Blessed are those who are caregivers

Prayer at caregiver's convention just received this link in an email from my dear SIL and brother - they were caregivers for so many of our family it is hard to keep track. Needless to say - they respected and loved the older generation and eased their transition in the final journey home.
It is a long clip - well worth the time but if you are in a hurry - here is the prayer recited at the end of wonderful introduction.
Blessed In Aging
~Esther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand
Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.
Blessed are those who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow
Blessed are those who look away
When I spilled tea that weary day.
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile
Stopped to chat for a little while
Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are those who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today”
Blessed are they who make it known
That I am loved, respected and not alone.
And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.
This poem, as read by Mary Maxwell in the video
“A Reminder That Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
I agree with Mary Maxwell - this is the first time I've been old and haven't had a chance to practice, but if I can handle it with the grace and humor she presents - shouldn't be too bad to venture into uncharted territory.

Remember - if you are young and blessed - some day you TOO will be old. We're smiling here on Buhlaland and that is always good.

Christmas Decorations Through the Years

Perhaps a too grandiose title for three years of Buhl houseviews in December. We like putting up lights even though only neighbors directly to the north can see them (except for Santa and low flying planes). Snowy picture was December 2009, darker picture was this morning and straight on view in twilight was two years ago. We keep design the same - white lights/around porch railings the end.

Room with lights on in all three is our office - scene of the crime of procrastination for regular bloggyinnovation. Quiet holiday planned - grateful for a safe, pleasant place to live, friends who care enough to contact us during the holidays and pleasant surprises. Christmas Day we'll go to neighbors -always fun to be included during holidays.

On the great debate of Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas - I tend to come down on the Christmas side. Obviously (to me at least) in modern western society - the December holiday is about Christ's Incarnation. However - if someone were to say happy holidays to me I would not be offended. Starting to believe we Christ followers have taken up the same ugly tactic as secular world - being OFFENDED. Heaven and hell issues are about the only two issues worth standing resolute about and unfortunately we have seen lately some hell issues which have gone to wall of rational thought and pushed it down (wrong direction in my opinion). Borrowing a quote from this weeks' devotionals by Dr. David Jeremiah

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"An old prayer, purportedly from a seventeenth-century nun, says: 'Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but You know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end."

Evidently all my great thimble full of wisdom doesn't need to be "shared" with everyone I encounter - what a shame. Taking my stand for Christ and for love which trumps all.

One more quote which I'm sure I've published here before - but still really love.

"So, this Christmas season I pray that the warmth of the Savior's love will spread itself over you as never before. And that whenever and however possible, you will keep reminding yourself that there are still tiny, shivering sparrows who are too terrified to come in from the cold. Maybe, just maybe, this Christmas, because of something you do or say . . . they will." Chuck Swindoll

Bless all of us whether we are sparrows,robins, mockingbirds, doves, meadowlarks, raptors or grackles - we all need a shelter of warmth and kindness. Merry Christmas Y'all - if you need wisdom you'd best pray and read scripture. If you need a good recipe - you can ask me. If you need a place to stop, reflect on the infinite mercies and grace of our Creator - it is good on Buhlaland.
Y'all be careful out there.

Change - Not on list of Favorite Things

Throwing up a post on newly redesigned (completely unintentionally I assure you!) blog site. Dadgum -- only wanted to see what might be available - not switch up the whole thing - but once again - Blogger Bites! ::sighing:::
Whew - got that off my list of "rants I would like to make". Seem to have far too many lists of wants, whines, gripes, petty pickiness about situations,people and broken dishwashers! Picture is holiday decorating here on Buhlaland - yep - quite indecisive about decorating - hanging holly is totally out of the question. Whether to put up stockings which we won't fill or wreath (needs new fake birds) remains to be decided. Working on faking myself into it all - old saying "Fake It 'til ya make it" hasn't worked yet.


Lyrics are:

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.
Haul out the holly;
Fill up the stocking,
But we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after,"
Need a little Christmas now.
Need a little Christmas now.


Oh crud - Christmas isn't about ME?! Recognized a tendency to use capital I far too much lately - decorations schmeckorations . Christmas isn't holly(or fruitcake thank goodness) is it? -
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (John 4:9-10 NLT)

It is very good on Buhlaland - once we get our I's straighted out - bless y'all

Flash Back

Inaugural Blog Post

Now there is a blast from my past - the first blog post I did back in 2007 - featuring our beloved Norman. Here is Boudreaux the difficult birth mentioned in inaugural post. He inherited his mother Norman's hornless head but his father Joe's size and intelligence (big size not much intelligence). Boudie is the resident indulged fat wether - allowed to stay simply because he was Norman's baby. Aren't you fascinated? I am surprised it has only been three and a half years I've been doing Buhlaland posts - seems much longer. It is still good on Buhlaland - whether you are a fat wether or in any weather.

In all things give thanks!

Wintry whine?

I know! I haven't been blogging again - don't know if I'll improve my habits or not at this point. When started blogging (all 403 posts ago) it was a unique way to record my day to day life - now seems as it even dogs, infants and machinery have blogs- blogging the bandwidth with bloggity blog blog. That particular whine has been with me a while now. Today we took a walk to enjoy the contrast of our very dry, brown countryside and the occasional bursts of color still available for viewing pleasure. Hope you viewed someone and something with pleasure today - it was good, chilly and non bloggity today on Buhlaland.

The Look of Love

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. What a wonderful holiday - about taking time to express a grateful attitude. We are blessed beyond belief here on Buhlaland, warm house, family upstairs visiting us for the holiday and a new bovine neighbor.

Our delightful neighbors just to the north have longhorned cattle - the big gal is Maggie and her look of love is for her handsome bull calf - Buckaroo. Who loves ya baby?(line from old tv detective show) nobody loves you like your mama.

Thankful - best holiday of the year - giving thanks in all things for that is the will of Jesus Christ in our lives. Be good to yourself today and look deeply into someone's eyes letting them know the look of love.

Kindness -

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth His kindness. And He’s a good judge of character. Max Lucado

Explanation - this says I wrote it on November 4th - but in reality - I wrote the title and the Max Lucado quote the 4th - then shelved the whole thing until today - November 20th - shameful behavior - I'm a PRO at crastination.







With a theme of self kindness - I am not groveling in guilt or posturing in pain - simply sharing in simplicity.

I am not blogging regularly - whether motivation or hesitation or gestation (oops not that word) or even aggravation - the end result is my 400th blog post is about being kind.

Pondering why it is easy to be kind to total strangers (giving to charities, praying for people unknown to me, supporting children in far off lands) yet often hard to be kind to my self or those dearest to me?
Now don't mistake my statement for a proclamation of being totally sacrificial or never self indulgent -would not be a truth.

I have enough of the old legalism in my system to believe I need to castigate myself for old wrongs, dredge up events which have long since become dusty ancient history or remind myself - you may have done something nice this time - but you KNOW how you are. Well - doubt I'll change all those years of programming but I do know - staying in touch with my internet, blogosphere world is important enough I want to be holding up my end of the deal.

Next week I'm off work (from wonderful job at acupunct's office) and celebrating one of the best holidays of the year. Thanksgiving - yep - I can DO thanksgiving. I'm giving thanks this year for so many gifts - hard to number but I begin with this prayer:



We bless the Lord, the just, the good, who fills our hearts with joy and food; who pours His blessing from the skies, and loads our days with rich supplies.
Isaac Watts

Amen - our rich supplies aren't listed with turkey, yams and butter - we are supplied with what really matters - good beginning to my week of Thanksgiving.

399 blog posts - what a LOT of words - hope some of them have given you hope, peace or at least a smile. We always have the goats on Buhlaland to give us a smile!

Responses

First I'll put up a legal disclaimer since idjits at internet central or whatever have nothing more to do than be concerned whether bloggers are fraudulently recommending things for which they are paid to recommend - nothing in this blog is paid for by any being - the Lord provides and the Lord takes away, Blessed is the name of the Lord.

Whew - now pinto bean recipe for Pam - I know she is eating healthier (and has lost a LOT of weight as well as gained energy). By the way, dear Pam - we don't much eat turnips - not a favorite of either of us. If I did - would brush small amount of good olive oil, plenty of salt and pepper - then roast 'em til they are squishy and sweet.

Currently I'm making beans this way:

32 ounce bag dried pinto beans
1 large onion roughly chopped
Garlic – at least two cloves chopped
Two teaspoons of pepper corns
Two small cans diced green chilies
Large can of tomatoes including juice
Two teaspoons ground cumin
One lb. bacon chopped, cooked and drained OR
One 2.8 oz. jar Hormel REAL bacon pieces
Salt to taste


Prepare dried beans by rinsing with clean water and picking out any small pieces of rock or debris. Put beans in a large cooking pot – cover with water and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, cover pan and let sit for one hour – beans will absorb liquid and swell up. If you are picky – drain off water add fresh but I use the soak water – beans are already clean from rinsing. Remove cover; add enough water to completely cover beans. Add to bean pot, Onion, garlic, peppercorns, chilies, tomatoes and bacon - bring to low simmering boil. Cook until beans are softened – adding hot water if water level drops below top of beans. Add salt as soon as beans begin to soften – good way to check if beans are done – take one bean out in a cold metal spoon – blow on it and if the skin breaks open – it is probably quite done!

I also recommend going to the various boards for recipes - Dry Beans
Obviously if your family hates garlic or chilies or whatever – modify – the bacon pieces in a jar are less expensive and WAY less messy than frying up all that bacon.

KathyB -will have to find those B&B pictures and a few recipes - will have to be a whole separate posting. I probably do have a picture of our wedding at the inn.

Lanny - already said I'm going to work at posting more often but I am so committed to a few other things - not sure how well I'll do this - so will try but not covenant to post more often.

Sandra - not at all sure about Scotsmen - one of the few nationalities I have never dated or married! I'd hope they wore something solid color (I'm including skin color in there 'cause I've heard that is most likely what they wear) so wouldn't clash with clan plaid. Question immediately reminded me of the scene in Braveheart where the clans pulled up their kilts in defiance and shone their hineys at enemy soldiers!

Vickie - fellow Texan! Where would I visit IF the world weren't beset by terrorists, economic upheaval and hatred of Americans? - Dream visit would probably be Jerusalem - dream vacation would be a warm tropical beach - have lived on both right and left side of USA map - as well as north and south - love the natural beauty and unique places each state has to offer. But my statement stands - if I had to pick - visit Jerusalem/ stay a while on warm sands in the tropics!

Kathleen - funny you would ask what would I do, recently did a bucket list (things to do before we die) with a bunch of people on WalkerTracker.com -

top would be (I sound like a dimwitted beauty contestant here) something of significance for the Kingdom of God - build a missionary hospital in Ethiopia would top that list. Probably in the list of things I'd be able to do without winning lotto would be stay where we are for as long as we live - then both go to heaven at the same time!

Picture is recent sunrise over the tree line at our place - I mean really - where would I want to be other than right here on Buhlaland. It is good here and I appreciate y'all's interest in my life. Will put up B&B post SOON I promise .

It's a mad plaid world isn't it?

Dear friends and others who read my foolishness - picture is quite irrelevant to what I am writing today . Picture taken last holiday season - me holding a large gift bow on top of my head and attempting to get a picture of my big plaid self. The expression - ah - a thing of beauty is a joy forever - or some such poetic nonsense. I take self portraits in front of our hall tree/mirror in entry way - limits the options but can see myself.

All this aside - I am only a few posts short of putting up my 400th (oh my goodness) blogpost and rather than think of something clever or meaningful (and to prove I'm mentally lazy) I have decided to open the door to potential hazardous topics.

Y'all can ask anything you want - do I wear boxers or briefs? Where did I get my education? Am I a pre/mid or post tribulationist? You send in the question and I'll attempt to answer. Now - I will refuse a question which I cannot answer honestly/truthfully without hurting someone else - fair enough?

No prizes - no guess my weight or anything risky - just questions and answers. I realize I am not Ree Drummond but hope this will be fun for y'all. Oh - yes food questions are great too. Things like how I cook an elephant (very seldom) or my favorite meal ever - or something simple like why does a jelly sandwich always land jelly side down?

Life is great on Buhlaland - incredible autumn weather, within a reasonable time of finishing THE GREAT RENOVATION PROJECT (cue the sound of celestial choirs) and overall knowing we are blessed beyond belief. Our infirmities never block the view of eternity.

Sharing with you an absolute Truth with a capital T -

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

Pumpkins - no frost yet!

We are having a beauty of an autumn season - - local Farmer's Market is overflowing with huge blooming mum plants, every squash and 'punkins sized from teeny little table decor to monstrous huge pumpkinpaloozas!

I am watching my "disposable income" expenses (whoever came up with that term never tried to live within their means) so didn't buy a great number of things - did purchase one of the supersized chrysanthemums and had a moment's hesitation on how to get it home safely. You see the solution - carefully squeezed in passenger's side of the car! It is October - not seeing much of what is traditionally called fall color - but on Buhlaland - we see blue skies, stars at night and lots of deer - that is all good. Hope your autumn is terrific - to everything there is a season.

Our State Fair Is a Great State Fair

You may not recall (probably aren't that old) a movie with Pat Boone and Anne Margaret called State Fair - musical score by Rogers and Hammerstein I do believe. We didn't look much like Pat Boone OR Anne Margaret but here is the modern skyline of Dallas as we drove to Our State Fair in Big D last week. Large white arch is part of new hoity toity bridge project over Trinity River.











Oh My goodness - Girl taking these free digital pictures was obviously more interested in showing the Camaro part than making us look any nicer - but 'tis me and hubby as we entered Chevy Land at the fair.
They had a Chevy with decorations honoring the military on display - really nice.














Can't go to the Fair without watching a little livestock judging - that little gal in the pink shirt was working it like mad - didn't see how she ended up but she was definitely showcasing that animal.

Of course there are lots of pink piglets napping up against gigantic sows.

Picture doesn't show too well - we went to a Stunt Dog Show - the dog onstage with trainer was a 3-legged pit bull - missing a hind leg. The dog was amazing - could jump more than 25 feet into a pool to the right of the stage. All the dogs used in show were rescue dogs from shelters.

Permanent buildings at Dallas Fair Park are all done in an art deco style - very pleasant with big trees and many ponds or fountains around to keep you cooler.

Can't go to Texas State Fair without saying Howdy to Big Tex - those are real clothes he has on - talk about Big and Tall sizes.




I had on my list I wanted to visit the Butterfly house - hotter than blazes in there and very high humidity - all tropical butterflies so you have to go through sort of an airlock to prevent escapes of non native species.

Wild metal sculpture outside Butterfly Exhibit - a butterfly costing over $6000 - no we didn't buy a souvenir of our outing!

We drive west from Dallas - having enjoyed our first visit to the Texas State Fair - it was Senior Citizens Day so entrance was free with parking $15. Didn't eat any of the yearly featured fried foods - took our snacks and purchased bottled water and a coke. It was an inexpensive and great fun day for us - haven't been able to get "away" much and this was just long enough to enjoy and not too exhausting.

We had fun at Our State Fair - it was indeed a great state fair! Back home to Buhlaland with tired feet and big smiles~!

Little things mean a lot and sometimes irritate!

Jasper is giving his mama Pearl a few little goat nibbles. Pearl is either enjoying or thinking "isn't it time I start weaning this little parasite?"

Well I'm enjoying having internet again! We were without internet for about 4 days and realized - I miss y'all!

Will have more to say soon - but for tonight - go nibble someone you love and remind them you mean a lot and sometimes irritate too! It is good on Buhlaland -very good.

not Nothing but rarely anything

Confusing title - gives you a hint of my state of mind. We are doing things every day - both of us - just nothing seems particularly blog worthy or something I really want to "share". Less than stellar results at last pulmonology check up with DH - so more testing to determine which other organs seem to be malfunctioning.

Breathing has been much harder for him so we haven't finished the renovation project which should never have been started! Started major bathroom and bedroom renovation almost 2 years ago now - before we knew how serious his condition would become. In the latter stages of renovating - with change in medication we might be able to complete very soon.

We've been sleeping in the living room this summer - nice except for moonlight and lightning storms - we don't have window coverings on our big windows! It is all laughable (right after the ibuprofren takes effect and a good nap) - but as I say - not anything spectacular or inspiring. We are living our life here on Buhlaland - remembering to express gratitude for this beautiful place - however long we are able to stay here it has been the best home I've ever had.

As I said - it isn't nothing we're doing here - it just isn't anything y'all really want to hear about. No recipes (not cooking much at all), no new babies, no garden, no parties, no kidding! With all that nothing - it is amazing we have everything isn't it? talk to you another day when I'm perkier - please go back and read my blog post about childhood cancer if you haven't - it is worthy of reading unlike this ramble.

Childhood Cancer Easy way to Help

I heard about an extremely worthy cause from my dear friends the Skees on Sarah's family blog - I've taken some of what Sarah had posted to explain. "Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation is working closely with scientists, researchers and doctors who are pioneers in the pediatric cancer field, who are on the forefront of bringing many alternative therapies into clinic which could prolong the lives of children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma until a cure is funded. Right now only 30% of children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma will survive, but because it is an "orphan" cancer, research funding is limited as pharmaceutical companies do not see the efforts as profitable. Recognizing that children should not be viewed as a profit, but, rather, our investment, Arms Wide Open raises money for alternative therapies and actual treatments these children so desparately need in order to survive."

Please go to the Website vote often - Neuroblastoma was the disease which took the life of my dear little friend Ellie
Received the larger format and posted it - beautiful girl with such grace and sensitivity and silliness all wrapped up in one.
Am working on getting a larger picture of Ellie - but wanted to get this post up before I wasted time. Time is a luxury children with cancers do not have!
Closing with one of Ellie's favorite songs



It is good on Buhlaland - a few tears over looking back at Ellie's journey and sincere hopes no more children will be taken over the rainbow so soon.

Be the Best

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lives a great street sweeper who did his job well.
Dr. Martin Luther King. December 1956

I read this quotation in a book by Randy Alcorn Safely Home about the persecuted church in China. Love the spirit of King's words - the reality that in doing whatever work is ours to perform be done in a wholehearted and joyful manner brings honor to our labors.

BTW I highly recommend Randy's book and I have a renewed pride in my parttime job doing laundry for our acupuncturist - every job is necessary.

Have a beautiful SonDay - meet a friend or make a new one - we love our friends on Buhlaland and thank God for useful work and the beauty of His created world.

Brief lifespans

Much has been said and written about the events of 9/11/2001. We see how the world has changed - and not to my eyes for the better - in the 9 years since terrorists attacked our country.
Appears we have very short memories - as a culture we do not learn from history. I cannot find a "middle way" for tolerating those who wish to destroy. We can pray for them to receive salvation, pray for protection from them and pray for leadership who seeks true wisdom not popularity or sound bites.
We all know life is short - for some - cut short by the evil actions of others. Many die young for reasons we cannot see this side of heaven.
Don't waste time being petty, nurturing grudges or imagining slights - forgiveness, grace and love are recurring themes in Christianity - whether they are practiced in an individual's life is their choice.
I had a dragonfly on my hand yesterday - wings sparkling in the sunshine and incredible colors all over. I was able to hold it because the creature was dying
from an injury - no healing could take place - how do you heal an insect? I was able to admire it's beauty, remove it from a tormentor and allow it to die in relative peace. I suppose it's life was short - adult dragonflies only live about a month - but it fulfilled a purpose for which dragonflies exist.
Check your purpose - live a life worthy of your calling.
It is good on Buhlaland - introspective but very good. Bless y'all

Night Moves or just hanging around

Beware - I've posted this extreme closeup of the lovely moonflower blossom to give me a chance to say - the rest of this post is about toads, frogs, and bugs - if they creep you out - click off this screen quickly.

Apparently our laundry room door and exterior walls are "the" place to be for frogs around here.

Aha - cricket knows frog is too small to endanger the cricket. Grasshopper is generally too obnoxious for frogs to enjoy.

Nothing else really to say - I was out the other night with camera and flash feature having a blast seeing all these critters outside our house! Doesn't take much to amuse us on Buhlaland and that is a good thing!

Copy Goats

Crybaby - tallest goat so she is able to graze on some particularly tasty oak tree leaves by raising herself a few inches balancing on some poles in the pen. Nobody else paying any attention








Oops - Bubbles sees Crybaby eating something and attempts to reach it - but too short and not standing on the poles.
















Hey what are Crybaby and Bubbles doing over there?















Let's try to get some of those leaves - yep - let's ALL try to get some leaves.

















Crybaby continues to eat - nobody else gets leaves but they all tried!








Photo essay on why I always carry a camera when I go out to mess with my goats - they make us laugh here on Buhlaland - and that is always good!

Blue Skies

Last morning of August - picture taken looking north and slightly west from our front drive. Summer has been and soon gone - I don't think I'll feel much regret for this summer. Our major renovation (begun before DH became ill) has turned into a major test of endurance. Combined with our recordbreaking heat in August - well I'm saying adios with no regrets. Just back from getting our flu shots - already available at Walgreen's vaccination clinics. Hoping and planning to have house back in some kind of order before Thanksgiving - would LOVE for this Thanksgiving to be filled with loved ones, family and relaxation. Goats are getting too big to have so many in our little pastures - time to think of who is to be sold. Our dear old Crybaby is showing signs of her age so won't put any stresses on her if possible.

Thinking about friends not seen in years - wonderful gift of the internet is I heard from a dear young woman who worked with me in 2001 - in fact we were at the store together when the planes crashed into the Trade Center. She emailed me last night and we caught up a little on what's happening in our lives. You know - I found my husband on the internet through a personals ad! Proof again the Lord can use anything to His will!

No big news - and that is a good thing on Buhlaland!

We were wondering yesterday if THIS:

had anything to do with the vulture convention in our front yard?? We weren't feeling tip top yesterday but this is entirely premature vulture gathering! Just laughing and staying in the air conditioning here on Buhlaland - cold front coming later this week (dropping into the low to mid 90's - don't laugh it beats 100+ by more than just ten degrees)