Write It Down Somewhere!

My most lucid thoughts seam to arrive when I'm winding down from the day. It's not that my days are harried or stressful. But I keep as busy as I can. Lately I've finally started walking almost every day. This is why we bought at the beach in the first place.
Anyway as I'm reading in the late hours, I find I'm torn between blogging while the thoughts are fresh. It's not a good habit for me to acquire in the wee hrs. So I've decided to just write it down. It may be weeks before I find it under the bed, but at least I know I can read it eventually and decide if it is worth publishing.
I'm still reading Proverbs, and likely will for a while, although I am studying a couple of other books. Prov.14:33-34 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools she lets herself be known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
I 'love' that wisdom is depicted as female. Don't take me wrong, I am the furthest thing from a feminist. With the ability that woman has to lead man into dangerous territory, it is encouraging to know that she is also capable of leading him into righteous behavior. " I'm not talking here about the classic abusive jerk", just the average guy who wants to be happy, and still seem acceptable.
A wise woman will not hen peck her husband into submission, because then she could not respect him. She will encourage him to be wise and discerning in all his affairs. When his self respect grows, he will bring blessings to his family and employer. Ladies it's a win-win situation.

Just Wondering.

I read a little story of what was encouraging in the end, but the account of Joseph in the Old Testament again warned of pride going before a fall. Definitely a warning worth heeding, but I have never seen Joseph as prideful. He was much younger than the 12 brothers he was inflicted with. If you were raised in a disfunctional family, and I'm sure many of you can relate, he likely was distant from them as much as possible. Most accounts have Joseph named as a dreamer. We and they eventually discovered that his dreams were not his own but from God. God certainly used his humility to raise him up in the end, and rescue his undeserving family. There are much better accounts of prideful people tripping over their ego's, I can't help wondering why the average Christian writer continues to use this "example". Surely the fancy coat didn't turn Joseph into a tyrant, and by all accounts Joseph never fell into any sin. Did I miss something?

Be Not Anxious.

I've gone so far beyond anxious this past decade, that when things like the economy keep others up at night, I find it just a gnat that circles my head. Yes I am feeling the loss of a huge portion of my retirement fund. This is not the first time it has dropped to 50% of it's value in less than a month. What keeps me looking ahead instead of over my shoulder is that I have decided to never retire. I, like most people was raised to believe that after 60 or so I had a God given right to rest on my laurels and, well warm a rocker if that was all I wanted in my day. I don't have better health than any one else, but I have seen too many people lose their health simply because they chose to retire. I will always have choices about where I live and what I will focus my investments on. Real estate is named aptly. I intend to stay real. After all my home is my canvas.

Some Things!

Never Change! I spent the better part of yesterday and today looking for my reading glasses. I still have my bifocals for driving , and my computer glasses for the key board. Yesterday I was sewing and needed to bring out the Big Guns. Some how I managed to drop them and I have looked every where I can think to. I even checked the garbage 3 times before throwing it out. That's how thoroughly I searched. That is desperate! The last time, and there have been many, I found them by stepping on them in the garage. I suddenly remembered dropping them in that precise spot days earlier, but didn't clue in at the time. I've grown attached to this particular pair, and have put off my eye check up this year because I can't imagine a better style; that and I'm frugal at heart. Although this will not likely be the last time I lose a pair of eyes, I can't help wondering if they might still turn up in a land fill between the onion skins and the banana peels. I will use the garbage disposal more dilligently from now on.

Second Verse, Same as the First.

Not even close! It has been two years since I kissed my best friend good night for the last time. The second year has been more difficult in many ways than the first. The first year was so hectic with moving, renovating, selling and just recovering from more than four years of intense, hands on, nursing.
My Aunt would call often just to chat and comfort me, but I kissed her good bye on June 27. So this week I am missing her too. Maybe I should stop kissing people. Not seriously! This year has helped my heart to heal. I'm finally getting in touch with my feelings. I miss my best friend, the Father of my children. I know tomorrow will be better, because I know the One who holds tomorrow. He has great plans for me. My kids say I have changed. All I can say is I hope so!

Neti Pot

This may sound quite disgusting, but if you are in pain, you are willing to try anything. Many years ago I was watching a medical show that showed how Doctors in India treated chronic sinus problems. In North America, we take antibiotics, and spray everything from sailine to steroids up our noses. When this fails to bring healing or even a little relief, we resort to decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal sprays which seem to multiply in variety like guppies.
A couple of weeks ago a friend in Victoria mentioned she had used a Neti Pot for years. As I often do I tucked this tidbit of info in the back of my cluttered mind. I had been on antibiotics again for a sinus infection nearly 2 weeks and was doing well. No sinus headaches the whole time.
Two days after the antibiotics were finished, I had another headache, and two days later I was back on decongestants. My day ended and began with headaches. I got up at 5:am the next day with a pain behind my eye, and decided that running back to the clinic was not going to bring any lasting relief, so I googled Neti Pot.
This is available in the US and Canada, and coupons are easy to down load. I didn't even check out White Rock, because we aren't known for variety in anything here beyond geritol. I zipped right over to Rite Aid and bought a Neti Pot. I also discovered that our new WalMart also carries it. This little "tea pot" is easy to use, and after four days of flushing my sinuses, my headaches are gone. The method is the same as used in 3rd world countries where antibiotics are not always available.
Sometimes we are too sophisticated for our own good.

I found a wonderful Proverb that I hadn't read before: 25:11-12 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Beauty Is In The Eye.

It has been 11 years since I first cruised to Alaska. I know most people are amazed by the size of the glaciers, and the dirt and the colour and of course the cold. Somethings change slowly, and that is certainly true of Alaska. There are more tourists than I remember, more ships and a lot more jewelry stores. The scenery is stunning, and I found myself mesmerized by the islands and the ice flows. The sky was stormy so I managed to take dozens of photos. I doubt they will ever make it to the cover of a magazine, but they mean a great deal to me. The breath-taking beauty remains.
This trip was both nostalgic, and healing. I was able to find a good friend who needed a break. Her husband kindly drove us to the ship and smiled as he picked us up after shopping all week. Thanks Chuck, I owe you! We giggled and clapped along with singers, ate the best food on the high seas, and relaxed in the spa with facials, pedicures and the whole shmear. Yep, I even had a massage by a guy, well a kid really. I'm sure he's younger than my kids.
We met some wonderful Christians on this trip. Since Dr David Jeremiah was hosting a group on this tour, there were many others not on the tour like ourselves who were very open about our faith. I can't remember ever feeling so connected on a cruise. Even the staff who are Christian were open about their faith. I only heard one or two snide remarks about the "bible carrying" guests.
Any way I return to reality tomorrow. Legal stuff, realestate, and a new windshield will take up most of this week. On the upside, a lady I met in Mexico City in May has asked to meet for lunch soon. That will be more fun to look forward to.