Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Carpe Diem (Seize The Day)

Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace  It is popularly translated as     "Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future", and the ode says the future is unknowable.

"And if not now, when?" Rabbinic (Pirkei Avoth 1:14) 



In his best-seller Faster: The acceleration of just about everything, James Gleick confronts us with society's obsession to compress more and more into less and less time. Here's one quote from Faster: If haste is the gas pedal, multitasking is overdrive. We are multitasking connoisseurs-experts in crowding, pressing, packing, and overlapping distinct activities in our all-too-finite moments.  "And if not now, when?" Rabbinic (Pirkei Avoth 1:14)




Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,.
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.  Robert Herrick


As the 1st day of 2010 approaches let's think about what we can do to Seize the day in our lives. Tell me what this phrase means to you. To me it means Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. this means relationships as well as our busy lives.
 
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13

If you want a laugh click on Lachoochee Kid want a smile click on Barnyards and Barnacles

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I Love Candles

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.


Candle manufacturers' surveys show that 96% of all candles purchased are bought by women

I have had been fascinated with fire all my life, bonfires, fireplace and yes, I played with matches and still do.  In Florida we have a very short candle burning season  because when it is hot and humid they do not appeal to me.




Candles have been around FOREVER. Like the early Egyptians, the Roman's relied on tallow, gathered from cattle or sheep suet, as the principal ingredient of candles. It was not until the Middle Ages when beeswax, a substance secreted by honey bees to make their honeycombs, was introduced. Beeswax candles burned pure and clean. However, they were expensive, and, therefore, only the wealthy could afford them.



Colonial women offered America's first contribution to candlemaking when they discovered that boiling the grayish green berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned clean


The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought the first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages, when spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil,



1850 with the production of paraffin wax made from oil and coal shales. Processed by distilling the residues left after crude petroleum was refined, the bluish-white wax was found to burn cleanly, and with no unpleasant odor. Of greatest significance was its cost - paraffin wax was more economical to produce than any preceding candle fuel developed


With the introduction of the light bulb in 1879, candlemaking declined until the turn of the century when a renewed popularity for candles emerged. No longer man's major source of light, candles continue to grow in popularity and use. Today, candles symbolize celebration and romance.


And then there are those of us who love FIRE.... I can sit and stare at flickering candle light or any other source of flickering fire for hours.  Let me know how you feel about candles and fire.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

I logged on to read our morning newspaper today and found these headlines that became the inspiration for today's post.

Violent killings Set Record Pace
A record homicide rate in 2009 destroys lives. This was the most violent year ever in Manatee County with a record number of homicides at 29 and eight unsolved murders.
Click on photo to read sign telling us it is a felony to tamper with traps that do not belong to us.



It is a sad commentary on us as humans (with supposed higher intelligence than animals) that we must be told right from wrong by posting signs such as these. The headlines and these sign show bad things.

this sweet little guy let me know there are good things out there also, benches to sit on, squirrels to make us smile.

this sign is on a place provided to fisherman to use for cleaning fish. it seems they can't put trash in the trash and leave it on the ground. unfortuately the sign does not work.
Click on photo to view this good thing. someone had hung a red  satin ball on a pine tree. I took over 20 photos of it to get one good one, the wind was blowing it to and fro and just watching it made me happy.
My feet standing in the sand was a good thing. the other good came from a story Diane told me.

On the Monday before Christmas, a single mother with 5 children was told her last day at work would be Wednesday, 2 days before Christmas. Every one in the company of about 200 was shocked as was the young woman. Someone started and email to collect money for her and in the 3 days they collected 1200.00. this amazing story prove there is still GOOD among the Bad and The Ugly.

I leave you with these two quotes. Read them carefully.

The cause of violence is not ignorance. It is self-interest. Only reverence can restrain violence - reverence for human life and the environment. ”William Sloan Coffin

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.” Theodore Roosevelt



Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas in Florida

December 25, 2009 Sunrise, Coquina Beach Bayside, Florida


The snow is on the ground. (not in Florida)
The family's all in town, it's Christmas.
The children want to know
Why we hung the mistletoe, it's Christmas.
.

Then silently the night turns on a magic lightAnd it's Christmas all over the world



And I hope that Santa Claus remembers every child
Because it's Christmas.
The lights upon the tree
Make delightful melody, it's Christmas.
There's a choir out in the night,
singing songs by candlelight, it's Christmas.
With every face aglow the young & old both know
It's Christmas all over the world
Love is flowing free. All the world's at peace
It's Christmas.



Love is flowing free. All the world's at peace It's Christmas...




My friend, Diane and I planned a Christmas morning tromp on the beach and sunrise pictures. It was raining on us as we drove to Coquina Beach. God blessed us with 45 minutes of no rain and a beautiful sunrise. 69 degrees, wind gusting to 30 MPH, but we had a great time

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Oh Holy Night....

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn


















Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Once Upon A Christmas Tree

Did a celebration around a Christmas tree on a bitter cold Christmas Eve at Trenton, New Jersey, turn the tide for Colonial forces in 1776? According to legend, Hessian mercenaries were so reminded of home by a candlelit evergreen tree that they abandoned their guardposts to eat, drink and be merry. Washington attacked that night and defeated them

The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio, adds Robson.



But the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Even as late as 1851, a Cleveland minister nearly lost his job because he allowed a tree in his church. Schools in Boston stayed open on Christmas Day through 1870, and sometimes expelled students who stayed home.



The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal


In 1841, Prince Albert (originally from Germany), husband of Queen Victoria, set up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in England. From the royal court, the custom of Christmas trees spread quickly to the middle class and then to working people. For Victorians, a good Christmas tree had to be six branches tall and be placed on a table covered with a white damask tablecloth. It was decorated with garlands, candies and paper flowers



The Christmas tree is a mandala, a bundle of symbols showing what creation has to offer: light and the movement of angels, the gifts of orchard and field, forest and sea, all topped off by the star that pointed to the end of the journey, the place of peace.

The first photo and tree belong to my friends Madeline and Pat in Midway
Georgia, the second photo and tree belong to  Pat's sister, Carole in Wisconsin.
Thanks guys for the use of your photo/trees.(after the fact)........Ho Ho Ho from Sandra Clause

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Santamental Sandra Claus


Christmas: The time when everyone gets Santamental.

If you want the great gift giver
To come on his sleigh and deliver
Then remember this simple rhyme
And recall it at Christmas time
"If in Santa you do not believe
Christmas gifts you will not receive"



10 Reasons Why Women Would Like to Be Santa Claus


1. There'd be no more early morning decisions about what to wear to the office.

2. No one would bother to ask Santa Claus for a ride to work. (I am afraid of heights, no sleigh rides for ME)

3. Buy one big brown belt and you'd be accessorized for life.

4. You'd always work in sensible footwear.

5. You'd never be expected to make the coffee



6. There'd be no need to play office politics; a hearty ho-ho-ho would remind everyone who is the boss.


7. Juggling work and family would be easy. All your children would adore you; even your teenagers would want to sit in your lap.

8. You'd never take the wrong coat on your way home.

9. You could grow a tummy the size of Texas and consider it a job requirement of a funny Santa Claus. (MY FAVORITE)

10. No one would ask to see your job description



              Merry Christmas and Christmas Blessings To All Of You!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Eastern Star..........


1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.



10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.



13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:



The Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the new King of the Jews, by the time they reached Him, he was around 2 years old. When they found him they responded with Joy, worships and gifts.
In our lives today some expect God to come looking for us, explain himself, prove who He is, and give US gifts. some worship Him for what they can get, not for who He is. amplified NIV notes on Luke 2:2


Saturday, December 19, 2009

Haste Makes Waste...

Photos Today have NOTHING to do with the Blog!
Bob and I are Early to Bed, Early to rise, totally routine, and everything from eating to cleaning is done on a schedule at the same time, same way, same day. Our routine was set 25 years ago when were in the workforce, he left home at 5:30 and me at 6:30, and both arrived home at 6ish.


Saturday Housework starts at 5 AM. I am blessed, we SHARE housework, he does all floors and some laundry, I do the rest. Retirement changed nothing!


TODAY 5 AM: The Plan..rush through my part of the routine and leave at 6:30 for Walmart shopping to Beat The Shoppers on the last Saturday before Christmas Rush.
Do you find if you HURRY it takes LONGER?
First Job: remove sheets from king size bed, start weekly wrestling match with fitted sheet.
I realize it is shorter one way, longer the other, but with a king the differencet is inches, not obvious by looking at the sheet which is top and bottom and I found out which is which AFTER I put it on the wrong way first


I stare at the sheet, does it go with the elastic at the foot and head, or does the elastic part go on the sides? Of course I am RUSHING, so it does NOT FIT, first try.
why can't the sheet makers make all fitted sheets the same, some have elastic on two sides, some on all fours sides.
the fitted sheet I remove has elastic on all 4 sides, this one is easy, I left the white tag on it when I realized if put the tagged corner at the head of my side of the bed all goes well.


The set today has elastic on two sides and straight edge on 2 sides. the problem is my senior memory does not remember if the elastic go on the foot/head or on the sides. I ALWAYS put it on the wrong way first and when i get to the 4th corner it will not fit and i have to remove it and turn it around.
Let me say, I always get the flat sheet the right way every time. it has a wide hem at the top and a narrow at the bottom, just a matter of deciding which hem is wider.

Back to TODAY: Sheets are on and smooth, Blanket is next. I turn and reach for the fleece blanket that I placed on the stool. NOT THERE! Baby Girl who loves all things fleece, has dragged it up into her chair (dog bed) and her plump body is snuggled down until all I see is eyes and nose. I try to remove the blanket by tugging, she burrows in, I raise my voice, she jumps down dragging blanket onto floor. ARRRRHHHH. the clock is ticking! Walmart Awaits!


Pillow Queen AKA Blanket Thief and loves all things fleece

Bed Made: rush to clean His and Her Bathrooms. Remember my mothers saying, Haste Makes Waste. Ignore it!
Grab can of Comet, rip open shower curtain, sprinkle on shower stall, reach behind and sit Comet on back of commmode. LOUD CRASH! I jump and turn and find I sat the can on the back of the NEW commode forgetting that it is rounded not flat and it has fallen on to clean commode lid, spraying cleanser all over lid and floor. HURRY

Race to kitchen, forget what I went there for, race back to bathroom, remember I need paper towels to clean mirrors. Race back to kitchen grab paper towels. Race back to bathroom, clean mirror/sink/shower/comet off floor.

Race to his bathroom. Race back to my bathroom for cleaning supplies.

Finish his bathroom while muttering to myself he will proably trim his beard over the sink while I am gone (that is another story).


Jump in clean shower, do 30 second rinse cycle, race to closet, grab shirt,  dress falls off hanger onto floor, must pick up or baby will make a bed of it while I am gone. Rehang dress, grab jeans, dress falls on floor.

I did make it to Walmart at 6:36.....Race around throwing things in basket, screech to halt behind FIVE SHOPPERS with baskets crammed. Only One Cashier!

HO HO HO

Friday, December 18, 2009

Symbols Of Christmas


Poinsettia
This flower was brought to the U.S. by Dr, J.R. Poinsett in 1825. He was the first first United States ambassador to Mexico. Because of its flame leaf, the poinsettia is sometimes called the Christmas Star.


Christmas lights represent Christ as being the "Light of the World." Lights also represent stars.


An angel told the shepherds of the birth of Jesus. Angels come in many forms for Christmas decorations including the tree topper

Reindeer were the animals chosen by St. Nicholas to pull his sleigh.


Mistletoe
A sprig of evergreen plant hung at Christmas time. Custom is that people can kiss each other standing under it. Plum Pudding



the evergreen tree represents eternal life because it stays green year round.

Saint Nicholas was a real person. He was a kind bishop who brought presents to children and needy people.

And last but not least, the Nativity Set, Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in a manger.

Other Symbols include:
Advent Wreath
Four candles placed on a wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of Christ's birthday.

Church bells
ring to announce the birth of Jesus.
 
Christmas Stocking:
There is a legend associated with the origin of Christmas stockings. St. Nick, who wanted to remain anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney. They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry