THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Officially adopted on Flag Day, June 14, 1924 (“Under God” Amendmant made by Congress in 1954)
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands;
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Psalm 16:11 ~ You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Proverbs 11:28 ~ Whoever trusts in his riches will fall but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Ephesians 5: 1-2 ~ Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
I wish you could smell the wonderful fragrance of this Night Blooming Jasmine. The development that we live in has planted these flowering shrubs in all the common beds. Makes for a wonderful fragrant evening walk…
Isaiah 40:8 ~ The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 44:22 ~ I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Our marine layer mist comes from the Pacific over the Santa Monica Mountains to envelope our mornings…
Photobucket blacked out all my photos and is holding all my photos hostage as of July 2017.
Dear and I are going on an 8 mile hike in these mountains today. We are hiking with fellow employees from Amgen’s Transition Group. Lord willing, if we come back alive, (rattlesnakes and mountain lions, oh my!) I will post photos from our adventure tonight. The hike we are doing is from Sycamore to the Sea…
This is a view of the city Dear and I live in California. It is taken from Boney Mountain above Camarillo.
Boney Mountain is part of the Santa Monica Mountains. This shot is taken of the Pacific with the Channel Islands in view.
The Boney Mountain Overlook is a 7.5 mile round trip hike, 1600 ft. elevation gain, 4 hours, moderate in difficulty. It includes breathtaking views of shear rock faces, a lovely waterfall, and great vistas. There are some very steep unmaintained sections and there have been rattlesnake sitings and warnings.
That’s a avid hikers description for you. A more down to earth description is… difficult hike, hard to climb areas, worth the effort but it is an effort. Another tip is to drive to Circle X Ranch and start the hike from there. This puts you at a friendlier beginning point. (so I’m told)
So here you are walking, hiking, buddies & enthusiasts. Another good reason to come visit Dear and Ellen B. Our 1 bedroom condo can only sleep 2 extra cozily. There are some very nice hotel/motels close by. I might not do the hike with you but I can drop you off at the trailhead and pick you up…I don’t know it might be that whole rattlesnake thing…yikes!
Time for show and Tell Friday ~
It’s hard to see but that’s me with the pigeon on my head. My sister Kathy is behind me and then my dad and my sister Vera are to the right. Love the dresses, shoes and socks! Also before I get to the point of this post (the pigeon) I’d like you to notice the clothesline behind us with all the clothespins on it. Yep…we used to hang our laundry on those lines and I had to get my first stitches from falling off a chair and hitting a porch while hanging laundry. But about the Pigeon…if you are an animal activist or are very sensitive don’t read the rest of this post. Consider yourself warned!!!
We were on the poor side growing up. Until my dad landed a good Carpenters job and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union he worked piece jobs, etc. He went to work everyday but sometimes the money got real scarce. My mother did not work outside the home. For some crazy reason my dad also decided to raise pigeons. We had a pigeon coupe in our backyard. Lovely, “rats with wings” is what we call them now. Back then we loved those pigeons and we all picked one to be our pet. There were 4 of us kids during this time, the next 4 hadn’t arrived yet. Anyway…my pet pigeon was named Green Neck. Not hard to guess why I came up with that name. One day when my mom didn’t know what she’d be able to cook for dinner my parents decided to kill some pigeons and make pigeon soup. THEY PICKED GREEN NECK to be one of the victims! I can’t begin to tell you how upsetting this was. (It did not traumatize me for life, I can chuckle about it now) The 4 of us kids had a “we will not eat that soup strike.” There was solidarity on this strike. I know there was no way I was gonna eat Green Neck even if it meant going to bed hungry…
At least once a month my sisters, nieces and grand-nephew Jack go over to my mom and dad’s for a Tuesday evening meal. My mom has always been a cook for the masses. She enjoys cooking and enjoys finding new things to impress us with. She did not disappoint this past Tuesday. Usually I’m in Seattle when these meals take place but now that I am in Southern California on a more full-time basis I got in on this one. I’m sharing my Tuesday photo log with you that begins in Whittier at my sister’s house then continues in Brea at my parent’s apartment (an hour and a half drive from my condo). It’s fun to squeeze all of us into that one bedroom apartment. Oh by the way that clever title is because my dad’s name is Moisi and many of his “American” friends called him Morrie over the years…
Jack showing me his expertise on his scooter.
Hiding in the bushes…
Couldn’t resist getting a shot of the beautiful blooms on these trees in Whittier on my way to Moisi & Nadia’s
Here’s dear old Moisi (Morrie)
The feast begins with yummy scones and …
chicken salad heart shaped bites
Green salad with nectarines and pine nuts, sister Vera is holding the bowl
The three lovely nieces, Michelle, Melissa, and Debbee
My Mom the happy, exhausted cook…
I didn’t get photos of the asparagus with orange slices, the piroshki with a mushroom white sauce, and the fruit salad and banana bread dessert. I also omitted the photo of my sister Kathy and Lana because Lana would not have been pleased with her facial expression…
Here’s a shot of the 3 missing in the photo log just in a different time and different place…
Photobucket is holding all the photos from this post hostage as of July 2017
Lord of my heart, give me vision to inspire me, that, working or resting, I may always think of you.
Lord of my heart, give me light to guide me, that, at home or abroad, I may always walk with you.
Lord of my heart, give me wisdom to direct me, that, thinking or acting, I may always discern right from wrong.
Lord of my heart, give me courage to strengthen me, that, amongst friends or enemies, I may always proclaim your justice.
Lord of my heart, give me trust to console me, that, hungry or well-fed, I may always rely on your mercy.
Lord of my heart, save me from empty praise, that I may always boast of you.
Lord of my heart, save me from worldly wealth, that I may always look to the riches of heaven.
Lord of my heart, save me from military prowess, that I may always seek your protection.
Lord of my heart, save me from vain knowledge, that I may always study your word.
Lord of my heart, Save me from unnatural pleasures, that I may always find joy in your wonderful creation.
Lord of my heart, whatever may befall me, rule over my thoughts and feelings, my words and action.
If you’ve read through this today may I suggest you go back now and pray it and if you can, pray it out loud. Blessings!
BLESSÈD QUIETNESS
Manie Payne Ferguson (1850 – 1932)
Born: 1850, Carlow, Ireland.
In 1886, Manie and her husband Theodore Pollock Ferguson founded a mission in Los Angeles, California. This eventually expanded into what was known as the “Peniel” missions along the West Coast of America, and in Africa, Asia, South America, and elsewhere. The main focus of the missions, especially in later years, was ministry to single women.
BLESSÈD QUIETNESS
Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.
Refrain
Blessèd quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!
Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heav’nly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.
Refrain
Like the rain that falls from Heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high.
Refrain
See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessèd fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness.
Refrain
What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place!
Refrain
I have never sung this hymn but the words are so powerful I wanted to share them. I loved the story of the hymnwriter starting missions and especially caring for single women…
Ht: Cyberhymnal
This quote comes from Letters to an American Lady ~by C.S. Lewis
Another thing that annoys me is when people say “Why did you give that man money? He’ll probably go and drink it.” My reply is “But if I’d kept [it] I should probably have drunk it.
This really convicted me because I’ve used this excuse not to be generous with beggars, homeless, needy people. What am I wasting my money on (the money I’m guarding and protecting from people like them)? Teach me Lord and let me be generous with your money. Forgive me for my arrogance and selfishness. Let me trust that you will lead me to give where and when and to whom you want. Let me respond to your leading.
http://images.scotsman.com/2006/05/02/begging.jpg
Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
This quote by C.S. Lewis comes from Mere Christianity
Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all – except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognise it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.”
I decided to bless my daughter by cleaning her room. She is 21, working, going to school and was just in her best friends wedding. Things have gotten away from her (now that’s an understatement). So I put my praise music on and got busy! Enjoy the before and after photos.
Katie was so thrilled when she came home from school and saw her room. We went out to dinner because mom was too pooped to cook after this transformation. Katie picked up the tab. Katie’s babushka (grandmother) wanted me to let Katie know that she was proud of her for taking me out to dinner. And yes, I got permission to post the pictures from “the daughter”.
As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
