For Monday, September 30th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2013

82 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

86 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:25 am 

Sunset: 7:12 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

J. Henry McGregor, who as a congressman from Ohio would be instrumental in the passage of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1954, was born on a Jefferson County farm near Unionport, Ohio, on this day in 1896.  The Highway Act allocated funds to build our nation's interstate highway system.  These interstate highways changed the landscape of the USA.

Our national flower is the concrete cloverleaf.  

Lewis Mumford

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness.  Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.  

H. Jackson Brown

Our interstate highways do allow people to get to their destinations faster than they could have before. I have driven quite a few of them myself. But the slow lane is my lane.  Wherever I go, or whatever I do, it's slower than it used to be.  Speed no longer has much attraction to me.  Going fast just doesn't allow for all the beautiful sights you see when you are in the slow lane. 

 Life is often compared to a highway.  In life everyone including the richest have from bumpy to smooth roads. Some times they curve or bend in one direction and sometimes the other way.  There are some stops and starts too. 

Hope you all can slow down just a bit and enjoy a wonderful Monday.  

Don't miss out on the important things in life.

Slow Down Therapy

Slow down; God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all yourself, right now.

Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past. Rest there. Each moment has richness that takes a lifetime to savor.

Set your own pace. When someone is pushing you, it's OK to tell them they're pushing.

Take nothing for granted: watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbor mow.

Taste your food. God gives it to delight as well as to nourish.

Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set. They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.

Quit planning how you're going to use what you know, learn, or possess. God's gifts just are; be grateful and their purpose will be clear.

When you talk with someone, don't think about what you'll say next. Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.

Talk and play with children. It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.

Create a place in your home... at your work... in your heart... where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it.

Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn't luxury; it's a necessity.

Listen to the wind blow. It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow-and now. NOW counts.

Rest on your laurels. They bring comfort whatever their size, age, or condition.

Talk slower. Talk less. Don't talk. Communication isn't measured by words.

Give yourself permission to be late sometimes. Life is for living, not scheduling.

 Listen to the song of a bird; the complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them. 

Take time just to think. Action is good and necessary, but it's fruitful only if we muse, ponder, and mull.

Make time for play-the things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child needs re-creation.

Watch and listen to the night sky. It speaks.

Listen to the words you speak, especially in prayer.

 Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders.There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again. 

Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you hope to do any better?

When you find yourself rushing and anxious, stop. Ask yourself WHY you are rushing and anxious. The reasons may improve your self-understanding.

Take time to read the Bible. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading.

Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency. The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.

Take a day off alone; make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one.

Pet a furry friend. You will give and get the gift of now.

Work with your hands. It frees the mind.

Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence.

Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell.

Once in a while, turn down the lights, the volume, the throttle, the invitations. Less really can be more.

Let go. Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do - but often it is the best.

Take a walk-but don't go anywhere. If you walk just to get somewhere, you sacrifice the walking. 

 Count your friends. If you have one, you are lucky. If you have more, you are blessed. Bless them in return. 

Count your blessings - one at a time and slowly.

Author Unknown

COUNTING MY GIFTS

May you have warm words on a cool evening, a full moon on a dark night, 

and a smooth road all the way to your door. 

Irish Toast

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

995. for life in the slow lane

996. for smooth roads

997. for highways and by ways

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. 

Author Unknown 

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, September 29th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2013

83 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

87 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:24 am

Sunset: 7:13 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Two liquid gas tanks explode in Cleveland, Ohio, killing 130 people, September 29th,  1944. It took all of the city's firefighters to bring the resulting industrial fire under control. The explosion had destroyed two entire factories, 79 homes in the surrounding area and more than 200 vehicles. The total bill for damages exceeded $10 million.  Newer and safer techniques for storing gas and building tanks were developed in the wake of this disaster.
Firefighters save hearts and homes.  

Author Unknown

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Firefighting - one of the few professions left that still makes house calls.  

Author Unknown

Fire fighters do deserve our thanks and praise for the job they do.  Whether they serve in a large city or a small town, whether they are called to a major catastrophe or a local emergency, they respond when the alarm sounds. They head into danger when others flee. They risk their lives to save our lives. 

When I think about it we all live in tension between things that save us and kill us. With fire, we cook our food and keep warm, but in it we can be consumed. With water, we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but in it we also can drown. Too much or too little of either is life threatening.

It takes courage to be a fire fighter, just as it takes a bit of courage for all of us to keep our families and ourselves safe from whatever might threaten us.  As fires go…there are somethings we all need to do to be safe.  Preventing fires is an important part of fire safety.

All homes should have smoke alarms

Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas. Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell.

Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.

 Keep fire in the fireplace. Use fire screens and have your chimney cleaned annually. 

Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house. 

I hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday.  Stay safe!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

You don’t even miss a beat when gratitude to God is the beat of your heart.

Anne Voskamp

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

992. for firefighters everywhere

993. for smoke alarms 

994. for fire prevention practices that keep us safe

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

Hug a firefighter and feel warm all over.  

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Saturday, September 28th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2013

84 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

88 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:23 am

Sunset: 7:15 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Madison County native, David Kemper Watson, who challenged the mighty Standard Oil Trust, died on this day in 1918, in Columbus, Ohio.  In 1898, President McKinley also from Ohio, appointed him a member of a commission to codify the laws of the United States.

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. 

Joan Wallach Scott

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Life is the sum of all your choices.

Albert Camus

We all have changes and challenges in our lives, but when it comes down to it, it's the way we handle them that counts.  It's important to take on new challenges and adapt to changes because it enables you to take up new opportunities that may arise for further growth. 

The challenges of life are on going from the time we are born. What comes easy to one may be very hard for another.  Even making the smallest of changes in our lives can have a big effect .

 Here at my house the biggest change is the weather.  The nights have been very chilly, but thankfully there have been only two so far that it was necessary for the heat to come on.   This time of year I get a little break on the utilities as there is no need for air conditioning and rarely a need for heat either.  It's easy just to put on a sweater or cuddle up with one of my fleecy throws in the evenings.  

Hope you all are enjoying some nice fall weather too.

Have a super Saturday!

For all things fair we hear or see, Father in heaven, we thank Thee! 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

989. for those that have the courage face up to challenges

990. for warm days and cool nights

991. for the colors of fall that brighten up our days

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.  

Roy Disney

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Friday, September 27th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2013

85 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

89 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:21 am

Sunset: 7:17 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

On this day in 1914 second baseman Napoleon 'Nap' Lajoie became the first the first Cleveland baseball player to reach 3000 career hits.  He was named to the baseball hall of fame in 1937.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.  

T.S. Eliot

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to. 

Author Unknown

Determination plays a big part in what we succeed in.  Nothing worthwhile comes with out a bit of hard work involved.  Sometimes we have to practice and practice until we get good at something we want to do and other times it's a matter of working and working until we complete something.  I know it's taken a lot of practice, hard work and determination to get me where I wanted to be.  

Years of working, practicing my computer skills finally paid off so that I could retire.  Looking back, it was worth the effort.  I will never regret all the work involved raising a family or working at my job.

Each of has a job to do whether it is at home, on the ball field or where ever your work takes you, enjoy what you do and you will succeed in making it all worthwhile.

Our tree in the curb lawn is starting to change colors and leaves now.  Not only is it feeling like fall but looking like fall too.

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.  

There was an important job to be done and 

Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.  

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.  

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job.  

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

  It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anyone could have.  

Author Unknown

COUNTING MY GIFTS

You don’t even miss a beat when gratitude to God is the beat of your heart.

Anne Voskamp

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

986. for work makes life worthwhile

987. for my computer that keeps me in touch

988. for those that are determined to succeed

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get. 

Dale Carnegie

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Thursday, September 26th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2013

86 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

90 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:20 am

Sunset: 7:19 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

On this day in 1774, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born. He was a native of Massachusetts, but arrived in Ohio about 1800.  He traveled throughout the state planting countless apple trees.  Among this places he planted nurseries were Loudonville and Perryville in Ashland County.  I'm very familiar with that area as we camped nearby for many years.  

He lived simply and not only handed out thousands of apple trees to Ohio settlers, but Biblical literature too.  He told the settlers he was handing out fresh news straight from heaven.  

 A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible. 

Welsh Proverb 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. 

Charles Warner

We do have a lot of apples in Ohio.  I know of several orchards close by to where we live and I've bought some really great apples from the farmer's markets already this fall.  They are a new variety to me called golden ginger.  If you like a nice crisp eating apple, they are just right.  

Living simply is a way of life that most of us know little of.  In most cases we all have more than we need.  I know I've tried to simplify my life over the past few years.  But truly the less we have, the fewer worries we'll have.  People today have more but they also have more problems.

This time of year my mom would always make apple cake and we did and still do love it.  So I thought I'd share it with you all.

Apple Cake

4 cups apples chopped

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vanilla

2 cups flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts and / or raisins

Mix sugar, egges, oil and vanilla.  Gradually add all dry ingredients.  Fold in apples, walnuts and raisins.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

You can use a greased and floured bundt pan, a 9X13 cake pan or two bread pans.

Enjoy!

Hope you all get to enjoy an apple or two today and have a great Thursday!

If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. 

Bill Meyer 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 

Proverbs 25:11

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

983. for the simple things in life

984. for apples, they are good for you and delicious

985. for apple cake, an old recipe from my mom

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed. 

Robert H. Schuller

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2013

87 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

91 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:19 am

Sunset: 7:20 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

On this day in 1918, Franklin County native Eddie Rickenbacker earned the Medal of Honor.  He was a WWI flying ace. His decorations included nine Distinguished Service Crosses.

We do not remember days; we remember moments.  

Cesare Pavese

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.  

Pearl Buck

The reason things happen they way they do is often based on something from the past.  We learn about history, so we can attempt to make the present and future a better place to live. By learning about our past we can make better choices and not make the same mistakes twice. 

 Maybe we don't learn those lessons well enough at times, but I think that we do learn.  I've had to learn some things over and over, but eventually they do sink in.

 Good things come to those who still hope even though they’ve had disappointments, to those who still believe even though they’ve failed, to those who still love even though they’ve been hurt.  So never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten.  Take it all as lessons learned and move on .  By learning about the past we learn our future.

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

Lessons For Life

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

Memorize your favorite poem.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

When you say, I love you, mean it.

When you say, I'm sorry, look the person in the eye. 

Believe in love at first sight.

Never laugh at anyone's dreams.

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

 In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slow but think quick.

 Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 

Say bless you when you hear someone sneeze.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

 Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

Spend some time alone. 

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Read more books and watch less TV.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.

Trust in God but lock your car.

A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

Read between the lines. 

Be gentle with the earth.

Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.

 Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

Mind your own business. 

Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.

 Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck

Learn the rules then break some.

Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

 Remember that your character is your destiny.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. That's the FUN part!

Author Unknown

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, 

the things you never want to lose.  

From the television show The Wonder Years

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day.

980. for good memories

981. for lessons learned

982. for my pumpkin spice coffee this morning.

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate.  

Robert Brault

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma