Taxes, and more taxes

Let's get serious today. Grab your full cup of whatever. It's time for a short history lesson.

Taxes is a hot topic these days as we try to save our nation from ourselves. Taxes are necessary today as much as they were 3697 years ago. Yes, 3697 years.

That was the year the 'vice president' of Egypt was given the responsibility of managing their financial affairs. Joseph determined everyone would pay a 20% government tax on their crops. And Joseph wasn't even a natural-born citizen!

According to current world tax rates today, Egypt still has a progressive tax up to 20%. As a comparison, Israel current tax is progressive up to 44% and U.S. rate is progressive up to 35%.

Now you know!

I'm looking out the window at bright sunshine and I'm tempted by yard work. I see the lime-green moss is growing profusely and I know what will come next if I don't use Casoron soon. Weeds!

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” 

2 Peter 1:2

Many of you said "Hi" last week.  "Hi" back.

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com or click on pencil below.

Coffee or Tea, Please

Good morning, dear friends,

Green tea and cinnamon toast is served in my cozy library this early, wet morning. Earl mentioned enjoying only the aroma of tea. I feel the same about coffee. Coffee smells good, but even the expensive variety tastes bitter to me.

Ruth, your cat walked through my garden a few moments ago. It must be yours because the color is bright white with three big black spots on its back and a long, solid black tail. Those who know Ruth, remembers she utterly loves black and white cows. Today is the first time I've seen the cat and I hope it returns. This large furry animal appeared on a definite mission walking slowly around the pond, but it didn't stay in sight long. If I wasn't relaxing in the library today, I might have missed the cat visit.

Do you have a specific mission or important project today? In the library I plan my day and the week, consider what still remains from yesterday, talk to my Lord, and read my Bible and other exciting books. My number of books in the library have grown since we closed Mother's apartment. Do you think my free time will increase as well? Only if I get up earlier!

I hope you developed an effective way to start your day instead of allowing your day to dictate to you.

“Your Word, oh Lord, is sweet as honey, delicious as chocolate.” ~ me

Juanita
folks7777@gmail.com

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The Treasures of this Life

Dear Friends,

As the weather turns colder, the red twig dogwood becomes a more vibrant red. What a sharp contrast sparkling snow would make, but I see only heavy frost this morning. I wish I had planted a long row of them instead of one lone bush. Am I visualizing another spring project?

I finished one challenging project this week. Janice and I had the task of removing every item from Mother's apartment, down to the last bobby pin. We were reminded once again how organized she was, how she loved to decorate for every holiday, and what books she loved to read over and over again (she dated them).

I believed she possessed enough clothes to wear a different outfit for a year. She saved family pictures, letters and travel postcards in a collectible fashion. Can you visualize fifty-three three-ring notebooks in chronological order?

The mail order companies are going to miss Mother's business.

Moving Mother was a sad experience, but my sister and I have pleasant memories of seeing the old pictures again and talking about those days. Many times the conversation would go, “You can have this.” “No, you can have it.” We laughed as we tried to convince the other why the treasure was a keeper. I am the proud owner of the yard stick labeled F. W. Woolworth. Mother worked there about twenty-three years.

Of all the 'things' Mother collected, we were especially thankful that she collected silver coins. We made the coin dealer happy, too.

My mind and body are feeling my age today, but now I'm inspired to take inventory of my own possessions and help lighten the load for our sons and daughters-in-law in the future. I'll look down and smile as they try to decide who gets my bobby pins.

Sincerely, Juanita

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A Letter to God

Good morning, my dear friends. I'm pleased you came to visit again. Our green tea is steeping.

Mary Hyatt Day loved to write for her family as some of us do. My friend Christine Hogan shared Mary's writings with me and I wanted you to read this particular page. It is very thought provoking, to say the least. I hope you enjoy it.

“Dear Father in Heaven:

That must sound sometimes like we're writing you a letter, Father.  Is that what we do? Do you get lots of letters?

“Dear Lord, I need money. Send me some.”

“Dear Lord, I'm so unhappy. Send me some happiness, by return mail.”

“Lord, I haven't heard from you in a long time. Have you forgotten me?”

Do you like getting our letters, Father?

Like us, do you go eagerly and expectantly to your mail box every day, hoping for a long, loving letter? And like us, are you disappointed when there are only the ads and bills and appeals for help?

“Buy my product, it's the best there is. You can't do without it!”

“Help my cause – it is of importance for the whole world!”

You will save the whales, won't you, Father?

And when that long-awaited letter comes, does it go like this:

Dear Father,

This is just a note to say I'm okay. Sorry I haven't written lately, but I've been so busy with the cleaning and my church work. You know how it is. And the kids were all sick at once. Then we went on our vacation, three whole weeks. Did you get my card from Disneyland saying, I wish you were here!?

Well, this is all I have time for now. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Love...

P.S. As you can see, I didn't get this mailed for a week. I didn't have a stamp.”

Mary Hyatt Day

Love, Juanita

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