June 16, 1967
We are not the same persons this year as last;
(or 50 years ago – me)
nor are those we love.
It is a happy chance if we,
changing,
continue to love a changed person.
W. Somerset Maugham
December 18, 2016
We do and we are thankful.
We have been abundantly blessed.
Years ago Grandma Hattie Ripley gave me two old quilts she had made. Just utility quilts one fabric front and back with two opposing ends covered to protect the quilt from face oils and drool. I loved these quilts, not that they were beautiful, though I thought so, but because Grandma made them and they smelled like Grandma’s house.
Hattie and Fred Ripley, my mother’s parents.
Yesterday while in our sea-crate, filling the cat box with liter, I noticed the floor seemed damp. Looking around to see if I could find the reason for the damp, I saw a 3 foot long fabric bag on the floor, wet and dirty. My heart sank when I opened the bag and saw Grandma’s quilts.
I took them to Aaron’s, dog/cat sitting this weekend.
Whispering a prayer, I washed and dried them one at a time.
This pink and grey flannel quilt came out in pretty good condition. It has always needed hand stitching repair to the ends. the backing is a heavy cream cotton.
This pink plaid with green end protectors (all flannel type fabrics) has always been my favorite, even though I had never seen it. The green/pink rose cotton floral, in the below picture, was used as a duvet cover. While putting the quilt in the dryer, it was just a wadded mess. So I pulled the cover off and shoved quilt and cover in the dryer. I love the way it cleaned up. I won’t put the cover back on. I’ll repair the ends coming loose.
I love it just like it is, clean and fresh, memories still intact.
And it is Stinger approved.
When you find an old blog, February 22, 2013,
and it makes your heart hurt with pride;
reposting is necessary.
In just five minutes. Tell me all about what your mama did that made her yours….
go
my mama took care
when we were small
mama took care of us
Mondays she washed our clothes
Tuesdays she ironed
Wednesdays she mended
I don’t remember if she had a special task for the other days
she once said, “I really enjoy caring for my family.’
dinner was ready the minute daddy came home
as we grew older she continued to care
a tape measure was taken to the thrift shop
to measure inseams and skirt lengths
accounting was kept for daddy’s business
as we grew older, still
she worked at home in the evenings
and in the public during the days
when she and dad owned motels,
business decisions were jointly made
she was an equal partner
when retirement came
she reaped for her labors
when Alzheimer came
she continued to care
I could not count the times I heard
‘I’m sorry.
I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me.
It is the Alzheimers that is causing the problem.
Let’s try again later.”
“We will take care of each other because we love each other.”
today cancer grows in the brother that lives with mama
yes, you’re right, she’s caring
my mama cares so much, it makes my heart ache with pride.
I love you, mama
stop
pictures added after 5 minute ding.
To bring up to date
today the brother’s cancer is in remission
yet she still cares
as he deals with the aftermath of treatment and surguries
my heart still aches with unending pride.
I will forever love you, mama.
Joining with Kate at Heading Home.
For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”
This week’s prompt –Cheer
GO
Today I’m cheering my first born son’s first born son, Alex.
My Alex and I.
Alex graduates next Tuesday from High School!
For some people studying is easy and learning a breeze,
Alex had to work hard. and it wasn’t easy.
Volleyball, now that came as second nature.
Beauty like ballet in action.
But teachers don’t grade on how well you play ball.
In fact, how well you study determines whether or not you play.
Alex had a struggle.
Alex overcame.
Alex graduates.
We will all cheer.
And probably shed some tears,
Coz, it doesn’t seem like he should be old enough to graduate yet.
Alex is in the middle.
He should still be young enough to tell a school secretary,
“I don’t have a grandma” when she told him I would be picking him up from school.
She said, “you know your daddy’s mom.”
He replied with much relief, ” Oh you mean my Grannie!”
GO! ALEX! GO!
STOP
We, Margaret and I, walked different roads for many years.
We found even on different roads, love is there.
Hard love is going the distance love.
it’s praying, crying, for the right words love.
its knowing the words will hurt, because the words are hurting you.
It’s writing the words,
repeating the words
living the words, doubting the words, coming back to the words.
It’s standing on the porch love,
it’s waiting love,
it’s struggling love,
it’s dark love without sometimes a glimmer of hope love
it’s preparing love
it is hoping against hope love
it is knowing that if you could read the last chapter of the story,
knowing all the tears, doubts, prayers, disappointments,
you would live the story anyway because hard love is worth it all.
especially from the porch you look down the road and see her coming home.
Velma Elisabeth Crain
January 15, 1913 – September 17, 2014
Summer, 2011
On September 17, about 6:00 pm, my husband’s mother passed away.
She was 101 years old. Until just two weeks ago,
she would start her day reading the Bible.
Her favorite song – His Eye is on the Sparrow.
‘Seeing God in All Things’ are words she lived by every day of her life.
Summer, 2011, Grandma making dried flower arrangements
to sell at the annual Garden Club flower show, Redding CA.
1 Samuel 3:15
It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.
“Give me a new idea,” I said,
While musing on a sleepless bed;
“A new idea that’ll bring to earth
A balm for souls of priceless worth;
That’ll give men thoughts of things above,
And teach them how to serve and love,
That’ll banish every selfish thought,
And rid men of the sins they’ve fought.”The new thought came, just how, I’ll tell:
‘Twas when on bended knee I fell,
And sought from HIM who knows full well,
The way our sorrow to expel.
SEE GOD IN ALL THINGS, great and small,
And give HIM praise whate’er befall,
On life or death, in pain or woe,
See God, and overcome the foe.I saw HIM in the morning light,
HE made the day shine clear and bright;
And gained from HIM refreshing shower,
AT eventide, when worn and sad,
HE gave me help, and made me glad.
AT midnight, when on tossing bed
My weary soul to sleep HE led.I saw HIM when great losses came,
And found HE loved me just the same,
When heavy loads I had to bear,
I found HE lightened every care.
By sickness, sorrow, sore distress,
HE calmed my mind and gave me rest.
HE’S filled my heart with gladsome praise
Since I gave HIM the upward gaze.‘Twas new to me, yet old to some,
This thought that to me has become
A revelation of the way
We all should live throughout the day;
For as each day unfolds its light,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
Life will, indeed, a blessing bring,
If we SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING.”~~A.E.Finn
I love her and already miss her.
On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.
10 Foods That Belong Together.
1. My very first thought was a favorite dessert of our family –
Chocolate cake with ‘bonilla icing with sprinkles and
‘bonilla ice cream with chocolate syrup ‘uppa top’
I almost went out and bought a chocolate cake, icing,
ice cream and syrup ( I have the sprinkles);
baked and frosted the cake;
then fixed me some dessert.
So I could show you how good this really is.
2. Ketchup and any type of hamburger
3. Spaghetti and Toasted Garlic bread
4. Summer and First of the season vegetables
(a previous year’s picture)
5. Frito Boats – Chili and Fritos
from Cooks.com Put two spoonfuls of heated chili in bowl.
Put a layer of Fritos on top of chili.
Put another of chili.
Add a layer of cheese.
Add a layer of lettuce and tomatoes if you want.
Top with a few more Fritos
6. Dark chocolate and almonds
7. Bacon and Tomatoes and Avocados
make a delicious BTA.
I like mine n rye bread with mustard.
8. the Farmer says ‘any veggies’ go in the juice
Drink it down—just think of it as medicine
9. Strawberry Shortcake –
We take fresh out of the oven sweet biscuits, split them open,
add a scoop of ‘bonilla’ ice cream, soften,
cover with sliced sweetened strawberries
be sure to get lots of juice.
I stop there, but some in the family proceed
to add a generous helping of whipped cream.
I can’t find the picture I took years ago.
10. DESSERT,
POTLUCK and
FAMILY
Pictures are from a Thanksgiving with the Farmer’s family.
Join with Carole, but not when you’re hungry.
What am I going to have for lunch?
The ending of a perfect day with my girls,
watching the sunset at San Fransisco.
Good Morning
Genesis 1:1, 31
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And God saw every thing that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
I’m about to tell you something you may find hard to believe.
You don’t have to agree with me,
but I’d like you to consider it with me.
Here it is.
If you were the only person on earth,
the earth would look exactly the same.
The Himalayas would still have their drama
and the Caribbean its charm.
The sun would still nestle behind the Rockies in the evenings
and spray light on the desert in the mornings.
If you were the sole pilgrim on this globe,
God would not diminish its beauty one degree.
Because He did it all for you.
And He’s waiting for you to discover His gift,
for your eyes to pop,
your heart to stop.
He’s waiting for the moment
between the dropping of the jaw and the leap of the heart.
For in that silence He whispers,
I did it just for you.
from Lucado Inspirational Reader, Max Lucado
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
I’m thankful . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie
Having lunch with my kids and their kids today.
I love my children.
Good Morning
Genesis 18:17-19
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
God wants people that He can depend upon. He could say of Abraham, “I know him, that he will command his children . . . that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” God can be depended upon; He wants us to be just as decided, as reliable, as stable. This is just what faith means.
God is looking for men on whom He can put the weight of His love and power and faithful promises. God’s engines are strong enough to draw any weight we attach to them.Unfortunately the cable which we fasten to the engine is often to weak to hold the weight of our prayer; therefore God is drilling us, disciplining us to stability and certainty in the life of faith.
Let us learn our lessons and stand fast. “A. B. Simpson
Genesis 18:19 is one of my favorite scriptures. I earnestly desire that God can say the same about me, ‘I know her’.
Learn . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie
My Mother and brothers are on my mind today.
(from left to right)Patrick, Casey, Joe and Clifford
Good Morning
God is my Shepherd
And I am his little lamb.
He feeds me
He guides me
He looks after me.
I have everything I need.
Inside, my heart is very quiet.
As quiet as lying still in soft green grass
In a meadow
By a little stream.
Even when I walk through
the dark, scary, lonely place
I won’t be afraid
Because my Shepherd knows where I am.
He is here with me
He keeps me safe
He rescues me
He makes me strong
And brave.
He is getting wonderful things ready for me
Especially for me
Everything I ever dreamed of!
He fills my heart so full of happiness
I can’t hold it all inside.
Wherever I go I know
God’s Never Stopping
Never Giving Up
Unbreaking
Always and Forever
Love
Will go, too!~
Sally Lloyd-Jones : The Jesus Storybook Bible
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-3
Be childlike. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie
“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.
Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.
QUESTIONS
When you were a child, what age did you think was “OLD”?
Early grammar school, I thought my grandparents were old, but at that time they must have been about 50. Any one balding was old, an uncle started balding in his 20’s, so I don’t think I was a good judge of age. I’m still not good at guessing someone’s age.
How often do you have dessert?
Two or three times a week, I do keep some dark chocolate around for emergencies.
What’s your favorite kind of exercise?
Does knitting qualify?
Do you watch movies on TV, movies from a rental or the library, or movies online?
Very seldom do I watch a movie.
Tell me something you remember about your grand mother’s/grand father’s house? I’m thinking of something you saw all of the time, like a picture, clock, statue, teapot. or some thing that was always there.
My Grandparent Ripley’s home – I can see the anniversary clock, turning back and forth, Lava soap in the bathroom, bees in the spare bedroom wall, buzzing all night long, pipe tobacco smoke, I liked Grandpa’s, and the buffet in the dining room, I asked for it as my keepsake, I love it. Now it resides at our son’s home, his name is Daniel Ripley, it just seemed like that is where it belonged. Most of all, the smiles and hugs and love that greeted us when we arrived and when we left sent us on our journeys. (I looked for a picture of the buffet, no luck – next time at Dan’s house I’ll take one for me.)
Join us on the porch
On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.
10 Things You’d Do If You Won the Big Powerball Jackpot.
What a fun topic!
Not many of us could say
we haven’t dreamed of winning the big one.
Although not long ago I ask the Farmer
“what would you want to but if. . . ”
After a long pause he replied,
“Maybe a new tractor…”
I’m not that limited.
1. A substantial offering toward missionary work our church supports in Mexico, Cuba and different areas in Africa.
2. A chunk to each of the 5 children for paying off/buying the house and furnishing of their dreams. Or maybe we will seriously consider that family compound we’ve talked about.
Aaron, Dan, Mary, Emily and Margaret
3. Trust funds for the 13 grandchildren to access at 30 years old.
(opps! most current– 2 not present)
4. Funds for our mothers: the Farmer’s is 100yrs old in a nursing home; my mother is independent and healthy, but __?___ a month would go a long way toward easing financial needs.
5. A new tractor
6. A whole family vacation, that we’ll remember and talk and laugh about the rest of our lives.
7. Travel – – we have several trips we’ve been dreaming about
8. Remodel the caretaker’s house – possibly will be our home in the future
9. Increase our monthly income by $2000. a month (we are retired with SS plus occasional part-time income).
10. A Hyundai Genesis for me.
Dark Red with cream leather
Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote
“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment,
all you have is all you need”. I believe this with all my heart.
Today at Five Minute Friday, we are remembering mama
In just five minutes. Tell me all about what your mama did that made her yours….
go
my mama took care
when we were small
mama took care of us
Mondays she washed our clothes
Tuesdays she ironed
Wednesdays she mended
I don’t remember if she had a special task for the other days
she once said, “I really enjoy caring for my family.’
dinner was ready the minute daddy came home
as we grew older she continued to care
a tape measure was taken to the thrift shop
to measure inseams and skirt lengths
accounting was kept for daddy’s business
as we grew older, still
she worked at home in the evenings
and in the public during the days
when she and dad owned motels,
business decisions were jointly made
she was an equal partner
when retirement came
she reaped for her labors
when Alzheimer came
she continued to care
I could not count the times I heard
‘I’m sorry.
I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me.
It is the Alzheimer’s that is causing the problem.
Let’s try again later.”
“We will take care of each other because we love each other.”
today cancer grows in the brother that lives with mama
yes, you’re right, she’s caring
my mama cares so much, it makes my heart ache with pride.
I love you, mama
stop
pictures added after 5 minute ding.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday items:
Meet Me at the Corner,
Look what is on the corner not too far from our home!
Mother Nature Meets Technology,
White PCV pipe watering system at Grandmother’s Flower Garden. from the archieves
One Step at a Time,
All our paths start with just one step,
What’s Wrong with this Picture
How many times drink a diet to cut back on calories!
Standing Tall
During the past year, this grandson grew 6-8 inches. He would often stand by his auntie to see who was taller. Not a question any more! (laughing, sorry their eyes look funny because of the way the light hit their contacts – its the only pic I have of them like this.
This week’s prompts were more challenging, but that is what makes this hunt so much fun. See other finds – here.
Next week I’ll be hunting for:Warped, Concentric Circles, Gear, Glazed and Marble
Thursday, June 8th, I graduated from Washington Union High School, Class of 1967, Easton, CA.
Friday, June 9th, Elmer and I loaded my hope chest, filled with all my hopes and dreams, into Dad’s Ranchero. We moved it from my parents’ home in Fresno, CA into a 35ft. trailer parked less than a mile from Shaver Lake in CA.
Friday June 16, 1967 at 7:00pm I walked out of my parent’s front door on my father’s arm across the grass to marry my love and my friend.
Forty-five years ago on a Friday.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |
Thoughts of Grace 