by Sharon O | Sep 14, 2024 | Uncategorized
The word prompt for the weekend ended up being PRESERVE.
I found it rather funny since my husband and I have been canning lately.
Preserving for the winter months.
We have done 56 jars of pickle some for us and some for our neighbor.
Then we did 26 jars of peaches and then we did 14 jars of pears.
Then we purchased tomatoes, and I froze those in a bag for soups later.
It is nice to have it done.
Kind of like the little house on the Prairie days.
WE talked about doing green beans and potatoes, but the cost of a pressure cooker was a decision we didn’t make.
So many things have to be water bathed or pressure cooked. I do freeze fruit and sometimes veggies.
We also thought about doing plums, but that idea ended too.
Then we have a quarter of a beef coming soon so our freezer will be full.
It really is nice to have it when you need it as long as the freezer door gets shut.
One time we had a CSI scene in our freezer as it was unplugged and we had lots of partially defrosted meat.
It was awful.
Garbage bags were full of meat that could not be rescued.
It was a waste, but you can’t take a chance when it comes to preserving and freezing.
We are not into pressure canning meat and some veggies.
It is a high risk if you don’t do it the right way.
Years ago, it was a natural thing to can everything. We don’t really have to do that unless we want to.
The joy and fulfillment in knowing we did it and it is clean good products.
The word prompt for the weekend was preserve, and I do think we have done that very well.
by Sharon O | Aug 14, 2024 | Uncategorized
This week is the county fair held in a different county than where we live.
We have only missed a couple of years when the temperature out was over a hundred.
I am not a hot weather fan, and I definitely would not sit on wood benches to watch a rodeo.
One of our traditions is to find a hand dipped corn dog, YES, we know it’s not good for us but oh so yummy.
Sometimes we find the booth with hot corn on the cob but probably won’t do that tomorrow since we have some at home.
We like to walk around the pavilion building where they hold art galleries, canning and other homemade items.
It’s a nice feeling to know not all is lost when it comes to tradition and family activities.
Of course, the rides call out to the kids. Don’t ever put me on one EVER.
We like to see the animals and the ribbons given, and the pride those local kids have when showing their projects.
The fair is a fun day and just plan on many things to look at and observe.
Then later about seven we go to the grandstands with our ‘pre-purchased’ tickets for the rodeo.
It is a family event and it most of the time very patriotic.
The riders march around with flags, the announcer says a prayer and we sure need that these days.
Then the riders head to their places in line for action.
It is both exciting and scary sometimes. The skill level it takes to do barrel racing, or calf roping or horseback riding.
And we won’t forget the bull riding event.
I only saw one bad accident when I was a little girl where the bull attacked the rider. IT was no fun for anyone.
Then the bull in a local fair just recently jumped the fence and tossed a person up and down a few times.
They survived but oh my goodness can you even imagine?
This week is the county fair held in a different county, and we will be glad it will only be in the high seventies.
by Sharon O | Aug 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
On my bulletin board I have a saying that is in large print as a reminder.
It says “KEEP BEING BRAVE”
I hold onto that, as I pray for so many things in our lives.
In the lives of others that I care for and in the lives of those who walk a journey that is hard and difficult.
Cancer is one of those journeys.
The treatment is not easy or fun.
I had surgery, that actually went rather smooth and also had radiation that was not too terrible. Although when you think of a large machine hanging over your body and radiating beams you begin to wonder if all your organic shopping is worth it.
I want everything possible to be organic and not sprayed.
I read all labels, and I refuse to buy items that are covered in toxic chemicals.
It is amazing to me that they can even sell the stuff that way.
Keep being brave, when my oldest granddaughter moved away and I had to not cry hard, I was sad, but I knew it was a good move for her.
Keep being brave, when my other granddaughter had a perfectly healthy tiny great granddaughter for us to enjoy and love.
Keep being brave, when sometimes I don’t feel well but I push through it for I know there were days and years that I dealt with it intensely very often.
Keep being brave, when I see my best friend who has leukemia.
She is strong and brave and trusts in the holy God of all who heals.
I also have on my bulletin board, a quote from a very special person.
“Man looks upon the outward appearance. God looks upon the heart.”
Our bravery doesn’t often show on the outside. Sometimes it is the quiet voice that stays inside and says, “let’s try again tomorrow.’
On my bulletin board I have a saying that is in large print and many other reminders of hope, healing and friendship. 
by Sharon O | Jul 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
It’s hard for me to believe I have taken a few months break from writing.
I always write and I always have something to say.
These days have been a continuation of changes.
Our oldest granddaughter Faith Elizabeth is moving to Montana. She quit her job and said her goodbyes.
It is a heart breaker for me, but I have to know the change, the new start, new relationship and job will be good for her.
I pray she finds a church that can help her grow and mature.
she was our first, experience as grandparents and as a nicu baby born early we learned about the tiny ones.
Then our oldest grandson got married. It was short and sweet and with no frills.
They have dated five years, so it was time for them to make the decision happen.
They seem to be happy and ready to take on this new life decision.
Our other granddaughter one of the twins is having a baby (our first great grandchild) any day now.
She is having a little girl and as soon as we get the news, we will be in our trailer to go visit.
So many changes for this grandma.
It is ok I can manage the big feelings.
God is allowing us the opportunity to experience this wave of emotions.
He is with us.
We have our other twin doing well, and two other grandsons who are doing well.
One is driving now, that is a bit scary but it’s all a part of growing up.
My goal has always been to leave a legacy.
I want our grandchildren to think of us as those who loved.
Who prayed. Who supported.
I rarely say no if they ask me for something.
It is a privilege to be a grandma.
I remember my own with different emotions and feeling they, both were extremely different.
It’s hard for me to believe I have taken a pause, a break and a rest from writing.
I will be back soon.
by Sharon O | Apr 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
Friendships are gifts we give ourselves.
I have many long-term friends who have been in our lives for years.
They know us, but sometimes we have many months where we don’t talk or share.
It is ok, we still care deeply, and life gets busy.
As we age, we see the hardship of an older body. We watch others navigate crisis moments.
They show us how to be strong and flexible.
Of course, we also pray fervently for them, to recover.
Life is full of moments that catch us off guard.
A heart issue, an accident, a diagnosis we didn’t want to hear about.
Then we also have the good parts of friendship where we can lift each other up.
I value friendships and because my belief is if you are in my life, I want to make it good.
Life is too short for wasted moments.
The other day I was home, and a call came in from a longtime friend who I went to high school with many years ago.
They were in our area and wanted to come visit. It was a pleasant surprise, and I valued their idea to come visit.
What a great afternoon. My husband was not home but we visited anyway.
I was in her wedding, and we actually went to junior high together then moved to the high school.
She is the social butterfly of our ‘circle’. I am not. She convinced me to go to our 25th high school reunion.
I want to say it was boring and NOT my cup of tea. I knew no one and I wanted to go home and get in my bed.
I am by nature a loner. I like solitude and quiet.
I value this friend and even though we are not alike we are alike spiritually, and we do care for each other.
When I think of Jesus and the circle of friends who he spent time with, he showed us the example of sharing with others.
I think the gift we give to each other is treasured, and sacred.
Friendships are gifts we give ourselves.
by Sharon O | Apr 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
Spring is coming very soon, and I wait for warmer days.
I don’t mind cool ones but to walk outside in the warmth of the sun it does something to your spirit.
Soon we can plant our garden and prepare the yard for flowers and beauty.
It is a wonderful time to be alive.
I heard recently that a musician that we are all familiar with passed away.
Goodness that is such a shock and it’s sad.
Life is precious and even though sometimes we can feel discouraged, I remember this is THE day the LORD made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Alot of my friends are scattered in different places but I still can pray and send encouraging notes to them.
That is what friendship is all about.
I care for you, and you care for me. We pray for each other, and we wish the best for each of our lives and families.
I went back to my oncologist a week or so ago and all is well as far as my cancer recovery.
That is a praise.
It is a journey that is stretching and sometimes difficult.
I seemed to move past it pretty fast and recovered well.
That gives me great joy and a lot to be thankful for.
Soon we will be great grandparents. HOW exciting is that?
Oh I so remember those newborn cuddles and squeals.
Such a blessing to be a part of and to be able to leave a legacy for this ‘new’ little one.
I honestly cannot wait.
Spring is a sign of new life. Summer is a sign of warmth and vacations and new babies.
So much to be thankful for.
I ask you how has your life been? Finding things to be thankful for and then saying, “thank you”.
It is a challenge for all of us no matter what we are going through.
Spring is coming very soon, and I wait for warmer days.
by Sharon O | Mar 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
A new month and a new word.
I took a one-year word test as I often do to see what my word of the year may be.
I answered all the questions and the final word that came out was CELEBRATE.
That will be a great word for this year as we will be having and experiencing our first great grandbaby.
How exciting and definitely something to celebrate.
July is the month, and we already know it’s a girl, her name is after his mom, Janly Dawn.
So shopping is fun. Planning is too, showers to plan and presents to purchase.
My daughter will be a grandma and that is something to celebrate.
We had some ‘crisis’ moments that we were able to get out of lately and that is something to be happy about.
My husband fell on the ice and ended up in a paramedic truck to the hospital.
I even road in the passenger side with them, after they ‘pushed’ me in as it was very high.
He is ok just a bit rattled for an old guy.
He turned 70 in January. That was something to celebrate.
I made a few trips to the Immediate care for asthma and also pneumonia.
After the month of February, I think I am on the mend for March.
Speaking of March, we have four birthdays in the family it’s a busy month.
Celebrate again.
I am thinking this is a good word to focus on for a while.
The Lord is protecting us and our ‘little baby’ who is coming.
All is ok at our house in spite of some pretty rough moments.
Getting old is not for the faint of heart for sure.
We age, mature, walk the walk and learn the message of what we are supposed to be doing.
Spring will be here soon, and I am very ready to get out in our trailer and head to the beach.
A new month and a new word, to begin soon.
by Sharon O | Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
My husband is taking a heart stress test. The waiting is always hard.
The waiting room is filled with others waiting, for their names to be called or their loved ones who they brought.
I see a daughter with her elderly parents, he was in a wheelchair, the mom was using a walker. I thought of how it was many years ago when they were taking care of her.
I look around and observe the eyes of others, focused on the cell phones to pass the time as they wait.
The waiting is always hard.
If I had kept track of the many hours waiting for one thing or the other, it would be another part of my lifetime.
I look out the window and rain has slowed down. It is cold but not so bone cold like the last few weeks.
I sit here with my mask on, for protection from the unknown airborne germs.
It doesn’t bother me to wear a mask. I like being healthy.
When I worked in a pharmacy I came down with the mumps. Airborne germs one cannot see but they linger after a patient leaves the room.
It actually happened two times, the first time was the full force case of the mumps in my late 40’s then it returned a few weeks later.
I do my best to be careful now.
Hospitals are not my favorite places; I am not medical in any way.
When my husband had health issues it was up to me to help but believe me, I am not a nurse.
You do what needs to be done and pray for healing fast.
The pharmacy didn’t feel medical because we had a store like look with other supplies inside.
The people often were very interesting. Some very challenging some very enjoyable.
The seniors were always my favorite and the little kids.
My training as a stock clerk was by the seat of my pants, having no experience or retail background. I worked there over 8 years before I left.
Would I do it again? No, I am retired.
It was a life experience that I don’t need to repeat.
My husband will soon be out of his stress test, and we can head back to our home.
The waiting is always hard.
by Sharon O | Dec 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
I just have to ask the questions
Part three
Luke 2:39b They returned home to Nazareth in Galilee 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong.
He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
2: 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Did they go through some of the attitude’s parents get from young adult children.
Remember they lost him one time in the temple.
Luke 2:45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious leaders, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers. His parents didn’t know what to think.
“Son,” his mother said to him, “Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I would be in my father’s house?”
But they didn’t understand what he meant. * key verse**
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
He had a lot of time to mature and grow.
There are many questions I have about all of this.
We often move from the manger to the ministry, and then to the cross.
But what about the middle years, when he grew and learned and trained under Joseph.
I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but the word tells us he was a baby, then a child, he had to have been a teen, then a young adult, then a young man and then he turned thirty when I believe his ministry began to take shape and form.
So many stages of a young man’s life. So many changes for a Savior.
Not only was Jesus the main character in this story.
But he was the story.
God loves us so much that HE wanted to give us a chance.
The only way that would work was to allow a Savior to come.
Remember the verse when Simeon told Mary,
Luke 2:35 “As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Referring to his time on the cross.
It was all for a reason. It was all for a purpose.
The deep love from the father to us given in the form of a baby.
As we move towards the closure of the Christmas story, I hope you realize, as I have said before, nothing is by accident, and nothing is without a plan.
I just have to ask the questions.
by Sharon O | Dec 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
Part two
I have to ask the questions.
God created a whole new ‘Jesus’ so we could see him and relate to him and then believe in him.
He was the ‘same’ equal part of God as in heaven, but now in a physical form we could relate to.
From the spiritual realm to the earthly realm.
Do you think he was in the form of a body in heaven? I don’t think so,
Psalm 139:13 You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me in my mother’s womb.
vs 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
vs 16. you saw me before I was born.
It was pre-planned as we know, but can you imagine?
What was it like to be a baby moving and kicking just as any other baby in the womb.
This ‘God in flesh’ baby child, miracle one, so tiny.
Or even during the birth process. He had to experience it.
I have seen video’s of how hard the baby pushes and turns and struggles to get out.
The process is hard and exhausting, challenging and relentless.
He had to be born through Mary because she was chosen to be his mother.
There had to be ‘physical connection’ as well as a spiritual one.
Then after he was born, the baby was cared for and loved by Mary and Joseph, blessed by Simeon, praised by Anna, then shepherds from the fields praised him, and then the wise men who brought gifts of royalty fit for a king.
All this meant something. On the eternal level and perspective.
Then we saw the threat from Herod, and then the Angels appearances over and over in dreams and visions.
So much happening in such a short amount of time for all of them.
Then I was wondering as a baby, he had to go through the normal teething process.
Just as any other newborn baby. I would imagine and wonder, did Mary walk the floors with a cranky colicky baby.
Did Joseph rock and sing to him as he calmed his crying, if he was sick and feverish.
I don’t imagine he could heal himself then, He was a baby.
As an infant, I would think, he had to learn to crawl and walk just like any other baby growing up.
Imagine with me, a skinned-up knee, he could have placed his own hand on it to heal it or did that ability come to him later as he grew?
So many questions to ask.
I have to ask the questions
