I am getting ready to head to Kelly’s. She was to be released today right after her lunch of turkey and mashed potatoes – her favorite! So of course it’s after lunch! I cut the grass after an early morning walk, did a few errands for both Kelly and myself, and will head out in about half an hour.

That will be my day.

Last night I listened to Steve at Maplewood. It was a continuation of his message about Jesus teaching in parables. He reinforced that the kingdom is here, now – but this kingdom is one we are free to accept or reject. It’s not the ultimate where everything is made right. That is a hard concept because that’s not what we expect it to be. Even though it’s not complete yet, it’s still of infinite worth regardless of it’s appearing simplicity. You can be a part of God’s kingdom here on earth right now. You’ve been issued an invitation – it’s your choice. If you choose that, you must pursue the kingdom with fervent prayer. And what you fervently seek, God will give.

On this day in 1777 Marquis de Lafayette, 19, was made major-general of the Continental Army. In 1864 Ulysses S Grant was named General of Volunteers. In 1988 the last Playboy club closed; In 1932 Ted Cassidy was born in Pittsburgh PA (played Lurch in the Addams Family). J K Rowling was born in 1965. And my friend Jennifer from Smail’s – one of the very few who kept me sane those last months (years????!!!!!) – is celebrating a birthday day. Wishing you happiness and blessings and sanity and lots of puppy love! Miss you!!!

TOMORROW is August 1st, and is:

• International Mahjong Day
• National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
• National Girlfriends Day ** Happy day to all my special ‘girl’ friends!
• Respect for Parents Day
• National Disc Golf Day – (There you go, Nate!!!)
• National Mustard Day – I’m hoping I don’t have to eat any. I DISLIKE mustard!!!

Let’s be backwards today! Today is my friend Diane’s birthday – we met the first day of school in 10th grade – she sat behind me in homeroom. She was always the wild and fun one – and made life interesting every single day! I was in her wedding and her daughter was the flower girl in mine. We have stuck close for all these years and still hold each other up. A day seldom goes by without my hearing from her in a txt or an email. I’m so thankful to have her in my life, and to know she is a fierce and devoted prayer warrior! Her minister (Bram) is one of the ones I listen to every week. (see Monday!)

While I was working at Jeannette this morning, the motorcade with police (etc) escort went through escorting Pence into Greensburg for a support rally. It was very impressive! I took a picture of the cars on Route 30 lined up about a mile, as they had closed some of the intersections. I stopped at Palmer’s Farm Stand after I was done working and got a squash, green beans, tomatoes and a few ears of corn. I had a tomato for lunch with toast and will do corn for supper. It looks so yummy! Kath and I went to visit mom – we could visit at a table in the main room, and mom actually said a few sentences. We met the activities director and she said Mom does participate in some of the events. She apparently didn’t want to see us as after a while she pulled her mask over her eyes. We tried not to take it personally! It was a cloudy day, but the gladiolas were blooming bright and pink – with the little white Angel directing the show of colors. (Kath – Father Tim directing the colors at the annual flower planting!!!)

Kelly did well with her surgery, but that’s a message for another Word Garden. Keep praying for her healing and direction! She’s a strong, beautiful woman – she amazes me ! God’s got this!

Since I already reviewed Bram, I’ll do Micah from Old Mahoning. His message was the perspective of the cross. The cross called for purity, to be united, loyalty. It’s the one way to the Father – through Jesus. We don’t earn salvation – you must believe and receive. It’s not about us, and what we’ve done. We are saved through God’s grace. We give something importance by the way we use it. To the sinner the cross is foolishness – and you can only be saved or lost. There is no in between. To the saved, the cross is the power of God. When you think about your life and your future and where you are going – hold on and listen for the trumpet – we are in the last days! Ask God for wisdom to live for Him. Society sees the cross as confusion; they think it’s too easy. It may be free but it’s very expensive. Embrace and accept God’s gift of his Son on the cross and claim your salvation.

On this day in 1928 George Eastman showed the first amateur color motion picture at his New York home. In 1942 FDR signed a bill creating Women’s Navy Auxiliary Agency (WAVES). LBJ signed the medicare bill in 1965, and in 2003 the last old style VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line.

Today Emily Bronte was born in 1818, Henry Ford in 1863, Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1947, and it’s Harry Potter’s birthday. Also, my friend Trent Perry is celebrating a birthday today! He’s a super good friend of Kelly and Matt, and I want to wish him a super great day with his wife and amazing little sons! Happy birthday, Trent!

TOMORROW is National Avocado Day, National Raspberry Cake Day, National Mutt Day, National Talk in an elevator day, National system Administrator Appreciation Day, and Get Gnarley Day! I know my friend Bear ALWAYS said things were Gnarley! Go get Gnarley and have a great Friday! God bless….

After my walk – which I was delayed in taking – I got interrupted all morning! Finally got breakfast and was able to start cleaning about noon. I worked on that all day until about 3:30pm. Autmn was pulling weeds at her mom’s so I ran her up a pair of garden gloves – with strong admonition to scrub up good when she was done in case there were poison ivy plants among the rocks! Kath and I packed a box to mail to mom, but we were told we could drop off clothes. So we packed the clothes separately and will leave them at the main door tomorrow. Dinner was a ripe garden tomato, 3 slices of bacon, and toast. It was pure deliciousness! I hung my antique medicine cabinet on the wall in the living room and am very pleased with the results!

I listened to three messages today, but I think I’ll review Mike’s at HCC. He is still working through the fruits of the spirit and today was Goodness. First, it’s a process to have the characteristics of the fruits be a part of us – we have to pursue them and accept them as part of ourselves. Scriptures say that we are created specifically for Good Works. We need to emulate God’s goodness; we should WANT to be good! We should also rejoice with those who do good works, and be an encourager to others. We should live our lives in such a way that people see the fruit of goodness in us, and goodness is light. Let others see the light! There are ALWAYS opportunities to do good works, and what we are called to do, we are equipped and empowered to do. Do people see the spirit of good works in your life?

On this day in 1928 the first test footage for Mickey Mouse (Steamboat Willie) was shown. The first volume of the Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien was published in 1954, and in 2016 Hilary Clinton accepted the democratic nomination for US President. Vincent Van Gogh died at age 37 in 1890, David Niven died in 1983 at age 73. In 1981 Charles Price of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer, and in 2000 Jennifer Aniston married Brad Pitt.

TOMORROW is National Cheesecake Day, National Father-in-law Day, National Whistleblower Day (???), National Chili Dog Day, National Intern Day, and International Day of Friendship. Maybe don’t blow any whistles but have a chili dog and make a friend! God bless….

You’ve heard of people using ‘Cliff Notes ‘ – the condensed and shortened versions. Well, tonight’s Word Garden is the Cliff Notes version. I’m tired and sleepy… Kath and I did our 6am grocery shopping, and when I got back to the house Gen was organized for her trip back to New York. She made breakfast while I got showered and dressed, then we both left. I had lots to do – including picking up a prescription and getting gas (for the car and for the mower), plus copying a paperwork packet for Mom and running it to the post office. I finally got home about 4pm. Autmn and Josie walked down and visited for a while, and Josie was delighted with my M&M’s! Autmn finished off the cookies. I had a toast and tomato and turkey bacon sandwich for supper then listened to Greg at Vanderbilt church.

Greg’s message was about making decisions. We make thousands of decision a day – some consciously and some automatically. But he offered four ways to make wise and prudent life decisions. 1) Obey immediately. We must delight in pleasing God and staying in his will for us. 2) Pray with Perseverance. 3) Stay in the scriptures (and often that means keeping your nose out of your phone!!!) 4) Be sure that God will make a way. Be confident that you will find God’s will and you will be assured of choosing wisely.

On this day in 1942 US President FDR ended the coffee rationing in the US (I’m sure a LOT of people were rejoicing about that decision!). Johann Sebastian Bach died at age 65 in 1750, and in 1973 Farrah Fawcett married bionic man Lee Majors. Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born in 1929. And today two of my Skunk Hollow cousins are celebrating birthdays! Happy birthday to Gwen Sadler

and Karen Valyo!

Have a wonderful day, ladies and enjoy your girls’ weekend! Sorry I’ll miss it but it’ll be a great time for you all!

TOMORROW July 29th is National Lasagna Day, National Lipstick Day, and National Chicken Wing Day. Enjoy! God bless…

Today was a beautiful sunny, breezy but HOT day! Gen and I went for a walk early, breakfasted, then Kelly and the 2 boys came. We baked the scones for her to take home, made Chocolate Chip Cookies to send to Mom, and did loads of laundry. Gen and I spent some time cleaning out Matt’s Prius and it really made a big difference. Wish we’d have remembered to take ‘before’ pictures, but just the sparsity of it should speak volumes. Chase and Logan spent the day in the sweet A/C and Rainy just chilled out on the rug taking it all in!

This afternoon I listened to Bram at First Baptist. His message was about man who asked Jesus what he needed to do to gain eternal life. The man already knew the scripture that said Love the Lord your God with all your heart and strength and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. But the man asked who his neighbor was. What he wanted to know was what the LEAST he had to do, and exactly WHO could he love and who could he love not so much? Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan – and asked: Which one was the neighbor. Jesus said to love our neighbor – don’t challenge the cost; reach out to whoever needs the love of God. Give all you CAN; take love to the next level. That is what Jesus asks of us.

On this day in 1586 Walter Raleigh brought the first tobacco to England from Virginia. In 1866 The Atlantic telegraph cable was successfully laid – 1,686 miles. Orville Wright tested the first US Army airplane in 1909, and the Korean War ended in 1953. Bob Hope died at age 100 in 2005. TOMORROW is National Mike Chocolate Day, Buffalo Soldiers Day (what is a buffalo soldier? How do they fit into uniforms?), and Waterpark Day. Hope you can find a way to cool off – but have fun whatever you do! MAYBE — you could find a WATER buffalo soldier??? (OK – no offense meant. I looked up what a buffalo soldier was – They were troops in 1866…. ) God bless —

It’s been a whirlwind day – full of twists and complications – but all’s well that ends delightfully so that is GREAT! I started to take a walk early this morning (after a fitful sleepless night!) and my phone froze! I couldn’t shut off any apps or even power down the phone. An hour later I finally resolved that issue but by then – the tone was set for the day, and I HAD to break out of that mindset. After a quick shower and a quick bite (literally) of breakfast I picked up Kath and we went to the Ninth Life Rescue fundraiser fleatique. Wow they had a lot of stuff! Check on facebook and if they have it again next week try to go. SO MUCH STUFF! Better than ‘Ollies’ – good stuff cheap!

I came home and cut the grass, scrubbed the items I purchased and dried them in the sun.

Swept and cleaned the house, did some ironing, mixed up scones, then helped Autmn take 2 loads of stuff to her mom’s, where she plans to stay for a while to help out and get a change of pace. It’s only about 2 miles from home and a mile from me. Not a real big change. Gen and Rainy

came to spend a few days, and we had a lovely open air chat on the deck, a wonderful dinner of baked potatoes and fresh veggies, then she took Rainy for a walk while I listened to Paul from River Hill.

His message was from Psalm 46 – Assurance of Calm in any storm. * Be still and know that I am God! He helps us to understand what He wants us to know, and he’s with us always. He is our refuge in trouble, and we know that in this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world! He will supply all our needs, as he is the river of life to us. We do have to spend time with God to get wisdom – again, Be Still and Know that I Am God! We need not fear, because God is our refuge, shelter, strength and help. Whatever you are facing, go through it together with God. We tend to think out of FEAR rather than FAITH; but God has everything under control! God builds up and tears down and watches our choices. Do not be anxious about anything – God will guide your hearts and minds!

On this day in 1775 the US Continental Congress created the USPS in Philadelphia under Ben Franklin. J Edger Hoover got a job in the US Department of Justice in 1971. Mick Jagger was born in 1943, Sandra Bullock in 1964, and Sam Houston died in 1863 at the age of 70.

And TOMORROW is National Love is Kind day and National New Jersey day. I am definitely NOT going to New Jersey tomorrow, but I do entirely intend to be kind and share love in as many ways as I can – and since my darling daughter and grandsons are coming – and Gen and Rainy are here – that will be easy-peasy! Take Snoopy and Woodstock’s word for it! (and Philemon’s!)

Have a wonderful day! God bless.

Since it’s the 25th, 5 months from today…. 🙂 My friend Gwen chose that theme for her devotion this morning – and I loved being reminded on a 90* day that Christmas can be in our hearts every single day of the year. We can celebrate God’s gift any time – there is no season for that. And since the Vanderbilt church has not posted their message yet for the week, I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on the birth of our Savior, and that his birth and life and death and resurrection and ascension is the core of our faith and hope. Merry almost Christmas, my friends!

It was a very busy day – but I felt energized to get through it. After my morning walk and breakfast I attended a meeting at Craftique with my friend Mary Ann about a mutual project we are doing. I stopped and picked up fruit and a few other groceries at Aldi since I was right there. AND since I was so close I went to Palmer’s farm stand and got a squash, tomatoes and green beans. Next was Home Depot – were I got spray to kill the last of the poison ivy (if indeed there is any left rooted there), put down plastic, spread mulch, and then spent the rest of the afternoon laying a bit of pond stone, trimming lilacs that were growing through the other side of the fence, pulling weeds, and cleaning up the yard.

I came in and snapped my beans, washed the strawberries, did the ironing, put fresh pillow cases on all the beds, and here I am. Once this is done I will grab a quick, light dinner and just relax!

On this day in 1866 Ulysses S Grant was named first General of the Army, in 1946 Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had their first show as a comedy team; in 1966 the Supremes released ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ and in 1983 Metallica debuted their first album. Ben Hogan, American golfer, died in 1997 at age 84. And today my cousin Holly’s daughter Olivia Lenzi is celebrating a birthday today. Happy birthday Olivia! have a wonderful day!

And TOMORROW is National Aunt & Uncle Day (Call them!!!)

It will also be National Bagelfest Day, National Coffee Milkshake Day (There you go, Kath!), National Disability Independence Day, All or Nothing Day, and National Parents Day. Lots to celebrate, so choose a few and have fun. God bless –

As Bud would have said, 5 months from today is Christmas Eve! I’m not ready…. I had to work a bit this morning but got done in good time. Then I had to work on the applications for Mom’s care, and do a lot of copying of the forms. After lunch I went out and pulled weeds and trimmed seedlings from the lilacs that refuse to be sedate. I was very careful to stay totally away from the forsythia fiasco site. When I was done working outside I scrubbed myself down with Dawn dishwashing liquid. I figured if it was good for those little oily ducklings it would be good for me! Then I took a good shower and got dinner. Had a couple of pieces of frozen pizza and it made me super thirsty!

I listened to Mike’s message from Hempfield. The sermon series is still on the fruit of the spirit, and today is KINDNESS. That is my favorite one (fruit). It’s like the ‘strawberry’ of my existence. Kelly made me a tee-shirt that I just love! And I have a little plaque on my wall, too. Mike said Kindness is sort of a lot like love, but kindness is an action word: Love in action; expecting nothing in return, and it’s the RIGHT thing to do. We have seen recently that our word is not kind right now. The opposite of Kind is Selfish – or being a JERK! And sometimes Christians are unkind, as well. The two examples he gave were the Good Samaritan and David caring for Jonathan’s son. David and the Samaritan did the opposite of what would have been expected in the circumstances. Take time to read both accounts.

Words are an important part of being kind; you can’t ever take back the hard and horrid words. They stay ‘said’ – you can apologize and try to make amends but they never go away; and sometimes they are not forgotten. Our words represent Christ and we have to live the life and words we say — be careful of your choices! People remember when we are hateful and hurtful, but they also remember our kindnesses too! Be especially cautious what you communicate on social media – it’s so easy to post things that anger and disrespect and hurt others. It’s better to be kind even if you’re right. Let us live kindness every day, all the time! Let others see God through us in that way. It costs NOTHING!!!!

On this day in 1958 George Washington was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1847 Brigham Young and the Mormon followers arrived in Utah, and in 1969 the Apollo 11 returned to earth safely. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was released in 1998. Amelia Earhart was born in 1897 and Jennifer Lopez in 1969. Martin Van Buren, our 8th president, died in 1862 at the age of 79 and Peter Sellers died at age 54 in 1980.

I had a request to be pro-active in my ‘National’ days! So here goes, starting with today. Today, July 24th, it’s National Thermal Engineer Day, National Tequila Day, National Drive Thru Day (wonder what we should drive THRU???) National Cousins day (A huge shout out to the Skunk Hollow girls – love you!!), and National Amelia Earhart Day (of course – it’s her birthdate!)

And just so you can be ready for tomorrow’s exciting events, Saturday July 25th will be National Hot Fudge Sundae day, National wine and cheese Day, National Merry-go-round Day, National Threading the Needle Day (????), National Hire a Veteran Day, and the Day of the Cowboy. Lots of choices, so start getting ready now – if you feel like it, post me a comment if you celebrate! Probably my only shot is with the Sundae but not sure it will be HOT fudge, but definitely FUDGE!! Have a fun day – God bless!

Cloudy with rainy spots – but nice for the morning walk. It was a very busy day all around – with work and household chores and paperwork with Kathy for Mom. But we’re on the right track! I had turkey bacon and toast with lettuce for supper and it did taste really good! I discovered a movie from 2006 that I want to watch – Miss Potter – the life of Beatrice Potter. I want to see if I can find it on the firestick or something!

Snoopy approved of the fact that I am devoted to the Christmas in July Hallmark movies!

I listened to the guest speaker From Martin’s Ferry – LaMont Tucker; a deacon at the church and a 5th grade teacher at the Christian school. His message was on Resurrection. If we do not glory in the resurrection in our daily life we are off the point. What is happening in our world today doesn’t make one bit of difference to God – he’s still on the throne! What is the ‘gospel’? It’s Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension. The resurrection is not of ‘A’ savior, but of ‘THE’ Savior- We will ALL BOW – the resurrection is our hope, why we live in faith towards eternity – it is the true good news! Jesus was both 100% Man and 100% God – the Son of God. His resurrection proves that. It made us right with God, we have been pardoned, and are treated as a son (daughter) – We are right with God forever. As Jesus said, ‘It is finished’ – the debt was paid. MY debt was paid! No one can separate us from the love of Christ.

He’s not just our savior, but the highest sovereign of the universe and will eventually be the ultimate judge. Remember that you can’t pick and choose what parts of God’s Word (Bible) that we accept. We must take ALL of it. We are to SHARE the gospel, God’s word, because how will they know if we don’t teach? None of us can earn salvation – it’s a gift for God! Once we accept it he equips us to do His work. And He will return for us in power and glory!!!

On this day in 1829 William Burt patented America’s first typographer (typerwriter). Thank heaven’s for that man! In 1973 US President Richard Nixon refused to release the Watergate tapes. Alison Krauss was born in 1971 and Monica Lewinsky in 1973. Prince Andrew wed Sarah Ferguson in 1986. In 1793 Roger Sherman died – he was a founding father, and the only person to sign all four great US papers (Declaration of Independence, etc). He’s a little known patriot and that is a sad statement! It’s worth looking him up and reading about him! My daughter’s youth group and high school friend Heather Baughman Cramer is celebrating a birthday today. Happy birthday, Heather!!!

Today is Gorgeous Grama Day (wonder how you qualify for that???), National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, and National Refreshment Day. I’ll take a little of both. Have a great day! God bless….

It was storming when I woke, but I ended up doing loops in front of my house – no rain! Spent the morning and early afternoon cleaning the whole house. There was a nice breeze in the later afternoon so I was able to cut the grass and pull a few weeds. Then I did some projects. I went up for the mail and found my new hose had arrived! I had a green one about 5 years ago and really liked it – but it broke and I couldn’t find another one. Kath said she found one online and ordered it – so I found a blue one! Of course I had to try it out immediately, and yea – works perfectly! I love it! Then I had to paint a picture frame, and then spray-painted the stumps of a Rose of Sharon I cut back. It keeps sprouting sprouts so I decided a blast of purple paint would give it something to think about! I also sprayed the stumps and roots of the forsythia fiasco (poison ivy patch) hoping to help deter that regrowth too! Then I paid bills. Yuck.

I listened to Bram from First Baptist. His message was about life’s simple remedy: Come to Jesus. We always want to make things out to be harder than they are, but if we ask for forgiveness He’ll take care of our live. He used Naaman as an example. Naaman was told to dip 7 times in the Jordan river to be healed of leprosy. He thought it was too silly, too simply, too NOTHING! But God used 3 methods to convince Naaman to obey: The Israelite slave girl – she spoke up and suggested Naaman go to God’s prophet Elisha. Then Naaman’s servant encouraged him: “What do you have to lose? Just do it!”. Encouragement is more valuable then we often give it credit for – We should accept what God offers, which is what Naaman had to consider, and finally did. He accepted God’s words! We should simply ask God and trust Him – WE are the ones who make it complicated! Just do it!

On this day in 1864 General Sherman’s Union army defeated Confederate General Hood in Atlanta. In 1976 the US House of Representatives voted to restore citizenship to General Robert E Lee – a little LATE for his BENEFIT, don’t you think???? But it was the right thing! In 1991 Jeffrey Dahmer confessed to killing 17 men; In 1994 O. J. Simpson pleaded ‘Absolutely 100% not guilty’ of murder! Remember the white Ford Bronco chase? Whatever THAT accomplished!!!

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in 1890, Alex Trebek in 1940, and Selena Gomez in 1992. Today is National Hammock Day, National Hot Dog Day, and National Rat Catcher Day. I’m glad I don’t have to catch a rat! Go eat a hot dog and have a great day! God bless…