THIS AND THAT

 Good Morning ... 

It seems that this is a This and That kind of day.

I looked out our window this morning and was surprised to see blossoms on our almond and plum tree.  A few days of warmer weather started the buds to popping.

I'm so happy to see some life in these old trees, but oh my ... 

The rest of our yard is terrible.  All our hard work clearing the weeds last season has gone to "ugly".

I just don't know if we can crank up enough steam to gets things back to pretty again.  I guess its going to be one baby step at a time.

On another note ... 

I couldn't stand my hair any longer ... literally ... 

I finally gave myself a haircut.  Pretty satisfied with the job but I just can't get the selfies to work out well.

So

What you see is what its going to be.

Well, this old lady is sending you some smiles and saying enjoy your weekend watching the Olympics and Super Bowl.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 THANKFUL THURSDAY

When Life gives you lemons ... 

These are humongous lemons from our neighbor's tree.

You make lemonade !

"Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, For the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace."

Devotion for today ... February 5, 2026                                                                       Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY MEMORIES

 Monday Memories ... 

Thank all of you so much for the lovely comments and wishes for our 62nd wedding anniversary.

They were so touching.  We truly appreciated every one.

Dave and I celebrated by having a fantastic dinner at the Texas Roadhouse.

My mouth waters just thinking about it.  I am thankful for gift cards and a good sale on eBay that allowed us to enjoy juicy steaks and side dishes.

Dave's steak and ribs ... 

He was one happy guy !

My steak was done to perfection and the garlic grilled shrimp was soooo good.

I don't look very enthused but I was saying take the picture so I can just dive in !!

Then Sunday after church our son Steve, Sigrid and granddaughter Amanda took us out for dinner at Chili's.

Great food and good conversation.  It was so nice to catch up on everything.

Of course we were too busy for a snapshot.  Oh well, that's the way it goes sometimes.

Last night we finally had some Color in the sky.  It sure perks everything up to have a pretty sunset.

I guess that will do it for my Monday Memories.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

A 62 YEAR MILESTONE

 Today marks 62 years of marriage for Dave and I.

Its truly hard to believe!! That's most of my life ... 

I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.

And today ... 

More wrinkles ... more pounds ... more learning experiences ... more love ... 

Its ALL GOOD

I thank the Lord everyday for the life we have had and for everyday He continues to bless us with.

62 Years and Counting!!!

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

I am so grateful for each new day that is set before me.

Thankful for the sunshine today and how it just lights up the morning skies.

Thankful for a much needed good nights sleep.  Its amazing how it can change one's perspective !

After reading a fellow blogger, Pamela's blog post about the Challenger's explosion 40 years ago, it made me think about how fleeting our time on earth really is.

I am thankful for each day and for those we hold so close to our hearts.

I am so grateful for the colors of the seasons.

The pinks and softness of the coming Love Month are so lovely.

I am thankful that I am able to photograph and capture these moments.

AND

I am so thankful for EACH one of you !!!

Always be Grateful9

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless  Wednesday

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY THOUGHTS

 Monday Thoughts:

Well, it's happened ...

I thought I was excused from CA jury duty because of my age !

Nope

This came in the mail Saturday...

I am not a happy camper.  Now I have to see if I can be excused again. 

I do know its our civil duty but I don't think I can handle it any longer.. Prayers appreciated.

So this is the message to MYSELF !

On a different note I think I will dig out some of my Valentine type things to get me in the mood.

We will see where this all goes ... 

That's all I've got for today.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

SATURDAY

 I just thought I would give all of you a bit of an update on life around here.

First of all, thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers for our son Steve.

He really has not had any ill effects from his car accident.  His brain has been kind of worn out from dealing with the insurance companies, but there is good news on that front too.

The insurance company of the "crasher" has totaled Steve's car and is giving him a a very nice settlement.  Not really enough to get a new car but it will help him get a good deal . He also got a car rental to carry him through the process.  We will see where it all goes from here.  Its been a real answer to prayer.

Subject #2

Remember the wonderful sale we had on the glass hen candy dish?  Well ...

It arrived broken and irreplaceable.  Fortunately we had insurance on it so it will take care of the bulk of the cost.  We are so sad and we know it was packed really good.  This isn't our first rodeo.  Can't cry over broken glass but ... 

#3

Dave and I had our sweet daughter from another mother ... Karen ... over for dinner last night.  She is really doing very well since the death of her mother and my good friend Lynne.  It was fun to chat and laugh and even watch a bit of tv together.

No photos, I completely forgot. 

I'm so glad that Dave and I are finally feeling like part of the human race again.

The stomach flu is ugly stuff but the good thing is I lost a pound and a half in the process.

Some bright tulips from my archives to brighten your day.

Have a great weekend and hope some of you aren't frozen in the Arctic Blast!

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

First of all, thanks for all of the questions on my last blog post.

I guess you are realizing that I really like quirky things and am always on the lookout for them. 

When my Hubby and I were roaming around in an old antique shop in the Foothills near our home we saw all sorts of interesting things.

The Cow Milk container is actually medicine for livestock.  The side of the box gives a bit of information.  I thought since Wednesday was Wordless it would be fun to see everyone's reaction to the display.

Now on to Thankful Thursday ... 

Yesterday our son Steve was in a car accident.  He's okay so far ... 

He was going 35mph onto the highway following a dump truck.  All of a sudden a car came up behind him at full speed and slammed into the back of him.  I thank the Lord that the rear end collision didn't push him into the heavy dump truck in front of him.

This happened in Las Vegas where Steve was for business.  He managed to tape, bandage and tie up the car and drove home to Sacramento ... over 600 miles.

He made it home and has been involved with insurance companies since then.  I can't imagine how stressful and tense the drive was coming home.  Thankful that the car was sort of drivable.  I haven't talked with him yet today since I know he is busy with the whole car thing.

This is certainly not something that he needs right now.  Financially its a huge blow and makes his independent photography business a lot more difficult.

I am just so thankful that he is okay.  It could have been awful.

I'm also thankful that he didn't have to contend with the dense fog in the valley.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Always be Grateful

Always be kind

MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Monday Meanderings:

I have been reading so many blog posts concerning our world and the happenings of the day.

It made me think about an old gospel hymn we used to sing.

During WWII, Ruth Caye Jones, a pastor's wife, was reading a newspaper and seeing all of the casualty reports. She began to jot down thoughts and words.  The bible verse of II Tim. 3:1 was a trigger and also Heb. 6:19 ... "This is the Hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."

In Times Like These:

Here are the words to the great old hymn...

In times like these we need a Savior

In times like these we need an anchor

Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, yes, He's the One

This Rock is Jesus, the Only One

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

FRIDAY FOLLOW-UP

 I really want to thank you for all the prayers and kind thoughts and concerns.

This getting back to full health and strength  is a long trip "uphill".

We definitely are feeling so much better, but the body is still weak and I am kind of droopy.  We continue to just rest and basically do nothing but the bare necessities.

One really great thing happened for us yesterday.

We sold another item on eBay.

This is called Hen on Nest and is usually used as a candy dish or trinket holder.

I did a lot of research on it.  Its made by the Indiana Glass Co. in the 1970's.

I couldn't believe how many colors this hen came in over the years.

Apparently the olive green glass is sought after.

We put it up for auction at $29.99

Over the week it was posted a bidding war began.

Final bid at closing was a whopping $102.50  !!!!

Its paid for and on its way to Oklahoma this morning.

We are so thankful for the sale and that the money is already in our pockets.

It definitely was a boost to us yesterday !!

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

ROUGH DAYS

 Rough Days for the last few days.

The Flu hit our home with a vengeance over the weekend.

At our ages its not such a good thing.

Ours has been more of the stomach kind than having to do with the lungs.

Very thankful for that.

Today we ALMOST feel human.

Tis a long road but we can see the end of the ick may be soon.

Peaking into better days ahead.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY ... MONDAY ...

 In reading my devotions this morning  

I felt these words were especially for me

But perhaps they are for some of you too.

" Let Me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you."

You would like to see a map showing all the twists and turns of your journey.

You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead.

However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today:  Spend quality time with Me.

I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey.

My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way.

Stay close to Me whispering My Name and being in communication with Me. Then you can walk through this day .

My abiding Presence is the best road map available.

Exodus 33:14

John 15:4-7

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

FRIDAY FLASHBACK and FORWARD

 Since I shared a bit about our time in Kenya yesterday, I thought I would bring you up to date on a wonderful man we were involved with, and remain friends with to this day.

His name is Solomon Saitoti Ole Tuukuo.  As a child he was sponsored through Compassion International.  It literally saved his life .  Fast forward to our time in Kenya.  Solomon was our friend, guide and had begun to "Give Back" by developing a school for the poor community of Namuncha through Compassion Int.

He was so young and full of caring for his people.

This picture is from 2009.

The necklace I am wearing was made by this beautiful woman since I was "Mama".

Now it is 2025/26.

Solomon is the Project Director for Compassion International in his district of Kenya.

He is married and has 6 kids at last count...  I know this photo only shows 5 ... ones in the oven.

in 2010 Solomon got his Undergraduate Degree  and then this past December 2025 he received his Master's Degree.

All during that time he was working in the community bringing wells to that drought worn part of the country, planting trees with another organization to refurbish the earth.  He was also helping in many ways at the Namuncha School.  This was all while he was studying and raising his family.

Solomon has been recognized as a major part of his community and furthering the Maasai culture.

He has been chosen incoming Nakuru County Senator and has received this honor from the President of Kenya and for the establishment of a new game reserve park in the area.

I am so proud of this Godly man and the future of Kenya through his endeavors.

His motto is :  "Chasing dreams no matter how long it takes".

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THURSDAY THANKFULNESS

 The weeks are flying by.

We are again at Thankful Thursday.

Where do I start?  I have been reminiscing a lot lately.  I guess the older I get the more I am prone to do this.

I am so thankful for all the serving and travel Dave and I were able to do.

Thinking back to 2009 and our time in Kenya.  It was such a blessed time for us.

Veronica is such a beautiful Maasai woman.  I will never forget her.

Living with the wonderful Maasai people on the Riff Valley floor was a once in a life time experience.

Being a part of these precious children's lives really sunk down deep into my heart.

I am thankful today for the beauty in our own yard.

Camellias brighten everything in the dead of winter.

I am definitely thankful for a silly sense of humor.

Thankful Words for Today

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind