AN EASIER WAY!

In the fall of the year there is the task of raking the leaves up and disposing them in a landfill. This job I wrote about in earlier writings and thought we had a slick way of doing it with our equipment, but one fall I noticed our neighbor starting after we started and ending before we got ours done and bagged to take to the dump. He was completely finished and no bags to dump. Yes, they had a tractor that pulverized the leaves and they remained to fertilize the lawn. Since our "slick" way was getting harder and harder each year as we were getting older, I thought this truly was a much easier way. Over winter, the thought eluded my memory. I had been in the hospital a lot and my husband was helping me with the housework this particular day. He was shaking out a rug and noticed that our neighbor was putting a sale sign on his tractor. He told me that he thought they were selling their tractor. Our neighbor had just walked in the house and his phone was ringing. Yes, it was for sale and I told him that we were quite interested. We went over to discuss the price and bought it within a half hour. Our neighbor said it was the quickest he had ever sold anything. Now to top it all off, we had transferred the exact amount of money into our checking account to cover the tractor a few days earlier. Just one more sign that it was a right decision for us at this time in our life. Thought--Since we didn't know how many years we would be able to do our own yard work, we didn't think buying a new tractor would be wise, but getting a fairly new used tractor was just perfect. God knows our needs and supplies those needs before we ask. PTL!

UNFORGETABLE ER EXPERIENCE!

Last posting I wrote about Macrobid medicine and how I felt that it is a "WICKED" drug and should be off the market. This particular ER visit was right after the Urolgist nurse informed me that I was highly allergic to Macrobid medicine. I had all the side effects of Macrobid medication and had gone to the hospital ER that my Urologist worked from. He did not make hospital calls at the previous hospital that I spoke about in my previous writings. Bad decision on my part. The personel was fine at the new hospital but as things proceeded, I found out that this hospital had a different set of rules/codes. Since I had not had any problems from my other ER experiences, I was appalled at what happened this night. After they determined that I was dehydrated and could not drink/swallow or take my pills, they told me that I was going to be admitted. They had only given me a 1/2 bag of liquid in the ER even though I could not keep any liquids down for 3 days. I questioned this, and they said it was doctors orders. My family (husband and daughter) decided to go on home knowing that I was being admitted. No sooner than they had left two doctors from the hospital came into my room. Their purpose was to persuade me togo home and not be admitted afterall. Mind you that I could not swallow no more than a tablespoonful of water (if that). One doctor squatted down and told me that I could NOT AFFORD to be admitted. He said it was way TOO EXPENSIVE and that I did not want to be admitted. I listened and did not say anything since I had no problem prior to my visits at the other hospital and knowing I had Medicare and supplemental insurance to cover what Medicare didn't pay. Then the other doctor started in and told me that I did not want to be admitted because there were sick people in there and GERMS ALL OVER THE HOSPITAL. Again, I just listened. You do have to be rather stupid not to know that SICK people are in the hospital and possibly MAY have a few germs. Isn't that where sick people go? Since I didn't respond to any of their attempts to presuade me to go home, they asked me if I had anybody to come pick me up? This is when I responded and told them that I was not about to call my aged husband back up to pick me up after they just informed me that I was being admitted. I told them that he didn't drive well at night and he would also be ANGRY since the last he knew I was being admitted. Just as I was explaining this to them, the door opened and a couple nurses entered with a wheel chair to take me up to my room. Which by the way, my Urologist said that I could either be admitted or go to ER. We opted ER since we would have immediate attention to my problem. The nurse saw these two doctors and I could tell she was a bit frustrated. One of the doctors said, "OH! I SEE YOU ARE BEING ADMITTED!! The nurse than said, "This patient can't keep water down on her stomach and take her medication and SHE IS BEING ADMITTED." When I got to my room they hooked me up to IV and settled me in. The next day I found out that I had not been admitted afterall. STRANGE! Here I was in a bed and everybody told me I was admitted and then they told me I wasn't. What kind of system is this hospital running? My questions to all of this is---Where did these doctors get their training? Was it the same school that Dr. Kervorkian went to? Did they not take an oath to preserve life? Is this kind of treatment what we can expect in the years to come under the new Obama care? Thought--In my mind, had I gone home without drink and fluids, I would have died. Maybe they were thinking that I had lived long enough and they determined this was the end. This certainly was not the feeling I got from the other hospital in the same city. I felt they CARED. MAKE SURE THE HOSPITAL YOU SELECT HAS THE PATIENT'S INTEREST AT HEART AND NOT THEIR POCKETBOOK!

MACROBID, NITROFURA MONO

This past year hasn't been a pleasant experience. After 5 trips and 5 hospital stays, I found out what my problem was. Each time I went in to ER I had the same symptoms. During the day I felt great, other than I had developed an urinary infection. Each time I was prescribed antibiotics to get over the infection. Unbeknown to me or any of the doctors, I was allergic to these pills. These particular strains of antibiotic are "WICKED". I would not recommend taking these under any circumstance. It makes one think they are having a heart attack. Chest hurts, hoarseness, fever, glands swell up, fever and totally sick. After going through all the heart related tests, I was keenly aware that this wasn't what my problem was. Finally, the last trip, I was told by the Urologists nurse that I was allergic to the medicine. I thought, if I was allergic that day, I was allergic each time I would take the antibiotic. All the dots lined up and after checking with the pharmacy records, each day I purchased this antibiotic, I would enter ER a couple hours later.

Macro bid comes in different names, but basically the same medicine. I am putting this on my blog so others will be aware of the hazards. Keep records of your medicines that you take and the effects they have.

MAGGIE--OUR CAIRN TERRIOR

Pets have a special place in one's life and they soon touch your heartstrings. Maggie was just that kind of a pet. She was our daughter's family dog and passed away this week. We would keep her at our house when they needed to be gone for awhile. Maggie would come bouncing in like she was so glad to see you. She would wait by the bedroom door for a early morning greeting. Maggie gave unconditional love to the family. I guess that is why God created dogs. No matter what, Maggie would always have a wagging tail to say, "I love you". A person could be down and Maggie could lift your spirits. Her presence is gone, but the memories that she gave to their family, and extended family will always be cherished.

When Maggie was less than a year old she nearly died, and we went to see her at the dog hospital. She was so sick that she could hardly stand up, but she knew we were there and I'm sure this helped her get well.

Another time, we stopped by to see our daughter and she wasn't home, and I told our granddaughter we would drop back. As we were parking, my husband saw the dog catcher go by their home. We left immediately and turned the corner and there was the dog catcher with "Our Maggie" under his arms. I jumped out and said, "Maggie, is that you?" The dog catcher let her down and she pitter pattered home. I said, "Maggie you sure got yourself into some hot water now". She didn't have her dog tag on and our granddaughter showed the dog catcher her tag. Whew! That was a close call! Maggie was playing in the neighbor's back yard with their dog and found a hole in the fence and got out.

Maggie had quite the personality, and could cause one to laugh at her antics. She will be missed. I believe that God will have our pets in heaven waiting for us, as He so loves us and wants us to be happy. So Maggie, greet us when we get there!

IT'S NEVER WRONG TO DO THE RIGHT THING!

Since Thanksgiving, I have managed to go back to the hospital. Not exactly where I would have wanted to be, but it is good to be there when you become sick. I'm back home and recuperating. Hopefully, I won't have to return for awhile. A few days before I came home, I was walking the halls to build up my strength for returning home, and I looked down and saw an object on the floor. I picked it up and it appeared to be a diamond earring. It was set in an old fashioned setting and looked to be real. My nurse when I came back asked me how my walk went. I told her about the diamond and let her look at it. She also, thought it to be authentic diamond in an old setting. I gave it to her to turn into lost and found. If it was truly an heirloom diamond, the owner would be crushed to lose it, as it would have sentimental memories as well worth some money. Hopefully, the earring will be returned to the rightful owner. A nice Christmas present if this proves out to be the case.

Wisdom--It's never wrong to do the right thing.

WHERE ARE THE GROCERIES?

They claim that groceries are going up in price. Well, yesterday I went to get groceries and purchased $80+ worth and came home and put them all away. I thought that we sure didn't get many groceries for $80. Toward evening, my husband asked me if I knew where the paper towels went that we just purchased. No paper towels were anywhere to be found. I tried to find my grocery list and couldn't find the list to see if we had paid for the paper towels. Today, the list showed up in my husband's jacket pocket. He has been helping a lot with things since I have been recuperating from my hospital stay. I proceeded to check out the list and would you believe that not only did we not have the paper towels that we purchased, but there was ice cream, sausage patties, canned goods, 2 loaves of bread, 10 # bag of potatoes, 2 frozen vegetables, Hamburger Helper all were unaccounted for. Now what to do? This is rather strange. No wonder I thought groceries have really gone up and hardly anything to show for my purchase.

We decided to go back and speak to the the manager and tell them about our missing groceries that we had paid for. A gal was ahead of us with a grocery cart at the office. After she left I went up and told the lady that I certainly had quite a bit of groceries that I didn't get and paid for. I had no more told her this, and I turned around and the grocery cart was still sitting there. (This cart, I thought belonged to the gal just ahead of me in line at grocery store's office.) Would you believe it, it looked like all the groceries that I had marked on my list that was missing. I told the office lady, you know what, I think these are my missing groceries. She came out and sure enough everything that I had marked was in the shopping cart. Of course, the ice cream was melted, along with unrefrigerated sausage, etc. Mystery was solved so quickly and corrected. I had nothing to prove that I did not receive these items and was certainly glad that it was that easy to rectify.

Thought--I think that groceries are going up rapidly as our government devalues the dollar.
This, and many other necessities of life one will see rise rapidly. Will the government ever learn? It doesn't seem to me that they will.

ANGELS OF MERCY!

This past week was not one that I was over joyed with, but everyone has a down time once in awhile. Yes, I landed in the hospital and 2 1/2 days later, I was dismissed. Well, not for long, because I landed back in the hospital yet that same day, in the ER. I'm better, but hopefully I will try to stay out of the hospital. One week is enough of hospital life.



With that said, I had only positive interaction with the nurses/staff at the hospital. Hats off to these "Angels of Mercy". Most of these nurses work 12 hour shifts, greet you with a smile and helpful hands. I can't say enough about their abilities and hard work. Also, I had 2 priceless student nurses that will be their future nurses. The Nursing profession is truly a calling and the ones that I interacted with, held the standard HIGH. Sometimes, we over-look those that do other tasks. For example, one's that draw blood. My veins are really hard to get blood from, since they roll and don't want to get stuck. This one lady came in and drew 4 large bottles of blood. They had be drawn from 2 different arms each time. Each time, and each day she did her job efficiently and no pain. Sometimes, these people get unnoticed but she was truly good in her field.

The food could be improved a bit. They could get some of Paula Dean's recipes and then the food would be more to my liking. I might not make it out of the hospital, but I would die happily!

Thought--The scripture states in Romans 8:28--"And we know that all things God works for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." No God didn't cause my illness, but can take that situation and turn it around for "good".

YESTERDAY'S EXPLOSION!

Yesterday was just an ordinary day but something happened during our eating supper that was quite a surprise to both my husband and myself. We eat lightly in the evening so we were eating a sandwich, fruit and a glass of cold water. Nothing could have foreseen this event coming, but I was lightly holding my glass of water with my hand, when all of a sudden the glass of water exploded in my hand. The glass disintegrated in little pieces. Thank heavens, I was not drinking at the time, because some of the tiny pieces could have hit my eyes. Why this happened, I do not know. My husband was astounded at what just took place. The glass was a very sturdy heavy glass and no cracks in it. Let me know if you have an idea regarding this. It was just cold water from the refrigerator, no ice in the glass. My warm hands were wrapped around the glass but I was not picking up the glass at the time.

Thought--The thought came to me that this is exactly the way that Christ will rapture the Church. Things will be going along perfectly normal and suddenly, without warning, Christ will Rapture the Church. I Corinthians 15:51-52 it states "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."
It employs us to remain faithful because we do not know the hour that Christ will return. Read Mathew 24:36-51. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." The question is--WILL YOU BE READY?

THE CASE OF THE LOST GLASSES!!!!

When you look at world events, losing ones glasses is small potatoes, but to the one that can't see, it still rates up there pretty high.

The other day, my husband lost his glasses. I was busy with doing volunteer work for our daughter to get ready for her teaching school in a few weeks. I had the dining room table all loaded down with these papers I was sorting out, so when she needs a certain paper they will be in order to pass out (years supply).

My husband was reading close by and using the remainder space of the table to sort out his stuff.
Which really was very little space left.

Later, toward evening, he announced that he couldn't find his glasses. I was still on this task for the day so that it would be completed and forgotten about. He retraced his steps and searched and searched in all the obvious places and those not so obvious. He couldn't find them and so I got involved and tried to solve the mystery. We looked in the yard, back yard, garbage, chairs, davenport, under the furniture and everywhere that was conceivable where these glasses could have gone. No glasses were to be found anywhere and even places that you wouldn't look unless you were desperate and didn't know where else to look. Still no glasses.

The thought came to me that God knew where they had gone, so why not ask Him to help us find them. We had gone out to eat with our neighbors for lunch, but he was sure he had them when he came back and was reading. So we were sure that they had to be somewhere around the house or yard.

When we got back from lunch with our friends, it was warm in the house and I slipped my outer blouse off and placed them over the chair like you would do with a jacket. I wanted to get back to the job at hand.

I finally completed the project about 6 PM and called Mary to meet us half way and she could take them to her school the next day.

Before I left, I tidied up the table, and noticed the blouse placed on the back of the chair. I proceeded to remove it to the clothes hamper and something dropped out of the blouse to the floor. Yes, the infamous glasses!!! They had to have fallen in the cuff of the blouse because there were no pockets to the blouse. Duh! I should have asked God sooner.

Thought--I wonder how many times we worry, stew, wring our hands, and the answer is no closer than God's word. If we would only learn to ask God to help, we could eliminate a lot of time, trouble and worries.

GRANDDAUGHTER MOVED!

This past weekend we went to Michigan to help our granddaughter move to a rented home. They have their condo rented to a couple doctors and now in a rented house with a large yard for the kids to play in.

I need to clarify this helping move bit. We just observed everyone move their furniture. The most we did was supply lunch for the workers and unpack her kitchen supplies and organize the kitchen area.

It will take some getting used to for our granddaughter, as it is an older home and not up to the most modern equipment. For me however, it would seem luxurious compared to our old farm house on the farm when I was growing up.

It was a fun weekend even with the work involved.

Last night we went to a concert and it was 2 1/2 hours of pure enjoyment.

Thought--When everyone does a little, that LITTLE becomes MUCH when everyone does something for a greater cause. This is called TEAMWORK! Without teamwork, it doesn't function like it should.

JUST COMING BACK FROM CLOUD NINE!

What can I say after a celebration fit for a "King and Queen"! We had a relaxing and great time in Florida (compliments of our daughters and our sons-in-law). We had a picturesque view at the Wyndam Condo from the balcony. Flight down and back was stress free, since our grandson and family helped ease the stress.

Well, let me tell you that there were more in store after we arrived home. On Sunday, our kids recreated our "first date"! Our first date was to see the stage play "Showboat" at Purdue University. Our kids rented a theater (an old theater that they converted to classic movies) and our family enjoyed the movie Showboat that debuted one year after the stage play we saw in 1950. They had trail mix, candy, cold drink and computer DVD hooked up to a laptop to view a tape that one of our granddaughters had put together. It was professionally done and was such a nostalgic addition to our 60Th Wedding Anniversary! A dozen red roses were presented to us from one of our granddaughters skills in arranging.

If that wasn't enough, they went back to one of our daughters home, to reenact Steak n Shake dinner with family. This was a regular event on our dates. In 1950, Steak n Shake was the only fast food place around. One of our granddaughters was at the door dressed up in a Steak n Shake hat, apron and the works! The home was decorated with Steak n Shake decor along with tables set up for the entire family!

We truly have been blessed with such a loving family and a great 60 years together. Good health, and just enough down time, to make us humble and very appreciative of all of God's blessings here on earth.

Our 25Th they had a dinner party at our friends house. Our 40Th the family all went to a nice restaurant. Our 50Th they had a bash with friends and family. Our 60Th was described above. They really will have to get their creative juices going for our 70Th!!

All of our family made a special effort to attend. Most of them came in time to go to church with us, and off to my sister's home for a quick "tide us over" lunch and then off to see "Showboat".

We thank each and every one of you for coming and making "our day" so memorable! It truly was one that we will cherish.

Had we known when we were dating, that our dating days would be recreated, we would have gone to Lobster and Steak dinners after our dates! That would really have set them back a bit.

Thought--Our 4 beautiful great granchildren were all there and what more can a couple ask for in life!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

MY HUMBLE APOLOGY!

Yesterday our president signed into law a HUGE health care bill. While we were going to the doctors this month, I inquired to what they thought of this bill. I couldn't find any doctors/nurses that were wanting this bill to pass. My sister's doctor stated that he would quit medicine if it passed. Some type of reform was needed, but should not have been taken over by the government to manage.

I have stated previously what "BIG" government does to a nation, a people, and the future generations. My mind is firm on this. Less government = more freedom. Big government = less freedom. Our nations freedom came at a great COST for many of our forefathers. We should not take their sacrifices for granted.

I'm taking this time to apologize to my grandchildren, great grandchildren and those yet to be born, that we have lost freedom for them and heaped on their shoulders debt that they will never get out from under. With that said, it will be extremely hard for them to make ends meet, feed and clothe their families. I believed that each generation should be responsible for debts that they incur. I really am sorry and apologize to what passing this bill has done to those that come after us.

Wisdom--When one spends more that one makes whether it be individually, business, or government, one can expect bankruptcy. Social Security, medicare, medicaid are facing bankruptcy. States are facing bankruptcy. You think that our government will not lead us right into bankruptcy, as well!!!

BUSY, BUSY, WEEK!

This week has been filled to the brim. Appointments with doctors, getting preparation work done prior to a new counter top in our bathroom. When we made the doctor appointments, I didn't know that so many things were jelling on the same week.

March seems to be a good time to get our yearly checkups at the doctors we go to. We figure that snow and ice surely is behind us. Little did I know that all the work needed to get done in our bathroom was culminating this week, also.

I can't wait until the bathroom is completed. Hopefully, all the inconveniences that it takes to install a new counter top, fixtures, lighting, and painting, will be worth it.

Thought--My husband had an echo at the doctor's office today. Things looked about the same.
Very thankful for the health God has given us through the years. PTL.

MAGGIE--PERHAPS YOU COULD QUALIFY!

I received a printout from a friend today. I thought it was so right. This is what it said--

Entitled-- My Dog

I went down this morning to sign my dog up for welfare. At first the lady said,Dogs are not eligible to draw welfare. So I explained to her that my Dog is unemployed, lazy, can't speak English and has no clue who his Daddy is. So she looked in her policy book to see what it takes to qualify. My dog gets his first check Friday. Is this a great country or what?

This truly is funny, if it wasn't so the way our government is operating these days. Rewarding the wrong people. Yes, and it seems like all the media goes right along with such idiotic kind of mentality. Our poor grandchildren, they will look back on their forefathers and wonder what kind of crazy ancestors that let this country get everyone in debt so that everyone is as poor as a church mouse. Spend, spend, spend is all Washington bureaucrats can think of. Somebody will pay dearly for this reckless spending. Bankruptcy comes to my mind.

SNOW AND MORE SNOW!

Winter seems to want to stay with us a little longer. The snow blower comes in mighty handy when there is snow on the driveway. The recyclables and garbage had to be put out and hence the driveway needed the snow to be gone.

My husband has been taking medicine to regulate his blood. When he has too thin of blood count, he could bleed internally should he fall. Too thick of blood he might have a stroke. Either way, it isn't good. He doesn't like that I use the snow blower, but I am a safer bet than he is on the ice. He has to get it started, and then I take over and blow the snow off of the driveway. We have had some mighty caring neighbors that has helped, also.

Our grandson purchased a new laptop for me and this is the first time I have gotten on to type with it. It has all the "bells and whistles" to it, so it will be sometime before I catch on to all of them. My old one was so SLOW that a new one was the way t0 go.

We have been checking into getting a new bathroom counter top. We have stripped the wallpaper off and hope to get all done before warm weather. We are rather SLOW like our old computer! Maybe we need to be traded in for a new models! Do you think?

SIX WEEKS TIL SPRING!

I'm so glad that we have four seasons. I wonder if I would ever tire of just perfect weather all of the time. In the spring, I think it will be nice to have summer and fresh vegetables and fruits. When summer comes and hangs around too long, I long for the cooler days of fall. The fall leaves turn their blazing colors and oh my, how beautiful! Then there is winter. I can't think about what it would be like without a little snow at Christmas. That would be rather weird. But of all the seasons, I like winter the least. If one could stay indoors and not have to go out to get groceries, go to the doctor, etc. then winter wouldn't be quite as bad.

The ground hog saw his shadow and they claim we have six more weeks of winter. It will be nice to see the green grass and smell the fresh earth again.

A snowy winter that comes to my mind is when I was going to work and it was extremely icy, and snowing. Since I was running late, I was really trying to step up the pace for fear I would be late. Didn't want any nasty looks staring at me (believe me there were a few). The firemen had just finished washing the firetrucks. With the ice that already was on the sidewalk, fresh water on top, and snowflakes on top of that, it was an accident just waiting to happen. Yes, I fell so quickly that I had hit my head before my body could catch up. That was the closest I had ever came to being knocked out. Yes, there were stars that were dancing around my head. Due to this fall, I walked around about six weeks in what would be a daze or dizzy feeling. Yes, I had a mild concussion. During this same period of ice, a lady had gone out their back steps and fell and died due to the fall and ice. Maybe this is the reason, I have high respect for the ice and how it leave a terrific punch.

Oh you people in that perfect weather and environment, you just don't know what it is to have the best of all the world. Now who am I kidding! Right now I would change places with you. Spring is coming and hopefully soon.

LAURAINE SNELLING BOOKS!!

I'm not much of a reader, but Lauraine Snelling books are addictive and they are hard to put down. Since November, I am on my 10Th book that she has written. The series that have such a hold of my attention are the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH (6 books) and RETURN TO RED RIVER (3 books) and now I am reading DAUGHTER OF BLESSINGS SERIES (4 books).

Red River of the North
1. Untamed land
2. New Day Rising
3. Land to Call Home
4. Reaper's Song
5. Tender Mercies
6. Blessing in Disguise

Return to Red River
1. Dream to Follow
2. Believing the Dream
3. More than a Dream

Daughters of Blessing
1. Promise for Ellie
2. Sophie's Dilemma
3. A Touch of Grace
4. Rebecca's Reward

These are Christian Fiction books about the trials that our Forefathers that Homesteaded near the Red River in South Dakota. Very factual and depicting the trials and hardships that our ancestors encountered as they came over from Norway.

I dare say, that if you don't shed a tear reading these books, you are "one hardened dude"!

Thought--Sometimes scripture comes alive when it is put in the context of everyday trials. The author of these books has just this ability to convey to us the meaning of scripture as it applies to our everyday living. I hope you check these out at the library and in the order in which I have listed so you can get the total picture of this family and our founding fathers trials.

SPELL-CHECK!!

This is what I ran across this week and I thought it was worth passing on. Most people use spell-check to check out some of the things that you have typed. I don't know who wrote it but thought it was the way it is!

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strke a key and type a word
And weight four it tow say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea every wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weight
My chequer tolled me sew.

Have a good day!

THE CASE OF GIGGLES!

Recalling some of my childhood memories centered around the family at the table.

It seemed that I had a full blown case of the "giggles" at the table on this occasion. Every time I looked at my sister, we would burst out laughing. What we were laughing about, is totally unknown. It got so bad, that our father told us we had to leave the table. They separated us so we could get over what was so funny. They put my sister in the "wash room" (actually today, it would be the bathroom, absent of a tub). They put me in the family room. There was only one problem with this plan, we still was able to see each other. I don't remember whether we ate supper that night or not, since we kept on laughing.

Another memory was when my mother served round steak. Now round steak needs to be chewed up quite well, since the pieces seem to cling together. This particular day, I jumped up from the table, I couldn't say a word. I ran into the family room. I was totally choking on this beef steak in my throat. My father apparently knew what was the matter, and followed me into the family room. He reached in my throat with his long finger and pulled out the steak. If you have had an experience of choking, you will never forget it. I have had a few times that I couldn't get my breath for some reason or another. It totally freaks you out! My dad saved my life that day!

My mother loved to cook and we lacked nothing in the way of food. She was a very good cook and prided herself in her ability. However, when you are young, you sometimes don't appreciate everything that seems to be on your plate. One of the rules at our house, if you take it, you must eat it. There was a shelf under our kitchen table, that was there to add support for the table.
This little shelf was the ideal place to store anything that one didn't want to eat. You had to eat everything, since there were starving children in the world. We were discovered when the table was moved and the contents of the shelf shifted a bit. Out came the uneaten roll, etc. onto the floor.

During the month of August, I didn't care what we had to eat as long as there were roasting ears of corn and sliced tomatoes to eat. This food memory lingers on and I still love corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes.

Since my dad's family came over from Germany/Switzerland, we had hot German Potato salad a lot. To this day, I do love potatoes fixed this way.

Thought--Our granddaughter (actually our grandson's wife) told me one day that she noticed that I like all kinds of food. I guess it all stemmed from eating up all that was on my plate.
We ate what was served, and there were no exceptions to the rule. Of course, my mother would try to cook the dishes that all of us liked. But once these dishes were on the table, we couldn't order special favors to be served to us. Hence, I learned to like what was set before me.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED?

The other day I was wondering about a person's mind and memory. Some people have an inborn memory system, and others seem not to have this as much. What brought it to my mind was that my cousin's husband passed away this week and I had mentioned this to our younger daughter. She said, that she didn't know that I had a cousin living in our town. She had met her at my sister's home one time for lunch. Also, we had gone to see this cousin's brother at his beautiful home in her city one time when another cousin came to visit. She couldn't remember ever going inside of this house. I remember her saying to them (as she had to leave early) "How do you get out of this house?" It was very large new home and beautiful backed up to the country club golf course. She couldn't remember going there. I guess her mind is clogged up with other things. I think she vaguely remembered later.

It got me to thinking about how God has created us. Our memory and mind is like a computer and we can instantly bring up things in our mind with clarity, vividly, and emotions are remembered, things that happened years and years ago, as well as things that happened just yesterday. Don't you think that is amazing? God's computers have been at it for generations. Some of them, like this computer I am typing on today, run rather slowly at times, just like some memories are hard to bring up by some people. With a little jogging of their minds, they do remember.

It does seem like our family has had little trouble remembering events of the past. My brother could tell you what he had for lunch and where they stopped on a specific vacation and town and county the town was in. My cousin that lived in Florida had just such an unusual memory.

Wisdom--It is wise to remember the good times, but lay aside those things that are hurtful, painful and causes us to have an unforgiving spirit within us. These can only damage ourselves if we think about these things and dwell on these for long.