JUST BE ~Shabbat End

I have mentioned before that though I observe Shabbat – I do not do so as orthodox or pious people, do.

Today (as was yesterday) was a wet day. We are in full Fall swing; weatherwise ... and witnessing the power of our Creator's might.

Wet Fall Shabbat

Shabbat, to me, is a spiritual balancing of my whole being. I utilize the 24-hour Shabbat space of time to “just be.”

I cook meals if staying in – today I washed a load of laundry, and watered houseplants; I read – sometimes I watch vintage movies; I answer the phone when it pings – the only people in my life are fellow Christians, if they are texting, it is Christ-centered and short: they know I observe Shabbat and spending quality time with Yeshua is 100% of my main focus (both texts today were to ‘bless’ me … and to invite me to a shared luncheon tomorrow afternoon); I breathe in and out – memories are hard this time of year, even though I know where Bob’s soul is.

To sum Shabbat up for me: I spent 24-hours of {downtime} focusing on Elohim’s favor towards me, Yeshua’s love for me, and staying positive with a Faith-filled outlook on the incoming week. The past week was fraught with drama traumas from one thing, or another, and staying positive and Faith-filled is a must to maintain good health … keeping my immune system humming in full throttle, to ward off debilitating illnesses.

Upping my happiness barometer is an act of faith, patience, and steady practice 😉

You can do it too 😊

Not sure where to start? Tell yourself, “everything is in Elohim’s hands; He loves me and wants the best for me. I’m going to be just fine” – then smile: repeat as many times as necessary.

Keeping Shabbat is not hard to do. Without any cumbersome rituals, Shabbat can still be a good Day to “just be” 😊

AIYAAA!

I’m running through a crash course on correct pronunciation (pruh-nown-see-AY-shun ) of ancient names

I normally skip right over them ... and continue on with the Historical {meat} of the study; but starting next week, I will not be allowed to bypass them - or flippantly say, "Yeah - that person" - before moving forward with said Lesson.

Thankfully, I actually LIKE English Studies and Language Studies, so this crash course isn't a true hardship

I'm just naturally lazy, and will opt for the easy way out if (and whenever) possible

I'm going to be going to the Monday & Tuesday shindigs with chicken-scratch-cheat-sheets in hand (pronunciations jotted down with easy-to-speak references; and clearly defined accent marks where stress points need to be added, during the verbal pronunciations); and that is acceptable

This is gonna be FUN ... but man, oh, man! Aiyaaa!

IT NEVER GETS EASY

My heart.

Still HARD weeks to get through.

Still HARD memories to relive.

2023 cannot arrive soon enough ...

***************

I posted this to FB 4 years ago, today …

{{ feeling emotional.

November 5^th. 2018

Bob was admitted to ER earlier this afternoon and is currently in ICU.

Again.

At first, they were going to transport him immediately to OHSU, but when they called OHSU, docs here were told that there is nothing that could be done there that could not be done here … in OHSU’s estimation based on what was fed to them from ER here, Bob is not {chronically ill enough}. The man is in MASS PAIN! He CANNOT EAT OR DRINK without throwing it back up!

So.

Docs here said all they can do is basically keep him alive with pain killers and IV fluids when the pain is unbearable and the dehydration is critical. Pancreatitis is a wasting disease … he is dying. And he will die by starvation. End of story. A Hospital Chaplain was paged and Bob was moved to ICU where the nurses have been told again that there is a DNR Order standing. If he makes it through the night and is released, he will be on serious narcotics until he does “go home”.

I have loved this man since I was 10 years old. I married him when I was 17 years old. He has been in my life more than 2/3rd's of it. I am not even sure I remember how to breath or live without Bob being part of me.

This is extremely hard to go through. Bob is praying for a healing; or death. I am praying for a healing; or for a dignified death. We are both praying for Elohim’s expressed favor. We desperately need a miracle. Or a graceful exit.

Please pray as the Ruach Ha'Kodesh leads. Thank you.}}

***************

I had good friends that stood by us (and emotionally held me those long and heartbreaking weeks, with their love & prayers).

Bob did go Home in the early morning hours of December of 2018 – and his life is eminently much better now, beyond the clouds.

Emmylou Harris – ‘Away Beyond the Blue’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKY99siT8Qc)

I have good friends today, who stand with me in the now, and comfort me with their love and prayers. They make the hard times bearable.

I’m getting my hair trimmed and shaped tomorrow morning … then, I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon hanging with my 3 amigos; each one texted me this morning, and invited me to shared Sunday lunch. I am blessed.

((((THANK YOU, YESHUA 😊))))

SHABBAT

I’ve spent the past week in a busy whirl between home and family dustups; the busy whirl at home was to get my home ready for company … and I was really looking forward to that – no one has been inside my house for a lengthy visit since the covid lockdowns that scared everyone into staying away ☹ But family dustup dramas found me canceling the get together with gal pals, to try to mediate peace amongst the family brats members.

The dustup is still not settled; but my house is cleared of clutter, and ready to ride the Fall and Winter out in relative tidiness 😉

And I’m finding myself easing back into gentle home routines I have let slide since widowhood, and the busy need to rebuild an entire new life. This Fall, it has actually been pleasurable to let my days unfold gently; and I’ve even caught myself more than once, soaking up the quiet and comforting homey vibes I’ve been avoiding for the past three years.

Things are flowing easier, and I have friendships – local, and spanning two other Counties – that have taken root, and are prospering quite nicely.

Elohei has been very good to me 😊

While I was in town earlier this week, I saw (and bought) a bottle of Mogen David Concord Wine. It’s a very sweet kosher red wine. I bought it because I wanted something different – and also because it was a wine that was always in my parent’s home every Friday evening. When Bob and I were dating (and even after we married), and were out on the town shooting pool on Friday evenings … I’d always order a glass of Mogen David wine. Bob would grimace and ask me ‘why do you want that?’; and I always answered, “My parents always drank it on Fridays.” There were other signs that pointed to our Jewish roots such as special Friday meals, and the burning of Friday night candles – but I didn’t really know until well into my 30’s that both parents have a Jewish branch in their family genealogy records: Ashkenazi on one side, and Sephardic, on the other.

Anyway, I bought the wine and am drinking a goblet tonight 😉

I admit it’s an acquired taste: it’s very sweet.

There is nothing special about Shabbat wine, other than it is a sanctified symbol of joy and relaxation; so, sipping my small goblet of wine is a reminder to me, to always find a way to savor joy – and always find reasons for gratitude each week.

On Shabbat, we have the opportunity to appreciate the many blessings and wonderful people in our life.

On Shabbat, we also take the time to reflect on Elohim’s goodness towards us – as we think about the things of this past week, we’re leaving behind … and those things we look forward to, in the week to come.

So, tonight as I listen to the rainfall kick off the Fall Season here in the PNW, I am thankful I am adopted into the Family of God. I am grateful for all the blessings Elohim has showered me with. I am going to enjoy reading a new read … knit some love into a new baby item … and slowly enjoy my sweet wine. These small pleasures bring such a lot of joy into my days, and finish the week very nicely 😊

SHABBAT SHALOM!

VOTE WISELY - Mid term Elections Coming Up!

GET RID OF THE DEMONRAT BUMS!

 

Wet, WEt, WET & Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Recipe

I woke up around 2 AM this morning, listening to heavily falling raindrops tap dancing across the roof above my head.

I rolled over and went back to sleep.

Around 4 AM, the tap-dancing raindrops woke me again … and this time I took notice. I also decided to forego my foray to the West End, as I have been doing Friday afternoons. But when the ground gets saturated in the next County, landslides and flooding occurs: I did not want to get stuck in either situation.

Bob would have been able to read the signs; and instinctively know when to seek alternative routes before impending dangers erupted – but, I am not Bob.

All I have is my intuition. And this morning it was saying, “stay home!”

I cat napped off and on, waiting for an acceptable hour to contact my West End Friend to let her know I’d be holed up all day long, today … and would not be venturing that way again, until Spring 2023.

The KM slides; and the Graysriver floods.

This ‘Sleuth Sister’ – from my end – will have to wait until March or April 2023 to join the other three, in our armchair detective adventures 😉

Just as I was getting up to get the coffee perking, I got an incoming text: there would be no sisterhood gathering amongst anyone in the West End, today.

So, I grabbed a new read … it’s a perfect rainy day read; and settled into Bob’s comfy recliner, for some enjoyable reading, as I listened to the backbeat of raindrop tap dancing.

New Read.

Setting the story background ... I'm a sucker for a Genghis Khan story.

I like anything related to the Mongol war lord, Genghis Khan; the bold exploits fascinate me.

An hour later, I received another incoming text:

Local text from “up the road and around the bend”; this friend lives on a river bluff. I live on the flats, {in town}, surrounded by sloughs held back with earthen dikes.

Yes, it is a potential dicey situation.

Checking my FB Page, I saw a recipe that looked interesting: so, I put a pot on. I like lentils 😊

Brown Lentils for Lentil Tacos ...

Supper cooking.

==Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos

These vegan slow cooker lentil tacos are a super easy dinner! Flavorful, family-friendly, and beloved by all kinds of eaters, this is the perfect healthy dinner recipe to make again and again.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time8 hrs

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: healthy tacos, slow cooker tacos, vegan tacos

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 133kcal equals 133,000 calories (1,000 calories will be written as 1,000kcals)

Author: Taesha Butler

Equipment

·         slow cooker

Ingredients

·         1 1/2 cups green or brown dry lentils, picked over and rinsed

·         3 cups vegetable broth

·         1/2 cup finely chopped onion

·         1 1/4 cup salsa

·         1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil

·         3 teaspoons ground cumin

·         1 teaspoon dried oregano

·         1 teaspoon paprika

·         1 tablespoon dried parsley or 1/4 cup fresh

·         1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

·         1 tablespoon coconut aminos or sub soy sauce

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         8 medium tortillas

·         taco toppings

Instructions

1.           Combine ingredients in your slow cooker. Stir a few times and cover.

2.           Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours. Each slow cooker cooks a little differently, so exact time will depend on your unique slow cooker or crockpot. Cook until lentils are tender and most of the liquid has cooked off.

3.           Use a slotted spoon to portion out lentil taco filling into tortillas, over rice, greens or however you opt to enjoy this taco filling. Top with sliced avocado, extra red onion, cilantro or whatever your favorite taco toppings are.

4.           Let leftovers cool and store in air-tight container in fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes: To make in Instant Pot: Combine all ingredients, stir and place IP lid on, locking it in place. Cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for your Instant Pot to come up to pressure. Once cooking is done, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes before carefully quick releasing the remaining pressure. 

Carefully lift lid off of your pressure cooker, stir and enjoy.

Nutrition:Serving: 1taco | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated |Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1181mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg

And while Supper cooks, I checked in on my West End Friend:

And I noticed my Angel Wing has blossomed: I bought this plant nine years ago at a Grange Sale in Clatskanie, OR when Bob and I were out and about, dinking around on back roads. The original plant was taller, but it died of neglect in the first year of my widowhood – I managed to salvage two snippets and they took root; this one has blossomed, the other has not.

My  3-y.o. Angel Wing Begonia snippet has blossomed; I’ll repot it later on.

Life continues 😊

‘IF’ Continued …

For whatever reason: several of my videos would not post to the Blog last night – so, I’ll try again, today 😉

Yesterday’s Post: ‘IF’ ~McCormick Park (11-3-22): https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/yesterdays-post-if-mccormick-park-11-3.html

Before I left the Park in St. Helens yesterday afternoon, several texts came over the airwaves. This is my answer to the queries; I’ve held this mindset since 1966, and I see no reason to change it in the immediate future: