I got up this morning with a bit of a grumble and a growl. My bacon shipment was going to be at the pick up location between 8 and 8:30, which is earlier than I want to be out of bed on a Saturday. But I got up, out of the house and was AMAZED by how beautiful the morning was! I picked up the bacon (37 pounds of deliciousness), stopped at the grocery store, raced home to make breakfast and pack a lunch for Hubby to have with him at the shop while he worked on a project, then back out to the post office to get the Grandbabie’s Valentine’s out in the mail. Now I’m home, making my list, getting this posted and getting busy. It’s so nice out that I’m going to open all of the blinds for the first time this year to let the sun in! Usually it’s so grey I just leave them closed. The weather guessers are saying we are going to have a really nice week and though I am still hoping for snow, if I can’t have that, I’ll take this instead.
Verse of the Day
February 10, 2018
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Love! In the week of Valentine’s Day, we want to remember the real meaning of love. Without the motivation and expression of love, all “Christian” activities are more “activity” than Christian. Love is the expression of Christ’s character and presence in our lives through deeds done for others. So don’t get lost in the annual trip down sentimental lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let’s be loving year round and thus show ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. (cf. John 13:34-35)
February 11, 2018
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Love does not focus on myself, but on others. Each of these qualities of love is based upon an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others as being valuable and not just placing value on myself and my desires. No wonder the old saying goes “The middle of sIn is a big I!” When “I” become more important than others and what “I” want and that “I” win is more significant than what someone else truly needs, then “I” have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ.
Food for Thought
I saw this and it made me think of the situation I deal with every day at work. It’s not always easy for me to be as kind as possible in the face of some of the negativity I face from various individuals, but this was a lovely reminder to keep trying. 
February 10 –
Plimsoll Day – On February 10, 1824 Samuel Plimsoll was born. He was very interested in safety at sea and condemned the owners of the ships who put the sailor’s lives at risk by dangerously overloading the ships with cargo. He discovered that nearly 1,000 sailors a year were drowning on ships around British shores because of the overloading. He started a campaign to make in mandatory that ships have a load line marking when they were overloaded, which would ensure the safety of the crew and the cargo. The line on the ship came to be known as the Plimsoll Line. It is also known as the Load Line or The International Line. This marking on the ship’s hull shows how low or high the ship is sitting in the water. By examining the plimsoll line you can tell the depth that a ship may be safely and legally loaded. This marking is now mandatory and international.
| The Plimsoll line is important because if a ship is riding too low in the water it becomes dangerously unstable and could capsize. The level of a ship in the water is also affected by temperature and salinity as well as load. Temperature affects the level because warm water provides less buoyancy, since it’s less dense than cold water. The salinity of the water affects the level because fresh water is less dense than salty seawater. In 1876, British Parliament passed the Unseaworthy Ships Bill into law. this act required a series of lines to be painted onto the ship to show the maximum loading point. It was unfortunate that the act allowed the ship owners to pain the line where they saw fit, and some decided to paint it on the funnel of the ship. It was not until 1890 that Board of Trade officials applied the regulations that Plimsoll intended, and the line was painted on the side of all ships. |
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The Plimsoll Line painted on the side of all ships Different levels are shown with code letters to indicate the type of water.
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I realize that though this may not be the most exciting thing to celebrate, it is something very worthy to acknowledge because this implemented safety regulations that kept many sailors alive and able to sail home to their families. So, thank you Samuel Plimsoll for caring, for standing up for what you believed in, and making the necessary changes to keep so many people safe over the years.
Umbrella Day – The umbrella deserves to be honored since it is of one of the world’s most invaluable inventions. We get so many rainy days around here that most people have one in their cars, at work, set inside their doors at home . . . everywhere they may be when the rain starts. I know I am glad that someone was smart enough to invent them. Umbrellas are also used to shade people from the heat of the sun and protect them from harmful UV rays. They come in all sorts of colors, designs and sizes and are even used for advertising for businesses and organizations! Golf umbrellas are popular sizes because you can fit more than one person under them. There are lawn and beach umbrellas, some that fold down small enough to fit into a purse or bag, automatic or manual opening ones, and some that are really reinforced for heavy wind! I remember a time when I wasn’t so appreciative though – I was in Junior High and for some reason I can’t even think of now, it wasn’t considered to be cool to carry an umbrella. The ridiculousness of it all is that I would spend an hour doing my hair and getting ready for school, leave the house with an umbrella, walk the 1/4 mile to the bus stop, but ditch the umbrella in the bushes right around the corner from where the rest of the kids were waiting for the bus. Depending on how hard it was raining, but the time I rounded that last bend and got under the cover of the bus stop, I’d be soaked to the skin, looking like a drowned rat. All that prep time was wasted – I should have just brushed my hair after my shower, thrown on something wrinkled and headed out the door. The “DUH!” of those years boggles my mind.
February 11 –
Be Electrific Day – This holiday was started back in 1998 by a professional speaker named Carolyn Finch. She defines electrific as “an abbreviation for an electrification project – which means to put light where light has not been before.” It’s also a good day to be electrific, since this one shares the birthday of Thomas Alva Edison. (I never knew his middle name was Alva!) We celebrate all of his electrical inventions and perhaps explore our own body electricity . . . which brings me to a funny story. Of course, it wasn’t funny at the time . . . but, I remember when I was about 25 years old, I was helping my ex-father-in-law with putting ties on the electric fence line. It had been raining like crazy, and I was standing in a low spot by the gate in a puddle. I hollered out to him to ask if the fence was turned off. He shouted back “YES!” What he heard was me asking if the fence was ON, not OFF. I reached up over the tall gate to release the latch, and because of the angle and the height, managed to lay my left cheek against the live wire. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I felt the current go into my cheek and simultaneously it blasted into one of my fillings, and out the end of my thumb. My whole body tingled and I danced around in place, screaming like a banshee, cussing a blue streak, crying at the same time. He made his way to where I was still having conniptions and asked me his typical question . . . “You stupid or something? I told you the fence was ON!” Yeah, I suppose he did.
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day – Growing up I always thought that this was silly. In my kid mind I couldn’t figure out why anyone would cry over spilling milk! Mom always told us that accidents happen, so clean them up and don’t get upset about them. To me, this was as silly as “Having Your Cake and Eating It Too!” What’s the point of having cake, if you aren’t going to eat it? Hm? Think about that one, though I’m sure that’s a different celebration for a different day. In reality it’s not really about spilling milk, but about dealing with the little mess-ups we have now and again with a positive, optimistic attitude – looking on the bright side in all things. Stuff happens, so don’t worry, fret or cry when it does, but just buck up and fix it! A pessimist and whiner will cry over spilled milk, and honestly, I don’t have a lot of time or tolerance for either of them. Let Don’t Worry/Be Happy be your motto of the day!
Get Out Your Guitar Day – I have never played the guitar, or actually had any desire to do so. I played the piano. It has always been with a little envy that I have watched various people pick up a guitar and strum out a tune. At least until I picked up a guitar and tried to hold a couple chords and realized that it hurts! My fingers were tender afterward, so I can’t imagine building up the calluses that are necessary to be a successful guitar player. I decided to stick with the piano and admire guitar players from afar. Today is the day for all of those people who DO play to take out their guitars and dust them off – provided they are dusty in the first place – and play a song, maybe dust off some old wishes and dreams at the same time. This picture of my hubby is one of my favorites! That moment, sitting on the deck, listening to him play his guitar, was such a happy one that I smile about every time I think about it.
Make a Friend Day – No matter how many friends we have, we should always be able to answer the question “Do you have enough friends?” with a resounding “NO!” No matter how many friends we may have, more friends only make life that much sweeter and more rewarding because friends are a valuable asset in our lives! Making new friends really isn’t all that difficult – smiling, being helpful or personable usually gets the conversational ball rolling so you can figure out if someone has a personality click with you and could potentially be a new friend. And even if that person won’t be a new buddy right now, doesn’t mean they won’t be someday. So keep your eyes open, and your smile ready – the next new person you meet could just end up someday being your friend!
National Shut-In Visitation Day – February is a month we think about little furry critters predicting the length of winter, and cupids shooting their little love arrows, but what most people DON’T think of this month is all of those men, women and children who, for whatever physical, mental or emotional reason, are unable to leave their homes, and spent their lives pretty much cut off from the outside world and companionship. These situations leave these people feeling alone, isolated and dispirited. Imagine for a moment not being able to leave your home to take a walk, run to town to pick something up from the store, or even walk to your own mailbox to get your mail. Losing that freedom would be so depressing and sad in so many ways. Today – or any day for that matter – is a great day to think about someone who is going through that, and spend some time with them. Take them a home-cooked meal, a baked treat, take them a puzzle or a game that you can enjoy together. The gift of your time and your caring could be exactly what they need to make their day brighter, and their lives less sad and lonely. If you don’t know any shut-ins personally there are always people in nursing and retirement homes who never have any family or friends visit them – and they see other residents day in and day out get visitors, while nobody comes for them. You could be a bright spot in their day and who knows? This could tie in with making new friends day and you could make a great new friend!! Whatever you decide to do though, remember that February isn’t just Valentines, roses and candy – it’s giving of yourself and your time to show love and caring for someone who is isolated and lonely. Putting a smile on their faces and in their hearts and you will receive a reward greater than any you could imagine.
Satisfied Staying Single Day – I know with Valentine’s Day coming up, there are some single folks who may be sad about being single and not having a sweetie to spend the evening with, but many single people are perfectly fine with their own company! They want the rest of us to know that being single is fine and that they get the benefit of saving money on flowers and candy . . . unless they choose to buy them for themselves. As for the rest of us . . . yes, it’s a commercialized “Hallmark” holiday, but I still think flowers are a nice touch.
This Day in History –
February 10, 1763 – France cedes Canada to England, ending the French and Indian War.
February 11, 1809 – Robert Fulton patents the steamboat.
February 11, 1945 – The Yalta agreement is signed by Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin.
Food Celebration of the Day –
February 10
National Cream Cheese Brownie Day – There are many days when I wonder why all of the official food holidays can’t be about fruits or vegetables! At last THOSE I could celebrate without guilt! But no . . . once again we have tempting deliciousness to look at and drool over! Today everyone who is able to indulge themselves can combine the two amazing flavors of cheese cake with brownies – getting the best of both worlds. Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen cookbook, by Carolyn Ketchum, has a No-Bake Brownie Cheesecake Bars recipe that I can’t wait to try, so I think this is on the menu for the day!
- Cream Cheese Marbled Brownies
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownie Cake
- Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake
- Salty Peanut Cream Cheese Brownies
- Marbled Cherry Brownies
- Brownie Cheesecake Muffins
February 11
Peppermint Patty Day – Chocolate and mind is a wonderful combination, and there is nothing quite as tasty as a peppermint patty. Sadly, only two of these recipes have anything to do with peppermint patties, but enjoy them anyway! I found a low-carb recipe for Peppermint Patties that I may try with my new candy molds. I hope it turns out OK because they sound delicious! I think I’ll use the peppermint candy center from this recipe. And the chocolate from the Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen Cookbook – Page 322! I’ve already used that recipe and know how delicious it is.
- Peppermint Patties
- Cheeseburger Peppermint Patty Cookies
- Rolo Pretzel Cookies
- DIY Tootsie Rolls
- Salted Nut Roll Squares
- Peanut Butter Reese’s Pieces Cookies
I’m ready to get busy baking some delicious goodies, cleaning up the house, and enjoying all of the beautiful sunshine coming in the windows! Have a wonderful weekend! God bless you and I’ll see you Monday.