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.
đź’‹ 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 29:11Â ~ 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
Today I received an invitation to attend: Chris La Tray, Montana Poet Laureate AT THE ELLING HOUSE, VIRGINIA CITY, MT
APRIL 27, 7-9PM
Chris La Tray, Poet, Storyteller
My friend, Ann White, sent me this description of our state’s poet laureate along with an invitation to attend. I am excited about going. Reading this blurb about LaTray inspired the poet in me… read on:
Chris La Tray approaches the practice of poetry the same as he does the spiritual life of an Anishinaabe person: which is to say, if one lives an Anishinaabe life, with particular attention to the seven guiding principles of the Seven Grandfather teachings – Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love – then every footstep becomes a prayer. Similarly, if one approaches poetry in a similar fashion, recognizing that everything that happens may be viewed as a poem, and that every moment in life is an experience best paid constant and careful attention to, then every footstep becomes a poem. Whether as words on a page or shared orally, poetry becomes another means for telling and sharing stories; La Tray’s programs exist to remind people that their stories matter, that they are the only ones who can properly tell them, and that poetry, however it is defined, is a beautiful means for doing so.
I was so inspired by “… every footstep becomes a poem…” that I contemplated those feet that created those footsteps and remembered my small feet and their paths when I was a child. I decided to try my hand at a poem before going tonight to be inspired by Chris La Tray. What do you think?
Visiting Life’s Back Corners
I see vividly our home White with green trim A raised tulip bed All tucked at the end of Fig Lane in Newman, California.
Clear in my rear view mirror Are my walks to kindergarten With my older sister, Sally And my afternoons With “Aunt Artie” in town.
I hear her animated voice Reading to me – and then Walking me to the library To select a few books Of my own to read to her.
I see our move from town To the house next to Grandma’s And feel my spine prickle As I run through the yard Chased by a riotous TomTurkey.
I taste the delicious fennel A treat we called “sweet anise” And feel the warm sun on my back As Sally and I sit on the porch Waiting for Mom to come.
In the back corner of my mind I remember Billy coming. A troublesome cousin whose parents Were getting a divorce. And I cringe at his destruction.
Laden with my meager belongings I sense the distress of another move Far out in God-forsaken smelly country Away from Grandma and first grade friends A long walk and an hour’s bus ride to a new school.
I see vividly Crows Landing Elementary School And remember the important lessons learned Mrs. Yetter, Ms. Horwedle, Mr & Mrs Marlow Excellent teachers who validated and inspired me Living still in the back corners of my mind.
Visiting life’s back corners Congers up warm and happy memories Of an idyllic Ozzie & Harriet childhood Any troubles fade into a hazy blur As every footstep becomes a poem.
See ya tomorrow after I experience Chris La Tray.
Sure wish you could join me as our footsteps to Virginia City’s Elling House become a new and vibrant poem. God Bless You, Ann, for inviting me!
Love, JanBeek
Ah, sweet memories Of me with my daddy in that smelly back country home. I’ll write about that another day…
We had fun with family last weekend. We celebrated our great-granddaughter, Charlotte’s first birthday with an outing to the Olive Garden in Bozeman, Montana.
What a cutiepie, huh?
Her brother, Xander (almost seven) and her sister, Sienna (4) received stuffed animals as special gifts from my friend, Ted. So kind of him! The kids loved ’em!!
Xander enjoyed sharing Charlotte’s new books with her.
The children’s mom (our granddaughter, Hope) and Pam (the kids’ paternal grandmother) made it possible for us all to be together. We’re so grateful!
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Oh my! What an important scripture, huh? The operative word is “provide.” There are many ways to do so… and having fun with them on special occasions is definitely one of them!
Tell me about fun you have had with family recently!
Fun to look back at Fun with Family!
I’m sending my Love to you today. I pray you have an opportunity today (or soon) to have FUN WITH FAMILY!
Today is a special day in our family. My great-granddaughter, Mable, turns a big TWO today. She is the child of our chosen granddaughter, Faith. What a blessed day it was when she, as a newborn, was gifted into our Beekman family!!
Mable is such a love!!! BUT, don’t be fooled, Mable. Those blocks are not for eating!!
Also in the picture below is my “chosen” granddaughter, Kayla. Her 28th birthday is today. Mable and Kayla were born on this special day to be conduits of God’s love!
I am with our daughter #2, Laina, and her daughter, Kayla. Don’t be fooled… that was several years ago! But, hey… aren’t we a happy trio? Laina and Kayla (and her sister Katy) are dear ones we have chosen to be part of our family. We are so blessed by them!
Do you have “chosen ones” who have added love and joy to your family?
In her message today, “Corine @ Therapy For Christians” cwilliams@therapyforchristians.com had this message for us about the idea of being “chosen”:
“…as you navigate the complexities of life, know that you are not merely a recipient of grace but also a conduit of it to those around you, you are called to bear fruit – fruit that will last. Just as God’s grace has chosen you, you are empowered to extend that same grace to others.
This week, contemplate on practical ways to become vessels of God’s love and grace. Choose to share His grace through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need. In doing so, you actively participate in God’s redemptive plan, becoming a tangible reflection of His love in a world that often hungers for acceptance and understanding.
Allow His grace to permeate every aspect of your being, guiding you toward a life that bears fruit and brings glory to His name. Trust in His sovereign plan for your life, knowing that you are chosen, loved, and appointed to walk in His purpose. And remember, growth in any area of life, starts with growth in Him…”
So, on this April Fool’s Day, be careful what and who you choose. Be mindful! Don’t be fooled!
John 15:16 KJV “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
We are chosen! Hallelujah! Now let’s go out and spread the love!!
Happy April 1st! It’s a day for choosing. Choose love, not pranks! God Bless You!
My middle name is Laura. I was named after one of my dad’s sisters (Aunt Laura). Twenty-one years later, it ended up being the name of my mother-in-law (Laura Belle). And eight years later, we named our daughter DeAna Laura.
The name Laura is the feminized form of laurus, Latin for “bay laurel plant”, which in the Greco-Roman era was used as a symbol of victory, honor or fame. The name represents the embodiment of victory and strength.
In British North America, the name Laura reached 17th most popular in 1880 and 1882, but dropped to #43 in 1899. It was among the top 50 names for female newborns for much of the early 20th century in the United States, but dropped to No. 100–120 between 1930 and 1950; reached No. 10 in 1969, and has since steadily decreased in popularity.
In Europe, Laura remains popular. In 2009 it ranked within the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland.
(Isn’t that interesting, given the fact that DeAna Laura now lives in Switzerland?)
Here is my mother-in-law, Laura Belle with our daughter, DeAna Laura. (That was almost 50 years ago!) Two very precious ladies of victory and strength!
What is your middle name? And what significance does it have?
“Enjoyable Job” – hah! For some that’s an oxymoron! But not for me. My job (as an educator for over 30 years) was mostly enjoyable! 👌🏽
I submit that I would be lying if I said I enjoyed my job every day! Some days, as a teacher, I didn’t have enough corners in the classroom to separate the trouble-makers! Then after 24 years in the classroom, I changed my job to educating teachers… and mentoring parents. That’s what principals do as effective administrators! Some days I didn’t have the patience I needed in order to enjoy the role of principal when it came to disciplining a recalcitrant teacher or suspending a troublesome, disruptive student and helping the parent know how to follow-through at home.
My job now is to take care of my hubby and our home – and to house-train our new puppy, Owen.
Owen and Bob
Do I enjoy those jobs? Not always! I’d be lying if I said wiping up “mistakes” always is enjoyable. But, do I feel blessed to have them both? You bet!
Every job is a blessing!
“Enjoyable” is not always the most important definition for an important, successful job. How do you define it?
Owen is our new Boston Terrier. Seven months old, born on my birthday last July 24, he is an 8 lb. bundle of energy. Our home is new territory for him. He was part of a kennel litter of seven in Springfield, MO. Being in a home with snow covering the outside areas is new to him. My job is to teach him to be a reliable family member. Teach him to walk on snow. Teach him to signal us when he needs out!
His jobs are to learn how to live inside, how to play with his new parents, how to communicate with us, where to “go” and where not to. His favorite spot is my lap! I’m learning to “read” his needs. It’s a challenging, but rewarding job!
Meet Owen!
Sweet pup! You are bringing such joy into our family!
What are your current jobs? Don’t try to convince me that they’re always “enjoyable” 🤪 !!
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!”
Today’s prompt asked me to “Write about [my] dream home” – but I’m gonna branch out and write about my “Dream Life.” And how my Word for 2024 “SIFT” fits into that picture.
S = Simplify I = Inventory and Itemize in order to prioritize F = FOCUS That’s the word for today… FOCUS on the present!
Here’s my present for today… for yesterday… for everyday… my dear sweet husband, Bob, with whom I have been married for 62 years TODAY! He’s what makes my home a “Dream Home.” He’s what makes my life a “Dream Life.”
Today my FOCUS is on how blessed I am to have the gift of Bob!
That smile is because of our wonderful years together and the opportunity to celebrate the occasion of our anniversary with church friends at fellowship today and with another dear couple at a special dinner last night. Ah, my “Dream Life” is not something I take for granted. Believe me!
Today at church fellowship hour
Last night at a special dinner with friends:
The dinner was our gift to one another… but my gift to Bob is coming. It’s a surprise! I’m waiting for the right time to tell him!!
This is Happy Bob a couple years ago with our Boston Terrier, TazE. We’ve always had Bostons in our “Dream Home” wherever we were living all these 62 years… but TazE died a year ago.
There’s a part of Bob’s personality that is locked into his relationship with a playful pup. I miss that part of Bob as much as I miss the companionship of a pet. I decided I need to FOCUS on how to fix that problem!! Sooooo….
Meet Owen!!! He is my surprise for Bob! He shares my birthday: July 24th! He will arrive sometime here in the next couple of weeks! Our “Dream Home” will be complete again! And our “Dream Life” will resume! Don’t you think I have chosen well?
Or do you think Owen will complicate rather than simplify our lives? Hmmm??
Pups really do require a lot of care! But what dream can you think of that doesn’t? FOCUS on the love! Stay tuned!
