Medical Myths

Oh the relief! I just read an article titled "7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe." Of the seven, the one which relieved a lifetime of anxiety is the one about drinking eight glasses of water per day. All my life I have lived in fear that I was going to dry up and die an early death since I fall extremely short of this goal. After reading this article and finding that other liquids, even those in food, count toward this goal, I can put this fear to rest. I may print copies of it to hand out to those who point out my lack of water drinking to me. Oh, yeah!!!!

But the myth that concerns me the most is about using only ten percent of the brain. If I am using all of my brain, then that may not be a good thing. The percentage thing served as a good excuse sometimes for poor thinking! Oh well.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone lots of love this wonderful season of the year.

Holiday Eating Tips

These holiday eating tips came in my email and are just too cute:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an "eggnog-aholic" or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!!!! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips: start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

O Christmas Tree

My Christmas tree with all it's special ornaments. Most of them have a memory of some event or person and have been collected thru the years. Christmas is my favorite time of year.

Michelle and Ben got married in front of the tree this afternoon.

My Christmas Present

Almost every year since Keith died and the kids grew up and left the nest, I have treated myself to a nice Christmas present. Last weekend I was introduced to Ariat Fat Baby Boots at a Christmas party. It has been several years since I have worn boots. Since the calves of my legs expanded, along with the rest of my pleasingly plump body, to be exact. So I was excited to see that somebody finally made a cowgirl boot for those of us who have grown out instead of up. The discovery of these boots happened at an opportune time since I hosted a western wedding in my home this afternoon. So in honor of the wedding and also in honor of my love of boots, I made a trip to one of the local western stores yesterday. The pictures below show my stylish Santa gift to myself for this season. I just may wear them to church in the morning.

A Letter From God

This is one of the best emails I have gotten in a while. Put on your steel-toed boots and read it. It will step on your toes for sure.


Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime, how I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love; and remember:

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

The Reason

An Apt Bumper Sticker for Thanksgiving Meals

Is There Anybody Who Has Not Seen This Yet?

Theodore Roosevelt - 1907

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Why I Love Thanksgiving

Three Holy Men and a Bear

A priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and a rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop. One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another, and they decided to do an experiment. They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it.

Seven days later, they all came together to discuss their experience. Father Flannery, who had his arm in a sling, was on crutches, and had various bandages on his body and limbs, went first. "Well," he said, "I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and he became as gentle as a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation."

Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, had one arm and both legs in casts, and had an IV drip. In his best fire-and-brimstone oratory, he claimed, "WELL, brothers, you KNOW that we don't sprinkle! I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle. We wrestled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quickly DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus."

The priest and the reverend both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IVs and monitors running in and out of him. He was in really bad shape. The Rabbi looked up and said, "Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start."

Amazing Picture

This amazing picture was sent to me on email with a comment about God smiling. Isn't it amazing that the photographer caught this shot at just the right time? I would love to be able to capture pictures like this. Maybe in my next life! Or maybe when I retire photography could become my hobby. I think I might have an "eye" for it if I just had time to slow down and catch the right moments. Another thing I would like is to photograph old buildings, barns and churches. I would love to be able to afford to travel and shoot pictures. Guess I need lessons on operating these new-fangled digital cameras since all I know is the automatic setting, shoot and hope for the best. Is there a book out there called "Photography for Dummies?"

Scary Thought

Today's National Debt: $9,086,552,278,161.40

Your Share: $29,957.73

Adventures in a New Enterprise

I think I ran out of steam after posting all that stuff about my trip to see the kids. Today has been a beautiful day which lifted my spirits considerably. God is so good and I love it when He shines thru on a day like today. I love to see the sun shining thru the trees in my yard.

I embarked on a new enterprise today - flea marketing. A friend and I are renting a booth in a flea market-antique shop so we got up at an ungodly hour this morning and started on the yard sale circuit. This was an entirely new experience for me. It seems totally sacrilegious to me to get up before daylight on the one day a week made for sleeping in. But get up we did and by 10:00 I was totally worn out and ready for a hearty breakfast at the Waff-L-In. Those eggs and bacon were just what we needed to perk us up and get us started on a second round. By the time I got home sometime after noon and got the car unloaded, I was ready for a major collapse. Now cleaning and pricing will start. Ya'll all come in downtown, check out all the goods and, above all-----BUY SOMETHING! I'm trying to finance another trip to see those beautiful granddaughters.

The View from My Chair

A nice cozy fire in the heater on a cool, damp night, curled up in my chair with a book and Grey's Anatomy. What more could a girl want?

Seasons of the Little Susitna River

This is the Little Susitna River when I was in Alaska in September and the same river this past weekend, about six weeks later. Glad I was there for the babbling brook time instead of the about frozen time!

Thanks

Thanks Shelley, K.T., Lou and everyone else who left comments either here or in person. It was the trip of a lifetime for me and I have really enjoyed posting pics and writing about it. I hope to go back again and take time to really enjoy some of the places instead of trying to see them all in one trip. Most of my life I have been a real homebody but this gave me the travel bug. Just need the purse to go with it. LOL Hope everyone enjoyed the pictures.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

The dreaded day came that I had to say goodbye and come back home. It was no easier this time than when they left in June. My heart felt like lead in my chest as I packed my bags for the return flight. But I had to put on a happy face for the girls and I missed my friends and family back home. Oh to be retired and wealthy enough to fly back and forth at will.

I wanted some pictures of the girls before I left but Lilly had already had enough picture taking to do her for quite a while. Abby was cooperating to the fullest and trying her best to get Lilly posed. We got three or four quick shots and then off we went for one last adventure.

Yes, go cart riding!!! Abby had waited for this since the first day I landed in Alaska. One of the first things she told me was "Mamma, you and me are going to ride go carts." It was utterly wonderful to speed around the track as fast as that little whoopie would go.....until the time came to get my overweight short self with bad knees out of that contraption. Thank goodness we have no pictures of that! Oh, the fun of grandchildren!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

By John Denver
All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go.

I'm standing here outside your door,

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.

But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn.

The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn,

Already I'm so lonesome I could cry.

So kiss me and smile for me,

Tell me that you'll wait for me,

Hold me like you'll never let me go.

Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane

Don't know when I'll be back again -

Oh Babe, I hate to go.

Mike's Work Places

This is the view Mike has on his way to work at the clinic in Palmer. Almost as good as Old Dermott Highway on my way to work wouldn't you say?

The physical therapy clinic is nestled in a cozy corner of an L-shaped center. We all met Mike for lunch at the Palmer Taco Bell. Not everything is caribou or halibut.

On Wednesday Mike was hard at work at the radio station in Houston. That is Houston, Alaska not Texas. Believe me there is a big difference.

This is the radio station in the Houston/Big Lake area. The equipment looked as complicated as a jets instrument panel to me. It would take me forever to learn what all those buttons and slides do. We got to hear a little of Mike's broadcasting over the airwaves. He's pretty good at it already. I'm proud of my son-in-law and his abilities. He's a keeper!

Talkeetna

"Talkeetna, a quaint little drinking town with a climbing, fishing, and tourist problem." "The core downtown area is classified as a National Historic site, with many buildings dating from the early 1900's. Several, including Nagleys General Store, Fairview Inn and The Roadhouse still operating as they did over 80 years ago."

The Roadhouse

Fairview Inn

Nagley's Store

An Early Trader's Home

Historic Trapper's Cabin

Interior of Trapper's Cabin

Talkeetna Airport

West Rib Pub and Cafe (Supper was delicious)

Some of us got kissed by a moose.

A Good Quote

I love the quote for today:

Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.
Charles Bukowski

Maybe I love it because I go a bit crazy every now and then.

Mt. McKinley

One of our daytrips included a sighting of Mt. McKinley or Denali as it is known by the residents of Alaska. Denali means "the high one" which it certainly is. I found an interesting link here with some pictures and lots of information about Alaska and the peak. The first picture below was our first sighting of Denali which literally made me suck in my breath. (This picture is not zoomed but some of them are).

We were about 130 t0 140 miles away in these pictures.

Magnificent!

Literally breathtaking.

Kristy and Mike had no idea how much the mountains affected me. I have always had a love for mountains which this visit stirred within me in an unexplainable way. I want to visit again and spend more time just sitting around on some of the mountain areas and basking in the glory of God's creation. I just know that my heavenly home will be the most beautiful log cabin perched on a wooded mountain with a trickling stream like the Little Susitna River flowing by.

Mike had to stop the car for me so many times on this trip for me to get out and make pictures. They were all so patient as I took time to gaze at every view. But as much as I fell in love with the mountains and streams the two pictures below are my real loves.

Seward Harbor

Once again we are loaded up and on the road again.

(I know you are singing it.)

Everyone gets to try on Mammaw's sunglasses even though there was not much sun shining.

We travel the Seward Highway Scenic Byway which is aptly named.

Seward Harbor - cruise ships can be seen in the background. The ships dock here and the tourist passengers travel on buses to Anchorage, Denali and other places of interest.

Flying underneath the low cloud cover was an eagle. (Not close enough for a good picture even though my camera was trying very hard.)

Lilly had the best mode of transportation.

Lots of quaint gift shops to catch the eye.

The Alaska Sealife Center was very interesting. We learned a lot about the Bering Sea and its inhabitants.

A Puffin

A bird (sorry, I forgot what kind).

A Sea Lion