Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Now Thank We All Our God Happy Thanksgiving


Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mother's arms
hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever-joyful hearts
and blessèd peace to cheer us;
and keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son, and Holy Ghost,
supreme in highest heaven,
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Camel's Back

The camel's back is almost broken, I haven't gotten to the last straw , but the bundle in my hand is thinning out, and the load the camel is carrying is growing. It's been a hard fought year, one with many stresses and trials--strong tension threaded through all the days of this year. And, yet, I find refuge through it all, in the loving arms of my God and Savior. Is my anxiety gone-no, are my tears vanquished-no, do my fears linger-yes, do I still grapple with anger and resentment-yes. But, now I have a strength to help me hold on, to muddle through this cat's cradle web of life.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

OWIE

Last Thursday, I walked over to a neighbor's house to have her co-sign a check for our QRU. To "protect" ourselves, we have to signatures on each check. We visited for awhile, she had to to return to house cleaning-her mother-in-law was soon to arrive, and I had to eat and get ready for Bible Study. As I walked out of their yard, their old dog, Silver, grabbed and bit my ankle. OWWIIIEEEEE. It did hurt, and I thought it drew a bit of blood, but went to the locked boxes to mail the signed check and invoice--for AED pads. As I walked home, I finally looked down at my ankle, saw blood, but it looked rather dried. "Well, I guess I'll attend to it when I get home." I thought. I could feel it still bleed, and feel the blood soak up in my shoe. "This is not good."
I knew I'd probably going to see the Doc that day. Before I went in house, I shut off the water on the east side of the house. Entered the house, went to the utility sink and took off my shoe. Still bleeding. I hoisted myself to the washing machine and plunged the injured foot in the sink and ran water, hoping to clean the wound out and to see the damage. Quite a large gash. I sat down in the dining area. Collected my thoughts, took a deep breath, thought of a game plan. I called ER. Since it was a dog bite, they recommended: Go to your Doc, go to the walk in clinic, or if all else fails, come to Er, but probably a wise thing to do soon. I called the owner of the dog a, told her I got bit by their dog, and I was going in to get it looked at and stitched. I mostly called because I knew whomever treated the wound would notify the Sheriffs office. The gal came over, somewhat in disbelief, but as a former EMT could at least appreciate the seriousness of it. She offer to drive me to Dillon, and pay for the treatment, though not to willing to pay for an ER visit. Not a real problem , as we have insurance. Got to the walk-in clinic--my doc was too busy to fit me in, had the wounds examine- the dog chipped my calcnus, tore two gashes, one on each side, and a puncture wound. Stapled up the largest gash-to cover the exposed bone to protect it from further contamination, and gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, and a bill for about $158.00. The gal graciously paid the bill. The bill, though, stunned me. Last May, I went to ER (Barrett Hospital and Healthcare in Dillon) for a ragged laceration cause by a fall and dragging my hand across and exposed nail. Got seven stitches in the palm of my hand. IN both cases, no extra tests, no x-rays or other imaging, just basic wound care. The ER visit bill became a $1500.00 claim against my (our) insurance. OWWIIEE!!!!
But, I'll can sum this one up quickly, I was "heeled by a heeler, but, now I'm being healed by the Great Healer.

Monday, August 10, 2009

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I became a woman.
And found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

Don't break the elastic!
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70 birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such an honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.?
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Summer on the Prairie



It's the 10th of August, and yesterday we had our first real smoke-filled day. We assume that the smoke is from a fire somewhere in Utah, which yesterday, involved over 44,000 acres. It's been an amazing summer. One, the humidity has stayed around 30 or above, and we've more rainy days than in the last few years. Our yard and the surrounding hills are still green, though the native grasses have matured to a light golden color. Secondly, the temperature has rarely been above 90* F--the highest so far. Most of the summer has been spent with temps ranging in the mid 70's to mid 80's. Nice, but a little hard on the things you try to grow in your garden. And, thirdly, there is still water in the creek. Early summer rains and late spring snows have recharge several of the nearby springs.
We watched a family of robins nest and fledge in a nest built on a buffalo skull, next to our front door. The view from the kitchen window was fantastic. We pray at least on of the 4 chicks made it. All a part of God's amazing design and provision.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Summer

It's July, and the weather is heating up. From a cool 60* to near 90*, very little wind to gusting winds. The grass, once lush and green, has matured, and wave it's sere stalk. Quite the transformation is just a week. The robin's chicks now all fledged. I hope at least one of them survive, but, biologically, it's a real crap shoot. I think summer is the hardest season, mostly because it's all about change, not the subtle changes of winter, spring, and fall, but dramatic change. And boy, do we humans like to resist change.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

It's 2009 OH NO!!!


2009-This year I'll be double nickles-just like the old mandatory speed limit in my home state of North Dakota. Joey, the Blue tick/mutt cross dog on the rug will be ten.. He's been the best buddy for the last ten years. We raised him as a pup, his Mom, Sadie, a Blue Tick, and Side Meat, Papa-a real Heinz 57 dog. I don't think he really likes his picture taken, but I was busy taking pictures of our tree, so I couldn't resist. Guess I woke him up with the flash. Actually, he's in my profile picture on top of Anton Peak of the Madison Range, Beaverhead Deerlodge Forest with his Papa, Side Meat