"Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." ...Isaiah 46:4
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"Turn 60!", they said. "It'll be fun," they said.
Riiight.
So far, for me, 60 has meant, "Better come up with a new plan, Honey! The old ones just got 10 times harder."
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What is it this time? It's all those hedges surrounding our house.
They are defeating me. I carry the big hedger thingy out there and suddenly Chopin's Funeral March plays in my head. Every week I swing away at those green monsters. Each weekend they're still out of control, snickering at me.
(And let's not mention what happens when Tom makes even a tiny, innocent remark about them.) 😲
Think I'm exaggerating about a few tiny-nothing hedges?
Look past Sue's adorable grandbaby (who's the most photogenic child, ever, even now a year later) to see just 1 of our side hedges (we have 2), then below, to see the front one) --
Can you say, "Ridiculous-and-what's-taken-you-so-long-to-chop-them-down"?
Well, this morning after my coffee shop visit I
Yet later? I thought, "Maybe the hedges didn't defeat me, exactly. Perhaps they're just another reminder to--
Expect changes.
Recognize that God's not taking things from me: He's trying to do me a favor.
Grow smarter/wiser through each transition.
Anticipate the good which adjustments bring.
Don't complain.
Keep a sweet attitude.
Daily list your blessings.
One step, one day at a time, I can do that.
So the hedges are coming down. I emailed Tom, he agrees it's time (and that paying folks for years to trim them isn't the wisest choice) and I've contacted the wife of a friend with a tree trimming business to see if he'll tackle these.
Oh, and we'll most likely have a white vinyl fence installed just along the side of the house, itself.
Months ago I considered chopping down the hedges. Running a fence along all or part of that area. Or keeping them, then paying someone for their care for years.
But oh, the peace when--rather than toying with a merry-go-round of 3 or 4 choices--you choose just one. The one you believe God wants you to.
Whew.
We should hesitate to resent change, lest it's one which came from God, Himself.
"A double-minded (wo)man is unstable in all her ways." ... James 1:8, tweaked
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Need a good movie to watch at home this weekend (like, via Amazon or your favorite streaming places)? Here are most which I've recommended so far in 2019, but oh! Let's add Tolkien. Tom and I super-enjoyed that one recently.
Mary Poppins Returns
This movie is now at Netflix! So there you go. ツ
First Man.
Dog Days.
Unbroken: Path to Redemption. Loved it as we knew we would, having seen the first Unbroken film in the theater in 2014.
A Tuba to Cuba.
Sinatra in Palm Springs. View the trailer here.
Oh! I've not even ever read an Agatha Christie book (!), but I really enjoyed this documentary about her at Amazon. Free with Prime.
The Great Buster. We both loved it. A perfect documentary, indeed.
Truly, I recommend the Mr. Rogers documentary. I watched it at Amazon. View the trailer here.
And this film is now in theaters. I heard it was wonderful. Check out the trailer here.
Oh, and I'll recommend They Shall Not Grow Old, although it's not for everyone. Almost never do I watch war films, but this was different. Check it out for yourself here.
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
Debra, I was so happy to see your list that I wrote down all the titles. I adore Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, so that is the first I want to see, and the others look fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteWe saw Mary Poppins on Netflix and have had friends see Overcomers. They highly recommend it. Thanks for the other recomendations.
ReplyDeleteI feel you about the bushes. That's one of my biggest concerns about growing old in this house. All of the shrubs and big yard. And the stairs you can't avoid. I'm glad you're taking a step to make life easier for yourself.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you so much for the movie recommendations - I'm always dissatisfied with the recommended lists I get on Netflix/Amazon. These all sound great.
ReplyDeleteGetting older is not what I thought, that's for sure. It's full of CHANGE in my thinking which I know is good for me but unexpected. I liked that last little quote that starts out "It's funny how we outgrow what we once thought..." and you reminder list.
I've starred this post for myself :)
Debra, how is it that your posts are always so timely in my life??? Who would have thought there would come a day when trimming shrubs would actually challenge us? Well, I am right there with you! And I feel guilty, too. Why? When we moved to the farm, over 15 years ago, I went crazy planting trees, shrubs and flowers. The shrubs are making me crazy. Sit down. We have 42 shrubs. All need attention. What was I thinking? Hubby is 7 years younger than me, and he's still strong, thank God. I have gradually shifted some tasks to him, since he retired, but he has around 4-5 acres to mow. Oh my, when we used to live in town, we dreamed about living in the country...for the privacy...the natural beauty...being one with nature. Guess what, I give up, nature has won this contest! Years ago, when we visited my parents, I noticed that mom had only one hanging basket of flowers at the front door. I wondered why she didn't plant more flowers in the landscaping. Now I understand. She knew what she could and could not handle.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you and Tom have agreed on how to deal with your hedges. I'll bet you won't miss them all that much, either. Just think of all the time and frustration you will save yourself. I'd much rather watch one of the movies you suggested than trim shrubs!!!
Terra--oh good! I'm so happy you liked the movie list and I hope you were able to watch a couple. I really enjoyed each--how wonderful to find good films these days, right?
ReplyDeleteBetsy--thanks so much! In fact, just today I finally made an appointment to have our 60 feet of hedges ripped out. My oh my, I can hardly wait! Afterward I'll be able to cross of yet one more thing from that master to do list--hooray! :)
Hey Debbie! Great to see you again and I'm glad you also liked the movie list. And yes, that certainly is the word for these years--change! And I'm thinking lately it really will be good for me to just start expecting changes. Might as well. heh.
Oh my goodness, Pam! I think I became dizzy when you said you have 42 shrubs. Oh dear.And really, that's wise of you to have given your husband some extra tasks after he retired and oh my yes, these days I totally understand why your mom had just one hanging basket of flowers. Some days that is my dream--ha! Especially when we have super hot summers, but thankfully, this summer was just right. So I'll keep my plants a little while longer. :)
Thanks so much, Everyone! Blessings, Debra