A 21st Blogiversary -- Or -- This Might Change Your Life. It Changed Mine.

My 21st blogiversary is in 2 days, but this post won't leave my mind, so here you go.

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This interview with Gerald McRaney, well, shook me up. Changed me. Reminded me of how we as Christians should consistently be. I'll shorten it here:

McRaney:  "My first time on The Rockford files I had a scene to do. I'm in my little dressing room and there's a knock on the door.  I open the door and there's Jim Garner. He says, "Hey Hoss. I just want to welcome you to the show. I hope you have fun."' 

"And that was it. But that was the way that man was. I'm a day player, I'm doing one scene and he went out of his way to welcome me."

"Months later, my parents came out for a visit and I'd arranged for them to have lunch at the commisary at Universal which was a big to-do for them. And I saw that Rockford Files was shooting right across the street."

"I went to see if Jim was there, and he was, and his assistant came to the door. I said, "I just wanted to see if Jim would have a moment to say hello to my parents." 

"Well, there was an executive in there with Jim who said something like, "We don't have time." To which Jim responded, "Well, we're gonna have to make some time, aren't we?" 

"He came out and spent, like, the next hour with my parents and just kept that executive in there cooling his heels, learning some manners. And I will never forget that as long as I live. Jim was the finest gentleman I've run across in this business. He was such an outstanding man."

Oh. My. Goodness.

Today's unfriendly world needs Christians to, daily, walk in that type of excellence! We must find ways to counter-balance all those Youtube videos which say you-don't-need-friends-after-50-just-stay-in-your-cozy-home-with-your-pets-so-no-one-will-hurt-your-feelings.

And instead? It's time to break out of all our cages. To love others, sacrifice for them as Jesus told us to.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony ..  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor... Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Colossians 3:14, Romans 12:10, 1 John 4:8

I believe our Country needs a Love Revival, especially all over the Internet. Oh, when will we view this online world as the mission field God meant it to be? When will we stop hiding from people, peeking our heads out only when convenient for us?

Today, maybe?

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Tom and I are nearly finished with our second rewatch of The Rockford Files (free at Amazon). We always begin with season two. It's a top level comfort show for us, like looking through a window back in Time. We love his beat-up old trailer, the taco restaurant next door, the ocean in his front yard, his dad and Rockford's sense of humor. Everything, really.

I hope you'll watch that interview with Gerald McRaney. After 40 years, the emotion in his voice is still palpable. Wow. 

21 years blogging! What an adventure, indeed. How long will I continue? Only as long as I feel Grace speaking through me.

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And as I shared at Facebook:

So! If anyone is sitting around wishing they knew of a kindness they could bestow, here's an idea.

Hope Ann is newish to Youtube and I know she'd appreciate any 'likes' and comments today. She is the sweetest thing since local honey and her last video was her best (imo). It even had a scary ending. Oh my.

Please drop by and comment if you can, ok? I know she'd appreciate it so much.

Thanks!

(Thousands of ways to show compassion online exist like this.)

And what I desire to see all over Youtube? Videos with titles like, "How We Can Love Others Better." "Ways We Can Become More Excellent in Our Relationships." "How To Show People Jesus Cares For Them." "Examples of Kindness."

The Warfare of Love, Part 1. Joyce Meyer.

"It's impossible to be selfish and happy."    --- Joyce Meyer

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "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

First You Cry, Then You Stand Up and Go Do Research

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."   --- Matthew 7:7

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(Hopefully, this will be my last health-related post. Color yourself thankful!)  シ

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Something was wrong.

After 6 weeks, my hearing was restored, the uti and fibroid issues had vanished, but still, there I lay on the red couch tired, listless and coughing. Not all days, but many.

I'd wondered on Monday if I could have celiac disease, but on Tuesday, Kathryn (whose videos helped me mentally survive these weeks), stated she was gluten intolerant-- and oh!

Bunny trail time.

Traipsing down lists of symptoms, I was all, "Yes! It's like that." And although I'd been eating around 80% gluten free, I'd now have to go 100%. That is, if I wanted to finally feel better.

(I do! I do!)

But oh, the foods one must give up. And although I didn't actually cry, I came close. Gone, all those decades of simplicity, of eating anything yet feeling terrific. All the memories of dining at cute diners, church potlucks and in homes of friends, etc. Sigh.

Yet the more research I did, the more Youtube folks kept saying, "Now is actually a good time to be gluten intolerant! The food choices are updated and varied and actually taste good.

And after doing some online window shopping, God has helped me come away encouraged. Also, in just 4 days, I'm accomplishing things around the house and spending less time on the couch.

I am feeling better, stronger and living a forever-deeper life of gratitude, which was part of God's plan all along.

Is He so good or what?

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Yes! If you think about it, it's much like this:

Never give up! Quitters rarely find anything life-changing. Answers exist, we just have to ask God to lead us to them.

Oh, and I'm also dairy free because of the fibroid stuff. Only in some cases is it difficult avoiding dairy, but kinda hard when it comes to pizza.  シ

And I appreciate that some restaurants in our area have gluten free options. We found a website which lists who offers at least a few gf choices.

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I can't even explain how much I enjoyed this video. For months I'd hoped her home would be featured again without Christmas decor, and there it was!

And here's her mom's home. Such inspiring ladies! (Though yeah, I do come away feeling like a creative dud.)  シ

A video of Kathryn and Adam's  I especially liked.

One of the gluten free videos which encouraged my heart!

If you're really into genealogy, you may enjoy this new channel.

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "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

When You Must Say Good-Bye

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Have you ever watched a favorite Youtube channel for years then it, eventually, becomes like fingernails on a chalkboard to you?

This week that happened to me. 

"Maggie" began her (Christian)channel sharing recipes, gardening tips, homemaking and decluttering advice, fun thrift shop finds, creating food gifts, but these past months? Oh dear. It's like a poverty mentality wrapped around her brain and won't let go.

Saving money. Now it's all about saving money. Keeping what you have. Pinching pennies. Creating a small, spendless life.

No videos about, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Nor, "It is in giving that we receive... God loves a cheerful giver ... Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed... whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

No talk about tithes, offerings, freely giving, freely receiving.

And these were my mornings' first videos while drinking my cocoa, words which set my day's tone!

Following much conviction, I said good-bye. Unsubbed. Walked away.

Instead, this morning, I chose a Darling Desi video and ooooo! Fresh, jubilant, joyful air. Like being able to breathe again. Desi focuses on giving us her whole heart. Ideas, joy, laughter, creativity, ways to be happy in hard times, gratitude, hope for brighter days coming and more.

It's impossible to click away from Desi's videos (most) without a big, dreamy smile.

What Tom and I discovered around 2021? We've always tithed, but as long as we also give offerings freely to help others... as long as we do things like order delivery (lunch and groceries) with a focus on supporting our neighbors who work those places ... as long as we give whenever God presents a need we can fulfill---

--then He keeps pouring money into our bank account. At this stage of our lives, there's always money when things break down around our 95-year-old Hobbit Cottage or unexpected bills drop into our mailbox.

But only if we keep open hands to others and give and give. First.

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It's important what we watch! --

Does anyone have recommendations of Youtube videos where there's much joy and giving to others, ones like Somers In Alaska? They're a perfect example of what I'm searching for.

Oh and after 5 1/2 weeks of that virus, I finally began to feel semi normal, like health was here to stay! So grateful, trust me, and again, a special thanks to all who prayed for me.

And honestly? It's gonna take weeks to rebuild myself after this. It was so rough. Truly.

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God Gives Abundantly But You Still Have a Scarcity Mindset

7 Brutal Decluttering Hacks for Seniors

Tiny House For Her Golden Years

Ariel's Hallway is Finished!

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Give. Then give some more. Then watch your life change forever.  ツ

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 ***

 "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

And Then She Was In The Basement Nearly Crying ---

So there I was down in the basement with my face against our new washing machine's top. Trying not to cry. "Why is this happening? All of this?" I whispered.

The machine wouldn't fill. After lining up the settings, I pressed the start button, yet only a bit of water trickled in, then stopped. Tried it again, same thing.

And that's when I leaned upon the machine, wanting to crumble. These past 4 weeks! The exhaustion, the coughing, hearing loss, uti, fibroid issues, bad outside air quality (so no sitting outside to heal), trying to keep up with housework, 3 weeks of men tearing out our street to repave it (boom! crash! boom), the loss of all but my indoor tomato seedlings, my laptop threatening suicide, and that very morning Tom awoke with excruciating hip pain --

But God reminded me of the beautiful moments. 

Help for weeks from Tom and Naomi. A card and letter from a friend. Facebook messages wishing me well and lots of folks there praying for me. Last week when Tom and Naomi oversaw the entire washing machine installation and carry-away. Emails promising prayers. The days we had sunshine and others with rain for my gardens. And what did we do before helpful Youtube videos?

I lifted my head. Eyed that start button then pushed it one more time. Poof! It began filling normally.

Oh, how times like these dip us down to the deepest pools of gratitude. So deep, that we learn to view everything (everything) through eyes made new by all that gratitude water.

Whew.

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For the record, our former washing machine was 20 years old and I'd babied it along for months. I specifically asked Tom to order a very basic machine as much like the old one as possible, but there are still a few too many little green lights on it for my liking.

Oh, and I am feeling much better from that virus, maybe 85%. Thanks if you prayed for me. You'll never know how much I appreciate it.

Please pray for Tom. He's going to try sitting very still this weekend then see his acupuncturist on Monday.

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To give you an example of how badly I felt, I finished reading only one book last month! My goal is eight. Plus I bought two new middle grade books, but have not even opened them. So unlike me!

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Clinging to this one, trust me!  --

'They' say not to talk about illness--and to an extent I agree when it's the only thing one speaks of. Yet if no one ever shares this stuff then others will think everybody else is feeling great and they, themselves, are alone in their hard times.

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "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

Where She's Kinda Sorta Back

... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."   ---  Philippians 4:8

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Still here! But just barely. Gah.

Eighteen days ago I came down with a covid-like virus with lots of tiredness, coughing and another temporary partial hearing loss. I reread my post regarding my first bout in 2023 and uh-oh! My attitude sounded much more positive.

But back then, I'd not been bombarded the entire prior year with long lists of sad, challenging things. When you're repeatedly beaten down, it becomes more difficult to keep fighting.

Many's the time I've yanked out my copy of Battlefield of the Mind. This feeling like biblical Job isn't a good look for me.

Anyway, finally the tiredness is disappearing, most of the coughing and if I tilt my head a certain way, my hearing improves. Slowly I'm keeping up with housework, for always I recall how Almanzo Wilder jumped back far too soon from diptheria and had a stroke which affected him his life's remainder.

Wouldn't want that or a relapse, either.

Keeping this short, I'll just add that for decades I've aimed at creating beautiful days, but these past two weeks? I've switched to, instead, reveling in beautiful moments. To treasuring any loveliness no matter how tiny or short-lasting. 

To celebrating and savoring any task accomplished, anything which lifts my battle-weary spirit--and you know? That's become an even sweeter way to live.

Notice our lilac bush in the header? It's never before looked so full. And that's even the one which, years ago, contracted a disease. Taking a hand saw to it, I cut it down to a stump.

Sometimes we just need to let God prune us way, way back for the beauty which will appear later on.

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Oh, the temptation when one is sick to believe the world cannot spin without her! But instead, may it be a reminder that--although we have a part--it's not a 24/7 one. God places people here to take up our slack at such times as these to both help and humble us.

"Without patience, Life is extremely frustrating."

-- Richard Carlson

It amazes me how I'll have an overall bad day, but God can enable me to recognize many beautiful moments.

What matters is that I don't meditate upon the blinding negative circumstances, instead.

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And as I wrote at Facebook:

This morning I stepped out to the sunny porch to read and our young nextdoor neighbor (20's?) was mowing his lawn. I thought, "Oh well. I'm just thankful the sun is shining after all our dark days and it's not too warm to read."

Soon, the mower stopped and our neighbor said, "I can finish mowing later since you're reading your book right now."

Oh my. Who does that? Our sweet, kind neighbor, obviously.

I told him, "Oh! That's ok. I'm good at concentrating on my books. You go ahead and finish. Thanks!"

And considering I'm still not feeling 100%, his kindness was a huge blessing for me this Wednesday. Really, it takes so little for us to bless one another in unforgettable ways. We've had many neighbors, but NEVER one that cared that the lawn mower might be an inconvenience to a neighbor.

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And wow! May God greatly bless this young couple for helping me through these past two weeks via Youtube. Not only have they taken me places I'll never visit, but their expression of such unity and matching of temperaments blows me away. (Kinda makes me feel that, at that age, Tom and I did everything wrong.) シ

What a blessing to watch their joy and appreciation of everything!

(I've many favorites of their videos, but here's just one.)

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We watched the latest George Foreman movie and really enjoyed it.

Here's a tiny house story I enjoyed.

Elegant Rustic Grandma Chic

Living Simply In a Garden Shed

Never give up!

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "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

Meanwhile, Down At the Little Yellow House in Goshen --

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   --- John 16:33

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Oh dear. I aim at writing here once a week, but ....

First, I had to start manually advancing our old washing machine, causing me extra (tiring) trips down into the basement. Finally I discovered the hand wash cycle remains normal. Whew.

Then our 14 year old dishwasher went all I-just-want-to-do-a-sloppy-job-and-back-up-into-the-kitchen-sink-like-I-have-before-and-clog-your-drain. Last few loads, I had to examine every single item(!) and rewash many. Oh, and it grew a wall of mold.

And yes, I tried the hacks.

Finally, I gave-up on all that complication. I super disinfected it and now our dishwasher is the extra kitchen cupboard I always longed for. 

And washing dishes by hand? I adore the simplicity.

Then we had a day of high/bad air quality and guess who started coughing and feeling exhausted? Gah. Next day, too, and the next day and -- even when the weather app said, "Air's much better now! Open your windows! Be free! Go outside!

After more bleary-eyed perusing Youtube, I placed the small air-conditioner back in the upstairs window and ran it, even though outside was cold and rainy. That helped. (But those mid-May frost warnings made me cranky, for I couldn't transplant my indoor seedlings. Still haven't.)

Man, for days while draped over the couch with the cats, I was unable to think clearly. Groggily I'd repeat, "I love this life God's given me. I am grateful. And blessed. This, too, shall pass -- and mostly I recalled things like this:

"A great love knows that in every difficulty, every trial, every failure, the presence of the love one suffices... Just to be with Me, just to know I am beside you--does that bring you joy and peace?"

From God Calling

Eventually, while upstairs where always I felt better (hmm), I recalled our heater vents were still open. I sealed them and wow! Almost instantly I stopped coughing and felt awake.

Uh-oh. We began wondering if we have mold in the vents. Tom read about this, watched Youtube, and went all, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We'll have to leave while a professional mold expert (no regular vent guy) fixes the problem."

Eegads. I calmed him down. Reminded him I felt 95% better--and--that I'd need at least 3 days before the mold guy came lest he walk around with his gadgets and exclaim, "My, my. All the dust in your house!"  シ

Anyway, I think Tom's more serene about it all and we'll start with a duct work crew that's qualified and not likely to race into the street should they come across mold. 

Such is Life, right? So many tests which I'm determined to pass with godly reactions and attitudes. But yeah, sometimes it's ever so tempting to stay curled up on the red couch and wish them all away.

(Hint: go doing that and they'll just return later since God won't let us quietly flunk out. So let's all pass those tests, ok?)

"Repetitive complaining will attract things for you to complain about. Repeated gratitude will attract things for you to be grateful for."   

--Unknown.

Oh, and when we're not feeling well, it becomes super important to speak truth aloud so to drown out the hopeless voice from satan inside our heads (you know, like the one which says we'll always feel this bad, etc.).

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This was a huge helpful reminder for me lately:  Resilient and Strong

This young woman makes simple snacks look awesome!

Wow, one of Cass' most powerful decluttering (and living life well) videos, ever!

Don't know about you, but I found this video fascinating!

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We rewatched these movies recently and again enjoyed them:

Slumberland  (perhaps the most creative, colorful film I've ever viewed)

The Young and Prodigious T. S. Spivet (though there's talk of the death of a child in case that's a trigger for you)

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Books I Finished Reading in May:

Nonie: The Autobiography of Lenora Mattingly Weber

Chicken Every Sunday by Rosemary Taylor

Short and Tall Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun

Mystery of the Red Carnations by Mary C. Jane

Mystery on Echo Ridge by Mary C. Jane

Death and Wedding Cake by Nova Walsh

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes

Believe by Julie Mathison (I was so disappointed by the ending, but I understand why others would appreciate it.)

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be.

 

 *** 

 "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

Where She Lost Lots of Weight But Didn't Realize Because ---

"A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and the health of the body."   --- Proverbs 14:30

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Ok. Please keep in mind that each of us is at least a tad weird.  シ

***

One of my oddities? I'd not weighed myself in 6 years. Hey, this was due partly to my last 'Garfield experience':

Er hem. And too, I felt terrific and mostly stopped caring what I weighed especially since piecing together a fun wardrobe of leggings, capris and flowy/tunic tops, all of which are dearly forgiving and always fit.

Also, Hobbit Cottage has no plethora of mirrors.

But then came 2024, lots of sad times and health issues. (Anyone else hate it when that happens?) If I didn't make dietary changes, there would be consequences.

And you know? Those were the boost I needed. (For me, health overrides vanity.) Suddenly I felt grace (much. grace.) to switch to my own version of the Keto Diet (see below). Probably this happened in January, with a total giving up of cheese/milk in March. 

And remember when I began skipping dinner lest I feel sick in bed at night? Wow, that's called intermittent fasting. I didn't know it was a thing.

Then not until 3 weeks ago did I begin almost daily walking the block and a half to the Little Free Library. Hardly a marathon, but something.

Well, a couple days ago while on the red couch, I thought, "I wonder if, after all these changes (and not visiting the cafe in 3 years), I've lost any weight? Maybe it's time to finally step on that dreaded scale." 

So I did. Got on the scale and saw I'd lost 25 pounds. You know, since 6 years ago. 

Wow. After all I've experienced lately, I so needed that good news, especially since part of a reason for fibroids is carrying around extra weight. Yikes.

Plus, during my research, I discovered that stress slows down healing (from most ills you can name), so now I'm training myself to realize when I've strayed from balance and calmness. (It surprised me to discover I'm not a Calm Cathy as I once believed).

Oh, to be led by Grace and God who created us and knows our bodies best! I can imagine no better, no healthier goal.

One reason to remain calm? So that we'll not speak harshly to our own selves and disrupt our peace and health.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."   --- Galations 6:9

Note:

The main thought of this post is NOT that I lost weight. (I hope you'll not even mention that.) Rather, it's that slowly and consistently doing the right things will bring results--eventually--if we're willing to keep doing our part while we trust God to do His.

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To help me stay more consistently calm, I gathered a folder at Youtube which I titled Soothing Videos. Here are 5.

How to Romanticize Your Life

Gothic Seaside Vlog  (some of Desi's videos are like stepping inside a Victoria Magazine! Although, I do forward through her spooky movie and book recommendations. Hey, no one's perfect, not even Desi.)  ツ

Small Cottage Vintage Yellow Accent Ideas

Slowing Down Wasn't My Choice But I Needed It

What I've Learned This Spring

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The kinda-sorta keto diet I personalized for myself (and really, I don't go around feeling hungry. Honest.) ---

Walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, pecans

Grass fed beef, organic chicken, tuna

Eggs, 

Apples, bananas, cherries, pears, pineapple

Berries (with 2 heaping tbl.'s plain Greek yogurt)

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green salad, tomatoes, green beans, mushrooms, avocado, peppers, spinach, zucchini, pumpkin

1 square cacao (per day), Stevia

Almond milk, quinoa, pinto beans

Olive oil, avocado oil, beef tallow

Sliced turkey when we order in/have delivery (I remove 3 slices bread from the sandwich and eat the remaining vegetables with a fork.)

Occasional 3-ingredient, gluten free Aldi chips

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HaHa!

Oh, and if anyone ever tells you that people over 60 can't lose weight, I hope you'll say, "Ha! They're doing it every day."

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."   --- Jeremiah 29:11

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "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