Have You Ever Wondered What Happened To...

Have you ever wondered what happened to... (you fill in the name)?  My husband and I were just having this conversation yesterday, and again commented that it would have been a terrific idea if we had kept a log with names of persons we met, including the date and a brief memo throughout our lives.  We have a local newspaper columnist that at the end of each year lists the names of all persons he mentioned in his column to thank them for writing ideas, and we thought what an excellent idea this is to remember names of people who have passed through our lives.
Well, lo and behold, a few minutes later, that very same columnist came around the corner of the mountain we were walking down, complete with his two "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" dogs (remember the 60's series?).  We quickly decided to ask him how long he had practiced this writing down of names.  Dan replied that he had gotten this idea from another newspaper writer from the San Francisco Chronicle, and he himself had been doing it since the 90's.  We told him that we wished we had kept a "people we meet" log, and he agreed that he wished he had done so too.
I think that I'm going to follow up with giving my kids and grandkids the idea too.  It would be interesting for my grandchildren, 30 years from now to remember the name of somebody that they knew from school or other activity.  Remembering people who were significant at different times in our lives lends to completing the picture of good memories, and lessons we learned in different relationships, whether close, distant, or brief.

Challenges...

I am experiencing difficulties with my blogspot.  It all started when I posted a video of my grandkids having fun in our backyard.  I don't know why I, or anybody else couldn't open it.  Now, I can't edit past blogs, which was suggested to me so I could re-edit the video, if this was what was preventing my blog from displaying correctly.  I know there's got to be a solution to this, but it's beyond me at this very moment.  Anyway, I'm going to try to post this and see what happens.  Good luck to me!

Summing up April...

Seven days left in the month of April-- Like the McDonald's jingle sings~ "I'm lovin' it!"  Here's why:
The weather has been diverse and inviting.  We've had rain, cool breezes, sneak previews of 100 degree summer days, and everything in between.  Lots of events happening this month-- ranging from a vintage car show in downtown La Verne, Easter sunrise service and family get together, a spring brunch, capturing of a long time foe-- "Tom Cat", well-spent time with out-of-state family members, and birthday celebrations for family members and friends.

Also in spring, "Spring Cleaning" mode continues.  This upcoming Saturday, we're having a yard sale.  Coincidentally, our pastor is teaching in the book of Revelation-- It's been challenging to hear exhortations alluding to our present state with the Lord.  Just like the words to the church of Ephesus, I need to ask myself, have I left my First Love~ Jesus?  And, if so, what do I need to do to get back to that place where I was excited and enthusiastic?  It's not enough to serve and obey-- but to love and enjoy God in my life.

April Showers and Cat After Math

We're still feeling the effect of the recent rains we had during the last week. It's been a bit colder, and we even received snow on the local mountains. Our city is actually an inhabited desert-- making it work to keep things green. While my city boasts of being the "City of Trees", and has been keeping it's commitment to the label by offering free trees annually, our city gets plain hot and dry as the summer months approach. So, you can imagine how refreshing it was to see the rain, and hear the majestic thunder.
On another note~ it seems now that the tomcat is gone for good, my cat, Kitty is showing her new colors. She's become more bold in her territory, and actually chased a squirrel out of our yard. I guess I didn't realize how intimidated and squelched she might have felt with the stray cat imposing himself in her yard. So fun to see the dynamics of nature!

Yay- The Cat Was Caught!

It was a victory that resembled the winning of the Super Bowl, or a NASCAR super race. There we were, the three of us high fiving one another with jubilant smiles on our faces...
I'm referring to the catching of the cat yesterday afternoon. My wonderful neighbors came over, clad in long sleeves and gloves and we entered the garage where the cat was perched on my husband's mancave refrigerator. We approached him slowly, but as soon as we were at arm's length, the cat let out a loud hiss. Dave tried to grab him gingerly, but the cat swiftly darted onto the rafters, seconds later landing on my husband's '55 Chevy restoration. So the chase began. 30 minutes later, we had the cat secured in the carrier that would be his seat to the Humane Society.
I had to take a picture of the cat. He actually looks like a sweet cat in the picture. But, looks are deceiving. This cat didn't give a second thought to attacking several cats in our neighborhood and spraying all over our plants and patio furniture; all the while smirking at us as he sashayed away.
My hats off to Dave for his bravery and Robin for all her support and helpfulness. Yay- the cat is gone!

Cat's in the Bag... But Not in The Cage

A while back, I blogged about the frustrating situation of dealing with a stray cat in our neighborhood. Finally, three days ago, we were able to confine the cat in our garage. However, this isn't the winning ticket, because the Humane Society won't come for the cat unless it's inside a trap. This cat is no ordinary cat. It's prowess and sharp instinct that has kept him alive in the alley isn't about to allow him to walk into a trap, no matter what tasty morsel awaits for him. So the waiting game is on. Our garage is being kept captive by the presence of this feline. We're hoping that the cat's need for food and survival will be his capture. It's our version of the "Hunger Game."

Grace like Rain

"I once was lost, but now I'm found,
was blind but now I clearly see.
Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me--
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away,
washed away.. (Words from song by Todd Agnew)

Today is Easter, and our city has been graced with a mountain in the middle of it which can be climbed to an errected cross. Watching the sun come up on the eastern horizon, and surrounded by a diverse crowd of people-- all with one intent... to recognize a risen Saviour, Jesus Christ.

What a blessed people we are! We are able to join the mayor of our town along with people from different denominational and cultural backgrounds. While the rest of the world seethes in indifference and violence, we should not take for granted the freedom we enjoy in our country and city-- to worship openly without fear or trepidation. Grace like rain truly does fall upon us Americans. Happy Easter to all.

Spring Cleaning

April 1st and spring cleaning is on my mind. I located a list this morning that gave me a run down on tasks to do to arrive to the "daisy fresh" surroundings of my home and garden likened to the daisy my little granddaughter is showing in the picture. Coincidentally, our pastor spoke on spring cleaning in his message this morning, as well. He wasn't addressing my house, but my spiritual life. I appreciated this message, because it began to prepare my heart for the holy week ahead, culminating in celebration of Easter Sunday. Pastor Greg spoke about Jesus making the entrance on Palm Sunday on a donkey. Even though Jesus was hated and rejected by the religious people of His day, He still was able, in His entrance on a donkey (fulfilling bible prophecy) to be received by the crowd of people as they would have received a king, by setting out palms before Him. Yet, even as they cheered, and paid tribute to Him,their concept as their king was a victor, not a victim. Hence, a week later, seeing Jesus as a victim, they would cry out, "Crucify him!" -- They could no longer accept as king one who was scorned and trampled upon. So, the portrayal of spring cleaning-- essentially, going through every room and every drawer in the house on a physical level, only encourages me to do the same in my spiritual life. This is cumberson, requires lots of work, and is downright painful. It causes me to think of those areas where I may be storing "junk", for example, a critical spirit, unforgiveness, or other things. Yet, the trade-off of doing such spiritual spring cleaning is receiving all that the Lord has for me. The thought of a 'daisy fresh' spirit gives me the encouragement and drive to begin spring cleaning today!