Why it is important to keep your camera handy...

Fellow blogger, Jody, posted this today: Coke Float Day. A very poignant reminder of how fragile life is.

After reading this, I regretted not taking a picture of my granddaughter as she helped me batter the catfish we had for dinner tonight. Or how she played "hide the thimble" with her great-grand Mama Trudy. Or how she enjoyed her dinner, going back for thirds. Or how she beamed when she told me, "Mama Trudy just measured me and I'm 5'4" tall!" Or how she wanted me to watch as she tried to do the splits... those are some long legs, but guess you'll have to take my word for it. I loved every minute that she was here with us this afternoon. When LaNae picked her up, it was only a few minutes until I received a text from Lydia: "Go look outside."

So Wendy and I grabbed our cameras and headed out the door.

Your friend and mine was trying to get in the picture or get in the way... I'm not sure which. What do you think? He gets pretty ornery when he's enjoyed a bowl of ice cream. The rainbow was in the east and at the same time, this was the scene in the west. The cloud with a silver lining? Wendy and Rick, thanks for coming over and sharing a meal with us. I needed the company! After dinner, we played two games of Spades (I was having withdrawals.)Guys-2, Girls-0.

Count it all joy. We are so blessed.

Oh, I almost forgot. Mama Trudy's eye doctor was very pleased with her progress today. Thursday we will go from 4 drops 4 times a day to 3 drops 3 times a day and 1 drop 2 times a day.

Don got a call last night and confirmed this morning... he will be preaching again Sunday at the Olivet Baptist Church here in Norman.

God is good, all the time.

Remember to enjoy all your blessings... don't miss a single one and even those you may not consider to be a blessing at the moment.

Short and very sweet

What Would Jesus Do?
from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God."
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is in your life? That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality. What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved? The world would take notice.
ACTION POINT:
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"

Pass This On To a Friend | | Discover Jesus

Sunday is here.

Don and Rick and Wendy Fury came by Mama's to get me for church this morning.  It was good to go to church and listen to Don preach.  Richard Boyanton, friend and pastor of the Norman Town and Country Church had asked Don yesterday if he would fill in for him as he needed to be out of town.  Of course, Don agreed.  His sermon topic was about forgiveness.  Something that happened at the memorial service he did Thursday afternoon led him to this topic.  It was a very good message.  Rick helped me lead the music which I appreciated very much.  Two voices are always better than one, especially if one of the voices is mine.

After church, we went to the new Cheddar's in town and enjoyed a meal together.  And then they dropped me back at Mama Trudy's as it was time to put drops in her eye.  I also fixed her lunch.  She was hungry for cornmeal pancakes with some soup.  So I whipped 'em up.

After my nap and about 4:00 PM, Don came back into town. He said he had slept all afternoon, too. Preaching this morning made him tired because there was no A/C in the building.  We did get rain last night, which cooled things down a bit and there were fans pushing the air around, but it was still humid and he was 'working.'  

When Mama Trudy got up from her nap, (isn't Sunday a day of rest?) we played dominoes until Don left to go to Noble First Baptist Church.  He got a surprise when, after the Bible study, the pastor invited Don to come up front and share the RV ministry we are doing with the church and then close the evening with prayer. He was very excited to get the opportunity to share how God has blessed us and used us in this ministry.

Now, after dinner, playing more dominoes, and taking a walk outside, Mama Trudy is all tucked into bed with the last drops of the day administered and I am blogging. 

I read the following devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah tonight and it really spoke to me and maybe it will speak to your heart as well.

for the Weekend, June 27 & 28

Ink Spots: A Premature Idea Brought to Fruition

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38a

Recommended Reading
Colossians 3:23-24

²³ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ²⁴ Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Sandy Griffith’s first child was premature and had to remain in the hospital for nearly a week. Fortunately, she was able to spend almost the entire time with him, loving him, and bonding with him. But she saw many other “preemies” who spent most of the day alone with no one to hold them. She decided that someday she would show love to premature babies in hospital nurseries.

That day came after a career as an elementary school teacher and after raising her own children. She found a Houston-area hospital eager for her volunteer service, and her church got behind her ministry. Others from her church joined her in her hospital ministry to infants. Her church funded a playroom at the hospital and two mini-apartments for parents of preemies. Through her efforts, lonely babies are now rocked, kissed, sung to, and blessed with the love of Christ.

Be alert for needs that God shows you in your youth that you might fulfill when you have time and ability in your latter years. God’s timing is perfect.

God is not greater if you reverence Him, but you are greater if you serve him. - St. Augustine

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 119:121 - 124:8  &  Psalms 125:1 - 135:21

Thank you, Lord, for this day and all the blessings we've experienced.  We are so blessed.

Can you hear her?

When Mama Trudy sat down to eat her breakfast this morning, I was sitting in the living room in the recliner reading my emails.  I watched her as she sat down and bowed her head. 

Thank the Lord that my camera was at my right hand, I reached and turned it on, making sure that the flash was off. 

Can you hear her, praying softly:  Dear Lord, thank Thee for these and all other blessings. Thank Thee for this new day and for the sleep, rest and protection that Thou hast provided through the night.  Bless my family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren today, watch over and protect them.  Bless this food and these supplements to the nourishment of my body and my body for Thy glory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. 

I'm quite sure that will be the sweetest sound I will hear all day.

Note 1:  Mama Trudy grew up reading and still reads the very poetic version of the Holy Scriptures, the King James Version.  Thus, her prayers are very poetic  and reverent as she speaks with Thee's, Thou's, Thy's, etc.  I dearly love to hear her pray and wanted to share, as best I could, this blessing with you.

Note:  I love it when good things happen without any planning on my part.  Please notice the rose in the picture in the foreground on the right.  In my haste to take Mama's picture without being noticed, I did not see the rose which is in a bouquet on a table between me and the dining area.  I could not have planned it any better.  If you don't know what the big deal is, check yesterday's blog, The Rose.

The Voices of Glory

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, you are not an American.

It was a very good day

Hi Snookie.  I sure miss your blog.  I just know there is an incredible dead tree somewhere in Alaska that I need a picture of!

Well, Mama Trudy has had a really good day, pain free from cataract surgery and feeling really good otherwise, too.  She loved the blog post I dedicated to her... made her cry. (I told her that tears might not be good for her eye, as I was wiping mine.)  She got LOTS of phone calls today, lots of birthday wishes on facebook, several birthday cards and a pretty bouquet of flowers from two ladies in the complex here.The zebra card is from Pat, next door, and Carmen, across the street, as are the flowers above.

Don stopped by his sister and mother's garden and brought us fresh zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumbers along with some sliced smoked turkey he picked up at Rudy's.  I cooked the squash (yes, you read that right, I cooked), made some potatoes, sliced the cucs and we had a really good lunch.  Mama really enjoyed it.

There is one thing, though.  Mama is bound and determined to have birthday cake and ice cream tomorrow, so LaNae and I are planning a little 'get together' for the afternoon.  It will be fun.

It's now 12:10 AM and she couldn't sleep, so she is up again, sitting in her rocker, reading her Bible.  She had me put the eye protector back on tonight because she's afraid she will rub her eye during the night. [I could not even begin to guess how long she has had this robe.]  Mama just read Ecclesiastes 3 to me.    There's a time to be awake and there's a time to go to sleep.  Good night, Mama.  Good night all.  I'm going to bed now with a grateful heart, but missing my Don.

We are so blessed.

The Rose

[Don't forget to pause the playlist in the sidebar menu.]

Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose

This post is dedicated to The Rose in my life.  She has reached 91 years young today because she has always had a dream, she has always had a goal, she has always had a design of some form in her mind and

she has never been afraid to serve,

she has never been afraid to give,

she has never been afraid to love and

she has never been afraid to live. 

I love you, Mama.

[Digital scrapbook layout by granddaughter, Leslie]

Thursday appointment

We made it to Dr. Wise's office by 9:15 AM, barely, and we didn't have to wait at all, even though this picture looks like we are waiting. Mama could read the top and second line, but couldn't see this line well enough to read it. Dr. Wise said that was normal and she also explained mother's cataract: cataracts range in density from the consistency of soft butter to being hard as a walnut shell.  Mama's cataract was as hard as a walnut shell, because of how long she's had it.  Therefore, it took a little longer to remove it.  With everything that she had to do, Mama has some edema (fluid/swelling) still and Dr. Wise prescribed yet a fourth eye medication (over-the-counter) to help with the edema faster.  I am very impressed with Kimberly M. Wise, M.D., P.C.  She took the time to explain everything to us.  Another thing we're thankful for today is the permanent removal of the eye patch.  It was taped to Mama's face and four times a day when we added the drops to her eye, that patch had to be removed... ouch.  Mama's tender skin was getting very irritated by the tape so I had devised a way to tie it onto her head, but we don't have to mess with it anymore.  Yeah!

Don looked so handsome in his white shirt and tie that I just had to take his picture.  He was asked to do a memorial service at the grave site this afternoon.  It was 100+ degrees again today and he said he was drenched when the service was over.  He was thankful for the tree he was able to stand in the shade of.  My man is getting so tan.For the next week, my day will consist mostly of putting eye drops in Mama's eye, playing dominoes (and do not think for one minute that I win every game!), cooking and washing dishes. I'm very thankful for our laptop and air card that helps me feel connected.

We are so blessed.

A very busy day

We were at the hospital at eight o'clock this morning, ready to get on with this cataract surgery.  Mama's pastor, Bryan Thurmon, came to see her and I caught this picture of them talking.Next, I got some funny pictures of her after the nurse had given her a valium.  She was laying there sound asleep with her mouth open ever so slightly.  Because I honor her, I will NOT be sharing those with the blog world.  It was hilarious to see her so sound asleep one moment, only to be awakened by the nurse for some reason or another, then she was talking ninety miles a minute, and the next second, she was sound asleep again.  That woman cracks me up!

This is not very flattering either, but she won't mind.  She's still asleep, almost, but very thirsty and hungry.  It's about one o'clock this afternoon in this picture and she hasn't had anything to eat or drink since midnight last night.Because her cornea would not hold the lens the doctor had planned to use, she had to insert a different lens, which took more time, which required a little more anesthesia, which demanded more recovery time sleep. She experienced only mild nausea, a slight headache and a little dizziness which we all attribute to no food and all the above.  I mean, come on people, she'll be 91 Friday and the only medication she takes is a 81mg baby aspirin... we are going to give her all the time she needs to recover.  So, after consuming two cups of apple juice, a glass of water, a cup of vanilla pudding and several crackers, she is ready to go home.  Where.she.promptly.went.back.to.sleep.

Her eye will require three different drops four times a day for a week.  We will take her to the eye doctor for a follow-up in the morning.  As I type, it's 10:00 PM, she has no pain whatsoever, anywhere, which we attribute to the many prayers for her today.  Thank you so much to all who prayed for Mama Trudy.

This afternoon late, we had a special treat.  Lydia and Blaine came over to see us for a while.  Lydia is eleven and I can not believe how tall she is.  Mama Trudy is about 5'6" and look at this picture![Tammy, you will get a kick out of this.]  Ok, we laughed so hard when I showed these pictures to Mama Trudy.  I was so excited to see Lydia and Blaine that I never even noticed that Mama's skirt was unbuttoned at the top button.Mama Trudy giggled again... Here's our Blaine.  He's seven and growing up so handsome and loving.You would think that Mama Trudy would be self-conscious about the patch on her eye or that she's in her socks, but she's not.  She was just thrilled to see her great-grands. Last week, Mama got Blaine's patchwork quilt-throw finished and was delighted to give it to him today.  Blaine was SO proud of his quilt.  When his dad came to pick them up, he said, "Look what Mama Trudy made me!  Feel how soft!"  (the back side is polyester flannel) I had Mama put on her shades so the flash wouldn't hurt her eye, as there are little holes in the patch for light to get through.

We are so blessed.

Wednesday-cataract surgery

Well, it's finally Wednesday morning.  I've been with Mama Trudy all week putting two different drops in her right eye four times a day.  This morning, she has to be at outpatient surgery at 8:15.  I don't think either one of us slept really soundly.  Mama had leg cramps really bad about 11:30 last night.  We found that the best thing was for her to just walk, stop and pull her toes up, and then walk some more.  So I walked with her up and down the hall, to make sure she didn't fall. 

Here's a couple of pictures I took the other morning on the way in to Norman.  Aren't these horses beautiful?

How Can I Keep From Singing?

[#72 on my playlist, sidebar menu... scroll down and click the play arrow to enjoy this awesome song.  I'm enjoying Chris Tomlin this morning.]

How Can I Keep From Singing?

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King, I am loved by the King And it makes my heart want to sing

Lyrics | Chris Tomlin Lyrics | How Can I Keep From Singing Lyrics

Taking Time to Worship

[Pause the playlist before starting this video.]

Just Keep Praying
from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning's which cannot be uttered."
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There’s an old song with the refrain “Just keep on praying ‘til light breaks through.” When you don’t feel like praying, that’s when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you’re not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing. Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.
ACTION POINT:
How's your prayer life? Do you say grace before meals and squeeze in a quick prayer before you drop off to sleep each night? Take some time today to talk to the Lord.

Sunday is Here

The four of us, Rick, Wendy, Don and I, went down the road to Woodland Hills Baptist Church this morning for the 9:15 early service.  Pastor Bruce preached a really good sermon for Father's Day.  The worship music was particular good this morning, also.

A late "Happy Father's Day" greeting for any dads who might be reading this blog.  Hope you've had a wonderful day.

Today is the day that Mama Trudy has to begin the eye drops, four times a day, in preparation for her cataract surgery Wednesday.  I am staying with her to put the drops in for her: upon rising in the morning, at noon, at dinner time and at bedtime... which was 11:00 PM for her tonight.  We got into our Mexican Train domino game.  Well, actually, we took a break and took a walk and then came back to finish our game.  It's so hot and humid here, we waited until the sun was going down before we went walking.

Tomorrow, I take Mama to the hospital for the pre-surgery bit... whatever that consists of.  Will let you know.

I'm sure missing my hubby.  After tomorrow, we may work out a different arrangement, but not sure how that will work.  I need the pickup tomorrow, but not on Tuesday.  Then Wednesday, will need it to take Mama for her surgery.  Will find out Wednesday how long post-op drops are required.

I called Don tonight and he'd had a ham sandwich for dinner; he's rested most of the afternoon; and he sounded a little lonesome.  We're a mess, aren't we?

Well, that's it for this Sunday. 

We are so blessed.

Friday. Fishing.

The glow from the east on the side of Don's and Rick's faces is from the rising sun. (That would be coffee in Don's cup.) That would be Rick's fishing hat. That's right, our men went fishing today!  They were pretty excited about that fact.  Doesn't Rick's nice clean truck look good?!? Don's buddy, Wayne, has a bass boat and they all went to Lake Murray.  Rick caught one.  Don got a snag but missed it.  Wayne caught one.  I think the most excited Don got all day was when he looked at his phone while out in the middle of the lake and saw FIVE bars.  He was so excited, he called me.  Wendy and I were in Wal-Mart and Don tried to convince me that he and Wayne had thrown Rick overboard because he was the only one who had caught anything at that time.  Oh, yes, Don said he caught a rope, but Rick made him throw it back in because he didn't want to 'skin' it.  I think they had a good time.  Yep, they had a really good time.

Meantime, Wendy and I loaded up and went to Mama Trudy's for a 'spa day.'  We gave each other a pedicure, complete with foot soaking... you know, the works.  It was great.  I would have pictures, but forgot the card... left it in my laptop and the memory in the camera is full.  But I'm home now, so see my pretty feet!  No?  Ok, skip the picture.

Wendy and I enjoyed a chicken taco salad at Tulio's and our girl-time-day at Mama Trudy's and then came back to the park.  The guys beat us home.  My man went fishin' and 'caught' some sun!!! 

So now we're watching the college world series and Don't Forget Those Lyrics... one of my favorite shows.  When the contestant picks the song they are going to guess the lyrics to, I quickly put in a Google search for the lyrics so I will know if they are choosing correctly.  Does that make it an interactive game?

That's our Friday.  How was yours?

Back to the "Q"

Before we left Stephanie's this morning, Taylor wanted his picture taken with his Papa Don.  Now we know why.  He's almost as tall as his granddad.And almost as handsome.Logan is being such a good neighbor playing with Colby who is three.On the way back to the "Q" we pulled off the interstate at Chandler and drove downtown where we found the Country Kitchen.  There was only one table open and the food was really good.  Nice, clean, friendly place.I wonder what the story is regarding this lone brick buried in the sidewalk?

Back at the 'Q', prepared the green beans and new potatoes that we had purchased at the fresh produce local market in Bixby. (I tried to get pictures but my battery was dead.)  Wendy called and invited us for hamburgers and hot dogs, so we combined our meal and enjoyed together.

We are so enjoying our fellowship with Rick and Wendy and thank God every day for sending them our way.

Midweek trip to Tulsa

Monday night, I got a message from daughter Stephanie in Tulsa telling me that Logan, 6, well... his team had won a doubleheader that night and would be playing in the championship game on Wednesday night.  Could we come?  You bet!! 

We filled up with gas this morning and headed for Tulsa.Rick and Wendy thought about going with us, but they are both sort of sunburned and Rick really needs to stay off his knee more and let it recover from surgery, so they decided to stay 'home.' 

It was so cool to see all these flags flying along our route.  Probably 'auto row.'It's so green here in Oklahoma. We stopped in Stroud for lunch at the Rock Cafe, located on the famous U.S. Route 66.  The Rock Cafe was once famous for it's German food, but now only serves a few German specialties for dinner.  Several months ago, it burned and only re-opened last week.  When is the last time you saw this?See why it's call Rock Cafe?

 

Proof that we were on Route 66.  We're going east. Route 66, the Mother Road.Bristow, Oklahoma is a neat town with a lot of proud history. Bristow how pretty flowers for the public to enjoy.  These were at an intersection corner.We arrived at Steph's around 2:30, visited, rested and finally it was time to get ready for Logan's game.   Steph's Chilean Jasmine Mandevilla, that she bought the last time we were here, is doing great. Both of them.Pretty daisies.PawPaw Don and Logan.Game time!Logan caught the ball, threw it to first base and got the runner out!It's Logan's turn at bat.  He hit the ball, got on base, and drove in a runner or two.  I was excited and didn't pay attention to how many scored.Now here's a baseball card picture for you.Logan's dad, Rick, is the designated pitcher coach.Rick and Wendy, it was really hot at the game and we sat in the sun.  The only saving quality was a constant breeze... you probably made the right decision to stay 'home.' See you Thursday!!

Stephanie had asked what her dad wanted for Father's Day and he said, "Dinner tonight."  So when Rick was naming restaurants and said "Copeland's Creole Cajun Restaurant."  Don asked if they had a "fried catfish po boy" and Rick said, "oh, yes."  That was Don's pick.  And was it ever a good choice.  The food was great and the dessert.... d.e.e.e.v.i.n.e.  Don and I shared a White Chocolate Bread Pudding.  This was our first time at Copeland's and we loved it.  Our waitress was great with lots of personality. Had to get a picture of the Vaughans'.  Thanks for a fun evening and wonderful meal.Beautiful mom and her boys.  Aren't they handsome!?!

We are so blessed!

"May you be Blessed as well always.  And may you always enjoy your Blessings."  Art F. Ledezma, Jr.