Loving One Another

Posts tagged ‘positivity’

Montana Art Walk


Yesterday was the last of the Ennis, Montana Art Walks for 2020. I attended three gallery’s showings and enjoyed seeing several artists at work. I thought you might enjoy walking along with me. So, here we go…

Peggy and Frank Giblin own this gallery.
Artist, Sherrill Gold’s “Wolf.”
Sherry’s paintings of animals are my favorites.
The art on display was for sale.
Here is more of Sherry’s work.
Gerry Mooney and Patsy Eckert chatted at the refreshments table.
Gerry is an extraordinary photographer
and Patsy’s watercolors are wonderful!

Leaving the Cattleman’s Gallery, I proceeded to Gallery 287 owned by Cathy Toot.

Sue Kinn-Brown was there,
working on her pottery.
Sue is an active member
(the vice-president)
of our Ennis Arts Association
EAA.
I don’t know this gentleman’s name,
but I love the glass art of fish.
Fun to see the weaver at work.
A lovely display of necklaces
A belt buckle for every occasion
One of my favorite cowboy paintings
I think this painting of cows is by Margie Reck, another of our EAA members.
I like it, don’t you?
I love the way Margaret Casolara embosses the spoons.
I have one of these with bees on it!
BK was set up to make jewelry right there.
BJ Goodman demonstrated her felt pillow art.
Beautiful stuff!! I love that rooster.

Before the Art Walk on that busy Friday, I participated in a rally on the lawn by our Ennis fisherman at the town’s triangle. Some of the local Democratic candidates were there waving flags and holding up signs with about 25 of us patriotic Madison Valley residents. It was time to “Put your body where your mouth is!” Just putting your money out there to support the candidates of your choice is not enough – ever – but particularly this election year. We need to be brave enough to advocate for our blue candidates in this red state!

A group picture was taken earlier. I wonder if it will appear in our local newspaper?

We waved our flags, smiled at passersby and motorists, and gave thumbs up. Many returned our smiles and honked their horns and gave us a return thumbs up. About 1/3 gave us a thumbs down. Another portion just drove by avoiding eye contact or any kind of reaction. Fortunately I only received one middle-finger-salute!

I figure that guy who gave me the F-U sign was probably the same one who wrote and posted this sign.

And with that, I conclude my “Art Walk” with you.
I hope you enjoyed it…
and you are having a Stupendous Saturday.
What are you doing to “Walk the Talk” in your world today?

See ya later.
Love, JanBeek
(and Bob, too)

Peace and Joy to you, my friends!
Enjoy this gorgeous rendition of “Let there be Peace on Earth.”
(The second half is a little boy’s gorgeous voice. So enchanting!)
Let me walk with you in perfect harmony!

Category:

art, children, friendship, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, music, peace

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What Do You Miss?


Ennis Bell Ringers

There I am in the top-middle – happily holding my two bells, ready to practice with the Ennis Bell Ringers. This photo was taken last December before all this COVID-19 pandemic was known. We learned a series of songs to play at a Christmas concert, and were set to start learning patriotic songs so we could give a concert here in Ennis on the 4th of July. And all of a sudden, everything was cancelled. You know the feeling.

I sing in our church choir, too… and those practices had to be cancelled.

I volunteered (past tense) at our Senior Center as a sous chef, and at our local hospital as a receptionist one day a week. Those opportunities to serve were cancelled.

I miss:

  • singing with the choir
  • playing with the bell ringers
  • volunteering as a sous chef
  • volunteering to work one day a week at our local hospital
  • visiting my friends at the local nursing home
  • having neighborhood parties
  • hugging my friends
  • the carefree safety of flying to California or Pennsylvania or Switzerland to be with my children and their families, my sis and my niece
  • the freedom to shake hands with people I meet
  • and so much more…
I miss family reunions

I am grateful that we live where we do because here in the Madison Valley of Montana, we still are able to:

  • go four-wheeling in the mountains with friends in the wide-open spaces
  • attend church services outside on the lawn
  • hug one another (Bob & me… thank God!)
  • wear a mask and socially distance at CostCo or our local grocery store to do our shopping
  • interact with family and friends using the internet… here’s my sister in her last FaceTime meeting with her daughter and grandson (a real smile – yay!)
Yay! Thank God for the magic of the internet!

We still can hop in the car and go to see the beautiful scenery around us. In places up high, there still is snow on the ground!

And thanks to the internet, friends who go to visit Yellowstone Park can send pictures of the bison – and we can enjoy the sights they see vicariously!

So, instead of focusing on what I miss, I guess I should look at the joys we still can enjoy, right? My grandson, Mike, in Switzerland, went to a friend’s wedding last weekend – and he sent me a lovely picture of him with his darling girlfriend, Tania. I miss seeing him in person and meeting his friend in person, but I am grateful that he reaches out to me and that he sent this terrific photo:

Tania must have been a bridesmaid, don’t you think? Lovely dress!!

They have those same beautiful mountains there – even prettier – that we have here in Montana. See them behind the couple? The Alps are pretty spectacular! And of course, you noticed that foot that’s stuck in the photo there, right? Someone’s having fun. I can feel the joyfulness, can’t you?

What is it that you are missing?
And what are you grateful for today? Tell me!

I’m grateful for life itself…
and for my health.
Cheers, my friends!
I’m grateful for YOU!!

See ya tomorrow.
Love ya…. thanks for visiting
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, contentment, Family, friendship, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Love, Montana, mountains, peace, relationships

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Little Kindness


A little kindness
Can make a great big difference
Shine a light today

Photo by Rahul on Pexels.com

You can shine a light
That permeates a dark room
It’s a glow from God

Since LOVE dwells in you
A light is shining brightly
Beams out of your heart

Made in God’s image,
You will radiate kindness
And make a difference

Where there is darkness
Let the love of Christ sparkle
Let it fill the space

You can shine love’s light
And spread positivity
Yes, you live to give!

Photo by Binti Malu on Pexels.com

Your kindness matters.
What will you do to shine light
In today’s darkness?

See ya later!

Sending love and light your way.
See ya later…
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Faith, God, Haiku, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Too Many Birthdays


Every time Bob and I see someone who is driving like they don’t have a brain in their gray and wrinkled head, we comment to one another, “Too many birthdays!” We’ve been doing that for years. And guess what? Now we are they!!

Gray and wrinkled Bob with graying TazE…
Hey, her butt didn’t used to be gray!!!

Well, at least HE is they! At 81 (he’ll be 82 in December), Bob is 5 months ahead of me. He’ll always be older! I can smile in the rear view mirror, wear a hat to cover the gray, and pretend I’m still a young chick! Heck, age is just a matter of how you feel, right? HEALTH is everything! Love is essential. God is good!

Yup, today is my birthday…
and for the next 5 months,
Bob & I are the same age.
No way!!

The hair may be gray, and the face has a few added wrinkles with “too many birthdays,” but age is a matter of the MIND. Right? If you don’t mind, I don’t mind!

Just don’t call me old!!

Tell me I’m “bee-YOU-tiful”
like this card I received yesterday
from Bob’s sister!
(Thank you, Bonnie)

And pick a few flowers from your garden to decorate your table…
like my neighbor, Sue, did yesterday.
(God bless her)

Keep singing and dancing
(ya gotta keep movin’),
writing and blogging your thoughts,
dreaming and making those dreams come true,
living your passions,
and you’ll never have
“Too Many Birthdays” –
no matter how many years
the calendar tells you!!

It’s time to open presents,
sing the birthday song,
blow out a few candles (don’t try to count them!)
and praise God for the years
he has given me “Too Many Birthdays!”
I’ll take ’em all – gladly!

I’m happy to be in the passenger seat!
I thank God every day for my health,
and for my driver, Bob!

Have a Fabulous Friday!
I’ll see you tomorrow
and tell you all about
my “Happy (not too many) Birthday!”

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

Come on, friends, sing along.
I’m listening!!

(When I get old, I’m gonna wear more purple…
Just don’t rush me!)
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, blogging, Family, flowers, friendship, Gratitude, happiness, health, humor, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, music, relationships, self-acceptance

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4 Ways to Keep Positive


There are many ways
To keep our spirits rising
Let’s take time for four

Take a Walk

Take your dog outside
Or invite a friend to join
Get yourself fresh air

Even through a mask
The outdoors is refreshing
Get up and go move!

My path to the Madison River
Keep your distance from others
Enjoy people watching!
Marvel at and appreciate our unity in diversity
Bring a picnic lunch and a friend – sit awhile!
Put on your walking shoes and come join me!

Visit Your Neighbors

Our neighbor Charley with “TMW”

Keep six feet apart
And join your neighbors outside
Share flowers and wine

Share love and friendship
Keep the loneliness at bay
There’s no better way

T – M -W
Is the best invitation
Charley’s “Too Much Wine!”

Janet, our wonderful neighbor
Refill time for Bob
What a view, huh?

Let Go Anxiety –
Adopt Humor & Practice Faith

There’s no better way:
Practice positivity
With the Bible and your faith

Hang around fun folks
And keep in touch by the Web
Share all God’s blessings

Don’t dwell on “Don’t Haves”
Concentrate on what you HAVE
Practice gratitude

Go ahead and laugh!

Son-in-law, Andre’
Decided – save some bucks and
Avoid the virus

He knew just the way:
He could do his own haircut
Well, the front is fine!!

Don’t worry about
Not going to the hairdresser
Just do it yourself

Have clippers, will do!!

Lisa’s South Carolina clouds

Find yourself a friend
Who will be your prayer partner
Daily trade pictures

Pray together and
Exchange positivity
Watch your spirit soar

Connect with the hearts
Of the people that you love
Share each others’ love

Andre’ and our 3 grandsons in Switzerland
Our church services have moved outside now.
The weather has permitted worship on the lawn.
It’s so good to see our friends.
Fran and I text each other daily

Let God Music Lift You


As I write this blog
Susan Boyle lifts me up
Non-stop I listen

I ask Alexa
“Repeat” and she repeats this
Until I say “Stop.”

Listen to the words
Let them sink into your soul
You can’t help but smile

Be raised by music
Let the Love of Christ lift you
You must not stay down

Let God live in you
Let the Holy Spirit speak
Be strong and be well

There are many ways
To keep our spirits rising
Take time for these four

Take a Walk
Visit Your Neighbors
Let Go Anxiety
Let God and Music Lift You

Thank you for your encouragement after my “Blue” post.

See ya tomorrow.
Have a blessed day.
Love,
JanBeek



Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, Family, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, Haiku, happiness, health, humor, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Color, Music & Life’s Fascination


· Shared with PublicArtist Melissa S. McCracken is a synesthete — she can see sounds in brilliant color, and she actually paints songs.

I found this to be fascinating.
I hope it was interesting to you, too.
I love sharing things that are fascinating to me.

Here are some other things that fascinate or intrigue me:

Easy Moussaka Recipe

These things pique my interest
and make me want to try them
or learn more about them
or at least share them with you.

I want to share my sense of hope with you
in these troubled times
and help you overcome any fears
that may be haunting you.

Little kids with exceptional talent always fascinate me!
Check out this adorable violinist!
Not always right spot on…
but hey!
He’s playing from memory
and
he’s only three!!

I hope some of these selections fascinated you, too.
Share with me something you are fascinated by, will you?

Have a Wonderful Week.
See safe!
Bee well!
Bee Happy!

Sending you my love,
JanBeek

Category:

art, blessings, children, food, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music

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June was Bustin’ Out All Over!


Yup, June was Bustin’

Yup, June was bustin’ out all over… and I’m glad it is behind us! My hernia is gone. I’m on the road to recovery. I appreciate all your prayers and good wishes.

The surgery that was scheduled for 12:45 yesterday ended up not happening until 4:30, so they kept me overnight. I was so glad they did! The nurses and assistants at Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman were so kind and efficient. I really needed that extra time of TLC before returning home… and Bob needed a good night’s sleep before driving that hour up and hour back to get me.

June’s Behind Us

Now that June is behind us – and I am on the way to healing, let’s pray that our world can put the last 4 or 5 months behind it, too… and we ALL can heal. Find a vaccine for COVID-19, learn to love one another unconditionally, appreciate our uniqueness, live each day with a prayer and a song, and put the One God back into the center of our being!

June was a Bust!

Yup, June was quite the month… June was not “a love song sweetly sung” as this Rogers and Hammerstein suggested. It was a BUST from my perspective! But I tried to keep my attitude positive anyway. Upbeat music like this was one way to do it. Another way to stay positive in the midst of turmoil was to be sure to go up to my sanctuary every morning, spend time reading my Bible and devotionals, and listen for God’s voice to tell me how best to spend each day.

Focus on the Positive

If you have followed my blog for a while, you know I read and am inspired by a book with spirit-lifting devotionals, Daily Guideposts, every day. Each day the devotional starts out with a scripture. Then one of about 50 writers is assigned to write a reflection on it and then end with a prayer. I meditate on the message and write a “Take Away” on the page. It’s a thought I carry with me that day. I record them at the end of each month’s pages where there are two pages with a blank line for each day.

Here are my June pages. Read the Take Aways and see one of the sources for my ability to remain positive in the midst of this pandemic, this social unrest, protests, riots, and my anticipated surgery. These are the thoughts I carried around each day:

Be Grateful

Wherever you are, you have reasons to be grateful.
Just look around you. You can see!
Breathe deeply. You’re alive!
Soak in the beauty. You can feel!
Relax and sing. You have a voice!
Grab a snack. You have food!
Thank God.

The view from my hospital bed

Look Around You

I had the prettiest room in the hospital! A corner room with a view of the sunset last night and the sunrise this morning. No need to concentrate on the pain when I can concentrate on the view instead, right?

Bob came and got me at 10: this morning. I was grateful for my expedited release. There was a major storm predicted, and we had a one hour drive to get home. We were safely inside before the rain came down and the thunder clapped. And now, the sun is out again!

Look carefully at the horizon. Those are not more clouds.
That’s snow on the Tobacco Root Range. Yup, snow… July 1st!

So, as this day comes to a close, I want to thank you again for your love and prayers. I will take it easy for a while and let Bob and our friends and neighbors pamper me. I hope you feel my love being returned to you. Thank you for being my friend here on WordPress. You mean a lot to me.

Have a great rest of your week. If you’re in the USA, you know this weekend is our Independence Day. We usually have parades and barbecues and family here to celebrate with us. Not this year. This has been a different year, hasn’t it?

Keep your spirits up. Maybe you can use one of those “Take Aways” each day to help you.

Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek

Category:

Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, Montana, music, peace, relationships, Serving One Another

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COVID-19 Test


What are you up to on this Tuesday, the last day in June? What a month this has been, huh?

I had to have a COVID-19 test before I was authorized to have my surgery today.

It really was a test with a swab that tickled my sinuses. Results were negative.. so the surgery is a go.

A robot guided by my very capable doctor is going to repair a hernia that’s about the size of a golf ball – it’s right in the front of my mid-section. Surgery is at 12:45 PM. I have to be at the hospital by 11:00 AM.

I don’t expect any trouble. But, just in case there are unexpected glitches, I have my positive mind-set all primed.

And while I am paying special attention to #5 above, looking for some fun in the midst of all this, I am also focusing on #8 and all the ways I am grateful for the ability to get this fixed before it grows and gets worse.

Friends have come by in anticipation of our needs tomorrow when we get home. They have brought us with soup, biscuits, Brownies, muffins, and lots of love and prayers. Our pastor came by to pray with me… and family have texted and called. I feel wrapped in love! I have so much to be thankful for!

So, off we go… Headed for Bozeman…

I’ll see you tomorrow with a report on what’s up (or out).
Thanks for your love and prayers.
God is good. He’s got me covered!
Hugs, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Faith, God, Love, mental health, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Why Me?


Stop asking “Why me?”
Ask, “What’s this goin’ to teach me?”
Then open your heart.

Your heart can reveal
Your purpose, goals, and vision –
Show you your next step.

You aren’t a victim,
You are creative and wise.
Focus on learning.

I am positive
That you are positive, too.
That’s why you are here.

That’s why you visit
JanBeek and love each other
And live happily.

You know happiness
Comes from an internal shift.
Not “Why me?” but “Yes!”

Yes, I’m a learner.
Yes, I invest energy
In finding new ways.

We must be willing
To replace being victims
With being VICTORS!

Are you willing to
Do something new and different
To learn something new?

Don’t wait for the new year to resolve to do something new!



What will you do??
Think about it.
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Giving, Haiku, happiness, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, relationships, teaching

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A Crappy Day


It’s a crappy day
A gray and cloudy Tuesday
There’s no place to go

California’s far
For a one day drive in car
And flying is out

Switzerland’s too far
To drive, fly, or even swim
It’s a crappy time

I want to hug them
I want to see my grandkids
One has a birthday

This week is her day
To celebrate twenty-six
No, I can’t be there

Are you feeling it?
Is your separation tough?
Is your day crappy?

We just want to love –
Love one another right here
Is there a good way?

Thank God for the Net
Thank God for phones and e-cards
Thank God for your life

Gratitude’s the key
For changing crappy to good
Do you feel thankful?

Thank God you’re alive
Thank Him for your daily bread
Reach out to your friends

Write a card today
Put it in the mailbox
Brighten someone’s mood

Personalize it
With a special note from you
Let shared love cheer you

And if you live close,
You might deliver a piece
Of your berry pie

Or the cinnamon
Sticks you learned to make from Mom
Who never wasted

The left-over dough
Does that memory bring smiles?
It does that for me!

Day’s not so crappy
When you reach out with a smile;
So, try it yourself!

Don’t think of crappy
Think of happiness instead
You are what you think!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and sharing below a little bit
about what you did
to change
crappy to happy
for you and your loved ones today.

Just Love One Another!

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Family, food, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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