A TIMELY MESSAGE

The majority of my Shabbat Rest was peaceful, today.

Fallout from last night's rain storm.

My 2nd Angel-Wing Begonia is blossoming.

These will go with me, tomorrow; I'll keep one aside for Becky.

Happy to get Becky's text.

No sad December 14th, this year.

The text is a timely message: next Wednesday is my 4 Year Widow Date. I’m glad I’ll be spending it laughing this year, with a long-standing friend who loves me like a sister; and I’ll get to catch up on news concerning her husband, that I love very much (like a goofy brother) – her kids, and toddling granddaughter, and the Fall vaca-trip they took down South. This year I am actually looking forward to December 14^th 😉

Things got a little sideways around 5:30 P.M., and I put Mr. Complication back on ice, for a while. He may think he’s ready for a relationship with me, but I think he needs more reflective time. There is a lot going on that I can’t get into at the moment, and it is pressing on our budding relationship; putting us both in a very difficult spot individually (we do not agree on it, at all); and once my intuition kicked in – and my suspicions were confirmed (not another woman – just some social nonsense that needs to be settled), I sent him a Dear John text … and that grabbed his attention real quick.

‘Trouble In Paradise’ Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/12/trouble-in-paradise_10.html)

He immediately got on the phone, “Hey Baby, what’s up?”

I said, “My temper is up.” And I explained why – colorfully, and in minute detail so he couldn’t possibly misunderstand what I was saying. After several times of listening to his interjecting lame excuses; I just broke in saying, “Holland. Holland! You are not listening to what I’m saying …”, then, I just ended the convo with, “We aren’t talking the same language. I think we need to cool our jets for a bit until you figure out what you really want. I think you want a lukewarm tea type of woman – and I’m not that. I’m a hurricane when the wind blows the wrong way. I want a man in my life that doesn’t hide things from me, thinking he’s protecting me: I can protect myself. I want a man in my life that puts my peace of mind and happiness before anything, or anyone else – and what I hear you saying is that you aren’t with me on this, in this situation. I know you’re in a tough spot … but I am not; I don’t see this situation resolving itself, like you do. I’m done with that, and I’m done listening to excuses.”

I’ll miss him.

He really needs to spend some time thinking about what he really wants. And he needs to decide for him; not to get back in my good graces. As long as the problem stands between us, he’ll be on ice (not as a friend, but there will be no future for us to go beyond friendship): there will never be any agreement concerning the divisive circumstances – we just see it too differently. I will not enter into a relationship where I will be unequally yoked.

SQUIRRELY DAY ~Lake Sacajawea Walk

Jared was going to be showing up bright-eyed, and bushy-tailed this morning to clean my windows, skylights, and gutters: I needed coffee, and lots of it.

It was very frosty this morning, when I looked out the windows drinking my coffee: getting on the roof was going to be squirrely, so when Jared showed, I told him to skip the skylights if it looked unsafe to him. He didn’t seem to be concerned, and the skylights got done 😊

The moon was still 'UP' when I got up, this morning! 7:10 AM

BRR; 7:13 AM; even the phone was still on night-mode.

Frosty roofs sparkling like they've been sprinkled with glitter; 7.44 AM

We caught up on the months’ happenings since he’d last been here: he’d been to Europe for two months, giving lectures on Van Gough’s life (and we both laughed and said at the same time, “Imagine! From Longview, a {regular Joe} gets invited to lecture Professor’s on Van Gough!”): I was happy for him – and, he said he noticed that Bob's beautiful Coho Bench was gone …

Coho Bench.

… and I told him I’d asked my BIL to come and get it, in August; and Kerry did when he got off the mountain, and into town. I know it went to a good home (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/10/living-neanderthal-man.html).

After Jared left, the temperature was predicted to get warmer around 1 PM, so I decided to go walking around the Lake; and this time, I remembered to grab the peanuts 😉

The traffic on Ocean Beach Highway was a madhouse, driving to the Lake: back-to-back bumpers coming and going – it looked like Portland traffic!

I knew I’d be driving a different way back home.

The Park turn-out-parking space was full, so I drove around the block twice (and saw a cool house!), before a spot opened up: I nipped in quick before someone else snagged it – this is very desirable “off-street” parking space.

I bundled up with my heavy Carhartt hooded jacket, fingerless gloves, and furry earmuffs; and enjoyed my walk. The squirrels were active … and things got a little squirrely when the gulls and ducks tried to grab the peanuts before the squirrels: but the squirrels managed to snatch their treats and make a clean get-away 😊

Afternoon temps ...

I remembered the peanuts!

Cute corner house with a corner turret; the door on the frontside is pretty cool, too.

Bundled up.

I only did the upper end of the Lake Trail Hike today.

This frisky little squirrel had to scurry quick, because the gills and ducks were after his peanut.

Mallard ducks & Canadian Geese.

Upper end of Lake Sacajawea Park.

Bright color among all the drab ...

Squirrel snatching my thrown peanuts.

Same squirrel enjoying his snatched treat.

An hour brisk pace ... FEELING IT.

Perfect end to my Shabbat Rest.

Bypassed the back-to-back traffic on Ocean Beach Highway, by driving Washington Way to Industrial Way; then, I drove the #432 Industrial Way loop home (the upper lefthand corner is home).

When I got home (and before kicking my shoes off to relax), I refilled the birdfeeder – and slipped a suet block into the suet cage, too, that Bob had affixed to the feeder for me; in 2017. It’s cold: the little birds need the energy suet will provide for them 😉

Restocked the birdfeeder ...

Worked the kinks out, too ;-)

“Shava Tov!” = “To A Good Week!”

GOALS ~2023 Kickstart

Thoughts became a kickstart reality today 😊

I’ve been pretty laidback this year (establishing a friendship network that kept me indoors most of 2022); but I started making inroads into 2023 Goals, this morning 😉

And, I now have a walking partner!

Thank You, Elohim …

Morning gatitude for the color in my immediate surroundings.

The Exercise Mat was 'guilting' me ...

So, I did 1 set of 20 ct. EAGlutes Exercises.

The mat colors got my mind in a mood to walk the Dike Hike; I called a friend to join me.

Pacific Way Trail from 38th Ave. - 48th Ave from church parking lot; 2 miles 'rnd trip.

We saw a White Egret at the start of our walk ...

These ditch diggers are becoming a frequent sight along the hike route.

I spotted a 'Victory!' sign while parking the Highlander, at home.

And Clive greeted me with an entertaining tale, as I gratefully sank into the recliner to enter my Shabbat Rest 😊

‘APPRECIATION SHABBAT; From Meh to Amazing’:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/appreciation-shabbat-from-meh-to-amazing.html)

SHABBAT SHALOM ~Cozy

Oy vey – it has been a busy day.

As 4:30 P.M. got closer, I was more than ready to embrace the shalom of Shabbat 😉

I haven’t been home much on Fridays … usually on the road as soon as the sleepy cobwebs clear from my eyes and thoughts – and home just in time to light the candles and pour the wine. But with Fall/Winter early nightfall, I’ll be {in} for the next couple of months.

This morning, I did laundry, and decided to bake bread: that hasn’t happened for a long time ... (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/honey-whole-wheat-bread-recipe-makes-2.html) ... I like to bake my bread on laundry day because I can set it on the warm dryer top, for a nice fluffy rise 😊

I also tried a new flavored coffee; I bought it for the chocolate and caramel pictured on the package: it’s s.t.r.o.n.g.

STRONG flavored coffee. Busy day today; I need the 'buck-up' kick. LOL

In between the loads of laundry, and the bread making steps, I noticed that the light pink Christmas Cactus I bought the other day has blossomed. I like Christmas Cactuses – I’d like to find another apricot one; they are so pretty. I had one when we lived on Merritt Drive, but it died (I had it hung on the window frame: it froze to death) during the 2008 cold-snap-blizzard; and I haven’t seen another one on the market since ☹

My wolf, Precious, wading thru snow by the plum tree; Blizzard - December 21st, 2008.

Pink Christmas Cactus blooming & my gifted Spider Plant is thriving very nicely.

Enjoying the warmth of my little cozy nest this Friday; I was walking through the rooms listening to the quiet sounds of the washer/dryer, and smelling the delicious sweet scent of the baking bread – and the old 1973 gospel song, “Sweet Honey in The Rock” shot through my thoughts. And I felt blessed by everywhere my eyes lit upon.

I am blessed with ALL of it. Thank You, Elohim.

I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy my home since becoming a widow the winter of 2018; but I am starting to do that now 😊

Like I have said many times in Shabbat posts – I observe the Shabbat Rest differently than most: I am a laid-back person, living a laid-back lifestyle. I don’t get fancy with Shabbat observances: I make time for the 24-hour rest period (meaning I shut the world’s madness out for 24-hours: it ceases to exit for me). I light a candle (an actual Shabbat candle, or just a scented candle; mood dictates which). I drink 3-ounces of red wine on Friday Eve … and 3-ounces of white wine at Shabbat close, Saturday eve.

Dry, with a smokey aftertaste.

That’s it.

Pretty simple.

These simple pleasures fit the bill for Widow Shabbat observances 😉

I honor Elohei every second of every day, all year long – since 1966, so I don’t feel the need to go all religious to claim my share of the Shabbat relaxation and spiritual revitalization.

For me, the 24-hour Shabbat Rest is all about welcoming ministering angels into my home, as I fix my heart on my Husband Yeshua’s love towards me.

And I make my little queendom nest as cozy as possible, before sundown’s magic hour of Shabbat Shalom sets in 😊