I am learning new techniques as I move along through life. One difference is the way that
my extremely visual brain processes words. In my brain usually I see a word, or several
pop out. Now one word comes from one side of my mind and another word from the other side. This results in some extremely entertaining new words. For example, pretty, beautiful came out of my mouth "Prettiful." I actually like it, although a friend said it sounds too much like
"Pitiful!"
The other day I was trying to think of a word to describe a very special friend. If you have
a friend of this type you are RICH! I am rich beyond compare because I have many of these
types of friends. I was thinking to myself, this is a friend that you call when you're struggling,
and juggling, and you're crying. This type of friend listens, and loves you, but by the time you
finish the conversation you're laughing, or even laughing through your tears.
This created the word CRAUGHING...(after all we can't say laughing with crying combined lying? or Lyring?) nope, CRAUGHING it is.
One of my girlfriends, Joni, is so good at this skill that I seriously think she should be hired somewhere as a "general consultant." People should pay good money for this remarkable woman who has learned through many years of experience how to turn tears into smiles and laughter.
So....I have a challenge for any and all of my beloved blog readers today...learn how to participate in CRAUGHING! I have no doubt that you have someone in your life who
will be blessed by this skillset!
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass....it's about learning to dance in the rain!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Autumn Colors
DEDICATED TO MY BELOVED GINGERSNAPPING FRIEND!!
I don't think that anyone that knows me would be surprised to learn that I LOVE AUTUMN! I love the color, the crunchiness of leaves, the ability to swish through them sending leaviness upwards towards the heavens!
It seems to me that the dear Lord even put a stamp on me that assured Autumn was my favorite season. If anyone looks at me they can see that. My eyes are hazel green/brown, my skin is light olive, and my hair is brown/reddish/auburnish. YUP....I look my personal best in Autumn colors!
Speaking of the colors of Fall I had a vivid fun image that rose up in my head. I saw the leaves in their glorious robes of color, amber, crimson, russet, and rust. It occurred to me that you don't really see one image of color as you look at the trees. It's as though the colors sing a joyous chorus celebrating the transition of seasons.
To use another example for Autumn, I am currently in the Autumn of life. I read a quote somewhere that said, "40 is the old age of youth, and 50 is the youth of old age." I quite like that. Since I'm 55, I guess that makes me in the youth of old age. It also makes me a colorful leaf clinging to my brother and sister leaves on a glorious mountain hillside.
At some point I will let go of the tree's steadiness and flow, downwards into a staunch stack, where again I will be joined with my brother and sisters.
Next we will be transformed into part of this earth....this turning, whirling, twirling earth, and parts and bit of us will go into the warm inviting earth. Other parts will move downward into the water supply, where we will move forward into rivers, creeks, lakes, streams, and ever onward to the ocean.
That's not the end of the journey even then...the earth will pull us upwards to the sky where we will become rain to move over the dry, thirsty earth, and fall down. We then water seeds in the ground, become trees with leaves, that turn into brilliantly robed colored leaves each Autumn.
Then....why then the entire cycle begins anew.
Do you see why I LOVE Autumn? It's NOT the pre-cursor to a harsh earth season. It's a part of the entire, glorious ebb and flow, start and stop, beginning and renewal of life.
I don't think that anyone that knows me would be surprised to learn that I LOVE AUTUMN! I love the color, the crunchiness of leaves, the ability to swish through them sending leaviness upwards towards the heavens!
It seems to me that the dear Lord even put a stamp on me that assured Autumn was my favorite season. If anyone looks at me they can see that. My eyes are hazel green/brown, my skin is light olive, and my hair is brown/reddish/auburnish. YUP....I look my personal best in Autumn colors!
Speaking of the colors of Fall I had a vivid fun image that rose up in my head. I saw the leaves in their glorious robes of color, amber, crimson, russet, and rust. It occurred to me that you don't really see one image of color as you look at the trees. It's as though the colors sing a joyous chorus celebrating the transition of seasons.
To use another example for Autumn, I am currently in the Autumn of life. I read a quote somewhere that said, "40 is the old age of youth, and 50 is the youth of old age." I quite like that. Since I'm 55, I guess that makes me in the youth of old age. It also makes me a colorful leaf clinging to my brother and sister leaves on a glorious mountain hillside.
At some point I will let go of the tree's steadiness and flow, downwards into a staunch stack, where again I will be joined with my brother and sisters.
Next we will be transformed into part of this earth....this turning, whirling, twirling earth, and parts and bit of us will go into the warm inviting earth. Other parts will move downward into the water supply, where we will move forward into rivers, creeks, lakes, streams, and ever onward to the ocean.
That's not the end of the journey even then...the earth will pull us upwards to the sky where we will become rain to move over the dry, thirsty earth, and fall down. We then water seeds in the ground, become trees with leaves, that turn into brilliantly robed colored leaves each Autumn.
Then....why then the entire cycle begins anew.
Do you see why I LOVE Autumn? It's NOT the pre-cursor to a harsh earth season. It's a part of the entire, glorious ebb and flow, start and stop, beginning and renewal of life.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Gold or Red?
Golden leaves filled the gutter. I walked with my head held high breathing in deeply God's glorious autumn. Then something caught my eye, a RED leaf. There were NO other red leaves, just this one leaf lying in the very middle of the rest of the golden glory.
Into my mind came the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible. A Jewish man was
traveling and as often happened in that time robbers ambushed him. They stole anything he had of worth and then beat him senseless.
There he lay on the road, broken and bleeding. Now it would have been pretty obvious that he was Jewish. They wore their hair a certain way, and dressed in a certain way.
Along comes one person after another that sees this man senseless and bleeding. Not ONE of them stops and does anything for or about him.
Now I recognize there is a logical reason for this. Robbers would sometimes put one of their own number out looking wounded. This they would do as bait. So someone would stop to assist the wounded person only to be ambushed. So....these passerby's were thinking of their OWN safety.
Yet I am sad to think that a Jewish Rabbi....a man of the same faith as the wounded would not only pass by but he crossed on the opposite side of the road.
Then comes a Samaritan. Now the Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of dislike for each other. I don't remember the historical reasons but trust me, they did NOT like each other AT ALL.
Yet of all the Jewish people that passed this poor man by the Samaritan stopped. He put the man on his horse and took him to an inn. He paid for the man to be nursed back to health, to be in a nice room. He even left extra money in case the man needed more.
Now you may wonder, what does a red leaf amongst a HUGE pile of golden leaves have to do with the good Samaritan? The good Samaritan was the red leaf and the people that ignored the wounded man were the golden leaves. They were probably good people, and they had a good reason to ignore him, their own safety. Yet this Samaritan, (remember Jews and Samaritans did NOT like each other), risked his own life, and used his own means to save this man's life, and health.
Now I am NOT saying, "Ok, let's pick up hitchhikers, and bring the homeless into our own homes. I AM saying, let's find ways to lift up the wounded amongst us. The amazing part about that is that when we serve others, WE are the ones most blessed.
So.....let us all be red leaves today. Let us look for ways, even small ways to love each other, and help the wounded in our midst.
I can't end this post without thanking the myriad plethora of people who have made my life so much richer, and better. Even in medical situations there are always those other patients who reach out with love and caring. Thank you to all of you that I am grateful to call family, friend and neighbor.
Into my mind came the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible. A Jewish man was
traveling and as often happened in that time robbers ambushed him. They stole anything he had of worth and then beat him senseless.
There he lay on the road, broken and bleeding. Now it would have been pretty obvious that he was Jewish. They wore their hair a certain way, and dressed in a certain way.
Along comes one person after another that sees this man senseless and bleeding. Not ONE of them stops and does anything for or about him.
Now I recognize there is a logical reason for this. Robbers would sometimes put one of their own number out looking wounded. This they would do as bait. So someone would stop to assist the wounded person only to be ambushed. So....these passerby's were thinking of their OWN safety.
Yet I am sad to think that a Jewish Rabbi....a man of the same faith as the wounded would not only pass by but he crossed on the opposite side of the road.
Then comes a Samaritan. Now the Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of dislike for each other. I don't remember the historical reasons but trust me, they did NOT like each other AT ALL.
Yet of all the Jewish people that passed this poor man by the Samaritan stopped. He put the man on his horse and took him to an inn. He paid for the man to be nursed back to health, to be in a nice room. He even left extra money in case the man needed more.
Now you may wonder, what does a red leaf amongst a HUGE pile of golden leaves have to do with the good Samaritan? The good Samaritan was the red leaf and the people that ignored the wounded man were the golden leaves. They were probably good people, and they had a good reason to ignore him, their own safety. Yet this Samaritan, (remember Jews and Samaritans did NOT like each other), risked his own life, and used his own means to save this man's life, and health.
Now I am NOT saying, "Ok, let's pick up hitchhikers, and bring the homeless into our own homes. I AM saying, let's find ways to lift up the wounded amongst us. The amazing part about that is that when we serve others, WE are the ones most blessed.
So.....let us all be red leaves today. Let us look for ways, even small ways to love each other, and help the wounded in our midst.
I can't end this post without thanking the myriad plethora of people who have made my life so much richer, and better. Even in medical situations there are always those other patients who reach out with love and caring. Thank you to all of you that I am grateful to call family, friend and neighbor.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
God's Glory
Four years ago we moved from Oregon to Utah. It has been joyous reconnecting
with lots of family. We started an annual tradition of driving up the Alpine Loop
every fall to rejoice in the glorious colors of Autumn.
It's impossible for me to see the craggy rocks bent, and folded with trees growing
everywhere and NOT believe in God. Maybe it's because I LIKE to believe that
the created can NOT exist without a Creator.
I always have enjoyed the analogy that saying the earth came about by chance
was like taking a box filled with the letters of the alphabet A through Z, tossing
it in the air and having it come back down as an organized, bound, dictionary.
How I LOVE to sit comfortably in a well built automobile, with climate controls
as I witness God's splendor. As we travel smoothly along I think of my ancestors
who climbed over, and through mountain passes without the benefit of automotive
splendor.
I also am grateful for the wonderful family that I enjoy. Being in their company
makes everything better...both the good and the bad.
I want to end as I began. I saw God's glory as I traveled through the craggy
beauty of Autumn in the mountains. I also saw his glory in his children,
and even in the amazing automobile that carried us through!
with lots of family. We started an annual tradition of driving up the Alpine Loop
every fall to rejoice in the glorious colors of Autumn.
It's impossible for me to see the craggy rocks bent, and folded with trees growing
everywhere and NOT believe in God. Maybe it's because I LIKE to believe that
the created can NOT exist without a Creator.
I always have enjoyed the analogy that saying the earth came about by chance
was like taking a box filled with the letters of the alphabet A through Z, tossing
it in the air and having it come back down as an organized, bound, dictionary.
How I LOVE to sit comfortably in a well built automobile, with climate controls
as I witness God's splendor. As we travel smoothly along I think of my ancestors
who climbed over, and through mountain passes without the benefit of automotive
splendor.
I also am grateful for the wonderful family that I enjoy. Being in their company
makes everything better...both the good and the bad.
I want to end as I began. I saw God's glory as I traveled through the craggy
beauty of Autumn in the mountains. I also saw his glory in his children,
and even in the amazing automobile that carried us through!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Light in Darkness
In 1990 I was given the twofold diagnosis of breast cancer and Fibromyalgia. There should have been one more diagnosis that was given CLINICAL DEPRESSION. I write it in all caps on purpose. Of all the health challenges I've faced in my life, and they are numerous, chronic bronchitis, allergy asthma, degenerative spinal disease, arthritis, and knee joint disease, to name a few CLINICAL DEPRESSION has been the hardest. I know even as I write this there may be some people who simply don't understand the difference between circumstance driven discouragement and CLINICAL DEPRESSION.
May I just express that discouragement is driven by the circumstances that you are living through. You may be discouraged because your team just lost a football game. Or you may be discouraged because your children refuse to tidy up the house.
This is a HUGE difference from CLINICAL DEPRESSION! Clinical depression is often NOT even related to circumstances. For example Marilyn Monroe, was a world famous celebrity with any possible material things that she could desire yet she suffered from clinical depression.
Clinical depression is a physical disease...every bit as much as diabetes. With diabetes your pancreas quits creating insulin to control the sugar absorption of your body. With depression your body quits creating one or all of the three chemicals, neurepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin that your body needs for you to feel content....at peace. With an imbalance, or deficiency of these chemicals comes CLINICAL DEPRESSION.
What an AMAZING age that we live in where we know so much more of our brain and how it works. I like to think of the brain as the director of a huge play with thousands of actors. Our brain is impacted by the many, many processes going on in our bodies at any one time. In addition our brain impacts the many, many processes going on in our bodies at any one time. YUP, our brain is the director, and all of the things that our body does automatically (like breathing, or having our heart beat) are the many, many actors.
I am NOT ashamed that I have faced clinical depression. Why should I be? Would someone be embarrassed that they had diabetes, or asthma, or allergies?
Another important thing to understand about clinical depression is that it often IS triggered by other physical issues in your body. If you have heart disease, it affects the chemicals that the brain needs to function properly, VOILA, on top of heart disease you are now suffering from clinical depression.
Some people think that someone is BLUE, or DISCOURAGED, because they now have heart disease. That IS a normal reaction to something that radically changes your life. On the other hand there is a BIG difference again between situational discouragement and CLINICAL DEPRESSION. With clinical depression your body has messed up those three chemicals in some way or another and you may need antidepressant medication, and DEFINITELY some time to get the chemicals in balance again.
My beloved nephew Marcus killed himself a week ago. NOBODY knew that he was battling clinical depression. He was filled with light this beloved man. It was known that he had battled with this disease in the past but nobody knew that he again was in it's throes.
It needs to be understood that clinical depression is a POWERFUL LIAR! It tells you, "Nobody cares about what you're feeling!" "You're crazy, you're nuts, there's nothing wrong with you physically, you're just crazy!" "You need to die, you're a burden on your family, your friends, etc. etc." Clinical depression lies to you, and it's extremely hard to battle.
We didn't know that Marcus was battling....many people with clinical depression are good actors...until they are discovered dead from suicide.
Now for the good news....THERE IS HOPE! With a combination of support, from family, and friends, counseling from a professional (and you may need to interview a few counselors to find one that you connect well with, and feel that they understand YOU), and medication you can again feel good about life. You may never be CURED from clinical depression, but if you can find a combination of treatments that bring back color, and joy into your life...what a wonderful thing!
Of the three issues I faced in 1990, breast cancer, Fibromyalgia, and clinical depression, Clinical Depression has been the hardest battle. It's no sissy sprint, it's a marathon. On the other hand, ANYONE CAN survive this struggle!
If you know of anyone battling Clinical Depression DON'T JUDGE THEM. DO LOVE THEM! I have lost one of my favorite people because nobody knew that he was depressed. We need to love more, and judge less anybody fighting the demons of depression.
I will end on a positive note. I believe that Marcus is now getting powerful professional care in the spirit world. I believe that he understands himself, and the demons that were driving him well. I also believe that we will be again together as a family after I have finished this life. Our family will pull closer together than ever. I am eternally grateful to be a part of this amazing family.
In addition if my struggles with this disease and the lessons I have learned, and the success I have had in battling can help even ONE person...I will be grateful. PLEASE if you are battling this enemy GET HELP! Tell someone that you trust, and then get medication and professional counseling! I'm praying for you.
May I just express that discouragement is driven by the circumstances that you are living through. You may be discouraged because your team just lost a football game. Or you may be discouraged because your children refuse to tidy up the house.
This is a HUGE difference from CLINICAL DEPRESSION! Clinical depression is often NOT even related to circumstances. For example Marilyn Monroe, was a world famous celebrity with any possible material things that she could desire yet she suffered from clinical depression.
Clinical depression is a physical disease...every bit as much as diabetes. With diabetes your pancreas quits creating insulin to control the sugar absorption of your body. With depression your body quits creating one or all of the three chemicals, neurepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin that your body needs for you to feel content....at peace. With an imbalance, or deficiency of these chemicals comes CLINICAL DEPRESSION.
What an AMAZING age that we live in where we know so much more of our brain and how it works. I like to think of the brain as the director of a huge play with thousands of actors. Our brain is impacted by the many, many processes going on in our bodies at any one time. In addition our brain impacts the many, many processes going on in our bodies at any one time. YUP, our brain is the director, and all of the things that our body does automatically (like breathing, or having our heart beat) are the many, many actors.
I am NOT ashamed that I have faced clinical depression. Why should I be? Would someone be embarrassed that they had diabetes, or asthma, or allergies?
Another important thing to understand about clinical depression is that it often IS triggered by other physical issues in your body. If you have heart disease, it affects the chemicals that the brain needs to function properly, VOILA, on top of heart disease you are now suffering from clinical depression.
Some people think that someone is BLUE, or DISCOURAGED, because they now have heart disease. That IS a normal reaction to something that radically changes your life. On the other hand there is a BIG difference again between situational discouragement and CLINICAL DEPRESSION. With clinical depression your body has messed up those three chemicals in some way or another and you may need antidepressant medication, and DEFINITELY some time to get the chemicals in balance again.
My beloved nephew Marcus killed himself a week ago. NOBODY knew that he was battling clinical depression. He was filled with light this beloved man. It was known that he had battled with this disease in the past but nobody knew that he again was in it's throes.
It needs to be understood that clinical depression is a POWERFUL LIAR! It tells you, "Nobody cares about what you're feeling!" "You're crazy, you're nuts, there's nothing wrong with you physically, you're just crazy!" "You need to die, you're a burden on your family, your friends, etc. etc." Clinical depression lies to you, and it's extremely hard to battle.
We didn't know that Marcus was battling....many people with clinical depression are good actors...until they are discovered dead from suicide.
Now for the good news....THERE IS HOPE! With a combination of support, from family, and friends, counseling from a professional (and you may need to interview a few counselors to find one that you connect well with, and feel that they understand YOU), and medication you can again feel good about life. You may never be CURED from clinical depression, but if you can find a combination of treatments that bring back color, and joy into your life...what a wonderful thing!
Of the three issues I faced in 1990, breast cancer, Fibromyalgia, and clinical depression, Clinical Depression has been the hardest battle. It's no sissy sprint, it's a marathon. On the other hand, ANYONE CAN survive this struggle!
If you know of anyone battling Clinical Depression DON'T JUDGE THEM. DO LOVE THEM! I have lost one of my favorite people because nobody knew that he was depressed. We need to love more, and judge less anybody fighting the demons of depression.
I will end on a positive note. I believe that Marcus is now getting powerful professional care in the spirit world. I believe that he understands himself, and the demons that were driving him well. I also believe that we will be again together as a family after I have finished this life. Our family will pull closer together than ever. I am eternally grateful to be a part of this amazing family.
In addition if my struggles with this disease and the lessons I have learned, and the success I have had in battling can help even ONE person...I will be grateful. PLEASE if you are battling this enemy GET HELP! Tell someone that you trust, and then get medication and professional counseling! I'm praying for you.
NEW DIRECTION FOR THIS BLOG
After thinking a lot about it I have decided to go a new direction. This blog will be used by me to do my level best to inspire, uplift, and create more laughter in the world.
Previously I used it for everything from recipes to posting my newest novel. I have decided that I'm going to create a new blog.....Driftinganchroranch.blogspot.com...and on it I will post all kinds of info about my series and the sequel that will come after the series. My first series is Women of the Drifting Anchor Ranch. The sequel will be Children of the Drifting Anchor Ranch.
The first series will take place between 1850 and 1890. The second will take place from 1890ish to 1920. I LOVE HISTORY. It fascinates me to see different people in different settings. People ARE endlessly fascinating, but place them in different time with all the variables that exist there and I am SO HAPPY!
Objoyful44.blogspot.com will be a forum for some of my life's journey. I have traversed a wide variety of experiences in the 55 years I've lived. I am hoping to lift some others in the broad world who may be going through struggles and juggles. IN ADVANCE I WARN YOU, my information may not be for the faint of heart.
So...all those who are brave, or struggling, or both, please read, and comment. I LOVE to connect with others.
Look for my new Blog, and my first self-published book sometime in the year 2010. Remember, driftinganchorranch.blogspot.com will be the address of my new Blog.
Previously I used it for everything from recipes to posting my newest novel. I have decided that I'm going to create a new blog.....Driftinganchroranch.blogspot.com...and on it I will post all kinds of info about my series and the sequel that will come after the series. My first series is Women of the Drifting Anchor Ranch. The sequel will be Children of the Drifting Anchor Ranch.
The first series will take place between 1850 and 1890. The second will take place from 1890ish to 1920. I LOVE HISTORY. It fascinates me to see different people in different settings. People ARE endlessly fascinating, but place them in different time with all the variables that exist there and I am SO HAPPY!
Objoyful44.blogspot.com will be a forum for some of my life's journey. I have traversed a wide variety of experiences in the 55 years I've lived. I am hoping to lift some others in the broad world who may be going through struggles and juggles. IN ADVANCE I WARN YOU, my information may not be for the faint of heart.
So...all those who are brave, or struggling, or both, please read, and comment. I LOVE to connect with others.
Look for my new Blog, and my first self-published book sometime in the year 2010. Remember, driftinganchorranch.blogspot.com will be the address of my new Blog.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
CONTEST RESULTS!
Forgive my long lapse in the world of Bloggerolia. I have been traveling with my beloved
family throughout Europe. This is my first trip and I'm loving it! We've seen plays at
the West End in London, traveled into Scotland, and ever so many other wonderful
experiences. This week we will watch our daughter graduate with a Master's from
Cambridge. Pomp and circumstance at it's best!
My contest winner is Emily Claire.....hands down....she was a faithful reader and
commentor. Thank you SO MUCH Emily Claire. Your comments were very
helpful.
As soon as we return home I will send you pictures of the afghans you have to
choose from. If there isn't one that you like, then we'll discuss other colors, and
patterns that are option.
In the meantime, I am still working on Wilhelmina Elizabeth, "Women of the
Drifting Anchor Ranch." The book will be self-published online in the fall.
Thanks again for any that read.
family throughout Europe. This is my first trip and I'm loving it! We've seen plays at
the West End in London, traveled into Scotland, and ever so many other wonderful
experiences. This week we will watch our daughter graduate with a Master's from
Cambridge. Pomp and circumstance at it's best!
My contest winner is Emily Claire.....hands down....she was a faithful reader and
commentor. Thank you SO MUCH Emily Claire. Your comments were very
helpful.
As soon as we return home I will send you pictures of the afghans you have to
choose from. If there isn't one that you like, then we'll discuss other colors, and
patterns that are option.
In the meantime, I am still working on Wilhelmina Elizabeth, "Women of the
Drifting Anchor Ranch." The book will be self-published online in the fall.
Thanks again for any that read.
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