'people' as a noun. It says ' The body of person who compose a community, race or nation; persons indefinitely'.

Life is full of mysteries and people are what make the mystery of it all! Take for an example, 10 people or more tell you are doing a good job, and then there is one who doesn't. Do you come away from the situation remembering the 10 people who were complimentary or do you remember, much to your chagrin, the person who failed to be like the rest, and give you that much needed 'pat on the back' ? How does it affect the rest of your day?

We often talk about life as a journey. Do we understand why, when we might be driving down a country road, beautiful warm day, windows open, enjoying the wind in your hair, when suddenly, for no reason at all, you stop. Now there has to be a reason to stop. A wreck, or dead end sign could be the reason. Well, that is what happens to people in life. We need to stop, to smell the roses. Reasons vary however.

For instance, just as I am writing this, my phone rings. It is a girlfriend. 'Was I watching the KU game?" 'No, .......why not????'. Well, I was writing, note I said, "I was" writing my challenge of the week. But it was nice to have a break, to share with a friend even tho the KU team is ahead by a high margin. So, we chatted a bit, remembering a friend that we lost several years ago, that heaven forbid, would not ever let us forget a basketball game. The phone rang all evening long when one was being broadcast. She got so excited, and she loved to have parties at her home, feeding us all evening long when there was a special game being played and one we could view on TV. So, my writing was interrupted, but I have full view of the screen from my perch here in front of the computer, so I shall continue to watch the game as I watch............Go, KU!.......And, I think you will agree with me, it was a nice break!!!

What makes 'people' such an interesting subject? So, men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. Look at all the sizes, the shapes, the rainbow of colors we represent. Look at peoples actions and reactions to various incidents that occur during their lifetime. That's what 'people' are about.

Look at the political parties. OR, do we want to? Sometimes don't you feel a total shame as to what we, as common viewers, are exposed to day in and day out by the tube?? Guess, if you feel the same as I do, you, too, find that OFF button more times then normally. Look what we are doing to future generations by our actions of today. I am afraid that I cannot find a positive response to the fact about leaving a memorable fact in their lives regarding the course of action the presidential candidates seem to be following today. Can't you just see your mom pointing her 'pointing' finger at you while stroking it with her left hand and saying, 'shame, shame' if we did and said the things that are being said on our TV's today?

Everyone has a dream, and that dream expresses a hidden special part of us, so we should express it....not deny it. Parents want children to fulfill their dreams. They want them to have a better education, more income so their live is not so pressured, fewer problems in their daily lives, more time to spend with their children during the childrens 'growing up' years. My parents did that to us. I saw it. Was it so wrong??

So, here we are. Another Friday. Another day to write a "Challenge of the Week". The clock is still ticking. The clouds are still rolling across the sky. The phone still rings. We still enjoy our family and friends. We need not compare our lives to others for we have no idea what their journey is all about. Life is too short for long pity parties so we may as well get busy living and enjoying life.

So, lets enjoy this weeks challenge:

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK......

"Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry. God never blinks!".

That seemed to be a favorite of some of mom’s friends. I am not quite sure whether they were trying to give we young ones a lesson in keeping house at the time, or exactly what their therory was behind the statement, but i heard it often....’ CLEANLI’NESS is next to GODLI’NESS’.

Taking a step back in time, though, keeping clean proved quite a chore to the women in the earlier days. Stories of washing in streams, using the old fashioned washboard, no clotheslines. It must have been quite trying. And, from all indicators, in those days women and young girls wore long skirts and dresses. How ever did they manage?

In my world, soap is needed for cleaning, or a cleaning agent of sort. I have not the slightest idea of what they did before soap, maybe just water and ashes or just god’s sun to brighten the color of the clothes after they were scrubbed on the washboards.

Hinted last week of touching on the history of soap making........ And received mixed reviews of the subject from several avid readers commenting about their involvment in the process. Was interesting. Since i seem to be taking ‘steps’ into the process and progess of ‘wash day’, ,,,,,,,,,here goes.

Homemade soap, in its simplest form consists of nothing more than rendered, unsalted lard; water (and of course rainwater was always considered best to use because it was natural, no mineral content) and lye. Now, you did not go to the store and buy lye, you made your own and it was done by pouring water over wood ashes, then the resulting brown liquid was lye water. If we wondered why old fashioned soap was usually not very white, this was the reason.

One of the receipes the ole timers used was to melt and strain 10 quart of unsalted lard; put it into a 30 gallon or larger soap kettle (like that ole black kettle)....which by the way, i am happy to have learned that the farmstead that i sold a favorite cousin of mine over 20 or more years ago, still have one in place in their washhouse.....added to this 10 quarts of cold water, then very carefully stir in the lye/ash mixture, about 6-8 cups. Heat the mixture slowly to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden stick or paddle, boil 15 minutes. Add 12 gallon more water and bring the mixture to a boil again. Stirring all the while, cook for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture gets as thick as honey. Let cool a little, then pour into wooden boxes or trays of stoneware or enamel pans that have been lined with wet cloths. When completely cool and set, cut into squares. Cover. Let ripen (harden) for at least 2 weeks before using. Note, this was more or less the ‘old fashioned way’.

I like this ‘homemade lye soap’ recipe better, just in case you would like to try it.
.....caution: lye is caustic and should be mixed carefully and only with cold water.
Slowly add l can of lye to 5 cups cold water, stirring all the while. Set aside. Melt 6 pounds of lard. Cool both the lye water and lard to lukewarm. Slowly pour the lye water into the lard and stir for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the mixture gets as thick as honey. Stir in 2 tablespoons of borax. Pour into a box lined with a camp cloth. Let stand several days. Cut into bars. Age at least 2 weeks before using. A word of caution here, the odor during this process is anything but pleasant. One person said that the smell of the soap being made, was attrocious and that it smelled like it usually did when the women of the house had butchered chickens and then singed the feathers and long hairs from the chicken over an open fire of sorts...............ugh!!!!! Not good!

One thing i can vouch for about homemade lye soap, if you have a spot on anything, if you rub it with lye soap first, than wash it, the stain is gone!

Lye soap exists today! You bet it does. Attended a local auction recently and a ½ bushel basket, not even totally filled with the homemade lye soap, made me lose my interest in bidding for it for a friend when the bidding reached $15.00 for the lot!

Thats all for the soap lesson today; however, don’t despair, we will get those clothes washed one of these days!!!!!! Lol

i have heard it said that a little experience often upsets a lot of theory, but maybe we can prove to the younguns’ that we ‘were green’ years ago, and knew how to conserve and serve long before the ‘going green’ phrase was in existance!

Challenge of the week;

’every day is an opportunity to do something you have never done before’.

I am certainly not an interior designer, but it goes without saying, and am sure you have felt it also, that colors do have a definite bearing on what affects us, and HOW it affects us. It is possible that we associate the color green with that of Nature because of the green trees and green grass that are such a big factor in our lives.

Ah, Mother Nature. Lots of jokes out and about regarding this 'Fair Lady', but, I, for one, appreciate her all the time! She seems to delight to 'throwing' all the colors that she can at us. Look at the rainbow! Look at the rising sun, the setting sun. The clouds in the sky. Your garden of flowers. Wonderful!

A box of Crayola crayons have entertained younguns for over a hundred years. Today a box can contain over 70 colors of Crayolas so the choice is unlimited but when I was in school, there were probably only 8 or so colors, the box then grew to 16. Look at all the entertainment a child receives and enjoys with this simple invention. They can be calmed for hours, coloring in a color book. Notice how quiet they sit in the pews in church when entertained with a color book and a few crayolas. We can't help but wonder what joy they are having at the time, what their little minds are thinking as they bend over those books, all intent with selecting just shade of each color for each item they are coloring! Just the little simple crayola, but it seems to be the color that is spell binding the user.

But, if you really want to simplify matters, one needs to go back to the Crayola that was first introduced for it was simplier still. Came in one basic color. Black. Originating in New York by a chemical company, the original product was a combination of wood ash and whale oil that was used as a pigment for black ink and black shoe polish. Following the death of the original owner, a new type of crayola was introduced being then made of lampblack and wax, much to the amazement and thrill of children everywhere! It was here that Mother Nature entered the picture and color was 'in'.

Although each and every individual has a color preference, holidays are enhanced by colors,and we are quick to do an association with holidays and colors. Red and green for Christmas, soft colors of pink and yellow and green for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, and yellow and orange for Thanksgiving, bringing us to the next holiday we will be celebrating............that of with March 17 fast approaching next Tuesday, St. Patricks Day, I have to confess, I am guilty.....I am wearing GREEN! For green and the green Irish shamrock identify that particular holiday.

My contribution to the festivities of this holiday is a little shamrock which I have been wearing this week...........I enjoy wearing the little trinket. Not an expensive item, but somewhat of an 'eye catcher'. About an inch across, from top to bottom, edged in gold, on a gold necklace, it is fetching and I must confess that I have received quite a few compliments from others noticing it hang from beneath the color of my coat or blouse. After next Tuesday, it will be returned to my jewelry box for another year, but in the meantime, I will be adding this little 'green' object to my daily attire.

Is it true than, that color does have some bearing on how we feel??. Say, when we wear green, does it have a soothing effect on our well being? Do we feel more calm? Is that why when we are out taking a nature walk that we have a tendancy to relax and are able to enjoy our surroundings? Is that the reason that hospital waiting rooms and backstage TV 'green rooms' where guests relax before making an appearance are often painted in a hue of green?

Just like the motion of chewing gum helps increase levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps us feel calmer and more cheerful, or like picking up a pen, and writing down our worries on paper helps ease a worry that is quite apparent or maybe even something as simple as going out with friends, socializing, reduces stress and anxiety even though you do not share what your problems are, or even something as simple as chosing to tune out the TV news for a day or two as much of what's aired is deliberatly chosen to shock and upset the public, all of these have been addressed as tension relievers. A change of habit, because even though we are not always fully aware of what we are creating by such, ........ our HABITS do train our hearts. Think about it!

And hey, for you beer drinkers, here comes the 'green light'!!!!! Beer is loaded with hops, an herb that German health officials have approved for treating tension, anxiety, restlessness and sleep disorders. Don't like beer? Not even a Green Beer for St. Paddy's Day? Well, instead, steep 3 fresh basil leaves in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes, and sweeten to taste, for herbalists consider basil one of nature's most powerful calmatives! I enjoy my own private cup of chamomile tea in the same way, with the same results!

My daughter-in-law's 'green thumb' has provided me the pleasure of a Jade Plant. Known as the 'money tree' because of its round, coinlike leaves, and according to fen shui, the Chineses art of positioning objects to encourage happiness and good fortune tells us that the Jade Plant boosts our bottom line and we should place the jade plant in the far left corner of any room for this is known as the 'wealth center' to attract luck and loot. I love my Jade Plant for it is constant in providing something 'green' in the house without requiring a lot of maintenance, and I am all for that!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Life is like a great big canvas.......................throw all the paint on it that you can.............but remember what the color 'green' can do for you!"

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day one and all.............Nadene

Reminds me of a time when our family was all sitting around the supper (not dinner, SUPPER) table, having a family discussion, and all of a sudden noticed one of the children (will remain nameless so they are not embarassed when they read this) was sitting there with their right hand held high in the air. All of a sudden, it seemed that all the others at the table noticed the hand at the same time, and it was at that same time, when realizing what they were doing, down went the hand, and everyone else at the table burst out laughing! What can I say, except it must have been a very enjoyable conversation, because everyone seemed so engrossed in what was being said, while SOMEONE wanted a word in also!

Practice does not make perfect! PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Practice bad habits, and you will only acquire proficiency at doing things badly. Take a basketballplayer for an example. Free throw shots is one of the best examples. Teams who have members who cannot make free throws, are not good teams. So, they have to practice, practice and more practice.

Every household in our family has a basketball goal by their driveway. I love to hear the bouncing of basketballs as the kids play. After school, Weekends. Holidays. In winter. In summer. Mine is pretty quiet now, except when the grandchildren come for a visit and I really miss that sound. Practicing teaches one that when you keep on doing things well that work for you, and you do it on a regular basis, it works! PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT! So, like the athletes who practice training in their competitive fields, we too, need to be faithful in practicing the necessary basic diciplines which makes the success possible which we are attempting to maintain, as well as to retain!

The thing, though, that amazes me is how quickly the human responses in us quickly forgets the respect we were taught as children. Where have the days gone when it was MR. JONES who was our teacher? It was DAD instead of 'the old man'? It was MOM or MOTHER instead of the ' old lady' ? It was DOCTOR SMITH instead of 'doc'? It was AUNT or UNCLE instead of just their first names?

Where have the days gone when a man always held a door for a woman, regardless of the ladies age? Where have the days gone when people stood up to honor and respect a special recognition of the honored guest?
Where have the days gone when a gentleman would give the seat he was currently occupying to a woman who found no seat available? Where have the days gone when men and women both, respected their spouses and treated them so, especially in public and before their families?

Suppose one was in a meeting, and the instructor asked for the definition of respect. Could you hold up YOUR hand? Could you give an example of the word? The word respect in itself has a very, very easy definition. REGARD....RELATE TO....TO HONOR. That is not so hard to remember. BUT, like the basketball player who fails to practice his free throws and becomes a sloppy player, lets down his team, does not practice to maintain his good record for his team, likewise we human beings, when we fail to practice respect, fail to regard other people and their feelings, fail to give honor where honor is due by forgetting what that particular person has done FOR you in the past to help you to the position that you now hold, is when we certainly could NOT hold up our hand in all honesty!

Maybe it is easier to build children than to repair adults because of the simple fact that as adults, we fail to continue practice of the respect factors instilled in us as children. We become 'set' in our bad habits. But we do have HOPE. Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, ANYONE, and I do mean, ANYONE, can start from NOW and make a brand new ending and when we do do this very thing, we can take a lot of people along with us. Wouldn't that be great!?!? Think what we could accomplish. They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I refuse to go along with that old adeage! I have hopes. There is always a possibility of a renewal so long as it is good, on the right track of life, why not! Go for it .....is what I would say!

Maybe we have not taken on the feat of fasting for Lent, but it is not too late to take on a feat, tho not fasting in the sense of FOOD, maybe we could FAST in a sense of changing the way we treat people by treating them the way we would like to be treated. Practicing respect to one and all in all areas of our work and play. Practicing it to the point that when Easter does arrive, we continue to do the FASTING because we have programmed ourselves into the practice that has made such a big difference to us and to those around us that we want to continue practicing to keep making better then ever the things we practiced so hard to learn and to maintain. Why, by doing this, we might surprise everyone (ahem, pastor) by the fact that 'yes, we do fast in Lent, but surprise of all surprises, we are not going to stop when Easter arrives and Lent is over....we are going to continue practicing'............................We are going to 'hold up our hand', we are going to answer when the teacher asks for the meaning of 'respect', for we have practiced it. We plan to continue to practice it. Today and tomorrow!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"REMEMBER THE ATTITUDE OF RESPECT............it is important that we not just know it but .....we have to PRACTICE it".

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

As a matter of fact, HISTORY DID REPEAT ITSELF TODAY. Mother Nature proved she can repeat and make history, all on her very own.

Looking at the calendar, here it is nearly, April l, and we had blizzard conditions this morning. As a matter of fact, many parts of the state of Kansas are still undergoing blizzard conditions as I write this article. Unbelievable, especially after we have had ever so many days in this past month of temperatures in the 70's and 80's and now this!

When I opened my dining room drapes early this morning, looked across the field and saw the blowing and drifting snow, and realizing that today was the day of the month that it was...............I realized that history was being made in the lives of our family!

So, the historical fact to which I have reference, is something that my own Mother told me more times than I can recollect as I was growing up. Those words word..............'Until March 27th, winter is not over, we can always have a blizzard!'. I wish she were here today. She would be saying, 'See, I told you I was right. We can always have a blizzard on March 27th'.

March 27th was a significant day in her life for she gave birth to a baby girl on that day. One of my older sisters. Esther. Born in the early 1920's, before the days of hospitals where birthing and labor was eased, my sister was born at home as were four of the five births she endured during her lifetime. Usually the birth of a child was assisted by a physician. But, on this date of March 27, 1923, this area was experiencing a blizzard. So, when it came time for the physician to make the trip to the farm, it was not possible. Imaging the mode of transportation in that era, and the road conditions, is quite understandable. A blizzard was underway. Needless to say, it necessitated the assistance of one of the dear neighbors, who found herself in these situations more than once, and of course, was a blessing to those in need of her knowledge in this area. So, instead of Dr. Koerber assisting in the delivery, it was a dear neighbor, though no relation, but lovingly called, "Aunt Minnie". Aunt Minnie Preston. A whisp of a woman, as I recall but always had a smile on her face and loved hot tuna and macaroni, not one of my favorite delicacies.

Hard to imagine what the women of that day and era had to endure. No running water, no electricity. Clothing was washed on a washboard, rinsed and hung on the clothes line, outdoors. Regardless of the weather. Think of the countless diapers she washed. No disposable diapers in those days. Unbelievable. Makes one almost feel guilty when even during my era of child bearing, I would complain of things that I had to do. It wasn't that we begrudged those dear new lives that made ours even more meaningful, it was just that it did change our lifestyle, our way of living. And, when a child became sick, such things as a shot to clear of the infection was nonexistant. Home remedies were all they had to use.

I sometimes wonder, what would happen today, if, all of a sudden, the young mothers of today were without disposable bottles and diapers. No such thing as formulas for the babies to drink. No electricity or running water. Groceries and food were what you grew in your own garden and canned and preserved when the harvesting was done of each variety of food. Could the young people of day survive? I realize that our destiny enfolds us as we take various steps as tomorrow is not promised us, nor any other day for that matter, we just have to make the most of it once we do pass this way! I wonder??!!

Yes, dear sister. I remember your friendship. I remember the times we shared having children just a few months apart. I remember the laughter we shared.....and the tears. A part of history. A wonderful part. One that I will ever remember.....as will her dear remaining family, am sure!

And today, these many years later, all of my mothers prophesy remains. She was correct. 'Until March 27 of each year, winter is not over, we can still have a blizzard'. Proved today, this 27th day of March, 2009! It is a matter of fact........not just an expression !

Challenge of the Week:

"Remember that WISDOM is hardly understood in a few minutes and also rarely learned in a lifetime!"

Have a good 'un. Nadene

Reminds me of a time when our family was all sitting around the supper (not dinner, SUPPER) table, having a family discussion, and all of a sudden noticed one of the children (will remain nameless so they are not embarassed when they read this) was sitting there with their right hand held high in the air. All of a sudden, it seemed that all the others at the table noticed the hand at the same time, and it was at that same time, when realizing what they were doing, down went the hand, and everyone else at the table burst out laughing! What can I say, except it must have been a very enjoyable conversation, because everyone seemed so engrossed in what was being said, while SOMEONE wanted a word in also!

Practice does not make perfect! PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Practice bad habits, and you will only acquire proficiency at doing things badly. Take a basketballplayer for an example. Free throw shots is one of the best examples. Teams who have members who cannot make free throws, are not good teams. So, they have to practice, practice and more practice.

Every household in our family has a basketball goal by their driveway. I love to hear the bouncing of basketballs as the kids play. After school, Weekends. Holidays. In winter. In summer. Mine is pretty quiet now, except when the grandchildren come for a visit and I really miss that sound. Practicing teaches one that when you keep on doing things well that work for you, and you do it on a regular basis, it works! PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT! So, like the athletes who practice training in their competitive fields, we too, need to be faithful in practicing the necessary basic diciplines which makes the success possible which we are attempting to maintain, as well as to retain!

The thing, though, that amazes me is how quickly the human responses in us quickly forgets the respect we were taught as children. Where have the days gone when it was MR. JONES who was our teacher? It was DAD instead of 'the old man'? It was MOM or MOTHER instead of the ' old lady' ? It was DOCTOR SMITH instead of 'doc'? It was AUNT or UNCLE instead of just their first names?

Where have the days gone when a man always held a door for a woman, regardless of the ladies age? Where have the days gone when people stood up to honor and respect a special recognition of the honored guest?
Where have the days gone when a gentleman would give the seat he was currently occupying to a woman who found no seat available? Where have the days gone when men and women both, respected their spouses and treated them so, especially in public and before their families?

Suppose one was in a meeting, and the instructor asked for the definition of respect. Could you hold up YOUR hand? Could you give an example of the word? The word respect in itself has a very, very easy definition. REGARD....RELATE TO....TO HONOR. That is not so hard to remember. BUT, like the basketball player who fails to practice his free throws and becomes a sloppy player, lets down his team, does not practice to maintain his good record for his team, likewise we human beings, when we fail to practice respect, fail to regard other people and their feelings, fail to give honor where honor is due by forgetting what that particular person has done FOR you in the past to help you to the position that you now hold, is when we certainly could NOT hold up our hand in all honesty!

Maybe it is easier to build children than to repair adults because of the simple fact that as adults, we fail to continue practice of the respect factors instilled in us as children. We become 'set' in our bad habits. But we do have HOPE. Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, ANYONE, and I do mean, ANYONE, can start from NOW and make a brand new ending and when we do do this very thing, we can take a lot of people along with us. Wouldn't that be great!?!? Think what we could accomplish. They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I refuse to go along with that old adeage! I have hopes. There is always a possibility of a renewal so long as it is good, on the right track of life, why not! Go for it .....is what I would say!

Maybe we have not taken on the feat of fasting for Lent, but it is not too late to take on a feat, tho not fasting in the sense of FOOD, maybe we could FAST in a sense of changing the way we treat people by treating them the way we would like to be treated. Practicing respect to one and all in all areas of our work and play. Practicing it to the point that when Easter does arrive, we continue to do the FASTING because we have programmed ourselves into the practice that has made such a big difference to us and to those around us that we want to continue practicing to keep making better then ever the things we practiced so hard to learn and to maintain. Why, by doing this, we might surprise everyone (ahem, pastor) by the fact that 'yes, we do fast in Lent, but surprise of all surprises, we are not going to stop when Easter arrives and Lent is over....we are going to continue practicing'............................We are going to 'hold up our hand', we are going to answer when the teacher asks for the meaning of 'respect', for we have practiced it. We plan to continue to practice it. Today and tomorrow!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"REMEMBER THE ATTITUDE OF RESPECT............it is important that we not just know it but .....we have to PRACTICE it".

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

Definition says ....to console, to gladden.... and when used as a noun means 'consolation, relief, moderate enjoyment'. But is that all it means? Or, do you find these definations adequate to discribe how you feel when you hear the word 'comfort'.

Each of us, during our 'growing up period' can recall times when we were ill. When the touch of our parents hands to our brows as they checked for temperature, in itself, was comfort. When mom took the time and special effort to make your favorite chicken and noodle or dumpling soup and brought you a big bowl for you to eat in bed,... that was comfort. When mom would rub Vicks VaporRub on your chest, then maybe warm up a hot towel that she had laid on the heating stove, or maybe heated up the oven to get warm for you, and then wrap you in the towel, cover you up with the quilts tucked snuggly under your chin...........ahhhh simple heaven! The sand man soon found his way to your bed.

Seems like it was just yesterday, can almost feel the warm towel on my chest releasing the scent of the VapoRub. It was a sure remedy to help the breathing and lend a helping hand to ease those horrible coughing spells which seemed to plague me mostly during the night hours.

But comfort never changes, only circumstances. Roles are reversed, for then it becomes YOUR/OUR turn to be the comforter. To make sure your children are comfortable, not only in illness, but in other ways during THEIR 'growing up' days. Comfort in giving them assurance to meet the every day struggles of life for we all know that a child will become as you describe him to others.

It doesn't stop there............for if we are fortunate enough, we will have the opportunity of caring for our parents and other loved ones. This past week has found friends and family making family decisions that are not always one of the easiest to make. Health and living conditions always enter into the picture. What choice to make? A nursing home? An assisted living facility? Sell the home and possessions? Consider rent for income to cover additional expenses to be incurred? In todays ever increasing cost of living many people will have to be looking at the fact that when your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall and measures will need to be taken. Sometimes drastic measures. Sometimes very uncomfortable for the whole family.

In all of this 'comfort' remains. Comfort in family. Comfort in support of the family. Working together as a family unit.

My mother lived well into her 90's, and we, as a family, had to take measures for several reasons. But, I felt we were blessed for with five children, we set up a schedule and each week, each family unit made it a point to make a visit to the nursing home, to check on her special needs, to report to the other family members what was and what not was happening. At times, a larger family would have been a blessing, but we were only returning to her the love she shared with us, releasing the blessing shown early in life that taught us how to share with others. Father had passed away at a much earlier age.

Families, if they have not learned it before, will learn that there is no limit to what can be done if it doesn't matter who gets the credit. When love and skill work together, you can always expect a masterpiece as the final result of all of your actions!

Recently, I had the honor of being invited to participate in the annual 'Grandparents Day' at a grandchilds school. Wow. The gym was filled with a lot of 'old' people. Some old in body,.... some old in spirit,... but at that occasion, we all learned that we may not be able to turn back the clock but we can sure wind it up again! We were able to see the children perform, attend the childrens classes, listen to some foreign languages, learn about books and authors...........it was great!

There was 'comfort' all around us. 'Comfort' in knowing that we had family that loved us as we loved them. 'Comfort' and pleasure in being able to attend the activities. 'Comfort' in being able to realize that our children and grandchildren are being blessed as we were so many years ago.

Enjoy this weeks challenge..............

A quote from one of my favorite authors, Emily Dickinson, which goes like this...........'We turn not OLDER in years, but NEW every day'.

Now, for those of us folks living in Kansas, if we desired to take this statement in a more liberal fashion, right now, right at this particular moment, I could certainly admit to a 'bad hair day'........and mean it. I mean, I do have 'bad hair'.......being my own stylist, I just have not found time to do a little extra primping so far today, and besides being outside today is most certainly not conducive to a 'good hair day'........for it is mighty windy. As a matter of fact, just received a weather alert on the net a few minutes ago that we are to have strong winds until later this evening. Must be March!

'But 'bad hair day' has a multiple meaning in my books. To me, it means a 'day that is just ........'not going right'. And, maybe, just maybe if I had taken a little extra time with my hair this morning, my day would have gone better.

For instance, doing several loads of clothes, one became unbalanced in the washer, and as a result, had a little extra commotion... and guess what, I had my cup sitting on the adjacent dryer, well, you know what happened! Meant a 'clean up' there, just after I had gotten it done!..........And maybe, just maybe, when I was cooking some oatmeal for my morning breakfast, had I been a little more observant about the contents in the cooking utensil, and not filled in as much milk as I did, it would not have boiled over into the microwave, making me do another clean up job, after I had done that yesterday........Maybe, just maybe!

Interestingly enough, has not been too long ago, that I read an article on Conservation which told an interesting fact about trees. What it said, was, that when a tree is in distress, it sends out signals. What kind of signals was not detailed. But it said that the nearest tree signifying support, will lend encouragement to the distressed tree, urging it to hang in there, not to give up. But, at the same time, unfortunately the distress signals also attract its enemies of insects and disease thus make the distressed tree more vulnerable. Isn't that amazing?

Now, even tho I have been through a lot of trials and temptations in my lifetime, the Lord has been good to me and I can honestly say that I have never been so distressed that I just wanted to 'give up'. Oh, been tested, believe you me. But, fortunately for me, when that has happened, family and friends have come to my aid.

I need lots of 'trees' in my life. The people, and they are beauties, that support me. True, without them and my faith, I could possibly become desperate. Amazingly though, I firmly believe that in many ways, we could be like a tree. When we need help, the signal goes out...... A friend 'just happens' to give you a ring on the phone..... A neighbor 'just happens' to have a spare moment, rings your door bell and gives you the opportunity to get out the ginger snaps and a cup of hot java or tea and break the mounting stress..... You received a visit from a sibling or a call from your children that livens up your day..... Your pastor makes an unexpected visit..... The florist rings your doorbell with a simple red rose in a vase from your spouse..... You went to the mailbox and there was the neatest little 'thinking of you' card from a friend living half way cross the world.... Or, you check your answering machine, and there, hear the voice of someone you have not visited with in months, saying, 'just thinking of you, thought I would give you a jingle'!

But, hey, maybe someone else is having a 'bad hair day'. You know something! It then becomes YOUR turn to encourage and return a blessing. Time for you to take an hour or two, stop in and chat with a friend you have not seen for awhile. Make a trip to the hospital, to the nursing home or better yet, make a trip to the grocery store and smile and greet everyone you meet, with a special smile just for them! Remembering that SMILES breed SMILES. And, you know how we can be sure of that? Look at a small child, put a big smile on your face, start talking and what happens? ....... No further comments.

I guess what I am trying to say, that in spite of the fact that I just happened to neglect my appearance this morning, had a couple mishkebabbles along the way, all I have to do, is step out on my front porch, look up into the sky, ....have the phone ring and it is the familiar voice of a friend.... or sit down at the computer and there is a message from a sister, my children, my friends across the nation........and hey, it is 'all there'!

I just peaked out my front window, saw the newly planted plum tree, all waiting to burst forth into blossum as soon as the weather warms a little more, and even tho I have never seen a tree 'clap its hands', it sure can wave its branches and when they do, maybe, just maybe it is their way of saying, 'hey, 'bad hair day' or not, just go for it'!

And, I am 'going for it'~

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Live simply........Love generously.......Care deeply.......Speak kindly........and LEAVE THE REST TO GOD!"