Favorite colorful flowers

One on my favorite flowers gives a lot of bang for the buck. It used to be that they were a popular shady plant but now they have developed a variety that also does well in the sun.

They look great either in a barrel or in a flower bank, and they require nothing more than water and fertilizer. You've probably guessed that they are called Impatiens. I used to refer to them as impatients, close enough. I think that we have more to do than squawk over flower pronunciations. No matter how you say it, the translation is beautiful. They are one of the first flowers in my garden and last, until the first frost. They say they are also called "touch me nots" or, "patience plant." The ones I like to grow are 10" to 12." They are not really cut flowers and because their stems are thick, they contain a lot of water like a cactus. I like the Australian variety best. Here is a site you can visit to learn about impatiens.

Go to this site to learn more about this wonderful flower.

Since I was a very little girl, outdoors in the spring, swinging and loving life, I enjoyed one flower over and above all else, the lilac. It is very fragrant and has amazing shades. Only second to the lilac are roses, also beautiful and aromatic. I found a site with a gallery of lilac images to view, take a look here. The family across the street from me has a beautiful tree in which the lilac's leaves are just starting to come through. I can't wait to see them. It's my favorite one, lightly purple, shaped like little crosses with a yellow center.

WHO is doing it to us again

What is the WHO (World Health Organization) doing to us again? Creating a climate of fear. The sky is falling. How many times will the sky fall before you realize that it isn't?

Several nights ago Dave Ramsey made it clear that much of the economic situation was exacerbated by fear mongers. Now its a pandemic upon us. Swine flu. The trouble is no one seems to be telling the truth these days. Is it a case of global warming? If it is, why is it that many scientists disagree with the theory?

The world is coming to an end, so say many, based on what? These are fear tactics that cause panic. The so-called religous gain huge followings by spewing that type of information, filling their pockets. That language has been going on for more than thirty years. Saying so doesn't make it so.

I recall during my childhood, my friend and neighbor Ray would sit on the porch and play his accordion or radio. One day he was all worried that a tornado was coming. In the fifties there was a tornado that hit Worcester, other than that, they are rare in these parts. He was over reacting, fear is catchy. When people heard there was going to be a thunderstorm, they would sprinkle holy water all over, especially on the window sills, then hide in a closet. Some went under the bed. Give me a break. You could hear the little old ladies scream after each and every strike. My dad would sit through the storm outdoors watching it, sometimes dragging us out there with him. No we didn't like the lightening, but you cannot live in fear.

Fear can devastate you. Saint Peter walked on the water, until he became afraid that he was going to die by drowning and in his fear called out to the only one who can help any of us, Jesus.

Remember this famous quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."---Franklin D. Roosevelt

So how should we be thinking about the impending swine flu? Probably the same way we encounter flu each and every year. Keep clean, wash your hands, avoid contact as much as possible with those who appear to have a virus (cold symptoms). Get plenty of rest, and eat good foods to keep your immunity to disease in check. Virus are thawarted by zinc and vitamin C. Beyond prevention, do what you should be doing, pray always and put your trust in the only one that can help you. That way you can avoid the pandemic fear which seems to be upon us at all levels and in all places these days.

Replace fear with faith and move on. Just simply tune it out before it tunes you out.

Go here for an interesting clip by Dr. Marc Siegel.

LIVING BY FAITH

Dave Ramsey inspired many who needed a kick in the pants. He brought to mind some of the famous words of my mom that I think were passed on from her upbringing. These words make you understand that as Dave said, it is really not dependent on anyone but you and your attitude, and the God who created you. How we like to use the excuse of the day. Whether or not you draw a paycheck, you are still accountable for your talents, caring and sharing with and for others.

Do you pray, do you go to church to worship? Or are you to big for that? God sees. (Moms words). We should focus on the word hope. I hope to... We know hope comes from God alone. No one else can save us. If you lose all you have, hopefully you will still have your faith. Do not Limit God and what He can do for you. "He will give you your heart's desire, if you let Him." So, with that in mind, irregardless of the work climate, and all that the media and statistics tell you, do not believe them, find out for yourself. Do you want to make it? Then DO IT.

Words from my mom. And for those of you who know me, it will sound familiar. "I will not take NO for an answer." "Did you try? TRY AGAIN." "Just do it." "You can do it if you want to."

Take a negative and turn it into a positive. Everyone still needs services. Food, child care, elderly care, home cleaning and maintenance, and a host of other jobs that maybe you can do on a part-time basis. If not paid, still the work has got to be done, so keep busy in the interim. Maybe you will see that with our different skills and talents we can all help each other, setting up sort of a bartering system. "You wash my back and I'll wash yours."

Let's get those gardens going, think of a way to keep warm, look for alternatives. In short, stop crying and do something!
You are not helpless and it is not hopeless. God only knows what you are to become with His help.

I have not worked for money in a little over a year. Does that mean I have not worked? Absolutely NOT. I've just not been paid for my services. You can always find something to do for someone else. Dave hit on something big when he said to get busy. He is really an inspiration because he had it all and lost it, only to rebuild. Do something positive. After all it is only paper. "This is how it works, give and it will be given to you."
The whole thing is we need to help each other. Rise above it. Get out, move. Otherwise you can get depressed which leads to illness. When is the last time you got together with people that make you laugh? You become the product of your environment. Be careful who you hang around with.

Failure is not in my vocabulary, stand strong. Learn to share, learn to care and be the best product you can be and that is Love. So get going and love one another.

The Most Important two letter word

Tonight, like many other's we were privileged to watch The Town Hall For Hope, live from Oklahoma City, OK from the Romanian Hall of St. Michael's Orthodox Christian Church, in Southbridge.

Following Dave Ramsey's presentation, a question and answer period from across the nation brought about interesting questions from various modes of communication.

He said many interesting things which our pastor Fr. Peter Preble entered onto face book to inform non attendees as to what was being said.

Every point was of value but one thing stuck in my mind because it was something that I had been dealing with all day.

What is the most important two letter word that you do not use enough, that had been used in the past more and needs to make a comeback? The word NO.

My grandson has that word down. I've been telling him not to use it all day. So from the mouths of babes, once again comes the answer to resolving some of the basic problems of fixing this economy.

Many people need to learn to say no, when they know that they cannot afford something in order to avoid the debt that gets you into trouble, financially.

Now in the case of a three-year old, the No is a different matter. I've always been taught that the word no is a negative remark.

No matter how you slice it, one of the smallest words, has a mighty big impact.

We should not allow our Government and leaders to make decisions unwisely. We need to tell them to say NO. While your at it join me in saying NO to the recession. Hope does not come from Washington, DC. Hope is not man made. I'm standing for HOPE.

For more information go here.

Thanks to Fr. Peter Preble for bringing us this opportunity to participate in the Town Hall style presentation for "hope." It was good to be able to share with our local community our thoughts and ideas over a cup of coffee and a tid-bit or two.

What's in a Name

It's funny that I never saw what my first name meant the way presented on face book, where each letter stands for something. Comments seemed to agree that it was true. It would be interesting to find out how they arrive at the names of things and what they mean. What if it were a lake that had 45 letters? Now that would be interesting.

On our local radio station, the subject came up on what people call "Webster Lake," simply because not many can say the correct name. Nor was it said where the source of the name came from or what it means. I guess you have to be from this area to know that. I remember learning it in school. It is an Indian name and has (45 letters). I think it also has the distinction of being the lake having the longest name. The meaning goes something like you fish on your side and I'll fish on my side, and nobody fish in the middle...Now that brings me back to elementary school, a very long time ago.

This is how we learned to say it. Lake

Char/gog/ga/gogg/
man/chaug/ga/gogg/
chau/buna/gunga/maug.


Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubnagungamaug.

The chau is pronounced cha


Practice makes perfect...Makes for a fun word at a party or spelling bee. They must have had an interesting language. Webster lake is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. A nice spot to get away to. I haven't been there for awhile. There are some nice eateries and night spots as well. Check it out.

The Time Change

I'm not transitioned yet. It has been just over a month since we moved the clocks ahead. When the invitation came over the radio this morning to rise out of bed, I was still comfy in it, thank you very much. I'm up early making coffee and lunch then, as it has been a habit in winter to go back to bed being still dark and cold, I find it hard to stay up. Once it starts to warm up outdoors then, that will be a horse of a different color. I enjoy having my coffee outside while I read something. The radio show is good, except for when I have to listen to the scratchy voice, and the I did this and that, bragging. That's when I feel like tuning out. I want change you can believe in. He is irritating and their is no polite way of saying it, sorry.

Here I sit, after watching the political news stations that I frequent each evening after dinner, writing. It takes time and sometimes I spend a good part of the evening on the Internet. Never thought I'd be saying that. But, I surf the net. LOL. I'm up late reading. I will have to change my ways in order to listen to the station in the morning, while having breakfast. I am still feeling the effects of the services, cleaning, cooking and partying from last week.

We had a house full of people on Sunday, and I was still cleaning out roasting pans on Monday. The rest of the day I was able to keep at a reasonable pace. Today I had Nathan to watch and because I promised my mother-in-law a spinach pie and oatmeal cookies, I had my hands full. Cleaning up after a three year old was a job all by itself. Tomorrow I've got the day to myself, and then he'll come to grandma's on Thursday and Friday.

Today, I practiced the one, two, three method of discipline. I find it works out well. Debbie a mother of two from my church gave me the book she used successfully, as she is done with it. When I first started using this method, which they suggest as young as two or three, I would start to count and he thought I was just counting so he would tune in counting to ten. Now, with the tone and the counting, he gets it. Most of the time it is not needed. But there are times....like when I ask him to do something, and there is either a NO or no response. Typical male, they start young. I am trying to teach him what the word No means. For an example, one cookie is enough. But he tries. I recall when I was a young mother there were some who had the opinion to just take everything out of the way, like coffee table items and sweets that they would scream for if seen. My mother's view and mine is that it is far better to teach them "limitations" and the meaning of the word "I said, No!" Many children today expect their own way or they throw themselves down on the ground, cry or sometimes scream. I do not give in to bad behavior. The visible cookie, must be earned by good behavior. You should see the stories I get in order that he deserve a cookie. Like, I pooped at home for mommy and daddy. Girls are usually toilet trained without a problem. I still would like to know why going to the potty for boys is such a difficult accomplishment. Everything takes time I guess.

I have found a secret way to get him to eat new foods, trying to expand on the same old menu items. I bring to the table a card or small stuffed toy, who is to eat with us. Today it was a bunny card. So I simply said show the bunny how you eat sweet potato. Of course like all men he is anxious to show what he can do. Problem resolved. It also works to pretend to feed the bunny because the bunny likes it so much, then save some for Nate, or Nate's turn. It is called the expanded meal time. Make sure you have plenty of time and patience.

I plan on listening to the radio again in the morning, so this means early to bed and early to rise, will make this grandma, healthy, and wise. And perhaps, just a little closer to EDT and all the fun that springtime brings with it.

A little surprised

On Sunday morning a Vesper Service was held at our church, during which various languages were introduced, depicting the universality of the Church. A precursor to what is to come, Pentecost.

Several educated parishioners read in various tongues. I went expecting to hear the priest read in his own language, as he stated last year and since, that he was practicing. I was a little surprised that he spoke only in English.

The languages presented were: Latin, French, German, Spanish, Greek, and English. A message was given to the disciples after receiving the words "peace be with you," by the risen Lord, who breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit, giving them the ability to retain or forgive sins.

Thomas, who was absent, made a very important statement,"I will not believe, unless," when told that Jesus had appeared to the apostles, showing them (the apostles), His hands and His side, and offering proof to His fearful followers.
The book ends there with the doubting Thomas.

Why does Thomas place a condition on the news that he received from the disciples? Didn't he believe them?
No, he has to see for himself the print of the nails in His hands and place his finger in the mark of the nails, and place his hand in His side.

One has to stop and ponder, why? It isn't that he doesn't believe the disciples, I think, but rather to impress upon those reading, that this is an incredible story. The resurrection of Christ to this day is the most remarkable event that ever happened on this earth. Yes, Thomas knew that Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days, decomposing and stinking. The author of life, Jesus had performed his greatest miracle on his own friend as he grieved, showing His humanness and love.

Thomas, in his reaction shows me two things: He was afraid for his own life and, secondly, will proclaim that Jesus is "Lord and God," when he is invited by the Risen Christ to place his hand in His side, testifying to Lordship and the deity of Christ. Thomas provides the "evidence" for future readers, "confirming the testimony" of the disciples. I believe that this was done to verify as most people would require, like Thomas, that this story is incredible, but true.

Scientists to this day are still trying to prove this biblical and historical account, with their many tests. While for some, no proof is necessary, just trust.

Yesterday, my grandson greeted me at the door with the words "Christ is Risen." I wonder at three years old how much of those words he really understands. It takes some a whole lifetime to get it, while some people never will simply because they like Thomas, will need to "see it to believe it". And, that is just not possible on this side of the fence.

Information is taken from the service book for Holy week and Easter.