tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14090849360730215012024-03-23T06:16:58.691-04:00From Sinking Sand . . .Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.comBlogger1182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-71589279811593211542023-09-23T11:15:00.000-04:002023-09-23T11:15:35.211-04:00Being Elisabeth Elliot<p> <img alt="Being Elisabeth Elliot: The Authorized Biography: Elisabeth's Later Years: Vaughn, Ellen, Eareckson Tada, Joni: 9781087750996: Amazon.com: Books" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81mCAuI87hL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="height: 309px; margin: 0px; max-width: 668px; width: 206px;" /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">I have the same mixed feelings about Volume II of this set as I did about Volume I.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">This is the authorized biography, meaning that Ellen Vaughn was given access to Elliot's journals and private papers, rather than just researching public items as Lucy S.R. Austen, author of </span><u style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">Elisabeth Elliot: A Life</u><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;"> had to do.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">Vaughn stated in Chapter 2 that her goal was to tell the truth, in love. I appreciate that she did not want to write a hagiography, or biography that only points out the good points in a person's life. And aspects of Elliot's life that were not so positive needed to be explored. Overall, I was glad to read much of this story of Elisabeth Elliot, a hero of mine for many years. The negative aspects that are coming out publicly actually enhance my view of her. She made mistakes and was tempted. She was not better or more holy than any of us.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">However, truth can be told without getting gratuitous or telling too much. We didn't need to be told details about her physical relationship with Leitch - their passions were already obvious. Several instances of this were totally unnecessary, as were details about women's cycles that were included at several places. Just leave that out.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">Certain inclusions should have been modified. Even if Lars Gren's writing abilities were poor, I think it was unnecessary, embarrassing, and hurtful to include specific examples of that. The fellow author in whom Elliot expressed interest after Leitch's death should not have been named - the story could have been written without using his name. And no good reason exists for including the story about the workmen at her home who told stories about working at the nudist camp.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">Two more things. The author inserted herself into the story too much. Another issue was the editing. Several errors were obvious and should have been caught by a good editor.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;">In other words - telling the whole story of someone's life can be accomplished in a more tasteful way than Ellen Vaughn did in this book. Under the cover of telling the whole story, she appears to gravitate toward somewhat salacious information. Elliot was a hugely influential , but also hugely complicated, figure in 20th century American Christianity. Her story can be told, honestly and truthfully, without tarnishing it with indelicate details.</span></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-39988743893196543842023-07-25T19:19:00.004-04:002023-07-25T19:47:41.200-04:00Elisabeth Elliot: A Life, by Lucy S.R. Austen<p><img alt="" class="Tt9ew pT0Scc" jsaction="" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81R9drHRh1S._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="border: none; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; height: 400px; object-fit: contain; white-space: nowrap; width: 280px;" /> </p><p>Once in awhile a biography comes along that is well worth the slog through 500+ pages (600+ with bibliography and notes included). This is just such a book.</p><p>Elisabeth Elliot has long been an icon to much of the Christian world - the book says she's the best known Christian woman of the 20th and early 21st centuries - and she has been a huge inspiration and example to me for the past 40+ years. I have fond memories of reading <u>Shadow of the Almighty</u> aloud with my dear college roommate and friend as we shared a dorm room during summer work on campus--an experience that started my lifelong reading of Elliot's work. I have an entire bookshelf filled with most of her 25 published titles. So this biography was of great interest to me.</p><p>Austen takes an unprejudiced approach to her subject. This is not hagiographic at all; Elliot's weaknesses are portrayed even as her value to Christian thought is explored positively. Austen's research is impeccable. She is dispassionate about her information, which in my opinion makes this volume much more valuable than Ellen Vaughn's <u>Becoming Elisabeth Elliot Vol. 1</u>. Vaughn resorted to weaker writing tactics of using gratuitousnessin some examples, and her insertion of herself in places in my opinion removed some of her objectivity.</p><p>Here are some of the things I learned from Austen's <u>Elisabeth Elliot: A Life</u>:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Elliot had feet of clay. She had areas of weakness in her personality and areas where an objective reader could look at her decisions and raise eyebrows. We so tend to look at our Christian heroes as being saints rather than sinners - but she, like you and I and everyone else, was a sinner. Looking at the worth of Christians in spite of their sin (rather than people who have fallen off the "Christian pedestal") has been a revolutionary process for me in recent years, and seeing Elliot's weak areas just reinforces that to me.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #0b5394;">Elliot faced self-doubt and frustration with schedules and getting everything done. In that regard she was no different than most Christian women.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #38761d;">Elliot faced difficulties, in marriage and elsewhere, that made her question herself and her choices. I found this to be an extreme comfort, to find that she was not above other Christian women in second-guessing herself and in learning to live with the results of her decisions. She most certainly did not have a perfect life, which most of us would acknowledge in the death of her first husband, but probably thought her later life was more free of difficulty.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #741b47;">I didn't always follow where her train of theological thought was going, and could tell I would not always agree with her conclusions. But when she came to a firm Biblical conclusion (such as in the roles of men and women) she was not afraid of the fallout.</span></li></ul>Austen's biography of Elisabeth Elliot will eventually be regarded as a classic work. Her work is moving and inspirational. It has affected me greatly, and will affect other readers as well.<p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-72791339364193411022023-04-27T19:05:00.003-04:002023-04-27T19:06:14.416-04:00George Washington Saved the Tree<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSXP4-eCZumb06wmBd8OxJ2SIIKDN7ejElIL2uQBgRNsO-lJpikeyI9mluCFI0HbV9K5LWFcX5n-dH34qL0hMURvAgA5FHtPrLIJfxhMm1BZk4mIxuv94RwsOACmdJOmQSQGQS824I3irEagN7uEHvLQkkEenJVCFFXpvT8BUzwi3Ky3ARhCM6dF4kiA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSXP4-eCZumb06wmBd8OxJ2SIIKDN7ejElIL2uQBgRNsO-lJpikeyI9mluCFI0HbV9K5LWFcX5n-dH34qL0hMURvAgA5FHtPrLIJfxhMm1BZk4mIxuv94RwsOACmdJOmQSQGQS824I3irEagN7uEHvLQkkEenJVCFFXpvT8BUzwi3Ky3ARhCM6dF4kiA=w382-h287" width="382" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p> <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">During our recent visit to the beautiful Hampton Plantation south of Georgetown (see the previous post), I spent some time sitting on the large portico facing the front yard. The house is situated between a small rice field and a wooded path to the family cemetery.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Wambaw Creek is in back, and in front of the portico would have been an expansive view of the front lawn - except that a huge live oak tree stands in the way of the scene. And barring an act of nature, that enormous oak will block the panorama for many more years. It has its own illustrious history and story.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">The year was 1791, springtime, and George Washington was traveling on an extended trip through the southern states in an attempt to unify all parts of the infant nation. After spending the night in Georgetown, he stopped the next morning at Hampton Plantation for breakfast. The portico on which I was relaxing was constructed all those years ago especially for this important visit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">The home at the time was owned by the Horry and Pinckney families, ancestors of long-time Hampton owner and state poet laureate Archibald Rutledge. All those names should ring a bell for South Carolinians who know the history of our state. The Declaration of Independence was signed by John Rutledge, and the Constitution by two of the Pinckney men. And Myrtle Beach is in the county that was named for the Horry family. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">When Washington arrived at Hampton that long-ago morning, he was greeted by Harriott Pinckney Horry and her mother, Eliza Lucas Pinckney (famous in her own right for her work in indigo production). The two women were naturally very excited to have the first president of the United States visit their home. They told Washington that because the view of the front lawn was obstructed by the large oak tree, they were going to have it cut down. They asked him what he thought. Washington disagreed, told them he liked the tree, and thought they should keep it! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Thus, the ladies reconsidered their decision and allowed the tree to remain. It has steadily grown in that front yard for the past 232 years, and has been fondly called the “Washington Oak” in honor of the great man whose opinion kept it from being removed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Fast forward back to 2023. After leaving the portico and walking around the grounds with Mike, I later sat for a few minutes longer on the bench directly beneath the Washington Oak. Just sitting there helped me sense a little part of the great history of the place. The Washington Oak still stands, as does the rest of Hampton Plantation, as a treasure of our beautiful state.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-60884268031634231322023-04-27T18:53:00.003-04:002023-04-27T18:56:22.641-04:00Turning Back the Calendar<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtT17aSo2Ff_WS9jDj1I-ohbPQGdNbqao5HCnra2bLGu_st3PC2uIEy39qfEuZFE_hiaFMNRAuqsCVhfIQ-A7etDx24M39CWJ1l22qbB4YFneOJaJ5ICwI1vpgtooe33AZjvPAhYaq6eNi88wOhZiE0n_e6Wgyooi9x_4qsG4SyK9EgDboDzcavQ_2lw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtT17aSo2Ff_WS9jDj1I-ohbPQGdNbqao5HCnra2bLGu_st3PC2uIEy39qfEuZFE_hiaFMNRAuqsCVhfIQ-A7etDx24M39CWJ1l22qbB4YFneOJaJ5ICwI1vpgtooe33AZjvPAhYaq6eNi88wOhZiE0n_e6Wgyooi9x_4qsG4SyK9EgDboDzcavQ_2lw" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div>It was like stepping back into the 1700s.
Mike and I were leisurely traveling north from Charleston to Pawley’s Island recently, when about two-thirds of the way there we saw the sign for Hampton Plantation. We’d seen that same sign on several occasions in past years but had never stopped. <div><br /></div><div>This morning we had time to spare, and took the opportunity to go see the beautiful place that time appears to have left behind.
Hampton Plantation, built between 1730 and 1750, is associated with several illustrious names from South Carolina history: Horry, Pinckney, and, since 1830, generations of the Rutledge family--as in Archibald Rutledge, our first state poet laureate. After his passing in 1973, the property was sold to the Department of Natural Resources and is now in our state park system. </div><div><br /></div><div> The place was empty when we arrived mid-morning. We made our way past the visitor center entrance and several massive old magnolias and Spanish-moss laden oaks that had been standing guard for multiple centuries. Immediately we had an unobstructed view of the stately old home.
We walked past a small rice field and read a sign describing how Carolina Gold rice was the huge moneymaker for early settlers in our state. (A bird note here: bobolinks were also called rice birds, because as they migrated north each spring they often decimated those rice fields along the coast.) </div><div><br /></div><div> We would have taken a guided tour of the inside of the home, but it was not available then. So we just rambled around the outside. The cabin where food was cooked was close by the main house (kitchens were separate in those early days to prevent fires). We looked in the windows and checked out the layout. </div><div><br /></div><div> The quietness of the grounds accentuated the feeling of being back in the 18th century. No power lines were visible. The walkway to the little family cemetery was surrounded by overgrown gardens, and hushed except for a few bird sounds. Everything was peaceful as we paid our respects to the Rutledge family. </div><div><br /></div><div> Mike took another walkway to look at Wambaw Creek and the crossing where centuries ago slaves were taken every day to work the rice fields on Hampton Island. Meanwhile, I headed back toward the quietness of the big house. Then the loud sound of a swarm of bees made me wonder what was going on nearby. </div><div><br /></div><div> I rounded the corner of the house and discovered that the buzzing noise wasn’t from bees--a man and his three sons were using the open lawn to play with their drone. Immediately I was snapped from the 1700s back to 2023. Oh well, that historical feeling was nice while it lasted. </div><div><br /></div><div> Hampton Plantation provides a great and lovely look at the early history of our state, and we highly recommend it as a worthwhile side trip for beachgoers this summer. (Just bring bug spray.) And I certainly hope no drones will be hanging around to ruin your own feel of stepping back in time.
</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-43847907445449154882023-02-09T13:58:00.003-05:002023-02-09T18:58:28.916-05:00James 1:15 and the Murdaugh trial<p> I'm fascinated with this Alex Murdaugh trial. It's one of the nice things about being retired--I can pay attention to things other than school. It's caused me to sit at my sewing machine and get several projects done - because I can then justify long periods of listening to trial testimony at the same time. </p><p>It's a horrible story. The financial crimes alone are breathtaking in their scope. And then the possibility that this man also finished off his wife and son advances the story from horrible to unthinkable. And yet it very possibly could be true.</p><p>In my senior English teaching days, we studied <u>Macbeth</u> each year, and I always introduced it by reading:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">Then when lust hath conceived, it </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">bringeth</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">forth</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;"> sin: and sin, </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">when it is finished, </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">bringeth</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">forth</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">death</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 16px;">. - James 1:15</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">That's exactly what happened to Macbeth. His crime started in his mind - "I could be king." That was the conception of lust - the lust for power. Then came the sin of murder to gain that end. After that, he had to murder person after person to cover his own tracks. And in the end, he died as the result of his actions.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The current situation carries parallels (even though I'm not saying that Murdaugh will personally die if convicted). In Murdaugh's mind, something happened to set him on the path of stealing - which soon became action. That resulted in more stealing, and more and more. And his actions, if proved, certainly did result in death - the tragic death of his wife and son. </p><p style="text-align: left;">And it all started with some root cause, not completely ferreted out yet, for which he needed money. The murder has not been proven, but compelling evidence exists that he had motive - that of covering his tracks and gaining him sympathy and time from those who were on his trail. After all, several witnesses have said that after the murders, because of sympathy for the defendant, for quite some time they didn't want to bring up the financial irregularities.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If Alex Murdaugh did commit the murders of his wife and son, I hope and pray that he does not get off of the charges due to the skills of sophisticated lawyers. If he didn't do it, I hope he is found innocent. Most of all I hope justice is served to the perpetrator of the gruesome murders of these two people.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And the older I get, the more I see the truths of the Bible proven in daily life.</p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-54986016180440971922022-12-12T19:00:00.001-05:002022-12-12T19:00:25.255-05:00Christmas Quotation from the incomparable Janie B. Cheaney<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia3JPCv4cTgZJ5c5aW-gLCdldp-gylUhL63t56qqBATMDzuZ-ZSFcYLshgAyQoygnLOvblYNig5p2hXMXN5eVGtQFKQo4Jm-pZzxNCRf5t-P65drLu3Tj_u1v-vzXOrHaxMsiPeMFONm1q1b8Ny5agbOvVaGzoj65_HpiineAP20yFUslJvrjTgxwd2Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia3JPCv4cTgZJ5c5aW-gLCdldp-gylUhL63t56qqBATMDzuZ-ZSFcYLshgAyQoygnLOvblYNig5p2hXMXN5eVGtQFKQo4Jm-pZzxNCRf5t-P65drLu3Tj_u1v-vzXOrHaxMsiPeMFONm1q1b8Ny5agbOvVaGzoj65_HpiineAP20yFUslJvrjTgxwd2Q" width="180" /></a></div><br />Janie B. Cheaney, WORLD magazine, 12/3/2022 - “A cloth-wrapped baby in a feeding trough and a cloth-wrapped boy in a tomb form the axis of a profound mystery that screen treatments and novels can only suggest.<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Nations rise and fall, eras come and go, but this ungraspable Person remains, still able and willing to grasp us.”</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-90591259409623411652022-08-19T20:59:00.000-04:002022-08-19T20:59:08.669-04:00Mitford Mania<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-HKkKpQ_wEnPJlk7JKVMf6W2Ejt8qwD9F9SwRC0ce6n0C8RIiHbay_i_AZEccqwjHaWbhQMio2M6HWlHMckPTTPXuHjZ1LCIesSXh3JbbssiMS2JXKjkR0Mf2n91GTvP_vL8xkbRM0BFhnnPGqXAWmmuPlxuA2YJAWmSwzoHXM6Huw_k7nhfBQhRRKQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-HKkKpQ_wEnPJlk7JKVMf6W2Ejt8qwD9F9SwRC0ce6n0C8RIiHbay_i_AZEccqwjHaWbhQMio2M6HWlHMckPTTPXuHjZ1LCIesSXh3JbbssiMS2JXKjkR0Mf2n91GTvP_vL8xkbRM0BFhnnPGqXAWmmuPlxuA2YJAWmSwzoHXM6Huw_k7nhfBQhRRKQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Maybe it's just because I've got time to read, for once. But the Mitford books have pulled me in, and I've not read this much fiction at one time in years. Karon writes with such good characterization that the reader feels like she is right there in Mitford and could say hello to these people on the streets. That's great writing.<p></p><p>Another great quality is that each book, though secular overall, has strong Christian elements, including the plan of salvation, and many Scripture texts.</p><p>Good writing + Christian emphasis = worthwhile fiction. Even if it's not my usual fare.</p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-50108227393783128072022-08-12T10:28:00.003-04:002022-08-12T10:28:46.998-04:00Friday's Fave Five 8-12-22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikbZAc2kvztMn0yRg1JFUjalmgfGvG7IhJwiTpWZzFJBA-6JPFcY15ZXL-biGogDtjU8YcOtwXjjPmc3-bvQQOv1k0M4hhIt615LAI_j8vIIJr0QiaLoiMLW4dcIwtgL5m-lFTR8jv2gCT9zMixQRexR-D0LOW9GS8RLqh6-JeRiDdJGYz1Wa_ZN44mw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="300" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikbZAc2kvztMn0yRg1JFUjalmgfGvG7IhJwiTpWZzFJBA-6JPFcY15ZXL-biGogDtjU8YcOtwXjjPmc3-bvQQOv1k0M4hhIt615LAI_j8vIIJr0QiaLoiMLW4dcIwtgL5m-lFTR8jv2gCT9zMixQRexR-D0LOW9GS8RLqh6-JeRiDdJGYz1Wa_ZN44mw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five Host Blog - Susanne's Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. This was the week of inservice at my school, and I WAS NOT THERE. Some things I will miss. Working side by side with my colleague and dear friend of many years is one thing; working side by side with my other colleagues whom I love will also be a loss. Many (not all) :-) of the students will be a loss. But this has been a great week NOT to be there, and I am thankful and relieved to be retired.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. On the first day of inservice, Mike and I went to the mountains in the northern part of the state to see a flock of rare birds that have been spotted there. We saw the red crossbills, about ten of them, and they were beautiful. Always good to add a new bird to the list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFFNXFeVf-zDU-S_nhfSH8wLL8_HjcQskTpm3zxgfvUIET0E8lt8jBs8ww3eoIIrEGdoYSwxk2vjI0Q4q774TaQasXnStSg6xrxliy5nF-I2k0ub0cEcWfHIN9VyHwu2kzOhgjvcU1XjXg6XozGnTS8XB1Zd5-W1qxyo746IlJMtpRow9oRpkKDRI5sg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFFNXFeVf-zDU-S_nhfSH8wLL8_HjcQskTpm3zxgfvUIET0E8lt8jBs8ww3eoIIrEGdoYSwxk2vjI0Q4q774TaQasXnStSg6xrxliy5nF-I2k0ub0cEcWfHIN9VyHwu2kzOhgjvcU1XjXg6XozGnTS8XB1Zd5-W1qxyo746IlJMtpRow9oRpkKDRI5sg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3. On the way home, we then spotted two swallow-tailed kites. Absolutely one of the most elegant and graceful birds around. They migrate through here in late July and early August, and most years we get to see one or two. This was the best and closest we've ever seen them, as they swooped very low.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1weVZTq8qflfFzCYuswjvvD-i3bXv5WMnU6Gh1Y1ErZBsopNfF6h_QEaZqfSvqapKF-QBwwq1yvurYFy9-v2y6tZu7ch7PtmXckZHTSq_R8WuP7M946uSke_bi2_UdXQHnPB98Y1azOCC1hHKNXi4DVCeXdiTTH1GxMhkS6PZJn3qfs56nmY_CUeZgg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="3780" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1weVZTq8qflfFzCYuswjvvD-i3bXv5WMnU6Gh1Y1ErZBsopNfF6h_QEaZqfSvqapKF-QBwwq1yvurYFy9-v2y6tZu7ch7PtmXckZHTSq_R8WuP7M946uSke_bi2_UdXQHnPB98Y1azOCC1hHKNXi4DVCeXdiTTH1GxMhkS6PZJn3qfs56nmY_CUeZgg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Also on the way home, we picked up a cantaloupe at a roadside stand, and it's one of the best of the season. Very sweet and not too ripe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. I've also had time to do more reading. That should continue, and I'm loving being able to do so. I will stay busy in retirement, but right now this feeling of freedom is great!<br /></div><br /> <p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-3025714392227968652022-06-03T11:39:00.004-04:002022-06-03T17:47:07.758-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 6/3/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij_iQVKfmzOvdG10VCHFexYJ5FPwZzVDvN1q3SaFmgtRgLv2LfQv1cpOQ-X3_JgqIZQeGWWPUGvdy1D3daUu6nTqNnKMeb1QcoHUU05abwimXzIFIELfbttaCFkOy8DxD9nnDtSAb7eQYYAzELSgAzxPURq30KGxqglJHYVRN3GyvQFs5U_LWnzMCQ_Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="300" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij_iQVKfmzOvdG10VCHFexYJ5FPwZzVDvN1q3SaFmgtRgLv2LfQv1cpOQ-X3_JgqIZQeGWWPUGvdy1D3daUu6nTqNnKMeb1QcoHUU05abwimXzIFIELfbttaCFkOy8DxD9nnDtSAb7eQYYAzELSgAzxPURq30KGxqglJHYVRN3GyvQFs5U_LWnzMCQ_Q=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five Host Blog<p></p><p>1. FIRST WEEK of retirement!! Now, I've been busy all week, but the difference is that I'm slowly realizing that my time is no longer limited. It's not "I've got to get all this done on Saturday," or even "I've got to get all this done during my 10 weeks off this summer." Which is the way it's been for the past 42 years!! I may write an entire blog post at some point about what that feels like. It is liberating.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHgrEN513DKmQ5cBK-J9YgI4ommWYrGLBIQMhfREqLzdm78jL4Ugg3cyEM4t7iPQCe7zMLCLV1d7AxDNcDIOu9JYCcuhE68bfA8eEPkATixqsG4ZSJCMIJvh0eVuTAJVP2Qugtdw1p7eAE8qWIFF6ZlK1vKxoG7PaIW38sIrFDGWCFaNRK0QVXGInnRA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHgrEN513DKmQ5cBK-J9YgI4ommWYrGLBIQMhfREqLzdm78jL4Ugg3cyEM4t7iPQCe7zMLCLV1d7AxDNcDIOu9JYCcuhE68bfA8eEPkATixqsG4ZSJCMIJvh0eVuTAJVP2Qugtdw1p7eAE8qWIFF6ZlK1vKxoG7PaIW38sIrFDGWCFaNRK0QVXGInnRA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>2. I've been enjoying these all week. The flowers at left are from my daughter; the 31 roses and the plaque in the front were given to me at graduation (representing 31 years at the school). <p></p><p>3. I am slowly getting 42 years of education accumulation cleaned out of our dining room/"big room." It will take awhile, but I'm getting it done slowly.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGNktg-X9TGSUS72CxKezr5gp7HQ_rErwPDKcWZYXiN0_-Twr-UNM0Iw7en8hqy313hsYgEnenZbHVT6vJLnS226QzFSWgRdIu3rPJG2S1n70uq0I2sEm3s23-zQ5k7uXgWLLlyBdWiKRS_a0sj_6govERw9JnQzsSZjoxAZoja45XqfPEeivTkuzfZA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGNktg-X9TGSUS72CxKezr5gp7HQ_rErwPDKcWZYXiN0_-Twr-UNM0Iw7en8hqy313hsYgEnenZbHVT6vJLnS226QzFSWgRdIu3rPJG2S1n70uq0I2sEm3s23-zQ5k7uXgWLLlyBdWiKRS_a0sj_6govERw9JnQzsSZjoxAZoja45XqfPEeivTkuzfZA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>4. Spent one morning with Mike at the farm. He was spreading gravel, and I practiced piano on the Kurzweil we have down there, as I'm playing piano for church Sunday morning. The blueberries are coming in!! We won't get the 40 gallons of two years ago, but we should get more than the two that we got last year. I won't soon forget that night back in March when the temps got down to 23 degrees - we tried so hard to cover the bushes but the winds kept whipping everything off. We were resigned to getting very few blueberries again, but it looks like the middle bushes are pretty full.<p></p><p>5. My dad is better. He was pretty sick last weekend with 101+ fever for several days, but a trip to the urgent care, with a doctor we know and appreciate, and a good antibiotic prescription have gotten him fixed up again. </p><p>And now I can take a nap. Because I am retired. :-)</p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-23091798538528312712022-05-06T17:48:00.003-04:002022-05-06T21:15:21.938-04:00From My Children<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2mZgUFmy3OaU3PVbg2jXymuZTZnysXwh--xsg6_xXVbo_eCrxFUcQcRaDdjN4KLhB86CC-dz6Jxv8sTmJ-m8vv7SluUo038IqlEDhyPXbnYqqyXUEH4ysLh2rU-2m7hazvuk-jHPNV6lrYbl1lJ-PEPsKcjXMXMw4DRztPuH8sOyQJ1vmmQmELoRiPA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2mZgUFmy3OaU3PVbg2jXymuZTZnysXwh--xsg6_xXVbo_eCrxFUcQcRaDdjN4KLhB86CC-dz6Jxv8sTmJ-m8vv7SluUo038IqlEDhyPXbnYqqyXUEH4ysLh2rU-2m7hazvuk-jHPNV6lrYbl1lJ-PEPsKcjXMXMw4DRztPuH8sOyQJ1vmmQmELoRiPA" width="180" /></a></div><br /> Mother's Day - 2022. Mike came to speak in my class about power generation, and he was the delivery boy for the kids' gift. :-)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglcS1RN_e3Sjx18gqIO3Lv1oOiiiXh10utwHu_PqOuePRcjkZ7sTf3Jix96CSjymP7pjMV7yB_aKZmWVpkRrGFNo15zyKU3FzeIwhZTO8KqbZIBvWVzcjSXqaQ6_XFJ4VrAz-NNnp_YyqHLWWgUmVfFsRnAwmdoif3jddKFm_zrUKD6tnzIZnyetmyhw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglcS1RN_e3Sjx18gqIO3Lv1oOiiiXh10utwHu_PqOuePRcjkZ7sTf3Jix96CSjymP7pjMV7yB_aKZmWVpkRrGFNo15zyKU3FzeIwhZTO8KqbZIBvWVzcjSXqaQ6_XFJ4VrAz-NNnp_YyqHLWWgUmVfFsRnAwmdoif3jddKFm_zrUKD6tnzIZnyetmyhw" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-42490167959324366262022-04-30T18:27:00.002-04:002022-04-30T18:27:32.096-04:00Charred Pepper and White Bean Salad<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXBLUrvvT2nYJzDkzwmybwx1Qr_jLb5cx_aGAmKmlcfXd_w-o57eo4U1AdzQnl6q09wPscE3KhAnmCeMOfT4X3aq-URKzDiHaHUfy2Yd0ryvDImc7mH0_yQOsUqBunwJP5xdvtDaDwWaZk19hH9u1WMcDIdzXUYqW6G7_6PcCSfN0gbftlF-KlCg81A/s4032/39FD4261-D002-4552-84BB-6BA0F7D530D1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXBLUrvvT2nYJzDkzwmybwx1Qr_jLb5cx_aGAmKmlcfXd_w-o57eo4U1AdzQnl6q09wPscE3KhAnmCeMOfT4X3aq-URKzDiHaHUfy2Yd0ryvDImc7mH0_yQOsUqBunwJP5xdvtDaDwWaZk19hH9u1WMcDIdzXUYqW6G7_6PcCSfN0gbftlF-KlCg81A/s320/39FD4261-D002-4552-84BB-6BA0F7D530D1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This has become a favorite around here. I've adapted it from a Cook's Country magazine article that called for some more expensive ingredients such as prosciutto ham, which was expensive even before all the latest inflation. I like to make it when colored bell peppers are marked down at the produce section of my grocery store. Ordinarily they are 2.00-2.50 apiece, but this morning I got a package of four for a dollar! Once they're charred, the parts that were a little wrinkled are not even noticeable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p>My adaptation:</p><p>3 tbsp. oil + 1/4 cup oil</p><p>1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice</p><p>1 tsp. table salt, divided</p><p>1/2 tsp. smoked paprika</p><p>1/8 tsp. cayenne (or chili) powder</p><p>2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed</p><p>3-4 colored bell peppers, seemed, seeded, and cut into strips</p><p>1/4-1/2 cup ham diced into small pieces</p><p>1/4 cup Parmesan cheese</p><p>1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds</p><p>1. Whisk the quarter cup oil, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, paprika, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add beans and toss to combine.</p><p>2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring every two minutes, until tender and deep spotty brown, about 8 minutes total.</p><p>3. Transfer bell peppers to bowl with bean mixture and toss to combine. Let set for at least 30 minutes. </p><p>4. Add ham, Parmesan, and almonds to bean mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.</p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-7819689921471346132022-04-29T19:22:00.002-04:002022-04-29T19:22:36.637-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 4/29/22<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXzBgnM0l8_OAhCBNNWDS-TLOeIN7CnG-sSlQ_ZXuLmLtxpxjvmDH1WROPmdf_IPbouvKPMitGGyBiBCJLZgVT4CJNb7DWrqpkbCEB2zBd6NV-1LbXR56YWSeazW4cYK8h7TlYNdT8TnJ64kpDeNbGHizIT0QvtmRGkkDKEh7Sjs7g7b9lNRc47ib0qw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="300" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXzBgnM0l8_OAhCBNNWDS-TLOeIN7CnG-sSlQ_ZXuLmLtxpxjvmDH1WROPmdf_IPbouvKPMitGGyBiBCJLZgVT4CJNb7DWrqpkbCEB2zBd6NV-1LbXR56YWSeazW4cYK8h7TlYNdT8TnJ64kpDeNbGHizIT0QvtmRGkkDKEh7Sjs7g7b9lNRc47ib0qw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">link</a> to FFF host blog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. My computer has decided to start adding pictures again. Who knows!!! I have to drag and drop, not add the usual way, but at least it is doing that!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. A rose-breasted grosbeak at the feeder!! These are only here for about three weeks in the spring, as they migrate to points much further north. Last year, just about everyone I know who watches birds saw one - except us. So the five minutes that this beauty enjoyed our sunflower seeds were a great time for us to observe and get a few pictures also. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaryqWjN70wiHJFLkJ7n6dFuwYs4d7ZfrDz_1Q7nFFXsfNUgdTP2q2OEkcOTHRtVOYt0p9PZFP51qfIvvGdW72ODmxLUSCe_UzN-FpCD0jEGzi7dT3OwkhYZ9RZG62eiLy4sTG15-bLP3Nnhrnka8VhFpEwOrxGQFxzqmiZrMtJFUhBnQYmfmERhANyA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaryqWjN70wiHJFLkJ7n6dFuwYs4d7ZfrDz_1Q7nFFXsfNUgdTP2q2OEkcOTHRtVOYt0p9PZFP51qfIvvGdW72ODmxLUSCe_UzN-FpCD0jEGzi7dT3OwkhYZ9RZG62eiLy4sTG15-bLP3Nnhrnka8VhFpEwOrxGQFxzqmiZrMtJFUhBnQYmfmERhANyA" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Rube Goldberg projects are DONE. It's a great project that my physical science class does each spring, and the students thoroughly enjoy building them - but it's also a great project to look at in the rearview mirror!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY6bmJS_6QaHsL-VP45P5DW-QWpLzFFtcdpDJkDmvwGe0rZbvHTmmvfqDX1HRUknkKubJhWJfTd-f7GegXdJGPMLamAiN0BX7TD10P5zRGE5K72m2RLfgolRNMMBQ0VuPMo7zfQsQgcX9r1YiRHv4THxgxqc2nuy6Ubg3lLQtIeBcelK_4IhV-DwzgPw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY6bmJS_6QaHsL-VP45P5DW-QWpLzFFtcdpDJkDmvwGe0rZbvHTmmvfqDX1HRUknkKubJhWJfTd-f7GegXdJGPMLamAiN0BX7TD10P5zRGE5K72m2RLfgolRNMMBQ0VuPMo7zfQsQgcX9r1YiRHv4THxgxqc2nuy6Ubg3lLQtIeBcelK_4IhV-DwzgPw=w296-h240" width="296" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>4. Mike is mowing again. He loves getting on that mower and making the farm look nice. And he does a good job!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYPLmkWVgi1yGSkUo-rqdJfSKtvx2_EklPJs1XgJlcOMWFlREJO3o3wb0tDPq6TuPmlO-2N0EED2RbFer_ddviVlXAic3o3a5Blhsc3p5s8n0Y00Nf09sK5NtgkQLWdkMc-PDqZ-9xz_HbH9vJ5TFWFPVENeqete8bUFSkxaegjEWlOjAm3hCs6HWAHw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYPLmkWVgi1yGSkUo-rqdJfSKtvx2_EklPJs1XgJlcOMWFlREJO3o3wb0tDPq6TuPmlO-2N0EED2RbFer_ddviVlXAic3o3a5Blhsc3p5s8n0Y00Nf09sK5NtgkQLWdkMc-PDqZ-9xz_HbH9vJ5TFWFPVENeqete8bUFSkxaegjEWlOjAm3hCs6HWAHw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Really good Beta Club trip today. We went to the local food bank and worked for a couple of hours, organizing food, and, of all things, stacking toilet paper. :-) They unwrapped, counted, and stacked 4,200 rolls of toilet paper!! Then we ate at Fuddruckers, and went to a nice local mini-golf place. All in all a good day.</div><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-8090183854005917402022-04-20T07:21:00.002-04:002022-04-20T07:21:23.524-04:00Fire Baptized Holiness<p> On our recent trip to the Carolina coast, we saw so many little churches that I started writing down the names on the return trip. I only wrote down about the first 75 miles' worth of churches, before we got to the interstate. But it's safe to say that the Carolina Lowcountry is well represented with churches:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Lily Pond Missionary Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Greater Mt. Zion AME (African Methodist Episcopal)</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mt. Zion AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">A second Mt. Zion AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">House of Prayer</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Deliverance Ministries</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Open Bible Tabernacle</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">St. Paul AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Alpha Apostolic Holiness</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">New Hope Union Methodist Episcopal</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sampit Methodist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Grace Temple Revival Center</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Andrews Holiness Church</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ebenezer Missionary Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mt. Lebanon AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Crossroads Ministries</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pine Creek Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Antioch Pentecostal Holiness</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Spring Gulley Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cedar Grove Baptist </span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Great Present AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jerusalem United Methodist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">St. Luke United Methodist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">St. Mary AME</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Shekinah Temple</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">St. Mark Fire Baptized Holiness</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Upon This Rock Church Ministries</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Greeleyville Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">St. John 4B Missionary Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Open Door Apostolic</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">True Believers</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Union United Methodist Church</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">William Chapel Christian</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Progressive Church of Jesus</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Manning United Methodist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Manning First Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Emmanuel Free Will Baptist</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mt. Zion Baptist Church</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">White House Church</span></li><li><span style="color: #cc0000;">Andrew Chapel Baptist</span></li></ul><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-61665347407039589192022-03-24T07:48:00.005-04:002022-03-24T07:48:43.971-04:00Sample Post from SchoolWell!! This is a sample post from my school computer to see if I can upload pics from it. I've had a problem getting my home computer to upload pics for some time now. I have HTML on the work screen, but the pictures come out fine on the post. Maybe I can post some things from school instead of from home now.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Go9Ue0o0gvuDL9ocpNI9m7xqYRnICKe_ReBseJEodHZZ3OOx_ZCv9OILiPoinUCvj1Qp6sQoWMmHlle88dHEYYTohlJMVIges_VVuSIPr6IvJ_rBfulXFAr-VIV4GvOoIKA9_sYBWP7NWL-G_aWJubabT2bZIevz-DEQcYUDANA8A_3DiBsMA2liA/s400/Andrew%20Mary%20Lee%20babies.BMP" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Go9Ue0o0gvuDL9ocpNI9m7xqYRnICKe_ReBseJEodHZZ3OOx_ZCv9OILiPoinUCvj1Qp6sQoWMmHlle88dHEYYTohlJMVIges_VVuSIPr6IvJ_rBfulXFAr-VIV4GvOoIKA9_sYBWP7NWL-G_aWJubabT2bZIevz-DEQcYUDANA8A_3DiBsMA2liA/s320/Andrew%20Mary%20Lee%20babies.BMP"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAK7EFBPgDLrPhsBxXY4UJmvtTSj2lCAa3n3hPl206ITeh7d_b9Y8WxKN_lc7NMxlL8XUpDUTDP_g_zueHNbH_kKkx2SOps9oF-NpOeL7DdrnYsLUkBaxCkCqqo4cjkunn4-GpS-I_2Op5qzpRE-iXam7hx4JTA_mHCmvuFUpmweXGTl-a8eAf5wb1Q/s2272/Andrew%20Mary%20Lee%20banquet.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAK7EFBPgDLrPhsBxXY4UJmvtTSj2lCAa3n3hPl206ITeh7d_b9Y8WxKN_lc7NMxlL8XUpDUTDP_g_zueHNbH_kKkx2SOps9oF-NpOeL7DdrnYsLUkBaxCkCqqo4cjkunn4-GpS-I_2Op5qzpRE-iXam7hx4JTA_mHCmvuFUpmweXGTl-a8eAf5wb1Q/s320/Andrew%20Mary%20Lee%20banquet.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuhenIFI_4aHOYNxDSNUuyeuqtJLgHxpN0a1Y2-n95YHGu4aKRnRhxZweThPvIxXzXWGDLzCbWZsuW9aGXpIaqvuL6sYwn6IVtI2emJQ2LYwObdQpLoLiw6pA7HlcWrxXNayBtnR9E9NPvscMFymlg5CLZ2QDz83tsstq3Xxw-4GQ36c4bLze7aN6HA/s640/BailesNov.27,2004.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuhenIFI_4aHOYNxDSNUuyeuqtJLgHxpN0a1Y2-n95YHGu4aKRnRhxZweThPvIxXzXWGDLzCbWZsuW9aGXpIaqvuL6sYwn6IVtI2emJQ2LYwObdQpLoLiw6pA7HlcWrxXNayBtnR9E9NPvscMFymlg5CLZ2QDz83tsstq3Xxw-4GQ36c4bLze7aN6HA/s320/BailesNov.27,2004.jpg"/></a></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-15416503803627567122021-09-04T13:09:00.002-04:002021-09-04T13:09:22.334-04:00Robert Lesslie's books<p> <img alt="Robert Lesslie, slain doctor, saw &#39;Angels in the ER&#39; and wrote hopeful stories of faith in tragedy" class="n3VNCb" data-noaft="1" jsaction="load:XAeZkd;" jsname="HiaYvf" src="https://religionnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/webRNS-Robert-Lesslie-books-04092021-425x369.jpg" style="height: 334.2705882352941px; margin: 0px; width: 385px;" /></p><p>Robert Lesslie was an emergency room physician who practiced in Rock Hill, SC, about two hours from where I live. He also grew up in the town near our farm, as his father was a professor there. After his death in a senseless and brutal murder a few months ago (along with his wife, two grandchildren, and two workers outside his home), I somehow came across the fact that he was an author. I found several of his books on Hoopla through our local library, and have been reading them ever since.</p><p>Lesslie told good stories. I've always been a medical person wannabe, and have thoroughly enjoyed both the substance and style of his writing. He was also a dedicated Christian. Though his books were not overtly Christian through and through - they were mostly inspirational stories - he still got the Gospel message into them at some point in each book.</p><p>A couple of days ago, I finished Angels In the ER, Book 2 (released less than a month ago). This was in the final chapter and was very touching what with the news to come about his tragic death after this was written.</p><div class="sc-dujIKe hJOPeY" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; color: #777777; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One day, when I depart this body and find myself in the presence of the Lord, my time—however it will be measured—will be filled with the praises and the wonder of Jesus. I know that I will once again be able to hug my mother and walk and talk with my father. There are a lot of people I want to see as well: family and friends, grandparents—some of whom I never met on this side. And I will seek out Peter and John and the apostle Paul, as well as other giants of the faith—men and women whose words and deeds have guided and molded my journey and my heart. We have no idea what heaven will look like—only that it will be perfect. And because of that, I know that one day, when I’ve experienced the presence and joy of that surrounding host of saints, I will find myself walking . . . in a field of lush, green grass, surrounded by gently rising, conifer-cloaked hills. The words of Jesus will echo through that glade: “Behold, I make all things new.”</span></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p><div style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><div style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><div style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-54266226291801473102021-09-03T09:53:00.003-04:002021-09-03T09:54:16.668-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 9-3-2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vIMTluLTpdgpjvp2VmdPPWzU57nmBoDD-h-KdTXhTQ_B8NhKL1-XMf6d9QqJ_BwpVismTjB2BSkaIvd9LS9qY22QF06sln28nUUTI_nSSNXYt0HdbweSgeLQoskrHRoMxYfScgKNMaR2/s300/fall+FFF+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vIMTluLTpdgpjvp2VmdPPWzU57nmBoDD-h-KdTXhTQ_B8NhKL1-XMf6d9QqJ_BwpVismTjB2BSkaIvd9LS9qY22QF06sln28nUUTI_nSSNXYt0HdbweSgeLQoskrHRoMxYfScgKNMaR2/s0/fall+FFF+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five Host Blog</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCtsd-4DQ3ixiEZ6ZY8yNtdGQo6C7mi3sCn60TSUiuIBAzlrs5a11TGFzipk3aE5Lm-7VOXOu6srL1qWN6QxAwIcpge7swNdQpbxcRm1nQiO2g530o0GGWcJusjtDXwqJaBO4D5goIvpt/s2048/IMG_4196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCtsd-4DQ3ixiEZ6ZY8yNtdGQo6C7mi3sCn60TSUiuIBAzlrs5a11TGFzipk3aE5Lm-7VOXOu6srL1qWN6QxAwIcpge7swNdQpbxcRm1nQiO2g530o0GGWcJusjtDXwqJaBO4D5goIvpt/s320/IMG_4196.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>1. Starting up with our blanket project at school again. I'm always amazed at how the students love to make blankets, which are given to underprivileged children at Christmas time. We have such a good time, and students often take them home to work on there as well.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIvr1pByofF_Jodda6FzLquoCaf7hY6sx-RS-6Dgj8RoSQLbm40d0kXVWmL_qwA5GDADZ7gPN-2waVzaiGmitFwPQGI0wVJikC7el8ZhdpljrXY1ZvEOgGnyEINaFWZlLEU3iyZV9afza/s2048/IMG_4196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Great dinner with some of our family members this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">v-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNDVot9T_GnEicZ6-cY_t3QMZoZwkQhFcaJuiKVZ_WfASadqLWSFFoK9hxCR8hpLyc1ySloFbR3gyC7lhIyD5UKTCskyM77Vmprg4A0Yr-vXa5wLgW-pxUEZPEgwa76zn3BGC3yGEWPPO/" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNDVot9T_GnEicZ6-cY_t3QMZoZwkQhFcaJuiKVZ_WfASadqLWSFFoK9hxCR8hpLyc1ySloFbR3gyC7lhIyD5UKTCskyM77Vmprg4A0Yr-vXa5wLgW-pxUEZPEgwa76zn3BGC3yGEWPPO/w200-h150/IMG_7967.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Trying to get this made into a poster for a bulletin board. Isn't it perfect for that!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvZux0tGhO4CrcQxHhcZN5-R1cIhg6tEujYe-T3KsdxL_AN5u1gg-KMIEc3MzaL0hE4jxBiMbo9xVqDA1W-B88wz8jsLoeqfc_Jv7dG0sVldELdn_1ZRIHpsxuEgv5Cyrt8hb72I683Q9/s673/IMG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvZux0tGhO4CrcQxHhcZN5-R1cIhg6tEujYe-T3KsdxL_AN5u1gg-KMIEc3MzaL0hE4jxBiMbo9xVqDA1W-B88wz8jsLoeqfc_Jv7dG0sVldELdn_1ZRIHpsxuEgv5Cyrt8hb72I683Q9/s320/IMG_4186.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>4. Partial day off of school today. As a teacher, I have a half-day workday and am going to substitute in a fifth-grade class for a couple of hours. But our junior high and high school students are out today. We had almost half of them absent on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week - several with Covid, and an outbreak of strep and flu as well. So our administrator called off school today for grades 7-12 so that, coupled with Labor Day, they can have a really good break to rest up and hopefully get well. Even if I have to go in, it's nice to have an extra-long break from the classroom.<p></p><p>5. A secret trip to the Farmers' Market. Yesterday I told my boss I was leaving for a few minutes to go to the bank. Which was true. And then I realized I was going right by the Farmers' Market and had the opportunity to get some fresh vegetables on a Thursday morning, without having to go through the Saturday rush. So I did! Got tomatoes, okra, peaches, squash, and a beautiful cantaloupe. It was a treat for a school morning!</p><p><br /></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-51441803377206147102021-08-23T20:15:00.001-04:002021-08-23T20:54:30.571-04:00Say the Right Words at the Right Time<p> I've been reading <u>25 Ways to Win With People</u> by John Maxwell and Less Parrott. While it's a good book overall, and I will review it on Goodreads when done, this part really stood out to remember. It's from the chapter "Say the Right Words at the Right Time."</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The <i>wrong</i> words said at the <i>wrong</i> time <span style="color: #990000;">discourage</span> me.</li><li>The <i>wrong</i> words said at the <i>right</i> time <span style="color: #990000;">frustrate</span> me.</li><li>The <i>right</i> words said at the <i>wrong</i> time <span style="color: #990000;">confuse</span> me.</li><li>The <i>right</i> words said at the <i>right</i> time <span style="color: #990000;">encourage</span> me.</li></ul><div>Another good thing I read was in the chapter on "Remember A Person's Story." It encourages the reader to ask about other people to find out where they've come from. This is the part I liked:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Requesting</i> a person's story says, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">"You could be special."</span></li><li><i>Remembering</i> a person's story says <span style="color: #2b00fe;">"You are special."</span></li><li><i>Reminding</i> a person of his or her story says, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">"You are special to me."</span></li><li><i>Repeating</i> a person's story to others says, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">"You should be special to them."</span></li></ul></div><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-24317633170307583342021-07-30T09:31:00.005-04:002021-07-30T13:13:53.792-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 7/30/2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkfGau6m8wetphTgXe-Q9oG2iVZf7uxmhtWx0s6W-EWb0pvbUjpqPET_8L8XYqVEgETgmvLhh6lzLa3bR2rAAU0bIj2aZ6_r8c2PhBTxJ_QlpCa_6uuA3hbCyuD0ElUsq_79qv6oan9sh/s300/fall+FFF+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkfGau6m8wetphTgXe-Q9oG2iVZf7uxmhtWx0s6W-EWb0pvbUjpqPET_8L8XYqVEgETgmvLhh6lzLa3bR2rAAU0bIj2aZ6_r8c2PhBTxJ_QlpCa_6uuA3hbCyuD0ElUsq_79qv6oan9sh/s0/fall+FFF+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five host blog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NvUN5duU3BZ9mBBSTrppVP7mTiPTsRU_z7rRYT_NnnnU_U-e9fH8INV-yRfR5dnIkXY71PzlbouTErgfbTIuxhuaiRxbjgoIwMm0gWJVigRHyqFpozzlCQY8yGwQ7bQIxaYlMYq__J7q/s2048/IMG_4126.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NvUN5duU3BZ9mBBSTrppVP7mTiPTsRU_z7rRYT_NnnnU_U-e9fH8INV-yRfR5dnIkXY71PzlbouTErgfbTIuxhuaiRxbjgoIwMm0gWJVigRHyqFpozzlCQY8yGwQ7bQIxaYlMYq__J7q/s320/IMG_4126.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div>1. Visit yesterday with a precious lady who means a lot to me. I only get to go visit about once, maybe twice, a year, and with school starting soon it will be awhile. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2. My room is almost finished. I went on Monday, put up another bulletin board, and put this assortment of pictures up on my side wall. Just decided to share the wealth of my bird infatuation with the students this year!! Maybe one of them will take up the interest. These are all my photos.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hQQU6N2P7f_SZFosv1CcrpOXVXEYFxA7hI8IYUrUMaYr6C5CCmQC61ORVTUpUTiXlcs4axL7WHvqkjRhae2WvSjNscO5GWajHJOhxDk-_VAZncwm6IoxWHdW7gZ_cK46VMuqi7PcTgY4/s2048/IMG_4120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hQQU6N2P7f_SZFosv1CcrpOXVXEYFxA7hI8IYUrUMaYr6C5CCmQC61ORVTUpUTiXlcs4axL7WHvqkjRhae2WvSjNscO5GWajHJOhxDk-_VAZncwm6IoxWHdW7gZ_cK46VMuqi7PcTgY4/w400-h300/IMG_4120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z_gyGdTpIgAIajYicOZb2398VO_Lj8c4BOGUDBSPTo3ADbasj7F0og_ZPw0mWkY4X8dzgM5paJLcDIMXhU7-b60IxDFJ-gtlZo6xzxvO_ssys0dPPHFFHMknrOhEE1A-7yXh-P000at2/s2048/IMG_4119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z_gyGdTpIgAIajYicOZb2398VO_Lj8c4BOGUDBSPTo3ADbasj7F0og_ZPw0mWkY4X8dzgM5paJLcDIMXhU7-b60IxDFJ-gtlZo6xzxvO_ssys0dPPHFFHMknrOhEE1A-7yXh-P000at2/w300-h400/IMG_4119.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>3. We had a mortgage burning at church last Sunday night!! It took 16 years, but it is paid off. Mike, as head of the deacons, got to do the honors. He's in the white shirt. But the pastor said that Mike is doing it because there's no risk of his hair getting burned in the process. :-)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pZgrcuOLR5jZFYWMZY70QVpFlOv4yichnNxjCJRQbrqsM7oZVmzuD-EVXhv6n5HrI91hrvJsNmCvxgzFe0xlGQODb6XdU2wD2Dv_5sc_z3lWhxJFKFyG8ad17cp1nifqrHdfNuLDCeOB/s2048/IMG_4118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pZgrcuOLR5jZFYWMZY70QVpFlOv4yichnNxjCJRQbrqsM7oZVmzuD-EVXhv6n5HrI91hrvJsNmCvxgzFe0xlGQODb6XdU2wD2Dv_5sc_z3lWhxJFKFyG8ad17cp1nifqrHdfNuLDCeOB/w300-h400/IMG_4118.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU0b9ML9rOiPNgBRucJVD35srIVN1rglRLAhce2snOgvJJTyi1D4DGYQHcPlJiFmbCQsH1I_-ZA4_tzOd7o7htw3I3TAXmHEuIemmB5olhqFY2B1w7voOHt1LVAnhs7qCIqyVPkKAoIKE/s2048/IMG_4117.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU0b9ML9rOiPNgBRucJVD35srIVN1rglRLAhce2snOgvJJTyi1D4DGYQHcPlJiFmbCQsH1I_-ZA4_tzOd7o7htw3I3TAXmHEuIemmB5olhqFY2B1w7voOHt1LVAnhs7qCIqyVPkKAoIKE/s320/IMG_4117.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div>4. Our favorite restaurant is open again. We were invited to the "soft" opening recently, and haven't been back since because it's reservation only right now (they are short on staff), and they are mobbed with people wanting to get there again. They were closed for 15 months due to the moratorium on restaurants imposed in April 2020 due to Covid. In the interim, they did a lot of refurbishing the tables, chairs, and floors. We really enjoyed getting their delicious food again.<div><br /></div><div>As you can see, it's right on the lake. When Mike was working a M-Th job for awhile at the nuclear station, he would get off and meet me there at 7:00 on Thursday. The restaurant usually wasn't too busy on Thursdays, so we'd get a window booth and just decompress, looking out at the restful lake setting. So we do like that place.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>5. Good summer eating. We've enjoyed a lot of summer squash, corn, cucumbers, okra, and tomatoes the last few weeks. Mike will grill some kind of meat on Sunday and we'll eat off it all week, surrounded by good vegetables. If we have to endure these impossibly hot temperatures, at least we can eat well. :-)</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-44964325717948501012021-07-23T07:31:00.002-04:002021-07-23T07:31:49.855-04:00Thoughts on Teaching Music and on the Gospel<p><span style="color: red;">This was written by a college acquaintance/friend who has taught music for many years now. She has great thoughts particularly about the place of the Gospel in our lives. Thanks to Amanda for permission to reprint it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Another long post....more thoughts on teaching, and living as a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Earlier in my teaching career I often heard the phrase "show-window material" with the admonition that one of our goals as teachers is to develop students to stand out, to excel in their fields, to be truly fit for a show case. I've been thinking of this a lot in recent days, and <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">while, of course, developing excellence is a very worthy goal, if the end result I'm aiming for is "show-window material" (either in my students or in myself), I must take very great care that the end product is not a mannequin.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;">One of my goals in teaching is to challenge the student to understand the structure of the piece they are working on, whether it be a programmable work or a "mere" etude. Great artists are great because not only have they perfected their technique, but because they study and come to understand the piece from the foundation up. As a teacher, my most rewarding moments are when I see the light come on in a student's eyes--whether they are a first-year student who comes to understand that the hard-looking run in their little song is just a five-note pattern they have already learned, or an advanced student who discovers that the difficult technical passage becomes so very much easier when they understand (and hear) the harmonic progression. So the bottom line...an understanding and application of music theory and history are of very great help and utmost importance in the development of the musician, and when a student realizes this foundational importance, I have been successful as their teacher. A well-developed technique is not enough....they need real musical blood and sinew and bone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;">In my life as a Christian, I look back on many times <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">when I was taught (usually only implicitly, though I can remember a couple of explicit examples) that the gospel was the milk of the Christian life, and once we are saved, we need to go on to meatier things. I thought that my salvation was based on my decision--asking Christ to save me--and growth in the Lord is by going on to understand the principles of Christian living and coming to a set of standards by which to live.</span> Many years ago I was challenged, both in conversation and through the ministry of a local pastor, with the thought that</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">the gospel truly is the meat</span>, and feasting on that meat is the means by which I could grow to understand what it means to live as a Christian. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">I've learned that I can practice the "technique" of living by standards, but if I don't grow in my understanding of the gospel--of Christ's finished work, of imputed righteousness, o</span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Cambria, serif;">f the offices of Christ, of His satisfaction of the law's demands, and so much more--there is a sense in which I am just a mannequin, looking good on the outside but lacking the muscle and sinew and bone that supports us through all of life's good and bad times. And the wonderful thing about learning of Christ--it will never get old! I will never comprehend all of the riches of the gospel this side of heaven, and by His grace, I will come to love Him more and more until the day I see His face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-16493287397863037492021-07-16T10:51:00.004-04:002021-07-16T10:51:59.736-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 7/16/2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyRJem5e3FjshxlQT0hzDvIHXvuqWmWw8Na_i2OLPxvTnSWaBYEvY3g5Jyw2wcNA497qBmWK9dbE7ll_I6OpCNlT94-6syQxyx-3wQS4i6MvYwJjZSLBS239XVDMfyOaQc_hHRY7rxSQc/s300/FFF+daisies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="198" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyRJem5e3FjshxlQT0hzDvIHXvuqWmWw8Na_i2OLPxvTnSWaBYEvY3g5Jyw2wcNA497qBmWK9dbE7ll_I6OpCNlT94-6syQxyx-3wQS4i6MvYwJjZSLBS239XVDMfyOaQc_hHRY7rxSQc/w132-h200/FFF+daisies.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five host blog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1Wfwn-89non_5pFe30blZFw4l7dl17m-vqK-nZ6HNhYX4uoK2mJSue8D3e1hbVUCB1ccBfF9ABQj2GJNokExJRMp7OIRqQRWGv2TU7gvdbkwUEE4IgeTyS8FeNYbtuewftQPaefzGCR-/s2048/IMG_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1Wfwn-89non_5pFe30blZFw4l7dl17m-vqK-nZ6HNhYX4uoK2mJSue8D3e1hbVUCB1ccBfF9ABQj2GJNokExJRMp7OIRqQRWGv2TU7gvdbkwUEE4IgeTyS8FeNYbtuewftQPaefzGCR-/w183-h243/IMG_4107.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>1. We finally got the brush cut down to make a pathway for our UTV to get my folks (and others) down to see the creek on our property. You should have seen me helping on Wednesday. Brush cutting and stacking will never be my career, and I couldn't do too much because of back and knee issues, but I could help some.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. We took them yesterday to see the creek and they both enjoyed it very much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmpkTsuO1P7ThjL5u3wZePrXHYI_8u0o5rcRKU_iNAxeXhosap7xrYkW1V44pSMBIFvg6NSnDAEB1_p0bOmDH7-G3TdP7l-7dtCP24quJyaWIUHmqeHv3PQ_OhKEoNN43FQ_Dtzb9snIl/s2048/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmpkTsuO1P7ThjL5u3wZePrXHYI_8u0o5rcRKU_iNAxeXhosap7xrYkW1V44pSMBIFvg6NSnDAEB1_p0bOmDH7-G3TdP7l-7dtCP24quJyaWIUHmqeHv3PQ_OhKEoNN43FQ_Dtzb9snIl/s320/IMG_4109.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNXrLuANgHbMdb0k5rosoIr4IK_bNOJmVaEwy0ZpbDdl-TEkv9ywm0jvo6Lrne-Xhj7PjnmCY-ar4dFhqb7qCM98crwTi0p6ciZfp0JBUTrPwnDyfN440zH9utXwBbcLDCB7dKvvvZ9pX/s2048/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNXrLuANgHbMdb0k5rosoIr4IK_bNOJmVaEwy0ZpbDdl-TEkv9ywm0jvo6Lrne-Xhj7PjnmCY-ar4dFhqb7qCM98crwTi0p6ciZfp0JBUTrPwnDyfN440zH9utXwBbcLDCB7dKvvvZ9pX/w147-h196/IMG_4106.JPG" width="147" /></a></div></div>3. No more pressure to go pick blueberries. :-) That's a shame in a way, because we got fewer than two gallons this year (compared to almost 40 last year), but I'm also glad to be rid of the feeling of "I need to go check the blueberry bushes." I attempted to pick on Wednesday and got a total of 17 berries. I'd say that that means the season is done. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. I had more time to read this week, and finished two good books - <u>Speaking for Myself</u> by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and <u>The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society</u>, which I've heard of for years, and never read. People were right - it is a good read. I love having the time to read a really good book that is hard to put down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Two more weeks of freedom before the inevitable. I go back to work on August 3, but I plan to enjoy these next two weeks as much as possible!!<br /><br /><br /></div><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-74869012441899414372021-07-09T18:05:00.001-04:002021-07-09T18:05:15.258-04:00Friday's Fave Five 7-9-2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzrWegMXXfP_ifZMpI1uIkCN4KyOcj3x0pa1pW6qa9bRrVTO8q0zxBRnCrGS05NWDuqxE_hNpp36WAETZCFrwDsYZapltbmE2QUFK1U_BJDyUgYz6rHCIIYVgvbPP9OFCc71-K_cjdWCM/s300/friday+fave+five+spring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzrWegMXXfP_ifZMpI1uIkCN4KyOcj3x0pa1pW6qa9bRrVTO8q0zxBRnCrGS05NWDuqxE_hNpp36WAETZCFrwDsYZapltbmE2QUFK1U_BJDyUgYz6rHCIIYVgvbPP9OFCc71-K_cjdWCM/s0/friday+fave+five+spring.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to FFF Host Blog</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Blackberries!! We have them by the boatload in a patch at our farm. However, they're in such a wild, inaccessible bramble that I am not going to be able to pick many of them. An hour and a half yielded enough for a sauce for a cheesecake, and that was all. Every movement takes special care. But even if I'm not picking them, I still like knowing that they are there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAKqNMQwzb9Tk5epMU_G-Zn9B_8kAwVvT84DWuH-Zrc2efKHoHTYbU5pmpK5o6kMBIWt2pFbz3KK_XoaJyLQ-uaKNUJOTQcyAiY9rLe6Sep6Y_Yyu8EC2oc60HROoS1UrAc2sx6VmQYWc/s2048/IMG_4100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAKqNMQwzb9Tk5epMU_G-Zn9B_8kAwVvT84DWuH-Zrc2efKHoHTYbU5pmpK5o6kMBIWt2pFbz3KK_XoaJyLQ-uaKNUJOTQcyAiY9rLe6Sep6Y_Yyu8EC2oc60HROoS1UrAc2sx6VmQYWc/s320/IMG_4100.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2. Blueberries!! Last year we got almost 40 gallons from the patch of cultivated blueberries that was there when we bought the farm. This year, we lost most of them due to a late freeze. I think I'll get maybe two gallons at most. But any are better than none.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZnDzKiPRxtICBd93Pa5naK2EHRZmn68nuVJkkN1uB5JuvJZKpfzPrjs6mssGGk90Dt1wmdLQSe-NmOBeaDQyq9fvKt5kDbgyNQcMDSglNLRIqhVJLwFOzekX3Zy0VHE9moio2OkapuFQ/s2048/IMG_4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZnDzKiPRxtICBd93Pa5naK2EHRZmn68nuVJkkN1uB5JuvJZKpfzPrjs6mssGGk90Dt1wmdLQSe-NmOBeaDQyq9fvKt5kDbgyNQcMDSglNLRIqhVJLwFOzekX3Zy0VHE9moio2OkapuFQ/s320/IMG_4074.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. A new screen door at the farm. Mike had looked and looked for one, so that we can keep the garage/shop door open in the hot weather without letting flies in. But we didn't want a nice new one because it doesn't fit the "mood." He found one at a thrift shop for $20, got the hardware, and now we have a screen door.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPp_7phAWxxhyobVhDASiRIOCt1OJj5cEj8N1cWKPMBMcMLoj6Fl8-WngkbDXX_Afawhcehan3Qha5YIJaeSoetXnVGA6XLE4zB9jFgekS9Hoe5a1Nglj2-nuhrhurQ5fSadbdTf8J7cJ/s2048/IMG_4080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPp_7phAWxxhyobVhDASiRIOCt1OJj5cEj8N1cWKPMBMcMLoj6Fl8-WngkbDXX_Afawhcehan3Qha5YIJaeSoetXnVGA6XLE4zB9jFgekS9Hoe5a1Nglj2-nuhrhurQ5fSadbdTf8J7cJ/s320/IMG_4080.JPG" /></a></div><br />4. Got to meet the new husband of a niece as the two of them passed through here on their way to their new home. We only met briefly at a Cracker Barrel, but it was a nice and good connection.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Wildlife at our farm. I rode out to the road and there was a red fox in the driveway. I also watched a raccoon run across the field that was unaware of my presence. And two fawns watch us most of the time as we drive in or out. It's very nice to experience some of these things. Last night we drove down and ate supper there - just plain ol' beanie weenie with some cheese on top that I baked while we were down there. But it sure tasted good out there in the fresh air!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6nWnYqzbSwWAdSUwtkhYQz8Xg9ijBMd4xLfskdjpKWhADjZ92QQ12_m08BkQEaiDMDu75c57KP9aXMU3Rzvp2wKqi3aCzGWMEKXNsoEzkUpEaGVcIjIgLRdAdywgu6aRynMzK-TOF_lX/s2048/IMG_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6nWnYqzbSwWAdSUwtkhYQz8Xg9ijBMd4xLfskdjpKWhADjZ92QQ12_m08BkQEaiDMDu75c57KP9aXMU3Rzvp2wKqi3aCzGWMEKXNsoEzkUpEaGVcIjIgLRdAdywgu6aRynMzK-TOF_lX/s320/IMG_4083.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFFF5n-cBAJYjpJ9TmvMBqCpf8EHCVfFwiqgsqnqSsBgG5C7tRMgfP9_n-1_sznOybLrHvAd5GgVnv_aIF54svAXqmmTyu8hwYXpmbk5xhZZRKoinqyjtCDz9Y0sd-QI0jz1WsjigTYb_/s2048/s7r0dqyVRKu6An5LkLWTyw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFFF5n-cBAJYjpJ9TmvMBqCpf8EHCVfFwiqgsqnqSsBgG5C7tRMgfP9_n-1_sznOybLrHvAd5GgVnv_aIF54svAXqmmTyu8hwYXpmbk5xhZZRKoinqyjtCDz9Y0sd-QI0jz1WsjigTYb_/s320/s7r0dqyVRKu6An5LkLWTyw.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-87225216190357786452021-06-25T11:53:00.004-04:002021-06-25T11:57:30.215-04:00Friday's Fave Five, 6-25-2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus67PQ8xjvAeIT42uqfEZjsPY32Ps28VpPkMEQsBJcyzLdqTbpXxOsQCXf0sTSanxsA6KMHzxpITNucrYj8mqVnnWBpHqBjKVa8to9Grj5xD1tUarp_5lDRqq1OdMW_47wX1tb5ErHW19/s300/friday+fave+five+spring.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="300" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus67PQ8xjvAeIT42uqfEZjsPY32Ps28VpPkMEQsBJcyzLdqTbpXxOsQCXf0sTSanxsA6KMHzxpITNucrYj8mqVnnWBpHqBjKVa8to9Grj5xD1tUarp_5lDRqq1OdMW_47wX1tb5ErHW19/w400-h243/friday+fave+five+spring.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com" target="_blank">LINK to Friday's Fave Five host blog</a></p><p>1. An arrowhead. Mike found this beautiful arrowhead while walking at our farm yesterday. It's beautiful white quartz, and is a first for our finds there. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRk8GRJAQA6jh6tRjf3n1vwTWr79PxCLYTk9BPhp2eEsTB75h4iOF14KXwivoamr5o8N0NeMC-z6qzZHcx6ogxl4MMJRtwq_QJLDZki4qAHsYtzd1Zy954CAYehQt5m-_TCiQCBCKmalJ/s2048/IMG_4071.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRk8GRJAQA6jh6tRjf3n1vwTWr79PxCLYTk9BPhp2eEsTB75h4iOF14KXwivoamr5o8N0NeMC-z6qzZHcx6ogxl4MMJRtwq_QJLDZki4qAHsYtzd1Zy954CAYehQt5m-_TCiQCBCKmalJ/w300-h400/IMG_4071.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2. This view from our farm (not our horses - they belong to the neighbor) makes my heart happy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSxEfVPdzvjgxYlLpVOlcZo7Igawo6OVVCmVw6BUX5SzIq8-BZ28IF4arlnML4nALjw_JyNSIxILe6iMmcwJ6G5L6JROCOqW-mlRRTcbRd2eCztIGc5e_dZtDvUx5nQf5TltzMXrNR2Tb/s2048/IMG_4066.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSxEfVPdzvjgxYlLpVOlcZo7Igawo6OVVCmVw6BUX5SzIq8-BZ28IF4arlnML4nALjw_JyNSIxILe6iMmcwJ6G5L6JROCOqW-mlRRTcbRd2eCztIGc5e_dZtDvUx5nQf5TltzMXrNR2Tb/w400-h300/IMG_4066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>3. A morning spent helping Mike cut brush!! We have a vehicle for getting down in the woods but the brush needed to be trimmed first. So yours truly turned into a brush cutter. Not in my usual playbook but I tried to help!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWvE53Y4_IQNQwPenDdCTRFzgs-MAuY-gM-jYSJVhmqd4EUnGGongAkXz2UtA0nJIVHmDLXrG8nP-tfP7zqFSNUq3lsW62WvVKj6WERlnHuJUhdHTtRNIga8MhTpVxaH3vCK6Ea1JNH3c/s2048/IMG_4065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWvE53Y4_IQNQwPenDdCTRFzgs-MAuY-gM-jYSJVhmqd4EUnGGongAkXz2UtA0nJIVHmDLXrG8nP-tfP7zqFSNUq3lsW62WvVKj6WERlnHuJUhdHTtRNIga8MhTpVxaH3vCK6Ea1JNH3c/w300-h400/IMG_4065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>4. A new recipe. I've made this several times and love it. It's low carb/good carb and is delicious. The prosciutto does not need to be added, and I used shredded parmesan from a bag, instead of the "pecorino romano" which is a bit too sophisticated for me! But it was very good and nice to add to the repertoire.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz3KeRwqL0Q3fig4Y-OZUK_TZ1GJ_hUY23QHDS-d05UA-8svaiQEXMNt9zHmR0z-_f991y9mMOsRvIsCFchRGfEZOVkwyb4b1ewIwaq9GB5E5kQdvsbJuXdl0m2Oq_xEj1FLuze2bAIV/s2048/IMG_4062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz3KeRwqL0Q3fig4Y-OZUK_TZ1GJ_hUY23QHDS-d05UA-8svaiQEXMNt9zHmR0z-_f991y9mMOsRvIsCFchRGfEZOVkwyb4b1ewIwaq9GB5E5kQdvsbJuXdl0m2Oq_xEj1FLuze2bAIV/w400-h300/IMG_4062.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aZo1GNYd_ymRGuhCB8UBZ8vvhVWBmeHkqyGh_TLpfaESCSuKunGtN4omD-CxWtBwCzZy5PHWjKYySEgIW0JlgTpS7g3gJT4PVRtWFbTg9R9Si1q4pn7SBXqJmvgKMIiw1MqqvruxHhYH/s2048/IMG_4063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aZo1GNYd_ymRGuhCB8UBZ8vvhVWBmeHkqyGh_TLpfaESCSuKunGtN4omD-CxWtBwCzZy5PHWjKYySEgIW0JlgTpS7g3gJT4PVRtWFbTg9R9Si1q4pn7SBXqJmvgKMIiw1MqqvruxHhYH/w300-h400/IMG_4063.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>5. A good report yesterday at the doctor's office - blood pressure in normal ranges and an A1C of 6.4! That was a surprise because I have been a little more "generous" in carb choices in the last few months. But I suspect that swearing completely off sugared drinks/juices, potatoes, pasta, rice, and any bread except rye is keeping things in check.<p></p><p>Happy summer weekend!!</p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-39849526766594949342021-06-07T20:00:00.006-04:002021-06-07T20:03:51.581-04:00She Knows How to Use a Computer!!<p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKArEoz9JfyQtRHmJBstiwpDqyD9Ch9r6nvnxQxeOEdC6O5jnapFiqnfyxZTXlBGABDF2usw_Jv8TVwbB1yOYaVZo4WVCAH_-RWBWZdfwXMFgQRXn85GQWsWzlodjY2C4HgF-ssoo1Tvqo/s1784/Screen+Shot+2021-06-07+at+11.27.40+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1784" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKArEoz9JfyQtRHmJBstiwpDqyD9Ch9r6nvnxQxeOEdC6O5jnapFiqnfyxZTXlBGABDF2usw_Jv8TVwbB1yOYaVZo4WVCAH_-RWBWZdfwXMFgQRXn85GQWsWzlodjY2C4HgF-ssoo1Tvqo/w432-h348/Screen+Shot+2021-06-07+at+11.27.40+AM.png" width="432" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this sweet little seven-month-old got up from her nap during our book club meeting this morning and sat on my lap. She loved that I was using my computer with the e-book on it, and she started banging on the keyboard - opening up several programs and hopefully not deleting anything! (She knew what she was doing!) So when this ended up on the screen, I had to take a screenshot. </div><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-40657664504571332002021-02-19T13:12:00.001-05:002021-02-19T13:12:26.869-05:00Friday's Fave Five, 2/19/2021<p></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoW9hOzw_UQRXxEVbaZLD_6UQhi4oxZfP0SMG86CWB3-gEz5f5_dGnDdUfM8yrbtgFh5JUWYN3EPymp_5PJMYCLrEXaFVYjl4FlXq9WwJ_U7SQ0yZ2h3LoLN0fz-hk_jEC1NYTimuDW9h/s300/friday-fave-five-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoW9hOzw_UQRXxEVbaZLD_6UQhi4oxZfP0SMG86CWB3-gEz5f5_dGnDdUfM8yrbtgFh5JUWYN3EPymp_5PJMYCLrEXaFVYjl4FlXq9WwJ_U7SQ0yZ2h3LoLN0fz-hk_jEC1NYTimuDW9h/s0/friday-fave-five-12.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.susannesspace.blogspot.com">LINK</a> to Friday's Fave Five Host Blog</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. My sister and her friend are safe in Texas. They were very cold, and not having electricity and heat for almost a week was difficult, but they did have a small generator, so were better off than most people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. A three-day weekend. Having a Monday off from school (this time it was President's Day) makes any weekend seem so vacation-like. All weekend long it's like "Oh yes, I don't have to go to work on Monday!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Flowers delivered at school last Friday!! From Mike. A treat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdop6ppOEcUVj3IyWIgaZkjcftS27MJBt434bY0kY9sYw1PqXJlJsuNF8x5s9qf3s7Ee1841DQisAUAzWB_VLMeqhyZJwsqJXcFODrEDo9Oic_T9Cd-TvnfsQ-FZC95rRn6xR4XUT4EIAw/s2048/IMG_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdop6ppOEcUVj3IyWIgaZkjcftS27MJBt434bY0kY9sYw1PqXJlJsuNF8x5s9qf3s7Ee1841DQisAUAzWB_VLMeqhyZJwsqJXcFODrEDo9Oic_T9Cd-TvnfsQ-FZC95rRn6xR4XUT4EIAw/s320/IMG_3690.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>4. A lab that I did at school with a track that I did not know was available. It was originally built for an activity at a children's home, and was stored in a back storeroom. It was perfect to do experiments with motion and momentum with my 9th graders. Sometimes teaching physical science can be difficult because not many experiments can be done, but this was great.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ1M6nvjAm38YRe325ELb9goSpIEtjVlLAC9DdlUhEqzmC11-wZCaWpRf7bLfRfAEl0WyS9cZUROagLYdvSxAO9RXvVZ4WMBWykwvKeuaSnv2EKgFrv1NlP2cSOiD3ieAuOuxJxwe6Ysg/s2048/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ1M6nvjAm38YRe325ELb9goSpIEtjVlLAC9DdlUhEqzmC11-wZCaWpRf7bLfRfAEl0WyS9cZUROagLYdvSxAO9RXvVZ4WMBWykwvKeuaSnv2EKgFrv1NlP2cSOiD3ieAuOuxJxwe6Ysg/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Pine siskins have arrived at our feeders!! They are only around every few years, during an invasion, and they've been in our area for several weeks - but just last weekend came to our place. They are aggressive, and they will eat us out of birdseed house and home, but they are fun to watch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKW2QcqMpg0j7NW1kVjZKcYMU3fdAH9s1ny4w3QvMymYHGz5EqSsYKJPwAmIj2I0CPUhnja0yQavePyMr3nsSK2CJBMVF0TsA2sfN8FieplVC5tmmC5Q1ymuAtWCYXF0WD12QMI6Egaa_/s5184/IMG_3214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKW2QcqMpg0j7NW1kVjZKcYMU3fdAH9s1ny4w3QvMymYHGz5EqSsYKJPwAmIj2I0CPUhnja0yQavePyMr3nsSK2CJBMVF0TsA2sfN8FieplVC5tmmC5Q1ymuAtWCYXF0WD12QMI6Egaa_/s320/IMG_3214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409084936073021501.post-72936355394262675752021-02-06T18:14:00.000-05:002021-02-06T18:14:01.708-05:00God in the Rainforest by Kathryn T. Long<p> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHvlkQ3ifrdvKTXmn9YuHw9XlGCbddac_vy235S7y5VRnuVN6sS6LYGHW3MqgMWxMBPN8Gs0CIazv4RE94A7Ac-L6hN5_xeh6d44g7fAsWXAg1JWn7bj_dejs7eUMDdJZJlCYa7n_GaWr/s2048/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHvlkQ3ifrdvKTXmn9YuHw9XlGCbddac_vy235S7y5VRnuVN6sS6LYGHW3MqgMWxMBPN8Gs0CIazv4RE94A7Ac-L6hN5_xeh6d44g7fAsWXAg1JWn7bj_dejs7eUMDdJZJlCYa7n_GaWr/s320/IMG_3660.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is quite a book. Detailed, thoroughly researched, well written and well edited, it took me a couple of weeks to get through it. This is the story of the Waorani (Aucas) from the time of the martyrdom of the five missionaries in 1956, until now. Long writes as an objective observer, presenting all sides of the story. At times it is not pretty. Long almost goes too far in presenting the opposite side of almost every decision, every personality, and every problem that was encountered in this incredibly complex situation. The government, SIL/Wycliffe, the oil companies, the environmentalists, the anthropologists, the Bible translators, the early missionaries and the later ones as well - all have a part to play in this huge story, which is further complicated by the way it became the face of missions for many years. </p><p>I was affected in my thinking about the entire story by the details given in this book. There are many facets to it - many that are not represented in the average book written about it, of which there are scores. </p><p><br /></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14121222198887672974noreply@blogger.com1