Money Talks

My tea went cold while I was writing this. Join me in another cup.

If this election cycle lasts much longer, it will make me rich or at least give my husband coffee money. Everyday (except Sunday) I walk the one-eighth of a mile to my mail box and carry a load of mail back to the house, of which I throw away nine out of ten pieces.

One mail delivery lady told me, “Junk mail is our job security.” Yikes! Will we receive more unwanted mail just to save the Post Office from bankruptcy?

Every Wednesday, an elderly man with a speech impediment, probably my age, delivers a local valley newspaper full of Hollywood news and local grocery ads. My least favorite topics! I don't have the heart to inform him to skip my house. Someone pays him five cents for every paper he delivers, so I save the unopened papers for the Eugene Mission.

To get my attention before I throw away the mail, “they” place a penny, nickel, quarter, and then today, a Kennedy half-dollar in the window of the envelope. Now, who wants to throw that mail away without first retrieving the money? They ask me to hold the coin in my hand while I read their urgent letter. I never heard of these men or organizations who want my money to support their cause. I admit I do feel guilty disposing of their postage-paid return envelope. Is it legal or moral to cut off the stamp for my personal use?

Last year I received an 'important' letter with a one dollar bill inside. I placed the money in my wallet, said “thank you” and put the advertizement in the bulging burn sack.

Today, do you see a new side of me? I'm trying to say, “No one can pay me to support their cause.” This post sounds similar to an Op Ed piece in The Register-Guard. Yikes, again!

Morris, you're right. I always have an opinion.

                     No, the picture is not up side down. 

                                I'm laying in the hammock today.

Happy Birthday, Loretta !

Juanita

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Rusty Red Dragonflies

This afternoon two rusty-red biplanes chased each other around and around the pond, north to the waterfall, through the fir trees and then back to the pond. These sporty dragonflies preformed for a couple hours. I saw several near misses and enjoyed their performance. They flew so fast I couldn't take their picture. Today was one of those rare times that I sat and relaxed in the garden instead of trimming plants and pulling weeds.

Some of you know my mother. We went for a walk this morning before the temperature became too hot. We held hands as we toured the neighborhood and enjoyed a nice conversation. This is Mother on her 92nd birthday at the Hilton Restaurant last year.

To you in Oregon, try to stay cool on Saturday. We are expecting temps in the high 90's, first time all summer. My opinion: Oregon is the best state! I have another opinion: Chick-fil-A is welcome in Oregon anytime!

Happy Birthday, Patty !

Happy Birthday, Barb S. !

Juanita

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Bad Dog

Oh Happy Day to you!

I am an organized person, even with my yard work. I have a Gorilla wagon that contains all my large and small garden tools, gloves, fertilizers, etc. I park it by the back door. Last Thursday night it was stored too close to Dear Daisy Flower's chain.

In the middle of the night, Daisy decided to wrap her chain around and around and around the axle. Next, she tried to chew off the tire. Les Schwab sold me a new tire today. She chewed the house wall in two places. All this in the dark! I could tell you more, but you can stop laughing now. It was time the clean out the wagon anyway.

For Daisy's punishment today, Craig gave her a long bath. And I made a chocolate cake with chocolate pudding and cherry pie filling, topped with whipped cream. Not for her!

"I don't know who did it!"

Happy Birthday, Sharon O.

Love, Juanita
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Advertisements

Good morning!

 A polar bear now guards the driveway to our 'estate'.  My auction trophy! 

I've learned to read the bad news on-line instead of watching TV because of the many, many distracting commercials. Commercials are a waste of my time. 

But in my opinion, Geico has the best TV ads. At least, with that company, I can determine what they are selling, even if I can't understand what the little green guy is saying. Have you seen their pet possum hissing at the little boy and girl? Possums really do hiss when cornered. I know!  I wonder if it was the same one I baked in the oven thirty-two years ago at Brad's request?  Showing their sharp ugly teeth becomes their warning to step back from the animal or else.

With some commercials I never do know what product I need to buy before the ad is over.

Does anyone else have that problem?

I noticed yesterday Motel 6 is airing commercials again. They still have the light on after fifty years!

A billboard at a certain business in Springfield has a thought provoking statement for all to read. I had to drive by twice to make sure I read it correctly. It states, “You don't have to shop here, but we will bill you if you don't.” They must be Republican, you think?

The bumper sticker, “Don't follow me. I'm lost” makes me smile.

Do you have a favorite ad to share?

Happy Birthday, Tinsley !

“The Lord be with you all.”

Juanita

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Bogs and Creeks

      Good morning! After two cups of tea, I thought of something to say.

      A creek and a pond provides more areas for landscaping. Experience has made us a so-called expert. We have volumes of free advice if you want to tackle another project. We enjoy four bogs in our seventy-foot long creek. Our pond holds 6,000 gallons of water, eight beautiful koi, and too-many-to-count gold fish plus those little black fish that eat mosquitoes. The pond contains a variety of plants also.

      Are you tired yet? Actually, there is less work in water than in dirt gardens. Today, I'm excited to show you two flowering plants in our bog.

Chinese Iris

Happy Anniversary! Barb and Hal

Happy Birthday, Barb!

Belated Birthday wishes to Corlyss!

Love ya all, Juanita

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I Pledge Allegiance . . .

Hi,

I love to read historical information and I believe this week is an appropriate time to share what I learned recently. Our pledge to our flag and country endured six small improvements since it was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. This pledge was formally adopted by Congress in 1942.

As you read this, you may place your right hand over your thankful heart if you so desire.

When I walked outside to take this picture, Craig's bull frog from last week was croaking.  Another view from the library window. . . 

Official versions (changes in bold italics)

1892 "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1892 to 1923 "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1923 to 1924 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1924 to 1954 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1954 to Present "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

There is much to remember about our war for independence from Great Britain. May I tempt you to pick up your old encyclopedia for a refresher course? Did you know small pox and scurvy claimed more lives than the battle with the British?

Enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations and let's never forget the cost of our precious freedoms!

Happy Birthday, Roberta !

Love, Juanita

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The Oregon Trail

Hi, everyone!

Oh, oh, the sun's out at the moment. I must go pull weeds now. I'll return.

Yes, Harold, I do have more to say!

Craig caught a green slimy frog hiding in the raspberries today.  Think he'll get warts?

Yesterday, I recalled 1993. In August, Craig and I had joined the official sesquicentennial wagon train at Pendleton, Oregon and headed west for two days. We rode in a BLM wagon with no springs, making a very rough ride over pasture land and highways. Imagine driving with metal wheels over rocks. Oh, where was my Cadillac?

We had joined ten other covered wagons, forty cowboys, and fifty walkers for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had a few comforts of home: two buses for those who tired of walking, a shower truck, two outhouse trucks and several catering trucks.

Three accidents happened on our first day. A cowboy rode next to our wagon for conversation. Rain made the freeway slippery which caused his horse to fall down on two legs. The animal came close to falling under our wagon wheel while leaning hard against our wagon. One close call!

Another horse bucked off his rider; cowboy received a slight injury.

The third accident developed when a runaway wagon, due to a broken rein, caused the horses to run in a circle. A child on board screamed. Cowboys came to the rescue and controlled the horses in a matter of minutes. Screaming does get everyone's attention on a wagon train.

Our second day started cold, rainy, and windy. The sides of our covered wagon were down all day, obstructing most of our view. We rode sixteen miles from Echo to Butter Creek Junction. Our weather cleared in the afternoon in time for dinner and an after-dinner show. The singers told jokes and sang silly western songs.

The third morning, the wagon train continued west. We took home movies of the train winding up the road without us. I almost wished we were going with them, but two days on the trail created the impression on a week-long trip. No favorite foods, no electricity for my curling iron, and wet sleeping bags.

We headed east in our truck to visit the Interpretive Center at Baker City which depicts the real hardships and sacrifices the pioneers made to come out West. I'm glad they came, but also glad I wasn't with them.

Thanks for visiting today. Create a great week!

Happy Birthday, Stacey!

Love, Juanita

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The Lost Has Been Found

      Tea time! 

      How's this for a view from my window?

       We purchased a family of five little yellow ducks for our koi fish pond. Last summer the count was down to four. I spent many minutes looking for the one lost duck among the vines and lily pads in the not-so-clear water. We didn't “leave the ninety and nine” to look for it, but I did spend some anxious moments. Believe that?

      Just as in the parable of the lost sheep where the owner searched until he found the stray and rejoiced when he did, I'm here to report the fifth plastic ducky has been found – on top of the seven-foot water fall. It did not possess the power to fly up there. I believe it was kidnapped by a hungry vulture. The yellow duck shows signs of claw marks on its tail. Can you imagine the disappointment in the expected fresh meal? Another mystery solved!

      Now, if only we could figure out why the pond goes dry about twice a year and where the water goes. Craig says only God knows the answer to that mystery.

      What's a thinking, planning woman to do when the husband cuts down a dying, ugly tree? Turn the area into a shade garden, of course. What if he cuts down three more trees? She does nothing, he hopes! I demonstrated my creativity once again by developing another pleasant place to lounge and read and listen to the waterfall.

God already enjoyed a head start on the project. In recent years, He planted ten ferns in just the right place among the rocks on the creek bank where tree grew. Interesting how ferns just appear.  I know, weeds do also!  Ferns are blessings and weeds are part of the 'curse'.

Happy Birthday, Marlene !

Love, Juanita

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A Worthy Cause

Welcome to my library again!

Last weekend was our mini-vacation: no telephones to answer, no TV to watch, no meals to cook while we attended a retreat in Turner, Oregon. The purpose of the event was having fellowship with like-minded people and participating in an auction to raise money to buy Bibles for Gideons in other countries not having funds to purchase their own for distribution. More than $10,000 was collected in three days!

At the annual auction, I'm excited to buy items I really want (plants for my garden and an eight-foot wind chime) and stuff I have no need for (another crystal bowl). I sold my famous chocolate chip cookies this year. In the past, they sold for $5.00 each. Thanks, Ted!

I wrote and printed a story entitled, “Jonah, Man on the Run” and put the book in the auction. Someone, who didn't even know me, bought it for $45. Now I feel like a real author!

A woman in my writing club wrote a review of this story for you who might want to own a copy. She stated, “Juanita combines the truth of Scripture with imagination to bring to life classical stories from the Bible. Her writing shows what ancient people probably experienced in their daily activities and relationship with God.”

Now I am really brave and decided to produce a second printing for $15 which includes postage. If you would like to own a signed copy, I would be proud to send it to you. Reading “Man of the Run” will re-introduce you to Jonah and his family, Jonah's prophetic ministry and how he tried to hide from his Creator who knows and sees everything.

Writing has become my passion. Last month I started my third story, “The King's Daughter”. My goal is to write a collection of  twenty short stories to place in one volume.

We'll talk later!

Juanita

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Soaring High

Early this damp morning, I am watching them soar in the air. Seemingly with no effort on their part, they float one way, then the other way, rising higher with the current. They appear so graceful, so confident in their surroundings. Eagles and hawks encourage me not to get caught in the downdrafts of life, but to rise calmly, with faith, above our unwanted circumstances.

Wow! Doesn't that sound profound?

Are you in a downdraft of discouragement today, especially when life doesn't happen as you plan?

The writings of Isaiah are full of advice and encouragement. My most favorite lines read: “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.”

Are you ready to soar and run and walk with me? The sun is out and the Son is with us!

I renewed my commitment to exercise at the Oakway Spa three times a week. You paid for a permanent membership, so no more excuses, Juanita.

I have a good medical report to share with those of you who know I had bladder cancer a couple years ago. It had returned several times, but today during my quarterly exam, there was no cancer to be found. I'm very thankful.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. Remember the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and those who continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

 Happy Birthday, Leela !

 Sincerely, Juanita

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Mothers, It's Your Day!

This weekend we honor memories of our mothers. The Internet encyclopedia says it is a day to celebrate by going to church (yes, that's what it said), giving of red and white carnations, and enjoying family dinners. We are going to do all three items this year.

Did you know honoring mothers officially dates back to the American Civil War days?

When Daddy's driving made Mother nervous, she would crochet to take her mind off the road. My dad was someone who passed everyone in front of him. At least that is what I remember. It works. While my husband drove us to Boise recently, I finished writing chapter one in my next short story.

Half of my readers probably know my mother. When Janice and I moved her to an assisted living home last year, we found an abundance of treasures: dozens of doilies (probably crocheted while Daddy drove), an unfinished embroidered tablecloth (which I reluctantly finished after lessons from Margaret) and hundreds of photos previously unseen by me.

I’m excited to show you one sexy lady! This is my mother, probably taken in 1944 while Daddy was in the Navy. This is one of my favorite treasures.
Isn't she beautiful?

May your Mother's Day weekend be filled with pleasant memories! Take time to reminisce plus create new memories with your family.

Love, Juanita

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As We Begin Our Day

Good morning, dear friends!

      How do you start your day? With coffee/tea, food, exercise, prayer? 

 

      If we are half-way organized, you and I both have a to-do list for today. The most vital activity on my list is talking to my Lord. So many styles of prayer—singing, chit-chat, formal conversation, reading from a prayer book. I'm confident our Lord is pleased with any type of sincere worship we use. 

     Think of how He speaks to us—reading His Word-the Bible, promptings of the Holy Spirit to our spirit, conversing with a godly friend or pastor.

      The most amazing written prayer I have found is this one used by John Wesley in the 1700's. He did not actually write this prayer, but he used it in his devotions. I challenge you to thoughtfully read this prayer ten times right now and be prepared for a change in your thinking and priorities in life. Oh, for the same commitment as this unknown author!

A COVENANT PRAYER

used by John Wesley

I am no longer my own, but Yours,

Put me to what You will,

Put me to doing, Put me to suffering,

Let me be employed for You,

or laid aside for You,

exulted for You,

or brought low for You.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things,

let me have nothing.

I freely and wholeheartedly

yield all things to

Your pleasure and disposal.

And now glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

You are mine and I am Yours.

So be it.

And this covenant now made on earth,

Let it be satisfied in Heaven.

AMEN.

Amen and amen!

     Have you read my new Inspiration column to the left?

Sincerely, Juanita

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