Dave Bricker

TAZEWELL, Va. — Forrest David Bricker, age 66, of The Cove in Tazewell, Va., died Saturday, November 5, 2011 at his home on Thistle Cove Farm. Born May 7, 1945 at Ravenna Arsenal, Ohio, he was a son of the late Forrest Davis Bricker and Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker. He was a graduate of Beaver High School and graduated with honors from West Virginia University. Dave was a U.S. Army Veteran, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was a retired stock broker, and currently served as President of Sibley Coal & Coke Company, Manager of Sibley Communications & Energy, and was Director of Logistics for Sibley Communications, all of Bluefield, W.Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Wirtz Bricker.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Bennett; one sister, Carol Bricker Pharr of Earlysville, Va.; many family members including, nieces, a nephew, cousins, an uncle, in-laws and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va.

 Graveside services and interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with Pastor Jerome Hancock of the Southside Church of the Nazarene  and Pastor George Ferguson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Dave's request was that you take someone special out to dinner.


Blessings ~ me, for having twenty-two beautiful years with Dave ~

Rest In Peace

Dave passed away earlier today; more information to follow as I'm able.

Your prayers and good thoughts are welcome.

Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

~ God knows you by name ~

God is speaking, directly, to you and calling you by name; copy and print this love letter from God and write your name in the ____ spaces.

I, the Lord, have searched you, ______, and know you. I know when you sit and when you rise; I know your thoughts before you even think them. ______, I know when you go out, when you sleep and am totally familiar with all your ways! Before you speak, ______, I, the Lord, know what you're going to say. I am with you, completely, and I go before and come after, keeping you, always, in My love; I hold you in My righteous right hand. I, the Lord, know all there is to know about you, yet I love you...still.

______, you cannot hide from My Spirit nor can you run from My presence. It is simply not possible. Should you go to the heavens, I, the Lord, am there. Or, if you go to the depths of the sea or depression or any other depths, I, the Lord, am also there. ______, I was there before you, waiting. If you rise at dawn or settle on the far side of the sea, I, the Lord, am there and will yet guide you. I, the Lord, hold you, ______, always, in my righteous right hand. ______, you may say, the darkness will hide me and the light is the same as the dark but just because you say it, doesn't make it true. I, the Lord, consider dark as light and because I am Light, there is no darkness to Me.

______, I, the Lord, created you and, before you were in your Mother's womb, I knew all about you. You were not hidden from me, not then and not now. All your days have been ordained by me and I, the Lord, know them all. ______, you are fearfully and wonderfully made because you are My beloved creation. If you learn nothing else as you live this wonderful life I have given you...know these things: I am the Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and I love you, ______, so much I sent My Son to die in your place. Why? Because I want you to return to Heaven and live with me through Eternity. 

______, I know My thoughts are vast and you cannot truly comprehend them but choose to love Me; I will always take care of you. I, the Lord, care for you because I created you and I love you. I know your heart and all your anxious thoughts; I love you, still. ______, love me; 

I, the Lord, can be trusted with your heart.

~ Psalms 139 ~

If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Lea and family ~ Kary ~ Mildred ~ John ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~ Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Swamp Folks

 ~ watch yer own dang kids ~

Dave and I are struggling along at a condo in Satellite Beach, FL owned by Vicki of 2-Bags Full. It's a tough life but someone has to do it and, dang nab it, we stepped right up to the plate. Vicki and her Gardner love to travel and a lot of their traveling is done in the beautiful sunshine state. Right now, she's having a give-away on her blog so hurry along and sign up; while you're there, stay a while and enjoy yourself. Vicki is an uplifting, energetic blogger and there's always eye candy abounding. We've become friends and I'm anxiously waiting for the day when we meet face to face. As for her condo, never have I been in a more personally decorated, warm, cozy and friendly property. Dave and I walked through the front door and it felt like home. There are personal touches throughout...actual artwork and not the mass produced generic "art" most people throw on their rental property walls; hand stitched artwork, a fully stocked kitchen...every where the eye lands, there's room to rest. There's not a jarring note to be found; it's simply beautiful! Well done, Vicki! We are finding rest here.

~ our fearless leaders ~

Well now, today, in the tradition of Swamp People, I went 'gator hunting. I've seen nary an episode because the commercials scare the socks of me and I'm not talking about the wild life...wink, wink. Anyway, I went gator hunting while Dave waved good-bye...did he mention something about life insurance as I was leaving???...on a 'gator hunt air boat ride. That's okay though; he can watch this and it's just like being there. I did see some alligators; a 7' long mother and her babies. 

 ~ baby gator ~

 It's pretty difficult to see and Dave thought it was a snake, but in the upper left of this photo possibly you can see a long, stripped body. That's the baby gator. I missed the baby gator snatch but found it on you tube, watch it here. Now, these boys good ole boys apparently either aren't much afraid of baby gators OR their mother OR they are juiced up on "something". Care to guess which? -wicked grin-

~ great egret ~

Back to the beginning. Dave and I started our day at Son on the Beach where we had breakfast. I had fried green tomatoes, shrimp, poached eggs, hash browns and a glass of milk. Why no, I'm not going to plow today, why do you ask?

~ Gullah Benedict ~

Dave had pork tenderloin, sausage gravy, hash browns, two eggs and a biscuit and he didn't work today either, though, I think he might have napped later on -grin-.

~ Country Fried Pork Loin ~

The rest of the day was spent unloading and re-loading the car. Why, you may ask? Well, because I finally found a thrift store that had something I wanted! A matching rocking chair and rocking ottoman that was "fun sized". In other words, it fits my short, stout peasant type body just perfectly! However, I think I'll be able to fit in the three or four bags we have to pack so we can leave Saturday morning. It's either that or leave Dave here and send come back and get him later. We talked about that but I don't think he was as serious as I so...I re-packed the car -grin-. You'll have to wait until we get home to see a picture of the rocking chair and ottoman; it's buried too deep to go back now.

~ me, blown away on the air boat ~

When people I don't even know call me Grandma Sandy...and I'm not...it doesn't leave a lot of room for pride -smile-. Thus, this self photograph of me on the air boat today. Have you ever seen one of those commercials with the high powered hand driers? That's what it felt like on the boat. It felt like my face was being blown off the bones and I spent most of my time gritting my teeth and keeping my mouth shut. "Oh, why", you ask? Well, let me tell you a joke. How do you tell a happy motorcycle rider?

Because of the bugs caught in his teeth! -har-de-har-har- The young woman next to me kept squealing like a pig girl because she couldn't keep her mouth shut and kept getting bugs in her mouth. If it wasn't bugs in her mouth it was bugs down her shirt...her skimpy tee shirt, duh!...and bugs smashing against her legs. Me? I looked just like a granny. I had on long pants and a long shirt and nothing, but nuttin' bothered me. At one point the young woman anxiously patted my arm; when I looked at her, she nervously pointed at my leg. OHMYGOSH! There was a grasshopper on my leg! I just smiled and kept taking pictures but I'm not sure my calmness rubbed off on her. Too sad. 

Time for some ice tea and a wind down before bed. I'm trying to get a lot of sleep and walks on the beach; will try and remember to take my camera tomorrow to show you some of the beautiful shells.

Good-night all, sweet dreams.

Blessings ~ Vicki ~ Paradise Beach Club ~ Satellite Beach ~ gator hunting ~ air boat rides ~ rocking chairs and ottomans ~

Facing Fear

~ Myrtle Beach helicopter ~

Wouldn't you agree, some fears are easier to face than others? For example, I am terrified of heights yet it was I who encouraged Dave and S-2, as Dave calls her, to take a helicopter ride over Myrtle Beach. Dave calls her S-2 and me S-1 to let us know to whom he's speaking, otherwise, both of us would always turn and say, "Yes?". Sandra's sister, nephew and Sandra's daughter had all taken such a ride and pronounced it "wonderful!" and that was incentive enough for me us.

~ Dave and S-2 ~

Dave was buckled in right behind the pilot, Sandra to his left and me in the co-pilot's seat. HA! The only thing I'd be good for if something happened would be praying loud and louder; I'm not sure I could have piloted a 'copter because it's so very different than a plane. I have had a lesson or three in what to do should trouble arise in a 2-seater airplane and, with God's help, think I could get it safely down. But a copter? Probably no as in No Way! I used to date a pilot and, on a brilliant weekend, we'd fly thither and yon so we could have lunch in far flung places...fun!

~ Highway 17 ~

If you've ever flown in a 'copter you're familiar with the whoosh of leaving the ground; it's a fabulous feeling, one akin to actual bird flight or so I think. I love that feeling...one second you're on the ground, waiting, the next second you're in the air, turning...whoosh!

~ south, over Atlantic Ocean ~

We flew south, toward Surfside Beach and Murrels Inlet and saw boats, sharks and schools of fish in the ocean...not that they were very clearly seen, after all, we were 800 feet in the air!

Murrels Inlet is the home of author Mickey Spillane, one of the first hard nose detective writers and, imho, one of the best. He shared the reputation of his Private Investigator, Mike Hammer; while both were hard and, to some, difficult to get along with, they were also endowed with a righteous sense of justice. Spillane's books were filled with sex and violence and, dare I admit it?, I enjoyed them, mostly. I wasn't as thrilled with the sex part...already know pretty much what there is to know about sex -smile-...but I thrilled when the good guy, Mike Hammer, did in the bad guy and Boys Howdy did he ever do in the bad guy! There was a lot of violence, blood spilled, bones broken...and this was on both sides of good and bad guys...but, eventually, the good guy won and justice, albeit vigilante justice, prevailed. Hurrah for the guy in the white hat! So to speak. As Mike Hammer said in I, The Jury, "I don't want to arrest anyone, I just want to shoot somebody."

There have been two actors to play Mike Hammer on television; Darren McGavin did 78 episodes in the late 1950's and early 1960's while Stacy Keach played Hammer in the mid-1980's. Keach called Hammer an "Old Testament kind of guy. He has little or no tolerance for bureaucracy and political expediency." 

 ~ estuaries ~

From the air, estuaries may be seen; this is where fresh water flows into the ocean and, where it meets, the water is brackish. If you click on estuaries, you'll have a lot of information which is especially useful if you home school.

~ bird's eye view ~

We're headed back to land and the entire way I've been taking pictures with my right hand and my left hand has a...death grip -yeah, I had to say it, smile-...on the side of the copter. When we landed, one of the other pilots asked me if I enjoyed it. I said, "yes, I loved it and if grip alone could have saved us, we'd have flown forever!" He looked startled and then laughed. "Why did you go up if it made you uneasy?" he asked. My response, "I wasn't uneasy, I was frightened to death but it's always a good thing to face fear, pray and come out the other side a better person. Besides, the pilot doesn't want to die today any more than do I."

So, what's your fear and how do you face it? I know there are fears that are more difficult to face than others; God knows that I know! Yet, when I face fear, I also always face God and pray. Whatever happens, He hears and I know He hears. If He can calm the ocean, He can calm my fears!

Blessings ~ fear ~ prayer ~ 'copter rides ~ good pilots ~ great view ~ estuaries ~ friends ~

Sabbath Keeping

~ Shell Island, SC ~

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, 

because his compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning: 

great is thy faithfulness."

~ Lamentations 3:22-23 ~

"Faithfulness lives where love is stronger than instinct."
~ Paul Carvel, Belgian writer ~

"Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not faithfulness; days of joy but not peace and happiness." ~ Henrik Ibsen ~

"By faithfulness we are collected and wound up into unity within ourselves,

whereas we had been scattered abroad in multiplicity." 

~ St. Augustine ~

"Destiny fits, always,

There's no such thing

as a life not meant

for the person living it."

~  Louis Simpson in Chimneys ~

"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father..."
~ Israel Houghton and New Breed ~ Fernando Ortega ~

"Confidentiality is a virtue of the loyal, as loyalty is the virtue of faithfulness." and "Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God." ~ Edwin Louis Cole ~ 

"Marriage has a unique place because it speaks of an absolute faithfulness, a covenant between radically different persons, male and female; and so it echoes the absolute covenant of God with his chosen, a covenant between radically different partners." ~ Rowan D. Williams ~

"Faith is the virtue by which, clinging-to the faithfulness of God, we lean upon him, so that we may obtain what he gives to us." ~ William Ames ~

"I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness."

~ Mother Teresa ~

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22 ~

If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~  Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

October Is...

~the moon pours light on the sea ~

"October is a symphony of permanence and change."

~ B. W. Overstreet ~

Even the rainy days are golden when looked at with a certain light in one's eyes. Recently, I read, "today is tomorrow's yesterday" and that gave me pause. In a manner of speaking, our future is now, caught between yesterday and tomorrow, one that was and one that isn't. In an effort to live purposefully, with intent and totally in the moment, we I have to push back tomorrow. Don't you find it difficult? The planning for the future yet preparing for the end? The whole hearted gulping of now, the embracing of today. Helen Keller said, "Use your eyes as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind...Hear the music of voices, the song of the bird, the mighty strains of an orchestra, as if you would be stricken deaf tomorrow. touch each object as if tomorrow your tactile sense would fail. Smell the perfume of the flowers, taste with relish each morsel, as if tomorrow you could never smell and tates again. make the most of every sense; glory in all the facets of pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you." She would know, wouldn't you agree, about "the pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you."

 

~ Roseate Spoonbill ~

"Grace growest best in winter," said Samuel Rytherford and he would know; click on his name to read more about him. The farm is prepared, mostly, for winter; hay for the horses and sheep is both in the barn and in the hay lot; garden produce has been canned, dried and frozen, supplies laid in and hand work close at hand. As best I can, we're prepared; I've done my part and am now, as always, totally dependent upon God for His grace and mercy. In the meantime, Dave and I are spending a few splendid days at the beach, visiting my BFF, eating delicious seafood, storing up vitamin D in the form of sunshine, resting, relaxing, regrouping for the tomorrow's that will face us all.

 ~ God's Grace for the journey ~

Almost every day, Sandra K., the other Sandra, and I have had great...to us anyway but we're simple sisters...adventures and nary a thrift store has been safe! Sandra is an artist and a university prof and we've been friends for more than thirty years which hardly seems possible! She's a friend who loves unconditionally, listens without judgement and is unreserved in her happiness for, not only me, but other people. Just yesterday, I saw her rejoice with a complete stranger over that stranger's "find" in a store.

Other "friends" who don't do any of those things, pale in comparison and, in time, drop behind. One of many lessons life has taught me is No is perfectly acceptable, both to say and to hear, and it's okay to move ahead. As a matter of fact, it's perfectly wonderful to move ahead; people can make the choice to catch up or stay behind but each of us is only responsible for ourselves. People can't be tugged along if fear keeps them from moving but isn't fear simply a catalyst for forward motion? God hasn't given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Thank You, God, I'll take that every day!

What keeps you from moving ahead? 

Blessings ~ grace for the journey ~ power ~ love ~ a sound mind ~

Good Stuff

~ Dave and Sandra Karen, not Sandra Kay ~

Lately, I've been remiss about blogging in a timely fashion. Sorrreeee. Life has just gotten its teeth in me and I feel as shaken as a stuffed animal after Sam P. Spade has finished chewing on it. Maybe that cold had something to do with it. Or, perhaps the upper respiratory infection followed by antibiotics; meds always make me feel wiped out and then it takes a while to put myself back together again.

In the above photo, my two BFF's are having a grand time on our recent Low Country boat trip. We departed Georgetown and went with Cap'n Rod and Fran, his wife, for Shell Island where we found a boat load, no pun intended, of shells. I'll show you soon. 

So, some good things to make one feel happy with a sense of well being.

Did you ever read the book Wicked or see the play? I've still not finished reading the book but, in a word, the play is fabulous and made me think...re-think...about nature/nurture and how both effect/affect us. The Good Witch, Glenda, nearly always introduces herself in a breathy voice, "OH, it's Ga-Linda...with a G!" I always think of "Ga-Linda, with a G" when I think of Glenda's blog gg-notes on the journey. On October 1, Glenda began posting 31 Days of Christmas Wonder and it's been a treat. No, it's not too early to begin thinking about Christmas and how to make it more wonderful, magical, mystical, enjoyable, peaceful, relaxing, calming, loving, memorable. Please, make it part of your day to visit with Glenda and prepare your heart, home and family for Christ and Christmas.

Amy, A Farmish Kind of Life, has a receipt for Pumpkin Buckle that looks pretty darned spectacular! I can't wait to try it out; anything with pumpkin has got to be good, imho -smile-.

Mr. Fish serves no spam, never fear! Mr. Fish is our new favorite seafood restaurant; they serve the best fried green tomatoes with shrimp I've ever tasted! However,  Nibils serves the best she crab soup we've ever tasted. Now, you do realize when I say "ever tasted" that, of course, means outside the Thistle Cove Farm kitchen?! -smile-

Are you a writer? Yes, of course you're a writer; you have a blog, don't you? Women of Faith is having their annual writer's contest; check it out.

Colorado Lady is hosting Secret Santa for the first 100 bloggers to sign up. This sounds like so much fun and I'm signing up, how about you?

Smokey Mountain Cafe's green bean casserole; I'm just saying...

Separating Bad Behavior and the Individual.

Down on the Farm is having a Cross Measuring Spoon giveaway.

All righty then, I've been at this computer way too long. I need to gather myself and get some things done that will make our lives easier. For those of you who have read since about this time last year, you know our situation; please keep us in your prayers.

Blessings ~ ocean ~ full moon ~ sunrise ~ good stuff ~ love ~ faith ~ hope ~

William Butler Yeats

 ~ Surfside Beach, sunrise ~

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,

 And nodding by the fire, take down this book,

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,

 And loved your beauty with love false or true,

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,

 Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled

And paced upon the mountains overhead

And hid his face amid a crowd of stars."

~ William Butler Yeats ~

Blessings ~ poetry ~ Yeats ~ a pilgrim soul ~ stars ~ one man ~

Sabbath Keeping

"I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." ~ Psalms 145:1-8 ~
"Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

"I'm not trying to find answers anymore. 

I'm trying to live what I know."

~ Phil Jackson ~

"And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.
It’s the life in your years."
~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, 

but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks

as if they were great and noble." 

~ Helen Keller ~

"My Life is in Your Hands" ~ Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir ~ if you have bandwidth, please listen ~

"No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he had only had good intentions."
~ Margaret Thatcher ~

"I have discovered that the people who believe most strongly in the next life

do the most good in the present one."

~ C.S. Lewis ~

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be,
since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." ~ Thomas K Kempis ~

"The day is done, the sun has set, yet light still tints the sky; 

my heart stands still in reverence, 

for God is passing by."

~ Ruth Alla Wager~

"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." 

~ 16^th century poet ~

"I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most profitable explanation is that I was made for another world."  ~ C.S. Lewis ~

      

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love."
~ I Corinthians 13:13 ~ 

If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~  Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Sabbath Keeping

"So then, faith comes by hearing 

and hearing by the word of God." 

~ Romans 10:17 ~

"Faith is reason grown courageous." ~ Sherwood Eddy ~

"A man of courage is also a man of faith." ~ Cicero ~

"Faith is believing 

when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." 

~ Voltaire ~

"You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it." ~ Samuel Butler ~

"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.
You can't see the future, yet you know it will come;
you can't see the air yet you continue to breath."
~ Claire London ~


"Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation." ~ D. Elton Trueblood ~

"There's a point in your life when God will bring someone in, at a very unexpected time, that'll change everything." ~ Kristin Martin ~

"I believe,

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.

I believe in love even when I cannot feel it.

I believe in God even when God is silent."

~ Anne Frank ~

"Has something bad happened to you and you said, “Oh me. What did I do? I must have done something terrible. Otherwise, this wouldn’t have happened!”
And before you knew it, you fell headlong into a pity party of morbid introspection—taking yourself apart piece by piece to see where you went wrong. If you’re like most people, you have.
But have you ever thought that maybe you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith? This is an important truth for you to understand, because if you don’t, you may get discouraged. The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Read Exodus 16 about the testing of the Lord in the lives of the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. What applications can you give to your life?" ~ Adrian Rogers ~

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 ~

"Faith has to do with things that are not seen 

and hope with things that are not at hand." 

~ Thomas Aquinas ~

"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."
~ Miracle on 34th St. ~

"Ultimately, blind faith is the only kind." 

~ Mason Cooley ~

"Sometimes the things we can't change,
end up changing us instead."
~ unknown ~

"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother." 

~ Khalil Gibran ~

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~ Hebrews 11:1 ~

 If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~  Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Is Your Life Difficult?

 ~ carrots, egg, cup of coffee ~ 

It seems one day, a young woman went to her mother and told her how difficult her life was and how she, desperately, wanted to give up. The girl just didn't know how she was going to face today, much less tomorrow. The struggles and the fight were so great, she seemed so defenseless and new problems arose more quickly than old problems could be solved; or so it seemed. She was tired, exhausted in fact, and wanted to give up.

Her mother carefully listened then took her daughter into the kitchen. The mother filled three pots with water, put each pot over high heat and when the pots came to a boil, she placed in one carrots, in the second pot she placed an egg and in the last pot she placed ground coffee. For about fifteen minutes she let the pots boil, all the while listening to her daughter's tales of woe.

When she turned off the burners, she placed the carrots in a bowl, the egg in another bowl and the coffee in a third bowl. She looked at her daughter, "what do you see?" she asked.  The daughter looked askance at her mother and in a tight, small voice she replied, "carrots, egg and coffee."

Her mother asked her daughter to feel the carrots and when the daughter poked at the carrots, she said they were soft and mushy. Then, the daughter took the egg, tapped it on the counter and peeled the egg, noticing it had become hard boiled. The mother asked her daughter to sip the coffee and the daughter obliged her mother and said, "it's delicious but what does all this mean?"

The girl's mother explained how the carrots, the egg and the coffee grounds had all faced the same adversity: boiling water but each reacted differently. The raw carrots were hard and un-bendable without breaking but the boiling water softened them and they became weak. The fragile egg had been protected by its thick outer shell but the boiling water hardened the inside of the egg and made the shell fragile. The ground coffee reacted differently. After a while in the boiling water, it was the water that changed into a fragrant, aromatic beverage.

The mother looked at her daughter. "Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee grounds? When adversity knocks at your door, do you respond as the carrot? It seemed strong but, when faced with adversity, the carrot became soft and lost its strength. Are you the egg? The egg starts with a gentle inside, a malleable heart if you will, but with the boiling water, the egg became hard on the inside. Oh, it still looked much the same on the outside but on the inside it's hard and tough. The coffee grounds didn't change as much as they changed their surroundings. They became better, not bitter, in adversity and changed their surroundings."

How do you handle adversity? When times are difficult...and they will become if they haven't already... how do you respond? When your situation becomes overwhelming...and it will if it hasn't already... how will you respond? Where do you go, to whom do you turn when life is bleak and dark? I turn to Jesus but you knew that already, didn't you? -smile- If it weren't for Him, I'd have stayed in bed this morning. If you'd like to talk about Him, e-mail me and we'll talk; there's no better friend than Jesus.

Blessings ~ proverbs ~ adversity ~ better, not bitter ~ Jesus ~

Sabbath Keeping

~ West Virginia hills ~

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." 

~ Psalms 121 ~

"Time is a cruel thief to rob us of our former selves. We lose as much to life as we do to death."
~ Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, A Woman of Independent Means ~

"Old Time, in whose banks we deposit our notes
Is a miser who always wants guineas for groats;
He keeps all his customers still in arrears
By lending them minutes and charging them years."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."  ~ Carl Sandburg ~

"Time is a great teacher, 

but unfortunately it kills all its pupils."  

~ Louis Hector Berlioz ~

"Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life."  ~ William Faulkner ~

"As if you could kill time without injuring eternity."

~ Henry David Thoreau, "Economy," Walden, 1854 ~

"You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by."  ~ James Matthew Barrie ~

"The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, "In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!" 
~ John F. Kennedy ~

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, 

and your government when it deserves it."

~ Mark Twain ~

 
"As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing, thou hast fashioned me for joy. Share with me the vision that shall find it everywhere: in the wild violet's beauty; in the lark's melody; in the face of a steadfast man; in a child's smile; in a mother's love; in the purity of Jesus." ~ Gaelic Prayer ~

"When people go through something rough in life, they say, "I'm taking it one day at a time." Yes, so is everybody. Because that's how time works." ~ Hannibal Buress ~

"Sometimes you count the days, other times you weigh them." 

~ unknown ~

"...but your time is always ready." 

~ John 7:6 ~

If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~  Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Everything I Need To Know...

~ the road before ~

It's a rainy, drizzly, overcast day here on the farm; perfect for napping! Dave had to go to town; it's quiet, peaceful and I'm thinking about taking a nap. Before I do, please continue reading. I don't know who wrote the following but it's applicable for today...and since it's always today and never yesterday or tomorrow, y'all print it off and put it where you can be reminded, daily: You are Loved with an Everlasting Love.

People, it just doesn't get any better, not on this side of the veil!

...I learned from Noah's Ark ~

1: Don't miss the boat.

2: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3: Plan ahead. 

It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4: Stay fit. 

As you age, you can still do something really big, 

including telling the good news to all who will hear.

5: Don't listen to critics; 

just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6: Build your future on high ground.

7: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8: Speed isn't always an advantage. 

The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9: When you're stressed, float awhile.

10: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; 

the Titanic by professionals.

11: No matter the storm, when you are with God, 

there's always a rainbow waiting.

Blessings ~ rain ~ quiet ~ rainbows ~ everlasting love ~

Sabbath Keeping

"In thy presence is fullness of joy." 

~ Psalms 16:11 ~

 "Heaven, the everlasting treasury of joy." ~ Shakespeare ~ 

There is nothing I can give to you which you do not already have.

But there is much, very much more, that while I cannot give, you can take...

But there is much, very much more, that while I cannot give, you can take...

No Heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today -- Take Heaven.

No Peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant -- 

Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is Joy -- Take Joy.

There is radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see, and to see, we have only to look -- I beseech you to look.

Life is so generously given, but we,
judging its gifts by their covering,
cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard.

Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, 

woven of love by wisdom with power.

Welcome it, grasp it and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.

Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, the Angel's hand is there.

The gift is there.

And the wonder of an overshadowing Presence -- our joys too -- be not content with them as joys -- They too conceal more divine gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty -- beneath its covering -- that will find earth but cloaks your Heaven.

Courage then to claim it, that is all --

But the courage you have; and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together -- wending through unknown country home.

~ Within Our Reach: Joy by Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c. 1435-1515) ~

"Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God." ~ Robert Schuller ~

 "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

~ John 17:3 ~

If you'd like your name added to the prayer list, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~  Linda and Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Sammy and Steve: Banjo Pickers

 ~ Shadow, Leslie, Sandra ~

POST SCRIPT - scheduling change - Sammy and Steve will now appear on the 11 November 2011 Letterman show. 

Leslie Shelor has been a friend for many years, perhaps more than a decade, but I'm not sure because my memory is faulty. We've known each other through ups and downs, good times and bad and even the two hour drive between us hasn't dampened our friendship. Leslie is one of those people you feel like you've known for years and while she's physically beautiful, she's also as plain as an old shoe. That's one of those "Southernisms" that mean, you go to Leslie's house and you go home. In all the years I've known Leslie, it's only been in the past few years I realized her brother, Sammy, was Sammy Shelor. As in The Sammy Shelor which Leslie finds totally amusing. For lo these many decades, she's always been Sammy's big sister, Leslie, and never has it been Leslie's little brother, Sammy.

Oh well, trust me to get it backwards! 

-LOL-

Sorry, Sammy!

~ Sammy Shelor, 

photo borrowed from MySpace ~

If y'all know anything about bluegrass music...and by anything, I mean more than I know...you know Sammy Shelor is the undisputed Banjo Pickers King. From 1995 to 1998 he won the International Bluegrass Music Association's -IBMA- Banjo Picker of the Year award...people, that's four straight years! The Lonesome River Band celebrates their 30th anniversary this month and this year, 2011, the Lonesome River Band has five IBMA nominations.

Additionally, this year, Sammy has been nominated IBMA Banjo Performer of the year and...and...now I feel like one of those infomercials -grin-...that's not all...Sammy won the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass award! How cool is that, I ask?! Yeah, *that* Steve Martin is a killer banjo player in his own right, indecently talented in wide venues and a right nice guy to boot. As is Sammy. I've met him a few times, when I've been visiting Leslie, but I never have much to say other than "hi". Stellar, eh? -LOL- I'm not one for gushing and the only thing I can play is the radio so Sammy and I don't have a lot in common. His wife, Sue, is almost as quiet but we do have tourism in common so it's easier to talk with her. The NY Times Artsbeat had a nice article so please read.

More good news...Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers are up for five IBMA nominations of their own. 

Read Lonesome River Band news for more information and watch Sammy and the Lonesome River Band when they play with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers on the David Letterman Show on November 3!

Leslie, I bet you're pretty proud of ole Sammy! We all are, Leslie, we all are.


Blessings ~ Leslie ~ Sammy ~ Sue ~ Steve Martin ~ bluegrass music ~ banjo pickers ~

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

~ Jim and his twin lambs~

Daddy is 83 years young today and as full of vim and vigor as ever! The photo above, tells a story of Appalachia in miniature. Daddy was seven years old and the baby boy of thirteen children. He's kneeling in front of a wood rack, the staple of any Appalachian home with only fireplaces for heat, and holding his pet twin black lambs. Black lambs were a rarity because they were, usually, killed at birth and their pelts given to Miss Viole, a neighbor who would make "mouton fur" coats for her rich clients in New York City.

Daddy, being the youngest boy, was allowed to keep these black lambs as pets. Aunt Esther told me Uncle Clarence, her husband and Daddy's oldest brother, took this photo. She said she remembered well that day because Uncle Clarence took her to his home to introduce her to his beloved baby brother. She said Daddy was oh so proud of his lambs and, if they weren't following him around, Daddy was following them around.

Daddy served in the Army, met Mom while he was stationed at Fort Eustis and has been a Bible believing Christian for as long as I can remember. Every year, for more than 40 years, he's read the Bible through each and every year! One of my fondest memories is seeing Daddy and Mom reading their Bibles every morning and starting their day with just a little talk with Jesus.

~ Daddy and one of his honey bees ~

Uncle Clarence started Daddy bee keeping when Daddy was twelve and found a swarm of bees on the mountain side. He told his big brother and when Uncle Clarence got off work, they both went to collect the bee swarm. Uncle Clarence gave Daddy a hive to put the bees in and said, "okay, now you're a bee keeper!" I've never known Daddy to wear any sort of bee keeper equipment; he's always so calm and patient around his bees and they never sting him, at least, not on purpose. He's been stung when he's accidentally squashed a bee but that's all in self defense; the bees never willing sting Dad.

When we were children, each year Daddy would get two weeks vacation from the power company so he and Mom would pile us in the truck camper and we'd see the USA...yep in our Chevrolet...truck. One memorable trip we made it to Wall Drug Store, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Yellowstone and Old Faithful and a bunch of other places in those two weeks! It was on that trip Daddy and I took a helicopter ride over Mt. Rushmore and I can still remember the whoosh feeling of weightlessness when the 'copter took off. Instinctively, I grabbed for Daddy's arm and he laughed like a loon; he was loving it too! Daddy and Mom instilled in me a love for travel as well as a love for Jesus.

 ~ Daddy and one of his bee hives ~

Happy Birthday  

Daddy!

God willing, you'll make it to 100 and achieve your goal of one century. You've been a blessing to all who have known you; many call you friend, one calls you husband but only three call you Daddy. We are all most blessed!

Blessings ~ Daddy ~ Mom ~ Steve ~ Stephanie ~ God centered family ~ me ~

A Place Of Safety

~ Carly and Sam ~

Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent, is the bravest thing on four legs; especially when his four legs are in a place of safety under my skirt! Sam is smart; he realizes he's not as big as Carly Shetland and, always, seeks refuge under my skirt when Carly comes to either investigate or receive her treat of corn. 

 ~Jake B. Goode, ~

our most recent foundling dumped dog visitor has found a new home. Dave and I hated to let him go but it was for the best. Just last night, prior to his new human retrieving him, Daniel told us Jake had dug out under the fence, was traveling around at night, then returning in the morning. Jake was always here around 7 but almost never at 6, when I'd arise to let the other dogs out. Now I know why.

How goes it with your blog? Are you happy with it? Generally, I'm happy with mine although there are some tweaks I'd like to do...when God makes a 36 hour day...snort, chuckle, LOL...until then, I just wander around Blogland and find folks who are willing to help like Funky Junk Interiors. Check out her link and tell me if that's not fabulous, eh?  I wish I could tell her how much help she's been but, for some reason ??? I can, hardly ever, comment on her type comment blocks. The one where you have to "Comment as" then "select profile" well, that almost never pops up, anymore, as Thistle Cove Farm and when I try to do other types responses, it always fails. So, if you have this type comment block, please know I have tried to comment but to no success. Glenda, you come to mind here as well. And, if you're able to comment at Funky Junk, please let her know I am grateful for her post.

~ Ms. Daniel, center, speaking to former students ~

Back Yard Neighbor has a fabulous post regarding 9.11.2001. You may recall, President Bush was in Sandra Kay Daniels' classroom at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida where second grader's read The Pet Goat to the President. In Back Yard Neighbor Jeanne's blog entry, those same second grader's, now ten years older, recount their memories of that historic event. President Bush was later criticized because he chose to honor his commitment to those second graders and stay with them while they finished reading to him. I agree with Chantal Guerrero who said, "I think if he would have panicked that was the tone he was setting for the whole country. If he wanted the country to stay calm, he needed to show that he was calm." Thank you, former President Bush. 

Compared to our current President, all I can say is:

I am sorely disillusioned with our current President; so disillusioned, in fact, I cannot say anything that isn't nice so I'll just not say anything at all. Perhaps, though, for the first time ever in my life I don't regret not having children.

~ my place of safety ~

Where is your place of safety? Where do you go when the cold storms blow? When you need comfort, sanctuary, warmth, coziness, love; where is it you go and what do you find there? Autumn is the time of year that I take down our billowy curtains and hang our heavy velvet drapes. It's time to prepare the house and ourselves for the November rains and cold winds and the deep sleep of winter that follows. Cotton blankets are exchanged for wool blankets, cotton sheets for flannel and, in guest bedrooms, electric blankets are put on beds. Summer clothing is put away and cozy sweaters and wool socks placed in easy reach. Every sofa, and a lot of chairs, have shawls or throws draped on them and baskets of knitting, embroidery and the quilting rack are readied. The tea kettle is always on the counter but heavier teas such as Lapsang Souchong are placed by the kettle and the oil and propane tanks are filled in readiness. My place of safety is being prepared; what are the top three things you're doing to prepare?

Blessings ~ full oil and propane tanks ~ tea ~ wool blankets ~ heavy drapes ~ a place of safety ~