Seeking

About once a week, a bird kills himself trying to fly in my house.  I suppose he thinks I live in a wonderful place and he might like to "lit" in my kitchen.    He should just be happy to live in the big ash tree in my back yard where I put out sunflower so he can eat when he pleases.  

It is really warm today.  I enjoyed a 2 mile walk and really wished to walk longer, but Laura and Astrid would have had to wait on me longer than usual.  My pace is slow and slower.  If I try to walk speedily, I feel my knee give way.  So I just try to trudge on at my own soft rate!

Balm of Gilead

There is balm in Gilead,

To make the wounded whole ;

There's power enough in heaven,

To cure a sin-sick soul.

Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

The picture of Clayton is from his teaching days in Scotland, Ar.  Patsy once told me that her balm of Gilead was sleep.  When worries came or problems overwhelmed her, she would just go to sleep.  Finally the problems were so great that an earthly sleep did not improve her and her Father sent the balm of Gilead to her.

A balm is an aromatic, medicinal substance derived from plants. Gilead was an area east of the Jordan River, well known for its spices and ointments. The "balm of Gilead" was, therefore, a high-quality ointment with healing properties. The balm was made from resin taken from a flowering plant in the Middle East, although the exact species is unknown. It was also called the “balsam of Mecca.” Myrrh is taken from a similar plant—Commiphora myrrha.The Bible uses the term “balm of Gilead” metaphorically as an example of something with healing or soothing powers.

"Balm of Gilead" has three references in the Bible. In Genesis 37:25, as Joseph's brothers contemplated how to kill him, a caravan of Ishmaelites passed by on their way to Egypt from Gilead. In their cargo were “spices, balm, and myrrh.” Jeremiah 8 records God's warning to Judah of what Babylon would do to them. Upon hearing the news, Jeremiah laments, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" (verse 22). His question is a poetic search for hope—a plea for healing. Then, in Jeremiah 46:11, as God describes an impending judgment on Egypt, He taunts them: "Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt! In vain have you multiplied remedies; there is no healing for you!"

Patsy Has Crossed The Bar

On the Death of a Sister

We shared a bond of time and place,

Our lives entwined like threads in lace.

Her mother, my mother, her father mine.

We shared a room, a space in time.

Same time and place in the Universe,

All things were shared with sister first.

Who will I share with from now on?

Sister’s gone, Sister’s gone.

author: Fleta Aday

May 3, 1938   --    November 28, 2014

Patsy Ann Powell Poor--76 years, 6 months, and 25 days--suffers no more. 

Sunset and evening star,

      And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

      When I put out to sea,

   But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

      Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

      Turns again home.

   Twilight and evening bell,

      And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

      When I embark;

   For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

      The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

      When I have crost the bar.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Thanksgiving At The Christensen's

 Dessert table--Laura made pumpkin and pecan pies, I made lemon ice box and Erin made hand held cookies like kids love.  I brought coffee in our thermos.

 I like Laura's snowman Christmas banner.   Her friend gave it too her.

 Laura made before meal snacks.  Sigrid labeled the tea sweet and unsweet.

 Astrid likes nearly all vegetables and meats.  She will try most anything we make.  Sigrid likes meat, bread and desserts!

Laura and Eric's tree is full of decorations and so pretty.

Ingrid is great with smaller children.  She sat and read books to Clayton and Greta.  Also, Laura had how the Grinch stole Christmas playing to help them be able to sit as she finished cooking.   She had ham.  Erin brought smoked turkey.  I made a big salad.  We had corn from our garden, homemade rolls, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade cranberry sauce, homemade gravy, and I am sure there was more.  It was all so very delicious.   At Ingrid's suggestion, we all recited the Lord's Prayer before we ate.  Pop invited his two brothers who are alone.  He always thinks of others.

I thank the Lord for a beautiful day and wonderful family with plenty of food to eat.  

Patsy

New Header

Here are 3 sisters--Helen is in the middle.  I am on the left listening intently.  Fleta is on the right ignoring everything said.  

Nothing Closer

No one is closer to ourselves than a full sibling of the same sex.  I was blessed with four sisters from the same Mom and Dad. 
Circle of Life
901 Jones Road
Springdale, AR 72762
My memory lapses so I am adding this address lest I forget it.

My Baby Is 35!!

 Early this morning my baby turned 35!   She was easy to raise.  When she was in grade school, she just wanted jeans to wear and did not care what kind.  In High School and College, she loved to shop at Salvation Army.  I have always thought she had an "old soul".    Happy Birthday, little one.

Feathered Friends

 I had to zoom to get this but the Hawk has caught a snack and is eating on the high wire!

 The House Finches are shy little birds.  

 This Woodpecker comes to my tree everyday.

 I have lots of Cardinals and they are not so shy.  Maybe a little vain?

Yum Yum

Fleta, if you go to Harrison tomorrow to buy groceries...go by Erin's office for red velvet cake.

Good Night For Basketball

Good basketball night as both our girls won!  Go Gales and  go Whirlwinds!!

Gobble Gobble

Clayton is a turkey on back row to the right!  Gobble, Gobble!