These “things with feathers” frequent our yard, hoping for food and safety.
This “thing with feathers” lives in the heart of love and faith
In the midst of raging fires, devastating wars, and rampant illnesses, falls and broken bones, may we too fly with hope perched in our souls and a wordless song of love ringing in our hearts!
May God’s angels guard you and may you be safe and healthy. May all your wounds heal and your body be renewed.
May all your prayers be answered.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You and give you Peace and Hope for a brighter tomorrow!
Yesterday we had “Christmas in January” for our nursing home residents because they were in “lock down” in December due to an outbreak of COVID among the residents. It was a glorious party. I am so grateful for their recovery, and the fun we had gifting them each with a pillow handmade and personalized by my friend, Linda Maydak. What a wonderful treat! Thank you, Linda!!
I had a wonderful time playing Santa and distributing the lovely gifts and the tasty treats w provided. It’s never to late to celebrate Christ’s birth and gift our friends with something to celebrate the wonders of Christmas! I hope you are remembering His gift of salvation and thanking Him every day, too. He gives us reasons to HOPE every day. Praise God!!
Oh, and before I close, please pray for my Writers’ Group friend, Janet Hill, who fell and broke her hip today. Join me in prayer for all those affected by the CA wildfires… and pray for peace in the middle east… and in the world. Amen!
December birthdays shared with Christmas and New Years celebrations often are slighted, but not Bob’s!
Bob was treated royally by Brother Bruce, his wife, Ann, and their son, Nephew Matt & his wife, Sarah. He may not look delighted here, but he was!
We started our day with the former pastor of this church in Ceres, Brent Mitchell. Sooo good to see him. Then we attended service and saw old friends at Harvest Presbyterian in Ceres, CA. Pastor Jim Stochl gave a delightful sermon.
Then we met friends at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. So good to see Isy & Dick again. And the wait staff sang to Bob & gave him an ice cream treat. Happy 86th, Bobby Bee!!And a Happy New Year to you all. God bless you!
I am going to take a break from my daily posts while we spend quality time with family here in California. I didn’t take with me the paperwork I needed in order to continue the Word of the Day activity… so I will resume it when we get back to Montana. Meantime, have a very Merry Christmas, my friends, and a Happy New Year!
If something unusual happens here that I feel I just NEED to share with you, I’ll check in… otherwise, I’ll see ya next year. “Bee” well!!
Enjoy each beautiful moment. Extended family is so precious!
Our daughter, De, her hubby, André, and our Swiss daughter, Sylviane, with Bob & me. Back in CA, our daughter-in-law, Monika, with our great-granddaughter, Mable. So precious!!Time with #1 grandson, Mike, at a wine tasting yesterday. Precious moments!!The house across the street from us. Look closely at the label there!Can you imagine what was happening in the USA when this house was built in Switzerland?This is Sierre in the Rhone River valley. We’ve perfect weather this entire week we’ve been here. These are the flowers next door to us. That kind of color is long gone by Oct. 31 in Montana!The snow-peaked mountains back in the Madison Valley looking up at the Madison Range … today the valley is snow-covered, too. By the time we return home, all the autumn leaves will have fallen. No, I’m not missing the first days of winter which come late Oct. in MT!And I’m not sad to be missing Halloween!🎃 Here they celebrate the Day of the Dead by taking flowers to the graves of their loved ones.
May your Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 be days of loving remembrance.
When my dad retired, we threw a big party for him. I wrote a poem in tribute to him and read it at the gathering. He lived a difficult decade after that retirement with one health issue after another slowing him down. But, his hearty hugs and sweet nature were always alive and well… and remembered with love and gratitude.
Here’s that retirement poem. It tells you a lot about my hard-working, loveable dad.
A Tribute to Dad on His Retirement
Tonight we’ve come together To celebrate the start Of the Third Phase in my dad’s life. In the Second, most of you played a part.
The First Phase was in Newman Where Salvador came-a fraum-a. His childhood was filled with girls, Five sisters and his mawm-a.
“My Salvador can-a marry anybod; So all you girls look out-a!” He picked and chose an outta-state blond. “No Catholic? No Italian?” they shout-a.
They bought a house in Newman. Dad delivered milk and bread. But then he went to Frank’s garage And worked on cars instead.
My sister, “Saleen”, came along, And then before you knew it, “Gaetano” was expected next, But “Janet” came and blew it!
So, what-a you think? My Salvador Izza back where first he start-a… Heeza surrounded by girls-a, a wife and kids. Mama Mia! Life, sheeza hard-a!!
To make things worse, the war began. Mom worked at the Bomb Plant And Dad got into this Plant here. Now life took a new slant.
The Second Phase had just begun: Joe, Leo, Melio, and Gene Had pooled resources with Dad To sweep the valley clean.
The Tallow Works was something new. They chose the name Pacific. We moved out to a barren field And a smell that was less than terrific.
Our home said, “Office;” the phone rang From early morn ’til night. Business boomed while Dad drove truck. He treated the farmers right.
I used to go with Dad in summer To Stockton’s butcher shops. We had a blast together then. With me, Dad was always tops!
The plant-a, she grew-a; the family, too. We needed a change. You believed us. So we moved to Turlock, into a new home. And Merle came and relieved us.
Through all the years Dad drove the truck, The wheel and road were part of him. And then Pacific sold to Petersen. Don’t you think that was smart of him?
Now he could reap the Union checks, And get a feel for the other side. He left the headaches, but kept the friends And the route; so he’d have to ride.
But now the ride will go new routes. The Third Phase has begun. Dad’s ready for a well-earned rest, ‘Cuz his Second Phase was WELL DONE!
Do you think he can rest? Has he learned how? I’ve never seen Dad sit and shirk. I’ve never seen Dad happy doing not a thing. I’ve always seen Dad at his work.
Of course there were times when he had to slow down: God tapped on his shoulder and said, “Here’s a wrist break, intestines, something one wrong. Now rest for a while in your bed!”
The message came through that thick head of his, And he slept for a moment or few. But (praise be to God) he enjoyed Bocci Ball And had time for a play day or two.
So Phase Three will have to be free To play at some things old and new. Free to learn how to just come and sit And simply admire the view.
He’ll still need his friends (you folks sitting here), And he’ll still work and get behind the wheel, But he’ll have time to do and go where he wants, He and Mom … in their new automobile.
I hope that you here will join me now: Stand! Let’s toast to my Dad; he’s our friend: “May retirement bring health, laughter and joy, May you live to a-hundred and ten!”
God Bless You, Dad! Thanks for being YOU!
Rest in Peace Salvador DeAngeles May 14, 1911 – April 8, 1995
Happy Father’s Day! Have a Lovely Sunday… And I hope you remember your daddy with love and kindness and fond memories. If he is still with you, treasure his hugs… and give him an extra hug from me.
Today I am being prompted to post this n that… a little about a lotta things. Today would have been my dad’s 113th birthday if he were still alive. So, May 14th has a special ring in my heart. My daddy was a very special, very kind, very positive influence on my life. Happy Birthday, Dad!!
He gave the best hugs in the world!!
And today he would have loved to have been here with us in Ennis, Montana to witness the influx of antelope on our golf course’s driving range!
I am in touch each morning with our daughter, DeAna, in Switzerland, and our “adopted daughter,” Laina, who lives in Glen Burnie, near Baltimore. Today Laina sent me this photo of her “grand-dog” on her daughter’s lawn. Laina said the grass was foot high. She just finished mowing it! What a wonderful, thoughtful mama she is!
Our daughter, De, in Switzerland, sent us this picture of the flowers her middle son, Nicky, gave her for Mother’s Day. Isn’t it nice when our kids remember us on Mother’s Day and call or send flowers?
I was treated with flowers from De and Laina, and a phone call from our son in CA. Bob & I treated ourselves to a Mother’s Day buffet at “The Mint” in Belgrade. It’s a delightful restaurant not too far from the Bozeman Yellowstone Airport. I highly recommend it. Bob gave me a lovely card and the restaurant handed out flowers.
Just look at that happy smile and the beautiful plate of prime rib, potatoes, bacon, and asparagus. The Mint also had a section where there were salad fixings. All around us were families with their young children. I love watching little kids with their attentive parents, don’t you?
While we were in the restaurant, our pup Owen, stayed in his crate in the car. He is such a good traveler! On the way home he decided he wanted to travel on the floor between my feet, He usually sits in my lap. Go figure! Owen is 9 months old! He’ll be 10 months on the 24th. That’s the day we’ll get him neutered and have a chip installed.
Our waitress at The Mint was “Solaira.” Isn’t that a pretty name? She said her mom made it up. I had never heard it before. She was a very attentive, efficient waitress.
💋 Today Owen was happy to be in my lap as we traveled to the Post Office to pick up our mail. It’s a gray, cool (56 degree) day. We’ve had a little rain. Can use some more moisture here. We haven’t seen the last of our snow yet!
Well, that’s enough of my rambling this n that for today. I hope you had a Terrific Tuesday and the rest of your week goes well, too. What are your plans for this week? What are you looking forward to?
Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tune in to God’s Plan. It’s definitely the one I wanna go with! Have a blessed week. Love, JanBeek
Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Sunday, May 5 in 2024, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican American populations.
I love the color, the food and drink, and the joy associated with this date.
This video is a fun way to learn a few facts about this day from the Mexican point of view:
A very informative video… with a powerful message: “A grain of hope, no matter how small and insignificant to others, can make the impossible possible.”
Will you celebrate Cinco de Mayo today? If so, how? I wish we had a mariachi band here in Ennis. I’d be there in a minute!
Mariachi music is synonymous in my mind with this date. How about you? Are you a mariachi fan, too?
I’m off to make and enjoy a Margarita. Wish you could come join me!!
I found this post in my “Drafts” folder. I thought I’d already posted it.
I guess WP was waiting for this 2nd day of Lent when we’re spending 40 days preparing our hearts for the greatest love ever told: Jesus’ death on the cross for our redemption.
Back when I started this post, we were being wined & dined – loving and being loved.
That’s during some of our travels last month in CA. Here we were in San Clemente … cool ocean air … warm family fun!
Bob & I loved being with friend Bob and our son’s father-in-law, Darrell.
There had been high tides that washed away sand. They were replacing it ingeniously!
Before coming to southern CA beaches, we spent glorious, loving time with dear friends, Jim & Terry in Paso Robles. Ah, feeling love all around!
The warmth of their love was matched by the warmth of their home and beautiful fireplace.
Church on Sunday in Paso Robles was filled with the love of people singing and praising God and seeking to return His love in tangible ways.
The cover of the Sunday bulletin
As we continued our road trip through California for another week, soaking in the love and hospitality of family & friends, I reached out in prayer for you, praying you, too, can FEEL love every day, every hour, every minute. You ARE loved!
I hope you are having a love-filled week!
Necklace is a love gift from Terry. Thank you, sweet “Soul Sister!”
