Well, hello there. What are you up to today? It's sure a beautiful day in North Central Texas. Figured I'd write awhile before putting more mulch down on my gardens. It's Summer clean-up time. I've really been lazy this year ~ since we had so much rain, I haven't had to water much. I had used all the shredded mulch from having the big old tree pruned in early Spring and learned a very valuable lesson. The mulch was great BUT now I have little trees growing everywhere I put the mulch. Who would have thought... A few weeks ago, I read that July 4 was a good time to cut roses back by 1/3 and pinch back the Mums to prepare for a spectacular show in the Fall. Come to think of it, my gardens are at their prettiest in the Spring and in the Fall after trimming. Hmmm Now, I'm dealing with the Summer uglies and just trying to keep plants alive!! Had a busy morning. I was up early with the pups, fed them, got dressed, then, Michael and I took off for Dallas to have a growth taken off my back. The dermatologist deadened the area, cauterized the spot, then, scraped it for a biopsy. Ouch & ugh, the smell of burning flesh ~ nasty. Took about 5 minutes and Michael and I were headed back home. It's hurting like the dickens right now. Guess the deadening stuff is wearing off... We were home by 1 pm so it was one of those hurry up trips. Personally, I would have liked to shopped awhile but since Michael has to go to work, he wanted to get home for a nap. I just appreciated him driving me.
Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. We were fortunate to be invited over to our friends, Susan and John R's home to watch the Late Bloomer's Parade. Now, that was my kind of parade. There were young and old alike walking, riding, throwing candy, and waving flags; wagons, golf carts, trucks, tractors, vintage cars, police cars, fire trucks, a race car; and, how can I forget the dogs and horses!! I am a city girl, but, you know, I've gotten acclimated to the slower pace of small town living and appreciate the simpler things of life. All good, all good...
John and Susan live in a wonderful three story home built in the late 1800's. I was blessed by a tour of the first floor ~ talk about imperfectness made perfect! I was in Wabi Sabi heaven! Susan's parents owned the home, now she and John live there ... one day, one of their children will inherit this magnificent home. There is the aura of love, laughter, and a family coming together evident in every room. Everything has a story which is right up my alley. I have always wanted to live in a grand old house so by the time we left, I was drooling! I could have spent hours walking the grounds and savoring the deliciousness of the house itself.
Yesterday, the patriotic spirit at the Open Range Cowboy Church was on high. We had the Sawyer Family entertain and WOW were they ever good. Their 13 year old daughter plays a mean fiddle for sure ~ I think we'll see more of her on stage as she grows older. I got/gave hugs and visited with friends who have become as dear as family. Why is it, I always (yes, ALWAYS!) come away feeling happy, energized, and taping my toes?? I think it's because William, Miss Kitty, Pastor Rick, and Pastor Dudley all talk about love for one another, and truth from the Bible. I am reminded every Sunday of how fortunate I am to be in a place where there is light, goodness, and the spirit of giving.
Olive & Ernest Pederson Wedding Day 1 month after my father returned from the war
The past few weeks have been quite stressful. I've seen and read about so much darkness going on in our world and it was giving me the dooby dooby down downs. Today, news travels from coast to coast, country to country in seconds. My mother and father lived through losing their fathers at very young ages and having to work to help support their families, the depression, World Wars, and making do. They knew what went on in Germany and were so happy to be living in our wonderful country. My dad never said a whole lot about WWII but every Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day he flew his flag and would remark about how America was the best place ever compared to some European countries. Gradually, our generations have forgotten about the great depression, the Civil War, the World Wars, Viet Nam, and Korea ... even the war in Iraq and Afghanistan has been remote. Sex sells and we now live in a world with compromised morals and selfishness. Most of our children don't know what it would be like to sacrifice to help their families. Babies are brutally torn from the wombs of mothers and riots take place just because (what justifies looting and meanness to satisfy the wounds of the hurt someone is angry?). I heard of two men who wanted to get a license to marry in the Denton area. The clerk said that licenses wouldn't be given until they had the proper paperwork. The men received their license BUT they are suing because the clerk put them off. Craziness! A man wants to marry his 2nd woman demanding equal rights with gays. Craziness! Where is this all going to end?
I am realizing that I am only one voice and until others are convicted in their own hearts nothing will change and get worse. The free speech we have known no longer exists. Shocked? Well, if you say what's in your own heart and it doesn't match with the majority, you are sued. A cafe can post a sign saying no shirts, no shoes, no service; however, if a bakery declines baking a wedding cake for a gay couple, they are sued.
I've seen these signs too.
Grandmother Maggie Pederson What a patriot!
Am I the only one who is thoroughly pissed off at the state of our country? It was only a few generations ago that my paternal grandparents immigrated from Norway. They were so happy to be here. My grandmother, told her children, "You go to school and learn good English ... we live in America now." My maternal ancestors came from Great Britain to escape the tyranny of religious persecution of the Church of England. They wanted a separation of church and state BUT NOT God and state. Why do you think we sing, "God Bless America?" Hmmm Holy God, forgive us for mocking you. We've thumbed our noses at you for decades now and look where it has gotten us. In Romans 1, You were fed up and gave those people over to their sin. You said, "Have your own way." I pray for peace, unity, free speech, for religious freedom. Oh Jesus, I pray for our children and grandchildren ~ what have they won if they lose their eternal life? We're in our temporary home!! Father God I lift up those on my prayer list ~ those dealing with breaks, sprains, cancer, surgery, hardship, sadness, and an overwhelming feeling of being worn down. Thank you for what you are about to do in these people's lives. Amen and amen, it is so... Miss Dottie
PS "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." ~Patrick Henry ~ Ratifier of the US Constitution. The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, piii PSS I guess I dragged on a bit today. My fingers were clacking across the keyboard as fast as I could type. I am a mere messenger and have the honor of serving my Lord.
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