Sun Visors and Tie Downs

I know this pic is not good, but I saw it in the want ads. A "purple" jeep! But get the added perks--fold and swing sun visors. Whoo Hoo, that's for me! Also has cargo tie-downs. Now who can go wrong with that? Bwuaaahaaaa......

Would that make you want to check it out because of those selling points?

"Our work as God's servants gets validated-or not-in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly...in hard times, tough times, bad times..." 2 Corinthians 6:3-4

Does my life exhibit the good selling points of my faith? Or do they just see "fold and swing belief", changing with the sun?

Lord, may my engine run until I'm done.

Ad: St Pete Times

**Alicia wins a copy of Laura's book. (See post below) I know you'll enjoy her wisdom and wonderful writing.

I'm Outnumbered!!

"I'm so excited, I can't deny it."

My friend Laura just published her first book! This is a sweet spirited, warm, informational book about raising four, yes, I said four, boys!

Now, keep reading-even if you have girls, or boys and girls, or are a grandparent, auntie, uncle, sitter, all will benefit from her ideas and insights. From her boys wanting to see how a ceiling fan will cut bananas to sending them off to college, this book is a winner.


I'm sorry I didn't have this when my kids were home. But I'm gonna' use it for those grandkids!




Laura Lee Groves teaches High School, writes the school's Madrigal each year, and is working on her first fiction novel. She lives in Florida and I met her at my first writers conference. The Lord assigned her as my roommate, and I'm ever grateful. She has a wonderful blog and newsletter. Please check her out.

**Oh, BTW, leave me a comment to win her book. Leave Laura a comment too, and you'll get two chances. Hey, can't beat that with a stick!

It's on sale now at Amazon.

Say Aaahhhh

At work I received a call from a patient who needed to cancel her appointment. She said her little boy was sick. She thought it was strep and wanted to get him into the doctor.

Her little boy disagreed. He said it was just bugs crawling down his throat, and doctors didn't help that. He didn't want to see the doc. Made me laugh.

At first I wanted to find a picture of a kid with a bug, but that's just too creepy for me. Yuk! So I thought this picture was cute.

Don't ya love how kids explain their feelings, even though adults see life differently. Makes us old fogeys smile. I know, I'm speaking for myself.....

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he know us!" 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Message)

Feeling bugs in my throat, possibly, but more in my heart, mind and attitude. Yucky, crawly bugs of frustration, doubt, quit, sadness.....

If you're alive, I know you've been there, too.

Praise the Lord one day He'll explain all of it to us; and in the meantime, I need to take the medicine. The sweetness of His word, helps the medicine kill all my creepy crawlies.

Photo:bing-green health spot

Happy Day!

This is just a happy blog to brighten your day with a smile. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to download this video so you didn't have to go to another site. (I did it once before, but I think the video came in my email, rather than from a site.....oh well.)

Anyway, here's my 21 month-old grandson. I just love it!

Check this out.

Still smiling.

Photos:Melissa Evans on 4th of July

But it was in Southern Living....

My friend's birthday was last week and I didn't know what to get her. Believe me I looked. But she lives out of town, so I didn't know anything on her need/wish list.

Then perusing, no ripping through my Southern Living mags, I saw this recipe for flavored vinegars for salads and marinating. Enter-light bulb. Onward to the stores.

First I searched for the bottles. I wanted the ones with the fastener that closed, so they wouldn't spill on her way home. After many stores, I found them, but they were huge, decorative bottles. So I settled for the plain Jane ones.

Went to grocery and veggie stand for the herbs and lemons and garlic. That went fine.

Readied the vinegar and put it into the sterilized bottles with the additions. Finished reading the recipe and it said, "store in refrigerator for at least a week before using." I realized they would need three more days of refrigeration after I gave them to her. Sigh...... Now, I to figure out how to keep them cold for her 2 1/2 hour trip home.......Why did I feel like Charlie Brown?

But my friend said she loved them, even if only because of our friendship.

"I have called you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." John 15:15 (Jesus)

How many times have I rushed to do things for God, thinking it's a great idea; however, only to realize there's more to it than I thought. Or rather didn't think.

Jesus understands and still calls me His friend, and explains things all over to me, again.

Photo:karenevans

Look Up!

Major, my dog, finally figured out that squirrels run up the tree, while the rabbits run under the fence. He keeps sentry from our glass slider and when a squirrel is spotted, his happy, antsy feet start and he comes and stares right in our faces.

Open the slider and he bolts out the door hoping to catch that squirrel. (Rabbits he has caught.) Major will stand there for the longest, oblivious to possible fire ant beds (which are numerous here and a constant battle) and heat until he can no longer see them, or they hide.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2 (NAV)
"Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from his perspective." Colossians 3:2 (Message)

When my mind, and heart are down, dragging the floor, I don't get better by just sittin'. If I look to Him expecting something, then my draggy-dumps lift. Then, what's around me doesn't seem so bad.

Keep your eyes up, feet ready, and heart filled.

Photo:karenevans

Disclaimer: Circumstances Not Responsible for Owners Attitude

Okay, dear friends. First I must say all your nice comments on the post below were so sweet and well appreciated!

BUT, I didn't start out with that attitude right away.

While water ran from the front panel and out the bottom and my heart beat with frustration, I didn't tell you how I fussed as I swept out the running water with my dust pan and broom with sweat dripping down my face and body in the hot garage. I didn't tell you how I complained to my poor dog that hubbie wasn't here to help, and that I would be taking cold showers.....

"So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects." Colossians 1:10

Only when I took time to reason with myself and ask the Lord to help me-did this attitude occur.

I put my trust in Him who helps me sweep, because I want to please Him.

(I now have hot water. Yeah!)

(Oh, side note: here's that rascally rabbit again, having just eaten a tiny yellow flower off my plant.)

Photos: karenevans

It's One of Those Days

Yesterday, whew! My hubbie and I were in my old van, turned a corner, and heard a pop. It made a horrible noise the whole way home. Our mechanic is close, so we got hubbie's car and dropped my van off with an explanation in the drop box. (They were closed for the 4th. We could see a bolt or something dragging underneath.)

Then with hubbie gone. And, ohhhh, about supper time I just happened to go into the garage and saw water all down one side. Yep, the hot water heater decided to break. I called my friends down the street, and they came and helped me shut off the water and breaker. The water heater is doomed. It's still leaking, but I've channeled the water out the side door of the garage. Don't ask me how.

"When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night watches, for Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:6-8

I was pretty flustered by nighttime, or rather the time the Tampa Bay Rays played baseball. So I chilled and watched the game and reflected on the day.

I found plenty to thank the Lord for:

Hubbie was still home to help me get the car to the mechanic. It didn't happen while on the way to work or taking my folks to the doctor the next day.

My friends were home to come help with support, knowledge and towels.

One of those days? Yes; but a good day after all.

I had a good nights sleep, although my shower was quite invigorating!

Photo:melissaevans

That Wascally Wabbit!

I love this ornamental Peanut plant. It is super hardy and is a great ground cover with yellow flowers that bloom on and off all summer. They even survive in the median along our four lane road.

They were on sale at Home Depot, so I bought a few for my front yard. We planted and watered, then after a few days we noticed they weren't doing so well. I thought, must be my brown thumb. They kept getting worse.

Well, I thought, I'm glad I only bought a few.

Then yes, you know the end of this story. The next morning, I looked out my front window to see a rabbit happily munching on each plant. (If you know me, you know about my other rabbit stories.) Soooo, we not only house them, we feed them delicious food. ARGH!


I read in the paper that if you put dried blood around your plants, the rabbits won't eat it. Say what? I just HAD to email the writer and ask what kind of blood, and where is it bottled? So far, I've no answer.

But I guess that's okay, 'cause I might have buzzards hovering next.

"For every beast of the forest in Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine." Psalm 50:10, 11

I won't harm the bunnies, but I can rely on the One who made all creatures to take care of the plantings in my life. Even when they become tattered and torn, He knows about each nibble on them, past present and future.

His blood is my protection.

Photo:top-Bing, bottom-karenevans