CABIN FEVER

We've had a lot of ice around here. School has been out. Businesses are closing. No, it is nothing like Boston or cities up north, but we aren't northerners. We aren't accustomed to this kind of thing.

I've made my share of hot drinks, chili, soups, and pop corn. I've watched TV, played on the Internet, dusted, and read books.  Thank goodness for my Kindle and Amazon.

Still, I'm getting grouchy. I am tired of the dogs getting underfoot and even my son and I are occupying opposite floors of the house. How do Alaskans deal with it?

Fortunately, I don't have much longer to be stuck in the house. The below freezing temperatures today are supposed to reach 60 tomorrow--60 degrees and rain. I don't think the rain will keep me in the house, though.

For all of you who are still frozen in, try to take it one day at a time.

Winter can't last forever.

Soon spring will come.

Think daffodil thoughts and try to be good to all those who are stranded inside with you.

CARING FOR OTHERS

From time to time I might post examples of people who are positive influences, as I did with the crossing guard who shouts blessings to drivers. Another dear friend, Becky, frequently posts on my Facebook news feed.

I used to see Becky every Sunday, but these days getting to church is far more complicated for her. She's a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer Disease. It is difficult to reverse roles, the child becoming the parent.  

Becky's insights are always so positive. I've begged her to keep a journal so that she can, someday create a book that will be inspirational to other caregivers.

Periodically, Becky lets us into her world, like the time she came to church with a shiner, a gift from her mother. There are also times when her mother calls Becky cruel names and throws things at her.

Becky's response? She often talks about how she hates Alzheimer's. She doesn't blame her mother. She blames the disease.

This reminds me of something I learned when I was in Al-anon. I often heard people talk about hating the disease instead of the alcoholic.

I remember what people at church used to say. "Hate the sin. Love the sinner." 

Perhaps we would all get along better if we could see people as people--separate from their problems, disease, or shortcomings.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

This year Friday, the 13th came just before Valentine's Day. You had a day celebrated as being unlucky, followed by a day where people celebrate love and sweethearts. School children even had their Valentine's Day parties on Friday, the 13th.

What a difference a day makes.

The older I get, the more I realize that one day can make a big difference. Sometimes a good day is followed by a bad. Other times it is a bad day that is followed by a good one. Either way, it is important to be prepared.

 Lately, I've been having some trouble with illness, back pain severe enough it has affected my walking. I was in constant pain. In time, however, the pain was only present as I moved. Then the pain was only present during and after exercise. Exercise was always necessary or I wouldn't be able to walk properly.

Oh, I was so tired of constantly hurting, of pain with every step. When I was able to walk with a cane and return to work, I still came home to a messy house. I barely had the energy to make it up the steps to my bedroom to rest. I was so weary of the nagging pain and messy house, I was always close to or in tears.

--But each day I saw a new improvement. I could stand to work a few more minutes on the Nu-Step elliptical machine at the YMCE, or I could walk a step or two without my cane. I was sleeping through the night a little better. Yes, each day was an improvement.

Life is like that. There is a constant ebb and flow to things. One day can make a drastic difference in one's situation and perspective.

I once heard a PSA for a suicide hot line that said, "Don't try to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution." Wise words.

I know I have gotten through a lot of hardship by remembering the famous last words in Gone With The Wind. "After all, tomorrow is another day."


How very true.

FEBRUARY CELEBRATIONS

February Is A Busy Month

In the spirit of my new blog theme, I decided to research interesting celebrations during the month of February. Of course, we all know that February is African-American History Month and February 14 is a day set aside to appreciate love, but I thought I would look into other, more unusual February celebrations.

How about foods? 

February is Barley Month, Grapefruit Month, National Cherry Month, and Sweet Potato Month—which I celebrated by making mashed sweet potatoes for dinner last night. Yum, yum.

What groups are celebrated in February? 

I already mentioned African Americans. February is also Library Lover's Month, National Parent Leadership Month, National Women Inventor's Month, and Responsible Pet Owner's Month.

We all know February 14 is for lovers, but the month of February is also Spunky Old Broad's Month. Now that's my goal for the rest of the month, to be a Spunky Old Broad. 

  :-)

Your Crossing Guard

I've been blogging for many years now and my blog has been eclectic, to say the least. I think it is time for me to become more focused. I have been thinking long and hard about a theme for my blog, something uplifting, without being sappy. I don't know if that can be established, but I think I'll try.

Please bare with me. I'm probably ADHD, though it wasn't diagnosed back when I went to school.

Why did I decide to change routes? I am inspired by the friendliest, most vocal crossing guard I've ever known. Whenever I am assigned to a school in Millington I am greeted by this crossing guard who waves me across the intersection and always shouts a blessing to me--and everyone who passes by. She makes me smile every morning and afternoon. I usually roll down my window and call, "God bless you," in return.

It's not a big deal, but it brings a smile to my face and if she were ever absent, I would miss her calling to me as I drove into school. I would feel as though I lost something that day.

Maybe that's what I should try to be, your virtual Crossing Guard, calling "God bless you," as you drive past. I'll try to do my best.

REVIEW: THE CAT LADY'S SECRET

The Cat Lady's Secret
Linda W. Yezak

The Cat Lady's Secret is a charming story about forgiveness and new beginnings. You don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book.

Emily Taylor has a gift for philanthropic work until a lapse of judgement ruins her reputation. Humiliated, she returns to her hometown with Millie, an elderly woman who has a flair for wearing mismatched polyester and passes time rescuing cats.

Emily finds that running home doesn't solve her problems. She must take courage and meet, head on, the person who brought scandal to her work

The Cat Lady's Secret is an enjoyable page-turner. The reader will feel uplifted for having spent time in Ms. Yezak's world.

LEGALISM VS KINDNESS

The death of actor and comedian, Robin Williams, took most people by surprise. He was brilliant. His work touched millions.

The second surprise was the response to the suicide. I don't care how worldly people respond to such a thing. Non-Christians are not expected to have the same lens by which we view the world.

What did surprise me was that so many Christians threw out opinions without thinking about the feelings and sensitivities of others. They didn't consider that other members of Facebook or their message boards might also have known others who have committed suicide. They could have been tactful or helpful. Instead, they chose to run their mouths.

One person posted that anyone who commits suicide will go to Hell. I asked her to give me a Bible verse upon which she based this belief. Many people have said that, but no one has given me a verse. She never got back to me on that one.

There was one site where a person posted some things that made me feel that she, also, might be battling depression. I began to message her advice. She has struggled in the past but said she was presently stable.

What happened next surprised me. I received many comment that singled me out for showing a helpful, positive attitude toward someone in need. In a short time, the post received over 45 likes. I stopped checking after that.  Most people said that they were bothered by so many legalistic comments and it was refreshing to see someone show concern for another person.

This saddened me. Showing kindness. concern, and helpfulness to others should be the rule, not the exception. As Christians we are to be known for our love even when we don't understand why people do what they do.