My Beautiful Lilies and a Lesson from St Matthew

"And why take ye thought of raiment?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, niether do they spin:  And yet I say unto  you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?


Therefore take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.


But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Maria's Blog

I was just reading Maria's Blog of her trip.  I didn't think she was going to have access to a computer so I had not even checked it all weekend. 

What an inspiring and uplifting experience she is having, very interesting to see the place and hear about the activities.  Sounds like what I need to lift me out of these doldrums--except I have no inspiration or imagination for writing--so wrong place for me.

But yea for Maria--another interesting experience this year of her reaching out for joy and fulfillment.

Another Project Bites the Dust

Some time ago I decided to 'save' my granny afghan.  I have had it since forever but can't remembe who did the crocheting and giving it to me.

Over the year some of the yarn has worn thin and there are holes.  I intended to find matching yarn and mend or recrochet all the holes.

I did find matching yarn but tonight when I started working on it, I thought, why?  Is this really how I want to spend my time?  And who would want it anyway?

So off to the Thrift Store I will go with it tomorrow.  Someone might want to use the yarn.  I even started a little afghan because I had the yarn to use.   But I don't like the yarn colors or textures so why spend all that time making something I (nor anyone else) would want?

In fact, I am questioning a lot of my time lately.  Watching a time consuming tv show I am bored with?  I just run ahead to see the ending and then zap it.  Started a book that doesn't keep me interested?  Give it away, let someone else read it.

Today I had the hardest time sitting in Sacrament Meeting.  I was as restless as a teen ager with other things on my mind.  But I didn't have other things on my mind, I was just bored with the talk being given and had to strain too hard to hear the quiet voice giving it.  It took all my discipline to not get up and go home.

Home for dinner but no interest in creating anything the least bit interesting so I just eat what is my fridge.

What is wrong with me?  How can I get enthusiasm for doing something?  Anything?

At least the lillies are blooming, they interest me.  I will take their picture tomorrow, and work on my muscles but what else????   Hmmm, see the movies I have been missing in Susanville?  Would they hold my interest?  Get a much needed pedicure?  Can I sit still that long and do I want to travel to get it-in the heat???

And how can I get to sleep tonight.  Even all my old songs sound boring and I have listened for an hour trying to get them to put me to sleep.  What now?  Hmmm....

Physical Therapy for Strength

I just came from my neighbor Barbara's home with a list of physical therapy exercises to do for muscle atrophy.  It will take me about 45 minutes a day and I am anxious to get started.  My legs are just not doing their job after being off of them for so long with this metatarsal problem.  This should get them going again, I hope.  Thanks, Barbara!

Are We Having Fun?

I was talking to my daughter Maria about our family being so task oriented that we don't know how to do 'fun' very well.  I know I used to know how to do fun because one of my teachers in high school told me I looked like I was always having fun...I think I was.

I decided to google 'fun' and see what it was and what 'fun' there was around here.

Guess what came up!  The place I live with a description of what it is is listed under FUN!  Here it is:

The Lake Almanor Country Club (LACC) consists of 1832 large single-family residential lots. This beautiful community is located in a natural forest setting of mature pine and fir trees on the peninsula of Lake Almanor in the Cascade/Sierra Nevada Mountains of northeast California. Lake Almanor’s elevation is 4500 feet and has a water storage capacity of over 1 million acre feet. It is a beautiful drive around the 52 miles of lake shore with views of Mt. Lassen to the west and Dyer Mountain to the east.

Rich with amenities, the common areas include a nine-hole golf course, seven tennis courts, three boat launches, two recreation areas with barbeques and picnic tables, a bandshell for performing arts programs, twenty-five miles of private patrolled roads with staffed, gated entrances, a clubhouse, administration building, and maintenance yards. There are approximately 400 lots that do not contain residences. Summer is our busy time, especially from Memorial Day through Labor Day with member “snowbirds” returning and the many vacationers who have discovered Lake Almanor and its many water accesses for fishing, boating, and skiing.

So how many of these 'fun' things am I doing??? 

Our main fun in our marriage was going to the movies. (When not taking the children on outings.) We would often stop at the Hilton and go dancing and then go home and make love.  That was our fun, entertainment, relaxation, etc.  Date night was always honored in our marriage, no matter how crunchy work was.

Hmm, now my fun is checking to see what is blooming, watching the birds bathe, watching one of my favorite tv shows or movies, crocheting, reading, walking, dancing--anything you can do alone.  Forget the golfing, swimming in the lake, sunbathing, boating, skiing, etc., all in the past.  Am I still having fun????

Blessed "Bandito"

If you spell Bandido with a d it means Bandit in Spanish and with a t it means Blessed. Today he was Bandito with a t. We had not had our morning walk because I had to go in for an early morning blood test. After we came back I hurried out to do some watering before the "no watering time" and I left the screen door open. Bandito took the opportunity to walk around the house and across the street to do his business. He likes to do it in the empty lot with lots of weeds on it.

I heard this piercing scream but thought it couldn't be him as he was in the house. I ran around to the front just as a green truck slowed down and then I saw Bandido in the middle of the road. My worst fears had been realized. The green truck man told me the dog had run out and he couldn't avoid the hit but he thought he was just nicked. What a nice man to come back and check on him! Bandido immediately got up and hobbled away as we approached him and the man said that was a good sign and told me to go get my leash. Nice to have a man in charge.

Dr. Bob. the Vet, confirmed nothing was broken but a couple of his sores had bled and Dr. Bob discovered he had eye infection and his mouth was bleeding. He was training a young man to be a Vet so was giving instruction while he treated him. He said he would probably be very sore tomorrow and that he was one lucky dog.

Lucky, Blessed, whatever, that was Bandido's day today. As you can see, he does not look too happy. For the examination, two kinds of pills, eye cream and a disinfectant. It only cost $74 which wasn't too bad considering the alternative. Too bad dogs don't get Medicare.

Decluttering My Home

Since I saw all the packing and cleaning going on at Marjorie's house, I have been inspired to clear out, clean out, and simplify.  I love it but it has taken me three days and I still have my closet and bathroom to finish and the garage.

It reminded me of when Richard and I would get into a cleaning out mood.  I would put a whole lot of things in the garage from the house and he would put a whole lot of things in the house from the garage.  I just throw those kinds of things away or take them to the Thrift store now.  I have three piles--Garbage, Garage, and Thrift. 

I have unearthed umpteen projects to work on and thought of some new ones so I do not plan to be bored any time soon!

For some reason I have ended up with so many more quilts and blankets than I will ever need in my lifetime.  Question is: Gargage, Garage, or Thrift?  Can't decide so they stay piled on shelves and floor of closet, hmmm.

Anyone know what happened to my small fan which I used in my office.  Did I lend it, or give it to someone or??????

Marching Ants

I have been around ants and anthills all my life but I have never seen what I saw two days ago.  I didn't have time to take a picture as I was too busy trying to destroy them.

It was marching red ants--the column was tight and moving extremely fast.  The column was about 13 inches wide and about 8 yards long!!!  I am not kidding.  I do not know where they were headed or why but I did not want them marching in my home and since I was watering I put the strongest spray on and started squirting them hard.  Then I got the Ant Raid and sprayed the tree stump they appeared to have come from and all stumps in the surrounding area and any stray ants I could see.

They were not out there today but I will keep checking.  I could not find anything  specific about marching ants like that  on the internet but it was in the evening and it appears that if ants move their colony it will be at night.  Anyone know about ants??? 

Meagan

I finally got a picture of Meagan in my backyard to prove she was here!!! Yea.  She almost made it to a two week trip which is a real milestone.  I really enjoyed having her here and hope she can bring Matt some day.

Farewell to Marjorie!

Farewell to Marjorie and Bear.  Marjorie moved here one year after I did.  She was a widower who had lived in the Bay area for about 43 years.  A few years ago she bought a home near her daughter's home in Vancouver, WA and that is where she is going now.  Just in time.  She may have to have some medical work on her back so it will be good to be near good medical facilities and her daughter.

It was a few years after Marjorie moved here that we were talking about her conversion while treadmilling at the local gym.  What a small world--Richard's cousin Joanna Wells was one of the lady missionaries instrumental in her baptism into the Church!

Her son John is currently living in Corning and taking care of Marjorie's Mom who is now 102 years old.  John will drive the truck up to Vancouver and Marjorie will drive her car with Bear and her cats.

Bandido and I will miss Marjorie.

What's New at Lake Almanor in 2010

Yesterday while eating at the Frosties we saw a Flag which would go well in my yard.  'The Right Stuff" store had one left--except for dipping a little low, it is perfect.  I am sure Matt can move it up when he comes back someday.  My mountain one was torn beyond belief that last two seasons.

It is now more comfortable to sit and read on the deck.

 

The round table bit the dust so Matt brought up my work table and it works just fine as a place to eat, computer, or do my decopage.

Matt made a couple of little benches out of the fallen cedar tree from my neighbor's yard.

Another hammock ( the last two were destroyed by the squirrels) and it is a Mayan.  It is very comfy as it encloses you snuggly.  My only problem is that it is so low I have a hard time getting out.  Solution--hold on to Bandido's dog run rope and pull myself up and out!

 

Wireless Working!

I need to get a good picture of Meagan before she leaves but one thing she accomplished is to get my wireless connection working again.  So she is 'working' from the table and surfing from the couch.

First Lily of Summer 2010

The first lily of the summer bloomed today! There are lots more ready to pop out if the deer don't discover them first.

Soon, All Alone!

I can't believe I haven't written in here since July 4th.  Meagan has been here and I have enjoyed that so much.  I picked her up in Reno, Tuesday, the 6th, and now she will be leaving on Sunday the 19th.   It is almost two weeks, but the time has gone so fast I really hate to see her go.

Meagan dressed for a party some place in the world.

Suddenly I am feeling very alone.  My best friend Marjorie will be leaving for good on Saturday, moving near her family in Vancouver, Wa.   Then Meagan will leave on Sunday and I am realizing I will not have any family up here and my best friend will be gone, too.  How will I manage and what will I be doing?   So sad.

Update on the Twins!

Sage and Raina Fuqua

Happy 4th of July!

What a wonderful day.  Forgetting to take Aggrenox really helped!!  We had a great lesson in RS about the founding of our country followed by a good SS lesson on the Psalms and then a very spiritual Testimony meeting.  We had so many visitors who shared their feelings about God and America, it was very exceptional.  One group was a singles group from Berkley.  What a bright group of young people.

Marjorie and I drove through Chester which was filled with people.  Bro Goolsby said they signed up over 500 people for the Fun Run--and of course, this was the big 4th of July Parade which was great.  We missed it, however, as did all our visitors at Church, as it was the same time!  Lots of people at the Craft Fair but we did not partake in any of that, just had our usual Sunday Faire at the Happy Garden.

It was a beautiful Lake Almanor day and the lake looks bigger every time we cross the causeway--truly the highest I have ever seen it.

At night I skipped the Lake Almanor fireworks again and went back and forth between the Macy's and Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular--so excellent.  Then I had recorded the Capitol 4th which was over the top.  David Archeleta, Gladys Knight, Reba McEntyre, Hewie and the Blow Fish plus lots of fancy bands and flags.  Very impressive.  It was the first time I had seen and heard Lang Lang, the pianist. Wow, so amazing.  The celebration was very God and patriotic oriented and the President of the US was not there. 

It was a great night for a couch potato.  Oh yes, I had a wonderful Miller's Hot Dog, sweet watermelon, potato salad 4th  of July celebration as well.

As a culmination I watched '3,2,1 Fireworks' which shows how these spectacular pyro shows are made from start (China) to finish.  Each of those beautiful rockets is made by hand!!!  Imagine, but what an industry for China.

Congratulations to Kathy Hardy, who won the 5K in her division in the San Jose area.  She is so amazing--older than me and so fit, I am truly ashamed for being such an old, unfit, lazy person.

It was such a great day for bringing home again how blessed we are to live in America and what a God blessed nation we are and we better not forget it.  God Bless America.

ReMeet Your Relatives, Children.

This is a picture of my sister-in-law Mary and her daughter Kathy.  Mary is the wife of my brother Dick, who passed away in the 70's.  Mary lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she lived with her Dad until he passed away.  She has had grandchildren living with her from time to time (Kathy's children).  Kathy Bishop is on Facebook and lives in Wyoming with her husband Myron and unmarried children.  She was raised in Glendive, Montana, my hometown, where Dick and Mary lived with their children Roddy, Cheri, and Kathy.  Roddy passed away in his early 50's.  Cheri and her family also live in Wyoming.

This is Matthew and his son Ayden with Mary and Kathy.
Four Generation picture.

Kathy, Ryan. Matthew and Ayden, Mary.Courtney, Nicole, Kayla and Myron.
The Bishop family visits Grandma Mary in Albuquerque.

A Reminder to Stop Worrying...

What is truth? The life you think about when you are depressed, stressed, and sad or the life you think about when you are rested, relaxed and happy. Same event, different attitude can change your vision of reality amazingly. Last night I had a dream which I think was a wake up call to stop worrying about things that are not my responsibility and over which I have no control and know nothing about.

I was tending a baby (I thought) and it turned into the size of a finger and rolled into a fold in the covers and could not be found. I took the bed covers carefully apart and yet could not find the baby. I was distraught and fearful that the baby would smother or get hurt because I was clearly negligent. In my dream there were other children in the house but I did not involve them in the search so they would not know how negligent I had been.

In my dream a friend came to the house and I confessed that I had lost this baby who I had been tending. She wisely suggested that I may not have been tending the baby at all. Maybe I only thought I was tending the baby, which was not my job anyway. Maybe I only imagined I was responsible for the baby. We could find out by calling the mother.

Just then the mother walked in with the baby. I had worried myself into a frenzy over something that was not even true. How many times have I worried over something that I had no control over and may or may not have been reality.

I remember so well that last time I saw Marta, my friend from college. We were discussing something I was concerned over. She asked me if there was anything I could do to change the situation. There was not.  "Then you have got to stop worrying about it,” she said.

Which leads me to the email Maria had passed on today in which we are encouraged to turn our worries over to God and ask Him to watch over our families. Good advice.

There are so many good quotes on useless worrying. These are just a few.

I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal - and soon they'll forget my number. ~Edith Armstrong

You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time. ~Pat Schroeder

Heavy thoughts bring on physical maladies; when the soul is oppressed, so is the body. ~Martin Luther


He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears. ~Montaigne, Essays, 1588


Love looks forward, hate looks back, anxiety has eyes all over its head. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. ~Theodore N. Vail 

And a real favorite:

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe. ~Author Unknown

Or I could buy myself some Worry Dolls!

According to Guatemalan legend, worry dolls have the ability to remove worries from sleeping children. Children tell one worry to each doll when they go to bed at night and place the dolls under their pillow. In the morning the dolls have taken their worries away.

This could be an excellent addition to my Doll Collection, ha.