Eve and Mary

 

Take a few minutes to really look at this picture, bringing together of two very well-known women of the Bible - Eve and Mary. Seeing them together doesn't make sense, they aren't even mentioned in the same BOOK of the Bible. Or are they?

Not by name, at least.

First let's look at Eve - the despair on her face. It's the face of the knowledge of sin and shame. The forbidden fruit, still in the clutches of her hand. The serpent, still with his tight grip coiled around her leg - the same evil that holds so many of us captive today. And her hand outstretched....

To Mary.

Sweet Mary, obedient Mary. Could you imagine being a teenager and being told that you would give birth to the Messiah? See the compassion on her face as she gently comforts the ashamed Eve. And that serpent that once held Eve and mankind captive? Just like Genesis 3 prophesied, the baby she is carrying will crush the head of the serpent. All because of the One thing that she and Eve have in common.

The Babe in Mary's womb.

The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Jesus.

Eve and Mary... two women you wouldn't think to talk about in the same sentence, yet two women whose stories were woven together from the very beginning. From the fall to glory, let us not forget this Christmas that we are celebrating the beginning of redemption from the fall in the garden so many years ago. The King has come, and salvation is here.

"Oh death, where is your sting? Oh hell, where is your victory?"

This beautiful piece is from From Blacktop to Dirt Road

Plan B

 So my dresser was going to get started on the next phase of my house, however she can no longer find those boxes so instead of a camper she is going to make me a house out of plastic canvas based on the camper plans.  Everyone needs a Winter project, right.  So she is off making lists of rooms, what goes in each room, etc.  I can hear her brain sizzling with ideas.  She thinks she will turn my apartment into a she shed which she was gonna build anyway, so a few changes and that will be done. And oh I need my Jeep first.

Stay tuned.

RIP Smudgey

 Smudgey was doing the squat and pee thing I know what that means,she had thrown up quite a bit and I could tell we needed to head to the ER vet.  What I did not know is she would not be coming home to live with me any more.  I know she had been a feral at least 10 years, been inside almost 2 years and the vet thought she was around 15 which is a long time for a feral.  I fed her when she was outside, loved her and gave her shelter.  At her annual review earlier in the year her kidney numbers looked a bit off so we changed her diet, etc.  A month ago she was doing the squat and pee and her numbers were up a bit.  Well tonight her kidney numbers were off the chart.  

I know she was not long for this earth as her coat was getting matted and dry, she had trouble walking and figured her time was coming, I did not expect it today.  The vet said we could do fluids and meds and on and on or I could let her go.  Her days were getting shorter and shorter.  I opted to let her go because I did not want to stress her out anymore than she was and really what would be her quality of life.

She pretty much spent all day upstairs on my bed and only came down when she was hungry.  However the past 2 weeks she spent most of her time parked on my chair right beside me. Did she know?  Did she decide she needed to spend as much time with me as she could, she always slept with me.  She would have to have her head rubbed for about 20 minutes before she settled down on her blanket and then she would be awake at 3am for another snuggle and if I was not up by 5 she was insistent.  

She was the sweetest girl and I had no idea when she came in how much of a snuggler she was.  She was my last feral I brought in.  

I loved her when she was outside and worried about her and was overjoyed when she finally came in.  

I know my dad and God are watching over her for me.

I love you Smudgey and I will see you again some day.

I May Never Be A Lap Cat

 

I may never be a lap cat,

or one who comes when called.

I may resist the hand that tries to touch

and some may think I’m flawed.

I may prefer my freedom

to your warm and cozy house

I may reject a bowl of finest foods

for the chance to catch a mouse.

But the box you put out for me,

Feels safe and warm and dry.

And I raise my eyes to thank you

when I see you walking by.

I eat the food you give me

I listen to your voice

I may never be a lap cat

but thank you for offering me the choice.

One day I’ll see the winter,

one day I’ll feel the rain,

I may grow old not knowing

there is freedom from this pain

I know you’ve tried to help me

and although my days will end

I may never be a lap cat

but I know you are my friend

(Melanie Nordberg)

(Artwork Molly Devlin)

59 Years

 59 years ago I was in 3rd grade. We were making tea towels for our mothers for Christmas. I had just stamped mine with a potato painted red. I remember the teacher was called out of the room and we kept working. She came back crying. She told us to put our name on our tea towel with a pencil and leave everything and go home. When I got home my dad was home (being a federal employee) they were sent home. He sat me down and explained that the President had been killed. I did not really understand what all that meant but we did not go back to school until the next week. When we did go back we immediately went to the auditorium and the Principal explained what happened. My mom never used her tea towel and I have it now. RIP JFK.

 

 

I Sing Because I'm Happy

 3 years ago today I interned my dad.  His favorite song was His Eye is on the Sparrow.  We sang this Sunday I totally lost it.  I love this version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Pk5YMkEcg

3 Years

 3 years ago today my dad went home.  12 days earlier he fell and broke his hip.  Surgery was postponed due to a UTI and when surgery happened he never came out of it, he was moved to ICU for 4 days and then the doctor said those dreaded words, there is nothing else we can do but move him to Hospice where they can take care of him until.....

I remember going in a room in the ICU and screaming til I could not scream anymore.  How could it be that my dad was going to die soon.  We had a wonderful day before going to the dentist, lunch, and the cardiologist.  I know God gave me that day.  

There are days the ache is so bad I can not function, he was my parent.  I followed in his footsteps, I was his mini me, we loved baseball (him Yankees me Dodgers) and chocolate.  We discussed and cussed the problems of the world and had many long conversations on just anything.  

There are times I see things and I know it is a sign from him.  I talk to him daily and I miss him more than I can say.  I love you dad and someday we can watch baseball again and eat chocolate together.

Halloween 2022

 I went as a mermaid this year.  My dresser brought a bucket with DumDum suckers in it for people to take.  When she was dressing me she noticed 2 of the pumpkins by the tree on the right were missing, really someone stole them?  WHY?  So from now on everything outside will be attached to whatever "ground" will be laid down.  Some people.  Anyway hope you had a great Halloween.

Pet Gala

 Got word that this years monetary donations at the Gala were the most so far. That is good because that means more money for scholarships for low income people to be able to get the training and have better jobs.  For all the crap we went through it was worth it just for this.  Thanks PJ for being a great dog to wear the outfit.

It is Almost that Time

 I got a new yard today, turning it into Fall.  Grass is pretty much dead due to no rain, flowers got froze the other night and it is almost Halloween.  My outfit is a simple orange straight dress and my sweater is in the way.  Charlotte must have visited overnight cos there is a huge spider web over my house.  My costume for Halloween is done but I have not seen it yet.  What are you going as?

PS:  Mary thanks for stopping by one of my other fav ex-employees.  Eleanor I hope you made it safely.

October the month of Halloween

 I got some decorations and a new rug and will get more as the month goes on. I also understand my yard is getting a do over and oh my model texted me a picture of my Halloween costume so far, too cute.

 

Why yes that is a spider on my headband and it glitters, love it.

Pet Gala

 So I did not go to the Pet Gala. My dresser had two nightmares about me going and decided to just play it safe and leave me at home. Probably best, one was a dog ripped me to shreds and the other I got stolen, so.  I have seen the video and pictures and sure wish I could have gone but....

Piper Jo was the fan fav and she took to her dress like she had always worn clothes. All in all my dresser had a good time and dinner was good and she got her chocolate cake.  

More Outfits for September 22

 I do love these sweaters and my dresser loves to make them, imagine crocheting with those little metal crochet hooks and thread used for doilies, but she has a ton of patterns all written and good thing I will never grow.

 

I do love my orange clothes best.