Where Am I?

Good Morning.

So...I hate Google today.  Yesterday, too.

It appears that sometime today or within the next few days, this domain will cease to be.

I now have to decide what I want to do...keep blogging, blog elsewhere...I don't know yet.

If I have any news/photos to share in the mean time, I will post them HERE.

If you're interested, that is.

I'm mad.  Really.

Who Stole My Blog?

It is a great possibility that I will lose this blog tomorrow.    Google can't get it's crap straight and has informed me that because I have not enabled the "auto-renew" feature for my domain, it will be suspended.   However, there is no "auto renew" option anywhere that I can find, and I have searched high and low.  And I'd like to point out that it has auto-renewed for the last five years.

This happened to me earlier this year with another blog that I didn't really care about so much because I hadn't spend the last five years writing in it like I have this one.

To say I'm upset about it would be an understatement, but I do not have any recourse.   I updated everything I could and I even gave them a second payment source.   But they are telling me that as of tomorrow my domain is suspended.   I cannot find anywhere/anyway to fix the problem.

Stupid Google.

Peace in Troublesome Times

World events…and the present unrest in America…can be scary, and it’s easy to forget that we do not have to live in a pit of depression or hopelessness.   Jesus cares for each of us individually, and we don’t have to fear in these troublesome days.

...I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me.   You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.    Ps 40:17

I really like the 40th Psalm.    I like to be reminded that He thinks about me.   Me!   Me?   Yeah, me.   You, too!

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. (vs 2)

Ah, yes!    I just love knowing He is my deliverer and He takes my hand and lifts me from the horrible pit, and not only puts me on solid ground away from sinking sand, but he also sets up my path in a firm and permanent fashion.

Trust...we simply must learn to trust Him.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man (or blessed am I) who trusts in Him! Ps 34:8

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man (or myself).   (Ps 118:8)

 

Just one more:
PS 143:8  Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is your peace.

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE FORGIVENESS EDITION

Dear Past:

I don’t know why I would revisit you…you didn’t do me good the first time.  History repeating itself is not a good thing!

Dear Forgiveness:

Why, oh, why do you elude me?

Dear Unforgiveness:

I will fight you every step of the way.  The truth is that I really want revenge, but I will cast down those thoughts, and I will win because Jesus will continue to remind me that I am not battling flesh and blood.  One day, I will not even want to slice that person to shreds with my words, and slap her face if she tries to defend her actions.   One day...could it be today?

Dear Strangers in Golden Corral:

You, us, and two other couples...we all arrived for breakfast when they opened for the morning...and we could seat ourselves.  Out of all the empty seats in the house, why did you choose to come and crowd us?   I forgive you.

Dear Self:

I bet you wish you hadn't eaten with abandon the whole time you were on vacation last week, yes?   YES!  I forgive you.   It's time to change your ways...which is another word for repentance!  Stop relying on yourself and remember where your help comes from...and it's not yourself.

Dear Gibbs:

Seriously?  That is no way to welcome me home...doing your business on the living room floor at 5 a.m.   I forgive you...but I am not sure I trust you as much as I did just one week ago!!!

My obviously homemade video of Dry Falls...

Friday Flashback

(A repeat of an (updated) previous entry)

Middle Age Ain’t All It’s Cracked up to be...I now have trifocals

What are the perks of middle age, anyway?   There must be some, or none of us would do it, right?   Hitting middle age brings about symptoms called “peri-menopause” (translation:  "Men, oh, beware").  Apparently, it is at this phase of our lives “middle age” becomes “middle rage” because our moods can get vicious volatile in the way of a happy relationship.    Or any relationship.  Your relationship with your kids, your husband, and your dog can change.   You may even notice a difference in the way the local grocery store cashier reacts to interacts with you, especially if the store is out of the right type of chocolate chip cookie.   It certainly isn’t your fault, by the way, that folks are suddenly driving you completely nuts, and you have to deal with it by knocking a few woolly warts on their heads.  (Use extreme caution doing this to people you don’t know, or co-workers who may strike you back.   Or grocery store cashiers.  Plus, I am fairly certain that “I’m menopausal” is not a viable criminal courtroom defense.)

According to my body research,

Peri-menopause symptoms include:

Hot Flashes

Sleep Problems

Mood Changes

Bladder problems

Did I mention perks earlier?   You can forget certain perks…like your chest.   Won’t be any perkiness there, unless you’ve gone the way of silicon, and to be truthful, I have my doubts about perky silicon.    And let’s not talk about what the doctors want to do to said perky-less chest.   On my first smashomammogram, I lost whatever innocence I may have had left.  It was an eye-opener.   A WIDE eye opener, wide in surprise that a boob could be that smashed that flat and not blow out.

Men have to deal with these things, too, only they call it Mid-Life Crisis.  (I don’t think certain parts of their anatomy are smashed flat in a vice-like contraption, though.   They couldn’t handle it anyway; they would squeal like little girls have to be coma induced.)   I don’t know too much about men’s symptoms; Ole Boy never seemed to hit MLC mode.  Perhaps I was too busy with my own changing moods and fiery flashes that I forgot to notice.   Or, I was possibly too drowsy from my lack of sleep due to my middle-of-the-night bathroom treks. 

And my eyes!!    Three pairs of glasses: bifocals, trifocals and computer glasses, and I still squint!   Or, I have to switch out all three pairs for one task!   And there are times when no glasses are better than any of the three.   I have been known to put on two pairs at the same time…NOT because I was having a senior moment...but because I couldn’t see!   And it worked….which led me to the sad realization that it might be time for another vision test.  

There are perks to middle age, I know.  Benefits that don’t have anything to do with body aches, bladders, weight gain, hot flashes or moods swings, like taking your vacation at any time during the year, not just around school schedules.   To be honest, I’ve had it pretty easy compared to horror stories I’ve heard.   Besides, if my moods are any worse than they used to be, Ole Boy is too scared hasn’t mentioned it.   

Have a great weekend!!

When I'm Listening

When I’m Listening

When I stand in reverent wonder,

Atop mountains on an autumn day,

Though it’s not a voice like rolling thunder

I hear what my Redeemer has to say.

I close my eyes to better hear it,

The gentle rustling of the autumn leaves.

A warm, sweet whisper joins my spirit,

A sound like the wind blowing through the trees.

Embraced in hues of gold and red

Surrounded by His grace

My heart listens carefully to what is said,

As the gentle breeze caresses my face.

Vibrant leaves catch the wind

Floating about in majestic glory

His voice tenderly blankets me like a flawless friend,

Whose love is an unending story.



His whisper tells of how He planned for me

Before creation was spoken

Even when time was yet to be,

His plans would not be broken.

His promise is full of hope and love

And shines like dew drops glistening

His voice spans the air as wings of a dove

And speaks to me when I’m listening.

Photography is from my beloved Great Smoky Mountains.
Poetry and photography property of www.AmusingMargaret.com 

This video is amazing.    

Even if you've seen it before, it's so worth watching again.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Monday Musings: The Forgiveness Edition

Reading some Facebook comments this morning, I came across a name that took me back to elementary school.  The name, when I see it, never brings good memories, and today was no exception.  Perhaps I hold unforgiveness…I am not sure…maybe it is just that I remember.   Memories exist, and they pop into my mind every now and then, especially when there’s a reminder.

 Unforgiveness, I’ve heard it expressed,

Is like drinking poison and hoping someone else gets sick.

She’s long gone from this world, this first grade teacher who made my first year of school a nightmare.  I would not have wished bad things for her, even if she were living to this day.  My second grade teacher was much better, and the rest of my years at Underwood Elementary were pleasant enough.

My third grade teacher, whom I really liked, was the principal when my daughter was enrolled.   She handled a situation involving my daughter very badly, in my opinion, and I wrote her a scathing letter….and copied the superintendent of education.   Did I over-react?  Possibly…but she did, indeed, handle a delicate situation rather coarsely.   She also discussed it with the grandmother of the little boy involved, and when I saw her (the grandmother) in WalMart shortly after the incident, she told me that if I had any problems with her grandson to contact her, not the school.  The grandmother is gone from this world, too, but the memories still remain.

What does one do with bad memories?  Granted, my “bad” recollections are nothing in comparison to the memories of so many hurting people.    But a hurt is a hurt, and memories do exist.   Unforgiveness doesn’t have to be attached to the thoughts, but how can you be sure that you aren’t just remembering, but that a little unforgiveness is lingers?

My spell check keeps trying to tell me “unforgiveness” is not a word.

It is now.

One of the toughest forms of forgiveness is that of our own actions, inactions, bad choices, stupidity…forgiving ourselves for our past.  And whether we know it or not, there may be people holding grievances against us for some callous thing we said or did, and we don’t even realize we’ve hurt someone.

Today, I’m choosing forgiveness.   Every fiery dart aimed at me today will be met with a shield of forgiveness.  Grudges are never worth hanging to, and especially when it gives something “bad” even the tiniest bit of power in my life.    

It’s a beautiful Monday.   

May you find forgiveness in your heart 

for whatever bad memory haunts you.

And may it be as easy as a walk in Deibert Park

Photos below....

  

   

Deibert Park, Florence, Alabama.

All photos belong to AmusingMargaret.com

Another entry on forgiveness you may enjoy HERE.  

It Just Doesn't Care

::::Groan::::

I’m back to wearing Maypop jeans.   My Maypops.  Jeans that may pop anytime.  Addiction doesn’t care that not so long ago, these tight jeans were a little loose. 

Who knew that getting back on the wagon after a fall would be much more difficult than the first time up there?  Addiction doesn’t care that I’d rather be riding in the wagon than walking this road.

Addiction screams in my head until I give in, then it promptly chastises me for being weak, and tells me how worthless I am.  It doesn’t care that I beat yourself up with guilt. 

 Orlando...I think...definitely Florida.

Addiction doesn’t care that no matter how I try,

I can’t make a humorous post about addiction.

So, I’ll just have write a positive post.

When I wake up in the morning, I wish that I wanted to act right, but I really want to eat.  It’s the sugar in me…and addiction doesn’t care that it takes my focus off of God and onto myself and my need desire to feed.

Central Florida Zoo

I’m about to get angry at addiction, not that addiction cares.   But as a child of God, I do not have to lie down and continue to give into the sin and shame of gluttony.  I am not a slave to sin, and it is for freedom that Christ set me free.   Addiction doesn’t care that it gets in my way of remembering all the good things, the promises that I have available.   I don’t have to continue to walk in addiction, when Freedom Road has an address with my name on it!  That’s right, addiction, I have a home on Freedom Street, not skid row!

Addiction doesn’t care that God longs to change me, if I will let Him.  I am sure He is teaching me things as I struggle; it’s up to me to learn and stop struggling, to be still and know that He is God.   Addiction doesn’t care about me, but God does.

Deibert Park...love the reflection!

Forgive me as I post, yet again, the poem I wrote in 2009…because it’s something I need desperately to remember.

No Survivor Am I

My worth isn’t measured by my current condition,

Opinions of others, or my present position.

Though my foot may slip, I am not incomplete,

My failures are never my final defeat.

By God’s grace, I’ll dance though the fire,

Knowing by faith I’ll not drown in the mire.

A survivor is never what I shall be

But a powerful overcomer for others to see.

My suffering, I’ll know, was never in vain,

Seeing someone’s miracle brought out of my pain.

My destiny isn’t sealed by today’s situation,

For my current position is not my final destination.

Have a great weekend!!

Thursday Thunderings

Does anyone else find it disturbing that the very ones (Obama/Reid/Democratic Congress) who refuse to compromise on Obamacare will not be forced to use it?  As of this morning, they still will not negotiate.  Whether you are for it or against it, you surely know there are a lot of issues with the Affordable Care (ACA, aka Obamacare) which need discussion.  Very disconcerting, indeed.  Troublesome times.  I am praying today for our leaders…even the ones I find myself disliking more each day.  I ask that you pray, too.

I don’t know how the ACA is going to affect our doctor situation.  I fully expect the selection of good doctors to become smaller and smaller if Obama has his way.  Strong delusion boggles the mind. 

You may not believe it, but there are things I don’t say because I don’t want to offend people I like who believe so very differently from me.   There are things I am not saying today.

Then, there are things I probably shouldn’t say, but say anyway.   Like…

Dear Receptionist:

Girl, I really wanted to tell you because you’re my age, and I think you’d be embarrassed to know that your bright flowered panties were showing through your light tan pants.   Yep.  Every print and line.   And you wore it all day long, because I didn’t see you until after 2 p.m.

I’m getting old and feel like I’m falling apart.  That, or my new doctor (whom I really like) is actually paying attention to what I’m saying, and is sending me for further testing.  I like my new doctor, and I’m trying not to remember that every time I find a doctor I like, they leave town.  I’m thinking that’s not because they had me for a patient, but because it’s a small town with lots of doctors.

And I am growing straw in place of hair.   I used to have a nice, thick, head full of pretty hair.  I took it for granted…it was just always there.   Now I have straw, I tell you!  I sure wish I had my hair back. 

And gray roots?  It has a lot of nerve needing to be colored, which is a major factor in the straw condition of my hair!

Let’s not even mention fine lines…nothing “fine” about that.  Some of my lines are graduating into grooves.  Deep.  Grooves.  Not groovy.

 Happy Friday Eve, Y’all.

Phillip Bentley/Huntsville Hospital vs Citizens of the Shoals

I usually leave this type of entry to ShoalandaSpeaks.  But I’m mad.  I’m mad at our brain-dead congress, government shutdowns, Obamacare, and people like local business man Phillip W.  Bentley, who, in no way has the best interest of Shoals citizens foremost in his mind, even though his business is here. 

Below is a letter to the editor that our “local” news rag the Times Daily (AKA Times Faily and Totally Decatur) refused to print.   I think the fine people of this area would like to know...

RE: Conflict of Interest

Mr. Phil Bentley is the Chairman of the Huntsville Hospital Healthcare Authority. Mr. Bentley is also the owner of Bentley Chevrolet Cadillac in Florence.

The new hospital planned by RegionalCare Hospital Partners (d/b/a Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital) will provide equipment and services that are currently not available in the Shoals area. Therefore currently, many patients must be moved from any Shoals hospital to Huntsville Hospital for treatment and care.  The time lost by this movement can be critical and often fatal.

When the new hospital is complete, these patients will be treated locally and valuable (often life-saving) time will be saved. This time saving will reduce the Huntsville Hospital patient load.

If the Huntsville Hospital Board, under Mr. Bentley’s leadership, continues to play an influential role in the future of healthcare in the Shoals area, we as citizens should question our continued support of his business located in our community.

It is interesting to note that Huntsville Hospital is affiliated with Helen Keller Hospital. Helen Keller Hospital has been fighting the new hospital since they perceive that it will lead to their demise. There is a need for Helen Keller Hospital in the Shoals area. Some of their services, such as Physical Therapy and WellCare, are the best operated and staffed I have ever seen anywhere. Unfortunately, the Helen Keller staff has been using old data to substantiate their battle, rather than looking to the future growth of this entire area. As I indicated earlier, the only real loser of Shoals area patients is Huntsville Hospital, not Helen Keller. Therefore, Mr. Bentley has been quietly letting the public think that Keller is the loser, not Huntsville.

As a Muscle Shoals resident, I consider the new hospital an indispensible improvement to the overall health care available in the entire Shoals (Colbert and Lauderdale counties) area. Therefore, I urge our citizens to purchase vehicles from other automobile agencies in this area.

A concerned Shoals area citizen.