EXCITEMENT

Washing windows became exciting this week. “Why?” you ask. I put the dreadful project off for a year or two or three (confession time) until my friend, Barbara gave me a demo using Microfiber cleaning rags from Walmart. Does this sound like a commercial? Don't laugh until you try this funny-feeling material. One wet (not soap needed) for cleaning the window and a dry one for drying. No drips, no squeegee, no streaks. Now I am sounding like a commercial. Six for five dollars. Available in blue and white. Of course, you must dry with the white one. Are you smiling?

Another exciting thing happened this week. I can now read the huge round clock in my library from across the room without my glasses. I thought just “old” people had cataract surgery, so I must belong in that group now. This reminds me when Jesus healed two blind men in the book of Matthew. They shared their excitement with everyone they saw.

Life is full of excitement if we open our eyes and look around us. Family and friends are more valuable than 'things'. The month of August has been plum full of relatives visiting and many friends gathering for celebrations and the month is not over yet.

                   A bouquet from my garden to you.

This week's brief letter to you is my way of saying I appreciate all of you and thanks for the many cups of tea and coffee we shared together in my library. Determine to keep your life exciting.

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

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Yellow Flowers in the Sun

  Yellow sunflowers are visible from my library window all year long. In the spring, I plant seeds next to our neighbor's 70-foot barn wall which makes a great privacy fence. He doesn't know it, but I fully decorated his wall. I discovered much treasure ignored and stored in our own barn such as: rusty old tools, old-fashioned car chains, stiff worn-out logging boots, out-dated car license that was never returned to the DMV. The list goes on and on. Now they're artistically arranged, with my cousin Roberta's assistance, on Steve's barn wall.

  I was telling you about my sunflowers, ranging from ten to two feet tall. I prefer shorter ones because they don't fall over like tall ones. Several are bright gold, some pale yellow and the cute ones are deep red. 

 

  The stately flowers inspired me to paint a picture on our pump house one summer. The small building on the hill was already painted light blue, so the sky was completed before I started. My painted sunflowers look life-size and give me pleasure long before seeds begin to grow in the spring and long after the real ones are dead.

  I enjoy sunflowers all year long thanks to God's gift of flower seeds and my elementary art work.

  “The land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:12 (NLT)

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

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Tombstones and Buttons

Our bull frog is calling again. I must give him a name. Maybe I’ll call him George. Sounds as if George has a sore throat today. I'm glad he's not skittish because I like to sneak up on him and take his picture while he's floating among lily pads in the fish pond.

So far, you have met George the frog, Charlie the squirrel, and Daisy our dog. I remember visiting Bird Haven in Stayton years ago. Mr. Koch names his favorite birds, but don't all barn swallows look alike? We bought two of his red bird houses and it's fun watching birds come and go and sit on their roof as if they belong there. They made themselves right at home the first week.

Ready for inspiration? Last week, my friend Barbara returned from visiting the Billy Graham Library. His wife Ruth is buried there and guess what her tombstone reads. “End of construction. Thank you for your patience.” Now, doesn't that say it all? I'm sure Billy's epitaph will have a strong message also. 

In the hallway hangs my button board filled with old souvenir badges from many occasions, “Robertson for President” to “It's a Boy”. Thinking of Ruth Graham's words, reminds me of one particular button: P B P G I N F W M Y, which stands for Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.

Please and thank you.

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com 

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Words of a Leader

Thanks for joining me in the library this morning.

Yesterday, I read the words of a king which brought to mind other great leaders frequently quoted. We who are older know who said, “Never, never, never give up!” Did you know this same prime minister also said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.”? He said something funny about being drunk. Maybe I'll use it during a humorous speech for Toastmasters.  You can find it on Google-like everything else.

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” The last part of John F. Kennedy's quote is not as well-known as the first line.

The following famous words of King David have encouraged people for generations. Children in Sunday School memorize it. Can you still quote Psalm 23?

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of 

the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23 NKJV

Do you remember what your Dad told you? Mine said, “Don't do as I do; do as I say.” He realized he wasn't perfect.

I wish you a pleasant day filled with good memories.

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

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Doves and Doors

Good morning, friends.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118.24 NLT

Do you see doves in your yard? Four of them visit us quiet often. I usually see them in pairs. Barbara, today one visited my 'purple' garden. It appeared alone, looking lost. I stood still and watched it for several minutes. Most birds busily look for worms in the lawn, but doves prefer seeds. This mourning dove just tiptoed back and forth by the lavender bushes. When I moved, it flapped its noisy wings and flew away. I hope it located its mate.

When you see a dove, what do you think of? I always think about Old Testament sacrifices. Poor people offered a pair of turtledoves. Mary and Joseph offered this sacrifice at the temple when Jesus was eight days old. I'm not sure if we have mourning doves or turtledoves in our yard, but they fascinate me with their sad, mournful bird call.

I take advantage of our neighbor's barn wall whenever I can. I decorate it with antiques; I paint pictures on their windows. They originally painted their window glass black so we couldn't see their stuff which I appreciated. Last year, I painted their door a green color. I really don't know what's behind this green door because there is no handle on the door. Until this week. I painted black hinges and a door handle. I knew you wanted to see it, so I took a picture for you.

I know summer will be here for sure next week because I've scheduled a luncheon at the pond.

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Frogs and Teddy Bears

Good morning!

He wasn't here when we cleaned the fish pond this spring, but I see (and hear) he decided to return after a couple years of visiting other locations. I hope no one answers his mating call, because one bull frog is enough. I don't want him to multiply like the gold fish. As I sat in the library this morning, I heard his deep croaking. I think it is a pleasant, country sound. Though he's over one hundred feet away, I heard him very plainly, even with the windows closed.

Last Monday, I walked to the pond area to water the red and orange geraniums. I thought Dear Daisy had moved my ceramic frog, that is, until it hopped into the pond. The pond water is very clear at this time, so I got to enjoy watching the frog swim underwater. He did the breast stroke with all four legs. Speaking of legs, has anyone ever tasted frog legs? 

What do you do with a teddy bear that nobody wants? I didn't have the heart to throw it away, so I thought maybe someone would like to steal it. I placed old teddy on our name-sign post up front by the main road. The next day, someone had laid him out flat on his back about twenty feet away, but they didn't take it. Now, he is tied to the post, looking so high and proud. Today, someone laid a stock of flowers in its lap. Ohhh!

Isn't life fun?  The neighbors probably think I'm silly.

I can't believe July is half over. Enjoy your weekend.

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Let Freedom Ring

Good morning! 

Will you join me in a cup of tea? My best girlfriend from first grade, Lois Ann, visited us from Montana last week and brought me a new brand of tea as a gift. Ahmad Tea from London. Shall we try a cup? The tea possesses a bold, but not bitter taste, flavored with bergamot. I love it.

       Our flag's reflection in our fish pond.

The Fourth of July arrived and passed, and with it, all the neighborhood noise – finally. It sounded like a war zone for several days. I'm sure Daisy, our yellow lab, feels more content now that the boom and pops stopped. Whoops! I spoke too soon. There goes another one. Today, I thought about the veterans from the Vietnam War. I'm sure the noise of the fireworks brings back memories they hoped to forget. I had a cousin who you wouldn't dare wake from a sound sleep because of his experiences. I'm sure it is the same for every soldier in every war.

We visited a Baptist church last Sunday and proudly sang several great patriotic songs. I wanted to quote two verses of “My Country, 'Tis of Thee” by Samuel F. Smith because the words mean just as much today as they did in 1831. Did you know that other authors wrote more verses making a total of thirteen?

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring!

* * *

Our fathers' God to Thee,

Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright,

With freedom's holy light,

Protect us by Thy might,

Great God our King.

May God continue to bless America!

Sincerely, Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Spiders and More Spiders!

Good morning!  I'm glad you came to visit. Six months ago I started sharing.  I'm amazed I possessed this much to say.

Monday, I felt like Little Miss Muffet. I wasn't sitting on a tuffet, just my over-stuffed chair. I wasn't snacking on curds, just resting after a long day in the garden. But I did hear a spider drop down beside me on his spider rope. He didn't scare me away, I just carefully smashed him between two slippers. You didn't know I hear spiders, did you?

Then, yesterday, I walked up to my car to retrieve something out of the back seat. As I looked inside and before I opened the door, I saw a BIG black, furry spider on the seat. I was ready for this. I carefully, quietly opened the back door to smash it. But, of course, you know what happened. It disappeared forever down the seat belt hole. Well, it better be forever! You know what women usually do when they see a spider.

Now is the appropriate time to share with you the one and only poem I ever wrote. Now, remember, I do not like poems and I do not write poems that rhyme, but when you are inspired by your own true experience, what do you do?

Fear on the Freeway

A spider is in your car, the dread of every woman,

especially when she is driving – driving alone.

Keep your wits about you, your eyes on the road.

Watch the traffic, watch the spider.

.

It’s crawling on your windshield, on the driver’s side.

You ask out loud, “Inside or out?” You pray it’s on the outside.

You turn on the wipers. Spider is still there.

It is black and fuzzy, and won’t stand still.

You pray, “Lord, make it stand still!”

But it crawls back and forth in your line of vision.

You must watch for curves in the road,

But the spider is more important.

You must make a decision, and make it fast!

There’s a wide shoulder. Signal and pull over.

The spider is still moving. Stop the car.

You need a soft napkin. No such luck, only stiff paper.

It will have to do. It doesn’t. It only knocks it down.

The big, black spider falls on your lap. You scream, as only girls can scream.

You grab at it one more time. You get it. Squash it! Smash it!

Squeeze it in the paper. It will never crawl again.

Copyright © May 15, 2010

Ode to Daisy

“She appears so quiet and shy,

Who would guess her to be sly?”

                                            CTP

Hello, Everyone!

Dear Daisy Flower is for sale to the highest bidder. Barbara, I wonder how much she would bring at Family Camp's auction next year. Probably thousands $. When the auctioneer tells how sweet and attentive and well-mannered she is, all hands will go up to bid higher than the last person. Who wouldn't love to own a yellow lab? The most popular breed in the USA she is.

He might say Daisy makes a wonderful house dog because she lays in one spot and doesn't wonder from room to room. But don't tell that she smells like a dog and sheds hair like a dog and eats wood like Marley in the book “Marley and Me”, a must read even if you are not a dog lover.

By the time I finish writing this page, Daisy should be home again. The neighbors love her too and she probably spent an overnighter with her friend Ellie, our first yellow lab. That's another story.

Is there a clue here? Probably three, but I can't think of one except Daisy will always be Daisy – faithful but untrustworthy, sweet but frustrating.

Summer finally arrived this week. I have been waiting nine months for this season. Picnics and blooming roses. Hooray!

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Communication

Visualize this picture I'm holding in my hand - a man and woman in a long, green canoe floating down a quiet river. The distant background reveals a scene of brilliant fall colors in a forest of fir trees. This breath-taking view is mirrored on the calm water. Sadly, the couple are not facing each other or communicating in any other manner. They are not fishing for lunch or rowing for exercise and they are missing the scenery.

What are they doing? Talking on their separate cell phones to someone else. The beauty of their world passes them by as they float down the river with their hand to their ear.

I realize the value of enjoying nature, either from my library window or walking/working in the beauty of my garden. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, so I might be the only one who thinks my garden is special. 

           My Caribbean Roses

Where best to communicate with our Creator than in the midst of his creation? The beauty of this world is here to remind us of God's gifts to us.

Remember the 1995 TV show that aired at Thanksgiving time called “Hasn't God Been Good to Oregon?” It was a tour of the breathtaking sites around the state of Oregon.

I vote for Crater Lake as the most magnificent scene anywhere in Oregon. I’ve had the pleasure of hiking down to the lake three times and taking the boat trip around Wizard Island. (Not three times in one day, of course) The clear indigo blue water is almost indescribable when you rest about six inches above it in a boat. If I have tempted you to visit the lake and stay at the rustic lodge, July is a good month for a tour. I have actually talked with people who have never been there. Can you imagine that?

Enjoy your summer. It begins next week. Hooray!

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Trust

Good morning or good evening! Maybe you live on the other side of the world from me. I noticed someone from Russia visited me blog recently. That's amazing! May I offer you a cup of Russian tea?

Brown tree squirrels live here in the Willamette Valley. They usually run and hop around the yard, but today, from my library window, I actually see one in a tree. It is difficult to distinguish them from the branches until the limbs start bouncing.

I already introduced you to Daisy, our yellow lab. She just zoomed by the window again with her tail spinning in a circle. The sweet dog is heading for the fish pond for her ritual morning drink. Thank goodness Daisy doesn't swim in it; she prefers the slimy slough behind our house. By the way, she is not a house dog. Exception: during thunder!

Don't ask me why she has a blue collar!

I spent the last couple months assisting in the planning of an Enrichment Seminar and then presided as the moderator. With that behind me, I can now focus on improving the view from my library window by visiting the Little Red Farm to buy more perennials. I thank the Lord everyday for my little Garden of Eden and I appreciate the energy He gave us to maintain it.

First time visitors: I have a new conversation every Saturday.

Here's a promise for you and me:

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com

Birds and Snow Balls

Welcome! Will you join me for a cup of tea while we sit in the library?

Today, everyone is here for breakfast: the Stellar's jay, the scrub jay, the northern flicker woodpecker and the little dark-eyed junco. Did you know there is a certain junco race called Oregon race? That's what you can learn in a bird book. (Smile) Even the European starlings are here. Seems they’re all here except the robins, but when the word gets out, the robins will probably show up too.

Do you take time to relax and watch the birds in your yard? Move a comfortable chair to a big window and sit a spell, then you can enjoy discovering the many curious habits of our feathered friends. I used to think bird watchers were “different” people, but they're not. They're just like Jeannine and myself!

Someone or some bird must have given the signal because while I was writing, all the birds instantly disappeared.

In my personal garden of Eden I have snowballs the size of baseballs. I'd rather enjoy them instead of the baseball-size hail that fell in Texas recently. Do you ever wonder why people live in Tornado Alley? When they have a storm, they run for cover; however, when we have a storm in Oregon, we run to the window and say, “Wow!” Wherever you and your family live, I hope you are safe today.

Money talks. Chocolate sings. Beautifully!

Juanita

folks7777@gmail.com