Thursday, June 18, 2020

Thursday Things - June 18, 2020

It's amazing how fast things can change in just a day or two or even overnight. 

When I posted to you on Monday things were going along pretty good and the week was set. The plan was to work Monday and Tuesday, I didn't know for sure what was happening Wednesday or Thursday, Friday was going to be spent cleaning house and doing laundry, and Saturday was going to be spent enjoying the first day of summer. 

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Oriental Lilies
On Tuesday I told you how much I was enjoying the new work schedule and that my husband had figured out the situation with the electricity to the Van Gogh room.

Well, right after I posted that Tuesday post to you, we discovered that the electricity to the Van Gogh room was off again. We flipped and jiggled the breakers again and nothing changed. Yesterday we took the plates off and checked the outlets and we had electricity in there all day long; this morning it is out again. We're out of ideas, so it looks like we will have to end up having someone else take a look at it before it gets fixed.  

Tuesday went well at work, but will now be filling in for a fellow employee who is out right now, so I will be working tomorrow and Saturday again this week after all...but it's fine. It will make for a nice paycheck in the end.

Then there was yesterday. 😢

Yesterday morning I received a phone call from one of my oldest and dearest friends, Dorothy. She called to tell me that she had reason to believe that her oldest son, Josh, had been murdered during the night and she was on her way to meet with police at her ex-husband's home to find out more. Long story short...she was correct. Josh had been shot and killed in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday morning. 

Yesterday was surreal...like a bad dream that you can't wake up from. 

By birth I am an only child and I have no nieces and nephews of my own, but there are five people on this planet that have called me "Aunt Becky" since they were babies and Josh was one of them. 

Joshua
Please pray for my friend, Dorothy, and the rest of Josh's family...his father, Roy, sister, Amanda Lynn, brother, James, and for Josh's three little nephews who will miss him terribly...especially D.J. who "looks just like Uncle Josh." 

Pray for the police as they conduct their investigation into Josh's murder, that truth will be brought out and prevail, that whoever killed Josh will be found...better yet...that they would come forward and confess, and that justice will be served. 

It is a deeply troubled and hurting world in which we live, and, no matter what is being touted across our land and the world right now, all lives matter because Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for each and every one of them...that whosoever should make the choice to believe in Him would be saved. 

Pray for our nation. Pray for the world at large. Pray for peace among its people groups, because...like it or not...we're all in this together. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and there is no other way to the Father except through Him. I love you all! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tuesday Tidbits - June 16, 2020

Good morning, Everyone! 🌞


I hope your week is off to a great start and that things are going well for you and yours on every front.

It's taken a little maneuvering around on my part to make it work, but I think I'm going to like this new Mondays, some Tuesdays, some Saturdays, and fill-in-where-necessary work schedule. Yesterday was great! I did administrative work in the morning, then went out on the prairie with the new boss in the afternoon in search of a certain plant...which we found...and I will be researching it more today. It was a lot of fun and one of those "I can't believe they pay me to do this" kind of days. Of course...most of my days at work are like that...so... 😄

My husband figured out the electrical issue yesterday. Turns out that it was a breaker after all. There was one unmarked breaker, which I had flipped several times, but, when he went through them, he said that he noticed that it was really stiff. He said that, after a couple of tries, he gave it an extra shove and it connected, immediately restoring the electricity in my office. I am so thankful and I'm glad that it wasn't anything serious! I do wonder what caused the breaker to flip in the first place, but dh said that it was probably a fluke and that we'll just keep an eye on it and if it happens again we'll pursue it further. 

Chicory
I spotted this pretty blue chicory along the roadside on the way to work yesterday morning and what a treat! Growing up in Jackson County, Missouri chicory was a common sight, but I've rarely seen it here in Barton County. In 26 years I think this makes...like...the third time of seeing it. During my growing up years, chicory was one of my favorite wildflowers and, during my teen years, it was the subject of many a pencil sketch in my art tablet. 

Well, I need to be going. I just wanted to take a moment or two to drop in and say hello. I hope you all are doing well and that you have a wonderful day! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, June 15, 2020

Home Management Monday - June 15, 2020

Good Morning, Dear Ones! It's Monday! 💗


How was your week and weekend? 

The week and weekend here was kind of...blah. I worked at the park on Monday and Saturday. On Tuesday we got the car inspected and licensed for two more years and went grocery shopping. The rest of the week was spent working around the place, walking, and practicing photography with the digital camera...which I greatly enjoy! 📷


Sunflower Growing on the Back Porch
Other than that...there's just not a whole lot to say, so let's get right on into this week's post, shall we?

I awoke to...

... concerns about the electricity being out in the Van Gogh room (a.k.a. "my office"). I discovered it after getting in last night. I flipped the breakers and it made no difference, so who knows what the problem could be. We will have to deal with that after I get past today and tomorrow. Drats! And double drats! 😒 

What I'm thinking...

... about friends and family and all the sadness and civil unrest that is going on in our nation right now. An autopsy revealed that Gina's death last weekend was the result of an interaction with the medication in her nebulizer combined with underlying health conditions. Plus, we got word of the first cases of COVID-19 in our county this week. As of last night there were seven of them, and, while the symptoms in the cases we know about aren't nearly as bad as what they say they should be, please be in prayer over the individuals that have been diagnosed and their families. Thank you! 


Gina
 What I'm thankful for...

... the peace of God that surpasses all understanding even in the most difficult and trying of circumstances.

Fresh Basil 
On the breakfast plate...

... Fat-free ham slices, egg, and a Laughing Cow cheese wedge on toast, fresh fruit, and hot tea

The weather...

... We got a bit of relief from the heat mid-week last week (we were actually able to shut the AC for a couple of nights), but it doesn't look like we're going to be that fortunate this week. At the moment, it's 70 degrees and sunny and the high today (and every day this week) is supposed to top out around 90. It it weren't for the humidity it wouldn't be so bad.





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Ants on Water Parsnip in Front of the Cherry Tree
This week's menu plan...

Monday - Turkey burgers, oven fries, and fresh fruit
Tuesday -  Breakfast for supper
Wednesday - Oven-roasted chicken breasts, baked potatoes, and corn
Thursday - Baked ham, sweet potatoes, and green beans
Friday - 
Broiled salmon, baked potatoes, and oven-roasted carrots
Saturday - Tortellini, sauce, turkey meatballs, and homemade French bread
Sunday - Leftovers

On my 'to do' list...

Monday - Finish this post, figure the mid-month budget, go to the bank and post office, work
Tuesday - Work
Wednesday - ?
Thursday - ?
Friday - Clean house and do laundry
Saturday - Enjoy the first day of summer
Sunday - Church, wish my dh, sons, and son-in-law a Happy Father's Day

Lemon Balm Growing in Our Garden
On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Discover Nature 'Close to Home' by Elizabeth P. Lawlor

From the camera...


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Beetle on Coneflower
Scripture verse...


Pin on Bible verses

Well, that's it for this week. I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close to the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

P.S. - Happy First Day of Summer on Saturday and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there on Sunday!

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Oh, Deer!

Home Management Monday - June 8, 2020

Home Management Monday - June 1, 2020

Friday, June 12, 2020

Oh, Deer!

Good afternoon, Everyone!

This is my first Friday off with the new work schedule and I'm lovin' it!  ðŸ’—

First thing this morning THIS happened...


Deer in Our Backyard
A female deer walked across the street in front of our house, right past my office window, circled around the house, made a loop through the backyard, then, took off down the alley that runs next to us. 

There She Is Behind The Propane Tank
She seemed to be on a mission and, obviously, knew where she was heading. Even though this was our first time of seeing her, something tells me, that this isn't the first time that she's visited our yard. 


A Deer on a Mission
It was AMAZING!!! I mean...living in a rural, farming community, and working at Prairie State Park, we see deer all the time, but this is the first time that we've ever witnessed a deer in our own backyard! What a gift! 💗


Not Her Best Side For Sure But, Still, Utterly Amazing!
And, by the looks of things, I'm guessing that this is a mama deer with young hidden out near by! How exciting! ðŸ’—

I wish this little mama and her offspring well and, hope, that someday, we'll get to see her again! Maybe her offspring, too! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, June 8, 2020

Home Management Monday - June 8, 2020


Good Monday Morning, Everyone! 💗

My new work schedule starts today, so I worked ahead on this post as I could throughout the week and am hoping to pull it together in time to send it out this morning before I leave.

How was your week and weekend?

Our week was okay here, but the weekend was a difficult one, to say the least, and there's no delicate way to say what happened. A family member's girlfriend died while camping at the park where I work. She had health issues, yes, but was so young...only 47. Please be in prayer for Gina's family, friends, and loved ones. 

Other than that I'm not even going to try to recount the week. At this point I really can't even remember much about it, other than it was incredibly hot. Let's just move right on into this week's post, shall we?


Purple-headed Coneflower Growing In Our Garden
I awoke to...

... an early alarm after a somewhat fitful night.

What I'm thinking...

... about how short life really is. Use your time wisely and take care of those God-ordained relationships.

What I'm thankful for...

... family, long-time friends, good health, God's merciful hand of protection, the promises found in His Word, my job, my new work schedule, and the new responsibilities that go with it.

On the breakfast plate...

... fat-free turkey slices, egg, and a Laughing Cow cheese wedge on toast with a Cutie and hot tea

My Dad's Cactus Roses Are Blooming Again
(So pretty!) 💗
The weather...

... Hot, but not as hot as last week (we had 90's all week with heat indexes in the triple-digits). ðŸ˜° Right now it's 74 degrees and sunny, but rain is in the forecast for tonight.


This week's menu plan...

Monday - Tuna wraps, cottage cheese, and baby carrots
Tuesday - Grilled chicken salad
Wednesday - Stuffed pepper casserole and beets
Thursday - Turkey burgers and oven fries
Friday - Broiled salmon, baked potatoes, and oven-roasted carrots
Saturday - Dh's night to cook
Sunday - Leftovers

Purple-headed Coneflower Growing In Our Garden
On my 'to do' list...

Monday - Work 
Tuesday - Dh eye appointment, run errands
Wednesday - ? 
Thursday - ?
Friday - Clean house, do laundry
Saturday - Work
Sunday - Church

Tiger Lily Growing In Our Garden
On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Discover Nature 'Close to Home' by Elizabeth P. Lawlor

From the camera...

Twin Fawns Along The Roadside
Scripture verse...



Well, that's it for this week. I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close to the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, June 1, 2020

Home Management Monday - June 1, 2020

Good Morning, Dear Ones! Happy Monday! 💗

How is everyone? And how was your week and weekend?

Our week was good here. Our youngest daughter made it down Tuesday night and stayed in town through Thursday morning. We hadn't seen her since early December, so it was was nice to catch up with one another a bit. While she was here we watched a movie, took a country drive, visited with family, and just enjoyed being together. I'm already looking forward to our next visit! 😄

I worked Friday and Saturday, Sunday morning was church, then, in the afternoon, I piddled with a few things around the house...the biggest one being, after living in this house for nearly four years, trimming back my dad's philodendrons. ✂ They were, literally, taking over the livingroom! 

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Freshly Trimmed Philodendron
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Freshly Trimmed Philodendron
I took lots of cuttings and, if all goes well, I should have dozens of new starts in few weeks. If anyone close by would like one, let me know and I'll put you on the list to receive one (or more). 


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Dozens of New Starts For Anyone Who Would Like One
What Was Left After Trimming and Taking Cuttings

Enough about that! Let's move on into this week's post, shall we?


I awoke to...

... thoughts of the day and a mental 'to do' list.

What I'm thinking...


... about the civil unrest that's going on in our nation right now. It's the 1960's all over again.

Race Riots in Kansas City 1968
#BlackLivesMatter Protesters in Kansas City 2020
My heart hurts for what happened to George Floyd, for his family, and for all those that lack peace and understanding on both sides. Two wrongs never make a right and, from what I've learned about George Floyd, he would be sickened by all of this. What we see going on in the natural is merely a reflection of what's going on in the spiritual, and, folks, there is a battle royal going on out there! My prayer is that spiritual eyes and ears would be open to the truth in these end of days in which we live. This is all so senseless and absolutely heartbreaking! 😭

I'm also thinking that this might be my last 'Home Management Monday' post. We have a new manager at work and he needs a secretary...which is what I was originally hired for in the first place. But that, along with the fact that COVID-19 has virtually ended all indoor programs at the park for 2020 (no school programs, no library programs...Dana will still be doing bison hikes...limited number of people, of course...and I will be doing some wildflower hikes and evening strolls this summer), but, at least, until things straighten out and get back to normal, I will be taking on more administrative duties. 

This is not a bad thing at all and, even in the midst of change, I won't be giving up interpretation. It's all good and I'm happy to serve wherever needed. The only thing is...I won't be spending my Mondays at home putting out this post. I'm not sure how I'm going to work it out just yet and it might take me a while, but I'll figure it out. I can either work on the post over the weekend and have it ready to go early Monday morning before I leave...maybe...or I can just switch my days and post later in the week? At this point, I'm really not sure. I'm simply going to wait, see how it goes, and take it from there.

What I'm thankful for...

... to have a job and bosses that are willing to keep me on payroll during a tough time when so many have lost their jobs. 

On the breakfast plate...

... cottage cheese on toast and stevia-sweetened strawberries with hot tea

The weather...

... Right now it's beautiful...73 degrees and sunny! 🌞 The expected high today is 82, but, after this, it looks like we'll be heating up...mid- to upper-80's and on up into the 90's for the rest of the week with slight chances for rain almost every day. 



This week's menu plan...

Monday - Chicken and black bean tostadas
Tuesday - Grilled beef burgers with sweet potato fries
Wednesday - Stuffed pepper casserole with beets
Thursday - Breakfast for supper
Friday - Homemade pizza
Saturday - Dh's night to cook
Sunday - Leftovers

A Pretty Yard Ornament
A Gift From Our DIL
On my 'to do' list...

Monday - Complete this post, clean house, do laundry, go to post office, clean

vacuum cleaner filters, box fan grates, and blades, oil fan motors
Tuesday - Figure June budget and bills
Wednesday - Go to the bank, pay bills
Thursday - ?
Friday - Work
Saturday - Work
Sunday - Church

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Baby Bison @ Prairie State Park
On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Discover Nature 'Close to Home' by Elizabeth P. Lawlor


Discover Nature Close to Home: Things to Know and Things to Do by ...
Discover Nature Close To Home
by Elizabeth P. Lawlor
From the camera...
A Prairie Oasis Created From A Buffalo Wallow
Scripture verse...

Elisha Captures The Blinded Arameans | Christian Forums

Well, Friends, that's it for this week! I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close to the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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