Jean's Scribblings

FEELINGS

I was reminded today that we often act according to our feelings.  If we wake up with a headache, tiredness, etc. we begin to drag and actually give in to those feelings.  Often we say to ourselves, “I’ll stay in today and rest.  My body certainly needs it.”  Does it really, or is this just an excuse to be lazy and to climb into our own little cocoon?   An e-mail that was recently passed around was about a 92-year old lady who wrote a list of things that she contributed to her longevity.  The one I liked best was:  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.  I know that many times I have plans for the day and then try to think of reasons why I should not carry through.  Usually it’s because I don’t feel like getting dressed or no one would really care if I show up or not.  But every time I make that extra effort, it always becomes a rewarding experience.  I’m reminded of the adage, “Every day is the first day of the rest of our life.”

Get up, dress up and show up.   Share God's love today! 

AMERICAN IDOL

American Idol isn’t just for the young.  It’s also for the “young at heart.”  I’ve never been very fond of reality shows but I must admit I’ve watched this one from the very beginning (ten years ago).   This has been a terrific year for this show.  The overall talent far surpasses the previous years.  That’s not to say they have not had some fantastic winners; my favorite being Carrie Underwood.  Carrie’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” with Vince Gill is indescribably beautiful and will bring tears to your eyes.  See it on YouTube.  This year, I grew to love James Durbin and I believe we’ll be hearing much more from him.  That also goes for Pia Toscano.  What a beautiful voice from an even more beautiful young girl.  Tonight I’m watching the three finalists (Scotty, Lauren and Haley) and it’s going to be a tough decision.   I would like to see Scotty in the final two and it’s a toss-up for the girls.  Whoever wins will definitely be on my list of favorite American Idols!   They are all three INCREDIBLE.   Go Scotty!

BUDDHIST AND THE BAPTIST

Buddhist and the Baptist – an unusual friendship I must admit.  I am trying everyday through God’s help to witness to a friend I have met in my new apartment complex.  She comes from a Korean Buddhist background and although she jokingly admits she is probably half Catholic and half Buddhist, she is definitely under conviction.  The “Golden Girls,” as I call our group, meet every afternoon by the pool for a couple of hours for coffee and fellowship.  This lady has a very foul mouth and uses language that is offensive to all.  When she is upset about something or even jokingly says ”FU,” I always interrupt and tell her that FU means God is “Forgiving U.” (This is another sermon on its own that my brother shared with me about a black minister who preached a sermon on FU and how we should handle our response). Yesterday, for some unknown reason, she mentioned that this was such a beautiful day that Heaven must be like this.  Then she said, “but of course we don’t know where we’re going when we die.”  I immediately told her that “Yes, I do know.  That I believe in the Bible, the word of God, and Jesus tells us if we believe in Him we will have eternal life.”  She interrupted me and said laughingly, “OK Jean” in her hard-to-understand accent.  This is her way of saying “that’s enough of this conversation.” She didn’t let me pursue the subject but this is the closest I’ve gotten so far.  Just the fact that she used the biblical promise of “heaven” was encouraging.  Please pray for me that I will not lose this friendship.   She seems to like me very much and I want her to be comfortable around me.  I covet your prayers that she will see Jesus in me and that the door will open for more opportunities to share my faith with her.   John 11:25 - “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.   Thank you Lord for the promise of eternal life for believers.

SOFTBALL FEVER

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL – MAY 10

This was written several weeks ago, and I forgot to post it.  Regular season is now over and “traveling games” will start in June.

Left to right:  Rachel, Macie, Dawn

 Yep, I’ve got it – “Softball fever.”  But I’m not alone, I have plenty of company.  The softball season is winding down – only a couple of games left.  I’ve really enjoyed going to my granddaughter  Rachel’s games this spring.  Rachel will be 15 in May.   She plays center field for the Spanish Fort Toros (Junior Varsity) and is doing great.  If a ball comes her way, she seldom misses it.  She is right-handed but batting left-handed.  This has been difficult for her, but she has gotten on base 75% of the time.  Because of her speed running the bases, they are trying to teach her to slap-hit the ball left-handed and she is the leadoff hitter.  The team is doing great.  I don’t know their percentage, but they have won more than they have lost.  Last night they were behind 0-3 in the third inning and came back and won the game 11-6.  We all stay for the Varsity games which follow.  We’ve seen some great games.   My step grandson, Cullen, (age 14) also played this year, but his games have ended.   He played on the opposite side of Mobile County, at Cottage Hill.  I’m very proud of my two athletic grandkids.   I think the thing that makes me most proud, is the kids’ attitude.  Whether they win or lose, they have a great time and show such good sportsmanship.   The parents, too, are always cheering – and even if a bad call is made, it’s accepted as just part of the game.  

Father of The Year

 

I dearly love this wonderful spring weather.  I planted some petunias, marigolds, impatiens, and wandering Jew in pots and placed them by my front door and around my birdfeeder at my front window.    They are so colorful and such a delight.   Hope you enjoy my “blue bird of happiness.”  His name is Bob.  This photo was snapped in our backyard in February 2007, which is just before Millie disappeared, along with a poem about how he, alone, fed his children.   He was always busy gathering worms, as there were several small birds to feed.   He made so many trips to the little white birdhouse on the fence.  We never knew what happened to Millie.

 Widowed Bluebird

Bob is our “Father of the Year”

His wife Millie is so longer here

Alone and grieving he did his best

To raise his young in their little nest

Tirelessly, he worked to bring

Food for his squawking offspring

Certainly Bob deserves a prize at best

This bluebird saved a family in distress

The Buck Stops Here

 
God is so wonderful!  He knows what we need and when we need it.  After hearing Andy Andrews speak several weeks ago, I just had to have more.  I checked out his book, “The Traveler’s Gift” this week and just couldn’t put it down until I finished it.  Seldom do I read a book in one day, but this one I did.  The seven decisions that determine our success in life were spoken to me personally.    I am seventy years old but not too old to strive for success and overcome failure.   The one that applies most to my life today is “the buck stops here.”  In other words,   I am responsible for my past and my future.     I loved all seven decisions, but it’s a toss-up with me for my favorite (either “choose to be happy” or “greet the day with a forgiving spirit.”   I highly recommend this book and love the way the author made it into a story of an ordinary man with an ordinary family and how his life was totally headed for destruction.   I promise you’ll love every sentence, paragraph and page. 

 The Seven Decisions:

1. The buck stops here.  I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom.  I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action.  I seize this moment.  I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart.  My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy.  I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.  I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception.  I am a person of great faith.

SMILE!

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a college chapel program where I heard the great humorist and speaker Andy Andrews.  He says he is not a “motivation speaker,” but I was definitely motivated by his message.  One thing he said that will always stay with me is there is a skill (not talent) that we must all learn and our lives will be changed forever.   That skill is “talk with a smile.”   He was grinning from ear-to-ear throughout his presentation and it was really contagious.  To paraphrase his hour talk, “if a person can go through life with a smile on his face, great things can be achieved.   Not only will we be a great witness of God’s love in our lives, but people will just naturally want to be around a happy person.”   If you ever get a chance to hear this man speak, you will be blessed.  He is from Orange Beach, AL and has written several books, one a best seller.  He is known for his work with many large corporations as well as collegiate and professional sport teams.  Look him up on the internet and remember … keep smiling!

Welcoming an Early Spring

Pansies are welcoming spring by showing their pretty blues and yellows.  Don't believe an unexpected frost will hurt them.

The red geraniums are just now beginning to bud out in Mobile.   Saw a few in the stores this weekend and can't wait to purchase a pretty one.   Even the ever-so- popular "knock-out" roses are beginning to bloom.  They are my favorite! 

 

Summer in February

 

First of all, today is my grandson Michael's 25th birthday and Friday is his dad's 50th.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL AND DAVID!

It is unbelievable to me that we are having almost “summer” weather in February!  It is beautiful in Mobile (70’s) and now I’m getting anxious to see some color.  So far, only the red buds are showing their beauty.  Gardens are being plowed and will soon (if not already) be planted.  Richard, Betty and I were at Gulf Shores this past Saturday, and it was very crowded – people hitting the beaches early.  We had lunch at a wonderful restaurant – DeSotos, about a block west of the hangout.  This was by far the best selection and price we’ve ever had at the gulf and the food was cooked to perfection.  This one will definitely be on our list of “favorites.”   I must say “Richard did good!”

 March is almost here, and I’m getting excited about bird-watching.  Plan to go to Dauphin Island (my favorite birding spot) and catch the birds migrating in.   I'm including a couple of photos taken last year or the year before at Dauphin Island – the prothonotary warbler and my favorite, the scarlet tananger.    Hope you enjoy!

 

 

Romans 8:28

Hi Friends and Family...With my niece Jennifer's help, I've created a place to post my photos, news, and other scribblings.  I've been rather lax lately in keeping a journal due to so many changes in my life.  For those of you who do not know, Cherokee and I have been separated for several months and I am now living in the Olde Oak Apartments in Saraland.  I'd rather not discuss the reasons for this separation, but ask and covet your prayers that God will lead us in making the right decision about our marriage. 

As to my new dwelling, I'm just a few miles from my son David and my sister Betty.  Walmart, my (can't-get-along-without-it store) is less than an mile, my church (North Mobile Baptist) is 3 minutes, and there are numerous dining and shopping areas within a mile or two.  

The most difficult thing has been adjusting to living alone, so I try to get out as much as I can.  My brother Richard has spent two weekends with me and Betty and I have had several shopping sprees to the Eastern shore.  We visited little Merritt Layne (the newest member of our family) this weekend -- what a precious and beautiful little 3-week old niece.   Both Betty and I are new to North Mobile Baptist and are visiting different Sunday School classes each week -- it's such a large church and so many classes to choose from.  This morning I was excited to see so many familiar faces in the class we visited.  I knew several of the "girls" and one I hadn't seen since the 70's.  We were so excited about meeting again and plan to get together soon and catch up on old times. 

I don't know what people use "blogs" such as this for, but I guess I should have called it "Jean's Ramblings" instead of "Jean's Scribblings."   In the future, I hope to post some of my poetry and also photos of birds and butterflies (my two favorite photo ops).  And....I'll try to make future blogs a little more cheery.  I'll end this first posting with my very favorite Bible verse:  Romans 8:28.    Good night all!