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A Half a Dozen Passions


Bloganuary#16 asked us to write about something we are passionate about. I can’t pick just one! Can you? Do your passions include some of the six things I am passionate about?

Here are a half a dozen of mine:

1. Let’s start with my love of home and family and the delight at being safely back here again. That’s passionately on my heart right now after being gone 3 weeks, getting a miserable respiratory virus, and being cared for so lovingly by our son, Ty & his wife Monika:

Home Sweet Home

2. If you have read any of my blogs before this one, it will not surprise you that I am passionate about Jesus and His sacrifice that saved my soul. I love the Lord with all my heart and pray daily for His Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions, and to guard my tongue, and to inspire my writing. I read His Word daily and am passionate about inspiring others to Trust also in His promises.

3. I am passionate about music. Often I include a YouTube music clip at the end of my daily message here. I love to sing. I used to play the clarinet (was quite good once upon a time before arthritis bent my fingers so badly – my skill was thanks to years of private lessons my parents provided for me and hours of happy practice during those ages from 10 to 18 – – – I also play the accordion (you can find posts about that by putting “accordion” in the search bar in the upper right of my blog). I still am passionate about sharing the joy of the accordion with others – – – it’s like carrying a party on your back!

Here’s a wonderful video clip of a great song sent to me by a dear friend this morning:

4. I am passionate about cooking – and providing homemade meals for Bob and me that are pretty as well as nutritious and tasty. Besides music and writing, cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s one of the reasons I love following Caralyn’s posts on BeautyBeyondBones. If you haven’t followed her blog, do yourself a favor and check her out.

5. That’s another thing I am passionate about: finding things, places, people, books and blogs I love and sharing them with others. Here’s a link I hope will take you to the source of the picture below = (Thank you, Caralyn) https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/36990166/posts/3768091539

Isn’t that mango salsa
over a nice piece of flakey,
cooked-to-perfection halibut
enough to make your mouth water?

What are you passionate about?
I’d love to hear.

There I am in those days when I was able to serve as a volunteer at the Food Bank. (I can’t right now… until I am sure this RSV is all gone … and until Bob & I return from our trip next week to Mayo Clinic). BUT, that’s #6 on my list of passions: using the time and talents God has given me to serve others with love and compassion.

I bet you do that, too (or are you waiting until you retire?)… Don’t!
Begin now… it’s so rewarding! In this COVID world, find a way!
Your talents are in passionate need out there!!



God Bless You!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

blessings, blogging, Faith, Family, food, friendship, Giving, Gratitude, happiness, health, Jesus, Love, music, relationships, Serving One Another, writing

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Two Bodies –


Yesterday’s Bloganuary#9 prompt was one I skipped.
I missed a day because I didn’t want to write about the topic:
Assumptions I Think People Make About Me.

Ya, people probably assume…
but my mom always told me
when you assume,
you make an
Ass-
u-
me!

So I have negative feelings about assuming anything.
I’d rather dig out an old blog from the drafts file…
something I started a year or so ago and never finished.
I’d rather read other people’s answers about assumptions.
I’d rather skip a day of blogging
and just apply the 4R’s.
I needed to do that!

Rest
Relax
Rejuvenate
Read

So I did!

And here’s that old blog
that I never finished last August
right around the time my daughter, DeAna,
was having a birthday.
It was titled,
“Two Bodies”:

Two bodies
Two sides of the earth

Two people
One birth
Two hearts
One mind
She’s my daughter
Love binds.

Yup, I decided to skip #9 altogether.
I don’t like assumptions,
even if they are positive ones.
I’d rather talk about today’s prompt.

Bloganuary#10
asked me to post 5 things I’m grateful for.
I can do that… but don’t expect me to limit it to 5!!

You’ll find my answers here:
https://bloganuary.wordpress.com/2022/01/10/5-things-im-grateful-for/

Check it out…
and tell me,
besides your life itself,
what are you grateful for?

I’m grateful for you…
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
… unless I decide to skip it!

I’m still at Ty & Monika’s in Placerville –
recuperating from RSV.
It’s a bugger!!

Category:

children, Family, Gratitude, health, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Why Do We Write?


Here is a link to my post on “Bloganuary” today.
The prompt for today is “Why Do You Like to Write?”

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

I tried posting on the Bloganuary WordPress site
rather than writing the message here.
I am trying to see if that results in more WordPress readers
who also are taking this 31 day challenge to answer
a given prompt each day. We’ll see.

https://bloganuary.wordpress.com/2022/01/08/why-do-we-write/

I am still in Placerville at my son, Ty’s house.
My coughing and sneezing was so bad this morning
that I was banned to my bedroom! No fun!!
But this RSV (respiratory virus) is highly contagious –
and I do not want to give it to Ty & Monika.
(I hope I have not done so already!)

Bob is feeling better,
but getting very tired of being house-bound.
His miserable cough is almost gone.
Praise God for answered prayers!

Now it’s my turn to turn the corner…
Keep those prayers coming!
I need ’em!|
Love,
JanBeek


P.S.
At least I have a warm house
to stay in –
with loving family
to take care of me –
and there’s sunshine outside!
I am not complaining!
Could be a lot worse!!

Category:

blogging, Family, Gratitude, kindness, Life's Challenges, Poetry, Serving One Another, writing

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“Who are you most inspired by and why?” 


Bloganuary #6 asks us to consider the main Source of our inspiration.
That’s a no-brainer! As a Christian, the answer has to be Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

With the inspiration provided by scripture, prayer, daily devotionals, and a constant walk with my Lord, I am inspired every day be seek His Will for my life. I am inspired to seek His Truth. I am inspired to share His Love. I am inspired to share the Good News!

16 For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I pray that Jesus inspires you, too.

Now, if I have to choose someone who is on earth today… a living human who inspires me, I would not be able to narrow is down to one person! Here are a few:

  1. Derrick Knight – he inspires me to blog every day as he does, and to respond to all who leave a comment on my post (just as he does).
  2. Ty and Monika – our son and daughter-in-law – they inspire me with their big hearts and open hospitality, their love for one another, their family and neighbors, and their faithfulness. They inspire me to be more open and communicative about my faith in Christ.
  3. Marcie Fernandes – my long-time friend – she inspires me to be more forgiving, more open to seeing the good in others, less quick to be judgemental.
  4. DeAna & Andre’ – our daughter and son-in-law – in Switzerland – they inspire me to be more “in the moment.” Carpe’ Diem!

It would be fun to have those six folks together here at Ty & Monika’s in California right now, but they are spread from here to England to Tennessee to Switzerland! They all live in my heart and my prayers each day, though.

Who inspires you and why?
It’s a thoughtful question, don’t you agree?

Jesus inspires me
to rely on Him

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, friendship, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, relationships, Serving One Another

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Update on 2Beeks


Bob & I have “2Beeks” on our car’s license plate.
With the last name of Beekman, the nickname “Beek” is a natural.
Sometimes we catch people driving past us, looking strangely at us.
I imagine they are looking to see if we have particularly long noses!

I have a few new followers who joined JanBeek this month.
I think WordPress’s “Bloganuary” has brought them here.
Thank you!

If you are one of them, you may not have seen the post
where I showed our family a few evenings ago
sitting around the dinner table discussing our ancestry.

We gave Bob a bad time about his “honker” (beak by another name)
and we showed him how he inherited it from his great-grandfather!
Tonight we are giving Bob a bad time for another reason:
His honker is doing a lot of honking! He has RSV.

This respiratory virus put him in the hospital in Napa on January 1st.
What a way to start the new year, huh? RSV is nasty!
After spending the night there, he was dismissed Jan. 2nd
and we were able to travel back to our son’s to recuperate.

This is not the way we hoped to begin the new year.
But the good news is we had the option of coming
back to Placerville – it was a sunny CA day today.
The recuperation time is greatly appreciated!


Bob’s cough is getting better… and soon we will be
able to hit the road and return home to Montana.
It’s not what we intended, of course, for this “vacation.”
We wanted to visit friends in Pebble Beach –
and spend time with Bob’s brothers in the CA valley.

But, we are grateful that when this curve ball
was thrown at us, we had a beautiful alternative.
Thank God for loving family and friends, right?
God has a plan for why this has happened!

“And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called
according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

God knew we needed more rest and relaxation!
Our house isn’t ready to return there now anyway!

Our soft and marred fir floor’s being replaced with amazing old wood from a 1921 silo!

We hope your year has started off happily.
We pray you’re healthy and dong what you want to do.
We trust the Lord has us right where He wants us.
And we hope, dear friends, the same is true for you.

Happy New Year!

What’s an update on what’s happening in your life?
I’d love to know how your New Year began.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, health, holidays, kindness, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another, Travel

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Bloganuary #4 -Favorite Toy


Today’s topic on #Bloganuary is:
“What was your favorite toy as a child?”

Mother-Daughter

Here I am as a young mom with my daughter, DeAna.
I don’t have available with me here on vacation
Any photos of myself as a child at her age.
I’m think my toys were part of my education.

DeDe was born during Barbie era.
She had boyfriend Ken and their playhouse.
She could play for hours with them
And be as quiet as a mouse.

Here is our son, Ty, as a child.
I know what he liked most at a young age:
“BamBam” – his bouncing horsey!
Quiet wasn’t a word on any Tyroneee page!

I didn’t have those kinds of toys!
It was World War Two and we were poor.
We tore our napkins in half to save paper.
We knew the soldiers needed it more!

I was content to play outside.
Rocks and dogs and imagination
Kept me entertained for hours.
No need for a Play Station!

I didn’t know at that time
That we weren’t rich as can be!
I had all the love in the world –
And that was enough “play” for me.

My parents never failed to provide
For all of the things we needed.
If a parent’s goal is to raise happy kids,
Mom and Dad certainly succeeded!

I may have had a doll or two –
I really don’t remember.
What I envision when I think of play
Is our “wedding” in September.

My friend, Frankie, and brother, Aldo,
Lived on our same property.
We dressed up in some cloth we found.
He wrapped it all around us three.

Cousin Bobby was a little younger.
We convinced him to be preacher.
He walked ahead of us down the “aisle”.
My dog, Jumbo, was best man. What a creature!

Our pretend house was a large hole
We dug in the old cow field.
We fixed it up with pretend furniture,
And covered the entrance – truly concealed.

We often climbed down to that “house”.
It worked just fine as a place to play….
Until a cow fell in and broke its leg.
I remember the lickin’ I got that day!

So, what was my favorite toy?
It was probably the neighbor boy!
Eventually we both got accordions –
Music was the “toy” that brought us joy!!

The accordion still is one of my favorite toys!
What’s your favorite childhood toy??
Thank you, Mom, for helping me
know that imagination and creativity
are the best “toys” ever!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing).
Are you enjoying the daily WordPress prompts?



Category:

Animals, children, Family, friendship, happiness, humor, life, Life's Challenges, Love, Memories, music, pets, Poetry, relationships, writing

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#Bloganuary #3 Comfort Zone


Today’s #Bloganuary prompt is:
“Write about the last time you left your comfort zone.”

The picture above tells a thousand words!
(Here are a few Haiku poems to explain)

Leaving comfort zone
Going into the hospital
Sitting at bedside

Leaving comfort zone
Entering the men’s bathroom
Helping hubby dress

Leaving comfort zone
Not a lovely, fragrant place
Smelly men’s urine

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Leaving comfort zone
Afraid some guy would step out
Just as I’m inside

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Pexels.com

Life is full of challenges.
Often we’re asked to step out,
Leaving our comfort zone
Is sometimes what it’s about.

When our help is needed,
We can’t always ask for sun;
Sometimes we step into shadows
To do what needs to be done.

It’s reassuring to know
If we faithfully ask for the Son,
We’ll have the strength and courage
To step out with help from The One.

He’ll give us the tools we need
To respond to the “Step Out” command.
So ask for God’s help and you’ll find
A prescription for a new Comfort Brand!

You’ll find a broader, available comfort zone,
And you’ll have the courage and words you need
To step out in ways you never dreamed of …
New, expanded comfort zones – guaranteed!

Have a Marvelous Monday!
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow…

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, courage, Faith, Family, God, Haiku, health, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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Bloganuary #2 – Road Trip


“What’s a road trip I would like to take?”

Each day is a journey
As we travel life’s highway.
Sometimes it’s imaginary
And we wonder where we’d stay.

Each day is a road trip
Whether we leave our house or not.
Sometimes our imagination’s
The only road we’ve got.

But the road trip I imagine,
The one I would have done,
Is in a couple of binders:
“Maine or Bust” with lobster fun!

It may never become real –
So I search the internet
And travel vicariously –
The only trip I’ll get.

But, that’s OK, my friends,
If I never go for real,
Because each day is a journey.
The sights are the appeal!

Photo by Lachlan Ross on Pexels.com

So, off I’ll go a-shopping –
Lobster and oysters I will buy;
I’ll travel with my tastebuds
To Maine in my mind’s eye.

Where is it you’d like to go on a road trip?
Is this Bloganuary prompt one that triggered your tastebuds?

For New Years 2022,
we traveled from home in Montana
to vacation and enjoy wine tasting fun
in Napa, California with friends.

But, as soon as Bob (my husband)
gets out of the hospital
(we traveled there yesterday),
we’ll head back home.

Sometimes our roadtrips
don’t take us
to the destination
we envisioned!

But, my mind keeps travel interesting
and I find adventure
wherever I am.
I hope you do, too.

An active mind is such a blessing!!

Pray with me today, my friends:
“Lord, help me keep all my marbles,
And remind me that happiness
is not where I am,
but who I am in YOU!”

God bless you!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing).

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, blogging, Family, God, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, Montana, optimism, Poetry, prayer, Travel, writing

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Advice to Teenage Self


WordPress started a new program called Bloganuary each day they’ll give us a writing prompt. I’ll see if I can find inspiration in this new program – and share comments with some fellow bloggers I haven’t met before.

My 2021 blogs all began with my word for the year, “Embrace.” We had spent 2020 with the absence of hugs … and that was really hard for me. It was not difficult to think of a subject to embrace each day.

Our daughter, De, at age 19.

Now, let’s see what my life experience can do with these new daily prompts!

What Advice Would I Give to My Teenage Self?

I wrote a poem for my daughter, DeAna, when she was 19, married her sweetheart, André, and left us in CA to go live with him in his home country of Switzerland. My advice to her was wrapped up in this poem. It’s the same advice I would have given to my own teenage self:

I hope you are able to read that, dear blogging friends. And I hope you have been given (and can give in return) “Gifts Your Kids Can’t Break”

God bless you this New Year’s Day. May 2022 be a memorable year of many hugs and many blessings from Our Lord to you and your loved ones.

Please pray for my husband, Bob, who is in ER right now with congestive heart failure.

Love, JanBeek

Category:

blogging, children, Family, God, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Embrace Christmas Memories


Time with family is memorable, indeed
We’re grateful for the ones who embrace the holiday mood
We’re blessed to have them open their home
And share their love and delicious food.

Our daughter, De, in Switzerland
shared photos of their beautiful meal
Imagine how plates like these
enchant your guests (think how they feel)!

The family in far-off Europe
included our grandsons with our De
I’m grateful for the internet
and the pictures she shared with me.

Nick, De, Mike & Chris

Here in California
Eleven of us gathered round –
add two big, rambunctious dogs
and laugh as kids and animals clowned.

Christmas Day was a time for fun
with love and gifts exchanged
Friends shared photos of their day
Our family did, too … we got arranged!

Thank you, Ty & Monika
for your gracious hospitality –
we’re blessed to have our son & spouse
share their life & love with Bob & me.

I pray your day was blessed
and you celebrated Christ’s birth
with those you love gathered round –
good food, warm hugs, and lots of mirth!

A note for this day-after-Christmas-morning: Faith (our granddaughter) and Kyle were headed home to S.Lake Tahoe last night and about 3 hours later had to turn around and come back to Placerville. The road ahead was closed due to heavy snow and lots of accidents ahead. The good news is that they were not involved in one of them… and we’re all safe and sound… feeling blessed!

Merry Christmas!
Bee 🐝 well!
Bee blessed!

Keep the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in your heart year-round! May Jesus remain alive in you!

See ya tomorrow (God willing) –

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, Christmas, Faith, Family, food, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, music, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Travel

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