I am finally sitting down at the computer on Sunday evening, after trying several times to get here while Baby R (or should it be Toddler R now? Baby sounds better.) napped, but something kept interfering, so I guess now I’ll bring you the weekend celebrations AND Monday’s in one post.
It’s been a fun weekend with the little guy, though I have to say he has much more energy than Gramma does, and with hobbling around with crutches, there were times that proved to be challenging. I do love it so much when he wraps his arms around my neck and gives me a big hug – it makes everything worth it. Oh, and we had added to our household this weekend. Our 1st motor home is a Class C – one of the RVs with the bed over the cab. Hubby has done amazing work renovating it over the last couple of years, but with various physical issues popping up now and again, we decided that a different RV with the bed on the floor was a good idea, so a Class A became available and Hubby bought it for us. We were going to keep both and fix the first one up as an off road vehicle, but it turns out we may sell it. It makes me sad to see it go, but we don’t really need two motor homes and if we can’t easily climb up and down off of the upper bed, it doesn’t make sense to keep it. The new one will meet all of our camping needs AND be very comfortable for us.
Verse of the Day
May 19, 2018
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren’t many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!
May 20, 2018
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May 21, 2018
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
If people in our congregations are ever going to get along, the leaders of those churches must remind us of how important it is. Jesus’ dying prayer was that we would be one. Why? So the world would know that the Father had sent him. Unity is not important, it is essential; not just as a theory or theology, but as a daily practice among the people who claim Jesus as Lord.
Food for Thought
There is something so amazing about the sound of a light summer rain. It is musical, cleansing and aromatic all at the same time. Take the time to walk – or at least stand – in the rain. It is almost magical! Do it with an 18 month old and the experience takes on an aerobic quality as well!
May 19–
Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday of May) – Think about your life and the people in it. Among those people who surround you, how many of them have either been in the military in the present, or in the past? I’m betting that most of us have someone we love, perhaps lots of someones, who have proudly served our nation in one of the branches of the armed forces. These brave men and women protect our country, and can be called upon in a moment’s notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for our freedom. They train diligently, both physically and mentally, so they are prepared at all times for any mission they are called upon to perform. Each branch of the military used to have their own celebration, but on August 31, 1949, then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman announced the holiday by presidential proclamation, and the first Armed Forces Day was celebrated the following year on May 20, 1950. My family is represented by men who have been in all branches of the military, and I am so proud of each one of them! Today is the day to acknowledge our military – past and present – and all of their service, sacrifice, loyalty and patriotism. Thank you to all of our men and women in the Armed Forces. We salute you and humbly thank you for all you do.
Boy’s and Girl’s Club Day – How many of us have seen a group of kids hanging around together on a public corner, in a store parking lot, at the mall, doing nothing. Why? Because there’s nothing for them to do. Kids need something to keep them occupied. If they aren’t heavily into sports or other school related activities, if they don’t have a job or aren’t old enough to have one, and if their parents don’t have them busy doing something at home or with family time, these kids are at loose ends looking for something to keep them busy. Today we celebrate the invaluable Boy’s Clubs and Girl’s Clubs around the country. There are clubs all over America providing safe recreational activities for our youth. They teach values and citizenship and help to keep kids out of trouble and off of the street. These clubs and community groups are so important – more so today than ever before. With more parents working and so many families broken, or heading in different directions, these children need something to give them that sense of community that they used to get in the home, or in their churches. There are several ways to celebrate this day: Learn about your local Boy’s and Girl’s clubs, encourage your children to join them, volunteer your time, make a donation, or if there isn’t one in your area, see what you can do to start one. The kids are our future, and right now, with some of the kids I see . . . that’s a really frightening thought.
Learn to Swim Day (3rd Saturday) – I cannot even begin to stress enough how important this one is. With summer right around the corner teaching children to swim should be a top priority of parents, or grandparents, with little ones to thing about. It isn’t just fun and good exercise; their lives could depend on it at some point! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children from one to 14. That’s big! Teaching the kiddos to swim could reduce that by a significant amount – so let’s think about that for a bit and enroll the children in swimming classes.
May Ray Day – This one cracks me up! This one was set up to give people a reason to get outside and enjoy the sunshine – soak up the rays, invite friends for BBQs, have a picnic, or even head to the beach. We have had a great spring here so far, so this one sounds like a really good idea and a lot of fun.
May 20 –
Be a Millionaire Day – This is definitely a day I could celebrate with enthusiasm . . . and I’m sure everyone else could too. Even though a million bucks isn’t what it used to be, it would still go a long way to making a few dreams come true. It’s funny since I was thinking about this today . . . wouldn’t it be nice to win a lottery, or come into an unexpected windfall, and be able to do all of the projects around the house you want, without worrying about the money? Or do an amazing backyard makeover, without breaking the bank? Yep, it would. But the likelihood of winning a lottery is slim, very slim, but still SOMEONE wins once in awhile. . . nice thought, right? If you are already a millionaire, just sit back and bask in it. If you aren’t, dream big about what you would do if you were. Most millionaires get there through hard work, using their brains, making sound investments and spending wisely. That’s probably the best and most reliable way to do it, so we’d better get busy! Thought for today: “All I ask is for a chance to prove that money doesn’t buy happiness”. Author unknown.
Pick Strawberries Day – My parents tell me stories about going to pick berries – all sorts of berries – in the fields for extra money. They did this later in the season than this, since in our neck of the woods we are barely getting started on planting, much less getting to the harvesting. Still . . . some of you may live somewhere that you can pick berries. Is there anything sweeter than a sun warm, ripe strawberry right off the vine? I’m wondering how many people make less money picking since they eat so many berries along the way? I suppose since it’s such back breaking work, the reward of those sweet and juicy treats would be payment enough for some people. Yum.
Weights and Measures Day – Today is the anniversary of an international treaty, signed on 20 May 1875, providing for the establishment of an International Bureau of Weights and Measures. The Office of Weights and Measures is intended to promote uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards to achieve equity between buyers and sellers in the marketplace. This was supposed to enhance consumer confidence, which in turn should enable U.S. businesses to compete fairly at home and abroad, and which should strengthen the U.S. economy. It would be nice if SOMETHING would . . . but that’s another blog. I have absolutely NO ideas for how to celebrate this one . . . weigh something?
May 21 –
I Need a Patch for That – Do you ever stop to appreciate something as simple as a patch? What kind of patch? Well, that depends on you – it can be a patch to repair clothing, to patches that release medication or supplements into our systems through our skin, patches for software or even patchwork quilts! We celebrate so many things in this life that sometimes we overlook something simple that does us so much good. Also, by celebrating something as simple as a patch, we remember to appreciate the little things.
Memo Day – Why? Nobody knows! I couldn’t find who created it, why they created it, or when they created it! But apparently Memo’s were important enough to someone to put this one on the calendar. So I suppose in honor of this day grab a pen and paper, or even a post-it note, and scratch out a memo! I’m someone who lives by list – I list everything, so I suppose in a way, I celebrate Memo Day . . . well, EVERY day!
Wait Staff Day – How many of us have eaten out and had horrible service by our waitress or waiter? And how many of us have gone out to eat and have AMAZING service, the kind that makes you want to go back to eat there again very soon? We’ve all experienced both. I hope that no matter which type of service you received that you tipped accordingly. We tip to show appreciation for the service we receive, but sometimes I wonder if anyone realizes how little some servers make hourly. I say some because in our state they make the usual minimum wage, versus a drastically reduced minimum wage, plus whatever tips they make, and in Seattle they are working their way towards a ridiculous $15 an hour minimum wage – which sadly will result in many people NOT tipping their server. I digress though – but it is a valid observation. In most states the U.S. Department of Labor allows for wait staff to be paid FAR less than the minimum wage because tips are received. Some states mandate a minimum wage that is different and higher, but some are allowed to pay so little that it’s insulting. The wait staff depends on their tips for survival! My daughter is a waitress/bartender and she is incredible at her job. Anyone who dismisses wait staff for what they do have obviously never been in this type of service position. This job requires strength, stamina, good mental math skills, an amazing memory, a sense of humor, an ability to deal well with rude people and an unending amount of patience. So, what is an acceptable amount to leave? Between 13% and 20% is about right. One easy way to do it in my state is to just double the sales tax! That leaves a fair 16.2% tip, and is always one I feel good about leaving. Thank your waitress or waiter today and every day, in addition to the cash you leave. They need to hear appreciation, just like all of us do.
This Day in History –
May 19, 1884 – Ringling Brothers circus premieres.
May 20, 1990 – Hubble Space Telescope transmits photographs from space.
May 21, 1881 – The American Red Cross was formed.
Food Celebration of the Day –
May 19 –
Devil’s Food Cake Day – Most likely named for its contrast to the snow-white “Angel Cakes” that came before it, Devil’s Food is one of the country’s most popular cakes — rich, dark and sinfully good. This one is tough to resist when on a diet, right?
May 20 –
Quiche Lorraine Day – The very first quiche to be introduced to American was Quiche Lorraine. It is simple to make, and since its key ingredient is bacon, it’s the most popular! I haven’t made Quiche in about a month. I may have to make some!
May 21 –
National Strawberries and Cream Day – This classic combo is a must when fresh strawberries are in season. Pretty convenient since yesterday was Pick Strawberries Day!
Since we all have to face Monday, we may as well face it together! Have a great evening as your Sunday comes to a close and a wonderful new week. God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Celebration lists and information are sourced from the following websites:
www.brownielocks.com; www.holidayinsights.com; www.thenibble.com; www.foodimentary.com and www.verseoftheday.com