DMV and Mercy to ME

If your driving record is good, often you will receive an announcement in the mail from the DMV to simply send in the fee amount and your driver’s license will automatically be renewed for another five years.

However once you reach a certain age, you are notified that you must come into the DMV office and take a written test, an eye test and a new photo for your renewal.

This is the second time it has happened to me, so I must now be of that “certain age.”

Remembering back when I was five years old, while helping my mother remove thread from old buttons, using a needle - - the needle slipped and lodged in my left eye.

Did it hurt? You betcha, and I screamed until my mother came to discover my dilemma. She carefully removed the needle and put me to bed in a dark room. Thinking about it now, she probably should have taken me to the doctor, but other than give me eye drops, it was unlikely the doctor could have helped me much.

As time went by and my eyes were stressed from all the homework, we visited the eye doctor for reading glasses. He examined me and told me that I had a stigmatism that would eventually cause a slight blurred vision in that eye. He prescribed glasses and they did help.

Many years have passed, and usually I do not need to wear glasses, unless I am at the computer or reading. However five years ago, DMV decided that I needed to wear glasses when I drive.

Now again it was time to visit the DMV prior to my birthday in May, so off I went. The gentleman at the counter was very kind. He asked me to read the top line with both eyes, and I did fairly well. Then he tested one eye at a time. I told him about my left eye, and he asked me to sign a paper that this injury happened many years ago. He asked me to read the top line a couple more times, and said, “That is good enough.”

Now I would call that - - DMV mercy for ME.

I passed the written test, and the nice gentleman took a new snapshot because when you grow older, you probably should have a new photo so they can tell it is really you.

One thing I am thankful for is that God always knows it is me when I come to Him. He even remembers my name! The Bible tells me that he even knows how many hairs are on my head! Isn’t that amazing?

God knows me like a book, and I know He went with me to the DMV because I needed all the help I could get! I did get help, and I also received “Mercy for me at the DMV.”

No Bake Chocolate Cookies

We always enjoyed the visits of our cousins Guy and Arlene because they would always help us create something wonderful in the kitchen.

Arlene was a magnificent cook and she would without any trouble prepare her cuisine from scratch.

One holiday she delighted us with her version of: “Chocolate Chewy Cookies.”

This became a favorite at our household when our children were growing up.

It is easy to prepare and takes only a few minutes. These cookies will become a desired treat at your home too.

No Bake Chocolate Cookies Photo by Lorrie

• 1 3/4 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Bring above ingredients to boil for 1 ½ minutes on top of stove.

Remove from heat and add:

• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter (or plain if you don’t like nuts)
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit Ann's site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Also entered on Friday Food fights: http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=49959
and at 21st Century House Wife  Feed Me blog Hop

GPS Will Tell you Where to Go!

These days of modern technology are so exciting.

We found one of those GPS (Global Positioning System) on Amazon, and were delighted to discover that it actually worked.

The wedding we were to attend was in another city, and we had no idea where the ceremony and reception were to be held.  We had an address, but other than that, we were lost.

Our trusty little GPS compass was set, and sure enough it directed us to the appropriate location in just a shake, rattle and roll.

Consider - - that in life we often need multiple directions for various goals.

Do you know where you are headed?

There is much preparation toward proper education and selection of schools and colleges. Then we take further specialized training. Our resume is written and rewritten to allow prospective employers to get a glimpse of who we are, and what we can do for them.

And then in the choosing of a life partner, do we often grab the cutest or closest one and settle for that? Take time to set some aspirations and characteristics that you want in a mate. Are they a Godly person? Are they kind and considerate to you? Are they willing to work and contribute to raising a family? Why do we not set aside more time to pray and to discover if this is the ONE that God wants for us to link up with for a life time?

Then there is the after life - - -!! Are you planning and making the proper preparation to reach heaven?

The Bible is clear that there is only One Way to enter Heaven’s gate, and that is by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

If you have not already done so, this is the most important decision that you will ever need to make and it must be made in this life time.

Set your GPS today to reach heaven, and then follow the directions you will find there.

Trust and obey, and the GPS (God's Plan of Salvation) will lead you where you want to go!

What Does Your Answer Look Like?

It is true that many are still looking and waiting for their Messiah!

Jesus was NOT what the Jewish nation expected of a ruler, so many did not accept him as King.

He was born in a stable and not in a palace. He associated with the poor and with sinners and not the privileged class.

He did not protest and cry in the streets requesting the vote of the people. He did not seek recognition, but often retreated to find seclusion in lonely gardens or in a mountain to pray.

Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey, and He did not come galloping in on a white horse.

Yet multitudes thronged him daily, usually hoping to receive FREE food or a miracle.

For the Jews it was not popular to give up the old life style, and follow Jesus. Even today it is not always trendy and in some places is can be dangerous to acknowledge Christ!

Jesus was not recognized by many to be the King, because he did not “Look like a king.”

When we pray, we must anticipate our answer will surely come, but we may be amazed that it might not appear as we think it should be. It may not “Look like an answer.”

Often we do not recognize God’s voice because we already have preconceived ideas of what His voice sounds like and what the results of our requested prayer will predictably be.

May we learn to open our Spiritual eyes and Spiritual ears to see and hear what God is actually saying to us? May we recognize the answer to our prayer and be grateful!

Thank you Lord for your many gifts to us and may we ever exalt you as King in our lives.

Teach us to be aware of you in others who may not seem to us - - that you are also residing in them.

A Bird in Our Attic??

We had recently moved to a new city and a new house, so everything was an exciting experience for us.

A tornado had recently blown through our back yard, taking with it a tree house that the former owner had made for his children. This was windy Oklahoma and we were thrilled.

We could look out our kitchen window and view the meadow behind our property and enjoy the pastoral scene of the cows munching the green grass.

After being gone all morning, we arrived home one afternoon to hear a bird chirping in our house.

“Where is it?” we asked each other. How did it ever get inside the house?

Softly so as to not frighten the bird, we crept from room to room. Not here in the kitchen, not in the bedroom. Peep, Peep, we continued to hear the chirping noise.

“I think it is here in the hallway,” I exclaimed to my husband.

“It sounds like it could be up in the attic,” my husband replied.

Getting a ladder he cautiously climbed up and opened the crawl space and peered inside.

From his vantage point - - it dawned on him what the chirping noise actually was.

There in the hallway, high on the wall, was a smoke alarm and the battery being weak, was setting off a signal that it needed replacing. How embarrassing, not a bird at all!

In life we often get signals that our prayer life is getting weak, or that our Bible reading may be in need of new energy.

We get so involved in earning a living, and just being active that we often forget to keep tuned in to the things of God.

Is your life crashing around you? Perhaps it is that your battery has grown weak and you need a surge of New Life. Take some quiet time to get alone with the Lord and plug into his Holy Word.

There is an old Hymn that I am reminded of and it is so true, “Take Time to be Holy.”

Talk often with the Lord and take time to listen as He speaks back to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zut3rCzk6bw

Jesus is Risen INDEED!

My friend, Cris F. from Brazil, left a new comment on my post "Hosanna" where I spoke about coming to Jesus as a little child, and the children shouting Hosanna!

Cris remarked, “The pastor at my church did a similar thing last Sunday, we all got to shout "Hosanna" three times. It was powerful!”

Another Blogger friend from Finland commented and said, Last Sunday your church shouted Hosanna, and today (Easter) I do hope they will shout, “He is Risen.”

Wouldn’t you know but that is exactly what happened today (Easter Sunday,) at my church!!

Our Pastor asked one side of the church to shout, "He is Risen," and the other side to shout, "He is Risen Indeed." Then he switched sides and had us to say it again. At the end of the preaching, he again has us shout, He is Risen Indeed! After the service, I told the Pastor, “Thank you for doing this. It was amazing!”

At the end of the service, we all joined in singing the Old Hymn, “HE LIVES.” This is such a blessed hymn. We need to sing it more often.

Yes, Jesus is alive! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, just as He said!

Hosanna

On Palm Sunday at our church, our Pastor preached on the word, Hosanna. Most of the Hymns for the day also expressed the word Hosanna.

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

At a time for sharing, I told my story about needing to believe and sometimes think as a child would do.

Jesus said we must come as a little child in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The children in the Bible joined with the adults as they praised, danced and they all shouted Hosanna.

Then I made the statement, please join with me as we all shout, Hosanna, (pause) Hosanna, (Pause) Hosanna.

By the third hosanna, most of our reserved formal church members, did join in!

This coming Sunday we will celebrate Easter and the Risen Christ.

I don't think our church members will shout, "He is Risen," but who knows, perhaps they will.

This post was entered on Cheryl Smiths site: http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/2011/04/simply-silent/
There are times to allow our active mind to be silent and listen to the Holy spirit - - -
(But on Easter it is time to Shout, "He is Risen!")

WAR CAKE

My husband’s brother and his wife were visiting and the discussion turned to an interesting cake their mother would bake for them. She called it the Canadian War Cake. It was popular during World War 1 when eggs and milk were scarce. Mom used lard or shortening, but I have substituted butter.  Also included is Peg Bracken’s "War" Chocolate Cake version.

1917 WAR CAKE

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups hot water
4 Tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 cup raisins

Mix brown sugar, hot water and butter in a medium size saucepan. Add raisins, and spices. Boil for 5 minutes after it bubbles. Cool completely (important). Next - - add

1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in
2 tsp. hot water
3 c. flour

Add baking soda that has been dissolved in hot water. Then add flour. Mix well and pour into a greased tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour.


Another interesting similar cake is The Cockeyed Cake a chocolate “war” cake from the “I Hate to Cook cookbook,” by Peg Bracken. This cake is egg-less and butter-less, uses oil for the moisture, and vinegar and baking soda for leavening. This Cockeyed cake is a fun cake for children to make from scratch.

Chocolate Cockeyed Cake (Peg Bracken’s War Cake)

1 and 1/2 cups sifted flour
3 Tbsp cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
5 Tbsp cooking oil
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup cold water

Put your sifted flour back in the sifter, add to it the cocoa, soda, sugar, and salt, and sift this right into a greased square cake pan, about 9 x 9 x 2 inches. Now you make three grooves, or holes, in this dry mixture. Into one, pour the oil; into the next, the vinegar; into the next, the vanilla. Now pour the cold water over it all. You'll feel like you're making mud pies now, but beat it with a spoon until it's nearly smooth and you can't see the flour. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Let us Speak for God

One of my recent posts was titled, “I am not God.” It went on to chat about not judging others and minding our own business and letting God be God.

As I went to Face Book to enter my notice of that new post, I become aware of an entry by the daughter of one of my adopted nieces.

She had posted a photo of a very large picture that was being tattooed on her back. Several of her empty-headed friends had made comments, about how beautiful it was.

At one time, I had researched the origin of tattoos and did not like what I discovered.

Ancient tribes would tattoo their spirit god on their body, or their tribal markings, all devilish. The Polynesian people believe that a person's (mana,) their spiritual power or life force, is displayed through their tattoo.

I also knew the God forbid his children to “Mark or cut themselves.”

King James: Leviticus 19:28  "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD."

The anger of God riled up within me, it may not have been any of my business, but I simply could not help it. I made a comment:

“I am so sorry that you felt the need to mutilate and disfigure God’s temple in this way.”

After placing my comment, I remembered my Blog post about not judging and minding my own business!

Then I made another decision. Although I am not God, I can and should at times, speak out for Him.

In this case it was too late, because the sweet young girl had already marred and defaced her body.

Are these children crying for acceptance among their silly peers? Surely they understand that these marks placed upon them are of a permanent nature and are not erasable.

Why did someone not teach them to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and not to lower themselves to fit in with the worldly crowd?

Mothers’ take heart; you are not to blame for the scatter brained antics of your children who have reached the age of “maturity.” We can only hope and pray that their stupidity and rebellion will end here.

I AM NOT GOD!

Yes, it is difficult being God. I must stop trying to be Him.

Getting down off the throne and allowing him to reign from there is not as much fun, but after all, He can do a much better job than we can.

God reads our hearts, our thoughts, and those of our friends and loved ones. He knows where they are with Him, and our judgment of how we would change them, is useless.

Our part is to pray while we minister before the Lord, and allow God to be God.

Think about it! We only have a portion of the story before us. If we knew how the chronicle ends, we might stop worrying and fretting for now.

I have heard it said, that when we get to heaven, we will be surprised to find some there that we had no idea of their trust in the Lord. AND - - we will look for others who we thought surely they will be there, and they will be - - no where to be found!

Now that is a sobering thought.

The best scenario is to keep our own feet firmly planted on the rock, taking care of our own business and keeping our nose (for the most part) out of other peoples business.

Allow God to be God! And be thankful that you are, Not the Holy Ghost, for it is a full time job, much too big for any of us mere mortals.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Think of it as an ADVENTURE

Changes in family situations, including your work, housing, a need to move to a new location, can cause stress, worry and often panic.

If you have some advance warning it does take the edge off somewhat and allow for a bit of planning.

In 1975 we announced to our two teen age daughters still living at home, that since they had graduated from High School, they were entitled to make a choice. Our son and one daughter were married and our announcement did not affect them, except for their disapproval.

We told our two daughters that we were taking a year of planning, and at the end of that time we were making a move from California to Oklahoma. They could stay in California, get a job and their own place, or come with us. If they came with us, there was work and colleges in Tulsa and they could live with us and enjoy the time there.

Think of it as an ADVENTURE we told them!

After much thought they both agreed that they were up for it!

My husband had asked me if I would be willing to sell our home and travel to Oklahoma to attend a one year School of Ministry?

Bob and I had just returned from a week of meetings at an exciting Faith Building seminar and for him to make such a statement was unusual because he is such a steady individual. Now me, I can be a bit more flighty.

He concluded that we would need to sell our home, and save our money for one year so we could afford to make this move. We had a thriving business, so there were many plans to make and changes to consider.

So much happened during that year of preparation; and the following year in Oklahoma was the highlight of our lives. God was with us all the way!

Stepping out in faith and hoping that the water will carry our weight is an exercise that calls for either an adventurous attitude to begin with or a change in attitude rather quickly.

Walking with God is always an exciting journey, and where He leads He always holds your hand. It is not a matter of us holding on and hoping!! Always remember that God is the one doing the holding and our job is to trust and obey.

How about you, are you ready for an Adventure? Are you counting each day as your Adventure with God?

This post has been entered in “Changing the World One Word at a Time” Please visit and check out the other great posts at: http://peterpollock.com/2011/04/adventure-blog-carnival/

Picketing Safeway

It was in the early years of the 1950s. The signs read, “Don’t buy grapes. This store is unfair to the farm workers!”

Union workers organized by Cesar Chavez, were protesting for the Mexican laborers by picketing our local markets.

Their goal was to increase the wages of the grape pickers by using their union signs and picket lines.

One of the young college girls stopped my husband to argue with him. He asked her if she was in favor of raising the price of grapes to a dollar a pound.

She informed him, “No, that will never happen, we just want a fair wage for the laborers.”

Isn’t that the way it usually happens! Protest – Win – and double or triple or more the prices.

It was true that the workers lived in extremely poor housing and worked very hard for their money. The farmers did not provide livable conditions in those days. It isn’t a whole lot better today, but some ranches make available portable out houses.

Today two things happen.

1. The farm workers are more organized and receive somewhat better pay, with not much better housing conditions. Plus they pay union dues to the Union.

2. OR -- They stay in Mexico or South America, grow food there, pay their workers what ever they want - -  and ship the food to us.

In both situations we pay more, and if the Unions can’t be held responsible for higher prices, then the stores blame the price of gas, the cost of transportation, and their own highly paid Union member staff.

Perhaps we all need to return to a small garden spot in our own yards and at least grow a few tomatoes and some squash.

If I hate anything on this earth, it must be two things.

1. The Devil - - and
2. The Unions (They are a form of the Mafia.)

God doesn’t care if I hate the devil, and I believe He forgives me for hating the Unions, because they are criminal in nature.

Childlike Trust and Faith

Seems that I usually know what a small child might enjoy for their birthday or for Christmas.

I remember back to a time when one of my friends, purchased her child some expensive toys for Christmas, and I had given him a low-cost pounding bench.

Immediately he grabbed the small hammer that came with the bench, and began to pound the colored pegs down into their cavity. Then he joyfully turned the small bench over and began again, sending the dowels this time into the opposite direction.

My friend was upset because her young boy seemed to enjoy my simple gift best.

Maybe it is that often I revert to being a child at heart!! I think, “What would I enjoy if I were a child?” That is also a good practice when selecting a gift for anyone!

In the Bible Jesus spoke about children, and that we must became as a little child to enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

He also said, “Do not tell them to be quiet! Allow them to sing, shout and be happy.”

Children believe what you tell them and they accept truth as fact. God desires that we believe His Word and come to Him in simple faith and trust.

In another place He also said, that those who take advantage of and seek to harm a child shall receive the absolute worst punishment.

Jesus loved the little children and he said, “Forbid them not to come unto me.”

May we become as children when we worship God. Let us dance before him with abandonment.

Psalms 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp..

May we enjoy with thanksgiving, his gifts that he lavishly outpours upon us.

Let us always show our gratitude to God and never neglect to praise Him for His wonderful works!

Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

This post was entered in Cheryl Smith's "Simplicity" Do visit her site at: http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/2011/04/the-simplicity-of-distance/

Korea and Kimchi

About 20 or so years ago, at the last minute, I was invited to travel with my daughter Becky to Korea to visit my other daughter Judie who was at that time in the Air Force.

The Korean Travel and the military had arranged for a package deal to encourage family members to visit Korea.

Hurriedly I applied for my passport and before we knew it, we were on our way. Judie met us at the airport and escorted us to the Hamilton Hotel where many visitors stay.

The next day, Judie took us to the local shopping mall to experience how to barter and get the best prices.

The area was lined with family businesses who each would rent a stall to display their wares.

One thing we quickly learned is that the Korean people love to negotiate. Judie told us that they all understand the words, “Better price!”

Most of those we met could understand and speak a bit of English.  It was the taxi drivers limited English that frightened us, but we always ended up where we wanted to be.

That evening Judie again escorted us to a banquet at one of the local restaurants. It was there that we were introduced to Baechoo KIMCHI along with a delicious meal.

The flavor was hard to describe but it was pickled and hot. Before long we were enjoying the tangy taste of Kimchi. We learned that the Koreans prepare their Kimchi and then cure it in large crocks, sometimes underground.

The juice is wonderful for a sore throat and they claim it will cure other ailments as well.

I wondered if the spicy hot vinegar flavor of the Kimchi worked the same way as my mothers home made remedy.

Mother made her own salsa using tomatoes and hot peppers from her garden. In the event of a cold, she would down a tablespoon full of her delicious hot stuff, and it would burn out all the cold germs. I kid you not!

I searched for a Kimchi recipe and will include a simple one that I discovered, but do take a look here for an education about Kimchi. http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/UltimateKimchi.html

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Please visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Here is a recipe you simply must try - - -

KIMCHI
3 lbs Baechoo (Korean cabbage) or regular white cabbage
4 cups water
1 cup salt

1/2 cup shredded white radish (cut 1/8 inch thick and 2 inches long)
1 cup shredded green onions (cut in 1 to 1 1/2 inch strips)
1 Tbsp chopped fresh garlic
1 tsp chopped fresh ginger
2 Tbsp cayenne powder
3 tbsp salted anchovy juice or salted shrimp juice
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Remove outside 3 or 4 leaves of cabbage and set them aside. Cut cabbage into quarters lengthwise and put the quartered cabbage into a large deep pan.

Combine 1 cup salt and the 4 cups of water and pour over cabbage. Let it stand at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until the cabbage softens. Remove cabbage from pan; rinse the cabbage well with fresh water. Let it drain.

Combine shredded vegetables with garlic, ginger, cayenne, salted anchovy or shrimp juice, sugar and salt and pack mixture between the cabbage leaves. Put the cabbage into a jar and cover it tightly. Let it stand at room temperature for 2 days to ripen, then store it in the refrigerator. It stores for about 2 weeks.

This post has been entereed at http://denadyer.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/community-writing-project-crossing-cultures.html  in an interesting collection of Multi-cultural stories.  Inferior Mother is the Hostess.

Hippies in San Francisco

In a different way, the old South and San Francisco Hippies are of a sort, Multi-cultural. 

I am reminded of a visit one summer my husband’s Aunt Jessie, her son and his wife and their two teen age children came from Georgia to visit us.

We wanted to treat them to a China Town dinner in San Francisco, so we left early enough for a tour. We drove through Golden Gate Park, down to the beach, and the down town area where they could view the cable cars.  Our niece, our children and two of their friends accompanied us.

What Aunt Jessie really wanted was for us to take her to the district where she might see a real live Hippie. My husband knew the area well so he drove. Aunt Jessie wanted the windows down so she could see better so we obliged.

Very soon, we saw not one but a group of hippies, and with her thumb pointing as if she was hitch hiking, Aunt Jessie exclaimed, with her southern drawl, “Bob - - will you look at that!”

The hippies did not seem to mind and one of them smiled at our aunt and told her friends, “Will you look at that?”

We had reservations at Johnny Kan’s Chinese Restaurant. Upon arrival we were turned down at the door!

The Host said our men folks were not wearing a coat and tie, and coats and ties were required!  I told him we are neatly dressed; women in dresses, men in slacks with nice shirts and pull over sweaters.

The Host emphatically stated; no coat and tie, no entry. I argued, but we have a reservation for fifteen persons, but that didn’t seem to matter.

My husband was very angry and he was ready to return to Oakland to our local Chinese buffet, but I asked him to let me make a phone call to the restaurant across the street from Kan’s.

My questions were, do you require the men to wear coats and ties?

Answer, “No we do not require coats and ties.”

Question, can you take a part of fifteen without a reservation?

Their answer was “Yes we can take you, when ever you arrive.”

So we walked across the street, and were accepted without question.

At this lovely restaurant that evening, seated at a large round table, we sat viewing our menu. In a loud voice Aunt Jessie, proclaimed, “Bob, don’t you pay over a dollar and a half a plate for us.” My sweet husband assured her that she needn’t worry, and we all enjoyed a magnificent meal.

It was sad to see our family return to Georgia for that was the last time we saw them.

Not long afterwards Aunt Jessie joined her husband Joel in heaven, and one day we except to see them all again.

I know we will also see some sweet Jesus Freak Hippies and many others we knew long ago as they will also be there.

Yes, a reservation is required - - Receive Jesus as Lord, but no coats and ties are required.

This post has been entereed at http://denadyer.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/community-writing-project-crossing-cultures.html  in an interesting collection of Multi-cultural stories.  Inferior Mother is the Hostess.

Secret Passwords and User ID

Have you ever wanted to purchase an item using your computer? It is easy to compare prices by quickly doing a search on Google and checking out different companies.

I do it all the time for books, kitchen ware, vitamins, medicine for my animals, and many other items. A word of warning; always compare the shipping costs as a cheaper item may cost more with the shipping than another competitive company. Amazon.com for instance offers free shipping on many items if you order at least $25 worth of product.

Many sites on your computer require you to have a user identification name. Often it is your e-mail address. They also expect you to think up a secret password, one that you will remember. If you are like me, you may have trouble remembering which site has which password.

Therefore I have a system that might work for you.

Instead of writing on scraps of paper, I type it on my computer to keep it neat, and then I print my copy on colored paper.  I have an entire page of cheat sheets that is full of my user ID and passwords. 

Now what?

For safety sake I save it to a “USB FLASH drive,” NOT my hard drive. I will not take a chance to save my codes and secret words to my hard drive in case someone would ever accesses my files. This method also keeps my information safe from a computer hacker who may want to steal my important records.

I print my Pass word Sheets on colored paper for a reason. Colored paper is easy to find when most of my printing is done on white paper.

Just in case you are not aware of what a Flash drive is, it is a small plug in attachment that is removable that you can back up your information unto. I create a folder on my flash drive and save special documents that I will need later but do not want others viewing them on my computer.

Flash Drives can be purchased for under $10 if you watch the sale papers for Staples, Office Depot and other office supply stores.

Each time I post to my blog, I have a special Flash Drive that I back up my words to. I first save it on my hard drive, but have you ever heard of a computer crash?? The Flash Drive is additional security.

By now you have learned a couple of my computer secrets. Hope you can keep your identify safe and secure by using a similar method.

Rise Table Rise

When I was in the 7th grade, one of my friends invited me to join their group of Camp Fire Girls. Once a week we would meet at our sponsor’s house and there we were assigned projects to earn badges that we could sew on our uniforms.

At one of these meetings, one of the girls suggested that they play a game called “Rise Table Rise.”

They asked the Camp Fire sponsor for her card table and the girls gathered around it on three sides, leaving one side open. They placed their hands softly, flat on the surface of the table.

Then they began to chant softly, "Rise table, rise" over and over again.

Suddenly the table started rising up on two legs! No one was pushing down on any side, and the table would tap out answers to our questions -- one tap, yes; two taps, no.

Was this really a game??  Was it harmless?   I was excited and scared all at the same time.

This was all new to me, and the girls were laughing and having such fun. Yet there was something sinister about using the table in this manner and it seemed a bit devilish to say the least.

I wondered if this could be a cheap version of the Ouija Boards (also known as: spirit boards which is another form of fortune telling using spirit guides.)

I knew that the Bible speaks about wizards and witches and fortune tellers, and we are warned to have nothing to do with them.

Leviticus 19:3 
‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”

My mother would not even allow us to even look at the Horoscope in the newspaper, because this is a method worldly people use to seek out guidance for their day.

I quit the Camp Fire Girls, because all they wanted to do was play with that table.

Years later, I realized that I needed to repent for even having been a part of their game playing, and I needed to renounce all and any forms of unholy fortune telling in my life.

God sends us His HOLY Spirit, and He wants us to be filled with His Spirit. The inward leading of the Holy Spirit is how God will guide our pathway. When we are so filled with His Holy Spirit, we may not be afraid but understand that He is holy and only has good gifts for His children.

Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, there is no shadow of turning with thee.”

Birds of a Feather

Each spring, we have an invasion of birds wanting to build their nest on our porch steps.

They have favorite places and return each year to an overhang on one side of our house, and on the overhang to the back steps. They seem to seek out the crook in the downspouts because their nest is then semi sheltered there.

A couple of the nests remained all through the winter, and yesterday we viewed a sparrow inspecting the nest for possible reuse.

Sparrows have a life span from 4 to 7 years, so this bird could be from previous years.

A Google search informed me that they often will use the same nest if it is in good condition, with some minor alterations. Usually they are happy with the old habitant.

It is always fun to observe the mother bird resting on her nest and it seems all too soon, she is flying in all directions gathering food for her young ones. Their tiny beaks open wide as she approaches.

Before long, these same teeny little babies will fly away and be on their own.

I am reminded of one of our Bible teachers who drew a tiny bird with open mouth on the black board. He remarked that many Christians are like these baby birds. Mouths open wide to accept any teaching, or doctrine placed there by their trusting leaders. Our teacher went on to say, those baby birds will accept BB shot if it is placed in their mouth, and it might even kill them or make them very sick.

When we as Christians listen to our Pastor or a preacher on TV or even read a book, or a magazine article, we must be watchful and be on our guard to match up what we are being taught with the Holy Scripture.

I can remember years ago, hearing my Pastor relay a teaching he had heard at a conference. Something in my spirit went screech, like fingernails on a blackboard.

It had something to do with the Pastor being our authority and we were to obey the Pastor even if we felt he was wrong.

Now I must confess that I have a streak of rebellion, but this did not set too well with me.

My Bible tells me to be led of the Spirit and to obey God. If a teaching causes you discomfort, it is very possible that you need to place it on the shelf and not accept it for the time being. Later when you examine it again, you may discover that it was indeed false teaching and you will discard it all together.

Also I might suggest that you not return to the book, TV program, or even the church where you heard this error. :-) 

Raisin Bran Muffins and Hot and Cold Cereal

My husband, Robert loves to cook! During the cold winter months, he often will make us up a special hot cereal for our breakfast. He will then place the extra cereal into a deep 6 x 9 inch Pyrex dish and then into the refrigerator. Each morning we could slick off what we wanted and enjoy it for several days.

Various methods of serving later: 1. Using the Microwave heat in a bowl and serve with milk, or a bit of  butter.  2. In a small skillet fry with a few drops of Olive oil and an egg.
Robert’s measurements for cooking the cereal:

3/4 cup Grits (quick 5 minute)
1/4 cup Wheatena
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt

Stir with long wooden spoon until it bubbles. Be careful not to let it splash on your hand!
When it is thickened it is ready to eat, and store the extra in the Pyrex dish for later.  ~ ~ ~

As spring is in the air, and we might want a variety, I checked our supply of cold cereal.  WOW, there must have been a sale on Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, because I had 3 boxes in the pantry.  What to do?  I discovered a wonderful recipe for muffins using the Raisin Bran.   And I share it here for you all to enjoy:

Raisin Bran Muffins

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar ( I mixed 1/4 C brown 1/4 C white)
• 3 cups Kellogg's Raisin Bran cereal
• 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil or shortening
• 1 Tablespoon molasses

1. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.
2. Measure KELLOGG'S Raisin Bran and milk into mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cereal softens. Add egg and vegetable oil. Beat well.
3. Add flour mixture to cereal mixture, stirring only until combined. Portion batter evenly into twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin pan cups coated with cooking spray.
4. Bake at 400° F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

When Bryce Met Ruth

As a teenager, Ruth loved playing the piano – especially for her church in Lindsay.

The Exeter church was without a pianist for worship services, so they invited Ruth to play for them. When they promised to provide someone to pick her up and take her home, she accepted.

Once a month, the nearby churches would have a rally for the young people. With the rally coming up the next week, a young man named Bryce was looking forward to some fun. He already had a girl friend, but since her body was still growing, she was taller than Bryce. This caused him to be extremely uncomfortable.

The other boys at church teased Bryce, and suggested that he should ask Ruth to go with him to the rally. It was almost a joke as they figured she was too shy to accept!

As it turned out, Ruth was excited to attend the rally with Bryce, and they both had a wonderful time.

Much shorter than Bryce, Ruth was quiet, sweet, and very pretty. They became a twosome and before long, Bryce proposed. Soon afterward, they were married and a year later, they became my Mom and Dad.

Their first few years of marriage, during the 1930 depression-era, were difficult, but they never went hungry. Dad worked for farmers, picking fruit, and was later hired by the WPA to clear brush in the mountains.

Even though I was a young child, I still remember his face, swollen from the poison oak he was clearing! I did not understand what it was until much later

By the time I was five, Dad was hired by the Southern Pacific Rail Road. We moved to Oakland where we settled in and enjoyed life.

Because our church was active, and our Pastor had a Missionary heart, each year he hosted a Missionary Convention. All the churches cooperated. Being inspired by all the wonderful, colorful speakers with their stories of suffering or glory, I started learning how to participate by giving.

As I grew up and became a teen, that same church is where I met and married my husband. We have been together for over 60 years!

Yes, Bryce met Ruth at church and I’m glad they did!! It is my feeling that church is the best place to find one’s life mate.

Of course, that does not guarantee that life will be perfect. Even Christians have their moments, and must employ give-and-take to maintain a happy home.

My dad and mom put Jesus first. They treated each other respectfully - as honored guests. This went a long way toward obtaining a perfect balance as I was growing up. I am so thankful for the faithful lives of my parents, Bryce and Ruth Stanton.

TREASURE IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The above scripture seems to indicate that you can send treasure ahead up to heaven and it seems to mean that Jesus was speaking about wealth and money. One method is to share what you have NOW here on this earth, and you will be credited in heaven.

A step further would be our service to the Lord, and our sharing of the Gospel with others. Their conversion will be a treasure added to your account.

I do believe in tithing to your home church, and also in charitable giving of support to reputable missionaries, and Christian organizations that are using their funds wisely.

When you present your gifts to the Lord, know that giving is a form of worship and your attitude is important. Give cheerfully and with joy.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

Recently a friend asked me to recommend a good Bible study on the subject of “Heaven and Hell,” or perhaps a good book on the subject.  The best source is the Bible. 

Many persons have written books about their experience of having visited Heaven and/or Hell. However one must remember that unless their happening lines up with scripture it is nothing more than an interesting story.

I believe in both heaven and hell. I believe there is much more to heaven than what we know at present. I am certain that we will all be surprised and pleased when we arrive.

Jesus spoke quite a good deal about the Kingdom of Heaven. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, as he was being stoned for his faith in Jesus. The Apostles, Peter, Paul and John also reported much about heaven.

Study of the scriptures seems to indicate that Heaven is now the place where the dead in Christ go for this present time. Also included are the Old Testament saints when those in Paradise were released. These few scriptures certainly create a lot of questions!

Matthew 27:51-53 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

My desire is to have a massive amount of treasure in Heaven; my family, my service to the Lord, and my wealth are treasures that I hope to find there. 

How about you?  What are you sending ahead??

This post has been entered in “Changing the World One Word at a Time” Please visit and check out the other great posts at:  http://peterpollock.com/2011/04/treasure-blog-carnival/

How to Start a Blog



Taking Notes for a Blog

Please understand that the following is merely suggestions, and you will find your own way and also you will learn much from other bloggers.

Determine why you want to begin a Blog and what is your purpose? My rationale was to tell stories about my youth, about my children, and also stories of the present day.

Next select a comfortable and dependable host site to enroll your blog.

I selected Google’s www.blogger.com/  for several reasons.

1. It is Free.
2. It is simple to set up.
3. It is easy to post and edit and effortless to view your stats. (Page views)
4. It is dependable and has fewer site break-downs than any other blog sites.
5. Much information is offered to assist you in creating a really nice site.
6. At the top of each page there is a button “Next Blog”

“View Next Blog” enables you to see what other Bloggers are doing and obtain more ideas for your Blog Site. They will find you by the same method.

If you do not already have a Face Book account, now is the time to set one up. Also set up a Twitter account for yourself.

You are ready to do your first post. Go to the “Google log in” and enter your information. It should take you direct to the Dashboard, then click on "New Post."

You have previously written up your short, simple post (not too deep) and saved it to a “Word File,” so here is where you copy and paste it into your blog. When you are pleased with your entry click, “Publish.”

Next click on “View your post” and ask yourself if you like what you see? Now it is time to send your notices.  At the top of the page in the address box, copy the new address that will mention this particular post you just did.

Each time you do a blog post; send a notice first to Twitter then to Face Book.  Here is how!

Note at the top of your recent post there is a share MORE button. Click "more" and then on Twitter.  Complete the log in and insert the Title of your new post.  Twitter gives you a short cut address for each post.  Highlight and copy the notice, then hit Tweet.

Next go to Face Book. In the News box “Paste the post address you saved.”

Any Blogs that you view, be sure to leave a comment no matter how short. This is one of the best methods to have others view your Blog. Happy Blogging! More later!

Kathy Dishman Richards often gives helpful hints and you will find her here:
 http://katdish.net/2011/03/the-katdish-ultimate-guide-to-successful-blogging/

Art for your post:
Do a search on google using the word for the art  you desire and then write free clipart
find the art you like and right click and save it to a picture file.
On your dashboard there is a small icon for photos.  Click on that and search for  your art and click copy and past.
Do your own header banner in a similar method.  Write banner and the art you desire.  Once you save the new banner, right click and click on edit.  It will take you to a page where you can enlarge, write the name of your site and save it back to your picture folder. 

Where’s the Corn?

When I was a young girl still in school, I was given the task each Saturday to bake cookies or cup cakes for our school lunches. Usually during the week it was also my duty to make the salad for our dinner.

I knew very little about preparing a meal and almost nothing about cooking. I could fry an egg, boil water, cook hot dogs, and fry a burger, bake cookies, but that was about it.

In 1949 when my betrothed and I went to the County Court house to purchase our marriage license we were also given a free cook book that contained some coupons and some wonderful hints and recipes for the newly weds.

I began to experiment and slowly learned to vary my cooking. In the book I discovered a spaghetti recipe that I used during the time our children were growing up. What made it different was the fact that it called for a can of whole kernel corn in the sauce, and the spaghetti was all mixed together.

Years later my son’s wife decided to make him some spaghetti. As he was served his meal, he asked politely, “Where is the corn?” My children always thought this was the way spaghetti was supposed to be! Here I share my favorite Spaghetti recipe.

Hazel’s Spaghetti with Sauce

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced (I use a garlic press)
3 cans tomato sauce (8 oz. can)
1 can tomato paste
1 can water (I use the water to get all the extra sauce out of cans
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp. Italian seasoning, crushed
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp. pepper (optional)
1 can whole kernel corn drained
8 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked in salted water with a T of oil and drained when tender.

In medium skillet, brown beef with onion and garlic. Drain well. Stir in tomato sauce, paste, water and seasons, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Last 5 minutes add corn, to sauce. Mix the cooked spaghetti into the sauce. Serve with a green salad and hot French bread.

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.