CORNY AND NERDY, THAT'S ME

Monday, Monday.  It's Monday again.  How did that happen..all over again?  It crept up on me..in the dark..overnight.  At least it isn't a "Blue Monday."  The sun is shinning brightly and it is 70 degrees outside.  All is as God has decreed this day to be.  At least in my little world.. and I hope and pray in your corner of the cosmos, as well.

No one is immune to loses, bad news or bad days, and no one ever promised that life would be smooth sailing on a sea of bliss and contentment.  We all have our battles to fight, days that just don't go right or even a life time of misery and suffering.  As my Mother used to tell me, "There is always someone who is worse off than you," and I'll bet mos of you had your Mothers tell you the same thing.  Yes, ups and downs are a part of living and they are also teaching tools of experience, growing in the Spirit, with a modicum of wisdom and love for our fellow travelers. 

For this reason I try to to stay upbeat and positive, prayerful and thoughtful on a daily basis.  It isn't always easy and I make plenty of mistakes, say or do the wrong things  at the wrong time.  That's what makes us human, and to gather the courage and desire to pick ourselves up and continue on.  The one thing I do know with certainty is that God does forgives us for our many blunders and missteps unless the errors we make are made with intent and malice.  Even then, we have a merciful, forgiving God.  I suppose this sounds corny or nerdy to many of my readers, but I guess that I would suggest that followers read the Book of Job.  Job, in all his trials and sufferings, never lost sight that God was with him and kept his faith.  It must have been so very hard for him to place his trust in God, giving all that he endured.  It is often very hard for us to d so, but  keep your faith and never give up.

+++

 

IF YOU LIVE IN ME,

AND MY WORDS

LIVE IN YOU,

YOU SHALL ASK

WHAT YOU WILL,

AND IT SHALL

BE DONE.

 

John 15: 7

 

***

 

Do you believe in the Word of God?  Hopefuly you do.  the gospels recorded by the Saints have sustained so many throughout the ages.  God hears our prayers even if we think He isn't listening; He is.  Perhaps His answer is no answer or not what we want to hear.  You may wonder why so many bad things happen to good people.  God does not make suffering and pain come to us; it is just happens.  Keep in mind that a lot of good occurs to God's people, as well.  Be one of God's people no matter how narrow and rough the road.  Stay on course and it will lead you to where you want to go...to God and His heavenly kingdom. 

 

End

 

Please forgive any typos

and bad format.  I am

still struggling

with topsy turvy

vision and will be

for a few weeks.

 



Oh, Stressful Me!

This was a stressful day.  We all have them at one time or another.  Sometimes we have many stressful days or few.  Generally I have few, but today was an exception.

With the new moon I didn't sleep well at all.  Then I had to get up(yuk) and get my self in gear for the day.  I went to noon-time mass and then to Captain D's for lunch.  They got my order mixed up, gave me a new order, but I didn't have time to eat it as I needed to get to my Dr's appointment in 15 minutes.  That only gave me a short time to drive 12 miles.  I tossed my meal into a "take out box," stopped and got some gas, was desperate to go to the bath room, and took off over the bridge.  I got there in the nick of time, made it into the bath room and was called back for my follow up.  My B/P was 194/80.  Duh!  The other day it was 122/60, so you know that I was uptight and stressed out.

So, the good thing about the day is that my vision is 20/20 in the left eye and the pressure has come down a little.  The right eye is 200/80..?..not  so good.  The left eye will be done May 14.  Then I will have eagle vision?  No, I will still need a mild prescription...reading glasses.  Now, if they could just do something about my double chin and gray hair!

So.. then I got home, changed my cloths, and mowed the back yard in the rain.  I didn't get the front yard done as I was getting wet and cold.  What a busy day and strange spring...enough to stress someone out, I think.

I used a used, but clean, aluminum foil to "scrub" my kitchen sink and stopper.  It works well as it is crumpled up and abrasive.  I do have good cleansers, but it is just a way to use less chemicals and make the foil do double duty.  Now, if I just had a robot to clean the house.

+++

 

I WILL BOTH

ME DOWN

IN PEACE,

AND SLEEP:

FOR YOU, LORD,

ONLY MAKES ME

DWELL IN SAFETY.

 

Psalm 4: 8

 

 

***

 

The readings of the gospel have been about the sheep, the Shepherd and the lambs.  Father also spoke of Saint Luke, his gospels and how others really used and preached his sermons or writings.  We do not often hear that some the other Saints and preachers benefited from his gospels and letters.  I don't remember hearing of Saint Luke's other influences on the early church, but I think I will try to read more about St. Luke.

 

END

 

 

 



 



 

Something Good

Something good from from leftovers.  As you may guess I haven't been doing much cooking for the past few days and I didn't really want to drive to go out to eat.  I am trying to save for the next big "event" which will be surgery and stint placement of a stint in the right eye.

So...I have a bowl full of leftover cooked potatoes, leftover meat that was so tough that it was almost un-chewable, various liquids from previous cooking.  I put everything into the blender, even the potato skins and whirled away.  I added some garlic powder, some onion flakes and water to the already blended 'taters and buzzed some more.  I thought I got too much garlic powder into the mix, but it turned out to be a very good, hearty potato soup.  I have enough for several meals, ready to pop into the microwave.

"Wast not, want not."  The French are famous for always having something on the back burner, simmering away.  Even 'though I made good use of lots of leftovers, I still need to go to the store for milk and a few small items.  I also need to get a hair cut quite badly.  Tomorrow I go back to the Dr. to have my eye checked.  "Dr. there is something in my eye!"  It will require careful driving and no back parking.

Here is something that I mentioned before an will again.  You can take an ordinary mason/canning jar, screw it on to the blades of your blender and use it instead of the  original blender pitcher.  It is a lot easier to wash, too.  If you should break the original blender pitcher, you can replace it with a good ol' mason jar.  Yup, it works.

There isn't much more to write about.  I did get my hair done, but forgot to pick up the milk.  I hope to remember to get milk tomorrow on the way back from the Dr.

+++

 

FOR WITH GOD

NOTHING

SHALL BE

IMPOSSIBLE.

 

Luke 1: 37

 

***

 

When I was a kid I used to wonder what the expression of "Luke Warm" meant as Luke left his business of tax collecting to follow Jesus.  So...I still wonder.  It is less than complimentary to have a slogan of lack-luster identification named after you.  Poor Luke.  Hot or just warm, he did pen one of the gospels for us, didn't he.

 

END

 

 

P.S.  I am still making lots of typos

and it takes me a while

to correct everything.

Sorry.

 

  

 



In and not out

 This is a short post.  I have not been out and about much.  In the morning my eyes weep, like raindrops falling, so I stay close to home.  I drive as needed, but not that much.

Because I am in most of the time there just isn't much to write about.  I will tell you that many rivers are "up" due to all the rain and snow melt.  My home is in a high and dry location.  Pray for the farmers that have put in some of their seeds and need good weather to continue.

END

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Funny how vision works:  I can now see cobwebs and dust bunnies, but my close up vision will have to wait until everything is done and I get reading glasses.  My depth perception is a little off kilter.  I go to reach for a doorknob and miss it by an inch.  I guess that's why the Dr. told me not to back park.  Going forward is OK.

Everything looks different when looking with the left eye.  White is actually white.  Looking with my right eye; everything has a yellowish tint.  It is insidious how slowly eye problems can sneak up on you; so slowly the you really don't notice the difference. 

It was my Doctor how first discovered that I was having hemorrhages in my right eye.  He sent me to a specialist who did laser surgery on the left eye.  A year later it was leaking again and the laser surgery was repeated.  The the pressure started going up, up and up, and couldn't be controlled with eye drops.  Thus, a stint was placed in the left eye.  I believe the Dr. plans to do the same procedure in the right eye 'though the pressure isn't as great.  Isn't modern medicine miraculous?  That is why I say the we are co-creators with God.  God made us and gave us the gift of life, and the ability to take our talents for His, and our greater good.

I slept a lot for a few days.  I guess because of the anesthesia they gave me to help me "relax."  I don't do well with drugs or medicines.  Even Tylenol will make me have crazy dreams.  I stick with good old fashioned Aspirin.  It works and like milk, "It does a body good."

There isn't much to write about as I am staying close to home and hearth.  I did drive to church/mass yesterday...very carefully.

+++

 

I HAVE COME

A LIGHT

INTO THE WORLD,

THAT WHOEVER

BELIEVES IN ME

MAY NOT REMAIN

IN DARKENESS.

 

***

John 12: 46

 

END



AMEN AND SO BE IT.

I am trying to post with one eye open and one eye closed.  The cataract surgery went well, but the Dr. had a little trouble in placing the stint, but it is in.  I had to take the lens out of my glasses so I could see where I was going.  There is such a disparity between the two eyes now.  Sometimes I see double, but that will go away after a while.

I have not been out since Wed. and even then someone had to drive me for the follow up.  I go back for a check up next Friday.  I get the right eye done in early May.  I want to put it off for a week, 'though.

I tried to watch TV with one eye.  I watched DEFIANCE for the first time.  Even with one eye that isn't optimal, I could tell the it was geographically/topographically, really wrong.  It is supposed to be set in St. Louis, which is flat land with a major river flowing through it.  Even if there were enough devastation to raise mountains, lava rocks and make valleys, such an event would have wiped out St. Louis and then some.  It was so hilarious that it should be labeled a cartoon.  What are the writers thinking of....well, I guess they were not thinking.  A dumb show...even with one eye closed.

As I am tapping this out with one finger and squinting and my eye tearing up, I think I will call this a done deal of a post.  I can't even read the Bible as the print is too small.  You read it for me.

Amen...so be it.

 

END

Tomorrow I get poked in the I

I got a lot done today in preparation for the next few days when I can't get much done due to the eye surgery in the morning.  I still didn't get all the things done that I wanted to get done or thought that needed to be done and out of the way.  I did get the yard picked up and mowed.  That is something that really was a necessity.  So, no straining or doing hard labor for about 3 weeks.  The surgery will not take very long, but the placement of the stint is supposed to be a little tricky so it may take a little more time to insert into the right area.  Hopefully the stint will take care of the bleeding in the back of the eye.

I kept the washing machine going all day, washing everything in sight.  I went out and got TV dinners so I won't need to cook much in the next few days.  I also went to the bank...gee...I hope I have enough money to cover all the deductibles.  At one time my insurance was fairly good; not so good these days as I keep getting new bills in the mail.  Thank  you very much Mr. President.

As I  was working hard at not working I wasn't aware of the news until later in the day.  And then I cried.  What has happened to our country that we kill and maim our own citizens?  People kill:  Guns and bombs, knives and even cars are only tools the fractured minds of those that inflict pain and death upon the innocent.

I will not be posting tomorrow or maybe for a couple of days.  I am not looking froward to being "grounded."  Instead I will count my blessings.

+++

 

 

MY STRENGTH

AND MY COURAGE

IS THE LORD,

AND HE HAS BEEN

MY SAVIOUR.

HE IS MY GOD

AND I PRAISE HIM;

THE GOD OF

MY FATHER

AND I EXTOL HIM.

 

***

Gen. 15: vs. 2

 

I take things out of Genesis that seem to be appropriate for my life and times, of the moment.  The above verse seems fit me at present....and always.  The Scriptures are always "right on," yesterday, today and tomorrow.  The Scriptures never get old; you always find something new that you didn't know before or a verse(s) that passed through your understanding, that you didn't comprehend in previous readings.  Read and re-read.  I do.

 

 

END

OWN UP...YOU/WE ATE THE APPLE

 

 

I needed to be out and about today so after Mass I went to the grocery store.  I am a heavy-duty milk drinker and I needed some crackers to take with my medicine in the morning.  I did forget a couple things, but that's OK.  I can pick them up tomorrow as I need to be out again.  One thing I should have gotten is gas because the price went down to $3.26.  That isn't going to last long.

 

The ground is very soft and the grass/weeds are in a hurry to grow tall and bothersome.  I can't mow while the grass is wet or the yard is too soft to take the mower.  The rivers are up all around, but not at flood stage.  That may change as the snow melt comes down from Pennsylvania and all the tributaries and into the Ohio River.  What erratic weather we have had with more to come.

 

I am still re-reading Genesis, but I won't bore anyone with quoting from the text.  I will say that I am amused when I read that Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit to eat.  She did not force Adam to eat the fruit, but it seems that he ate the fruit freely.  Then he blamed it on Eve and Eve blamed it on the serpent.  Isn't that the way human nature responds when we knowingly do or condone wrongness?  Blame it on someone or something else.  "The serpent deceived me."  We deceive ourselves.  That is kid stuff when we do not take responsibility for what we say and do; our actions, social or spiritual.  I must admit that at times I am also a kind of "kid."  It is the easy way out when we don't want to answer or "own up" to our faults and failings.  Right now I am trying to "own up" to some jealous inclinations that I have.  Not an easy weakness to remove, but I know it is there and I am trying.  What are you deceiving yourself about or blaming on the serpent..."The Devil made me do it.  Really?

 

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Well, this was a rainy, dreary day.  We did "dodge the bullet" as most of the severe weather was west and south of where I park myself.  We did have some wind of 45 mph, but no damage.  Lots and lots of rain and it came down in buckets, pooling in the front yard.  I guess the drought is over.

 

As it rained so long and hard I stayed in;  see...I AM smart enough to come in from the rain!  The temperature was in the '80's yesterday and now it is down to 48 and falling.  You never know what kind of weather you will get in the Ohio River Valley.

 

+++

 

THEN GOD SAID,

"LET THE WATERS

ABOUND WITH LIFE,

AND ABOVE THE EARTH

LET WINGED

CREATURES

FLY BELOW

THE FIRMAMENT

OF THE HEAVENS."

AND SO IT WAS.

 

***

 

Genesis 2: 20

 

 

Yes, I am still in Genesis and yes, I have skipped a few verses.  This just seemed so appropriate for the day and conditions.  The few birds I spotted seemed to be intent on finding a little cover from the wind and rain; not doing much flitting around in the heavens.  Smart winged creatures...like me and didn't want to get wet.  It is always amazing how we can apply almost everything in the Bible to our every day lives not matter how mundane-ordinary-or extraordinary the day may seem.  To me...every day is extraordinary and special...I am....I was created...I am loved...I live by the Grace of God for His purpose.

 

 

END

RE-START

It isn't really hot....the temperature is in the mid-eighties, but the humidity is high which makes it uncomfortable.  I uncovered the air conditioner and it is running.  It helps get the humidity out of the house.  The Ohio Valley is well noted for high humidity.  I guess that's why the grass is "blue" instead of green. It really is green, but lush in the summer.  However, invasive weeds are overtaking everything.

It is supposed to be a thunderous, rainy night with possible tornadoes.  The batteries in my weather alarm are dead.  I will have to place my trust and welfare in a higher place.

My insurance supplement has turned into a nightmare from Obama.  It was never entered into the system.  Your government at work.  The agents that I spoke with are as confused and at a loss as I am.  This what a social government is bringing down on it's citizens.  Our government is supposed to "serve and protect,"  not foul the waters.  I hope Americans don't mind swimming in pollution, confusion, and illusions.  Call it trickle down stupidity except it is no longer a "trickle," but a gusher of changes, all in favor of big, and bigger government.  Oh, Ronald Reagan, where are you now? 

 

 

+++

 

AND GOD SAID

"LET THERE BE LIGHTS

IN THE FERMAMENT

OF THE HEAVENS

TO SEPARATE

DAY FROM NIGHT;

LET THEM SERVE

AS SIGNS

AND FOR THE FIXING

OF THE SEASONS,

DAYS AND YEARS;

lET THEM SERVE

AS LIGHTS

IN THE FIRMAMENT

OF THE HEAVENS

TO SHED LIGHT

UPON THE EARTH."

SO IT WAS.

***

Genesis 1:14-15

 

If you want to absorb something you must start from the beginning and continue forward.  Something that I didn't notice before is the God said "let there be lights,"  not light.  Over years I have heard it in quotes as "let there be light," not in the plurel.  It is always beneficial to start or re-start, from the beginning.  And that being said...I wish that I could re-start a lot of things!!

 

END



 

 



 

 

 

 



WHEN YOU NEED REST...

Yesterday stressed me out with all the testing that I went through so I decided that I would take this day and rest.  Initially I thought today would be a good work day, and it was as the temperature climbed into the '80's.  However, I felt more like resting than working.  Sometimes you just need to ignore what needs to be done, knowing unless something is urgent or really important, there is a tomorrow on the calender.  At least my calender indicates there is, and we all know that calenders and weight scales never lie.

WHEN YOU NEED

PEACE AND REST:

 

"COME TO ME

ALL YOU WHO LABOR

AND ARE BURDENED,

AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU

AND LEARN FROM ME,

FOR I AM MEEK AND HUMBLE

OF HEART;

AND YOU WILL FIND

REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

FOR MY YOKE IS EASY,

AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT."

 

Matthew 11: 28-30

 

I suppose I took this passage literally because I fell asleep sitting up on the couch.  When I do that I get a crick in my neck so I try not to do that.  I went to my bed and took a nap.

I hope those that read this are not as lazy as I am.

 

END



 

 



THE REAL BIG BANG THEORY

On , May 16, I will have cataract-glaucoma surgery on my left eye.  The cataract surgery will be routine, but the stint has only been approved by Medicare since February.  Sometime in May the right eye will be done, but that eye is not as bad as the left eye.   Then I will "see" all of you...sort of.

 

I spent all afternoon having all the evaluation tests done; that part is finished.  I could barely...well, fuzzily see...to drive myself home.  Lots of drops in my eyes:  Not fun.  I need to get as much taken care of as possible before obama-ation(Obama-nation insurance) kicks in with a vengeance.  My insurance has already gone up and will go up more...with less Bang for the Buck.
 
OK.  Everyone has heard of the Big Bang Theory that evolved from Einstein's Theory of Relativity and I ascribe to it to a certain extent.  The Big Bang Theory is a contemporary scientific view and belief of how the Earth "became" in the cosmological  annals of time.  Everything evolved from that little spark that set the world and us on the course of "being."  Thus I ask ask you to read the original Big Bang Theory and think about it.

IN THE BEGINNING

GOD CREATED

THE HEAVENS

AND THE EARTH.

THE EARTH

WAS A WASTE LAND

AND VOID.

DARKNESS

COVERED

THE ABYSS,

AND THE SPIRIT

OF GOD

WAS STIRRING

ABOVE THE

WATERS.

 

GOD SAID,

"LET THERE BE LIGHT,"

AND THERE WAS

LIGHT.

 

GOD SAW

THAT THE LIGHT

WAS GOOD.

 

GOD SEPARATED

LIGHT FROM DARKNESS,

CALLING THE LIGHT

DAY

AND THE DARKNESS

NIGHT.

AND THERE WAS

EVENING AND MORNING,

THE FIRST DAY.

 

Genesis Ch. 1, vs 1-5

 

Now you know who created the Big Bang and where that first infinitesimal spark came from.  Read more, if you may.

 

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

PRAY ALWAYS

I am tired.  I guess I am getting old.  I have been on the go and will be out again tomorrow.   Tomorrow I will be going to First Friday Mass, then to the eye doctor, then back to the nursing home to help with the rummages sale, then home.  I hope I get it all done.

I took my camera with me today and had the opportunity to take some good pictures, but forgot all about getting the camera out.  It happens when you are doing other stuff.  Anyway, a lot of the items have been sold and out of the way from the rummage sale.  There were lots of good bargains at very reasonable prices. There will be more to sell tomorrow afternoon as things find there way into the "sales room." No, I didn't buy any of it.  I have enough "stuff."

I have been eating on the go and that isn't good for dieting, but if someone else cooks it, I don't have to clean up the kitchen and when you are tired you are grateful that there isn't a lot of dirty dishes to wash.

Tonight I am going to bed "early."  I will be up fairly early, too.  Hopefully, after everything is said and done, I will find time to stop at the store and get a couple of items, such as crackers, that I consume with my medicines.  Never take most medicines on an empty stomach because the meds. work to fast when you are running on empty!

This little post is as done as it is going to get.  I hope to do better in the future when all this running about slows down.  I hope the Lord likes all of you as much as I do.  Pray Always.

END

OUT TOMORROW

I will be busy most of tomorrow and into the evening.  I doubt that I will post anything.  I will be tired when I get home and my brain will be on life support. 

I might take my camera with me and maybe post some pictures if and when I get time.

END

Promises made and kept during Lent

Lent is over and I hope my little penances and resolutions will stick like glue.  I think that overall I tried to do to much for Lent and it wore me out.  After Easter Vigil I came home and slept for 12 hours straight.  I'm not a kid anymore and I am well aware of it.

For the next few days I think that I will spend some time in cleaning house and doing some small odd jobs. There is always something that needs to be done and little things that I have put off until "tomorrow."  I think tomorrow has arrived.

There is the promise of a few really good, warm days in the middle of the week and onward.  Perhaps Mother nature has finally taken off her boots and coat and tossed them into the closet.  It may turn out to be like last year; to go from winter and cold right into summer.

Now then; about dieting.  I have re-gained five pounds.  During the Lenten Season I was out frequently and did not eat properly.  I ate a lot of sandwiches or fast food.  Hence...bread.  Too much bread and or fried foods.  While I was not being a glutton, I was eating all the wrong foods.  Now, it is time to get back on the diet wagon to get rid of the five pounds and more.  Getting outside and working in the yard will help lose some weight, too.

Tomorrow I will pull the mower out of the shed and on to the back patio or inside the porch and charge up the battery.  The weeds are growing and need attention.  The back is worse than the front.  I may be able to mow the back on Wed. afternoon, if it doesn't rain.

So...I don't know any other news and I am sure you find this much boring.  Actually...I bore myself!

END