We are one… We all have setbacks… We need to reach out to one another… We need to help one another – pull each other up – And be sure this setback teaches us the lessons we need to learn. What are they?
Thank you, Ed Coyle, for this beautiful photo of the grand Tetons in Wyoming.
My friends, Terry and Jim Groshong, are hiking in the area of the Tetons this week. It is such a gorgeous area. I need to share some of their photos with you.
The Tetons are truly amazing!Terry & Jim enjoyed a visit to this museum today.There’s my dear friend, Terry. Bob calls her Sparkles (because she does).Great photo, huh?That previous photo had to have been taken through one of these holes, don’t you think?
Don’t these photos make you want to take a trip to Jackson Hole, WY, and on to the areas around? Terry and Jim did some hiking… You may want to plan on that, too.
Bob and I worked at the manse (church parsonage) today. He painted the area above the garage door where the paint was chipping due to years of snow and sun bearing down on it. I stayed with Bob while he did this project yesterday and today. Not a good idea for an 81 year old to be up on ladders and scaffolding. But, it had to be done.
While Bob painted, we had an audience:
With a little noise, she got up and spent about a half an hour munching on the lawn.
Meantime, Bob completed his job. The manse looks refreshed!
That was the gray base coat. I’ll show you the finished product tomorrow. Time to go now and listen to our Presidential Debate between Biden and Trump. I pray for honest exchange and civility.
Today our daughter, De, in Switzerland shared some pictures of the renovating and decorating and menu planning they are doing in preparation for the Grand Opening of their new restaurant in Vissoie. I am so excited for them! De and Andre’ are using all the knowledge and wisdom they can muster to create an inviting ambience and delightful dining experiences.
Andre’s shrimp in curry sauce
Andre’s chicken with morel mushroom sauce
Their darling new restaurant in the Alps on the way to Zinal ski area
A cozy corner just for you
This yellow top will be replaced. with a wooden circle, “The Round Table” was always our favorite gathering spot in their previous restaurant.
Our grandson, Mike, is a great photographer. DeAna does a wonderful job, too. They have chosen some of their best shots taken in and around Valais and created a delightful, inviting entrance to the dining room and bar.
Isn’t it inviting? We told De she should offer to sell the photos. I think there’d be buyers, don’t you? My grandson, Mike, could use the cash!
Now, take your knowledge And with wisdom apply it. Gain satisfaction!
This post by cmurphree on “Thoughts and Writings on Mental Health and Mindfulness” touched my soul. I am so grateful for courageous people who are not afraid to speak Truth to Power. All of us should be so brave. Check it out and give this wonderful role model a thumbs up!
Today’s sermon was based on the story of two sons, asked to help their dad. One said yes and didn’t do it, the other said no, but did it anyway. Do you know that story? Imagine those were your sons.
Which of the two sons would you consider trustworthy? How would you react to their replies and subsequent behavior?
Our pastor, Rev. Steve Hundley, at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT spoke on that topic today, inspired by the story in Matthew 21: 28-31.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
As usual, I listened to the sermon and took my notes in poetry. He started out by telling us about his grandmother’s advice to him when he announced (after graduating from college) that he had decided to go to seminary:
“When you stand up to preach, Don’t scold those who don’t come. They aren’t there to hear it,” My grandmother advised (she wasn’t dumb!).
“When you preach – remember To stomp on your own feet first. When you do that,” my grandma said, “You’ll serve living water to those who thirst.”
In today’s scripture, we heard Of two sons and their replies. One said yes and didn’t do it. The other, “No!” but did it. Which one cries?
The one who failed to follow through Was the one who’ll live with regret. Unlike him, we need to be obedient. Don’t say yes – and then forget!
Paul Tillick said, “In every human heart Is a faint recollection of our Maker.” If that’s true, we can see God Even in the disobedient faker.
The second son may have said “Yes, but…” In his response of a silent “No,” Other things may have taken precedence, But he didn’t want his “No” to show.
How many times do we say yes And then fail to follow through? Better to say No and then do it. I want to be trustworthy; how about you?
What jobs are you being asked to do? Are they tasks you look forward to? Or are you dragging your feet?
Can you find a quiet space right where you are? Can you share it with a pet or a partner and release your shoulders and your stress and enjoy life in the moment?
Get off the merry-go-round of life. Step down from the carousel of cares And unclench your jaw. Drop the tongue from the roof of your mouth And take a few very deep breaths.
Fondue and chalets Speak of Switzerland to me It’s so beautiful!
My grandson, Mikey, Is teasing me with this cheese. He knows I love it!
And my daughter, De, Is teasing me with Swiss scenes. USA’s shut out!
Because of COVID, We can’t even think of going. I long to visit.
Come travel with me Via Internet magic. No place prettier!
That church is close by De and Andre’s restaurant. Opening date soon.
I love Swiss chalets!
This is not a chalet. Notice, no windows. It’s for grain storage and tools.
Notice the big flat rocks under the building at the top of the posts. That’s to keep mice and other rodents from climbing in and stealing the grain!
Do you imagine Travel restrictions will lift In a year from now?
Anyone know who this man is on the memorial rock?
Thanks for traveling Vicariously with me. Next year: Go for real!!
Have a Restful Thursday night.
See ya tomorrow. Meantime, enjoy some Swiss music.
The next You.Tube is a young man from Germany who is at an alphorn competition in Nendaz, Switzerland – very near where De and Andre’s home is in Sierre and their restaurant in Vissoie. He is delightful. Do take time to listen to him!
No one can ever say it all. What if I die this afternoon? What words will die with me That I should have shared at noon?
What words will die with me That I might have said too late? Is there a right time for silence – A perfect time for words to wait?
Have I left unspoken affirmations That should have been shared? Have I failed to let folks know How very much I cared?
If I die this afternoon, I want you to be sure and know That my love for you and God are deep. I hope the depths of it will glow.
I hope my unwavering faith Was an inspiration to you, And my prayers were comforting When you were feeling blue.
If I die this afternoon, May you smile when you think Of the things I did so sweet – And forget the things that stink!
May my words on blogs and cards Live on in your loving hearts, And keep you remembering how Reaching out’s where loving starts.
If I die this afternoon, Take care of my dear Bob. He needs me to help him dress, And do any technology job!
Take care of my TazE, too. She relies on me for her meals. I spoil her with hamburger And know just how she feels.
Let my blogging friends know That JanBeek will no longer send. Give them this last post, “Jan’s gone to her eternal end.”
If I die this afternoon, Be sure to help it to be true: As folks celebrated my birth, They’ll cheer my departure, too.
They won’t cry that I have left. Don’t mourn and feel bad – Know that I am in Heaven Reunited with Mom and Dad.
Know that I will be at the gate To greet you when you ascend. And live your life with dreams Unfulfilled until the very end.
Never stop dreaming big, As Bob Goff wrote in his book. Live fully each day you’re here, With new thoughts and delights to cook.
If I die this afternoon, Let Bob know it’s alright To find another love in life – Someone to hug and hold him tight.
Tell my kids that I always did My best to leave a loving legacy. I pray they’ll smile more than frown When things come up to remember me.
Remember my smile!
But of course, the chances that I am going to die this afternoon are slim. I am a healthy 81-year-old who expects to live happily to celebrate my 100th birthday, BUT…
“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”
I have an old faded cardboard with poems on it posted inside my kitchen cabinet door. They are poems gathered by my mom in 1936, the year she & Dad married – and she moved from her family in Washington to live the rest of her 89 years in California. She had most of those poems memorized.
One of my favorites reads:
“When I quit this mortal shore, And mosey round the earth no more, Don’t weep, don’t sigh, don’t sob – I may have struck a better job.
Don’t go and buy a large bouquet For which you’ll find it hard to pay, Don’t mope around and feel all blue – I may be better off than you.
Don’t tell the folks I was a saint Or any old thing that I ain’t. If you have jam like that to spread, Please hand it out before I’m dead.
If you have roses, bless your soul, Just pin one in my buttonhole, While I’m alive and well today. Don’t wait until I’ve gone away.”
Sharing more pictures from yesterday’s autumn colors ride I wonder why some are golden while others remain green?So many wonders to behold everywhere we looked!
The picture doesn’t do it justice. With the sun coming through them, those trees were pure gold!
Our friends, the Feldmans, led the way.
I posted this one yesterday. Bob told me today, “Those aren’t aspen.” Well, anyway, I like their color!
Before I leave you this morning, I want to share something I found on FaceBook:
#11 on the list is at least a half hour of journaling and beginning my blog post
I do #9 regularly. I love the Proverbs. There are 31 chapters. Today read Chapter 22. Full of wisdom!
I’m at #11 on the routine list right now. Do you get notices like this from WordPress? I wonder what’s magic about 1337? You’d think they’d wait til 1500 or some round number, wouldn’t you? Anyway you look at it though, that’s a lot of posts.
I hope you spend some time perusing them by putting your favorite topic up in the search bar at the upper right. Topics like bees or animals, Switzerland or Jesus will lend some beautiful results!
I appreciate your visit. I’m off to do #12… See ya tomorrow.
