Not A Good Night!!!

I need a day brightener. Perhaps this smiley face will help. I went to bed last night at the exact right time. Thanked God for my bed, my pillow, my husband and many other blessings. I went right to sleep. At 12:20 my phone woke me. That is not a good time to get a call when you are asleep. I reached over, picked up my phone and said, "Hello"!!! A male on the other end said hello also. I kept saying hello and so did he. Finally I asked who was calling. I think he said, "Larry". I know no Larry who should call me at 12:20 when I am asleep. He kept talking, I kept listening for a little while. He said, "Please listen for 5 minutes. I am married, are you?" I did not reply. After a few seconds, I closed my phone. He rang back 3 more times. I was annoyed and was now wide awake. I then put my phone on silent. I do not know how many more times he called. I had much difficulty ever getting back to sleep. Finally I did sleep an hour or two so I am not a very happy camper today. I wish people like "Larry" had a job and a life and got their thrills in some other way than waking innocent people during the wee hours of the night.

I will try to improve my attitude and have a happy day after all. Don't want to let someone like "Larry" control my day.

Love you too,
Dortha

Bean Day!!!!!!

This Was Bean Canning Day!!!

The top picture shows the average size of our beans. Second picture shows today's harvest. Bottom picture shows a part of the 48 quarts we have canned to date. Tomorrow will be the day to pick again then the canning follows. We are very thankful for our garden vegetables. God has given us nice showers to keep the vines healthy and producing. We will keep canning as long as the vines keep producing.

We have had more cucumbers than we could use just eating them fresh and I remembered seeing some fried cucumbers at a restaurant several years ago. I checked the internet and was surprised to find 114 recipes for fried cucumbers. I like to try new things and surprise, surprise, M. J. and I really like them. The third person who eats here most every day refuses to even try to like them. I will keep frying and M. J. and I will keep eating them. I peal and slice them then sprinkle a little corn meal on them and fry in a little oil. Good eating!!!

Hope everyone has had a good day. I have had a very special day. I got a nice call from number 2 son. Thank you, Roger.

Dortha

Night Sounds!!!

I thought I liked night sounds. I used to like night sounds. I even blogged that I like night sounds. I like Spring-time night sounds. I do not like Summer-time night sounds. We have had such wonderful temperatures for the past few months, we seldom need our air conditioner. We like the fresh air and the cool nights. Our bedroom has a sliding glass door that opens onto our balcony and it is just perfect to let the cool breezes in during the night. During the Spring-time nights, the sounds are soothing and the song birds wake me at day break. We are now in the middle of the Summer months and the night sounds are no longer soothing. There must be 10,000 crickets living in the tree just beyond our balcony and they apparently sleep all day and party all night. I understand they use their legs to make the chirping sound. Their legs must get awfully weary or perhaps they take turns. They close up shop before dawn and I seldom hear the birds singing now. I never hear a cricket during the day time. I wish they wanted to sleep the same time I want to sleep. Well, I won't hear them this Winter!!!

I like some Summer things. Merrel's garden is doing so well and we enjoy the fresh vegetables. Merrel plants the garden, he plows the garden, he picks the vegetables, he helps me get them ready for the pressure cooker, I put them in jars and finish the job. So far this year we have canned 37 quarts of green beans and our rains have come at the right time for the vines to keep producing. We also have tomatoes, squash and peppers. God is so good.

I hope you are enjoying the Summer.

Dortha

A Beautiful Morning!~!~!~!

My Desire is That I May Be a Blessing to Someone Today!!!!

Styles Have Changed!!

My Grandma Ford

The picture above is of my Grandma Ford. It was taken in the '40's when she was in her 60's. The picture is so typical of my Grandma as well as other ladies who went into town to shop in those days. They always wore their best outfit along with nice slippers and hat. The same was true of my own Mother. She always dressed up to go to town and usually wore a hat. Have times and customs changed or what??? Comfort is the norm these days. Forget about the style and being dressed nicely. I still think it might be worth while if we took more pride in how we look even though it may mean making a little more effort to do so. In many ways we have become lazy and complacent. I wonder how many would like to go back to the slower life without the many conveniences we now take for granted. For years we had no electricity, we drew the water from the well, heated it and washed our clothes on a rub board, hung them on the clothes line to dry, brought them in, sprinkled them and packed them into a basket then spent the next day ironing everything we wore. Many, in fact most things, were starched and ironing was not an easy task especially in the Summer time when we had to have a fire in the stove to heat our iron. Remember we had no electricity, therefore we had no fan so the job was very difficult and tiring because of the heat. Oh, the memories!!!! I cherish them even though I do not want to go back to those days.

We had a real nice rain last night and this morning. Our garden is looking good and we will soon have green beans and ripe tomatoes to eat. We will like that.

Take care, all,
Dortha

Remember The Lord's House Tomorrow

~ What's Missing in Church ~

The families in their Sunday best
Are gathered here today
To offer praise to God above
And bow their heads to pray.

In honor of the Holy One
Sit quietly in their pews
To feel the touch of Jesus Christ
And know Him as I do.

Little girls with pretty bows
Dressed up in frills and lace
Tiny lads in suits and ties
Are filled with His sweet grace.

The sounds of music fill the room
The choir does softly sing
Jesus loves me, this I know
Oh hear those church bells ring.

The sacred songs of Sunday morn
Come drifting through the air
Voices echo in the breeze
A day, so ever fair.

A touch of Sunday can be found
To make a poor soul, glad
The preacher, as he brings the word
To every mom and dad.

So as you're driving by a CH_ _CH
Not feeling up to par
You wonder what is missing here
Two simple words, U R.

Only One Life to Live

~ Live A Life That Matters ~

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave? What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.

God is so Good!!!

UN-DESCRIBABLE BEAUTY

Life is good on Holland Hill. God gives us so many things to enjoy each day. Words cannot describe the beauty of the world He has prepared for us neither can our minds imagine what lies ahead for us in Heaven. How can anyone doubt His love for us? He gives us rain and he gives us sunshine. He gives us food to eat and water to drink. I am so grateful.

May each of you have a great and blessed day,
Dortha

Thought For The Day

The Scars of Life

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the
middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator
reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs...

That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved..

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go.'

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you...

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.

That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very
grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. Please pass this on to those you love... God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others.

You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them...

Still Remembering!!!

Thanks for our Military!!!

Even though Independence Day 2009 is now past, I feel the same concerning our allegiance to the day as I feel about Thanksgiving Day. True, one day each year is set apart for our observing special days but I feel we should cherish and celebrate our freedom each day just as I feel we should be thankful for our blessings each day. As I reflect over the years, I remember my many family members who served during the past wars and even as I type, I have a great-grandson who is now serving as a Marine. Several of my ancestors served during World War I. My Dad did not spend any time in the military but his brother, my Uncle Abe, did serve during World War I. When my uncle was born, he was given the name Paul Worthington. As he grew and was aware of his name, he was not fond of Paul. His Dad stood him up in front of a picture of all the United States Presidents and told him to choose which one he would like to be named for. He chose Abraham Lincoln. After he was inducted into the military and had to sign his name numerous times, he wished his name were still Paul Worthington rather than Abraham Lincoln Worthington.

The attached picture is of my Uncle Charlie and my Uncle Scott who served during World War II. My dear husband also served during World War II as well as two of his brothers. My son, Ron, spent 4 years in the Air Force during the 70's. I am very indebted and grateful for each and everyone who has spent----and are spending time protecting our freedom. Many have sacrificed health, limb and for some even given their lives so we know freedom is not free. It is bought with a price and may God bless and protect those who are serving.

I hope each and everyone had a safe and enjoyable Fourth.

Dortha

Independence Day 2009

Let Freedom Ring from rooftops,
and o’er the mighty land,
and never take for granted
the life of any man—

Who fought and gave his future
for the likes of you and me
to save his homeland’s honor
and the right of Liberty!

A Day To Celebrate!!

AS WE CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Independence Day has different meanings for different people. For some it is a day to celebrate our independence as a nation. For others it is a day of freedom from the work place to enjoy camping, picnicking, enjoying fire-works displays or for simply resting. I like to remember our military at this time and realize it is because of them that we can enjoy the freedom we have to do the things we choose. We all agree that freedom is not free. Many have given their lives. At this very hour there are many families that are separated because of the world's turmoil. In some homes the father is absent. In others the mother is absent and there are even some where both parents are serving our country.

May we all thank God today for the freedom we have and may we never take it for granted. Only because of God's love for us do we have the freedom we enjoy and only He knows how long we may continue to have what we have today. May we never take it for granted but each day be careful to show our gratitude.

Happy and safe Fourth to all,
Dortha

A New Month

July Birthdays & Anniversaries

The month of June is now history and we are blessed with a brand new month which brings us to the half-way mark of the year 2009. Since I promised to protect the privacy of those who do not wish to be recognized for a special occasion, I will simply say "Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary" to each of our family who will be celebrating special days during the month of July.

I am quite aware when my postings are limited to happenings on Holland Hill they can tend to be quite boring. Our days and weeks are rather routine. One day the Mr. mows our lawns, the next day he mows our neighbor's lawn, the next he may plough his garden and weed the flower gardens. And on and on he goes, day after day and week after week. My schedule is even less exciting. I arise around 6:00 A.M. My first stop is to check e-mail downstairs. After awhile I go up stairs and fix breakfast then I again check e-mail. Around mid morning, I go back upstairs and get a bath and get dressed. After lunch I check e-mail. Some days I do a little laundry. Other days I don't do much of any thing except check e-mail. Most evenings I fix our dinner. We eat and I may or may not clean up the dishes. Then I check e-mail. That is what I am doing at this moment and have been since 7:00 P.M. I will probably sit right here until 10:00 when I close shop, go upstairs and go to bed.

Oh, did I mention that I check e-mail quite often????? See, I told you our lives could be quite boring!!!! Now you know.

Dortha