Calendars and Cycles.
Not often, but often enough that some of us might have
noticed, the timing of Easter and Passover occur at the same time. Of course,
Passover actually means the Days of Unleavened Bread, but that includes the
Passover service. This year, from April 2-9, we will see the first of the seven
holy days. Quite often some folks have signs in their yards—He is RISEN! Yes,
and the Passover was the first sign that His sacrifice would ensure that those
who believed in Him would be passed over from eternal death. John 3:16 tells us
that whosoever believes in Him shall not die but have eternal life. At my age,
it is easy to see that many have died, but this is just the first death—not the
end of life in God’s kingdom. Death is not frightening now for some of us. It
is to be expected. But there is eternal life in God. Christ risen is a
beautiful reality! May our world soon see that they are living in His grace.
Caught my brother doing dishes this evening and told him to
just call back when he was finished. Doing dishes is not one of those jobs that
we want to put off after starting them. In the first place, the water loses its
heat. And who wants to put their hands in lukewarm dishwater? When asked how
things were going, he replied, “Just another day in Paradise!” Asked him where
he got that expression, but he could not even tell me. Just something he has
been saying for years. He and his one-eyed friend George have just about made
themselves a type of paradise by building up a workshop to make their rockers,
benches, and assorted woodshop goodies. Men need other men just as women need
other women. Lewis used to have a friend he called Okie (George was his real
name) and they got together and gossiped just like men always do. But the guy
didn’t wake up one day and Lewis lost his special gossip buddy. That was really
hard on him. His friend David was still around back then, but their
relationship was not as close. It just was not the same. Some of us can easily
relate no matter if we are men or women.
Recently my friend Roger told me that our class was having
its 60th reunion at the same week that Petrolia School was having
the 25th reunion for the new school. At first, it seemed like a good
idea to go, and then thinking about it made me change my mind. You see, getting
together with the Route 66 Group pretty much fills the gaps that resulted when
this old woman went to another school to finish the last three years of high
school. The only people that really matter to me from Petrolia who are still
alive are the ones that come to those get-togethers every four months. Most of
the group still look pretty much like they did when we were in school. And, to
tell the truth, personalities don’t seem to change that much over the years.
And the buildings where this old woman went to school are no longer in
existence. Only know of one classmate in this area from those years. Life is
strange.
Thompson has been hurting some and has needed a little bit
of extra medication and some petting. His arthritis hurts in his back legs.
Some of us know just how he feels. This weather has been a bit rough on the
joints when we try to get up—for him especially on a slick floor. Getting old
is not for sissies.
Noticed that the Dierer Ranch in Oklahoma was pointed out in
Washington DC as being a family-owned ranch that shows just what American beef
means to this nation. It feels good to know that we can buy meat that has been
grown here and processed here in America. Think that the new labeling is
something like Made in the US or Grown in America. Will have to pay attention
if the old woman can ever afford to buy beef again.
Have been praying that things work out for Max and Laisha
and that they know something by this Monday. They are hoping for base housing
so that if he is deployed to the Middle East, she will be safe on base. The
mess with the house they were going to buy is not a good situation, but it
seems these things happen. Guess that is why they have all the strings attached
to selling and buying houses. SO glad not to ever have had to deal with this.
Have lived here nearly 58 years now. Just paying the taxes and the house
insurance is enough of a stressor. And no, it is not likely that Texas will
ever do away with property taxes no matter what is in the political wind. Meanwhile,
my friend Carol in Odessa needs someone to mow her weeds and cannot find anyone
who will actually show up. Sad, just sad. If we did not have Blake to keep the
grass and weeds down, we would be part of the burn ban problems!
Well, time to remind myself and others that gratitude is the
best attitude. We can praise God for all that He has given us each day. We are
so very blessed.
Rest well, my friends. You are loved.
Added note: Thinking before coffee and shower this morning about what got posted late last night. So, to clarify before someone gets hurt feelings: The ones from Petrolia that still matter to me include the ones seen on FB. Maggie Sewell, Olga Weruk Rosinbaum and her goat herding daughter Kim Rosinbaum Goolsby, matter, as do several others like Beverly Fuhrman, Gilda Bird, and others who were close to me in age. No way can this old woman say that these don't matter, because they do. But keeping up with folks on FB makes me feel as if they are seen here regularly. They are all loved and appreciated.
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