Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
When God Throws a Brick
THE BRICK
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!
He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?'
The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother,' he said, 'he rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!'
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, God has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen - or not.
Thoughts for the Day:
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain.
But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
God sends you flowers every spring, a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - God is crazy about you!
Now read this next line very slowly and let it sink in...
If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Musings about Australia
Perhaps it is also the age we now are... and the beauty of Australia.
designrox1103added this on 29 Jun 2010
I think as one reaches their fifties and sixties; there is more time, less responsibilities. This is true with me. Time to reflect and remember what is truly important in life. For me, this includes the beauty of the world. Especially in Nature, Creation reveals the hand of God, and perhaps knowing Whose hand we rest in. Recently we passed the mark of our second year in Australia. I have to say this country has remarkable topography, wildlife, and flora. The birds here in the capitol are remarkable as well. I have seen hundreds of snowy white cockatoos graze green areas like chickens, then take to the sky together, it's breathtakingly beautiful. The parrots and galas here are multicolored, arriving mornings and afternoons to feed in the back yard, up close. We marvel at the bright colors as well. And the mystical song of the magpie awakens one softly in the morning. Australia has amazing skies, and bright light because there is little to no ozone overhead. The eucalyptus trees here are hauntingly beautiful. Many of them shed their bark in large strips and reveal smooth wood beneath. Some of these have greyish-white wood, called ghost gums. We are enjoying the people here most of all. Building friendships has been an easy thing to do.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Taking Time To Linger
Saturday is a gift. A package of time wrapped up in a leisurely silken bow, just waiting to be discovered. Saturday means laying aside anything which seeks to tear away one shred of peacefulness. So on this particular Saturday, we picked up a friend visiting from America, and sought a good Autumn memory together.
Apple orchards in Autumn make sense to me. We travelled not too far away to an organic orchard to gather some Fuji apples. Owen, the orchard-keeper was quick to walk us down to check the trees for fresh Fuji. We talked along the way about the various types of fruit grown there. No luck, all the Fuji's were picked, and some stored in the Cold Room. We might get some there.
We learned some home made preserves and relishes were available as well. After gathering some apples, Owen walked up to us with an arms filled with butternut squash.
Finally, he brought to us something which looked like a huge Bartlett pear. It was a quince. Those are not to be eaten raw, but rather poached or baked, then spooning the flesh into whatever you desire. (We'll put a pin in that and come back later)
Onto to Gold Creek, an area in the A.C.T. with many shops enticing us to meander through their space looking for "must-haves." One such place was a little eatery named "Sweet Copper" which I guess has its roots in candy and sweet making. However, after walking through the door out into the back, we found a restful spot to have some tea in the afternoon.
It is not for the tempestuous, impatient diner. However, if you enjoy the fresh Autumn air in the late afternoon; you are set. The dishes were prepared with care, very appealing and tasty indeed. Lunch will run you $15 to $30 per person.
By the time we parted, we had just enough time to hit the Belconnen Markets for some fresh veggies as well some rare types of meat (kangaroo, crocodile and the like) The sun was setting by the time we came home, a lovely time under the last bits of golden light giving way to lavender and deep purples. A good day indeed.
Apple orchards in Autumn make sense to me. We travelled not too far away to an organic orchard to gather some Fuji apples. Owen, the orchard-keeper was quick to walk us down to check the trees for fresh Fuji. We talked along the way about the various types of fruit grown there. No luck, all the Fuji's were picked, and some stored in the Cold Room. We might get some there.
We learned some home made preserves and relishes were available as well. After gathering some apples, Owen walked up to us with an arms filled with butternut squash.
Finally, he brought to us something which looked like a huge Bartlett pear. It was a quince. Those are not to be eaten raw, but rather poached or baked, then spooning the flesh into whatever you desire. (We'll put a pin in that and come back later)
Onto to Gold Creek, an area in the A.C.T. with many shops enticing us to meander through their space looking for "must-haves." One such place was a little eatery named "Sweet Copper" which I guess has its roots in candy and sweet making. However, after walking through the door out into the back, we found a restful spot to have some tea in the afternoon.
It is not for the tempestuous, impatient diner. However, if you enjoy the fresh Autumn air in the late afternoon; you are set. The dishes were prepared with care, very appealing and tasty indeed. Lunch will run you $15 to $30 per person.
By the time we parted, we had just enough time to hit the Belconnen Markets for some fresh veggies as well some rare types of meat (kangaroo, crocodile and the like) The sun was setting by the time we came home, a lovely time under the last bits of golden light giving way to lavender and deep purples. A good day indeed.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
OOPS! There I go again!
Hello again!
Well, it was like this. I had (and am having) "an adventure." Clair and I enjoy taking late night walks in the summer air. I am building up stamina for our trip in September to Italy. On Wednesday evening last, I took an unexpected spill while walking at a fast clip. Although the area was well lit, a tree darkened a patch of sidewalk. This concealed an upturned pad of concrete, which caught my left foot, front on, and down I went after stumbling a few steps trying to recover from the trip. When I fell, (like a huge sack of potatoes) I landed full force onto my left arm and rolled on the arm twisting it very hard.
After Clair helped me to my feet, I continued walking home. I took a shower, and noted the damage. Right hand was scraped up pretty bad mainly on the heel of the hand, scraped right forearm up to and including the elbow. I did manage to break my fall enough to keep from landing full force on my knees. My clothes were not torn. One cut under my right bra line made by my keys which I had tucked into "the vault" inside my bra. My left arm was by far the most serious injury.
After my shower, there were spasms and cramps in my upper arm. Enough so to cause me to cry out in pain. And hour later I was in tears. When I tried to lay down, I worked on getting my arm down along my side. That seemed to give relief from the upper arm spasms and cramping. So I took some Panadol OSTEO tablets for pain, and decided to see what the morning would bring.
Yesterday began with noting some serious swelling from my fingers up to my shoulder, but no bruising other than the heel of my left hand. My arm was behaving more like it was a very bad sprain more than anything. I began to evaluate what sort of movements would be most painful. I could not fully extend my arm along side my body. Rotating my forearm was painful. Bending my arm was painful as well. The upper arm continued to be swollen and cramped up. The shoulder appeared to be okay though and moved without pain. So more time will most likely cause it to improve, along with therapy. (What would my nurse friends do?)
By Friday morning, I felt improved. I spent some time, before getting out of bed, massaging some swelling away, putting BioFreeze and applying peppermint massage oil, and working on improving the movement in the fore arm and elbow, as well as the hand, fingers and wrist. I believe I was fortunate to have gotten by with no fractures, and will notice if I develop any symptoms otherwise. So at this point, no x-rays, and continued treatment at home.
Last November I celebrated my sixty-second birthday. My goal is to improve health and fitness with every year. To a point where I can walk and climb enough to be able to enjoy our vacations without having to stop every thirty minutes. My overall health is improving largely because of the food combining program I have practiced for the last year, combined with more walking activity weekly. I hope to incorporate swimming or swimmercise as well now that we are in the Summer season.
So, other than my recent "Trip". Things are progressing in the direction I would need to go to reach my goals. I also took a break from studying Italian and French over the holidays, and feel ready to pick up at my twenty-first lesson of Level One. Enjoying language very much.
Okay, your turn. What's your news? Look forward to hearing from you.
Well, it was like this. I had (and am having) "an adventure." Clair and I enjoy taking late night walks in the summer air. I am building up stamina for our trip in September to Italy. On Wednesday evening last, I took an unexpected spill while walking at a fast clip. Although the area was well lit, a tree darkened a patch of sidewalk. This concealed an upturned pad of concrete, which caught my left foot, front on, and down I went after stumbling a few steps trying to recover from the trip. When I fell, (like a huge sack of potatoes) I landed full force onto my left arm and rolled on the arm twisting it very hard.
After Clair helped me to my feet, I continued walking home. I took a shower, and noted the damage. Right hand was scraped up pretty bad mainly on the heel of the hand, scraped right forearm up to and including the elbow. I did manage to break my fall enough to keep from landing full force on my knees. My clothes were not torn. One cut under my right bra line made by my keys which I had tucked into "the vault" inside my bra. My left arm was by far the most serious injury.
After my shower, there were spasms and cramps in my upper arm. Enough so to cause me to cry out in pain. And hour later I was in tears. When I tried to lay down, I worked on getting my arm down along my side. That seemed to give relief from the upper arm spasms and cramping. So I took some Panadol OSTEO tablets for pain, and decided to see what the morning would bring.
Yesterday began with noting some serious swelling from my fingers up to my shoulder, but no bruising other than the heel of my left hand. My arm was behaving more like it was a very bad sprain more than anything. I began to evaluate what sort of movements would be most painful. I could not fully extend my arm along side my body. Rotating my forearm was painful. Bending my arm was painful as well. The upper arm continued to be swollen and cramped up. The shoulder appeared to be okay though and moved without pain. So more time will most likely cause it to improve, along with therapy. (What would my nurse friends do?)
By Friday morning, I felt improved. I spent some time, before getting out of bed, massaging some swelling away, putting BioFreeze and applying peppermint massage oil, and working on improving the movement in the fore arm and elbow, as well as the hand, fingers and wrist. I believe I was fortunate to have gotten by with no fractures, and will notice if I develop any symptoms otherwise. So at this point, no x-rays, and continued treatment at home.
Last November I celebrated my sixty-second birthday. My goal is to improve health and fitness with every year. To a point where I can walk and climb enough to be able to enjoy our vacations without having to stop every thirty minutes. My overall health is improving largely because of the food combining program I have practiced for the last year, combined with more walking activity weekly. I hope to incorporate swimming or swimmercise as well now that we are in the Summer season.
So, other than my recent "Trip". Things are progressing in the direction I would need to go to reach my goals. I also took a break from studying Italian and French over the holidays, and feel ready to pick up at my twenty-first lesson of Level One. Enjoying language very much.
Okay, your turn. What's your news? Look forward to hearing from you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
