We just had the most wonderful week with my cousin and his wife. Adrian & Laura were such fun to have around.
They are DeAngelis (my maiden name) “of angels” – apropos!!
They are spending a week in Yellowstone
We were privileged to watch the parade from dear friends, Roy & Barbara Washburn’s lovely place. Such gracious, generous people!
Wish you coulda joined us!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Today’s prompt was:
How do you express your gratitude?
Whenever I feel grateful
Which is certainly most of the time
I cheerfully, freely express it
Often in cards I write in rhyme
I’m grateful for the animals
That come and rest in our space
But when they eat branches or flowers
I shoo them off – give them chase!
I thank God for our sunsets
That reflect on the mountains east
The beauty of their presence
Is for my eyes a heavenly feast!
I express to our sweet visitors
Who came from Switzerland to here
How much we enjoy their presence
Creating memories so dear
Here they are on the Madison
Fishing with Bob on the shore
The peacefulness and the beauty,
Made up for no catches, zero score
Our hostess was Fran, the musician
Who entertained us with lunch and a song
We thanked her with hugs and elation
With such beauty, what could go wrong?
I thank God for USA’s freedom
For the way we celebrate each year
Parades, the rodeo, barbecues… what a crowd
All came to see the bronc riders and to cheer
Our Swiss guest, Laszlo, really caught the mood
Donning a cowboy hat, he weathered the rain
He enjoyed all the cowboys and cowgirls
Watched many get bucked off- lose the rein
Saskia smiled at the chance to be here
Their first USA trip – They chose this Montana spot
I’m expressing my gratitude for their visit
And thanking God for perfect weather -not too hot!
Of course, you can count on huge crowds
On Independence Day every year
The parade is the main attraction
Literally thousands come to view and to cheer
Horses are plentiful, some large, some small
And the floats are the old fashioned type
Throwing candy, waving flags, squirting water,
They live up to all the hype!
The Bible says:
“Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18 (NIV)
If you’ve gotten out of the habit of being thankful, it’s time to get back into spiritual shape. Every morning, as soon as the alarm goes off (or you wake up on your own… this side of the grass), make a habit of thanking God for a new day — and ask Him for guidance as you embark on new victories and challenges in the hours ahead.
We began our day at the nursing home
Grateful we could help the residents out
Pushed them in their wheel chairs
Where they could hear the crowds shout
We thanked Madison Valley Manor
For placing a row of chairs at road’s side
We had first class seating to view
All the cars, horses, floats… want a ride?
Back home we were treated
To our own neighborhood parade & song
The neighbors’ grandkids rode their bikes
“Happy Birthday, Uncle Sam!” Sing along!
How do you express your gratitude
When you are overwhelmed with glee?
I wish you could have been here
To say Thanks to the kids with me!
Thank you for the daily prompt
That encourages me to write
I don’t get at it every day, but often…
You inspire my muse’s light!
How do you express your gratitude
To those who touch your heart
I hope you do it daily & often –
If not, now’s a good time to start!
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
(Happy Independence Day!
and
Happy Birthday to our pastor,
Mary Grace Reynolds,
28 today!
Hooray!)
I’m grateful for her
presence in our lives!
God bless you, MGR!!
If you look for Me at Christmas
You won’t need a special star-
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,
I’m right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me
Amid the celebrations-
You’ll have to look beyond the stores
And all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
From your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you’ll find
I’m waiting there for you.
You’re the one I want to be with,
You’re the reason that I came,
And you’ll find Me in the stillness
As I’m whispering your name.
Love, Jesus
Merry Christmas, dear Blogging Friends.
May your day be filled with
love, hugs, and opportunities
to reflect on the real Reason for the Season.
I first posted this poem in 2018.
I decided it was worth posting again this year
because many of you are new followers,
and some of you who saw it three years ago
may have forgotten it … I did!
Merry Christmas to you!
Celebrate that precious baby today.
Put Jesus in your heart to stay-
Carry Him with you in a blessed 2022…
We’re counting on it to be better each day!
What are your post-Christmas plans?
We’re getting ready to celebrate
my girlfriend, Sue’s birthday the 28th
and Bob 83rd b’day – the 29th the date.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek
[Sedoka is a Japanese poetic form comprising 38 syllables in a sequence of 5, 7, 7, 5, 7, 7.]
It is the invitation from d’Verse Poetry today…
Last Day Sedoka
When my last day comes
Won’t be a celebration
Not one that I can attend
So I’ll celebrate
Last day of twenty-twenty
With a Hip-hip and Hooray!!
Jan Beekman
Check out my inspiration for this Sedoka at
https://poetscornerblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/31/last-day-sedoka/
I posted earlier today from my cell phone while we were up at Big Sky. Bob was enjoying a day of skiing with Nancy, his ski buddy, while I was inside making new friends, keeping warm, and reading the book that our Ennis Book Club will be discussing at tomorrow’s meeting.
I also browsed the shops at the Big Sky mall and photographed a few things (taking them home in my camera is way better than buying them!).
I enjoyed the trip to Big Sky from Ennis. The snow was so beautiful!
But once we arrived at the ski area, I was more than happy to avoid the cold and stay in the lodge. Some of you may think that’s crazy; others of you may relate. I didn’t learn to ski as a child, broke my leg as a teen, took a long time to heal, and have a fear of falling down and breaking it again. I prefer to stay in the lodge!
A Guy Named Kenny
Before Bob & Nancy could get from the parking lot to the lodge (where they had dropped me off), I met a guy named Kenny. Well actually, he met me. I was sitting quietly in the corner with my book when he approached me. Told me I reminded him of his grandma. I learned all about his family … and was in deep conversation with him when Bob & Nancy arrived. Even got his grandma’s chicken soup recipe! (Should have taken Kenny’s picture for you!) Nice guy!
Montana Jack’s
After Bob & Nancy went up to ski, I went to Montana Jack’s for an Irish coffee. I was sitting with my book at the bar, sipping my drink when a guy about my son’s age sat down and struck up a conversation with me. I found out he was from Colstrip, MT and his wife is a child psychiatrist working with Autistic children. The darling, young waitress treated me to a delicious piece of apple pie to go with my coffee. She adopted me as her Grandma and so did my new friend from Colstrip (I love it).
Back Home Again
Returning home, we nearly got stuck in the drifts that had blown onto our driveway. I was reluctant to go out again, but Bob really wanted to treat me to a Happy Anniversary dinner at our favorite Ennis restaurant, The Alley Bistro. So, we braved the weather and had a great evening. We managed to return home and inch our way through the snow drifts safely. It was a Happy Anniversary indeed. Thanks for all your good wishes.
Bedtime
Time for bed…
but first I have to finish that book.
Somehow today I didn’t get much reading done.
Had too much fun making new friends.
Can you relate?
See ya tomorrow.
Good Night!
I am feeling so blessed
on this July 24th.
So many friends have reached out
and so much of my family was there early
to celebrate this milestone 80th birthday.
No act of kindness is ever wasted…
It’s true!
And this heart of mine overflows
with gratitude for all the good wishes.
God has blessed me with
a wonderful husband for 57 1/2 years.
God has blessed me with friends
who are thoughtful, loyal, and kind.
He has blessed me with health
to enjoy all these eight decades.
No act of God’s kindness goes unnoticed!
Thank you for visiting JanBeek today,
dear WordPress blogging friends.
Your kindness is appreciated.
I am ready to soak in the sunshine
of this joyful day… with gratitude.
God bless you!
See ya tomorrow!
Happy 80th Celebration
Do you know polo?
We watched a game on Sunday.
A beautiful day!
Looks gray, but that’s just poor photography. It was really a bright blue sky!
Amazing horses
Beautiful, fast, and graceful –
Failed on the race track!
Most polo horses
Were intended as racers,
But didn’t make it.
They are thoroughbreds –
Quick and lean, agile and smart.
Marvelous creatures!
See their potential –
Successful polo ponies…
Purchased, groomed, and loved!
Across the driveway
El Dorado Polo Lake
Home to duck family
They swim unaware
Of the drama in the air:
Score tied five to five.
Celebrating crowds
Cheer their horses and riders
On to victory!
If you get a chance,
Try to watch a polo match.
Love that horse finesse!
We returned to the polo area in La Quinta, CA today and watched the groomer shave this beautiful thoroughbred, getting him ready for next weekend’s game.
Bob, my husband, talked to one of the horse trainers.
Bob had a million questions.
So much to learn!
Always curious.
Do you love horses?
What do you know about Polo?
Baptism in Christ
A choice you can always make
It’s never too late
Are you baptized? Or did you miss that ceremony as a child?
If it was like my baptism, you were an infant and don’t remember it. Does that make a “dedication” by your parents rather than a baptism for you into the family of God? Does it make a difference?
If you went through confirmation classes as a pre-teen and received your Holy Baptism at 12 or 13, you remember the occasion. But, was your confession of faith then done with the same understanding you would have if you confessed your faith and were baptized today?
My friend, Loleta, has always been a loving person. She has identified herself as a Christian for many years. But, she did not recall ever being baptized. She knows it was unlikely her parents had her “sprinkled” as an infant. So, in her enlightened “senior years,” God put it upon her heart to be baptized.
When my husband and I learned of her decision, we were thrilled. We asked her if we could attend the baptism ceremony.
“Why?” she asked. “Why would you want to travel so far to be here when I am baptized? Isn’t it just a private thing between God and me?”
“Because we love you!” we told her. “It is your PUBLIC acknowledgement of your faith. We are thrilled that you have decided to do this – and we want to be there to support you.”
We were not alone in our presence. Loleta had people from three states come to witness her baptism… and then we all celebrated together at a rental house in a lovely spot in southern California where we are sharing the time for awhile. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in this place!
Here are a few of the celebrants.
Do you remember your baptism?
Mine was a sprinkling as an infant.
I wonder if I would have the courage
to be “dunked” if the Holy Spirit nudged me
to do so today.
How about you?
Birthday Haiku
Bob, Ray, and Bernice –
Counting over a hundred.
Well, collectively!
Celebrate birthdays
With friends who are very dear
It makes them more fun!
Amazing Bernice
Talented and fun-loving Ray
Me with a couple of dear friends.
When is YOUR birthday?
Tell me your favorite way to celebrate.
Birthdays
Years add up
You can celebrate
You can choose to deny them
Or you can realize that
Age is more Joyful
Than death is!
Celebrate Life!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
