I was just outside with Moose, sitting on the porch while he sniffed around to do his business, and soaking in the morning. There is a thin layer of fog hovering around the tops of the trees, and in the distance the foghorn on the point is giving its warning to passing ships to avoid the rocks as they go by. The birds are a bit lazy this morning, calling to each other, but not with the enthusiasm that they do when the sky is clear. That’s how I’m feeling too – a bit lazy. The haze makes me want to go back to bed, snuggle down under the covers and go back to sleep until the sun burns away the mist, which I know it will. Mornings that start out like this tend to be the most beautiful mornings of all, which makes waking up and getting started on the day worth it in the end, don’t you think? Maybe I just need a cup of coffee . . . if the dog would just hurry things along!
Yesterday I did my Mother’s Day Card shopping so I could get them into the mail this morning. I tend to go for the funny cards, rather than the serious, sappy ones, and there is this one little gift shop that always has a fun assortment. It’s really rather humorous, though endearing, when I walk in and the shop owner laughs and said they had been expecting me, since it’s a holiday and I get all of my cards there. I’m not sure whether it’s good to be that predictable, or if I should think of it as me being a loyal customer to a store that gives good service and quality merchandise? I choose the latter! Have you put your cards in the mail? I’m a Mom and it’s important to give your Mom the kudos she deserves on this day – motherhood isn’t easy, comes with much sacrifice, and we should get a bit of a pat on the back from our kids on Sunday – think ahead people! It’s been coming up for a year!
Verse of the Day
May 8, 2018
Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
There are no random acts of kindness, only intentional acts given the opportunity to happen. We have thought about kindnesses we can do. We have committed ourselves to acting in ways that are kind and beneficial. We have prayed for an opportunity to be kind. Then the opportunity presents itself and bingo! We act with kindness. Nothing random about that! This is true not just in deeds, but in words as well. More than trying to avoid poor speech, we are urged to use our speech to bless and help others to come to know Christ.
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Food for Thought
Is it weird to feel better about being treated like crap just because the realization has hit that I am not the only one being treated like crap? And then I find myself feeling almost bad for the crappy person because how sad is it to be THAT miserable in life that you must hold onto anger for months and months without letting up on it? Regardless, I can smile because I know I am not the only one, and somehow the old adage is true – Misery Loves Company.
Free Cone Day (Haagen-Dazs) – Haagen-Dazs is a big supporter of our honey bees by bringing awareness to their plight. If you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere, perhaps you aren’t aware that GMOs and pesticides have killed much of our bee population and since bees are crucial to our ability to grow food, this is very important. Stop by your local Haagen-Dazs store for a free ice cream cone today and help give back to bee research to help find ways to save our bees. We don’t have one of their stores around here, so if you have one near you, buzz on in and see what they have going on today!
Iris Day – I love flowers . . . I can’t grow them, but I love them. Whenever I see a garden full of beautiful purple Iris (isn’t this one of those words that the plural is the same as the singular? I keep writing it both ways and it doesn’t look right) I feel happy. My mother-in-law is an amazing artist and I feel blessed to have a few of her paintings throughout the house, and of those, a couple are of Iris! I feel good every time I look at them. “They” – (the notorious they) say that is easy to grow these . . . I’ll have to trust “their” judgment since quite honestly the only thing I grow with any degree of success is a yard full of dandelions. Anyway, for many people, these are apparently easy to grow. It might also be of interest to know that the Iris has spiritual importance in Japan. They believe it wards off evil spirits. When I was looking up information on this day I read that on Iris Day in Japan, people put Iris leaves in their baths because they believe that it prevents illness. They also drink juice from the plant in their sake to ensure longevity. Does it work? Well, I don’t know but I suppose you could try it and let us all know.
National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day – Every time we turn on the news these days we see some sort of horrible disaster or another hitting people around the world. They seem to be increasing in frequency and severity everywhere. The obvious thing to do would be getting prepared with a disaster preparedness plan – you know the sort of things I’m talking about. Making sure there is plenty of food, water, first aid supplies and other items we will need if something happens and we are unable to get to the store. While you’re gathering your survival items, did you stop to think about your pets? Today is meant to raise awareness about how important it is to plan for your pets’ safety before disaster strikes. Have an emergency and evacuation plan set up for the pet members of your family as well as the people members. It is also important to have a few things gathered for emergencies too. Here are a few ideas:
- dry pet food, greenies for clean teeth and treats
- first aid items such as wound spray, healing salve, blood stop and pain-relieving lotion
- spray bandage, vet bond, betadine, medical tape
- stretchy flexible bandages in various sizes, elastic adhesive bandage,
And finally – find a pet first aid class to attend. We had one in one of the pet stores here and it was quite wonderful! I learned a lot and came home with a pretty thick first aid book for when emergencies came up.
National Teacher Day – This one is always celebrated on the Tuesday that lands on the first full week of May. I would make a lousy teacher. I know that. I don’t have the patience to deal with other people’s kids on the scale that teachers do. Face it – other people don’t discipline their kids the way that we do, and as a result most kids aren’t going to behave the way we’d probably prefer they behave. Multiply that with a whole bunch of kids, and well . . . I can honestly say that Teachers are either saints, or gluttons for punishments. At least the good ones are. There are, as in any profession, that grouping that ISN’T so good . . . but that’s another blog post for another day. Today is in honor of those teachers who work hard, are patient and deal with the kids with understanding. Keep up the good work to the awesome Teachers, whether you are teaching in school or home school, and enjoy this day that is all about you.
No Socks Day – Break out the foot spa, and the pedicure tools! Today is No Socks Day! Let those piggies breathe! It’s easy to participate on this day, just leave the socks off and wiggle your toes a bit! You’ll save on a tiny bit of laundry and make your feet happy at the same time. Washing your feet is pretty important to celebrate this one, so you aren’t offending the people around you with any unfortunate aromas and taking a little extra time to pamper them a bit will make them extra happy. They’ll be extra pretty in your sandals or flip flops. Wiggle those toes and have fun with it!
V.E. Day – What a wonderful day! Today we commemorate the end of fighting in Europe during World War II. After years of war, the Third Reich of Nazi Germany was defeated, millions of people were horrifically murdered during its rule. Adolf Hitler, Germany’s Dictator, had committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin, after which the German Army ceased fighting on May 2nd. They formally surrendered unconditionally on May 7th. The surrender of all German forces was arranged for May 8 at 11:01. The Allied countries planned to celebrate victory, and the cessation of hostilities. Can you imagine the joy of that moment, knowing that the horror was finally over? Interesting fact: The original planned date for the celebration of V-E Day was May 9th, 1945. However, journalists caught wind of the plans, so the U.S. and Britain moved the date up by a day to May 8th. Russia kept to the original planned date for May 9th, so they still celebrate V-E Day on May 9th. Just like the journalists to jump in too soon.
World Red Cross / Red Crescent Day – The Red Cross was begun with the intention of helping people by providing assistance and relief in times of disease, famine, disaster or war. I struggle with this one, since it has come down to a money raising endeavor with very little to show for their efforts. Case in point is Hurricane Sandy. I know people who live in that area who desperately needed help but were given nothing substantial for all the efforts and publicity. The Red Cross was there, but necessary help wasn’t. I’m not saying that it’s a bad organization, I know they were always present locally when my son was on Search and Rescue missions, to provide coffee, hot soup, water and other necessary items – especially when the search was getting long, and the weather was harsh. But on a national level I struggle with their ability to help on a large scale, by comparison with how much money they bring in. I am truly sorry if this offends anyone, it’s just my view from my personal observation. I will refrain from donating to this organization, choosing instead to give at the local level to rescue and assistance organizations. In the interest of fairness the people who volunteer for the Red Cross do so with open hearts, giving of their time and efforts as they are needed. I can’t fault them for that. Any time someone volunteers their time for a good cause it is a reason to celebrate.
This Day in History –
1794 – The U.S. Post Office is established.
1945 – V-E Day, Germany signs unconditional surrender.
1952 – Mad Magazine hits the newsstands.
1980 – The World Health Organization announces that Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide.
Food Celebration of the Day –
National Coconut Cream Pie Day – You know in the old movies when the characters would throw pie in each other’s faces? It looked like coconut cream, but they weren’t truly wasting delicious pie – they were throwing plates full of shaving cream most of the time. I assume it was real whipped cream when they were seen eating what landed on their lips though, wouldn’t you think? Baking a pie on a week day isn’t always easy since there are so many after work things to do, but I may be tempted to stop and get a couple of slices of coconut cream pie at the store. That way we aren’t inhaling a whole pie, and because honestly, a little splurge now and again is fun. This IS one of my hubby’s favorites, so that’s a really good reason to celebrate this one. If I get really industrious, I may try this low carb version from All Day I Dream About Food – YUM!
Have A Coke Day – I don’t drink sugared or regular diet soda any longer, but this one is a good one to celebrate if you do. It is the anniversary of the patent of the syrup that makes coke what it became! I admit, that at Christmas time we buy Coke in the little glass bottles and sip it while we decorate the tree. We did that in my house growing up, so it’s a tradition that we cherish.
Have a great Tuesday everyone! God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow!
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