Weekly Chat - October 14

 

Here we are mid-October! Only about 10 weeks until Christmas! Is it too early to mention that?

DATE:  October 14, 2024

WEATHER:  55 degrees at the moment. We are getting a cold front coming down with temps in the 60s during the day and 30s and high 40s at night. Feels so good! Sunny, no rain predicted. Lovely weather.

READING:  A Cades Cove Story by A. Randolph Shields. I enjoy reading the history of this amazing place in the Smoky Mountains. Some of the cabins have been preserved and it shows just how rustic and challenging life was for those early settlers.

The John Oliver Cabin. John and his wife were the first settlers to build here.

LISTENING TO:  In This Mountain by Jan Karon and narrated by John McDonough.

THANKFUL FOR:  All my family safe after Hurricane Milton. Some are still without power but are in safe places.

PONDERING/PRAYING:  My son in law's birthday today and my oldest son's birthday tomorrow. Praying for Israel, family members, friends, our country and the upcoming elections.

FUNNY OF THE WEEK:

A PEEK INTO MY LIFE: 

The Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 years ago.

I understand it is closed at the southern section due to damage from Helene.

QUOTE:

SCRIPTURE:  

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

Wishing everyone a blessed week!

Friday Fave Five

 

Welcome this week to Friday Fave Five, where we remember the blessings we have received and the good things that have impacted our lives. Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting this. I've been away a couple of weeks, regrouping and dealing with some matters. But I'm back and glad to be.

1.  Auora Borealis: I've only seen the Northern Lights one time in my life, when I was a child growing up in upstate NY. Recently much of the country was treated to a spectacular sight when the solar activity of the sun sent this glorious spectacle our way. In my area of Tennessee, it was seen vividly although where I live the lights in the area were too bright for me to enjoy it. My son and some of the grandsons who live 30 minutes from me were able to go to a place with wonderful visibility. So, I'll share their photos.

God certainly gave us a light show!

2.  Mother's Day: I spent a lovely Mother's Day with my youngest son and daughter-in-love. Wonderful food and lots of chatter. There were texts and phone calls from my daughter and oldest son as well as grand kids. My daughter sent me a knit cap like the one I had admired when she came to visit. 

So pretty and soft and lacy! I also was given an Amazon gift certificate which is still waiting to be spent. No problem there. I always have things on my Amazon wish list!

3.  Protection from storms: Wednesday of last week, we had severe weather come through. We were on a tornado watch until midnight. Torrential rain and wind and hail was predicted. My area only saw rain and some wind. I appreciate our vigilant meteorologists who warn us of impending nasty weather. It's always great to be prepared. After living in hurricane-prone Florida for so many years, I tend to watch weather more closely. 

4.  Reading: This is always a joy to me. I have two tall bookcases full of books but I still borrow from the library or from Kindle Unlimited and have several titles on my Amazon and Thrift Book wish list. I guess you'd say I'm a hoarder when it comes to books. Thank goodness for my Kindle so that I can have another place to store them. 

5.  My water bottle: 

It's the little things that can bring such joy! Years ago, my daughter bought me a water bottle from Star Bucks. She said she was tired of seeing me with my worn-out plastic water container. It's a heavy glass and I was afraid to use it in case I dropped and broke it. But a couple years ago, I threw caution to the wind and began to use it. It's pretty and is my constant companion. I don't how I managed life without it!

Well, that's about it. I'm dealing with some health issues right now so my blogging might be sporadic. I'll take each day as it comes. Meanwhile, have a great weekend and enjoy this spring weather. Pretty soon, summer will be here and with it, the heat. 

Weekly Chat

 

DATE: May 11, 2024

WEATHER: Sunny and clear, 56 degrees. Maybe get some showers later.

READING:  "A Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini,  "A Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes

THANKFUL FOR: A lovely Mother's Day with some of my kids. My car's AC with a fresh charge of freon. God's provision.

FUNNY OF THE WEEK:

PONDERING: The effect on social media in our lives and in mine specifically. Amusing, entertaining but very addicting and a time waster. I've been changing my social media habits remarkably.

A PEEK INTO MY LIFE: 

A knit cap from my daughter for Mother's Day. So pretty and delicate and soft!

A QUOTE: 

SCRIPTURE:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God;

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

 

Wishing everyone a blessed week. 

Weekly Chat - a day late

 

Yesterday was a busy day - what with errands and an epic eclipse. So, I'm doing catch-up today. The end of last week saw me rearranging furniture and getting ready for my daughter's visit this weekend. Thank goodness for Ibuprofen because I certainly overdid it. This week, I want to clean those places you tend to ignore until you know someone else may see it, so I'm taking it a bit at a time. So, here goes - an abbreviated Weekly Chat.

DATE: April 9, 2024

WEATHER: 56 degrees and rain. We're supposed to have rain here off and, on all week, but sunny on the weekend. 

READING: I just finished "Widows and Orphans" by Susan Meissner last night and will begin this today. 

I was given this book by a dear friend, and I've been looking forward to starting it.

I'm also reading slowly through "The End" by Mark Hitchcock. 

FUNNY OF THE WEEK: 

PONDERING: 

• The Epic Eclipse: Our area was to have 88% totality yesterday. However, rain and clouds obscured it. Some areas near me had a break in the clouds but not here. It did get darker though. A Bible teacher I follow did a live stream from his backyard during the eclipse. He was in the path of totality, and it was amazing to see how dark it got. 
• Working on a food program to try to reduce my blood sugars without taking on another medication or (worse) insulin.
• Looking forward to a relaxing and lovely visit with my daughter this weekend.
• Some issues I'm praying about and trusting God to give me direction.

QUOTE:

SCRIPTURE:

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth

distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring."

PRAYING: 

• For our nation will turn back to God
• For salvation for loved ones and friends
• For Israel
• For my heart and mind to be pliable to what God wants of me,

I really didn't intend to end this post like this but everything around me....the news reports...the general apathy towards God that I see....even signs in the skies, tell me that we need draw closer to the Lord - more than ever before.

Have a great week, my friends. You probably won't see me here until next week. There are some cobwebs and dust bunnies to attend to!

Friday Fave Five

 

Good morning! I wrote a post a few moments ago and for some reason it didn't publish. And now it's gone completely. But I'm persistent and I'm here to try again. Despite technical difficulties, I want to share my blessings for the week. If two such posts end up being published, well, then you have a choice of reading material or you could read both! Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for giving us this spot. Come join us!

1. Protection from the storm: Our local meteorologists warned us all day Tuesday that we had a severe storm coming later that day: torrential rain, high winds, hail, flooding, and possibly tornadoes. We were under a 6 pm tornado warning until 2 am the next morning. There were a few power outages and some downed trees in the Smoky Mountains Nation Park but in my area, we only had some rain and lightning. Being an ol' Florida gal, I did what I could to prepare: secure anything outside that might go flying, lay patio chairs on their sides etc. I'm thankful that we were basically unaffected. But I am sad for those who were. 

2. Upcoming daughter visit: My daughter will be here one week from today! I'm looking forward to some gal time. We may take a touristy day trip. Not sure yet. But I know there will be plenty of knitting and chatter. I can't wait!

3. A new book: I have a very dear friend who reviewed a book on her blog that sounded interesting. During one of our frequent emails, I told her I was going to buy it. She graciously offered to send her copy to me to keep. It came yesterday.

I've read another book by Patti Callahan - "Once Upon a Wardrobe" which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to beginning this one.

4. A full cupboard and fridge: My income is of the retirement-type, so I always look forward to the day it all hits the checking account. By then, I'm low on a few of the essentials such as toilet paper and clothes detergent etc. It's a busy day going to 2 or 3 different stores with the best prices but at the end of the day, I'm thankful for the blessing of provision, in whatever shape it takes.

5. Easter Sunday: The most blessed of all days on the church calendar. There was a wonderful church service and then dinner with my son and daughter in law afterward. The real blessing is what happened that day, long ago. Jesus, the Son of God, died a cruel death. For me. For you. Death thought it had won. That was Friday but Sunday was coming. Something was about to happen.

"Cause I'll rise again.

Ain't no power on earth can tie me down.

Yes, I'll rise again.

Death can't keep me in the ground."

"Rise Again" by Dallas Holm

Wishing you all a blessed upcoming week. 

Weekly Chat

 

Date: March 25, 2024

Weather: 41 degrees. It's supposed to be a cloudy day but no rain until tomorrow. Right now, as I type this, it's still dark.

Reading: "Words, Attitudes, Actions" by Barbara Arnold Linkous.  "The End" by Mark Hitchcock.

Funny of the Week: 

Thankful for: Another week, payday today, my DIL's mother coming through surgery successfully, and God's provision and grace.

Knitting: No progress whatsoever this week. There was too much going on to settle down to knit.

A Peek into my Life: 

Afternoon tea many years ago with Mom at the Garden View Tea Room - Grand Floridian Resort at Disney World. Mother's Day weekend, if I remember.

Pondering: Changes I need to make regarding my health. 

Quote:

Scripture:

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him."

Psalm 34:8

Wishing everyone a blessed Holy Week.

My Reading Challenges

 

A couple of my friends are doing the reading challenge from My Reader's Block.  I've decided to join them beginning with the TBR challenge. If you'd like to know more about it, you can get all the details here 

For the TBR challenge (books I've had on my shelves but never read or finished), I chose Pike's Peak -  a 12 book challenge. My list is as follows:

1. Tipping Point by Jimmy Evans
2. The Gospel Power and Message by Paul Washer
3. Mrs. Griffin Sends Her Love by Miss Read
4. The Singing Family of the Cumberlands by Jean Ritchie
5. The Wonderful World of Thrush Green
6. Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
7. Dead Man's Mirror by Agatha Christie
8. The Under Dog by Agatha Christie
9. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
10. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
11. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
12. Imagine the God of Heaven by John Burke

There are also a lot of books I want to read that I don't already own. For that I'm taking the Virtual Mount TBR Challenge.- Mt. Rum Doodle challenge - 12 books for the year.

I don't have a list of books for this yet.

It's going to be fun!

Friday's Fave Five - February 16

 

Another week gone and time to share some of the blessings of the week. It's wonderful to pause a moment and remember bits and pieces of blessings that I've had this week. Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for the opportunity to share. Come join us!

1. Long phone conversations with my daughter: My daughter and I have had several long conversations this week that have been so much fun. She's my best friend and I always feel decades younger after one of our phone calls. This week, it was all about knitting.

2. Knitting: My daughter is a master knitter, and she hasn't been doing it for decades but just a few short years. She's been encouraging me since I've expressed a wish to learn and this week, she offered to do Zoom with me and teach me. Our conversations this week have been about the best project to begin and yarn amounts etc., etc. I've settled on a cowl, a light weight one that I can wear for decorative purposes and not especially for warmth. I ordered my yarn today from the Lion Brand's website and I can't wait to get it and get started. I'm so thankful for a patient daughter!

3. Beginning to feel better: We've had more warm days lately and I'm beginning to feel some improvement in my cough and congestion. Early mornings are still a bit troublesome, but the rest of the day isn't too bad.

4. Snuggles with Apollo: Apollo has been such a comfort to me. From a cat who watched me very warily whenever I moved to now wanting to snuggle all the time, he's been a joy. Cats certainly can teach you patience and it doesn't take long for you to realize you really are NOT the one in charge. Apollo was very wary of me and skittish a year ago when he first came here. I just let him "call the shots" so to speak, approach me when he wanted attention and, in his time, he's become my snuggle bunny. We just celebrated his "gotcha" date on February 3. 

5. Thrift Books,: Such great prices, free shipping and you rack up points for free books. I just ordered two more today - one was a Laura Ingalls Wilder book I had lost. The Long Winter recounted a winter of blizzard after blizzard in N.D. and how Laura and her family survived. I probably have read all of the "Little House" books but this one is my favorite. I'd read it during the Florida summers. Somehow it made me feel better.

We have some potential strong storms coming in tonight and tomorrow. We're not under a tornado watch at the moment, but some counties close to us are. I have a frozen pizza cooking in the oven - probably not the healthiest but, at least, no sugar. It's a kick-back kind of evening (I'm writing this Thursday evening) with my pizza and maybe some Poirot episodes. 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Friday Fave Five - January 13

 

It hard to believe that we are in the second week of the New Year, isn't it? It seems like only yesterday, I was looking at the Christmas tree and wondering if I should take it down. It's time to remind myself the blessings that have come my way in the last week. Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for giving us a place to do this. Why don't you join us?

1. A favorite is back: I've always been a fan of the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small". It's first incarnation began in the 70s on the BBC. For those not familiar, the series was adapted from stories in books based on the real life adventures of Alf Wight, a vet in the Yorkshire Dales. James Herriot was his pseudonym and these stories have enchanted readers for decades. A whole new incarnation has been created for Channel 5 in Great Britain and for PBS here in the U.S. On Sunday night, the long awaited first episode of season 3 premiered. I've been waiting (not so) patiently for the new season. It did not disappoint. 

2. The new kitty: Last week I introduced you to my newest Grand kitty, belonging to my son and daughter in law. I was able to meet him last Sunday and he is a sweetie. He loves to cuddle and play and has settled in quite nicely. He still doesn't have an official name, but I do have photos.

He is polydactyl with extra toes.

3. A new (sort of) DVD shelf: I've been looking around for a shelf to store my DVDs so that I could get them off my bookshelves (so I can get more books!) I really didn't want to spend the money right now and thankfully I thought of a plant stand I bought for the front of my apartment. Since I can't seem to keep plants alive, it's been sitting empty. I brought it in and here ya' go!

It's perfect!

4. Feeling better: Every year about this time when it gets cold and I have to use the heater, my sinuses act up and I end up with a cough. It usually begins around December to stays with me until around March. Last year I was in the doctor's office twice for antibiotics. This year, although it's back, it hasn't been as bad. I'm doing all the things I'm supposed to: using saline nasal spray, Nasacort and a humidifier to moisten the air. Overall, I'm feeling okay - a much better scenario than has been in the past.

5. A change in diet: At the first of January, I decided I needed to take charge of my health and this pesky type 2 diabetes. I went completely off sugar and most processed foods. I eat whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies and my protein, leaning heavily on fish and poultry. Being a sugarholic, I never thought I could do it, but it's been going well, and I feel so much better. The best part is that my fasting blood sugars are significantly lower. It makes me wonder why I didn't do this long ago.

 We've had mild temps this week, but we are expecting some snow as another cold front moves in. Back into the 20s for a couple nights. How long is it until spring? I'm not a fond of the cold.

You can tell I'm reading Lord of the Rings, can't you?

I hope all is well with you, my friends. Happy weekend!

Friday's Fave Five

 

Friday is upon us and so it's time to reflect on blessings I've had throughout the week. Thanks, Susanne, for hosting this.

1. Pretty yarn for baby blankets:  I have two great grands due in November and I need to get going on their crocheted baby blankets. The first one is a girl and I bought some pretty variegated and white yarn for a striped blanket. We don't know the gender of the second and so I'll choose another color of yarn for that later.

2. Groceries:  Once a month when my retirement funds hit the account, I'm off to do some grocery shopping. By then, my grocery list is large. I never fail to feel thankfulness after I'm home and all is put away. To have a full cupboard and fridge is a blessing that not everyone has and I'm thankful.

3. A new book and re-acquainting with an old friend.  I am an Agatha Christie fan, particularly of  her quirky Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. I've seen every one of the TV adaptations featuring David Suchet and read several of the books.. I recently found the book Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot - The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot by Anne Hart. It is the definitive companion to all the movies, TV adaptations and books featuring this detective.

I also ordered an old favorite: Sister Chicks Do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn. Here is the story of two friends who reunite and then decide to spend their 40th birthdays, just days apart, in a place they've always wanted to go - Hawaii. It's a sweet story full of friendship and appreciating the beauty of God's creation. This book is special to me because it is so full of the Hawaiian culture - a place I've always wanted to visit. It's like visiting there from my armchair. The book had been misplaced years ago and I just added it back into my collection. 

  

 

4. The love of reading:  I was talking with a lady just last week who said she could never get into reading. I listened to her reasons and thinking to myself: "It's like someone not liking chocolate!"  I've loved reading as far back as I can remember. Books inform, entertain and teach me something every day! I'm so glad that I was instilled with the love of reading at an early age.

5.  Changing up some things: I live in an small apartment. Let's just say, I have more furniture than apartment. I've changed and rearranged every way from Sunday. Moving furniture isn't advantageous now but yesterday I felt the urge to make things a bit different. It's amazing what a fresh outlook you get from simply rearranging things on a book shelf or moving a small table from 'here' to 'there'. My muscles were not happy with me by the evening but I liked what I did.