tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58492765292941630872011-12-29T16:48:46.197-07:00Musings of My Heart: Grab a cup of tea/coffee and sit a while. Read my thoughts and leave your thoughts on the topics.Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-60098482426951804702011-06-30T22:06:00.000-06:002011-06-30T22:06:25.733-06:00

Have you noticed how much “stuff” we accumulate as we travel this Road of Life?  It’s ridiculous how much of that “stuff” we hang onto until we die—even though much of it will have little or no meaning to those we leave behind.  Our families end up disposing of most of these things because they don’t mean a hill of beans to them.  It’s just a big burden for them. So, I am sorting through some

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-54882166467921722092011-05-13T21:41:00.000-06:002011-05-13T21:41:12.981-06:00

Jeffrey (center) with his children.   Life has a way of surprising us when we think things are going well. That’s what happened in our family last week.  My nephew, Jeffrey, died unexpectedly in his sleep.  He was only 58—that’s eleven years younger than I am!  Wow! What a shock for all of us.  Like many people, Jeffrey had a few health issues, but he was doing fairly well in controlling

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-78228592278941605422010-12-30T00:13:00.003-07:002010-12-30T00:17:42.214-07:00

     Lately I’ve been wondering whatever happened to genteel breeding and refinement?      So many of the younger generation act, dress, and speak as though these qualities are a foreign language. If you have followed the postings of a few twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings on Facebook (or other social websites) for a few weeks, perhaps you have wondered too.      I remember when young

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-67373056623330244872010-09-03T00:48:00.011-06:002010-09-03T01:10:40.981-06:00

Mary has been cast in a role she never aspired to play. At this stage of life, she had envisioned spending her time in many other ways, but the role was given to her anyway. It is not an easy role to accomplish. It requires much study and her full commitment of time and energy. The scenario changes often and she experiences frustration as she tries to figure out what is needed from her to work

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-90102350636408647872010-08-02T10:55:00.003-06:002010-08-02T16:22:31.348-06:00

Today in my inbox I found an interesting recall notice. I decided to post it here for you to read. Thanks to my friend, Bev, for sharing it with me. I hope you find it helpful. Here is the message I received: RECALL NOTICE: The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-25914315954201531492010-05-15T22:57:00.002-06:002010-05-15T23:06:10.612-06:00

A few months ago at the urging of a family member, I got myself a page on the hot little social media website called Facebook. I had been looking for a way to involve some of the younger relatives in keeping in touch with us and this seemed a good way to connect with them. Many of the younger generation seem to really be into Facebook and such websites, so I surmised they might be more likely to

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-16330926977567098962010-02-05T15:43:00.004-07:002010-02-05T15:50:51.990-07:00

Well, the snow has started. There's a forecast for a monster snowstorm promising record snowfall here in the Stafford area over the next two days—perhaps up to three feet. Everyone has been warned to have plenty of supplies on hand for four to five days. This area is not used to getting much snow and it will take days to plow the roads to allow people to get to businesses again. “Wow, this is

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-5086198615652793592010-01-16T09:31:00.004-07:002010-01-16T09:51:02.708-07:00

It was an innocent-looking e-mail forwarded by a friend. I opened it and began reading. Hmmm, nice message about relating to God, I thought as I read it—UNTIL I read the last part. “Oh, boy! It’s one of THOSE e-mails!” I know my friend sent this message to encourage me. She had no intention of irritating me—and yet I was irritated by the closing comments of the message. I get many of these

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-24698402306879194912009-11-30T13:06:00.007-07:002009-11-30T18:34:00.405-07:00

What is the first word that comes to your mind when you think about Christmas? Joy? Family? Friends? Pain? Loneliness? Debt? How do you feel about celebrating Christmas this year? Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year for many people. For some Christmas is a time when poor and difficult family relationships are magnified. Once again the wounds are open. They feel sad

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-58214030371738429952009-10-29T20:40:00.000-06:002009-10-29T21:20:49.648-06:00

It’s October and God has taken his paintbrush to northern Virginia and she is showing glorious colors! I find it a joy to drive along the roadways here in Stafford County and observe the gorgeous hues displayed on the trees. It reminds me of a poem called October’s Party written by George Cooper. Years ago when I was teaching, I built a lesson around that poem every October. After the dog days

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-33282959483177174492009-09-15T20:26:00.007-06:002009-09-15T20:37:04.606-06:00

Late Friday Hubby and I decided to go into Washington, DC to visit some of the Smithsonian Museums on Monday. The thought of driving 45 miles through weekday traffic did not appeal to us at all, however. With a little research, we learned that Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has a line between Fredericksburg and Union Station with several morning and afternoon trains. “

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-14419224057049623292009-08-12T23:02:00.004-06:002009-08-12T23:40:25.480-06:00

Having lived in the western U. S. for many years now, I have grown accustomed to desert landscapes and very low humidity. After all these years in arid climes, I’ve come to think of ways to create a “xeroscape” that minimizes the need for water instead of a “landscape.” The last few months we have been working and traveling through the Heartland. It has been a pleasure to see the lush

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-31118345531598477512009-07-08T21:24:00.013-06:002009-07-11T18:21:06.863-06:00

I have read that 4 out of 10 of us have a family member who has some form of dementia. There are other medical conditions, like strokes and cancer, which leave a patient needing a caregiver as well. Family members assume the care for over 80% of these patients, many of them in their 70s and 80s. When people step into the role of “caregiver,” every aspect of their daily life is impacted. Caring

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-30632856987172492802009-06-15T00:22:00.002-06:002009-06-15T00:31:37.676-06:00

During these first two weeks of June, God has provided me with several new experiences to spice up my life. Imagine that—at this stage of my life I am still experiencing some “firsts.” It all started last week on Sunday with experiencing my “first tornado watch.” For people in this part of the country, tornado watches are routinely occurring events; however, I have not been in a location before

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-50218458851116234272009-05-03T00:29:00.004-06:002009-05-03T00:41:34.035-06:00

My husband and I participate in a group within our church body called Laborers for Christ. Through this group, we go to building projects at specific churches. We recently finished working on a building project in which the Laborers erected a Family Life Center and Preschool building. During the project, we live in our motor home on the construction site along with the other Laborers for Christ

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-42907520516575521612009-03-27T01:24:00.003-06:002009-03-27T01:51:25.156-06:00

Recently I read a newspaper editorial that discussed the Texas Board of Education discussion related to teaching creationism in schools. It seemed to me that the writer thinks anyone who doesn’t agree with theory of evolution is intellectually challenged. I am offended by that attitude. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t evolve from the monkeys. I am an intelligent design of a Supreme Being (

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-12635278071392158252009-02-10T11:51:00.002-07:002009-02-10T12:00:32.501-07:00

When I was young, Mama told me “To have a friend, you have to be a friend.” Her statement is as true today as it ever was. However, many people seem to have succumbed to the notion that forwarding cute e-mails constitutes “being a friend.” I think most people have become downright lazy about cultivating friendships and family relationships. Look in your own e-mail inbox. Each time you check it,

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-30553709765584946252009-01-08T15:50:00.003-07:002009-01-08T16:27:36.306-07:00

As we celebrated New Year’s Eve recently, I was reminded of a funny incident that happened last year. On that New Year’s Eve we were in an RV resort in Arizona where we were spending some time as we tried our wings at being snowbirds. We joined friends who were also snowbirding to attend the New Year’s Eve church service at the local affiliate of our church body. As we entered the sanctuary, the

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-17072644370642266702008-04-25T00:18:00.004-06:002008-04-25T00:50:06.134-06:00

Mama didn't finish school—she only made it through the sixth grade—and yet she was a pretty smart cookie. She never did have much money, but she lived through the Great Depression and had learned to make the most of whatever she had. She was a woman who knew how to live frugally. Recycling was nothing new to her. Stretching food That woman could take a can of pork and beans, a little onion, and

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-17291513246719272152008-04-02T02:03:00.004-06:002008-04-02T02:41:44.790-06:00

Ol' Blue Eyes (aka Hubby) celebrated another birthday on April 1. Yes, on April Fool's Day! His mom used to say, "Well, he didn't fool us." We had much to celebrate--good health, some great memories of things we've done in the past year, and many other blessings. The day started out with a surprise phone call from our daughter who had her class sing "Happy Birthday" to her dad. That made his

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-39389369479588746972008-02-23T15:52:00.003-07:002008-02-23T15:58:46.801-07:00

The last few days we’ve been staying in an RV resort that is situated in a canyon east of San Diego. We have very limited access to internet/e-mail as well as very spotty cell phone service due to the resort location. Pack it up When we want to get on the internet, we have to pack up the laptop and go over to the gate house or club house to have access. Then the access time is limited to 15

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-18099921780470420692008-02-02T22:10:00.000-07:002008-02-03T00:16:34.247-07:00

Friends! What would life be without them? I've read that “friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” Isn't that a great way to think of friendship? We don't have a choice about the family into which we were born and at times we’d just as soon not claim some of our kinfolks. However, friends are chosen to be a part of our life because of the bond that grows as we get to know one another.

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-35701199586347247622008-01-13T18:09:00.000-07:002008-01-13T18:34:20.966-07:00

I think I’ve entered Geezerhood We sat down in the booth at Reb’s Café and Coffee Shop where we had stopped to get a bite of breakfast after church--or lunch if it suited one’s whim at 11:00 AM on a Sunday morning. I had barely settled into my spot on the bench when it leapt out at me--Geezerhood. That was the name of a little book in the rack on the table. It stood there innocently enough, but

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-86533789442762877802008-01-10T23:51:00.001-07:002008-01-11T14:07:01.393-07:00

Never imagined... Five years ago I would have never imagined that today I would even own a motor home, much less be living in it full time. But, I am. God leads us in unexpected ways sometimes. Hubby and I are "flying" with the snowbirds who flock to the southwest in the winter. We’re visiting various RV resorts and exploring the points of interest. The resorts offer a variety of activities

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849276529294163087.post-53762617488889916552008-01-08T15:47:00.000-07:002008-01-08T16:07:00.791-07:00

Welcome to my blog! Grab a cup of tea and sit a spell. We'll share ideas as we walk the pathway of life. We all cope with life's twists and turns. Sometimes we handle things well. And sometimes--well, we create a few more problems to solve. We've all been there and done that, as the saying goes. Now we can encourage each other and move forward to better times. I hope my posts give you

Sclewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08848411034889402362noreply@blogger.com0