Within Our Reach: Joy

I Salute You! There is nothing I can give you which you have not; but there is much, that, while I cannot give, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take Heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant. Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet, within our reach is joy. Take Joy.

And so, at this Christmas time, I greet you, with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and shadows flee away. Fra Giovanni A.D. 1513

Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c.1435-1515) was a Renaissance pioneer, accomplished as an architect, engineer, antiquary, archaeologist, classical scholar, and Franciscan friar.

LaVern

One does not let the temperature deter from sitting in front of a fire. Early AM, pjs, slippers, the dog in a sweater and coffee on the warmer. The only thing that could improve on this will be next week when we are up in the mountains!

Kindergarten Joy

Kindergarten Christmas program in McCook, NE. last night for our 6 year old grandson, Reid. Great grandparents braved the bitter cold weather and went along. Afterwards LaVern drove some of the streets of town so that mom could enjoy the decorated and lighted homes. A great time was had by all. The joy of the season expressed in a hug.

JOY

The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying. A source of keen pleasure or delight.
Every day I have joy. Pray that you experience the same.

Incredible Grill

Well, what can I say? LaVern was "playing" in his workshop yesterday and welded our new portable camping grill. He made it from one of those old propane bottles that you can no longer use. The doors are hinged, the legs come off as well as the big chimney. There are two grates inside for grilling or they can be removed to put on wood logs for a fire to sit around. The iron pad on top is to set the coffee pot on for a warmer. Isn't it great?!! lol Will be easy to throw in the pickup or camper and off we go. We are not sure if there will be snow on the ground where we are camping over Christmas so this way it doesn't matter. Can grill or have a fire and not worry about scooping snow out of a fire pit. And I love the "warmer". Will take some pictures of it once we are camped and have a fire going. Simple camping.

Heat

I've been having problems with the furnace in my office. It doesn't want to run. Called the landlord and he reset it. Lasted a few days but this morning it was off again. Now when it is only 12 degrees outside the temperature inside was alittle cool. LaVern happened by and he tried a few things. Finally the heat/air guy came and got it running. Ran long enough to warm things up and then quit again. So, here I am waiting for the return visit. It felt great to go home at noon and sit in front of the pellet/corn stove. I was chilled and the heat felt great. Made me think of the old farmhouses we use to live in. One had a coal furnace. Most of them didn't have any type of heat upstairs, just a vent so the heat could rise up. I can remember scraping frosted ice off the inside of the windows so we could look out. It's funny how we take for granted a simple thing like central heat. If I get home early enough I will take a picture of LaVern's newest creation and post it on the blog tomorrow. He was "playing" in his workshop yesterday. Getting ready for our camping trip. until then...........

Generosity

Times are tough, no doubt about it. Maybe here in rural Kansas we aren't feeling some of the impact the cities are dealing with. Huge layoffs. It's important I think to pay forward all that you can give this year. Whether in monetary gifts, love or even just your presence, please be generous with others. Someone could be having a tough time and you may not even be aware of it.
Gorp. Anyone have a good recipe for gorp? I'd like one without all the sugary stuff added. Maybe I'll just mix up a variety of nuts and call it good.
Stay warm. 20 degrees here but with the 40 mph wind the weather man says it "feels like" 2 degrees. LaVern thinks the "feels like" theory is a joke. Why don't they just say, "it's cold, man".

Facebook

I have no clue what it is all about but I have suddenly been invited as a friend to joins lots of others! Guess I might as well learn and get started. Went to the site this morning and was thoroughly confused so better get some insight from someone who already communicates this way. The mornings have been cool, mid to upper 20s and my kind of weather for walking/running. I'm still trying to figure out the best clothing to wear. Found a shirt at our second hand store that is 77% silk and I think that is what will work at least for the base layer. The sweatshirt over that is definitely going to be replaced with maybe a long sleeve t shirt. I got too hot this morning.
Before I forget, if you have the chance in your area to see a movie called Fire Proof, don't miss it. Your can check it out at: www.fireproofmymarriage.com Very powerful.
Ordered my Christmas present yesterday.......snow shoes for LaVern!! Terrific online sales. REI had some snowshoes for 41% off and then another 20% off at checkout!
Did I tell you we are "skipping Christmas" and going up into the Rocky Mountains with the Hobbyline and camp for Christmas?

Email

Electronic mail. When I think back 14 years before I had email I just have to shake my head. Now look where we are. Blogs, our own websites, Facebook, and on and on. In the beginning everyone was expected to have an email address. Now we all have blogs and websites. Amazing. I still get lost in some of the web lingo. wdymbt? I remember taking shorthand in high school for heaven sake. This stuff doesn't resemble shorthand. We don't have the internet at home. No TV so no dish satellite for the web. No cable TV so no web. No land phone so no web. But that is okay too. This morning the coffee shop talk was about Ipods and Blackberries. If you weren't familiar with them I am sure the conversation would have sounded like strange plants. I have days when I am so happy to have this access. I love reading about my friends in Canada, my niece in Omaha, NE., people I've never met but share the same interests. But I could easily give it all up, live green and off the grid and be perfectly content. wdt?