Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for May, 2020

Monday Musings

It’s already past noon here. I really needed that Monday morning coffee!! It was a really different kind of Mother’s Day yesterday.

We couldn’t travel to see our son and family in California.
And they couldn’t come here.

We couldn’t fly to see our daughter and family in Switzerland.
And they couldn’t fly here.

We couldn’t even go into the Madison Valley Manor nursing home to give our friends there a hug.

BUT, we could go and see our dear Elaine Forsberg through the window! And the CNA came to the door and took my balloons and delivered them to three dear friends there: Elaine, Phyllis and Kitty. The latter two couldn’t come to the Sun Room to greet us at the window, but Elaine did. Yay!

It’s a sad sign of the times when this pandemic keeps us from the warm hugs that brighten our days. We will never take those hugs for granted again!

As a group of family and friends, we gathered outside the Sun Room window and sang “Happy Mother’s Day” to Elaine.

Elaine’s son and daughter-in-law, her daughter and son-in-law, and a few grandkids and friends braved the gray, cold, windy spring Montana day to cheer her. It cheered us, too.

“Whatever you bring into the lives of others
comes back into your own.”


My mom always told me that.
Did you hear that as a child, too?

That smile was worth a million bucks.

If I coulda done so, I woulda delivered a basket of tulips to each of the Manor residents… and I’d send a basket of flowers to each of you, too. Thank you, my blogging friends, for visiting JanBeek today. I hope you had a memorable, happy Mother’s Day.

Our daughter, DeAna (who lives in Switzerland), called on FaceTime yesterday. She and her “Mother-in-Love” Denise were having a glorious Mothers’ Day. My son-in-law, Andre’ and three grandsons made a fabulous dinner with a beautiful dessert for their mom/grandmama and even cleaned up all the dishes afterward!

DeDe and Andre’ are going through some tough times right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken away their jobs. They are weighing some difficult decisions about their future. I keep them in my daily prayers. Thank God for the Internet so we can stay connected.

Our son, Ty, and Monika

Ty and Monika called us on one of those social media apps (FaceTime or WhatsApp …) and we had a wonderful chat. Their lives are kinda topsy-turvy right now, too. I hope you were able to talk yesterday with all the people who matter most to you, too.

Lisa and Phyllis

It must be especially difficult for people like Phyllis’ daughters, Lisa, Avis, and Julie. Phyllis is one of my dear friends at the Manor Nursing Home. Her daughters are scattered states away from their mom – – – and unable to visit her right now. My heart goes out them.

There was a beautiful blog written about that very subject yesterday:

Audrey Kletscher Helbling, Minnesota Prairie Roots

The title of her post was: “Gratitude for Mother’s Day photos & the love of a rural Minnesota care center staff”. It was a lovely tribute to the care givers who are such a treasure!!

Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com

Take my hand, dear friend.
Let’s share and muse together.


What is on your mind
this Monday?


See ya later.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Life is Like a Teeter-Totter

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Remembering Back

I first posted this poem back in 2012 on this JanBeek blog. I have revived it today because most of you were not my followers to see this back 8 years ago!

In 1991 I wrote a poem for my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday. With the framed poem, I gave her the ceramic teeter-totter you see pictured above.

The piece is a wind-up music box that plays “Playmates” as the little mice go up and down. She always had the poem and music box with her the next fourteen years as she was in and out of hospitals, rehab facilities, and nursing homes. When she died, I inherited them – and I treasure the memories they bring to mind.

Mom’s Cousin

My mom had a cousin close to her age, Madge Pickering, who lived with mom’s family when she was a child. Eventually Madge married and moved into a home of her own. She and her husband had two sons, Ronnie & Donnie.

Mom married and moved to California where my sister and I were born. I loved meeting and spending time with my cousins when we would go to spend Christmas vacation back in Washington with Mom’s family.

Stayin’ in and Losin’ Touch

Through the years I have stayed in touch with the older of those two cousins, Ronnie. He is near my age. However, I had lost touch with Ronnie’s little brother, Donnie, until a Saturday about a decade ago. Found out Donnie also lives here in Montana now!

Donnie, whom I had not seen in 60 years, and his wife, Patti, came to spend Labor Day weekend with Bob and me about ten years ago. What a treat! We reminisced and told stories and went through family photos and various family “artifacts.”

One of my inherited treasures is a letter written on the occasion of our mutual great-grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary. They were married September 1, 1875. The letter is “A Saga of the Valley” – the valley in and around North Bend and Fall City, Washington where my mother and Donnie’s mom were born and raised. The letter was typed on onion skin, is brittle and faded, and hard to read – but is is legible.

I retyped it and sent it to my newly reacquainted cousin, Donnie. I trust he shared it with his daughter who is into the study of genealogies.

Treasuring Memories

As I was headed into the office to my computer, I spotted the ceramic teeter-totter music box. I realized I had forgotten to share that artifact with Donnie. His mom, like mine, was a devoted mother who was wonderfully supportive of her two sons. I hope he appreciated this funky little poem. I didn’t hear back from him. But, now – a decade later, it is more true than ever… and I know he will concur:

Life is Like a Teeter-Totter!

Life is like a teeter-totter –
Full of ups and downs.
Kids learn to roll and toss with it,
To shake away the frowns,
If they have a loving home
To lean back and reminisce on when they roam.

Life is like a teeter-totter –
Full of bounces and of bumps.
Kids learn to rock with a jolly jump
And shake away the lumps
If they have a loving mother
To hug them tight and with kisses smother.

Life is like a teeter-totter –
It works better in pairs,
They keep each other balanced
And handle love in shares
If they have had their mother’s arms
To guard against abuse and harms.

Life is like a teeter-totter –
Full of laugh and silly giggle.
Full of noise and wonderment –
Girls to squeeze and boys that wiggle –
If they have been secure in love
Both from home’s hearth and God above.

Thank you, Mom, for filling my life
With love… more ups than downs, for sure.
You seemed to know my every need;
For every hurt you had a cure.
Happy Birthday, Mother dear –
I thank God each day that you are near!

God Bless our Moms!!

Mom, me, Dad, and my sis, Sally
(Hah, some things never change…
I wore that necklace with a new blouse just yesterday)

I hope you have had a Memorable Mother’s Day.
What memories do you treasure of your mom??
JanBeek ;o)

Marvelous Moms

Our marvelous moms

Their unconditional love

Speaks eternally

My mom & dad
Our DeDe and her Mother-in-Love
One of my favorite “Other Moms”
Mom to thousands of adoring students
Love to moms whose children are distanced by this pandemic
Love to our adopted moms/ AFS moms/ chosen children
God bless our children on this day!
Our son, Ty, and his beautiful spouse, Monika, mother of 4 of our grandkids
Special love this day to wanna-be moms who would’ve if they could’ve
And extra love ❤️ this day to all the guys who made us moms… and grammies…
… and great-Grammies!
Love to all future moms on this day, too. I pray they marry first!!
God bless you all!

Happy Mum’s Day!

7 Qualities of Great Leaders

Coming Election

During this period of time from now to November 2020, we in the USA will be looking carefully for the qualities we seek in a good leader… wanting to elect a great leader … someone worthy of following.

Our Ideas & Biblical Principles

I asked Bob this morning, “If you had to name just seven qualities you think are essential for effective leaders, what would they be?”

His answers didn’t totally match the Biblical principles that prompted this blog title, but some were right on. I was reading 1 Timothy 3:1-3 during my devotional time up in my angel room this morning. This is what it said:

“… If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach… temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

An overseer is one who sees over his followers. A supervisor, head, manager, head honcho! And s/he must lead with qualities worthy of emulation.

Photo by alexandre saraiva carniato on Pexels.com

Bob said,

  1. Honesty
  2. Integrity
  3. Intelligence
  4. Experience
  5. Compassion
  6. Interdependence (not someone who thinks s/he can do it all alone)
  7. Respect

The Bible went on to say in 1 Timothy 3:6-7 (The parenthesis are my additions):

“He must not be a recent convert (in other words, s/he needs experience in his/her area of leadership), or he may become conceited… He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace…”

Photo by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn on Pexels.com

If the leader’s reputation is tarnished, it is like handing his/her followers a handful of worms. They just come crawling out…

1 Timothy 3:8-10 says,

“Deacons, likewise, are to be [persons] of respect, sincere… and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”

Being a deacon is often considered synonymous with being an “elder.” In the Catholic church, it is a position below that of priest. In the protestant church, an elder is part of the ruling or decision-making body. A deacon is a part of a group of leaders elected to reach out in service to the congregation and the community at large. All religions have “deacons” whose job it is to be the hands and feet of God – serving those in need. Deacons are respected leaders whose job it is to serve those who count on them.

Photo by Suraphat Nuea-on on Pexels.com

Your Ideas & Mine

So have you come up with your own list of seven qualities a good leader needs? Will you let those qualities guide your decision when you vote in your next election?

Before you read on, make your own list. What are the seven qualities you deem most important in an effective leader?

These are the ones I gleaned from my study of the third chapter of 1 Timothy:

  1. competent (gained from applicable experience)
  2. wise (wisdom borne of Godly counsel, intelligence and study)
  3. mature (mentally and spiritually solid)
  4. gentle (compassionate & not quarrelsome)
  5. self-controlled (exhibiting peace and unity)
  6. respectable (leading a life worthy of emulation)
  7. generous (always giving his/her best to/for followers)
Photo by Anastasia Zhenina on Pexels.com

May we each live a life
That is worthy of emulation –
A life that is an open book.

One step at a time…

Tell me, what are the qualities
that are on your list for great leaders?
See ya tomorrow.

Have a Super Saturday!
Hugs,
JanBeek

Dog Days

There’s no time like now
To enjoy some great dog days –
So, sit down and smile!

Don’t need a Monday
for TazE to do this stretch.
We call her “Frog Dog!
TazE was perky
As a puppy in basket.
She’s a snuggler now.
Whether at home or
in the car, she’s a snuggler.
Loves to burrow in!
Burrows in the car
using my coat for blanket.
Hey, go get your own!
In this pandemic,
TazE’s a great companion.
Have you a dog pal?
Knowing a dog’s hug
is unconditional love.
It’s personified!
Today’s Hope’s birthday.
Happy 26th birthday
to Granddaughter Hope!!

There’s no sweeter love
than the love of a puppy!
It fixes all ills.
We’ve loved six Bostons
during our 58 years.
Each still part of us.
Boston Terriers
are always good and fun sports –
– in every season!
Is your dog lazy
with soulful eyes and sad look?
Or full of sparkle?
Photo by Goochie Poochie Grooming on Pexels.com

Whether sleek, fluffy,
great big, small, or in between,
dogs are good buddies.


A day with a dog
is a happy day, indeed.
I can testify!
Whether big or small,
dogs always make life’s journey
more joyful travel.

Do you have a dog
to ease your earthly journey?
I would love to hear.

Maybe there’s a cat.
They travel a different road!
Is yours a lap cat?

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

If you’re like Derrick,
You have a bird’s company.
Their songs cheer your days.

derrickjknight has “Nugget.”
Have you met him?

I’m all about finding cheer and comfort and companionship in these pandemic days. Where is your happy source (besides your spouse or God)??

Have a Delightful Dog (or cat or bird) Day!!
See ya tomorrow.

Don’tcha Hate it?






Just love each other.
Hate ain’t s’posed to be in here.
Don’t say what you hate!

Don’t tell me that it
May not fit everybody…
Hate pessimism!!

It’ll be new and it’ll be better.
Don’tcha think?

Don’t Lie to Me

On my blog, I usually try to steer away from taking a partisan stance on issues. My blog subtitle “Love One Another” causes me to want to see the positives and spread loving energy. I don’t like to post things that pit us/them or reinforce labels. I believe in unity.

However… a good friend sent this Barbara Streisand video to me today, and I feel COMPELLED to share it!

Recently I have begun to I pray daily for our USA President. I ask God to give him wisdom and compassion. I ask God to speak to his heart and help him see the importance of Truth and Transparency. His words matter to us and to the world.

This video points out so clearly what some of the negative effects are when Truth is not the standard.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Pray with me for Light of Truth to be restored.

What the World Needs Now

What the world needs now
Is just a huge dose of love –
Oh, a few more things…

So many bloggers
Are giving us great ideas
About the world’s needs.

One thing is for sure:
We are all very needy.
What is it you need?

The world needs sweet love,
Not just one, but everyone.
What else do we need?

During this Coronavirus , we need to reach out.
Be the hands and feet of God on earth. He needs us to give:

  • food – to remove malnourishment
  • laughter – to remove anger
  • tissues – to remove sadness
  • rest – to remove fatigue
  • a clean bath – to remove dirt
  • chicken soup – to remove sickness
  • play – to remove boredom
  • conversation – to remove loneliness
  • prayer – to remove hopelessness
  • flowers – to remove dreariness

See how these flowers
Brighten the space where they are?
Share what you can give!

Even if all you have to give
is a smile,
Do not underestimate its worth!

What can you do now
To reach someone in kindness?
Make the world better!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I’m off to leave a pizza on a friend’s doorstep,
ring the bell,
and dash away.
See ya later!

A Crappy Day

It’s a crappy day
A gray and cloudy Tuesday
There’s no place to go

California’s far
For a one day drive in car
And flying is out

Switzerland’s too far
To drive, fly, or even swim
It’s a crappy time

I want to hug them
I want to see my grandkids
One has a birthday

This week is her day
To celebrate twenty-six
No, I can’t be there

Are you feeling it?
Is your separation tough?
Is your day crappy?

We just want to love –
Love one another right here
Is there a good way?

Thank God for the Net
Thank God for phones and e-cards
Thank God for your life

Gratitude’s the key
For changing crappy to good
Do you feel thankful?

Thank God you’re alive
Thank Him for your daily bread
Reach out to your friends

Write a card today
Put it in the mailbox
Brighten someone’s mood

Personalize it
With a special note from you
Let shared love cheer you

And if you live close,
You might deliver a piece
Of your berry pie

Or the cinnamon
Sticks you learned to make from Mom
Who never wasted

The left-over dough
Does that memory bring smiles?
It does that for me!

Day’s not so crappy
When you reach out with a smile;
So, try it yourself!

Don’t think of crappy
Think of happiness instead
You are what you think!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and sharing below a little bit
about what you did
to change
crappy to happy
for you and your loved ones today.

Just Love One Another!

Where Did It Begin?

The wonderful video above was posted on Facebook – – – and should be viewed around the world (It says it can’t be previewed while I have it scheduled to be posted… but I hope when it actually posts, you can see this). Let’s help it go viral… and work to make it come true!

Another take on when this whole Coronavirus mess began was posted with this quote from CS Lewis “Screwtape Letters” today:

It doesn’t really help to blame Satan or China or Trump or any other place or person for this virus. We know it was not man-made… and blaming won’t make the world a better place. Only love and compassion can do that!

How will it all End?

Photo by Cliford Mervil on Pexels.com

It will take each of us individually
working for a brighter tomorrow …
and each of us acting in concert with others
to create the world we all want to see.
Let’s stand hand in hand!

Hand in hand…

Keep dreaming and working for
a brighter, more compassionate world.
What’s one thing you can do to help?
Make this a Happy Cinco de Mayo
with something positive you do today
to bring a smile to a friend.
What will it be?

You can bring a smile to my face
by sharing your ideas
for

how you celebrate the 5th of May today …
and what you’ll do for a brighter tomorrow
in the comments section below.


See you later.
Hugs from JanBeek