Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?board=3.0)    Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

 



Morning Devotional...





You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.' Psalm 89:3–4


The Covenants of God

Because of His love for us, God already has taken the initiative. He has left us without room for human excuse. If God cannot get us concerned about His own things and our shortcomings, He cannot do anything at all for us. If His grace and mercy cannot move us, He cannot save us.

This brings us right back to our starting point. Our Christian hope and the promises of God all rest upon the very character of the triune God. We are New Testament believers. We are saved through the terms of a new covenant. That new covenant is based in the love and grace of the One who created us and then gave His life for our redemption.

Of His own free will God has made a pledge and given us a covenant. A Christian is a Christian and remains a Christian because of the bond between the persons of the Godhead and himself or herself.

Note this theme in Psalm 89. In that psalm, the Holy Spirit has dictated a plain message. He goes far beyond the reference to King David. Rather, he is describing David's greater Son, even Jesus, the eternal Son and Lord of all.

The reference is to the kind of covenant a faithful God has made with the people of His choice. The statements made by God to David's progeny and David's people are almost unconditional. God does not make unconditional promises to our race, but these in Psalm 89 are as nearly unconditional as any we will ever find.

Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. Christ has laid aside the old Mosaic Covenant and established a new one by His death and resurrection—a covenant in which we may be included by faith commitment to Him.



Thank You, Lord, for the new covenant You have made with me, fulfillment of which is assured because of Your faithfulness.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Thank you, Don, for that devotion this morning.

We were down close to zero again this morning, but the sun is shining brightly and it's starting to warm up.  We're starting on the "up" side of our weather roller coaster again for a few days and then we'll slide downhill again.   :D

Hi everyone.  It is a chilly 29 degree morning here in Georgia and not to get about 47 or 49 degrees today.  I am ready to go to church but don't think Pat will go this morning.  She is fine but still have to wash her hair and that simply wears her down.  She and her friends had a good time at the tea room yesterday.  They were gone all afternoon but it took two hours to get there and back.  She took some pictures of the ladies with the hats on that the tea room had for them to put on.  I had a nice quiet day.  I was glad that Georgia won their game last evening.  Stacey had planned on attending church this morning but she talked with her mother and said she is considering whether to get out in the cold or not.

Janet, glad you were able to make it to the play.  Nothing wrong with some good old slapstick comedy.  That is the kind I prefer so I can laugh out loud a bit.  It sounds like your roads were not in good shape.  What was the door prize? I liked the saying on your new tin sign. 

Marilyn, I didn't know you could purchase mustard plants to make mustard.  Pat mentioned yesterday she read how to make your own brown sugar.  I don't expect she will be doing it however.  She has a website that has handy tips and ideas daily.  It is www.onegoodthing.com .  We now make our own laundry soap from a recipe she got there and it is very economical.   

Judy, your snow looks like cotton on the limbs.  You don't need to be sending it to Georgia as we aren't equipped to handle snow like that.

Ruth Ann, it sounds like a cane would be a good precaution anytime you leave your apartment as you sure don't need another fall.  We each have our good times and those not quite so good. 

Don, thank you for the new devotional for this coming week. 

Jeanne, it sounds like there may be some bad weather headed up your way by Thanksgiving.   

There is an answer to every question in the world in the Holy Scripture.  True!!!

We are still getting used to the new pastor.  He is such a good speaker for his young age.  The place is packed so we don't see a drop in attendance as happens when a very popular pastor retires.  It may be a few less but now we see other people coming in as well. 

Larry:  I did receive Pat's note & sent thanks - yes, you could have messed up a quilting message.... :)  The Broncos are playing in New England today and predictions are that our side will lose - bitter cold here too and there as well. 

We scoured the newspaper ads today looking at everything and give thanks as there was not one thing we could see that we really "need".  All appliances are working and Don says he does not need another shop tool - we came home to a warm house and the furnace is about two years old.  Many blessings. 

Wonderful service this morning, and our pastor is back, refreshed and renewed and so happy to be here.  Our roads melted off yesterday, but we got more snow overnight, so they were snowy and slushy when we went into town, but cleared again by the time we came home.  It was announced this morning that our church donated 140 shoebox gifts this year for Operation Christmas Child.  :cheer: :thumbsup2:

Larry, as soon as I eat lunch I will go out to the craft show and get whatever it is I won--then I can tell you!  ;)

I am just marinating in the sweet love of God today.  He is so good to Janet!  No words can ever do his love justice.  I love him!

Time to get lunch out of the oven, I think!  See you all later!

good afternoon my friends  :coffee:

A couple of weeks ago we were in Barrie it is a city (I think) and that day they sure had got  a lot of snow in fact the 400 HWY was closed due to the storm that day and now with the storm that arrived yesterday the same Hwy was closed yet again the area is open and the road  was icy.

We also got our first big storm yesterday, I went out earlier in the day and was glad to get home as the ice was building up, with my knee I did not feel safe to be out. I think it is getting better but I am very discouraged with the slow progress and not understanding the surgeons reasons.  I feel he would rather operate than give possible solutions.

The Canadian Thanksgiving is in the past but you might be interested to know that we went to our second fund raising Christmas dinner and there is another coming up Dec 2 for the seniors here in town.

Larry I don't buy Mustard plants, I buy the seeds, mustard is made from the seeds. I get those at the Health Food Store.

Judy the recipe is  in your email.

Thanks for clearing that up, Marilyn!  If I have to raise the plants, it will be a long time before I make any mustard.  May well be,anyway, no health food stores here!  Nor whole foods, either..... :(

Janet that's too bad that you don't have the health food or whole food stores near you.

Good afternoon, friends,

I'm staying close to the apartment this afternoon - it's really cold here. They say we'll be having snow/sleet/rain combination for the next 2 days.

My daughter contacted me, asking for the grocery list for her to make our traditional turkey cornbread dressing. She says I won't be doing anything but supervising! :)

My next door neighbor has shaky hands, and needed someone to put eyedrops in prior to his cataract surgery tomorrow, then afterward during his recovery period.

It's nice to be able to help him out. He's always been so kind and friendly, and I reminded him I asked God when I retired to let me know how I could be of help to others after retirement. So, I got a blessing when I knew he had a need and I could provide the assistance. :)

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

My thermometer hit exactly zero at 6:30 this morning. 

Hi everyone.  It is a beautiful, sunny but very chilly 28 degrees this morning and a light breeze.  Since the housekeepers are here this morning I stayed at McDonald's for a while longer than normal and then did a couple of errands.  I have my men's luncheon and today we are going to Golden Corral so will have a big lunch.  We had a nice day yesterday with church and then eight of us went to lunch.  We tried O'Charley's but the line was out the door so we went too the Asian restaurant where the group often goes.  It was almost 3 pm before we got home. 

It has been an interesting morning as I arranged to buy a second car this morning from a friend.  I drove it this morning and it drives nicely.  It is a 5 speed so will have to retrain myself to using the clutch.  It was a price I couldn't pass up and is a 2004 PT Cruiser.  We could certainly get by without it but this opportunity to buy it at what he intended to see it to Car Max for tomorrow was too good to pass by.  This is the friend who lives about half the year in Mexico and with whom I have coffee and he and his wife are also members of our church.  I am arranging insurance this afternoon and will actually buy it tomorrow morning and get the license. 

Carol, I see that Denver didn't win last night but the score was close.  We also feel very blessed as all of our needs are met plus a few extras.  Our sermon series for the last several weeks was on being generous and the sermon yesterday was about the joy we can get out of being generous. 

Janet, the Christmas Child project is a wonderful one.  I haven't heard what the final count may have been from our church but there were a lot of boxes.

Ruth, glad you were able to get home and not risk walking on ice.  The Thanksgiving dinners are a good way to raise funds for the seniors. 

Marilyn, do you have to buy a lot of seeds to make the mustard.  I had no idea how it is made. 

Ruth Ann, we are just expecting rain and cold weather but we are considerable south of you in Nashville.  I think the North Georgia mountains may get some ice and snow.  Nice of you to help your neighbor with the eye drops.  It is not easy too put in your own eye drops. 

Jeanne, stay warm today.

Larry it only takes a total of ½ cut of seeds in the recipe.

Hi, friends,

I was out at WalMart waiting for an electric cart for about an hour.  Grrrrr. Finally called the manager and discussed the situation with her. It seems several of the carts have broken down and not been repaired. Thankfully, there are other places I can purchase what I needed today.

Well, the snowflakes were really falling this afternoon! It looked like one of those snowflakes paper weights, it was so heavy, and the flakes were huge - at least the size of dimes. Thankfully, I'm in and warm and dry.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, that's the kind of snow I love--huge flakes.  I enjoy being out in it, if there is no wind.  Not too long, of course!  ;) 

We went to Garden City today and bought a hot tub, or a "therapy pool" as Darrel says it should be called.  They will deliver it after Thanksgiving.  We have had one for many years, but it is broken, and Darrel wanted a new one.  This one has automatic cover and all the newest bells and whistles!  We will put it in the garage (attached) and will enjoy it a lot.  If I am chilled when I go to bed, it takes me hours to warm up and go to sleep.  So Merry Christmas to us!  :)

We went to Sam's and to Walmart and got (I hope) everything we need for Thanksgiving.  I will be doing about half the cooking and Diane the other half.  If nobody was coming, we would either go to one of the kids' house or eat out!  Too much work and too much food for two people!

Larry, the goal set by the pastor for our church was 100 boxes, and I knew we could and would do better than that.  I agree it is a wonderful project and blesses so many children.

Ruth, nice to see another post from you! 

Br-r-r-r, Jeanne!  It's still cold here, but not as cold as there.  We do still have snow cover, but the highways are clear and dry, so we are thankful for that!

Darrel has another app't in Liberal tomorrow, but unless he wants me to go with him, I will stay home, and maybe get that interview done I had to postpone last week, if they aren't too busy with Thanksgiving preparations.

Boy, I am sleepy.  I ached and hurt so much last night I didn't get to sleep until sometime after 1:00 AM.  So short night, again.  But I have been sleeping a lot better, and those "J" nights are not as numerous, for which I thank God!

I think I will get a bite to eat for us, then whenever I want, I can get the clean sheets back on the bed and zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Middle age is halfway between your age and 100.

Awake till 5:30 am and then had to be up by 9:30 for a dentist appointment.  Tired. 

It snowed Saturday then again this afternoon.  John leaves early he will be gone till Saturday.  If any of you get CTV2 there is a show coming on starting the 31st and 1st.  Trucker TV.  John will be on it at some point, we don't know what week at this point.  I am recording it.  I think you would be able to see it on line as well.  He was asked some interesting questions, however you don't hear the interviewer.

We are finishing up the last few things before bed then turning in early.

Like Judy, I am short on sleep.  I woke at 3:00 and was never able to fall asleep again, so got up at quarter of five.  NOW I'm sleepy.  Too bad, busy day ahead.  Maybe I will wear myself out so much that I will sleep tonight!  ^-^

I am ready to go to the gym shortly.  House cleaner is here, but Darrel will stay until she finishes.  Correction: she never finishes, but until her two hours are over!  ;)

Darrel has another appointment in Liberal, but I am staying here.  I have an interview appointment at 1:00 with another couple.  Hope it goes well, and fully expect it will.

Sun is shining bright today, so the snow will probably be melting!

Friends are made by many acts; and lost by only one.  :(

HI everyone.  I have a few minutes before needing to leave for a meeting and then going to the license bureau to get my car, that I purchased this morning, licensed.  I stopped at the insurance company for the insurance binder so hopefully will get all the details taken care of today.  I rearranged some of the storage in my garage and was able to get the car in the garage.  It is a rainy, dark and chilly day and when I get home early this afternoon I am staying in the rest of the day.  The new computer is to be delivered sometime tomorrow so will have a project for the remainder of the week in getting it set up as Pat wants it. 

Marilyn, I am not aware of any bulk food stores around here but sure there are some if I really looked for them. 

Ruth Ann, with the holidays coming up not having riding carts that work is unacceptable at a WalMart.  The last time I was there I couldn't find a cart and didn't have time to wait so got a couple of items and left without completing my shopping.  So far no snow flakes down this way.  Icing will likely be the problem later today and in the morning.

Janet, your new "therapy pool" sounds great and you have a good place to put it.  That automatic cover sounds great.  Glad you are sleeping better, but see last night was not one of those night. 

Judy, hope that program will be available on the Internet as we don't get the channel you menitoned. 

Larry, I meant to tell you that I really liked my PT Cruiser.  In fact, I still miss it.  And had we known it would be repaired as easily as it was, we would probably still have it!  But I like the Mercury just fine, too.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I did mine!

I've been to the gym, walked for 15 minutes on the treadmill, then stretched everything I could stretch, I think.  Then Kristi came and pushed on me to stretch me even more.  That should help the soreness I was feeling.

Hey, everybody!  Don't forget to set your scales back 10 pounds this weekend!   :lol:

I, too, have a PT cruiser which I love. It's easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to get into and out of. :) And, the gas mileage is nice, as well.

It's time to go have my ear checkup, so I'll be heading out in a few moments. I'd rather prevent ear infections than treat 'em!

We have a winter weather advisory set to begin at 3 pm. Hope I get back before anything serious develops.

Well, much love to all.

Ruth Ann

I'm glad you're still happy with little Josie, Ruth Ann!  I really liked the way the seats were in the front, sat me right up there so I could see very well!

I am just home from doing the interview, which I began at 1:00.  Very nice visit with Don and Ruth Ann.  Now I will need to get it put into story form.

Sad news......Darrel's sister Dolores fell and broke a hip.  It happened about 10 days ago, but her husband didn't call me until today!  >:(  He said she is now out of the hospital and in a rehab place, where they plan to keep her for five to six weeks.  Dolores is three years older than Darrel, and very thin and frail looking; but her husband says, "She's tough."  I sure hope so!

We have a pizza in the oven, one of those 'buy and bake' kind.   And I am hungry!

Back early from our quilt group meeting. It sure is dark and we had to drive into the foothills.  Snow is all across the peaks so it is beautiful looking west. 

Larry;  big mistakes in the Denver football game.  I really don't watch too much football but it was interesting for awhile.  All the injuries made me feel sad. 

A Christian grade school in this area intended to fill Operation Christmas boxes but they were threatened with a huge lawsuit  - by people I would not really care for. ... so, the parents went to the parking area and set up the gifting area for boxes and the call went out so they realized an even greater number than was anticipated.  It really is sad that these so-called "humane" people would take away a little gift - even, perhaps their first toothbrush or tiny toy from the poorest of the poor. 

That is sad about Darrel's sister and sadder still that her husband feels no need to bring it to Darrel's attention. 

Hi everyone.  It looks like the rain is over but it is really chilly and there is a strong wind blowing today.  The good part is that it was dry off the roads and bridges so tonight there should be no ice forming.  We had eleven guys at coffee this morning. 

My friend and the fellow I bought the car from yesterday was at coffee and he got the old license plate off with a chisel and hammer (it was easy once I saw him do it.)  I had stopped at the Auto Zone store for some screws to put on the new license plate but the holes were too big so he went with me to the parts store and I ended up having to buy the type of fastener that was used before but realized I probably will never need to remove the plate again as we just get a new tag each year to apply to the plate and this is a new design plate.  He went out and put the license plate on the car for me.  I told him I know that God sends angels into my life when I need them and he was one of them. 

The new computer is on the UPS truck for delivery sometime today and I now have the prepaid return label to return the old computer.  Now I just need to box it up and have it ready to take to the Fed Ex store on Friday morning.  I plan on staying home the rest of the day and staying out of the wind and chill. 

Janet, I had forgotten you had the PT Cruiser.  I think I will like it once I get used to the 5-speed.  Hope your soreness is much better today.  I don't have to worry about the scales as you receive an adequate serving but no second helping at the cafeteria.  Pat is making a pumpkin pie with Splenda to take down with us and after lunch we will go back to Stacey's apartment building and have it.  Sorry to read of the fall by Dolores and hope her rehab goes well. 

Carol, there are a lot of injuries in football.  I am glad I never played the game although it would certainly teach teamwork.  What is wrong with people that even a Christian school can't fill the Christmas shoeboxes.  I wonder how much longer Christian schools will be allowed to exist in this country. 

Ruth Ann, I had also forgotten you now have the PT cruiser.  I haven't had to fill the gas tank yet but this is a small engine as it is the basic car and not the turbo.  Hope you didn't have too much snow or ice up your way last evening.  I hadn't thought about it but it is easy to get into and out of as it doesn't sit down low as some cars do.  My friend recently bought a BMW and I rode in it and it was so low I had trouble getting out of it and you sort of fell into the seat when getting in.   

Speaking of cars, and problems getting into and out of them....Son-in-law Jeff bought a Chevy Cobalt, sort of a spur of the moment thing, I think.  It is really cute, and bright yellow, and gets good gas mileage.  BUT that thing is awful for anyone of our age to get into or out of!  He bought it to drive to and from Liberal, taking care of his two car washes there, thinking of the gas savings....But I think he was pretty happy to turn it over to Abby when she became a licensed driver!   ;)

We spent an hour and a half at the gym this morning.  Now we won't go back until Monday, as they are closed Thurs. and Fri. for Thanksgiving. 

Time to get back to the job of clearing off the bar in the kitchen.  It's a clutter magnet, and the mail stacks up so quickly.  :-\

Carol, stay safe up there in the land of ice and snow.  I don't watch a lot of football, either, but did watch most of the Broncos-Chiefs game.  But I gave up and went to bed before the end, when I saw the Chiefs wouldn't make it; then Darrel told me they did make another touchdown.  Oh, well.  Good for the Christian school, for finding a way to do the boxes.  Such interference in things makes me crazy!

I need to call Dolores and see how she feels she's doing.  Norman isn't the best source of reliable information, even about his own wife.  :-\

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots.

Good morning, friends,

Well, it was nice to get a phone call from a former boss.  He and his wife wish to meet me for lunch on Saturday! What a nice time that will be. :)

Thankfully, with the half-boot plus the regular walking boot, my ankle isn't swelling and painful like it was for a couple of weeks.

Yes, it's really cold here with the high supposed to be 32 degrees and the low in the teens tonight. Brrrrr. But, we didn't get ice and snow, so that's a matter for gratitude. :)

Y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hello friends. I have been busy today getting my stuffing made, vacuuming and going to the gym.  It will only be Keith and I \here tomorrow as far a I know so that is all the food I am preparing for.

Glad the work week is almost over for me. I hope my wife and I will have a good 4 days off together. We hope to go over to her fathers house for thanksgiving. Prayers for her dad that he doesn't have to go to the ER this weekend. (He has been dealing with major headaches since mid September.)
Then on Monday he is having sinus surgery to hopefully drain the sinus, and correct the problem.

Hi everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.  I have many blessings to be thankful for this day.  We will go down later this morning and have a Thanksgiving meal with Stacey at the Shepard Center.  She has invited a friend to join us.  We have met the friend before.  Pat made a pumpkin pie last night and we will take that to share back at her apartment after the meal.  I set Pat's new computer up last night, downloaded all the Microsoft update and added just a few programs and then left it for the night.  This morning I went in to it and it wouldn't start up.  I tried rebooting several times and nothing happens and it wouldn't even start the recovery disk that I have.  Needless to say I am very frustrated with it at this point and will call and ask that the tech be sent out here to take a look at it.  What are the odds of the exact same thing happening on two computers in a row and this is a different model.  It is 23 degrees here this morning but the wind seems to be over.  It is suppose to get up to 49 today so that won't be bad. 

Janet, some of these cars, especially the small ones are certainly designed with young people in mind.  Hard to believe that Abby is old enough to have a driver's license.

Ruth Ann, glad your ankle isn't swelling and is less painful now.  Hopefully the healing process is underway. 

Marilyn, are you fixing a turkey to go with the stuffing for today?

SmokeytheDog, enjoy your four days off.  Sure hope your FIL will be feeling better and can stay out of the ER. 

Larry, about the time this second computer wouldn't start I would start throwing a major tantrum!  Maybe it's time to demand a full cash refund, and try a different brand of computer.  [attachimg=1]

Hi folks. Just a short post to wish all my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you all have a wonderful day of reflection on the many blessings to be thankful for. Dwell on the positive and remember that God is still in charge. So trust in Him for all your needs. Judy is busy knitting a baby outfit and is afraid she is running out of yarn. These thanksgiving wishes are from both of us. God Bless everyone.

Happy thanksgiving!  And I pray that each of us does just that--give thanks!

Larry, I would be so frustrated by this time that I don't think I would EVER consider purchasing a Lenovo brand of anything, ever again!  I do hope you finally reach an amicable solution to this problem.  Yes, I think that little car made Jeff realize he is no longer a kid!  ;)  I have only ridden in it twice, and what a pain!  Ugh.  Give me my "old people" car (Mercury) any day!!  Or another PT Cruiser!  :)

Smoky, good to have you here today!  Hope your day is wonderful!

John, good to see you here, and hope you and Judy have a great day, too.

I have most of the food at least started:  Darrel put the turkey in the roaster and started it; I have the stuffing partially made, onions and celery chopped and in it, along with the spices; pie crusts baked; eggs boiled for deviled eggs; relish plated out and part of the stuff to go in them.  Now I need to make the pie fillings--I think coconut and lemon meringue this time, peel the potatoes, and whatever else I can do ahead of time.  Lots of work, and am glad it isn't very often!  Else we would all weigh 200 pounds each!  :o

Today I am so thankful for so many things:  Darrel, our family, a warm home, plenty of food and clothing, a church to attend, friends, music, and most of all Jesus, who loved me so much he died for me!  Hallelujah!!



The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.
                                                          Zig Ziglar

[attachimg=1]

Ronda L. Menzies's photo

This has been a sweet week for me.  John was home half day Friday, Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday evening Wednesday and today.  We don't know if he is going to be working tomorrow.  However on the down side, those are days he won't get paid for.  It will impact his next pay.  Thankfully he has most of his pension coming in so we will be short but we will make it. 

We have funny animals.  Zeke is in his kennel (i'm knitting don't need him taking off with my yarn) and Tommy is laying on top of his kennel playing with him.  Tommy is definitely the Alpha among the animals, Zeke is afraid of Tommy when the are loose in the house together.

Have a good day folks.

"Offer unto God thanksgiving:  and pay thy vows, unto the most High:  And call upon me in the day of trouble:  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."  Psalm 50:14-15

Today is a day that was set aside to express our heart-felt appreciation to God for His bounty and blessing on our Land.  It has devolved into food, football and a first-in-line mad dash to a seasonal shopping spree!  It was once a great time of family gathering, but as our nation's homes have become so fragmented and fractured it sometimes features familial fiascos!

As I run away from the negative as fast as a scat-back to the goal line or an over-weight uncle to the dessert table, let's look at our verses.  Thanksgiving is something we ought to offer to God and the opportunity to daily turn to Him in our troubles.  To not recognize that all of us have daily circumstances that require God's deliverance is o observe life through rose-colored glasses, parading around like some positive "Polly-Anna", and is not obedience to, dependence on, and confidence in God is that all that we do can and will glorify God.  Remember this Thanksgiving Day, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God."  (I Cor. 10:31)

Good afternoon this cold end of November day.

I like Canada's Thanksgiving which is in October if we have the turkey with all the fixings it is well digested by the time Christmas Day arrives, two big dinners so close together would be to much for me.  Regardless the month of celebration we should be oh so very thankful each and every day.

I have been told by my chiropractor doctor that perhaps I need more magnesium and less calcium. I truly trust he is right.

Now I have a little job to get done, then  :coffee: and lunch.  before heading out to the grocery store.

:ppie:   :ppie: :ppie: :ppie:

Just stopping by to wish everyone a wonderful day of giving thanks!  It is a beautiful day here on the Oregon Coast ... sunny and chilly but just right for this time of year.  :thumbsup:

I am enjoying the traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and anticipating dinner with my neighbors.  I was all set to be alone today, and have a pizza I planned for my dinner, but yesterday evening my neighbor stopped by and invited me to join their family for dinner.  He said "we're having chicken, not turkey, tho"  Doesn't make any difference ... we will be together around the table and sharing the blessings for which we all are thankful. 

I'm grateful for all my friends here at  :cp: and for the sharing and caring from you all.  Sorry that I don't often share, but I do always care.   <3

Have a blessed day.

Well, I wasnt able to go and be with family this Thanksgiving, but they had turkey, etc, in the dining room here, snd it was good.  My son and famlly took the trip up to NY city to see the parade, etc.  I was glad to see that the weather cooperated.  Hopefiully I'll hear all about it when they get back.

Hi, friends,

It's good to have a nice family centered day and then to come home fully relaxed.

What a wonderful day to be grateful for the love of our Lord and family and friends.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

Good Thanksgiving on this day.  I pray all of you are safe and feeling well for this very special day.  We were with half of the family.  One grandson is in a hockey program in Canada for the winter and his parents and sister are spending this week with him.  They bought a pre-cooked turkey at a store this side of the border and set up a good meal with him.  It is amazing that we talked with him and all as we were in the car and the Bluetooth rang - since this is all new to us, we barely knew what to do but we had a clear conversation while driving. 

Other grandson is in Texas - Fort Worth with the grandmother and they will drive home this weekend. 

For you knitters:  I am so lame at knitting but sewing the seam on this sweater/coat has been slow but promising.  Promising myself to do only really small projects from now on or only squares. 

Hello Al!  I hope that your turkey meal was very good and that you enjoyed your companions. Blessings to you. 

Well, I did not shop on Thanksgiving.  I was just trying to buy a birthday sweater for Don online and that didn't even go well.  He wants to go to the woodshop sometime today for a few things on sale.  That should not be the crazies in line. 

Breakfast was cooked oatmeal with cranberries and walnuts. Same thing for years.  But I sure wish that I had leftover turkey.  It is very sunny and dry here.  Our calendar for December is totally full with appointments and meetings at our home.  It just happened that way and there are two bible study days with our table furnishing breakfasts. 

Grateful that the roads are clear.   

Hi everyone.  It is a delightful day here with sun, no wind and will get to around 60 degrees this afternoon.  Pat has gone and will eat lunch out so I will have a quiet rest of the morning and early afternoon.  Latest on the computer situation is that through a process of elimination I determined that Pat's monitor was bad.  I won't bore you all with details.  I Fed Ex'ed the one that was replaced back to Lenovo this morning.  I just finished ordering a replacement monitor for Pat.  I put my large monitor on her new computer but she things it is bigger than she wants so ordered and 18.5 inch Samsung monitor from Office Depot and it will be here by Dec. 9 (although I expect it will be delivered earlier as they have a big warehouse here in the Atlanta area.  In the meantime I will be using my laptop until I get my big monitor back.  I got Pat's new computer pretty well set up yesterday and have a few tweaks to make later today like getting the printers connected but will have to wait until I get the monitor back to get her files off the old computer other than what she stores on Google Drive.  We had a very nice time yesterday with Stacey, with a very good Thanksgiving Day meal at the Shepard's Center and just as we finished a storyteller, whose husband has been a patient at Shepard's for three months, told the people in the cafeteria four short stores.  That was very enjoyable.  We went back to Stacey's apartment and visited some more.  Nothing else planned for today.

Jeanne, this replacement computer was OK as it was the monitor.  The truth is the one that was replaced may have been OK but the tech was here and it was also sent to the repair depot.  I decided to keep the replacement for all the hassle I have gone through and none of their technical people mentioned the possibility of the problem being the monitor since when I loaded windows 8 it had shown the desktop ok one time.  I certainly wasn't trying to deceive them but felt if I tried to return the last one things would probably really get fouled up. 

Janet, I am doing better driving the 5 speed in the PT Cruiser each day. 

Judy, what a pretty Thanksgiving graphic.  It was nice to see John's posting. 

Ruth, you are right about the holidays coming so close together this time of the year.  I think any Christmas shopping we do will by online and most of the giving will be cash as that always is a welcome gift in our family.

Jane, I know you had a much more enjoyable time at the neighbor's table than eating along.  Glad they invited you. 

Al, your family sure took a long trip to see a parade but I guess the Christmas lights in NY city are really something. 

Carol, nice you could speak to your grandson.  I also bet you aren't the only folks who haven't had much experience using the blue tooth in the car. 

Our car has the bluetooth connection (SYNC) but it has stopped working, for the second or third time.  So.....Not using it at the resent.  Carol, glad yours works well and you could talk to grandson.

I got to talk to grandson Mark yesterday.  A friend invited him along to his Aunt's for Thanksgiving dinner, so he wasn't alone.  He will be home in three weeks!  :cheer: :thumbsup2: :yes:  Then he has only a few more weeks until the end of the college work he is doing now. 

Beth was able to stay here until after 8 last night.  She did quite a bit of sleeping during the day, though.  She said she was hungry again, so I fed her another plate of turkey and fixings, and a slice of lemon pie, then she want home happy.  ;)

Al, thank you for stopping by to greet us, and I hope you enjoyed your day, and will enjoy the NY report!

I may go downtown after while to check on a few things.  Not any serious black Friday shopping, though.  I am not up for that!

Early to bed and early to rise
Until you make enough money to do otherwise!

Larry, I'm very glad you found it wasn't the new computer and that everything will be fine with a new monitor.

I spent a good bit of time this morning on connections.  My main surge protector bit the dust and nothing would turn on.  I had to untangle wires and disconnect everything from the old desktop computer that hasn't been working for a long time so I could get everything else hooked back up to another one.  I had three strips daisy chained and now I'm down to only two, but both of these are older than the one that quit.  So I'm holding my breath. 

Yahoo mail is having problems again and I can't get to it - they are blaming an anti-virus while Yahoo was the site to change everything in October.  Oh, these brilliant geeks - leave well enough alone!

Larry:  It will be a good day when you get the set up for Pat in place with everything working.  All of that stuff takes so long. 

Janet:  Great that Beth was able to visit.  Save some turkey for me - I don't have leftovers and need a turkey sandwich. 

We went to a woodshop sale and bought a stick of special wood.  That is the extent of our shopping - well, I did find a super lightweight shopping bag for granddaughter to pack & keep in her purse.  It may come in handy - $5 and the thing was on sale.   It must cost a dime to manufacture.  Lunch time here and no turkey leftovers, did I say that earlier? 

Here is what I look like after losing 40 lbs using Sensa.

[attachimg=1]

 I just lost part of my reply so here goes again.

At noon I had lunch with some friends then I took the longer way home to a Hallmark store in Bolton to purchase a calander and pick up a couple of purse size ones as well.   

I just finished a research on magnesium it sure is interesting, I have been taking calcium for restless knees and the site suggests that Magnesium might do the same job. regardless how  interesting when I took the time to do some research.

I have just looked at the time and it is time to get dinner ready I am sure that Mel is getting hungry.

Marilyn, WOW!  You're doing great!   :thumbsup:

Hi, friends,

This has been a quiet day, but it was good to be with my trucker son for dinner this evening. He's heading out before the day breaks tomorrow for a 3,000 mile run. Sure hope he will be safe - part of it will be on snow and ice.

Also it was good to talk with other family members today.

Now, it's time to rest and relax a bit.

Y'all have a wonderful day.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Anne how is your son doing with the trucking. Hope all is well. Tell him to be careful in this winter season. Never sacrifice safety for schedules. better to deliver late than to not deliver at all. Please let him know that I often think of him.

Lookin' good, Marilyn!  :thumbsup:

Ruth, do you take other vitamins/minerals as well?  I take Vitamins C, D, E, Calcium with Magnesium, folic acid, and a few others, every day.  I am almost never sick, and I credit first of all God, then the vitamins and exercise.  Good to have you posting today!

Ruth Ann, so nice to read your posts and learn your sons are doing well.  Hope that foot is healing quickly.

John, if you head out on the road again, please stay safe!

The guys are coming today to install our new hot tub/therapy pool!l

I had another real "J" night last night, am feeling draggy, but---God's in his heaven, all's right with the world!

It's not what a teenager knows that worries his parents---it's how he found out!

Hi everyone on a lovely, sunny and chilly morning here in Georgia.  Yesterday afternoon was in the 60s and sure a great day for this time of year.  Not much new since I wrote yesterday.  I stayed home all day yesterday and plan to do so for the rest of today, unless we go out to eat later.  Pat has gone to a grocery store as the ad runs out today.  I will watch some football this afternoon.  I have my laptop in my office and hooked up a pair of speakers I haven't used in a long time so I can listen to music as I work this morning.  I like spending morning in my office.

Janet, I had a good night's sleep last night after two nights where I woke up at 3 am and couldn't go back to sleep.  I guess my mind was working on computer problems.  :)

Jeanne, I hate to deal with the wires back of my computer. 

Marilyn, it looks like the Sensa worked well for you.  I just heard from my granddaughter this morning that she has now lost 100 pounds.  She sent a before and after picture.  I hope she will want to take off a few more for her health's situation. 

Ruth, there is so much information available on the Internet.

Ruth Ann, it must be a challenge to handle the big trucks on ice and snow but sure they have received the proper training.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n543eKIdbUI

Thank you Janet. Yes i will be heading out again on Mon Dec 2. yes i will do my best to stay safe out there. If the roads become impassable I just simply find a place to park till it blows over.

Good evening we are waiting for a call and at time we will be meeting friends for dinner.

Yes I do take vitamins but with the issue of to much calcium I have set that one aside. but am taking liquid magnesium . It does seem to be working and like Janet said all credit goes to God.

I had another short trip over to Bolton, all is well there.Then I stopped at a little grocery store that is loved by so many.
 
I understand that we are to be blessed with some wet snow starting around midnight. I am glad that tomorrow is not big traffic day.

I just finished typing up this story for our paper, so thought I would share it with you here, as well:


                                       DONALD HICKOK


Donald Hickok was born on July 21, 1925, in Ulysses, Kansas.  He had one brother, Charles Edward, and one sister, Mary Annabell (Ann). Both are now deceased.

Don's dad was a civil engineer who did surveying, platting, etc.  He did a lot of work for the Railroad and for natural gas companies.  He was also a Postmaster and later a rural carrier for the postal service.  His mother worked for 34 years at the Post Office, and later at the court house.

Don attended the Ulysses schools from first through twelfth grades, graduating in 1943 in a class of 26 students.  In the lower grades he had a teacher named Mrs. Hoechel for two years.  She was really a dedicated teacher and made a lasting impression on young Don.  He always enjoyed school.  In high school he enjoyed having Kathleen Wheeler as his English and Drama teacher.

The Hickoks lived in town, but it was like country living, in that they had a windmill, a coal shed, an outhouse and a chicken coop.  Don spent a lot of time playing on the windmill.  Depending on his imagination, that windmill could be anything from a pirate ship to a fire station—whatever his fancy desired.  He said that was one of the original windmills that had been located on Main Street (in the middle of the street!) in the early days of Ulysses, to supply the town's water needs.  His grandfather had purchased it from the town and relocated it.

He said he went to lots of movies, and tickets cost 10c each.  Other things he enjoyed doing were playing jacks and board games when the weather was bad.  He liked making airplanes with his mom's wooden clothespins.  Boys played marbles outdoors, and did a lot of skating.  They made scooters out of beer boxes, which were also used to make milking stools and rabbit hutches.  He was good with his sling shot, and enjoyed riding his bike everywhere.  As a family, they listened to radio programs, and made model airplanes.

When kids began dating, they went to movies, box suppers, church events, school dances, proms and sports events.

Don began working as a young boy.  Some of the jobs he did were delivering papers, selling candy and home made potato chips, washing store windows and sweeping out stores.  He worked for Phillips Furniture and Mortuary for nine years.

In 1958, he and Ruth Ann opened the Gamble's store at 121 S. Main, and operated it until their retirement in 1992.  They later changed the name to Hickok Home Center, featuring furniture and appliances.  He always enjoyed the customers, who were treated as friends.  They had a good business and appreciated the support and loyalty of the community.

Don joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17.  He was sent to school in Maryville, Missouri, and from there to California, and then to Iowa University.  He was taking the pre-flight program, and then was to enter flight training.  But World War II ended and changed his plans.  After his separation from the Navy, he attended Colorado University at Boulder, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Don met his future wife, Ruth Ann Reese during his time at Boulder.  She was teaching school at Wheatridge, Colorado.  One of Don's navy roommates was married and his wife taught with Ruth Ann, so this couple introduced them.  They married in 1948, and both attended CU until Don's graduation.  Don was attending on the GI Bill, a real life-saver for him, and they allowed Ruth Ann to pay in-state tuition, even though she was originally from Kansas.

Don and Ruth Ann had a double wedding ceremony, with Ruth Ann's sister and her fiancé.  It was held June 14, 1948 in the Christian Church in Logan, Kansas.  Her dad gave her away, and their grandpa gave away her sister.

Don and Ruth Ann recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary!  That is really something to celebrate!  The Hickoks have two children; Susan (Goulding) who was born in 1958, and Bill, born in 1961.  Bill is married to Bobbie Jo (Hartman) and they reside in Ulysses.  Susan and family live in Prairie Village, Kansas.  There are now eight wonderful grandchildren to enjoy, and one great grandson, as well.  They did experience the heartbreak of losing one precious grandson a few years ago.

Discussing the differences he sees in our world now from when he was young, Don said, "Things seem to be in such a rush.  We want things NOW, and sometimes we aren't ready to have those things."  He sees a huge change in moral values and respect.  "Kids grow up too fast now.  People talk so coarse, and tattoos and piercings are seen everywhere."

Some of the things Don enjoys as hobbies are painting, drawing, listening to music, playing bridge, cooking, and he is the family's "Mr. Fix-it."  Ruth Ann says Don can fix anything!

Don and Ruth Ann got to travel a lot during the years they had the store.  Most of the longer (overseas) trips were company sponsored, by companies from whom they bought merchandise to sell.  They traveled around the US a lot with friends, had a time share for a while.  They have also taken a lot of cruises.  Now they spend their summers in Colorado, to escape the heat, visit with friends there, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Don recalled a tough experience on one trip:  They went to Yugoslavia, a 36 hour flight, encountered many delays, and then were quarantined for 8 hours in the airport in Amsterdam.  That's one he wouldn't want to repeat!

Having run a successful business, making many friends, raising a family, enjoying church, Eastern Star, and Masons and serving on the school board are all things that give Don a sense of achievement when he thinks back on them.

A valuable lesson he has learned from life and would like to pass along to younger folks is:  Take care of yourself physically and morally.  Be responsible for your choices and actions.

Don says the best time period of his life has been the years of marriage to Ruth Ann.

The first thing he saved up his money to buy was a 1950 Ford car, green, and it had overdrive!

The strangest thing he did to earn money was pounding stakes in the ground in the alleys, looking for leaks, for the gas company.  When they pulled the stake back out, they used a "sniffer" to detect any leaks.

The wildest thing he did as a teenager was climbing the water tower—and getting caught halfway up by the Marshall!

When he was a kid, Don's mother had a gasoline stove for cooking.  Not natural gas, not propane—gasoline.  They had to be very careful when using it.  He said they always ate three meals a day at the table as a family.

For doing the laundry, his mom heated water on a coal burning stove in the basement, and if out of coal, then cow chips were used.  She washed the clothes using a wringer washer, singing "Oh, My Darling Clementine" the whole time she worked.  Then the clothes were carried up from the basement and hung outdoors on the line.  He remembers that ice, coal, and alfalfa for the cow, used to be delivered to their house.

Don was in several plays while in high school and always enjoyed that.

His favorite holiday song is I'll be Home for Christmas.  When I asked what his favorite food is, he said, "I never met a food I didn't like!"  Some of his favorite movies are Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, and Forrest Gump.

The only regret Don has is not getting all of his mom's and dad's stories recorded.  If he could do anything over, he would be a farmer and rancher.

Don's first car was a 1932 Model B Coupe, for which he paid $75.00.  The rumble seat had been removed and replaced with a wooden box, making a sort of pickup out of it.  He got that car in 1949.

Don recalls an incident in fourth grade as the scariest of his life.  His teacher fainted, hit her head on the blackboard, cutting her temple, and blood flew everywhere!  The kids all thought she was dead!

Don says our leaders should stick to the Constitution and remember that this country was founded on faith.  Government is supposed to be by and for the people.  He hopes to see people of faith turn our country around and get us back on the right track.  Yes, sacrifices will be necessary, but they (leaders) and we should be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to get the job done.

The person who most inspired and influenced Don was his mother.  "She cared," he said.  "She was a loving, hard-working person who raised three of her own sisters."

The two people he most admires are his wife Ruth Ann, "for putting up with me," and Verlan Phillips, one Don admired as being a good influence and a true gentleman.

The biggest change he has seen during his lifetime is the continual increase in the fast pace of living.

Something he can no longer buy:  Merthiolate.  First man he voted for as President:  Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Worst crime:  Bombing of twin towers resulting in the murders of thousands of people.  Don's favorite author is Mark Twain.

He considers the greatest achievement of the USA to be gaining our freedom from England and forming a new Republic.

Don's current favorite comic strip is Pickles.  He says he never took any kind of music lessons but does love music.  "I just can't make music," he added.   He did play sports:  Football, basketball, track, and tennis in high school.  Football in Maryville, where he lettered, but the navy prevented his presence at the award ceremony to get his letter.  But he got it—fifty years later, at his 50 year class reunion!

On his class' senior trip, they visited Camp Amache, the internment camp near Lamar, Colo.) where the Japanese people were kept during the war.  They were given a guided tour of the camp, and Don was impressed by the stoicism of the people there.  Eventually some of the young men were allowed to serve in the US Military, in Italy, where they served with valor.

Some of the changes that have come to our area of SW Kansas during his life are: Diversity of population; very few 'suitcase farmers' any more; much more local ownership of the farm land by knowledgeable farmers, using better equipment and relying on better advice from the Ag department.  It seems more people have become dependent on 'big box' type stores, causing locally owned stores to struggle to meet their competition.

Remembering the years of the great Dust Bowl, Don said, "About every 25-30 years we get a big blizzard.  From '32 to '39 we had a terrible drought, which caused dirt storms, dust pneumonia, loss of crops, etc.  At times the tumbleweeds looked like a herd of buffalo going down the streets of Ulysses.  Then in the '50s we had more dirt storms.

Don attended Sunday school and church at the Methodist church as a young person, and joined that church after his marriage.  He and Ruth Ann still attend.

The worst thing ever to happen to Don was the loss of a grandchild.  The best thing is Ruth Ann.  From these things, he has learned to just keep going.

Don would like to be remembered as a man who loved his family.  He feels he is leaving a legacy of proving that hard work pays.

His favorite poets are Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson.  His long-term favorite TV show is Wheel of Fortune.  He loves the 23rd Psalm.

He recalls a practical joke he played on a friend once.  It was the first of May, so Don got a big basket, went and filled it full of cow chips, put it outside the friend's door, knocked and yelled, "May basket!"  The friend yanked the door open to run out, fell over the basket and into its contents.  I asked, "Were they dry cow chips?" and Don answered with a grin, "Some of them were."  Oh, my.

I asked how he was punished as a child, at home and at school.  He said his parents believed in "Spare the rod and spoil the child!"

Nicknames Don has had include Wild Bill, and since his full name is Don Ulysses Hickok, DUH.  (I didn't realize that had been around so long!)

The best pet he ever had was a little black puppy named Buttons.  A little girl came into the store carrying the tiny puppy, and asked him if he would like to have it.  He said he couldn't take her puppy, and she said, "Oh, please take him.  My daddy said if I can't get anybody to take him, he's going to drown him!"  So Buttons became a member of the Hickok family.

Don loves roses, all colors of them.  He says he never gets depressed.  And the most important decision he feels he ever made was to get married.

Don's advice to 18-year-olds:  Now that you are driving, remember it is the most dangerous thing you will ever do!  You must drive for yourself and for the other guy.  Wear your seatbelt, and DON'T TEXT WHILE DRIVING!!

Don feels the smartest thing his parents ever did was to teach their kids to be self reliant.

I am always amazed at the lives our Grant County residents have lived, their resilience and their wisdom.  I love doing these stories!
                                                                                      www.JanetDamon.com

Today we start a new month - and what a wonderful month!  Time to move.  Find us HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12849.0)