Feline Friendly Friday… Delayed again!
All posts by A Labour of Love
Bottoms Feeders. Really???
Kindness and integrity are something that are rarely seen today. I know the answer to the why question is sin. It still astounds me however, that even as “cultured”, well rounded, and advanced we are as a society and in our understanding of the world and one another we seem to lack kindness and integrity. Lost somewhere between the “all about me” and “life is good” mentality.
Last week I received an invitation from a former doctors office (of which I left 3 years ago). The invitation was for classes that were coming up called “Eliminate Bottom Feeders”. The minute I saw the title I was stunned. Reading more of it I was flabbergasted at the “all about me” instruction I was invited to. It read:
How miserable are you with the toxic people in your life? ARE YOU READY TO BE A BETTER YOU in every life situation no matter who is in front of you?……..instructions to transform your life into one of simplicity and freedom……Best of all, you’ll learn the proven methods to attract positive, loving, and inspiring people into your world today.
I cannot write any more of what is on this flyer. I’m frustrated just writing it. Seriously? The all about “me” worldly viewpoint once again protruding off the page. Call me old fashioned, call me old or call me anything, however, this is down right what is wrong with our society and world as a whole. We fight for ideology, we fight for justice (as long as it benefits us) and we fight for happiness (our own). What ever happened to fighting for others for no good reason or for justice just because it’s morally the right thing to do. Our culture seems to enjoy reality shows where people are glamified in their sins and any redeeming quality that does exist is overshadowed by laughter, criticism and hatefulness.
Is this what is wrong with our youth? Is the next generation going to serve a purposeful place in society? The questions should be considered.
There are several situations that have recently transpired in in the last week where I’ve had to look around and consider how to handle individuals that have taken the “me” attitude. In dealing with those situations, with those individuals I have considered just turning them away because as the class title states, they were bottom feeders. Anyone who knows me however, knows that doing that is not in my personality. I have had to consider in each situation the attempt to overshadow the “me” concept with love, forgiveness and kindness. I’ve prayed over my own heart and asked for guidance in my reactions. In order to understand more clearly I also looked up “bottom feeder” and this is what it said:
bottom feeder – leech, or in other words a total lack of responsibility to provide for oneself. Relies heavily upon friends, neighbors or anyone really for sustenance.
This of course allowed something to lay upon my heart with great pressure. That if someone is a bottom feeder, and they are going to rely on others for sustenance, can’t we assist them by being a good example and steward in what it means to give back? I mean, if they are going to rely on us, perhaps that is God’s way of blessing us with opportunity. Perhaps, that is where He will use us in our service to Him. Just maybe, that person is someone that needs to see kindness so that they too may go out one day and bless another with the same. What if we as a society, stopped watching all of the “me” media and reality shows with our children and rather, began to outsource our energy to brighten someone else’s day with a kind gesture, a kind word, or a smile. What about a meal for someone who is unable to cook, weeding someones garden because they aren’t able, taking in a neighbors garbage can when it blows in the street or even opening a door for someone who is struggling whether it be due to little children or a disability? What about a prayer and an email to someone you know needs the encouragement? Most of all what about forgiveness? The posibilities are endless. Remember, bottom feeder are also the ones that are cleaning the tanks. They are of value and they could be your blessing.
Our culture also tries to make our children and one another believe that every relationship is a fairytale. That every day you wake up you should be singing, laughing and never complaining. I’m sorry to say that you can read self help books till the cow’s come home and you will never find that to be true. If all that is taught is what is in the movies or on reality TV about what they call “true” happiness, one is surely to be disappointed. In fact, maybe that’s why so many people are on antidepressant drugs. Perhaps, rather than instructing one another on how to rid ourselves of people who drag us down, maybe we should begin sharing with one another how we have dealt with struggles in our own lives. You never know, it just may assist in the mind set of someone who has a lack of coping skills. Life is full of challenges and we cannot escape them, we need to learn to cope with them.
John 16:33English Standard Version (ESV)
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Now, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. There are boundaries to everything, and there are priorities. We should not be forsaking our families attention for that of others. We do not put our families on hold so that we can attempt to “save the world”. However, we should be able to balance our families and others who maybe don’t know what it means to not be selfish. Even the example of serving our families can be seen by others. When I was in College, one of our classes required us to read a book called, Give A Man A Fish and He Will Eat For A Day, Teach A Man To Fish and He Will Eat For A LifeTime. A concept we have long forgotten.
As I ponder this week how I may assist in showing that which I know to be good stewardship to all those I encounter, I consider also what it means to be content. Content with this life on this earth. Contentment with illness, with family, with friends, with volunteering my time and with contentment in all things. I hope that you too will consider where our society is today and the culture that is vastly becoming all of our reality. How can we play a part in transforming just one person from being a “me” thinking individual to being a “difference maker”.
(I personally would like to have my own class…6 weeks in teaching others how to go beyond themselves in behavior and in thought.) ha ha ha
ESV — 1 Timothy 6:1-10
6 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants1 regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
False Teachers and True Contentment
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound 2 words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and3 we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Feline Friendly Friday
You have to understand…This cat tree was for the “new kitten” and has been used by him alone for the last 5 years. When the older cat decided to take it over a few weeks back, the little one (the orange one) just didn’t know what to do with himself. It lasted about an hour that he wandered around, tried to fight his way back on top, and finally settled on taking the lower “bed” of the cat tree. He looks a bit sulky in defeat!
Seeking Life or Death ?
Over the past year and a half, I’ve used my blog as a tool to express my thoughts, my recipes, my frustrations etc. It was an avenue to express myself and to have communication with others when I otherwise felt alone and secluded. I have met many other wonderful bloggers who have since become my friends. Two of those delightful friends had recently inquired about my blogging as it seems I have nearly fallen off the “grid”. My posts have become less in frequency and not quite full of “heart”. My excuse, if there is one, is that I have been pondering a great amount lately. Much of which I have chosen to keep unwaveringly close to the breast so to speak. I have not felt inspired, nor have I felt that I had anything worth contributing. That is until today….
Much of what has been on my mind has been about parenting, being a wife, a daughter and a friend and being a woman of God. Am I doing a good job? Am I standing up for what we as a Christian family believe in? Am I acting as a worthy steward and servant that gives glory to our Father? Am I all that I need to be? As I ponder all of these questions and consider how to put into words my thoughts, I glanced up at my husbands book shelf and see a book called Decisions, Decisions by Dave Swavely. That’s it! For the past few months I have been considering not all of the above, but “decisions”. Decisions based on every area of my life and in every aspect of every relationship I have. Decisions that always have an outcome and a consequence. Decisions that affect everything and anyone in the path of their being made. That being said, my mind swirled with inspiration and I feel like I have something to contribute.
I have always told my children two things, delivery will get you every time and make sure that whatever you do in life you are an upright moral human being serving God first and doing the best you can at whatever it is you do. Doing that will ensure your success in a world that has become immune to insanity, adultery, murder, idol worship, acceptance, and sin. Knowing what it says in 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
As I look around at my own personal relationships, whether it be with my children, my spouse, my parents, friends and neighbors, I realize that even the smallest decision I make in those relationships can have an impact in the future. That impact can either play out in a positive way or in a negative way. It all depends upon how and I why I make certain decisions to begin with. Was I making the decision based on self gratification? Was I making the decision based on guilt? Was I making a decision on resentment or out of anger? Was I making a decision that was for someone else? And finally, what was it that provoked a decision to be made and how did I come to that decision? What avenue did I seek out in making that decision? Did I consult with others? Did I have a knee jerk reaction and make a decision based on an incident without knowing all the facts? Did I take it to the One that called me out of this world to serve? Did I pray about it and seek out His counsel? So many things to consider when making a decision. I wonder how many people actually consider their decision making and the outcomes that may follow based on their reasoning for their decisions.
For me, I ponder my own decisions in this life and to a fault I have also pondered decisions that others have made for the themselves. That is what troubles my inner being and something that I am delighted to report I have been praying over. Decisions that seem so small can have a large impact in the end, with some very disturbing consequences. As I began reading the aforementioned book above, the author wrote If you are a believer in Christ, the resulting effects in your life should not be your only motivation, or even your primary one, to make good decisions. Taking 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 into account about the judgment that holds us accountable in decisions we make. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. The apostle Paul does not only speak to the Corinthians, he speaks also to us. He reminds us that our salvation came at a price and that although we are saved by grace, we are also judged according to our behavior and the decisions we make. A consideration that worldly viewpoints overlook. Although, we as Christians understand that God has not revealed His truth to those who are held captive to their blindness. To no fault of their own, their decisions that are decapitating to self are inevitable.
What about a Christian who claims himself saved and is trying to follow God? Sometimes it is the shame of our churches and leadership that they are not guiding their flocks in the truth of the gospel. With all of the “extras” to get numbers in the door, they fail to teach the word as it is written. Adding in man made “traditions” and “additions” to aspire to others that “Christ loves everyone”. I have been one of those Christians. I have walked in those shoes. I have through the grace of God been pulled out of heresy and been shown that only God’s Word stands true. The Bible is more than just a book to read on Sunday, it is the creators instruction book to an everlasting life. Not to be changed to suit a sermon, nor added to or taken away to fulfill numbers. It is a way of life that needs to be taken seriously.
It is with great hope and prayer that if you have chosen to read to the end, that you will consider, as I have, all of the decisions you make in your life. That you will consider prayer first, asking God for guidance and trusting in Him to have a better plan than the one you may think you need. Keeping with the Spirit, seeking out what scripture says on the matter and realizing the truth behind decision making. Asking the why and taking into consideration how.
Knitting Into Spring
Pink, blue, yellow and red
Yarn all around me
Taking shape in my head.
Knitting, crocheting and tatting galore
It’s a hobby and love
Not a chore.
Coffee in one hand
Pattern in another
It is decided and the outcome is grand.
Knit, pearl, yarn over, slip stitch
It’s all like a poem
Fitting together without a glitch.
Looking online one surely can find
Pinterest is incredible
Designed to blow one’s mind.
Patterns for women, men and children
From sweaters to gloves to scarves
To blankets to monkeys to things for the kitchen.
It’s not for the feeble or tender at heart
For one mistake
And it all falls apart.
Hands and needles coming together
Clicking along as if singing a song
It all comes together showing one’s love for another.
– Sherry 2015
Around Christmas, my neighbor woke up to find her beloved sweet kitty was in a coma like state. Upon taking him into the ER it was determined he was not going to come out of it. The loss of her sweet little Oscar still leaves her with a broken heart. I happened to speak with her as she was returning home after his death, and I felt so bad I just needed to do something. I found a pattern for a kitty and hence the picture above. I finished him on our way home from our vacation and I took this picture, sending it to her to let her know Oscar Jr. was on his way home to her. It was a sweet moment when she held him and put Oscar Sr.’s tags around his knitted neck.
Since that project, I turned my affection to a sweet little gal that was born to a wonderful couple at church. We prayed for the couple for many years, that they would be blessed with a child of their own. God’s graciousness was upon them and he answered our prayers. Her majesty needed this little dress. It took me a few weeks and was the very first outfit I have knitted. After several attempts prior to this, I swore I would never knit or crotchet clothes. Well, I actually did it… and I finished it. She looks adorable in her sweet little dress. (Yeah it turned out.)
I’m so glad that my hands are working well enough that I can once again knit. Something I feared was not going to happen. I once thought that all of those who received the fingerless gloves one Christmas were to be the only recipients of any hand made gifts from me. So happy to report that is not the case. Click, click, click… I’m still knitting… 🙂
Breakfast on the Grill… Yum!
We had a wonderful vacation, visiting friends and family, enjoying the warmth of the south and the ability to spend 90% of our days outside.
One of our favorite things to do when we are camping is cooking nearly every meal on the grill. One of the highlights was our eggs benedict breakfast for Easter. All done on the grill.
Salmon Crabby Patties
Two Salmon Fillets, cut up into 1 inch pieces
1 can crab
1 small sweet pepper, chopped finely
2-3 green onions, chopped
2 eggs
1-2 gluten free, rice free pieces of bread (enough to bind the ingredients, you could alternatively have used some Almond flour)
1 tsp. dill, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Seasonings and
1 TBS dijon mustard
Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add enough of the bread so that you can firmly form patties. Place the patties in a coconut oil or grape seed oiled skillet on the grill. Cook on low while you make the hollandaise sauce.
Hollandaise Sauce
3 Organic egg yolks, well whisked
Melt approximately 3/4 to 1 C. butter, in a small pan over the grill
Using a larger skillet, lay a canning ring on the bottom and add water just covering the ring. Place your mixing bowl on top of the ring and this will make your double boiler. (Make sure your mixing bowl is of a heat proof material.)
Whisk the eggs in your double boiler along with 1 TBS. water until it begins to thicken. As it thickens, slowly add the melted butter and continue whisking.
After you pour in the butter, drop in your eggs on the already buttered skillet and cook just so they are over easy. When nearly done and the eggs have been cooked over easy on the grill, remove the mixing bowl and whisk in 1 TBS Lemon juice and a dash of salt and Cayenne Pepper.
Place one of the patties on the plate, topped with one of the eggs and add the sauce on top.
It may not look as beautiful as it would if you went out to eat, however, the taste was absolutely a winner. Especially for those children who are not fond of either salmon or crab. 🙂
Lyme Awareness Education
With May just around the corner, it’s important that people understand Lyme disease and chronic illness. The warmer weather is approaching, the birds are chirping and the ticks are already awake and ready to begin their vampire behaviors. As I look outside I see my son working outside to do some spring cleaning, I pray that he will be diligent about checking himself for the little buggers when he comes in to clean up. I also pray that he will not find a tick nor be bitten by one.
Jenna’s Lyme Blog had a wonderful post yesterday that included a YouTube video of Dr. Alan MacDonald and his expert insight into this disease that has wrought our country and world with ailments in the healthiest of individuals. He is a pathologist who has studied Lyme Disease for over two decades and worked alongside others who have and continue to pioneer in the study and research necessary to one day better understand Lyme. His interview is the most explicit and in depth that I have yet seen and for someone who do not live with Lyme, it is very much a learning opportunity that should not be missed.
Please take this time to view all three of the YouTube videos on his interview from the perspective of an expert pathologist. In honor of those whom you know, love and pray for, please help us educate others and spread the word about Lyme Disease. After all, May is Lyme Awareness Month.
Alan MacDonald, PhD; The Biology of Lyme Disease: An Expert’s Perspective: http://youtu.be/r8tESJVvM88
Traveling Memories Week 2
Riding one of the “child friendly” roller coasters with our son. Front seat wasn’t so bad as it was well tolerated. Yesterday I rode the Rockin Roller Coaster with the kids. You could say I had a brain lapse and got on the ride thinking “Oh there aren’t any drops it just goes fast.. I can handle this..” I knew that I was in trouble from the moment it went from zero to sixty… Yes, this is what this ride is all about. Okay, to stop any additional adrenaline rushes and cortisol waste, I closed my eyes and did Lamaze breathing. As my friend reminded me it was already dark in there. I told her I hadn’t noticed as my eyes were already closed. ha ha Hey, it worked and I walked off without any screams leaving these lips and I wasn’t spent from cortisol use.
Selfie with Cheshire.
Notice anything? The Hat is gone… Boo hoo!
Although we do like the new look it’s a little strange….
A little too close for comfort. Believe it or not he was actually under my chair.
To be my friend you have be able to take a joke or be the butt of one. So if you’re camping with me and you wake up with a red eye that lasts for 2 days you deserve to wear what I buy you. (Okay, I didn’t buy it, but I was ever so close and the kids almost made me… )
Yes this is the real carriage from the movie. And we got to hold the glass (plastic) slipper. Look at those two queens and their ladies in waiting. 🙂
Traveling Memories
Visiting with an old friend who was a wonderful mentor walking through my early years as a Christian. Thankful for the afternoon spent in her new home in a new state.
Now, the two Mickey Mouse beds are enjoyed at home and since Disney is on the itinerary it was appropriate that the beds came with. Tell me what is wrong with this picture…. The basket was the “catch all” basket for papers, keys, etc. Hmmmm….. I’d say it caught more than expected! 🙂
We learned that when your car is old enough and the gear shift doesn’t shift properly all you need is a good old fashioned screw driver.
I have a beautiful picture of my great grandfather, whom I can still remember from my early childhood, playing the violin. The picture is of him fiddling while his sister plays the piano. My grandmother has always shared of her joy of hearing him fiddle. It has been a blessing that our daughter has picked up the love of the violin and has been fiddling for a few years now. With great joy and many tears, our daughter was able to share her passion with her great grandmother. It was a special moment to always be remembered. A generational passion that continues to play on…. 🙂
My grandmother is turning 90 this year and she doesn’t travel back to her home state nor up to our state to see us anymore. So knowing that she hasn’t heard the kiddos play their bagpipes and drums in a while, it was a must to bring them down and to play for her. Another moment or two… to be remembered.
Eating lunch out at our favorite eatery on the waterfront. Something grandma and I have done for many many years, every visit. Now the kids ask if we can eat there at least once when we visit. Who doesn’t love a good Ahi Tuna or Crab Lobster salad… Mmmmmm!
Mother daughter picture (yes a selfie) on the pier. Watching the dolphins chase the Jack fish toward the shore, watching the fisherman pull up their catch and just enjoying the beauty of the ocean and what it has to offer.
And to top off the visit with grandma was learning how to make plantains! Thank you Ken! I have tried and failed until you shared how it is done. We all thank you more than you know for the blessing of instruction in cooking this delightful treat. We have made them at least every two nights and are trying to figure out where to get more. 🙂
We thank grandma and Ken for their kindness and love during our visit. Memories made during a week of fun… We will never forget and we look forward to doing it again.
Two more weeks to report on coming up next…. 🙂 To be continued….
Feline Friendly Friday (Reprinted)
Yes, we have watched too many movies over the last year. We came to that realization when the cat sat watching the Oscars, giving it her full attention. Seriously, she was watching every moment!
