Snow and Bunnies

Good morning!  Yes, it is good and early!

The sun will rise in two hours, but at five o'clock this morning, it's almost bright as day because the porch light and the loom of the city is reflecting on the fresh snow. This view might be common for you in Montana and Idaho, but here on the valley floor, it's an unusual event. The scene this morning is so pretty ~ calm and peaceful. The snow is heavy with moisture and the tree branches are drooping under the weight.

Our long-awaited spring arrived yesterday, but old man winter is refusing to go home. I'm retired, so he's welcome to stay a few more days. But I told him to leave by Friday because all my grandsons and their folks are coming to visit for Spring break. When I was young, we called it Easter vacation.

Speaking of Easter, remember the yummy chocolate Easter bunnies? My husband loves them, even though they have nothing to do with the real spiritual meaning of Easter. I see the cocoa bunny now has competition. Russel Stover makes a solid milk chocolate fish—the Christian symbol. Surprisingly, the company was brave enough to place the name of Jesus on the fish in English, not Greek.

Of course, I bought one for Brayden, Brogan and Erik. Craig pouted, “Where's mine?” I'll use this opportunity to tell them about the traditional story of the fish figure.

It's hard to read in the library this morning with this lovely scene in front of me. It's snowing again! The God of the Universe is painting a beautiful picture for you and me to enjoy with a thankful heart! We can ignore the broken branches for a few days.

Happy Birthday, Taelor !

Happy Birthday, Margaret !

Thanks for the visit!

Juanita

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Bombs or Peace

Dear Friends,

I'm glad you joined me in the library this morning!

Since we visited last week, the weather has been rainy, snowy and windy. The jay birds have eaten all the seeds in the hanging feeder and I'm impatient for a warmer season.

My library contains several books over one hundred fifty years old. A great family treasure! This week I settled into my cozy maroon chair in the library and read an original book by John Richard Hersey. He was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer and journalist. In 1946, one year almost to the day after we dropped the A-bomb on Japan, he wrote “Hiroshima”. The true story centers around six Japanese citizens and the effect of the bomb on their city and their bodies.

The book wasn't a delight to read and I won't read it again, but it reminded me the bomb is still a horrific present-day concern. The A-bomb contained uranium and plutonium. The nightly news reports Iran is enriching uranium for destructive purposes. What can we do? Pray for the world leaders and pray for peace.

“I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.” Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT)

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Happy Birthday, Suzanne!

Happy Birthday, Sharon!

Happy Birthday, Lois Ann!

Have a great week and read a delightful book!

Love, Juanita

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Memories

Dear friends,

All the birds are here today: the brilliant blue steller's jay, the colorful varied thrush, the little black-hooded Oregon junco and the scruffy western scrub-jay. They are not concerned about the hail coming down. They are focusing on the recently filled bird feeder hanging in front of my library window.

Today, I was reminiscing about the songs Skip Marks sang at our wedding. Last Sunday at church, Luwayne sang one of them, “The Love of God”. The original song was written in 1917. Some fifty years ago, Mrs. Foster wrote an additional verse for her daughter's wedding.

“What God hath joined, let no man sever,

These sacred vows are heaven made.

May they behold a vision ever

From His true light that cannot fade.

Their talents bring to serve the King

The power by God endowed,

With one accord, extol the Lord,

Their hearts in reverence bowed.”

I remember Uncle Gordon, six foot four, crying at my wedding. Maybe that song was the reason. As a little girl, we played a game called Odd or Even on my arm. “Ouch”! He took me to the soda shop where we sat on high stools and drank strawberry sodas together. I was his oldest niece and he loved to spoil me. He proudly played his 78-speed records as we played 'Name that Tune' way before the TV producers created that popular show.

Another wedding memory: my mother broke her high-heeled shoe at my wedding and Aunt Leona loaned mother her shoes to wear.

Did I bring back a few old memories of your own?

Spring is less than two weeks away. Hooray!

Happy Birthday, Barbara !

Juanita

Our Assignment

"Sing a new song to the LORD!

Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!

Sing to the LORD: praise his name.

Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Great is the LORD!

He is most worthy of praise!"

Psalm 96:1-4

What more can I say? I hope you have a week

full of blessings from the Lord.

Sincerely, Juanita

Age Is Just a Number

Welcome my library this morning!

Did you notice yellow blooming forsythia as you drove down the driveway? One of the first promises of spring!

I suppose you saw our metal Christmas trees still displayed in the front yard. I have a good excuse this time. My young grandsons from Idaho are coming in March and I told them I would turn the lights on for them since they couldn't come for Christmas.

I met a precious lady last Sunday. “I'm 105 years old,” she stated early in our conversation. What a joy to talk with Vereah! She doesn't see or hear as well as she used to, but she's so proud of her age.

I was proud when I turned thirteen, and then sixteen. A sign over my desk at work read, “Age is just a number and mine's unlisted.” I didn't freely tell anyone my age until I turned seventy. Now it's fun to reveal my secret.

Grandson Brayden says he is excited to advance into the double digits next month.

Are you comfortable with your age?

A few of us act peculiar about telling our age. I know someone who kept her real age from her younger husband. How about the ancient people in the Old Testament? Their age became no secret. God told Moses, then Moses told everyone when he wrote the book of Genesis. Can you imagine living 969 years as Methuselah did? I suppose he finished a lot of projects in his day. He probably said, “I remember when . . .” hundreds of times.

I asked my LORD for at least another twenty years so I can write more stories and maybe even publish a book. 

Happy Birthday sister!  Happy Birthday CJ!

Enjoy your week and your years!

Thanks for your visit!

Juanita

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The Story of Our Lives

Good morning! I'm sharing serious thoughts from the library today.

King David of Israel possessed many talents and God-given abilities. He played the harp, sang worship songs and danced for joy. God helped him win all his battles for Israel. He became a prolific writer and a prophet. The psalmist was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write many revelations of Israel's Messiah. One example is Psalm 16:10. “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption”. This is a psalm that contains prophecy concerning the resurrection of Christ.

David recorded the thoughts of his heart and experiences of his life for us to read three thousand years later. I'm sure he would be amazed how many millions of people now enjoy reading his songs available in several hundred languages. I'm honored when one hundred friends read what I write in English.

As a novice author, I write about a certain subject and then put the paragraph aside for a later time, hoping more ideas will come to me. I wonder how many times King David had the same writer's block.

In David's psalms, he sometimes described his desperation, but also included praise to his Lord. I imagine he started several psalms at one time, but eventually finished them when he experienced victory over a certain sin, trial or circumstance.

Chapters in our lives are not finished immediately, but a process of steps, like paragraphs, with a few chapters now and then. We all will continue writing our story until we finish the book of our lives and the Lord calls us to eternity. Let's seriously consider how we will end our final chapter.

“But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" Words of David in Psalms 70:4

Juanita

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Valentines from the Paslay Collection

Valentine

ME-N-U

Sweet Kisses

February 14

I've raised a crop of honest hopes.

Please tell me that you care.

for if you'd be my Valentine

'weed' make a happy pair.

S. S. Loveland

“All's Clear”

and set to go if you're my

Valentine.

Hi there, Prince Charming.

I'll be your Cinderella!

St. Valentine Greeting

Love brings treasures, shy and sweet,

Loving hearts in harmony meet.

Take my heart & sail with me,

On life's happy, rolling sea.

1926

A summons for my Valentine:

“Police” be mine.

1945

Love to my Valentine.

I don't know any better way

Than by this little card of mine

To say what's on my heart to-day.

“I want you for my Valentine.”

1926

To My Valentine.

Cupid will tell you plain and true,

No other maid I love but you.

"For God LOVED the world so much,
that he gave his one and only son,
so that everyone who believes in Him
will not perish, but have eternal life"    John 3:16

Special Love to All My Friends,

Juanita

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A Week of Wows!

Dear Friends!

WOW! Wow! Last night we watched the best movie ever! Police chase, hankie scene, inspiration! You must watch “Courageous”. You must! You can rent it on Netflix or you can borrow my copy. I rate it AAA+. In fact, I'll probably watch it again this week.

Wow! Spring is just around the corner and the weeds prove it. So sad, I spread Casoron too late again, but I have now at least stopped the summer weeds. Believe that?

Wow! My labor paid off. My new daffodils leaves are showing! Last fall I bought a sack of fifty bulbs. Planting all of them became too tedious, so I gave some to my cousin Roberta. I'll send y'all a picture when they bloom. I always admire the daffodils along I-5, now I'll have my own small field.

Wow! Mentioning the word labor made me remember another event. I have two great sons and three great grandsons. I wished they lived across the street.

Wow, I'm tired! I just walked around the yard and spread two sacks of moss killer on the deep, lime green lawn. Age fifty is long gone! I need an energy drink today instead of hot tea.

Have a Wow week!

Wow! “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalms 118:29 

Love and Wow memories to you and your family!

Juanita

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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

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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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