tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16532210876738222672024-03-14T08:49:07.821-06:00DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING....Stage III Colon Cancer. The next chapter of my story.kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-66476855142892110662012-03-27T12:38:00.000-06:002012-03-27T12:38:41.835-06:00Memories Are Tiny Bits of Reality...<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ~Diane Ackerman, <i>A Natural History of the Senses</i></span><br />
I can smell the day after graduation. Late spring in Oklahoma. Friends, laughter, plans for fall...but let's not move away to quickly...<br />
1971. High school graduation. This year - the 40th class reunion. I was unable to attend, but our class pulled out all the stops. A web page was set up. Photos were posted. A site was opened to send notes and memories to one another. Another page to post "the where I've been and what I'm doing now" posts. The turning around...the looking back...life in the present. Colleges attended, marriages, children, grandchildren and moves made in these passing years. I not only was part of the Broken Arrow reunion - but was able to look 'way back' through the 40th class reunion where I started school in Newton, Kansas. Though our family moved away in 1967, it will always be home to me. How fun to hear from friends from elementary/jr. high. I cannot name every one's name. But I do want to thank you for coming into my life, for reconnecting and for dropping by occasionally. It's wonderful to know you are still out there : )<br />
Today, however, there is one person I will call by name. Carolyn Cundiff. Beautiful girl, the right kind of 'cool' blond, infectious laughter and perfect mutterings under her breath, bring on gales of laughter. Thank you for the beautiful CD. How beautiful. Across the miles, through your gardens and ranch and greenhouse - thank you for your thoughtfulness. I must come for canning lessons. Carolyn's canned fruits and vegetables are not only beautiful, but make my mouth water<br />
A while back, brother in law, Jack, sent a photo of Frank's Drive-In. I can taste the hamburgers, the fries and a "Ripper" (forgot the ingredients however). I can see Frank standing at the window, taking orders. Dragging Main Street in small town America. During the gas wars, gas dropped to 19 cents a gallon for a moment. <br />
Radios blaring, everyone talking at once, checking out who was with who (can you believe so and so are dating?!) Sitting on the car at the Tastee Freeze, turning around at the old bowling alley...street races in a 56/57 Chevy. Papering yards, summer nights. We didn't know about "drama" back then, but there was plenty of tears and laughter and note passing. <br />
One night, I was out with Alisha, I think. We were dragging main and pulled into the Tastee Freeze. I just got situated on the trunk of someone's car...my dad pulled in. What is HE doing here!?? He pulled up and opened the door on 'my side' and said quietly but in that voice we all knew so well --- 'get in the car'. He believed it was "uncomely" for a girl to be sitting on the back of a car, barefoot. I do not recall any words being exchanged. Just that silence that stood between a 16 or 17 year old girl and her dad. <br />
I don't know why my brain operates like it does. Some people have a mind for numbers and science. Others for memorizing great passages from books or know every line from many movies. My brain: Music. Everything is connected to music. Rock and roll music from the late 50s through the 80s. (do not ask me about 'music' today. i'm clueless). <br />
Sewn into the beat and lyrics of those songs are connected to seasons, to smells in the air - the undercurrent. What we were eating or doing or where we were going. Name someone, I can hear their laughter and see the sparkle in their eyes.<br />
I retain random details like people remember baseball statistics. People, time, place. Of what value are these things in my mind? In your mind? <br />
Every moment remembered relates to the present. Friendships. No matter the years that separate us; no matter the length of friendship; no matter the places we've lived. The constant: People are so very important. Yes. Priceless.<br />
God gave us a wonderful gift as it relates to memories. Good, bad, delightful, miserable - they have made us who we are. <br />
Thank you Father God for our friends and family. For our brains; our minds. For this present moment and for memories of the 'days gone by'. <br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-57558360463140908292012-03-22T09:54:00.001-06:002012-03-23T14:17:26.504-06:00New Mexico winds. They either sneak in on a breeze or burst upon us like a scene out of an old gangster movie. The weapon of choice; harsh winds - blasting us with dirt, sand, enormous tumbleweeds flying through the air or rolling down the streets. I now understand why pioneer women, living in dugouts went "mad from the winds". <br />
Recovery from sickness is much the same as cleaning up from a storm. You've been shoved around, blasted with drugs, tossed from pillar to post. Slowly, you start moving. You feel your strength return. Like cleaning up from a storm, one day the clean up is finished. Out with the old, in with the new.<br />
Jesus came to earth on a breeze. His birth was announced from the heavens. Years passed. Then <br />
John the Baptist kicked up the breeze and stirred up the sand. Jesus came asking to be baptized of John. Winds changed direction. Like the seasons across time, everyone who encountered Jesus, was never the same. His words, also carried on the winds, filled those dry, empty places in their hearts. They were used to windstorms and eating sand. They were not used to chewing on words of Life. Regardless of time of year they heard his voice, it was spring in their hearts.<br />
We're experiencing spring in our hearts as well. Jim is feeling much better. Slowly, my strength is returning.<br />
Though no one can explain this entire event, I was dead well over 6 hours. My body temperature was below 26 degrees Celsius; my organs were shutting down. I had no muscle tone and did not respond to pain they 'inflicted'. I asked my first doctor later, did my heart stop beating? The answer is yes. My neurologist explained to Jim, Bill, Donna and Peggy, I would not recover. The Dr's believed I had about two days left and that would be controlled by a ventilator, warming blankets and medication. They wanted my family to be able to see and speak to me for the last time on this side of heaven.<br />
Though the miraculous power of God, I came back. I started breathing on my own No more ventilator. I talked, I fought, I got up from my bed. Jim said I asked for my clothes. : ) I realize this is hard to comprehend. I cannot comprehend it myself. I've listened to stories. I have no memories until Thursday of that week. Even those memories are not fully intact. <br />
I am altered physically but not in anyway that you would recognize. <br />
I am altered in other ways. That is a slower process.<br />
More than anything....I know how I felt this morning. I woke up early enough to see the sunrise break over the Sandia's. As Kristin read the other day..."God goes before us into this new day...he already knows every moment." Such a promise. I trust those words...because they are words of Life. Whether alive in this body or not. <br />
I still do not care much for wind...but it has a great and mighty purpose. The Holy Spirit came in a whirlwind - a mighty wind. Listen. The winds may be bringing words of life to you today.<br />
I lift my glass of orange juice, saying aloud - To Life! And to God be the Glory.<br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-84041519203843410242012-03-15T12:56:00.000-06:002012-03-15T12:56:10.944-06:00Declare The Good News!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_VhLaz2kJMGz-yTGBt8Mgi_6J7-sQOngUTIQoqT6qaiyQQ9uIe6Q6ABWGpXm02h9oseCHBuUUnz0exuMon8krlS1auqnQVtH1P8uua9VI6szfptYQQPcWAOXutohuZIdVAPM5B1J0aE/s1600/DSCN0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_VhLaz2kJMGz-yTGBt8Mgi_6J7-sQOngUTIQoqT6qaiyQQ9uIe6Q6ABWGpXm02h9oseCHBuUUnz0exuMon8krlS1auqnQVtH1P8uua9VI6szfptYQQPcWAOXutohuZIdVAPM5B1J0aE/s320/DSCN0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil Parker fresh off of a 24 hour flight from Afghanistan.<br />
Kathryn. Splash down! after re-entry<br />
Photo taken either Thursday or Friday (2/16 of 17, 2012). </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been 5 months since I've been here. Jim and I both have had some delightful days. We have also had some frightening, difficult & sad days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coco, our 8 year old miniature dachshund. My protector, my charge nurse, my ever present Velcro friend died of lymphoma. She stole my heart. I miss her still. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TPXbx5GFGGfYBlzEe7MzW6s2thfdYUTimRDErhYhFbcG2bCKnY2ha5iF_vKQ7GKKhOQ7M5BepmEla1QYHdpfFLaDDFz5f2SStHoeGOl-D38pH_auUzB2HxvWIxtmLGCz7TGbmVbp6Qc/s1600/Lindy+Rose+Hopper+4+mos+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TPXbx5GFGGfYBlzEe7MzW6s2thfdYUTimRDErhYhFbcG2bCKnY2ha5iF_vKQ7GKKhOQ7M5BepmEla1QYHdpfFLaDDFz5f2SStHoeGOl-D38pH_auUzB2HxvWIxtmLGCz7TGbmVbp6Qc/s320/Lindy+Rose+Hopper+4+mos+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to Teresa and Dan's for Thanksgiving last fall. We found this little bit of stuff in Joshua TX. The runt of a litter. She is presently falling on her back like a brown bear, paws pointing to the heavens. She loves taking showers. As soon as she sits on my lap, she falls sound asleep. Is she a narcoleptic? Lindy Rose Hopper. She is a spitfire and fills the days with laughter. Our house is still being filled with an odd assortment of twigs, grass, and dirt. She and Scout like the same things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scattered details of last fall/winter. Jim became very sick the first night of vacation in Colorado. He did not pass go or collect $200. He went straight to the hospital. After a speedy release, we returned to ABQ and Presbyterian Hospital (why they do not call us and have our family do a commercial for them is puzzling...). Diagnosis: a huge DVT in his thigh (no signs or indicators of this large invader) AND not one but two ulcers. Jim went through month's of testing. The final diagnosis: a damaged suborbital nerve. He's had several nerve block shots in his head. After months of blood thinners and a lot of spinach and broccoli, we pray this the Doppler will show the DVT has dissolved. (the test is in May). Jim has dealt with intense pain and fatigue. He looking and feeling some better. Our hearts have gone out to 'little old people' who are both ill at the same time. You don't have to be little or old. Illnesses come like the March winds. When and where they want.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First photo/a little more information. Phil received a message at 3am from the Red Cross. It stated my death was imminent. He needed to get back to the States immediately. His Commanding Officer told him to get packed and found a seat for him. (Thank you sir).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Phil served our country in Kandahar, Afghanistan, doing what he does best. He is a nurse. Though I am family, he also took care of me while he was here (a tall order).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we Skped in November, I asked him to please come to Albuquerque. Nope. He was arriving stateside; out processing and going home to his family in Seattle. The Lord liked my idea. Not only did he come to Albuquerque, but his wife (my sister in law) met him here. AND he arrived home two weeks early. My entire family, my brother in law, friends from Texas & AZ and numerous friends here embraced one another. Friends and family who could not be here, embraced us as well. They stood in the gap and prayed powerful words. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The doctors assure me I did in fact die, but I am back. My neurologist said to Jim. "She is a miracle". I've read all of my doctor's notes. Though I started moving in the wee small hours of Tuesday morning, I have no memories of that time. Though I've heard I was talking, moving and even sitting up, I recall nothing of the first 3 l/2 days. Dorothy ("Wizard of Oz") and I woke up in a similar fashion. Both of us found familiar and dear people talking & staring at us. Being from Kansas it just seemed appropriate to point this out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like to read The Divine Hours (Phyllis Tickle). Last week I turned back to February 13th. I'll share a few readings. While Jim was doing chest compressions on me, these verses and many fervent prayers were being said that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Be strong and take courage, all you who wait for the Lord." Ps 31:24</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"You strengthen me more and more, you enfold and comfort me." Ps. 71: 21</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..."our eyes look to the Lord Our God, until he shows us mercy." Ps. 123:3b</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Into your hands I commend my Spirit, for you have redeemed me Lord God."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"O Lord My God, how great your wonders and plans for us! I will shout for joy!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hymn for the evening was "Now The Day Is Over". I read through the words of this beloved hymn. Memories of this Sunday evening closing hymn are particularly poignant. Chuck's beautiful tenor voice still echos across the years. Though I do not recall singing this particular verse as a child; angels did most certainly attend me through the days and nights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Through the long night watches may your angels spread, their wings above me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> watching round my bed." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Ps 40</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"How great are your wonders and plans for us, there is none who can be compared to you. O! that I could make them known...but they are more than I can count!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for flowers, plants, cards, numberless prayers, calls, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">trips made here, Love Overflowing. It is great to be back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kathryn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-17023204227892098572011-09-26T17:44:00.000-06:002011-09-26T17:44:30.609-06:00A Monday In Late SeptemberJust ate a fresh tomato from the garden. Ilove eating little tomatoes just picked from the plant. Coco is laying next to me while Jim and Scout run an errand. <br />
Thanksgiving and pain run down the same river. A fisherman walks into the water, sets life bait on a hook and casts the reel. The fisherman feels a strong tug on the line and begins reeling the fish in. The fish doesn't lay there - that fish fights for its very life. Sometimes he wins and works his way off the hook. Other times the fish fights and loses the battle - winding up on the fisherman's table. There is pain, there is thanksgiving. We are standing in that river, feeling pain. Yes, we give thanks, but this thank you has a hook. It comes at a very, very high price. Not monetarily. The cost of a soul.<br />
I am not Paul, I'm not at the point of uttering these words and and meaning them. "Count it all joy, my friends, when you encounter suffering"... Perhaps I need to wade a bit farther into the river, out of the shaded areas, but not in the full sunshine as the glare of that is blinding on a river. I need to find that place where shade and sun come together - the place of greatest clarity<br />
I still believe there is hope. For the rest of my life I believe this.<br />
Love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-51542059547453410462011-09-19T17:59:00.001-06:002011-09-19T17:59:28.429-06:00Looking Up<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of you do not need another devotional posted on my blog. You have your favorite authors and devotionals you read. I just wrote this passage to a friend. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Give full attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." The Message/Matt 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Storms come in many forms. We are going to stand under the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">love kathryn</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Standing Under the
Cross</strong> </div>
<br />Standing erect, holding our heads high, is the attitude
of spiritually mature people in face of the calamities of our world. The facts
of everyday life are a rich source for doomsday thinking and feeling. But it
is possible for us to resist this temptation and to stand with self-confidence
in this world, never losing our spiritual ground, always aware that "sky and
earth will pass away" but the words of Jesus will never pass away (see Luke
21:33).<br /><br />Let us be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who stood under the
cross, trusting in God's faithfulness notwithstanding the death of his beloved
Child.<br /><br /><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=epv5xyn6&et=1107704530084&s=38180&e=0012fIPC_9PFrmDPjESkRei0_T9AIhv9qpvUtN03DqrtufcdrzWp_MbBBnLbieBjDH8ivQdEmP0rxuuKUEzDWxy7dMA-Zi7aiwAPvzYgOWJr_mCT4f8pVlAdw==" saprocessedanchor="true" shape="rect" target="_blank"><img alt="- Henri J. M. Nouwen" border="0" height="50" hspace="5" src="http://www.inthelight.ca/hns/henri_full_signature.gif" width="157" /></a>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-67892966761034879002011-09-16T17:31:00.000-06:002011-09-16T17:31:04.186-06:00Good Evening Ladies & Gentlemen...We Have Really Good News This EveningJim went to a diagnostic group, Breathe A.S.A.P. There are many of these diagnostic centers around the country. You fill our a complete medical history. When they have done taken the necessary information and run any tests needed. At the end of your visit, you are presented with a diagnosis and what is needed to correct the problem. (I'm not suggesting this is for every medical disorder - my disclaimer here).<br />
Jim has a sinus infection, deep inside his frontal sinus area. He has had no symptoms of a sinus infection and brain MRIs indicated "white matter". Though Jim had some symptoms of M.S. that was clearly not the reason for the "white matter". This was an indication of a sinus infection not detectable by normal means. <br />
He also has an area in his head, where he has suffered with severe head pain. No drug controlled the pain - it would suppress it somewhat, but it was never gone.<br />
He was told he has an area in the frontal sinus area (where the pain has been emanating from) that needs to be opened up. He was born with this and has just now presented itself.<br />
Solution? Angioplasty. Yes, up his nose to the area right about eyebrow level. The doctor said Jim's ENT surgeon (we have one...we have a Dr for everything and some we have multiples of) will do the surgery. It is an "in and out" procedure.<br />
Are we happy? Nope, ecstatic!!! All of this time - all of the tests including a trip to Phoenix....we have an answer. Wow!<br />
All of the pain Jim has and is still experiencing (but not for much longer); all of the doctors; all of the fears we have in our family of cancer - due to our journey through cancer - most humbling of all - our friends and family who have prayed for answers to this twisted mystery. Yes! Your prayers have been answered. We THANK YOU God! We thank you. For cards, for calls, for thoughts, for your interest and love. Your love has been sustaining and is incredible. Prayer, though a mystery is very humbling. It is a great gift - because of Jesus, we speak directly to our Abba Father.<br />
To Donna Estes for sharing your information re: Breathe ASAP. Thank you, thank you! <br />
To Jim's doctor today - we are so grateful for his capabilities and for the technology available to help people. <br />
We just could not be happier today. We've needed a 'bit of good news' lately.<br />
We're blessed. God is good - God is good always.<br />
From our hearts to yours, we thank you for caring for & loving us so.<br />
Good night from a beautiful evening in Abq.<br />
With love, kathryn and jimkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-73022969819613691132011-09-12T19:18:00.000-06:002011-09-12T19:18:15.382-06:00Vacating Is GrandWe had a good time in Colorado. The dogs were taken care of, Sophie had a cat sitter - who always does a great job of feeding her almost as much as I do.<br />
We've enjoyed a cloudy day here in NM. A harvest moon is due at 7:15pm. I know those back east are already enjoying it. A harvest moon is related to hayrides, pumpkins, apples, carmel apples, flannel shirts, boots, jeans, chili, hot dogs cooked outside and cold, crisp, clear skies. Not quite here in NM...but other places are enjoying fall weather.<br />
I found this quote today. Sometimes things come to you from the most unexpected places. When going through times of crisis, whatever that means to you. "<em>Rather than think, I'll never survive this, try, <u>I'm having the thought</u> that I'll never survive this." </em>You recognize that there is a problem - not avoiding it, you recognize there is a problem, but it is a thought. All about reprogramming. Thoughts like feelings are something we deal with constantly. God says, "Take every thought captive." <br />
I still believe the best way through a crisis (though I am not always successful at this) is laughter, tears and dear family and friends, who listen and make our load lighter. Learning to wait, listen, be still, pray and seek wisdom. <br />
We have such great examples of people who have been through crisis after crisis and never lost their grip on hope or on God. "There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God." We're relying on this.<br />
Though we have every luxury of home in Colorado, it's nice to be home and have my ironing board again. : )<br />
Have a good evening. Off to check out the moon.<br />
<em>looking out the back door in Colorado...lovely mountain stream</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6hG7ba8dfK0hRWY4Z9b_UwANg7KNPE63nhVc92K92lj_OirvddJIA7c7YoqxtFF3Z75-a2pEOyUh0PF77J3u2hs95DRivxsSHtUr83f49I1wrWaaSLD1reKcpVWsYVuaxmnahsQRYWM/s1600/Sept+2011+O-Bar-O+Weekend+1980-01-01+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6hG7ba8dfK0hRWY4Z9b_UwANg7KNPE63nhVc92K92lj_OirvddJIA7c7YoqxtFF3Z75-a2pEOyUh0PF77J3u2hs95DRivxsSHtUr83f49I1wrWaaSLD1reKcpVWsYVuaxmnahsQRYWM/s320/Sept+2011+O-Bar-O+Weekend+1980-01-01+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-76995640530496740772011-09-06T09:48:00.000-06:002011-09-06T09:48:34.363-06:00It's Really September...Savoring the Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyN40qhFdcO5KqHeoF_zIAFmHJCILt7FT6UlayrRsTconI3IlorGSV2PoiVpen2e2nu6M_1wBCSSTWWbje9UgFYQ_U3q6kl-DhAKyNSzPeGwHtV01TkbXrWNjZbCDK2FTMuoDzN8hdaQ/s1600/Weenie+Sophie+and+the+Praying+Mantis+1980-01-01+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyN40qhFdcO5KqHeoF_zIAFmHJCILt7FT6UlayrRsTconI3IlorGSV2PoiVpen2e2nu6M_1wBCSSTWWbje9UgFYQ_U3q6kl-DhAKyNSzPeGwHtV01TkbXrWNjZbCDK2FTMuoDzN8hdaQ/s400/Weenie+Sophie+and+the+Praying+Mantis+1980-01-01+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Sophie sitting in the window on Labor Day. She napped the rest of the day. She knew it was a holiday and took advantage of it.</em></div>One should live everyday with thanksgiving, snow, sleet, rain, hail, tornadoes, floods, HEAT of seemingly epic proportions (I do remember those days in Kansas and Okla that were extremely hot and cold). However, September fills me with deep joy. I am forever a fall and winter girl. No matter how old I am, I love the changes - leaves changing and falling off the trees, the skies are bluer, the green chilies roasting on an occasional street corner or market, balloons rising in the cool morning air. I remember so many September mornings of my childhood and early adulthood.<br />
Though I really cannot explain these feelings of fall and winter, I do know, I find myself aligning with God and digging deeper into his Word. Longing for Him to shape me, mold me & add new interior wells deep within me.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <em>"Create in me a clean heart O! God".</em></div>Today, I am reading Psalms 71.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em> "Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see trouble, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame."</em></div>Thank you God for David and others who spilled their hearts to you. Never in fear - just pouring out their hearts. You are a Big God. I pour out my heart and use the Psalms daily to express how I feel. God desires for us to be completely honest with Him. He already knows our hearts and knows also that our desire to grow in faith, hope; our struggles and pain with fear, anger, bitterness, opens the gates of our hearts and minds to joy and comfort; healing, a deeper faith and trust in Him - this God, Our Father who loves and knows us intimately.<br />
Though there is a rumbling at the center of our lives - not just physical but in other ways, we know that God's promises are true. I have many doubts and fears. I know too that satan preys on every thought that creates doubt and fear. Like a cat pouncing on a mouse...he tears into me. So I ask God to "incline your ear to me and deliver me from my enemies." (paraphrase mine).<br />
For the moment and this day - I am grateful. The hummingbirds are moving in for their breakfast. I glanced up and saw gold glimmering at the top of a neighbors tree. Why the neighbor's trees? For we do not have a tree that changes color in our yard.<br />
For those on the other side of the country, be thankful for those trees in your yards and those pesky leaves you rake every fall. Don't ever take that for granted....go out and bring some in your house - make a garland of those leaves and hang them in your window.<br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-42072186371498398772011-09-02T17:47:00.000-06:002011-09-02T17:47:43.599-06:00Square One...The MRI was clear. They apologized to Jim, but found nothing wrong. It's a weird thing...you are thrilled nothing is wrong and yet something IS wrong. <br />
We may never know what it is.<br />
We would like to believe it will go away as quickly as it came.<br />
We know there are many, many people who live with chronic pain and fatigue and have never found an answer to their "why". <br />
Jim will continue to do as much as he can do physically and rest when he's not able. We've stretched our imaginations pretty far with all of his symptoms - we've looked up extremely rare disorders and blamed everything on "just stress". I will tell you, first hand, knowing what you have is a walk in the park. Even if it's serious. It's this "not knowing" that can drive you over the edge. <br />
What we do want to say is thank you for your kindness, your inquiries, your prayers, cards, calls and support. <br />
Happy Labor Day. Breakfast with some dear friends tomorrow...then head to Sears for a vacuum cleaner belt. I keep burning them up. Vacuuming should not be this much of a challenge.<br />
love and many, many thanks,<br />
kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-70990118464502834732011-08-30T17:03:00.000-06:002011-08-30T17:03:33.253-06:00Jim...So FarVery good news. No tumors, no brain lesions, no pituitary problems. He does has arthritis in his neck. An answer to the neck pain that had not been answered.<br />
He does have nerve damage in his face. They will run a stationary MRI - showing 'slices' of the nerves in his face. He has not been on any medication that will help the pain he's suffered since last winter. The dr said they could do a nerve block today or he could offer him medication. Jim said he would like to get the MRI done today. No nerve block or medication until the test is done. He is scheduled for the MRI at 6pm. We are hopeful he will learn the results this evening or early in the morning.<br />
Lessons to learn: Do not run into a steel tool cabinet - head on, then run into a wooden door while carrying a solid wood desk about an hour or so later. <br />
It's hard to believe he's been through so many tests; so many drs - all with the same information and it took a trip to Barrow Institute to get answers.<br />
I'll post results when the results are in.<br />
He's still dealing with intense fatigue and balance issues. Those are to be addressed by the dr here. If there are no answers forthcoming in ABQ, Mayo Clinic is only an hour by plane. It's wonderful to have this option. <br />
YOU have more than blessed us with your prayers for Jim and for both of us. We pray for your needs and concerns as we hear from you. This is not a one way street by any means.<br />
All in all, we feel like we can breathe a bit easier. <br />
More later. Many, many thanks.<br />
Blessings to you,<br />
kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-25011395927729273802011-08-30T09:33:00.000-06:002011-08-30T09:33:59.799-06:00He's Got The Whole World...Mine is Manageable<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas9qxJp2LyRHOouKBGawe0qX86kLk8RSv3VYZYY0K92nD_TJxCABVt4sVSLdAS6Vy7uR3l1ID1pKQAi4RZS7pgNLVYKIuP4I7DajzKjcAT3RgM3q_kDoonYJl1kItqgxBSZvGydp-iC0/s1600/the+world+1980-01-01+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas9qxJp2LyRHOouKBGawe0qX86kLk8RSv3VYZYY0K92nD_TJxCABVt4sVSLdAS6Vy7uR3l1ID1pKQAi4RZS7pgNLVYKIuP4I7DajzKjcAT3RgM3q_kDoonYJl1kItqgxBSZvGydp-iC0/s400/the+world+1980-01-01+037.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beware of DIY sites. I bought this globe about 2 years ago. I wasn't sure what to do with it, but I knew something would strike me. It did. Paint it with chalkboard paint. Another place to doodle and steal quotes to pen on the whole wide world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's still needs some touch ups, but it's almost completed. I can see the next projects in my minds' eye. I'm going to finish this before I move on. I'm ready to "take on the world".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It is so nice this morning. I went indoors to begin the purge of the kitchen counters and decided I can do that when it's too warm to be outside. I'll do some reading and enjoy the pups.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I hope you are doing what you enjoy today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">love kathryn</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-73105220755042841982011-08-28T12:09:00.000-06:002011-08-28T12:09:04.670-06:00Life is but a dream, but this does not involve rowing<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptlUtYp9a3vQUdlF0wRnITe1rdcLEp8TNtxpVJotEBsVgbZySaWCNfapPuMgXTvzYH8-tVGb07JraLMGbJDcWnL8MIYu4GeOCh3_JSequASb_sX8qlqMK-FJWJSnMl9MHkSXGWIyTCuY/s1600/Albert_Einstein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptlUtYp9a3vQUdlF0wRnITe1rdcLEp8TNtxpVJotEBsVgbZySaWCNfapPuMgXTvzYH8-tVGb07JraLMGbJDcWnL8MIYu4GeOCh3_JSequASb_sX8qlqMK-FJWJSnMl9MHkSXGWIyTCuY/s1600/Albert_Einstein.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein</span></div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-79154068591260633552011-08-25T12:55:00.000-06:002011-08-25T12:55:49.551-06:00I Was Once A MotherI always enjoyed reading "Are You My Mother?" It was sweet and everyone was kind to the new little hatchling. That books and show like that were just comforting, funny and made you feel good about how life was going. Learning was taking place, new words were being identified by the one being read to. Soon, so soon, she was literally covered in all of her books. Reading them as fast as she could. She knew the "jist" of every story at age 3, just not all of the words..who cared? She had developed a passion for reading. As the bystander in this little life, I had prayed for this and found my prayer answered in spades.<br />
I also prayed the ocean would be a place of incredible delight - the vastness would not scare or be a place that felt dirty due to the sand. To this day I see a 2 yr old - holding her arms full out, looking at the ocean and the sky...as if in worship for all she was taking in. I said thank you.<br />
These past few years have taken a toll on me, on both of us, that is indescribable. We remember HER. The core of her. The being God created. We are now seeing another side. Things I cannot discuss. I DO know this. The precious word that God started in her is being hidden. It's being put under a bushel basket. She is alone and does not know where to turn. She has chosen to turn to the world for answers and it is a void. <br />
We've literally prayed 1000s of prayers for her. As have our friends and family. People who do not know us, utter fine and precious words to God on her behalf. <br />
She is in so much noise (to quote a friend) she cannot hear Him knocking, every so gently upon the door to her heart.<br />
We are confused. We live a simple and quiet life. We know things we cannot discuss at this time or maybe never. We simply beg you pray for Jim and I. We had entered the land of giants, they are all around us. However, we know we have a God who can squash a giant with merely a thought. Our God loves her. Loves us. Is not wringing his hands but is weeping the prayer of lament over his little lamb. <br />
Pray specifically for our anger...though it's part of this process...to use it for good. Pray for sleep. Jim sees a neurosurgeon on Tuesday morning in Phoenix. We do not know (though we've asked) what he is going to say to Jim.<br />
You are always a blessing - like gold, spun gold, in our lives. There is not one of you who has not crossed into the fast moving waters or stood on the edge of a mountain and wondered how you were going to get out. <br />
We want to live in grace. Be God's precious children. We want peace restored as well as calm. We may not get that. We pray for strength to be what we are called to be. Though surrounded by great darkness, He is the Light of the World.<br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-78209651554643899462011-08-19T12:12:00.001-06:002011-08-19T12:12:12.804-06:00T.G.F.A.V.G.F. (thank goodness for a very good friday)<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim's colonoscopy was a success. Two small polyps (just so sure he doesn't mind sharing this type of information...just sure....sure,I'm sure). They were removed. He does not have cancer. The polyps are benign. Now THAT information is the TerriFic!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our nurse prayed over Jim that his doctors would find a resolution to the other problems. To receive that kind of blessing, without a second thought on her part - the Lord spoke to her heat and she listened. She said the Lord heals and blesses all who ask. Her touch, was healing, brought tears to our eyes - we were all blessed. Be a blessing by surprising others in need with your prayers. Take their hands; pray for them. It stops the pain or hurt, it sets people back on their heels - they are blessed. Jesus touched people with his hands. It was a blessing. It also puts them in touch with the truth -what is truly real. He is the lover of our souls. Whether the person chooses to know more or not, their hearts and lives are changed. It is a mind bending, heart changing gift. It lifts the heaviness from any and all situations. We never know when those words could be drawn from at another moment. A touch, a hug, a smile. These things change our world....as well as theirs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a blouse, purchased by the one and only owner - circa1970. I feel so young wearing this tunic/embroidery shirt. I am 17 again. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" style="margin: auto; text-align: left; width: 900px;"><tbody><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<tr><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 775px;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.178061768&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bridge Over Troubled Water</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.178061768&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Simon and Garfunkel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.2034640&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(They Long to Be) Close to You</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.2034640&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Carpenters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.1854857&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American Woman</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.1854857&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />/</span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.304808256&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No Sugar Tonight</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.304808256&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Guess Who</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.18453517&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.18453517&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, B.J. Thomas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.15039992&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">War</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.15039992&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Edwin Starr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.248364&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ain't No Mountain High Enough</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.248364&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Diana Ross</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.104078&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll Be There</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.104078&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Jackson 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.218402434&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get Ready</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.218402434&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Rare Earth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Falbum%252Flet-it-be%252Fid401151866%253Fi%253D401151904%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="itunes_store"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let It Be</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, The Beatles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.200149117&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Band of Gold</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.200149117&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Freda Payne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.218402253&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mama Told Me (Not to Come)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.218402253&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Three Dog Night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.73999036&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything Is Beautiful</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.73999036&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Ray Stevens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.73245024&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make It With You</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.73245024&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Bread</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.206978160&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hitchin' a Ride</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.206978160&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Vanity Fair</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.46803&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABC</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.46803&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Jackson 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.104072&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Love You Save</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.104072&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />/</span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.104074&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I Found That Girl</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.104074&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Jackson 5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><u><strong>Cracklin' Rose</strong>,</u></span> Neil Diamond</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.304763278&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Candida</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.304763278&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Dawn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.193126666&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.193126666&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />/</span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.193126483&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everybody Is a Star</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.193126483&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sly and The Family Stone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.275036303&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spill the Wine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.275036303&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Eric Burdon and War</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.254340117&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O-O-H Child</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.254340117&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Five Stairsteps</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.187583901&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spirit In the Sky</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.187583901&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Norman Greenbaum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.264833818&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lay Down (Candles In the Rain)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.264833818&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, Melanie and The Edwin </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hawkin S</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ingers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.278789662&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.278789662&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Temptations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25. </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&offerid=146261.298803193&type=2&subid=0"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love On a Two Way Street</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.298803193&type=2&subid=0" width="1" />, The Moments</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can still sing a few lines from all of those 70's hits. (how scared do </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want to be?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway...her mom, washed it, starched and ironed it and it's been a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cedar </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> chest since 1970...mint condition - all for $12.00. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now about those </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wrinkles on my neck and the man who </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gave </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a senior discount at the </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">movie theater - without asking......hmm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with my favorite photo of the moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">..and you shall find rest for your soul... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am going to stand in Hope and live in Joy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">love kathryn</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yt9e74trKl1DzOwATfQpJ2FYK8G0V8km_Y0nyXg2bcYFAmTt5vZdLSwq45JXJ5Q7YYVZnPemrzgEmo5zuYKYTuTWTpCDWbJx5tP8vVrbT3zcGa4DYyIZP3gtTos3wh8b9A-dHSLZtHE/s1600/August+19+Sophie+1980-01-01+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yt9e74trKl1DzOwATfQpJ2FYK8G0V8km_Y0nyXg2bcYFAmTt5vZdLSwq45JXJ5Q7YYVZnPemrzgEmo5zuYKYTuTWTpCDWbJx5tP8vVrbT3zcGa4DYyIZP3gtTos3wh8b9A-dHSLZtHE/s320/August+19+Sophie+1980-01-01+031.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yt9e74trKl1DzOwATfQpJ2FYK8G0V8km_Y0nyXg2bcYFAmTt5vZdLSwq45JXJ5Q7YYVZnPemrzgEmo5zuYKYTuTWTpCDWbJx5tP8vVrbT3zcGa4DYyIZP3gtTos3wh8b9A-dHSLZtHE/s1600/August+19+Sophie+1980-01-01+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yt9e74trKl1DzOwATfQpJ2FYK8G0V8km_Y0nyXg2bcYFAmTt5vZdLSwq45JXJ5Q7YYVZnPemrzgEmo5zuYKYTuTWTpCDWbJx5tP8vVrbT3zcGa4DYyIZP3gtTos3wh8b9A-dHSLZtHE/s1600/August+19+Sophie+1980-01-01+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There are no tulips around here so I'll tip toe through the zinnias and morning glories." sophie</span></div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-85268876600509186122011-08-16T10:20:00.000-06:002011-08-16T10:20:09.446-06:00Call Him and Listen<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxOIggdxSSGf_ymiTcc4tWfpOJ8NSPubSvXWuHwSOn4Y9CYJWeOBumhcztpc2zZyXr-kZNMTk5IRTOYGpiPEJ__0KieKAtAqQ8KjSiGof2I2dS76i00Jpi-jST1nnud8aQwHtSfNIYKI/s1600/Colorado+Med++Trip+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxOIggdxSSGf_ymiTcc4tWfpOJ8NSPubSvXWuHwSOn4Y9CYJWeOBumhcztpc2zZyXr-kZNMTk5IRTOYGpiPEJ__0KieKAtAqQ8KjSiGof2I2dS76i00Jpi-jST1nnud8aQwHtSfNIYKI/s640/Colorado+Med++Trip+104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>" On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul."<br />
Psalms 138:3kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-83655358169965059502011-08-15T17:31:00.001-06:002011-08-15T17:32:10.981-06:00A Brief Brief Re: JimAnother appointment to discuss findings on his latest blood work results. He has some problems in relation to low red blood counts. We will listen and see what we learn tomorrow. My gut feeling? More tests. <br />
It's fajitas for dinner tonight. I hope you are enjoying whatever you like to eat on this much cooler (at least here) Monday evening.<br />
Jack...we wish you all new A/C very soon. There are 2 adults and 6 dogs in this house. All are taking turns in front of the fans.<br />
I finally finished "The Help". A good read. There is still a stack of books waiting to be opened or finished. Of course, I'm always looking for just one more book to read.<br />
My brother will soon be en route to Afghanistan. He's been "enjoying" his time in Kuwait. He shared with us the pleasure of finding high end port a pottys and that the view of sand is never ending....and for some reason, they have all had a steady diet of fish of every type. (no lobster thermidor or shrimp scampi). All kidding aside - this is serious business for him and for all of our troops. <br />
Let's all get and stay well for a while. How about it?<br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-34317429540290253402011-08-15T13:06:00.004-06:002011-08-15T17:20:03.180-06:00E.N.T. Visit...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wuzl-wQ4E_jRJcn9t5IACPP_OkX6CRHWXz9utwBUOYIqL6LZ7xCiktZOqWs7IT3LU9j8uHfhMnfRlj9Sa0QQf1l0eMQx8xhi3LP4S0OgwNNA1MGVaXXGK_1Br4QOSKksjgzmOg6URCw/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wuzl-wQ4E_jRJcn9t5IACPP_OkX6CRHWXz9utwBUOYIqL6LZ7xCiktZOqWs7IT3LU9j8uHfhMnfRlj9Sa0QQf1l0eMQx8xhi3LP4S0OgwNNA1MGVaXXGK_1Br4QOSKksjgzmOg6URCw/s200/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Dr. H saw Jim this a.m. He is sending him for a balance test and to a Dr who will examine his vocal chords. As for the BAER test. The reason Dr. H said this test is not used, is due to the very obvious fact. Jim wears hearing aids. A pre-hearing test must be performed before doing the BAER test or the results are skewed. Even if you do have a hearing test, due to hearing loss, it may not be accurate. He said, right now you do not need to see anyone in the neurology field. "Good night! they will mess with your brain!!" (he's a funny guy and intelligent). We are still waiting on the results of the blood work done last Friday. Hopefully, we will know what has caused the anemia. <br />
So we just have had some good news. And we praise the Lord for this appointment (that everyone insisted he must have) and for the follow up appointments/tests. <br />
I just read from Henri Nouwen's readings on solitude and poverty. Poverty stopped me in my tracks. Our language is limited - it's a great language, but there are deeper meanings to our words and clarification is welcome.<br />
<em>"Poverty is where we experience our own and other people's weakness, limitations, and need for support. To be poor without success, without fame and without power. But there God chooses His love...".</em> Jesus says, Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. When we hide ourselves in Christ, though we are burdened and many times in despair, he sends His own Spirit to comfort us and sort things out - if we are listening to His word. I get myself in such a tangle. The wires from my head and my heart get so twisted, they short out, shutting down power. The power is never of my own making, but I can short circuit the Power. God comes in with new fuses and fresh wires (I love all of the colors of those wires) and rewires my entire system. He gently, but with firmness in His voice, states these words (my paraphrase).<br />
<em> "You, Kathryn, must be convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,<u> nor anything else</u> in all of My creation, will separate you, Kathryn, from my (overwhelming) love. This river of love flows from my Son, Your Savior, Kathryn, Christ Jesus, Your Lord."</em><br />
We believe we are on the right path. Our paths sometimes swerve in all directions, but this sounds very promising to us.<br />
We love you!<br />
kathryn<br />
(for readers...I should have edited better. I had other things on my mind. I hope the corrections make better sense).kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-23182381544103956352011-08-13T11:27:00.001-06:002011-08-13T11:28:30.734-06:00Painting, Picking Tomatoes, Reading & Enjoying the Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg366jYOpb57LRufIwVwlbme8HBDlkttgKLR1jnRHj_zjh37c-KM6HsRpI1yEh-3kt7vjTKZWs4MjAf5oaA23KVAzvaYohmJcwvFec6uP-41K3y0gEgRYCTwOwdwBRfGGF38A_bPAPILQw/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg366jYOpb57LRufIwVwlbme8HBDlkttgKLR1jnRHj_zjh37c-KM6HsRpI1yEh-3kt7vjTKZWs4MjAf5oaA23KVAzvaYohmJcwvFec6uP-41K3y0gEgRYCTwOwdwBRfGGF38A_bPAPILQw/s320/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+010.JPG" width="320" /></a> Good Morning Purple Face!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzjHTMoRjnQJG2FIYPWHlDc6ho73KySQWs-8N2cmFmdUXMj11ky3ftylHUD-UKuAKVeSqvxprJ073GbuySbyngy-1uc3ZLUwhDZX0gcfJYktKsVHUbUt00R-Ux_Gh6DNZBxTjcOTyMKI/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzjHTMoRjnQJG2FIYPWHlDc6ho73KySQWs-8N2cmFmdUXMj11ky3ftylHUD-UKuAKVeSqvxprJ073GbuySbyngy-1uc3ZLUwhDZX0gcfJYktKsVHUbUt00R-Ux_Gh6DNZBxTjcOTyMKI/s320/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+016.JPG" width="320" /></a>Zinnias!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzjHTMoRjnQJG2FIYPWHlDc6ho73KySQWs-8N2cmFmdUXMj11ky3ftylHUD-UKuAKVeSqvxprJ073GbuySbyngy-1uc3ZLUwhDZX0gcfJYktKsVHUbUt00R-Ux_Gh6DNZBxTjcOTyMKI/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzjHTMoRjnQJG2FIYPWHlDc6ho73KySQWs-8N2cmFmdUXMj11ky3ftylHUD-UKuAKVeSqvxprJ073GbuySbyngy-1uc3ZLUwhDZX0gcfJYktKsVHUbUt00R-Ux_Gh6DNZBxTjcOTyMKI/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbO3ab92qe8ITSgvJ-Rw7_JgjStF9XXZLWUtPgkSHueqUtWG4ax3XNqTbFc0oSOh8FBWPSg5q9YqGNj32n2Xbn7DnFrcBKv0l0mcg-MRHRz9GV49q_DB24AHhNnEpsTZ50t7RZSHqj-I/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbO3ab92qe8ITSgvJ-Rw7_JgjStF9XXZLWUtPgkSHueqUtWG4ax3XNqTbFc0oSOh8FBWPSg5q9YqGNj32n2Xbn7DnFrcBKv0l0mcg-MRHRz9GV49q_DB24AHhNnEpsTZ50t7RZSHqj-I/s320/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+022.JPG" width="320" /></a>Sophie likes sleeping in the zinnia bed...she is on her way over right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GxcCD8sbXaFFflUO28ETLHuGUr7TRUU5_ianY_FEyQo-fVBHDLXbwCBxUIRtnm0ZUSgPkA-wEWu_gWw4PNqwSo8t3PlMebL2nFLN9asF10aYdO_Sif-ysFJwPP-uIx5xJaBfOCeyv-E/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GxcCD8sbXaFFflUO28ETLHuGUr7TRUU5_ianY_FEyQo-fVBHDLXbwCBxUIRtnm0ZUSgPkA-wEWu_gWw4PNqwSo8t3PlMebL2nFLN9asF10aYdO_Sif-ysFJwPP-uIx5xJaBfOCeyv-E/s320/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Faced Zinnias. They love the heat - not wicked heat, but enjoy showing off in the bright sunshine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mO4RzUk00_Vii5X7xizSTeQ5_wQ04OTYES7AgRlQB38Ugnxar3OwPol5EGq6pULQZChAA4e-bOURk5CNMFOQgKePyPmf7RJp81803KgK8M7CNQwGLUbHC4FHiSQo1yE6bqb9F2g5Nls/s1600/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mO4RzUk00_Vii5X7xizSTeQ5_wQ04OTYES7AgRlQB38Ugnxar3OwPol5EGq6pULQZChAA4e-bOURk5CNMFOQgKePyPmf7RJp81803KgK8M7CNQwGLUbHC4FHiSQo1yE6bqb9F2g5Nls/s320/August+flowers+2011+1980-01-01+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coco and Scout found a pallet on the den floor is the best way to stay cool. Scout caught me, but rolled over & went back to sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jim had a morning to sleep in. I was on the patio spending time reading and doing a little research re: Jim's situation. I read enough to make me very dangerous. So I put it away. We are in God's care. Dr. L. in Phoenix is going to review Jim's latest MRI. We are waiting to find out what type of anemia he has so he can be treated for that. Staying awake may be highly overrated in the "real world". It's not for those dealing with major fatigue issues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peggy phoned to let me hear the ocean this past week. Music to my ocean starved ears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From my morning reading: "Learn to enjoy life more...relax, remembering that I am God with you." My paraphrase, 'walk with childlike delight, enjoying each and every thing, say out loud, I trust you, God, I know you love me and are with me." Though we've had some detours, valleys, bumps in the road - we do laugh a lot (most of you would state our humor is quite twisted)...but we either laugh or fall into a dark place. Laughter IS the best medicine. We are planning a get away very soon and are looking forward to a different view - which always leads me to a different viewpoint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though there are still moments we stub our toes, lose perspective and get way ahead of God, we come back in thankfulness for all He is doing in our lives. We are in the potter's hands. I think there have been many re-do's on this piece of clay. One day I will get to see it and be so very amazed at what He has created from a single lump of clay. To quote "Mercy Me" - I can only imagine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile...tomatoes are coming on. We indulged in fried green tomatoes. Yummy! The eggplants are full of beautiful lavender blooms and the large sunflower plants are reaching ever upward. Looking for that brilliant summer sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"God comforts us not to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> ***from Streams in the Desert"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">..."I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land...let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you." from Psalms 143</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot believe it's time to returned to school. I'm sure school teachers/administrators are not having has much of a problem with this as I am. : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">love on this Saturday morning,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">kathryn</div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-21750804485462307102011-07-27T21:06:00.001-06:002011-07-27T21:06:14.701-06:00World's Tiniest Jalepeno Peppers, Ya Think??<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9bU1zFJD8IR2Pofot4mWdYHYA3o5nl8Jo2b_VEmfY5SD6mgp1xSOd8SWGrq_hCrIKNESK9Kq5wS_q9HNUpdzCulDxOGevTLQ1CQrlUnthv90v9iYxucewpdAH2dAHYRq4mjBHGU7LeA/s1600/1980-01-01+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9bU1zFJD8IR2Pofot4mWdYHYA3o5nl8Jo2b_VEmfY5SD6mgp1xSOd8SWGrq_hCrIKNESK9Kq5wS_q9HNUpdzCulDxOGevTLQ1CQrlUnthv90v9iYxucewpdAH2dAHYRq4mjBHGU7LeA/s320/1980-01-01+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those are little, tiny jalapeno peppers. Look very closely. (sorry it's blurry, as I said, it's a very tiny plant!) The peppers fit the plant. It's a very healthy plant, just very tiny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow is my last doctor's appointment. I've been scanned, xrayed, poked and prodded, hemmed and hawed over this summer. I will return to the cancer center every 3 mos. The only thing on the docket is cataract surgery for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, Jim's health took a bad turn. All of the symptoms and a few new ones have been with him for several months. We've looked for the best doctor(s) and believe we've found him/them. We heard from him yesterday. He said he would be glad to review all of Jim's records. We pray we are on the right path. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No cruises, no mountain cabins, no hut by the beach. We've had a quiet summer. There is a season and a purpose for everything under heaven...even when we do not always understand the reason or purpose. We've seen some incredible things during this past year plus. We are thankful we are not on our own. Ever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll get back to you on those peppers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Good night from Abq.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">love kathryn</div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-19619267950011937412011-07-20T19:06:00.000-06:002011-07-20T19:06:41.813-06:00The Best Thing Of This Day.....Rain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi571NMC3vCt5-n9qmVl2ctB8yWeHHeECC2XlKfLbsEAusRDPUpRhMfMCVCxX9RToSpIeB4vBXEutuEpYRqYvQSzSQVOXxq6vOzkwb3YzkOHdfdjEkAssOhlpsHQWB0hz_mStkXpqVHnuU/s1600/rain+and+scout+1980-01-01+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi571NMC3vCt5-n9qmVl2ctB8yWeHHeECC2XlKfLbsEAusRDPUpRhMfMCVCxX9RToSpIeB4vBXEutuEpYRqYvQSzSQVOXxq6vOzkwb3YzkOHdfdjEkAssOhlpsHQWB0hz_mStkXpqVHnuU/s320/rain+and+scout+1980-01-01+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJfp_m70q_X9EsE29_EE8k3jz6wS25FtSc0MVdd2K1PkPfHRfTFipAl35rY3SpbImX-bzGxARuCxGDloMLoJKZBJzVb846_cvIWxulIbkKKfEieAzCLBmhg8FzvLMGdSl1RpVSZZ8VJk/s1600/rain+and+scout+1980-01-01+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJfp_m70q_X9EsE29_EE8k3jz6wS25FtSc0MVdd2K1PkPfHRfTFipAl35rY3SpbImX-bzGxARuCxGDloMLoJKZBJzVb846_cvIWxulIbkKKfEieAzCLBmhg8FzvLMGdSl1RpVSZZ8VJk/s320/rain+and+scout+1980-01-01+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scout has a fear of thunder and storms. Look at those eyes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I'm all a quiver!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." <br />
Langston Hughes </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-9348341143069743802011-07-13T10:58:00.006-06:002011-07-14T08:11:36.678-06:00Seasons, Anchors, Mustard Seeds, No Glib Answers<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">"I started to sense that words not only convey something, but are something; that words have color, depth, texture of their own, and the power to evoke vastly more than they mean...and to make things happen inside the one who reads or hears them." </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ~Frederick Buechner</span></em><br />
Morning has long since broken. Thankfully, there is shade on the patio and the breeze is cool. Scout is on duty (if you have read Hank the Cowdog, you understand the need to patrol) and Coco aka The Weenie, is keeping on eye on things from her blanket. She's moving slowly this morning, but still has a keen eye for predators - robins, sparrows, an occasional hummingbird. <br />
Though the folks behind us have no desire to tend to their yard, their apple tree is loaded with lovely green apples. I only wish I could have 8 to 10 for an apple pie. (this may fall under "do not covet thy neighbor's apples). Instead, I'll head to the market when I'm overwhelmed with a need for a piping hot, fresh apple pie. (ah! fall...)<br />
Jim worked 6 hours yesterday. A record. applause. We take it as it comes. <br />
I pulled out an old book. Surprisingly, I didn't write the date in it. The publishing date is 1997. Our dear friend, Renee', died in February of that year. A year my faith was shaken. A year of doubt. Not only over Renee' death but what it did to my faith. Renee' was 40 years old. My first husband died at age 20. These deaths (and many in between) opened my eyes. Never completely, but each time someone young died, my eyes were opened a bit more. God revealed the deeper things very slowly.<br />
Today there are loved ones who are struggling with life. Downsizing, adult children, grandchildren, grappling with loss of parents, coming to terms with changes in their lives; things that only happen to other people ("Myths and Other Lies"). We are also walking in the dark in regard to Jim's health. <br />
There is a bit of survival's guilt going on. I want to race ahead and "be a source of encouragement" to others, but I do not sense what that is going to look like. So I am working on living in the moment. A bit like a child who sits on the edge of his chair in school, only I don't have that much energy to wiggle about so. By God's great grace, I survived a rather harrowing year. I sit here and only have numb feet and joint pain. It's nothing. Absolutely nothing. I am enjoying a morning with my dogs and cat - listening to the birds and feeling a calm, soothing breeze. <br />
I'm reading "<u>when faith is not enough"</u> by kelly j. clark. I have read bits and pieces of this book since 1997. I picked it up again but could not connect to Chapter 1. I thumbed to the chapter titled, 'fear and trembling' and am now reading the following chapter, 'hope and suffering'. Job. A man who TRULY suffered. A subtitle in this chapter is "suffering that is honest to God" ----<br />
"Conversation and fellowship with God demand complete and heartfelt honesty. It would have been unthinkable to the ancient Hebrews to withhold their secret longings & desires from the Lord. It is a sign of their trust that they could unburden their heavy hearts on the Lord of the universe. Withholding lament betrays a lack of fidelity. When we express our anguish to God, we draw God <em>into</em> our experience. To avoid God stoically in times of suffering or to maintain piously that "all is well" when we know good and well that it isn't -- this prevents God from fully entering into our believing experience. The life of authentic faith demands raging at God when we want to know "Why?""<br />
Job didn't suffer passively. We can thrust our anger upon God. Our hope is that, as for Job, God will meet us with his grace." (this sentence is paraphrased for brevity....I am not known for brevity).<br />
So many words and paragraphs stand out to me now. They flesh out the Word. They are like stakes in our garden, his words hold me up when the winds blow. Once words from this book were discouraging. I had not walked through enough refining fires (but there had been many to that point). I do not have control over the things that life brings. I can ask "why?" When we do "ask why" to our family and friends, we find our relationships deepening. <br />
We want to make sense of everything - we are not always allowed the answers. We will have times of washing up on the shore without a clue. We are commanded to trust - He is faithful.<br />
God, from the beginning has desired nothing more than to be in relationship with Him. (And to love others more than ourselves.) Pray to God and share your heart. Though he knows what's going on in your mind, He jealously longs to hear what you are thinking. He is here, His Spirit lives in us. That same Spirit brought Jesus from death to life. We are filled with Life because of: Faith. Hope. Joy. Grace. Love. Paul writes, the greatest of these is Love.<br />
May God break through in ways that amaze you today! <br />
love you kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-56364898196871941702011-07-12T09:25:00.000-06:002011-07-12T09:25:57.424-06:00I'm Walking In Sunshine....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTaLTNY7SjcBWvqxx-KYmdwwBJT9CahuH-s_NBbZ15-rkuzJItICRCHc3voDCPSpQIpydi0HFrE26KJlejtu-B1TYSz_oGvejJIYCfHciSqy-nc0ognPihI17dgKH1kn9eLrAcmmLPlE/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTaLTNY7SjcBWvqxx-KYmdwwBJT9CahuH-s_NBbZ15-rkuzJItICRCHc3voDCPSpQIpydi0HFrE26KJlejtu-B1TYSz_oGvejJIYCfHciSqy-nc0ognPihI17dgKH1kn9eLrAcmmLPlE/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The first sunflower. Scout ate two (yum). I managed to save two plants. I like it with the chippy old window. It stands up proud and tall when the sun hits in the afternoon.<br />
Sunflowers reflect life. We need the Light to stand up to the storms and challenges of daily life. I paraphrase from a movie, sunflowers turn their face toward the sun (Son)...no matter what. I know my day are better when My day is best when I soak in the Word and the His Light fill my heart, soul and mind. <br />
"Your open hand satisfying the desire of every living thing." Ps. 145: 16<br />
Blessings on your day! love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-16713817804656465172011-07-08T18:39:00.000-06:002011-07-08T18:39:50.721-06:00Friday afternoonJust a quick note. Dr. Clark said all is well with me. I am to continue blood work. Thanks to your many prayers and love. It was good to hear "your doing well" from Dr. Clark. He's not one to toss out empty words. He's meticulous, as I've said several times. He was shocked to see me in a sleeveless blouse and capri's. : )<br />
Jim has had an up and down week. He has a couple of tests on Monday. Hopefully, Jim should hear from Dr. L's office at the Barrow Institute early next week. <br />
A good weekend for....rain. We pray those clouds will roll in and bring rain.<br />
Many, many thanks to all of you. <br />
Love you, kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-61132975302346519022011-07-05T13:53:00.001-06:002011-07-05T16:28:08.072-06:00Pause In The Midst of A MondayHappy 4th of July on the 5th of July. We live in a great nation. Oceans, rivers, lakes, deserts, mountain ranges, blue skies with marshmallow clouds. A vast continent that is filled with great beauty and surprises. We enjoy freedom to travel from one state to another. To worship and praise God...to feel the love of fellowship with friends. A great reason to remember people that came on little ships over 235 years ago. People like you and me - who came to establish this nation. They had no idea how that was going to look, but they were passionate about freedom and many gave their lives and still do to retain this gift of freedom. Freedom still comes at great cost. <br />
Philip Parker, Commander, USN (Reserve) left his family yesterday. He will soon serve as a nurse in Afghanistan. Though Phil is 50 yrs old, has been the head nurse of an ER in Seattle, has a wife, 4 children and 1 granddaughter - he is still our little brother. The 'baby' of the family. 50 years ago yesterday, we went to see fireworks in a town near to Newton KS. I do not remember the town, but I remember the blankets and picnics all around us. Then night fell and my mother was concerned Phil would be scared by all of the noise of the fireworks. Instead, he laughed and laughed. It was pure joy. I remember it very vividly. Thank you, Phil, for the sacrifices you and your family are making. Thank you for serving our country. Please take care of yourself. We are praying for strength and courage. We pray God will keep you & those you work along side out of harms way...and you will return very soon. You are deeply loved.<br />
Now to these medical issues. <br />
1. My colonoscopy was clear and I enjoyed a very nice nap and a good meal and evening with Bill & Donna. <br />
2. Jim find acupuncture very helpful. He also had a shot in his foot (steroid) and wore a brace for a week. That feels better. <br />
3. We found out Jim's feet grew a full shoe size. hmmm....<br />
4. He saw an endocrinologist this morning. Yesterday, I was reading about the pituitary gland. I found this disorder that seemed very close to what is going on with Jim. Acromegaly. The Dr told Jim this morning he believes this is what he has. He believes it has been caught it early, because he only has a few of the long list of symptoms. Jim will have the glucose infusion test next Tuesday. (I was running ahead and believed that was today...you know I tend to run ahead). I like answers. If you like to read about disorders, go to Mayo Clinic site online and read about it there.<br />
Coco. She did not have a thyroid problem at all. O! that it was only a thyroid problem. She has lymphoma cancer. She is 7 years old and has been the joy and light of our lives. She is even tempered, sweet and loving. Her greatest joy is to be sitting in my lap or better yet, tucked inside my bathrobe (especially in the winter). The prognosis: 1 week (which she has surpassed) to 5/6 months. Sometimes she has a lot of energy - today, not so much. If there is a cancer exorcist out there, we need one. Too much cancer. We are enjoying every moment we have with her. Scout knows something is up. They are very instinctive little creatures. As for treatment, we chose to put her on prednisone to relieve her of fevers and pain. The lymph nodes are all back to normal. If only she was. She still brings us great joy. When she runs into the backyard to bark - who cares? <br />
We are all praying for rain - monsoon rains. We've had far too many wild fires and more are breaking out. Those who live and work in Los Alamos are returning today. That's such wonderful news. Those firefighters are very brave and did an outstanding job. There was losses from this fire. I don't know if you can say to people who lost their homes, "it could have been worse"...for they are experiencing "the worst". But as is always said, homes can be rebuilt; lives cannot be brought back. We are thankful no one lost their life in this massive wildfire.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><em> "Let everything that has breath, Praise The Lord!"</em></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be quite frank, we are not down and out but we are worn about the edges. We know we do not see the whole picture, </div><div style="text-align: left;">Right now, I am thinking of the former painter who used to teach painting on PBS. The soft voice and the huge head of hair. He would take his painter's tools and begin working on a forest. Blacks, dark greens, a dab of white, a dab of yellow and he's start working the background. When I watched, I was intrigued. He knew how much of each color, he knew where to begin. He also let his imagination work into his art...it wasn't pre-planned. Jim and I are like his oil paintings...we are in the background, we are waiting for the following layers to make us into the picture God wants us to look like. I do hope he will add a dash of red. I love red. And blue. And wear way too much black. : ) I digress.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a glass of iced tea - just the way you like it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">All is well and all will be well.</div><div style="text-align: left;">love you kathryn</div>kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653221087673822267.post-45157998483779318082011-06-22T19:51:00.000-06:002011-06-22T19:51:14.244-06:00Encouraged!Our family doctor contacted Jim today. The doctors at Barrow Institute have reviewed all of Jim's tests/CDs of MRIs/MRAs. It was determined he does not have M.S. Due to the findings of a couple of tests done when Jim was in the hospital, another doctor has been brought in for further review. We pray this doctor will be able to address the problems Jim has been experiencing. A diagnosis would be so welcome. We are very encouraged the process didn't end with one group of doctors. <br />
Jim is back to work for 2 to 6 hours a day. Though he doesn't feel well much of the time, it's a good feeling to be back at his job.<br />
We think Coco has a thyroid cyst. She's been dragging around here, so that may be the answer to her fatigue. Seems to run in the family. Her thyroid cyst seems to be much larger than the one I had. Normally, she moves slowly - the past few days, she is near full stop.<br />
I just read the forecast - 100 degrees Thursday. Friends who live in Tucson are laughing up their sleeves - if only we could have such cool weather here!The garden plants will need some deep watering tonight and tomorrow. Like people, they too enjoy a good, long soak.<br />
Update: I have not bitten off my fingernails. Shocking even to me.<br />
Our friends, Bill & Donna, are back home from Hawaii. Bill suffered a massive heart attack while on vacation. Donna reported they were "a little tired". We give God praise for bringing Bill back to us and for the great provision for Donna, Bill and their family. This will go down as the vacation no one will forget. <br />
Time to turn off the computer and do some reading before I fall asleep in my own lap.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>"A life without love is like a year without summer."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-- Swedish Proverb</span></div>Blessings!<br />
love kathrynkathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661317718824919122noreply@blogger.com2