Kaleidoscope

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

2009-12-08T10:26:00.000-05:00

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who
call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our
spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor
and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare..
We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists
and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and
called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics
.. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.. We
have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom
of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers
and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today;
cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of
the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he
has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation
and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One
nation under God..'

Weekend Reflections (week 7)

2009-11-08T07:51:00.002-05:00

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James and if you would like to participate, the rules are simple:1.) post a reflective themed photograph on your blog. 2.) leave a comment on James' blog along with a link to your entry so others can visit you. 3.)Visit other players

I'm a little late this weekend- was having a bit of trouble finding a reflective photo to share until I looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw this one.

Weekend Reflections (week 6)

2009-10-31T08:19:00.003-04:00

It's Water Over The Dam Now

2009-10-19T18:30:00.004-04:00

I turned in my resignation this afternoon, effective on November 2nd. Even though I have been off on disability since the beginning of June and have not worked in nearly five months now, they still wanted two weeks notice. Not a problem. I just changed the date on the letter I'd written. So, I am no longer a bus driver.

October 16, 2009-Too Early For This!

2009-10-17T12:23:00.003-04:00

This was taken yesterday (16th) in the cornfield after we'd had 3-4 inches of snow overnight. It was so wet and heavy that it kept building up around the chopper head, plugging both the head and the snout so often that they had to give up chopping for the day.

These next two photos were both taken at Wiscoy Falls, on my way to Rochester to see the company Dr. yet again.

As for my trip to Rochester to see the company Dr.,there is at least a conclusion to the whole story now. Come Monday I will be submitting my resignation. I cried a few tears on the trip back, after all, I've been there over 10 years now. I've been a part of a great group of people to work with and met a lot of really nice people. I was blessed to have what I thought was the best loop of all, along with what I felt was the best group of passengers.

I'll bet that I never forget good old Ella and her perpetual cheerfulness in spite of all the difficulties she faces every singe day being blind and nearly deaf. More than one morning she would board the bus and just start singing, at the top of her lungs and not caring in the least what anyone else thought- one song she often sang was "This Is The Day". The first line is "This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!" And she did.

It was a good job and there's no doubt- I will miss it. But I also know that if God closes one door, He opens another and I'm looking forward to seeing what's behind that new door.

Weekend Reflections (4)

2009-10-17T10:24:00.003-04:00

As I was searching through the archives for a photo to use for this weeks' Weekend Reflections, I caught sight of the reflections caught in this little globe that sits on my desk. You can see my Hibiscus tree reflected in it, as well as one of our cats as she walked by.

If you want to join Weekend Reflections the rules are very simple: 1.) post a reflective themed photograph on your blog. 2.) leave a comment on James' blog along with a link to your entry so others can visit you. 3.)Visit other players

View From Our Back Yard

2009-10-10T16:04:00.000-04:00

Weekend Reflections 3

2009-10-09T21:47:00.003-04:00

I was looking for a photo to use for this weeks' Weekend Reflections, hosted by James at Newtown Area Photo and thought I'd use one more in keeping with the fall season. But, then I came across this and noticed I could see my reflection in Ricky's eye.
If you want to join Weekend Reflections the rules are very simple: 1.) post a reflective themed photograph on your blog. 2.) leave a comment on James' blog along with a link to your entry so others can visit you. 3.)Visit other players

2009-10-09T21:36:00.002-04:00

Well, I saw the company Dr. on Wednesday and I'm still not cleared to return to work. She has decided that she wants the Cardiologists' notes. When she gets those, along with the notes from the MRI report, she'll call me with another appointment. I have to wonder what it will be next time that will hold me back. I'm beginning to think that my days as a bus driver are over. But, if they are, they are. I'll be sad in a way, but I know that driving a bus isn't the only game out there. If I have to, I'll find something else that I enjoy doing.

2009-10-06T14:56:00.002-04:00

Looks like today is going to be about the best day for viewing our leaves. The weather forecast is calling for rain and high winds tomorrow, so the leaves will probably get whipped off the trees. They are not quite at peak, but close. I had several errands to run this morning so I took my camera along and got these pictures.
Tommorow I go to Rochester to see the company Dr. about returning to work. I'm not even going to hazzard a guess as to what her decision will be. 24 hours from now, all the waiting will be over and I'll either be returning or I won't.

Weekend Reflections

2009-10-03T08:01:00.002-04:00

It's time again for Weekend Reflections which is being hosted by James at Newtown Area Photo. If you would like to participate, the rules are very simple: 1.) post a reflective themed photograph on your blog. 2.) leave a comment on James' blog along with a link to your entry so others can visit you. 3.)Visit other players.

This photo was taken at Crystal Lake (the lake where the infamous Jason terrorized everyone in Friday the 13th). As you can see, it's really a very tranquil place, or is Jason lurking somewhere in the shadows, perhaps reflecting on his evil deeds and plotting more terror?

Weekend Reflections

2009-09-26T20:35:00.003-04:00

Took a walk down by Doug's pond the other day and took this picture- I loved the way the red from the tree reflected in the water.

Thom commented that I should use this for a new meme, Weekend Reflections, hosted by James at Newton Area Photo.

If you'd like to play along, the rules are very simple: 1.) post a reflective themed photograph on your blog. 2.) leave a comment on James' blog along with a link to your entry so others can visit you. 3.)Visit other players.

Thank you, James for hosting this new meme- I'm always on the lookout for reflective shots.

2009-09-25T23:09:00.002-04:00

"Just A Spoonful Of Sugar Makes The Medicine Go Down"

2009-09-22T14:43:00.002-04:00

My word, it's no wonder we look the way we do! In each of these pictures one cube of sugar = ONE TEASPOON.

2009-09-21T21:14:00.000-04:00

Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Florida , are all excited
about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the
wedding, and on the way they pass a drugstore. Jacob suggests they go in.

*Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: "Are you the owner?"

The pharmacist answers, "Yes."

*Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"

Pharmacist: "Of course we do."

*Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"

Pharmacist: "All kinds

*Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism?"

Pharmacist: "Definitely."

*Jacob: "How about suppositories?"

Pharmacist: "You bet!"

*Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis and Alzheimer's?"
Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The Works."

*Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for
Parkinson's disease?"

Pharmacist: "Absolutely."

*Jacob: "Everything for heartburn and indigestion?"

Pharmacist: "We sure do."

*Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?"

Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."

*Jacob: "Adult diapers?"

Pharmacist: "Sure."

*Jacob: "We'd like to use this store as our Bridal Registry."

2009-09-18T22:31:00.002-04:00

Wow, where do I start? So much has been happening lately that it all just sort of blurs together. It seems that everyone I know is facing some sort of crisis right now. Yesterday one of my best friends texted me to tell me that she had gotten some of her test results back and is facing the possibility of cancer. I started to text her back and quickly abandoned that idea and called her instead- texting is just too slow for me. I was glad I called- she was discouraged and scared. I think that sometimes, especially as Believers, that we feel that it shows a lack of faith if we admit to being scared or worried. And that's not true- we need to remember that faith isn't the lack of fear or worry, it's the moving forward in spite of it, hanging on to the knowledge that God is right there through it all.

On Tuesday morning, after our son had left for work, someone broke into their house. The guy punched our daughter in law in the face, got her down on the living room floor and tried to rape her. One of the dogs bit him and our daugher in law hit the guy over the head with something. He left on foot. The police were summoned immediately and conducted a huge 9 hour search for him but didn't find him. As of today nothing further has developed that we know about. Our daughter in law has a bad bruise on her face and is pretty shook up but she's a tough one and assures everyone she's ok.

On a happier note- yesterday was my Dad's 75th birthday and we were invited to his party. This is truly an answer to many prayers as our relationship was almost non-existent for several years. I am so thankful to God for His hand in healing our family ties and bringing us all back together.

2009-09-17T23:50:00.000-04:00

9-11-01

2009-09-11T22:44:00.001-04:00

REMEMBER

2009-09-10T12:12:00.001-04:00

Three Word Thursday

2009-09-10T08:35:00.004-04:00

I haven't played Three Word Thursday in ages but I'm playing today. Each week, Quilly gives three obscure and challenging words to be used in a story.
Here are this weeks' words:

ponask – to cook game by splitting it and roasting on a spit
stiricide – the falling of icicles, as from the edge of a roof
ruricolous – Living in the country or fields

I remember them well- etcentric and laconic, two brothers, a pair of crusty old bachelors, Earl and Loren. They lived a ruricolous life, to be sure, way out in the middle of nowhere. A long driveway led up to a rambling, weathered old house that had once perched watchfully on the knoll. Now it just slouched. The two brothers had long stopped caring for it, and come winter, they seldom ventured outside. Perhaps they feared becoming victims of stiricide, for the ice would build up into massive columns, reaching from the eaves to the window sills. Consequently, the porch sagged tiredly, gradually falling away from the house. But in the summer the brothers could often be found sitting on that porch.

Of the two, Loren was the more outgoing. Earl's vocabulary consisted mainly of "ayup" and "nope". He wasn't rude- just didn't have much to say. Loren, on the other hand, could and would talk all day. We used to rent their farmland and had learned to scoot past the house a bit quickly if we didn't want to get caught by Loren and detained for hours in conversation. But, on this particular day we were the ones who stopped and initiated a chat.

As we pulled into the driveway we noticed Earl on the porch and waved to him. Then, we spotted Loren stalking up the driveway with a gun slung over his shoulder. For an old guy, he was storming up through there rather quickly. It was too much- we had to ask. "Whatcha doin', Loren?"

The Carmer brothers never swore, but on this morning Loren emphatically stated, "That damn woodchuck ate my garden!" We just assumed he was going to shoot the woodchuck, but then he added, "And now we're going to eat him!" He continued on his way and so did we.

After we'd finished tending to the fields we headed home and there, as we passed the Carmer brothers' house, out in front of the porch, was the woodchuck- ponasked.

One of Libby's Sr. Pictures

2009-09-09T08:52:00.002-04:00

Libby and I went down to Wiscoy Falls yesterday to do some more of her Senior Pictures and while we got several that I really liked, this one is my favorite. It was taken with my new camera, by the way.

Swine Flu Alert!!!

2009-09-05T00:50:00.000-04:00

If you wake up looking like this, don't go to work!!

2009-09-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

Wooden Leg Insurance
A man and his wife, moved back home to West Virginia , from Ohio . The husband had a wooden leg, and to insure it back in Ohio cost them $2000. per year! When they arrived in West Virginia , they went to an insurance agency to see how much it would cost to insure his wooden leg. The agent looked it up on the computer and said: '$39.' The husband was shocked and asked why it was so cheap here in West Virginia to insure it because it cost him $2000 in Ohio ! The insurance agent turned his computer screen to the couple and said, 'Well, here it is on the screen, it says: Any wooden structure, with a sprinkler system above it, is $39.... You just have to know how to describe it!'

2009-09-04T11:47:00.001-04:00

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.

'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'
So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.

'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.

'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'
Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.

PLEASE NOTE:
To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

The second floor has wives that love sex and have money and like beer.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never been visited.

It's been a little over two weeks since I had my stent put in. At first I wondered if it had helped at all but the more time that goes by, the better I feel. I really think that quitting the Glimepiride(Amaryl) has made a huge difference- maybe even more than the stent, because the longer I'm off that, the more symptoms that are alleviated. I can actually DO things again- spent the other day taking my sister's Sr. Pictures, and while I was tired when I got home, it was a good tired- not that awful exhausted tired I would have felt before. Who am I kidding? I wouldn't even have been able to spend the day traipsing around taking pictures two weeks ago! At that point, two or three steps could sometimes wipe me out. So, it is really great to be thinking that maybe I'm on the mend!

Saw my Dr. last week and have a tentative return to work date from him, and the Cardiologist for September 21st. That will only be four weeks from the procedure so I know the company Dr. will say no for at least two more weeks- just her policy. I also won't be surprised if she keeps coming up with reason after reason to keep me off work. If she does, I'm okay with it. I do have options, after all.

Bought a new camera with some of the money I got for my 50th birthday, so I'll have to post some pics from it soon. It's not the camera that I plan to buy in January, but it will do between now and then, and after that it will make a decent back up camera.

2009-09-02T12:47:00.001-04:00