"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, June 30, 2017

Pirates, Corvette & Annie



1. Dee and I were in Buffalo, New York last week helping our goddaughter Carrie. We worked with her organizing the belongings of her Mom and Dad, completed some yard work and enjoyed time together.
We were also able to visit with my sister Kim and our Aunt Beth as well. Catching up on news from the past year and laughing about old family stories. 
The last few days were with our son Eric and his family. Since we normally don't get to Buffalo on Father's Day, this year became a special day for Eric and I.

2. We went to see “Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Men Tell No Tales,” with our two granddaughters Eryn and Hailey. The movie continued the Captain Jack Sparrow saga and was well done. Another great Disney movie.


3. Jack, Tony and I were invited to a “Italian-American” gathering. The owner of “Angelo’s” hosts this once a year at his home. Fabulous Italian sauce, homemade bread and pizza baked in an outside oven. We are looking forward to next year.


4. On June 30, 1953 the General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan completed the first production Corvette. Wikipedia has a great article about this “first generation sports car.”


5. “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”          Helen Keller

6. John Denver, “Annie’s Song.” One of my favorite. 


7. Happy Independence Day





Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.


Friday, June 9, 2017

Chickens, Music and Mark



1. "On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France." Details of this large assault are at Army.Mil.

2. We met a beautiful woman this week who owns a chicken farm. Her name is Shawna and she and her husband Todd have been farming in Buckingham County Virginia for over 20 years. They handle 44,000 chickens which produce about 30,000 eggs per day. This is not a small operation. Please pray for them as Todd has some heart issues that required some hospitalization.

3. The deck is completed.


Flowers by Dee

4. I saw this on Linkedin, a unique idea.


5. Dee and I attended "Singing' into Summer," a local middle school musical presentation. Our granddaughter Eryn is one of the singers an(d her and the choir did an excellent job. Some of the music included; The Lion Sleeps Tonight, How Far I'll Go and You're Welcome, from Disney's "Moana") and my favorite, Hallelujah.

6. Carrie Underwood, “Inside Your Heaven.” A beautiful song by a beautiful lady.


7. Thursday’s Gospel, MK 12:28-34, has a scribe question Jesus as to which is the most important commandment. 

“Jesus replied, The first is this:
Hear, O Israel! 
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, 
and with all your strength."

However, Jesus does not stop there. He continues,

“The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Father John, in his Thursday morning Homely said that these are powerful statements. To fully love God and then to turn to another and love them as you love yourself is not an easy task. The statements are not only powerful, but require much effort for me to fulfill. It is a daily challenge that requires my full attention. One that keeps me a “ work in progress.”            


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Trisha, Lisa & Our Garden



1. Trisha’s blog gave me a boost Saturday morning. It started with words from Matthew West’s song, Mended. Beautiful and inspiring words. Trisha reminded me that “we are not worthless or useless, we are loved.” Please take the time to listen to the song and read what she has written.

2. In June 2011 I wrote about my experience reading “Still Alice,” by Lisa Genova.  

“There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease as of this writing. My Dad had Alzheimer's for many years and died on Monday October 8, 2007. I was there when he opened his eyes, looked at me and then slowly closed them. I know that he wanted to make sure he was not alone. He was not one for much talk so it was also his way of saying goodbye. Dad, you were never alone, I was there and so was your family. I love you, but during your illness I 
never told you that. I felt that you didn't know who I was, so it would have no meaning. I was wrong.”

This week my son Eric sent our family a link to TED Talks, a video by Lisa Genova. My reaction was more positive than what I wrote back in 2011. Lisa talked openly about Alzheimer’s and shared her knowledge about the disease. Her talk was informative and provided some positive things we can do about Alzheimer’s.

3. The squirrels keep trying to get at the bird seed on this bird feeder. It is a major project for them and once in a while one of them just sits mediates on the issue.


4. We had our house spray washed this week. I’ve removed some planks on the deck for replacement and wanted to have everything clear for my staining project. We are suppose to have dry weather for the next few days. It will be a busy weekend that should provide some positive results.

5. Some photos of our newly completed garden area. Dee has put a lot of effort into this project.



6. “All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.”
     Leonardo de Vinci 

7. Joe Cocker, “You Are So Beautiful.” 





Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.