Ever-changing and Essentially the Same

Needing some perspective and rest from the routines we trap ourselves inside, my prince and I headed to the top of one of the mountains that stands guard over our city. 

We longed to see the colors Autumn makes when she lets go of her summery green, revealing her gold and reddish low-lights.

Following an old path to a certain meadow where we camped about 32 years ago, we greeted several couples going the opposite direction who resembled younger versions of ourselves. My heart and my face gently smiled as I realized once again that we are in a new season of life. We're in Autumn, when youth, like chlorophyll pulls back, drains out, revealing the profound pigments of wisdom and experience.

Unaccustomed to the sometimes cobbley, sometimes steep upward path, our gaze was downward much of the time. I was both drawn and pleased by the places where trees had sent out roots to anchor themselves, creating sturdy and sure steps  for our sneakered feet.

Each step along the path, took us deeper into the restoration we sought.

Wings of bugs made the sound of tiny zippers as they moved past us.

We inhaled the essence of forest -- all piney and earthy.

In one spot we suddenly entered a place of cool, dark shadow, and it felt almost as though we had stepped into a separate experience.  Here, a huge pine arrested our walk and drew our eyes the long way up its craggy, old, bug-holed trunk as though we were marionettes in a puppet show. Here was something demanding awe as a toll before we were allowed to pass. And awe is what we gave. 

A few years ago, the mountain suffered a devastating fire that made skeletons of  some of the trees we would have passed all those years ago. And a few of them had fallen clear across the path that was also dappled with baby trees as tall as a sparrow on one side, as tall as an eight year old child on the other. 

The end of the path led to a view of our   city stretched below from east to west. Standing among the tree remains, we could see the grid of streets and highways spread across the land like lines in sand.  But just on the other side there was a vista equal in size that was virtually untouched by man. It was as though we could see the ages advance and recede. The change in perspective we sought was dramatically displayed from above.

Today's vistas and turning leaves, the elderly tree, the young couples, the burned forest, scattered rocks, and the root-shaped steps all told the same story.  

Written across the pages of time, life is always transforming itself. From season to season, it renews as it ages, grows as it replicates, lives as it dies. And, like its Creator, it stays essentially the same. 

Day 13

  

Beyond Home

Beyond is farther out...farther out than you are now.  Beyond is somewhere seen or unseen.  Do you want to go there?  Do you want to avoid what is beyond?  Do you know what lies beyond life? Would it change how you live if you did?

What stops our view of what is beyond? How do some people forge ahead even when they know beyond is full of pain and suffering? How does the soldier continue up the hill under fire?

Interestingly, beyond is never behind...beyond looks forward.  Moving forward is required to get beyond and once we are there, it is no longer beyond, but a place farther out takes its place.

This year, I chose the word STEP as a concept to ponder. It has caused me to think about any opportunity to advance, move forward, move beyond.  This is good for me, because I am a homebody.  I like to stay where I am comfortable and safe.  In an ocean of ships, I am the dock.  On a farm, I am the barn door.  Staying put, staying home, staying safe.

I admire those who go beyond.  I like to watch them come and go from my safe little place.  And though my steps rarely take me beyond the safe place, I wonder...is that a bad thing?

As a woman covered by the Grace of God, I could go anywhere in this world and ultimately be safe in God's hands.  Beyond this world, according to His Word, I am promised a better place, because my Lord has made it so and has prepared it.

As a woman committed to family, home is a good place to be.  All boats need a port.  And the barn door is a welcome sight to the weary workhorse. Home is a place to rest and gather strength, to nourish and grow strong, to learn and pray and plan.  A home manager is a valuable person, for she enables others to go beyond, knowing they have somewhere to return and rest their weary heads and hearts.

Though it is good to go beyond many things: beyond illness, beyond hardship, beyond addiction, beyond fear, it is beyond me to imagine life without home, faith, country. So I am okay with being a homebody.

I recently read a blog post written by a young woman who has looked far beyond Bangladesh, but has found beauty Two Steps From Home Here's what she said:

                          The Beauty Of Dew On Paddy Crop

I've visited far miles and many countries.

Saw oceans and hills.

But did not see opening my eyes

Just two steps from home

The beauty of a -

Dew drop on a paddy crop.

Photo courtesy of Two Steps From Home

What I find fascinating about this, is that my God has made it possible for this woman and me to go way beyond our homes with our hearts, our thoughts and our photographs to learn, grow, bless, comfort and share.

I am so thankful He has done this.  No, I am BEYOND thankful.

To read more, click on this link: BEYOND.

Love,
Becky

Affordable Healthcare / Steps to Wellness

Who isn't tired of listening to all the "talk" about health care?  I am. And I'm mostly frustrated with the ability of people to ignore some simple truths. If everyone implemented the practices below, the issue of health care and health insurance would resume its proper position in our national conversation.  Today I was inspired to share some of the things that I KNOW will help to build good health. I would suggest that you read through the post before clicking on links. Here goes:
Our bodies ask for what they need, but they can only order from the MENU they have been served.  Serve the good stuff.

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store: buy fresh food.

Make water your primary drink. To de-chlorinate water, leave it in a glass pitcher overnight.  I've started leaving a pitcher of water and a glass on my kitchen counter.  We drink and refill often.  After you start to adequately hydrate, your body will tell you to drink.

Build meals around simple foods, with few ingredients.  If you can't pronounce it easily your body can't easily decode it.

If you are struggling with illness, try avoiding bread for a few weeks and see what happens to your diet and your body. Much is being said about topics like gluten intolerance , and wheat belly. There are reasons for this!  

Refined Sugar, unfortunately, is the enemy.  Eliminate it, as much as possible, and you will live to discover its appeal is far less formidable, and that "regular foods" taste good.  

If conventional medicine has let you down, consider seeing a naturopathic doctor or integrative medical doctor; they will view your body as a whole, your symptoms as signals to listen to, rather than disease to cover up.

Use coconut oil in your cooking and on your skin; Also switch to coconut or palm-based soaps. 

My last tips: not the least tips:

Find an exercise program that you can follow and enjoy. It is never too late to start: even my 87-year-old stepfather is discovering how much exercise helps.

Develop thankfulness.  A thankful heart is light.

Laugh.  Laughter is good medicine 

Pray, respect God, and practice humility: Proverbs 3: 7-8 " Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth."  

Give the gift of your unique self to those around you, especially to your family; but also to your neighbor, friend and co-worker.

My love to you!

~Becky

Note: the links in this post are solely for information to my reader. I derive no benefit from any of them.

Let Me Sow Love

My Father sent me a  reminder today.

I was looking for a good place to take a photo of my little eggshell seed starter.

"Oh yes!  The garden window." 

Then I saw it -- my prompt.

Left-click on the photo to read it for yourself.

There are all kinds of seeds to sow and many ways to do it; the important part is to take the first step. Let's get planting!

STEP,SNAP,GROW,ENJOY

Here are a few highlights of what my word of the year: STEP, and my project of the year: 365 photos have produced.

 ...interesting photos

 ... eggs for sale

 ...making art and onions from stuff I used to throw away

 ...enjoying my oldest hobby

 ...developing our Facebook page

...combining new enterprises with the tried and true

 ...viewing life from the eyes of a 3yr old

 ...looking at things in new ways through the lens of a camera

 ...remembering to give credit to God for the MANY and varied blessings in my life

 ...boring and/or delighting my peeps with photos of  eggs

 ...sneaking pics of my prince

...learning about some of the "old ways"

 ... like, making bone broth and preserving herbs

 ...decorating the ladies' bedroom

 ...playing games with grandchildren and making fond memories







Last evening I told my Prince that I don't deserve to be having so much

FUN...


It's true, I don't deserve anything --  every perfect gift that comes to me from my Father is a blessing   ...not a reward.

 What a JOY life is when  taking steps with God, enjoying his creation and playing with his children!  -Love,
Becky

..

LOVE, Always and Forever.

This being the month where LOVE receives special recognition, I thought I would "STEP" out and share a little talk I had with my Father - God this morning about  LOVE.  Here is how it went:   

Q and A of Love 

Where is love?

In the heart.

What is the heart?

The pump.

And what does it pump?

The blood.

And what is the blood?

The life. 

And what is the life?

The material form love takes.

What do I do with the material?

Love (work it...circulate it)

Why?

Because love carries life.

And when life stops?

Cardiac arrest. 

Oh, then love is life?

Yes.

And when life ends?

Life never ends.

Then, when the heart stops...where is love?

With me (Jesus), always and forever.

And for those not with you?

Without me (Love) always and forever.

Then to be without you is hell?

Yes.

Because it is to be without love?

Yes.

I love you Father!

I know.

Please help me to love today.

My pleasure. 

There you have it. Now off the soap-box and off to the gym to do some cardio!

(PS This convo is merely a depiction of what took place in my heart and mind and in no way represents direct quoting.)

WE THE PEOPLE

I am not a political person. But I am a proud American and I care passionately about our nation and its future. I respect you and your opinions. Because we are friends, I have decided to share this with you. If you don't agree, feel free to share why. Here goes:

My prince and I are heart-sick of the political situation our country is in, which is caused by sin and selfishness all around. WE THE PEOPLE and our leaders need to step up and be courageous in defense of life and liberty. You don't need to be a history expert to know what made our country thrive.  Like all other great civilizations in history, we will fail if we do not take steps to defend Freedom, Faith, and Family.

Our nation was founded on the cause of liberty by people who died to declare and install it; men and women have been willing to give their lives to keep it that way, and people are literally dying to get in here! WHY? They have seen the alternative.

This side of heaven, is there anywhere on earth you would rather live?

Although no man is able to be all to all,  the men vying for the top jobs in America,need to be filled with courage, ability and conviction to lead or great country -- to firm up its men, cherish its women, and instruct its children.

This is the only kind of candidate that will receive our support.

Going the Distance, Backward

Hold on, just a minute!  Before you throw that orange peel, onion skin or dryer lint in the trash...or the vacuum dust, or the eggshells, the bbq ash, or the spaghetti sauce jar -- does it belong there?  Are you sure?  I have learned the answer is often NO!

I used to throw all these items into a plastic bag, together with all the other "useless" stuff I needed to discard -- to keep things clean and orderly -- and so does most of our society!  In fact, that is one reason we live longer than the previous generation. We throw trash away and keep things clean.  We go to the store and get new stuff.

Right?

Yes, right!  That's because most of us grew up that way. My generation had everything we needed and most of what we wanted.  Until recently, when we discovered the truth expressed by the word UN-sustainable.  (No, I am not writing on a political theme, here; at least I don't think I am.)

It's simply that I've rediscovered a few of the old ways.  I started to toss kitchen scraps into a container under the sink, instead of stuffing it down the disposal. Dryer lint is collected in a rescued container that sits on top of our dryer; and all of these items are turned into food (compost) for my garden and Kelly's garden as well.

Look what I'm doing with toilet paper rolls today.

Newspapers now go to a recycle bin, along with cardboard, office paper, soup cans, and plastic containers of all kinds. Glass!...I'm having a lot of trouble throwing away glass.

A few weeks ago, I was rinsing out one of three Classico spaghetti sauce jars after a big family dinner, when I noticed that the manufacturer had gone to the trouble to mark the jar in 4 ounce increments!  Can you think of other uses for this jar? (above) I can.  When I told Rachel, she said, "Great, I use 4 a week, you may have them."  Four a week, I'm not sure I am able to re-purpose 208 of these!  Many could end up in the recycle bin to be made into more glass.  Who knows, though?  I might just learn to can this year and use them all!

I now tuck lettuce into the flower bed.

Since we began to make compost, and recycle, we have significantly reduced our trash. We used to take out one or two tall kitchen bags daily; now it might only be a weekly thing. I jam plastic shopping bags into a pretty tote in our car trunk and drop them off monthly in one of many recycle bins available at most stores that use them. Want to see our trunk?

I'm taking these magazines to the used bookstore to trade for great books.

There is a real opportunity in trash.  Making use of stuff we used to throw away is the new, new! People are re-discovering the old ways of making use of what is available to supply what is needed.  Some people are turning trash into beautiful objects, others are turning it into new business ventures.  The old English proverb, "Waste not, want not" has endured for a reason.  The stuff that meets our need is all around us. At leas,t that is what I'm discovering as I learn how to waste less.

My word of the year is "STEP"...I'm taking some more steps backward to see what else I find.  Will you join me?

Check out a few of these links to see what I'm talking about.  We Upcycle , Thrifty and Chic,Homework, today's assignment: be inspired!  But before you go...take a look at what I did with old calendars and fabric.

I just HAD to  fit my new passion into this post. Raising hens, now 7, is such a joy. Oh, and guess what they give me back?

Photo ops!

Now go check out what some other people are doing. And have an eggcelent time!

Love,
Becky