INDEPENDENCE DAY

Isn't Independence Day America's Birthday ---- the signing of the Declaration of Independence?   Yes it is, so why do we call it July 4th.  People say Happy July 4th.  Why don't we say 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA" or "HAPPY INDEPENDENCE".    We don't say Merry December 25 so why happy July 4th.    We think of BBQs, picnics, fireworks, family gathering but we forget our independence, we forget our soldiers, we forget our forefathers, and most of all we forget THE GOD WHO GAVE US FREEDOM. 

How far have we fallen,  our lives were so easy that we were lulled into a stuper while we lost freedom after freedom......schools with no prayer, no true GOD,  rights to abort babies because of loose morality and perverted and unclean living, perversion in gender unity..... on and on we slowly allowed unglodly men take over our choices as we became complacent and in a stuper. 





HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

 

Today is Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, the holiday set aside to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom.  In reality, there is a whole lot of 'first day of summer' kind of celebrating going on,and this year, people are flocking to the lakes by the thousands. 
I never was much for going to cemeteries or for putting flowers on graves.  I drive by and see flowers everywhere -- but our loved ones are not really there.   I just never developed an appreciation for that custom.   The past is over and I hope I've learned the lessons in life I should  learn, but life is all about living today to the fullness of God's blessing.  It is about making myself line up with God's Word and being more and more Christ-like each day.  Living a Christ-like. life  would be MEMORABLE.     

Today, I am working a six-hour shift at the Sorenson Call Center.  I've noticed the calls are a tiny bit slower -- people  are out and about.  But the major topic of the day is either no awareness that this is a holiday, or plans for cooking out.   So we have another holiday that has turned into a food fest -- this one concentration on BBQ or grilling.  The reason why I opted to work today is for the money....strictly about worldly cash ..... time and a half.    Ha-ha.



Perky Pimento Cheese



 Now I have done a bit of activity in the kitchen

In preparation for a cook out at the Scharph's home, I did potato salad, watermelon slices and Perky Pimento Cheese made with pepper jack cheese and sharp cheddar.  It was a hit. 

 The Scharpf Family went berry picking along with Bonita and her kids.  They picked Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries.  April is showing me the size of the berries.

The Book of Job



Earth Closest To The Moon Day: Lunar Perigee

 In our Bible studies this week, we've been reading the book of Job.  Oh my, I have such a tremendous admiration for that man by the name of Job.  He had no Bible, no written directions, he lived by faith and his relationship with His God.  And God was so pleased with Job.

I can not imagine the devastation of serving a loving God and possible no knowledge of Satan's tricks on the faithful and then loosing every single thing you have.  Probably even God was silent during that time.  And then to be stricken with such a horrible disease probably similar to the man eating flesh yet, Job was not allowed to die.  Is there anything worse than loosing you children your source of livelihood, everything except a wife that recommends you curse God and Die.



Closer to Earth than its been in 18 years in its eliptical orbit.

 I'm impressed with his three friends as well.  They get a bad name later in the book but how many friends do humans have today that would come and sit with you in your pain and despair for seven days and nights and never say one word -- just mourn and suffer with you.    I don't know if I would do that for a friend but I hope I would care enough about a friend in a time of darkness.

The beautiful part of Job is even though he questioned and begged to die, he never turned against God.  It seems that God knew Job could handle anything that the devil could bring him. I know there is a lot more meaning to be learned from the Book of Job, but for now, this much is amazing for me.  Just to trust God no matter how challenging life becomes and just to be a friend to God and mankind is a humongous goal to have.

BBQ 'n Blues in Bixby, America

Not far from where I live is a little 'farm' town known as Bixby, Oklahoma.  When the children were young, we use to go pick green beans, corn, strawberries and the such.  It was also a favorite pecan shopping location.  Today Bixby, while still small, has grown.  And yesterday, Ken and I took the short drive to visit the  BBQ 'n Blues 11th Annual celebration.  We were interested in the tasting experience of the 93 some contestants.  But we did not read the fine print and that was today at noon.  We missed that part.  It was still a fun experience.

This was about the time we discovered that were were not going to get a lot of samples. but Some restaurants were selling BBQ and we ended up trying Bobs Pig Wings.  Actually, we ate pulled pork.  Ken said it was just 'so-so' and he would know.

The Roland Bowling Bank was playing so we sat and listened to them for a short time.  Ken like their Blues enough that he bought their 2-CDs and a T-Shirt special for only $10.   After coming home and listeneing to the CDs -- he commented, well, it's a nice T-shirt.

We walked through the various BBQ Team Contestants as they cooked their wares for the judges.

Here is my favorite BBQ display.  That pig is saying, come on, I dare you to eat me.

Palm Sunday vs April Fools Day

It is Palm Sunday.  We attend church on Saturday evenings.  Nothing mentioned about it in Church.  But this morning Ken is at Asbury Methodist and you can bet it will be remembered in their service.  I watched Covenant Church streaming and was reminded of the great day.  I remember those cherished traditions of years before when we waved palm branches and walked the isles and sang of the glories of the Christ who would die for our sins and would rise again for our salvation and our life.  I miss those old traditions which have been replaced with new one designed to bring in the crowds.   And that is OK.   Let the traditions change. 

And so spring is here in all it's beauty.  I love the dogwood.  Our baby tree is showing God's faithfulness and I love the legend of the Dogwood with it's wounded pedals.    I wonder if that is the April Fools joke on those who crucified our Christ.
When the Jewish waved their palm branches, they were shouting Hozanna for a King who would overthrow the Romans.  April Fool to you:  Jesus was coming to be a Messiah for our sin!
"Prepare for God's arrival?  Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.  :  Isaiah 40:
Blessed is HE WHO comes in the Name of the Lord.

When Your Son Turns Fifty-One

Today, we met with The Scrivs and the Scharpfs at a new restaurant in town ... Chuys Tex Mex.   We were celebrating Kevin's Birthday.  He will turn 51 in a couple of days.   Being a new eating place, the waiting times are long and even longer when there are 11 people to seat.   But they brought us chips and salsa even while we were waiting outside.  It was a 50 minute wait.

Waiting outside to be seated.

We finally were seated in a room with antique car photos and hub caps cover the ceiling.

There was no birthday cake today but Kevin received an ample supply of socks, underwear and a Star Wars 'emotion' shirt.   Just a Kevin kind of thing from April......

So here you are Kevin, all grown up and having lived 51 years of what life has had to offer you -- it's beauty, it's pitfalls, it goodness, it's joy and it's sadness.   God has been good to you, Kevin.  Fifty-one years ago, the doctors gave us little hope for your survial.  But you  are a fighter, a surviver and an overcommer.  Blessings on you and may the days ahead be the best days yet with a thousand wonderful surprises and fulfilled dreams.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!  We all love you.

Groupon Anonymous

Cafe Ole' Dinner for Two



 Is there an Online Coupon Shoppers anonymous anywhere in town.  I think I might need to attend.



Pawcasso's Academy of Animal Art

  I have been having so much fun with Groupon and Living Social .... items half price. ..... things I may not necessarily buy ....  For example: we've tried three different grooming places for our puppy.  I had a massage (bought with the thought it was a gift for my daughter).
I've given all kinds of gifts to my husband:  taken him to new restaurants, purchased him a full day at a shooting range, car washes, oil changes, tire rotations, ear muffs, water bottles.

And then, of course,  the grand kids: purses,  jewelry,  hamburgers, painting classes, horseback riding lessons, Purple Glaze .......



Three 1-hour Riding Lessons

  Will this ever end?
I bought the first house cleaning I've ever paid for in my life.  Two ladies worked for four hours to clean my house for $79 plus a $30 tip.   They did a good job.  I may have broken through the phobia that someone else will see my dirt.
We've had our heating and air conditioning system serviced, $20 worth of food at the Fresh Market for $10 and the list  goes on and on.
Truly, the only bad deal I've gotten so far is the Cake Chics.  I saved that coupon for Christmas -- got gourmet (????) cupcakes and eclairs. Not good!  The eclairs ended up being tossed and the cupcakes were nothing special ..
I've given restaurant coupons away as gifts and haircuts as birthday presents.


Birthday Presents for the Grandkids

  Basically, it is fun because all I do is click a button and here it comes.   Feels like a kid that says, "Mommy, just use your credit card."
I do have a feeling it is time to put a halt to this.  OK, where is GROUPON ANONYMOUS meeting for me?