BALANCE

Last night at bedtime, I started a new read: a Stephen King book – ‘Octobery’ stories 😉M

New Read; looks like a dog bit it ... it's a compilation of stories; I'll finish reading 'The Monkey' tonight, in bed.

Hmmm; 'Boogie Man' seems to be the going theme this month.

I was up very early this morning, enjoying the quiet morning hours – and picking up where I left off last at midnight; I lazed about 95% of the day, reading:

I was up before the sun ...

The storyline was very familiar; I had watched the movie 2 days ago.

But movies aren’t the same as books – boohoowood takes a great deal of license with rewrites; and though there are many similarities to the original story, the movie deviates sharply from the book’s original storyline: books are more into details, working the imagination; movies are more into in-your-face-flash-n-dash grabbing of attention. And Stephen King books/movies are kinda predictable whether you’re reading or watching – the storyline is pretty much the same novel after novel, rarely changing the thrust of the backstory while reworking the storyline here and there just enough to actually sell it as ‘something new’.

That said, I did enjoy reading the story … and moving along into the third story 😉

After Supper, I did finish the white preemie sacque gown; and am now working on little knitted beanies to match the purple one, as well as the white one.

These early-born babies, are so tiny.

Knit Preemie Sacque Gown; Seed St, trimmed with purple resin Flower buttons. Girl.

Preemie Beanies; seed st. pattern one has a fold-back ribbing. Knit.

It’s been a quiet day, filled with Autumn scent, on the homefront this Shabbat. I am blessed 😊

Closing Shabbat with scented Sandalwood candle.

HAPPY SHABBAT ~Concerning All Things

Three things of importance happened, today:

As I finished up getting ready to walk out the door, the phone alerted me to an incoming text – and I knew this would be the last time I responded to texts from this source.

It looks like my face got a bit of a sunburn the other day, dinking around in the garden area - note nose area. LOL

Should I stay; or should I go? That is the million-dollar question.

The Clash – ‘Should I Stay or Should I go?’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfEH7uXaGLY)

(1) I'm not sure the Friday mornings in Lexington will work for me ... they're okay people, but I don't feel that I really {fit}; I'm not the "rah-rah!" cheerleader type - never have been & don't want to be. The History of Longview, and the history of the Civil War Era don't interest me enough to stay interested. I'm more of the "in the moment" type of History person.

This morning was my last Friday Lexington drives. I’ll still be friendly with everyone, but it’s time to move on. When you have to scramble for reasons to ‘make it work’ – it’s not the right {fit} for your life.

My last Friday in Lexington; The look of knowing you've made the right decision in a difficult situation ...

Building a New Life is difficult. There are a lot of starts that fizzle out and go up in smoke. I’m still trying to find where I {fit}. It’s a process – no apology forthcoming: I have to do what’s best for me. The Lexington get-togethers have been fun, but they aren’t what’s best for me: there’s something lacking. I don’t like aimless loose ends. I don’t feel the need to be around people just for the sake of being around people.

There’s got to be something deeper threaded through the gatherings; and there doesn’t appear to be so. I am continually asked to return, but there is really no reason to – I don’t play games/small talk just to send echoes bouncing off walls bores me/I have nothing to share about my kids or grandkids/I’m not a globe trotter … and no one is interested in hearing about local Daytrip jaunts/covid and shootings are the highlights of convo – and I’m just not interested in wasting breath on either. I’m wasting gas to get there; and wasting time I feel guilty spending there, when it could be used more effectively elsewhere for more profitable purposes.

There is no real, connecting identification, on any level.

Building a New Life is difficult. I don’t want to waste my time in a fruitless atmosphere. Maybe I’m expecting too much – I don’t know. All I know is that I’m not feeling any excitement to be there, anymore; and I come away more drained than when I arrived. Friendship should feel more uplifting, and fulfilling.

(2) My new sunglasses arrived this afternoon. I received the text as I was preparing to drive home from Lexington.

On my way to pick up my new Sunglasses; they are not as dark as I had been promised ... and I had hoped.

The lenses look great in the frame; but the polarization is pretty see-through! That’s disappointing: Bob wore polarized sunglasses, and I don’t recall them ever being see-through lenses – they were more like opaque reflection mirrors. I hope these new lenses deflect the glare from the sun and oncoming headlights. I'll try them out next glaring sunny day - or nighttime drive. I've never had polarized sunglasses, so I'm not sure what to expect: but I did expect DARKER lenses.

They do look nice, though. I like that 😊

The polarized lens' don't appear to be that much darker than the tint on my everyday glasses.

Pros & Cons of Polarized Lenses: https://connectusfund.org/9-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-polarized-lenses

(3) Later on; at home, while balancing my checkbook, I noticed a significant deficit in both checking and savings tallies - so back into town I drove to find out "why", "how", and "who": it was a mystery, and I was thinking someone had stolen my account info and was skimming, leaving me in dire straits if it continued (bills need to be paid next week! I need that lost $$$$!!); I balance the balances every month, just like Bob drilled into my head for 44 years - there should have been NO glitches in either account.

It turned out to be a freak thing, and was quickly sorted by the girl who went over the details with me - she had a sharp eye that caught the snafu 😊 NO FAULT OF MINE – YAY!

The $$$$ has been recovered, and my deficit balance righted, again. HAPPY!

I decided to treat myself with a splurge, and picked up a pizza on the way home.

Shabbat Supper Splurge; Cheese Pizza.

I am thankful for Elohim's presence and faithfulness in my life this week. I am honored to be loved and favored by Yeshua. I am grateful for every single circumstance, and situation I experience: through them I am 'becoming'; and finding out who gets to share space with me as my Tribe is being formed.

Concerning all things - I'm not getting younger: or richer. Time is of the essence for balances to balance ... 😉

L'Chiam!

AFFIRMATIONS AT OAK POINT

I had been invited last week to attend morning Sunday Service at Oak Point. Last night, preparing for bed, I still hadn’t made up my mind to go.

This morning I was wide awake by 7:30 AM … bathed, dressed, and hair/makeup done by 10 AM – making the 11 AM service was a cinch 😉

Longview’s lowlands were sunny and warm; another false Spring morning.

The drive was pleasant, and uneventful – no road crews holding traffic up, and no speed demons passing me in a blur in no-pass-zones.

And that peaceful vibe lasted all day long 😊

Turning off Ocean Beach Highway onto Mill Creek, I noticed the sunny warm feeling was dissipating: I was glad I had grabbed my denim jacket before I locked the house up, earlier.

Spruce Creek Road.

Sun melting frosty grass made the landscape look like fields were smoldering with a low-burning fire; Spruce Creek Road from Mill Creek Road.

There really isn’t much of an incline from Ocean Beach Highway to Mill Creek – that’s why I drive that route until “Spring” Spring, (when the weather is more stable). The roadway stays pretty level until the three-way-junction: then all three spurs begin to climb in elevation.

But even so, I admit I was surprised to see actual white ice sparkling on the blacktop when sunrays pierced the tree shadows.

Hunter Road from Heron Point; 13 mins. via OBH & Mill Creek Road.

3-way junction; L = Spruce Creek-Oak Point Rds, C = Hunter Rd, R = Beaver Creek Rd to Cathlamet via Elochoman Rd.

Oak Point from Hunter Road; 4 mins. via Spruce Creek Road.

I like country fellowship, with small country church buildings; mega, raucous vineyard “churches” with stadium seating, and rock concert screaming is not soothing to me – I like the friendliness of country gatherings, and I enjoy the old hymns.

The church building at Oak Point has a bell steeple: I like that old-fashioned ‘call to worship’, too 😊

Steeple Bell is rung every Sunday morning; 8 tolls.

The gathering was friendly; I don’t mind helping out with a free-will-offering, when the fellowship is welcoming.

I laughed when I unfolded this dollar bill; YES - yes, he did; affirmation #1.

The music was soothing, and uplifting.

The message was good, and encouraging.

After service, I asked for prayer … and got affirmation instead, for things I’ve been discussing with Elohim.

I’m glad I decided to drive to Oak Point this morning.

Every affirmation Rosie gave was a direct answer to what I have been discussing with Elohim, every night for the past 6 months.

The person who gave me the affirming message didn’t know anything about me – we are total strangers to one another. What was said to me was spot on, and direct answers to my prayers. The underlying current, was ‘Be still’.

I can do that.

I have already made up my mind to spend most of 2022 closer to home; so what was spoken over me (by way of cooling my heels; literally and figuratively) won’t be a hardship, at all 😉

Be still – listen to the still small voice – God has walked with me all of my life, and He will continue to do so – be ready for what He has to bless me with – praise Him every day … these are just snippets of what was spoken over me (I’m keeping the personal stuff to myself until it unfolds and becomes a fixture in my life).

Joel Chernoff – “Be Still My Soul” song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNBajCjIrM

After Supper, I finished the Lapghan I’ve been working on. It’s bright and colorful … perfect to warm the toes on chilly Spring evenings 😉

MOD 'Spring Fling' Lapghan; FINISHED!

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/02/mod-spring-fling-ripple-lapghan-pattern.html)

This has been a very good Sunday.

I am blessed.

I am encouraged.

I am building community – while, being ‘still’ 😊