God Rest Ye

God rest ye merry bloggers all

Let nothing you dismay.

Because I went to K-Mart

And the grocery store today.

And even though it was pitch dark

I got these pictures, hey!

Oh tidings of blogging and joy

Blogging and joy

Oh tidings of blogging and joy!!

(to be sung to the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen")

Well, dear friends, I had to go shopping tonight, and I was bummed. The clocks were set back this weekend, and I don't like going out in the dark. No picture opportunities, hard to see and to walk. But we happened to pass by the local Garden Center. And even though it was closed, they had just decorated their windows for Christmas! So we pulled into the parking lot and I took these pictures full of the first light of Christmas just for you! The last picture is looking out the car's rear view mirror as we were leaving, one last look from behind.

"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5

Goin' Back

I think I'm goin' back

to the things I learned so well in my youth.

I think I'm returning to those days

when I was young enough to know the truth.

Now there are no games to only pass the time.

No more electric trains, no more trees ro climb.

Thinking young and growing older is no sin

and I can play the game of life to win.

Now there's more to do than watch my sailboat glide

And every day can be my magic carpet ride.

A little bit of courage is all we lack

so catch me if you can, I'm goin' back.

Nils Lofgren

Well, my friends...enjoying this short return to my youth on these drugs has not been quite the magic carpet ride I had hoped. Of course, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! Late last night we were sitting on the couch reading and doing computer work. It was very quiet. Then the phone rang. It startled me quite a bit and made me jump. This has never happened before, it's probably because I'm in a hightened state now. But that started my heart palpitating and going out of rhythm. I have a history of harmless palpitations from time to time, but these have not gone away yet. It doesn't really worry me, it's just my little fountain of youth pills making it worse than usual. How tiresome! I have a good friend who has had this for a long time, and she holds her breath or breathes into a bag. So I suppose I'll try that tomorrow if I need to. I saw this beautiful new moon tonight and thought how appropriate it is for me at this time...now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go find the jacks and pick-up-sticks in the toy box, a nice distraction. Oh, and please, no calls after midnight!!

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Gone Far Away

They say you can't go home again, but I have found that indeed you can. During my virus, the doctor has put me on steroids in big doses. I have had them before and they are an amazing thing. They take over your body, and all the pain goes away. Pain from any and everything. You see, I have almost constant pain from something most of the time. I need knee surgery, my rotator cuff has a complete tear through it, I have a curved spine, but I won't bore you with all that. I am very blessed to be up and around, there are so many much worse than me!! But I have a vacation from pain now. You don't really sleep on steroids, and I have been up for over two days now, wired with a ton of energy and not going to bed. I don't mind not sleeping if I'm in no pain, I can get lots done that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I have the metabolism of a mouse now, running around, eating all the time, not sleeping. Once in a while, if you've been sick and the doctor prescribes them, they are a wonderful escape from reality. But they are extremly dangerous to take all the time, and in the end can destroy your body in many aspects. And when I come off them, I will crash hard and turn into a very old lady indeed. Phil and I have never gone on a vacation in over 40 years of marriage, but I've gone far, far away now. No, we can't go back home, but I've gone back to the actual person I used to be at twenty five years old. You'll hear back from the real me in about ten days, not a bad old lady, just a bit slower, with a grimace on her face now and then, but with a fresher memory of what it was like to be young and vibrant. It's nice to have a vacation in the fall.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30,31

Brilliant

After being laid up with a virus for a few days, I went out yesterday. I was so glad to be out in the crisp fall air, feeling alive! Everything was even more beautiful and intense to me. And everywhere I looked was the brilliant shock of yellow. All around, everywhere, like a wonderful gift! It was like a refreshing slap of cold water on my face, I wanted to drink it all in and look forever. I was happy. Very, very happy. This may be because yellow is the most happy color in the spectrum. It is optimistic and full of energy. It stimulates the nervous system, mental processes, and memory. Yet, strangely, it signifies sadness in Greece!! My header is from about two houses down, so come along with me and see just a few of the sights that I passed by. It's totally brilliant.

"...and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him." Ezekiel 1:27

Better

Hi to all my wonderful followers! Tonight I am happy to report that I am typing this update myself! Medication has helped my vertigo and nausea. The doctor said I have a virus that has spread to my inner ear. He has given me more steroids so I will feel better till the virus stops spreading, and runs it's course. The steroids should have me so pumped up that I might actually get some housework and cooking done! I still am severely limiting my reading and computer time, but hope to be back visiting and blogging sometime Friday! The drugs should be kicked in by then. YES!! I have missed everyone, and will see you all in a day or so!

Sick Leave

Dear Blog friends, you probably noticed that I didn't comment on any blogposts today. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling extremely sick. Bad vertigo made everything spin around and around and I was very nauseus, unable to even walk without assistance. I talked to the Dr. on the phone, and he believes I may have an inner ear infection. He told me to take Dramimine, and if I couldn't keep any fluids down by evening, go to the E.R. Fortunately, I've been able to drink a bit and have a bowl of soup at bedtime but each turn of the head makes things spin around and I have spent the day flat in bed unable to read, watch t.v. or work the computer. My husband is typing this post for me. I see the Dr. here on this wednesday at 4 o'clock. I'm hoping to get better sometime this week, but until then extreme dizziness forces me to be idle. I will have my husband post another update tomorrow night if I am unable. I appreciate all my dear blog friends so much and hope to be visiting all of you very soon.

The Passing Storm

Till the storm passes over

Till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand

In the hollow of thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Mosie Lister

This is a tiny fall decoration I put out every year. It is two little mice seeking shelter from a storm under a fall leaf. One of the mice is clutching his tail in fear as big water drops weigh the leaf down. But his companion comforts him. We, also, have a companion and comforter in the storms of life.

"When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed." Proverbs 10:25