BRIGHT & BOLD

I woke up the Ruach HaKo’desh admonishing me to check myself concerning a certain situation I have been dealing with lately: my frustrations are justified, but my attitude is not. Anger is coming too fast, too strong, and too often. So, I need to check myself – and realize (as it was impressed on me), that I “am better than that.”

5 AM this morning ...

Concerning how I deal with this situation going forward: I can be bright about it.

I can be bold without letting anger get the best of me.

I can check myself when I feel my chain being jerked by the jerks.

In short … I am – and I can be – better than I have been when the heat's been turned up 😉

So, I got up and drank a cup of coffee to clear the sleepyhead cobwebs that shorter, darker days bring with them. I also checked the weather forecast, and saw that the outdoor temperature was a 35-degree temperature this morning; with a notice that sleet would be falling with the rain. As I rinsed my coffee mug, I mused that I had a dentist appointment to make by 11 AM, and was hoping the roads would not be icy when I left the carport.

I would also be attending a community meeting later in the evening (refer to the ‘check’ comments above), and it would be cold and wet getting from the car to the building both times: I decided to wear boots.

By the time I reached the bedroom closet, I knew what I would be wearing 😊

The day would be gray, and I’d be wearing gray jeans: I would offset the dullness with bright, bold color 😉

Glittery 'Mauve' eyeshadow; Glittery 'Plum' for liner & eye accent; Burgundy Mascara, & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

Auburn Eyebrow Gel & Rose-tinted Cheek Heat liquid blush.

Glittery makeup, sequined top, & sassy red boots; the day is off to a bright and bold start ;-)

I like my red boots, but the soles are slick, so I grabbed the ice-gripper apparatuses that slip over boot/shoe soles … and put them in the car cubby in case they were needed. They weren’t 😊

The dentist I go to when I need to, is back in the old location: YAY!

A new building was built on the old foundation, but it isn’t very appealing. It actually looks out of place in Kelso – it’s too modern for the locale. But, it is what it is. I suppose that over time, it will grow on people.

Remodeled Dentist Office - the electric fireplace is the only appealing feature.

It's just too sterile looking; and the chairs are uncomfortable!

My appointment went very quickly, my mouth wasn’t as sore as it usually is after a dental appointment, and I had a little $$ left over from the billing … and, I decided as I pulled out of the dental parking lot, to treat myself. I was hungry – I was hungry for Chinese food: so, off I drove to Kalama.

The rivers were at high water marks, but there was no local flooding: Kalama does flood every couple years. But this year, it was ‘safe’ 😉

I was hungry; the freeway was the closest option, crossing the Allen Street Bridge from the Dentist Building.

A brief stint on the freeway ... from Kelso Mall to Kalama River Road.

I got onto a backroad as soon as possible; Meeker Drive, off Kalama River Road.

Parking available at the entrance. THANK YOU, YESHUA.

Tea & soup - good on a rainy afternoon; Lucky Dragon Restaurant in Kalama.

Luncheon Special - Fried Shrimp, Subgum Chicken, & Mar Far Chicken. YUM! Half of it came home with me.

I came home, and was putting my leftover lunch in the fridge, when I got a text telling me the community meeting had been postponed. I am thankful. I am really tired of the constant fighting over stupid stuff, just because one couple, in particular, are tyrannical bullies that ramrod what they want down everyone else’s throats.

Because I have a lightening rod temperament, and a no-nonsense attitude, I have been elected by the vast majority that does not want to be ramrodded to sit in the meetings, and take the bull by the horns (so to speak), and wrestle the bully demands out of the whole picture. I don’t mind being vocal. I don’t mind going toe-to-toe, and nose-to-nose; what I do mind is the constant infighting, tyrannical overtones, and general timidity that runs throughout the community gatherings. That is frustrating.

If I’m going to be sticking my neck out – I want backup support to be more than a nod and a thumbs up: I want vocal support. I was mentally gearing up towards that end, when the text came through, postponing the meeting until tomorrow evening. Good; that's another couple hours, for people to get bold, and decide to lend their voices to mine.

I have also been asked (and have accepted) a teaching position Monday and Tuesdays. I couldn't do it today because of the dental appointment; but tomorrow and the following weeks, I'll be there from 11 AM until about 2 PM. I'm expecting kickback from the jerky tyrants (attendance will be small), but I intend to be faithful ... knowing the showing up will prosper on all levels. Nothing worth gaining in this life, ever comes easy.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be leading a class; and tomorrow evening, I'll be facing snapping lions, and wrestling stiff-necked bulls to the ground.

Yes, I am a bright and bold woman.

My life is colorful: every which way.

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.

But tonight – having enjoyed a reprieve from the lion’s den – I kicked back and relaxed 😊

I continued work on the preemie baby sacque, while I warmed my toes by the electric flame …

Steady work on the knitted baby sacque.

I like making these little gowns. I like thinking of the little babies that will wear them. Preemie babies fight so hard to live. Below is just an example of what preemie families face:

Tru Story – Adventures in the NICU; (1 pound baby girl's fight to live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB9tC_CoPHw

I watched vintage movies on YouTube:

‘Sabrina’ Movie:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyitre89Kzg)

And I ate my left-over lunch for Supper 😉

GLITTERING

Today was a glittering day from start to finish 😉

I had a hair appointment today (yes, it is Sunday; but I am relaxing my Sunday routine for a while) in Castle Rock – the hour was available, so I jumped at it. I wanted to have my hair tidied before the busy holiday season bumped me into 2023.

I would be joining friends for a shared lunch afterwards, so I dressed for a day out-of-house.

Glittery 'Gentle' for brow, & 'Glory' for eyelid.

Mascara & Lipstick to match my blouse.

Face in place ...

The verdict is still not conclusive, concerning the fate of this blouse in my closet ...

I had some spare time; so, I read a few pages of my current Read and drank a cup of coffee, before I walked out the front door glittering from head to toe 😊

Slipped Clive into my purse to keep me company. LOL

My 15 y.o. White Christmas Cactus is in full bloom.

My 20 y.o. Pink Christmas cactus is lagging behind.

Finally on the road, and crossing Woodside Drive from Coal Creek Road to Westside Highway, I saw there was high wind damage all along the route.

The road, and broken greenery, was shimmering with the recent rainfall.

High wind damage on Woodside Drive; off Coal Creek Road.

Thankfully the fallen trees that littered Delameter Road, had been sawed into manageable pieces, and laid alongside the road for wood beavers (firewood for those willing to go get it). When I got to Castle Rock, I really didn’t have that long to wait: and I was pretty much “in and out”. I just had the top hair layered, bangs cut back, and side hair feathered a bit Easy-peasy 😉

Waiting for a haircut ... and a timely message.

Haircut done & no time to style it; Man! It's COLD!

Leaving Castle Rock, I decided to add extra miles to my drive to visit my friends. My hair didn’t take long to whip into shape … and there was no hurry to get to lunch: I had time to dink around.

So, that’s what I did.

It’s been months since I’ve frittered a Sunday away with a Sunday drive. It felt good.

Sparkling waterfalls created by the runoff of overfilled streams, and saturated forest floors, flashed as the waters crashed to the rocky drainage beds alongside the roadways.

The Columbia River was perilously close to overflowing its banks at County Line. I’ve never seen the river this high, here – Bob may have, but I never have. It was a little unnerving: the mighty Columbia River is a greedy river, and it can do a lot of heavy damage in a short period of time.

Drainage water on Eufaula Heights Road.

Holiday Mishmash on Stella Road - off Harmony Drive.

Waterfall on Abernathy Road; ALWAYS PRETTY.

Waterfall on Mill Creek Road.

End of Mill Creek Road - end of the line, for me.

 High water at County Line Park; the Columbia River!

The 'little green man' at the Park Host’s space, tickled my funny bone. LOL

I did eventually get to my friends’ place, and enjoyed good lunch fare, and good company from 1 to 4 PM. These guys are great – all four have adopted me as their sister; and that’s good for all of us 😊

Tomorrow, is time spent with my gal friends … three of which are related to two of the four guys mentioned above. They are all a hoot. I am thankful they are all in my life: we all balance each other out. We are Family.

On my way to lunch, I had passed over the patch of roadway near Stella that the County has been working on (laying a drainage pipe), but I hadn’t really paid much attention to it (thinking the lack of activity was due to it being Sunday) … but I paid closer attention on my return drive that way, and noticed that it was finally finished. YAY!

No more road delays.

Whether the busy work actually keeps the hillside from sliding into the River remains to be seen …

Hallelujah! Road work on OBH at Stella is done; you can barely see where the road was torn up.

This is supposed to {stabilize} the hillside? Hmmm.

When I turned off Ocean Beach Highway, onto Germany Creek Road, I got a nice surprise!

Bob always liked watching elk - he would have got a bang out of seeing this herd; who knows ... maybe he was riding a cloud overhead and did see them ;-)

What a surprise, rounding the bend on Germany Creek Road ...

A pretty impressive herd for a young buck; 15 ct. cows.

The Bull Elk may have been young, but he was not stupid 😉

He knew how to herd his harem – and he knows how to keep them safe, too: he cleverly planted them in a human's yard, where they would be safe from hunters’ bullets and arrows: he was doing all he could do, to keep his herd protected 😉

And I smiled, thinking of how Elohim cares for my welfare; and how Yeshua protects me. Every day – all day: no matter what the days throws my way 😊

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!

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