My Christmas Prayer

So many lives today are touched by cancer. My guess would be that everyone has a family member, friend or acquaintance that has or is battling with this terrible disease or has lost the fight of their life to it. There are some fortunate ones that have survived and are now in remission. Will we ever be completely free of this horrible disease? My Christmas prayer is a small one that I hope others will join me in saying:

Dear God, I pray  that You will guide someone to find a cure for cancer.  ~Amen  

 Today I will create a place for the candle on my side bar and list the names of my loved ones and friends that have lost their battle to cancer. If you would like someones name added to my list please leave their names in a comment and I will be honored to add them.

This prayer and candle came to me via e-mail. Feel free to add it to your posts and e-mails as well. A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting  Another Candle... Please help keep the flame from burning out. 

Wishing all a day filled with warmth and love.

The Joys And Tears Of Friendship

Have you ever had a friend that is always there exactly when you need a friend the most? How about a friend that no matter how screwed up you sometimes are, she is by your side offering unconditional love and understanding? I have such a friend and her name is Jackie. She has been the sister to me that I have always dreamed of having. When I was going through my divorce and between the stress and the Prozac, my mind was telling me I would be better off to just go to sleep and never wake up. Jackie was there to talk me in off of the ledge so to speak. Not only was she there for me at that time, but she lined up a group of friends up who loaded me down with so much love and support and gave me the strength that I needed to see me through that nightmare.


Our friendship consist of more than the stormy weather love and support. We have had our share of good times and laughs. On one of Jackie's visits to Ohio, I took her on a tour of our countryside. I pointed out the cows grazing on the hillside and told her that we grow lop-legged cows here. Two of their legs are shorter than the other two. This is necessary so they don't tumble down the side of the hill. We had a good laugh over that. To this day every time I see cows grazing on a hillside I think of Jackie. Then there was the time that she commented that I was a loyal friend much like a good dog is loyal. I told her that it was all because she handed out such good ear scratchings.


About 6 years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought the battle of her life. Once diagnosed as being cancer free, the colon cancer did not come back. Recently she was having a problem with her knee and leg and went to the Dr. to try and find out what was causing the problem. After x-rays, MRI's and bone scans she went to the Dr. in Atlanta Thursday, the 3rd for results. She was told that she now has bone cancer. The Dr. directly admitted to Emory Hospital and Jackie went through a 3 hour surgery on Friday, the 4th. I am asking you to please offer up prayers for Jackie and to place her name on as many prayer groups as you can. She needs as much strength as she can muster to get through this. Her battle with the colon cancer took it's toll on her and she still wasn't back to 100% when she was hit with the news of the bone cancer. It would be easy to throw in the towel and give up, but I know that God answers prayer and he is in the healing business.

May your week bring you many blessings.

Instructions For A Hard Life........

I have a prayer request to send out for Melody's (our daughter-in-law) sister, Mindy. Mindy is 29 years old. She is married and the mother of two sweet girls. Recently she was diagnosed with emphysema. That was quite a blow to all of us. Now they have looked the x-rays over closely and are seeing a couple of places on her lungs that they want to have a closer look at. Melody will be going with her tomorrow to get a CT Scan. If you are so inclined, please send up some prayers for Mindy and the family. If prayer isn't your way, she could sure use a lot of positive energy coming her way. It will probably be a couple of days before she gets the results, but as soon as I hear anything you will be the next in line to know.

J.D.'s family in Louisiana are all safe and sound. His brother told him that they lost their power for a few minutes and had winds of about 35 MPH. Like J.D. pointed out...... we get winds a lot higher than that here on the mountain ridge. Thanks to all for sending up prayers for their safety.

I had a doctors appointment this morning and got a shot of cortisone in my knee and am supposed to have it up for now with ice on it. I will post more about my appointment tomorrow. Right now, I need to hobble to the couch and follow instructions.

Wishing you a day of blessings and happiness.

Let Us Not Forget

I have selected a few pieces of music that is fitting for honoring our military. Just click on the Playlist arrow to play the music. Every day is a good day to show appreciation for our service men and women. With this being Memmorial Day weekend I dedicate this post in honor of those men and women who so bravely defends the many freedoms that we enjoy. They give so much and put their lives on the line every day. I think the least I can do in return is to pay tribute to those that are still serving, as well as those that served in the past and paid the altimate price for our freedoms and way of life.

If tomorrow all the things were goneI'd worked for all my life,And I had to start againwith just my children and my wife,I'd thank my lucky starsto be living here today,'Cause the flag still stands for freedomand they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an Americanwhere at least I know I'm free,And I won't forget the men who diedwho gave that right to me,And I gladly stand up next to youand defend her still today,'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.



From the lakes of Minnesotato the hills of Tennessee,Across the plains of Texasfrom sea to shining sea.From Detroit down to Houstonand New York to L.A.,There's pride in every American heartand it's time we stand and say

I'm proud to be an Americanwhere at least I know I'm free,And I won't forget the men who diedwho gave that right to me,And I gladly stand up next to youand defend her still today,'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A!

HEROES UNAWARE

I first saw him on a park bench

I've seen him every day

Sitting in a shady grove

Where my children come to play

Sometimes he feeds the birds and squirrels

Or whittles little toys

Sometimes he just sits and smiles

At the laughing girls and boys

And I never paid him any mind

'Till one day just this year

I noticed that he wore a frown

And on his cheek ... a tear.

Well I asked him why he seemed so down

He looked up, began to say

I lost half my friends 60 years ago today

He told me of the terror

As he fought to reach dry land

By the time the beach

head was secure

Half his friends lay in the sand

That was just in one long day

He fought on for 4 years more

And the 60 years from then to now

Have not dimmed His sights of war

He said they have reunions

Just to keep in touch and share

And for each comrade who has gone on

They leave an empty chair

Well, His park bench has been empty now

About 6 months or so

And if I'd never took the time

Then I never would've known

That sitting on that simple bench

With bread crumbs and little toys

Was a man who gave his all

To guarantee my daily joys

So give thanks to all the men and women

Who're still here or have gone before

And made the highest sacrifice

In both Peace time and in War

Because they bought our freedom

Paid their own blood, sweat, and tears

Then endured the heartache of those empty chairs

For all these years

So please do not ignore them

Or speed by without a care

'Cause you never know

When you might pass by

A hero, unaware

By Mark A. Wright, HMC(SS)

22 June, 2000

At some point during the day today I hope that we will all take just a few minutes out of our busy day and give thanks for those who have given their all for us. I think you will find it rewarding to pay Kentucky Woman a visit at her blog, "Little Drops....In The Pool Of Life". You will find a lot of good links to blogs by those military men and women that have served and still are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Have a blessed day ~Jo

Update On Dominic

I had a phone call from Amy a little bit ago. They have been able to turn the respirator down to 30. I am taking that as a good thing, since I have no medical background, I just don't know. The doctors has told the family that Dominic did suffer brain damage. They just can't tell at this time to what extent. He is awake and although he hasn't spoken and doesn't show any recognition of anyone, he will hold onto and squeeze his Mama's hand when he is told to squeeze it. Little Dominic's future is all in God's hands at this point, as the doctors can do no more for him. Please keep those prayers going up for this innocent little guy that God will place his healing hands on him and restore him as best he can be restored.

As I learn more I will post it here.

Thank you each and everyone.......... ~Jo

On The Go Monday

Yesterday was a pretty busy day for us, as J.D. restocked the firewood by the hearths (we have two) and on the porch, I was working on a new project that I started. While searching the Internet for crochet patterns, I came across more than a couple of patterns for what is called a 'Prayer Shawl'. It caught my interest and so I researched it a little more. It is a shawl that is given as a gift to someone that is in need of prayers. The object is to say prayers for that person or for a special need while crocheting it. I have finished one shawl and am nearly finished with a second one. They work up fairly quick and only takes a few skeins of yarn, so they are very inexpensive. The first one I will give to a special person tonight or I will at least give it to someone that will see to it that she gets it. I don't attend church on a regular basis. Most of my worship happens in the early morning hours as I watch God paint a beautiful sunrise in the eastern sky. Also when his wonderful critters come to visit and stop to eat a little of something growing in the yard. My ministering to others is usually through words on the computer, a hug for family or friends, and through prayer requests.

This prayer shawl stirred something inside of me that I felt the need to respond to. It could be a way of ministering to others in a way that I can identify with. When my father died I could not get warm. I felt a coldness that went all the way to my bones. This lasted from the moment I was told of his death for at least a week after. It wasn't until I prayed, that relief came. As I was on my knees asking for God's help in seeing me through this loss and helping my mother and children to deal with my father's death, that I felt His healing touch. I asked Him to please take the cold away. Almost immediately I felt warmth wash over me. It was like sunlight through a windshield on a cold winter day. I decided that I want to do this so I can help bring warmth to someone in need by actually wrapping them in a shawl made by me that has my prayers for them woven in with the yarn.

So that is what I am up to right now. Yesterday our Britt was home sick from school. Tersie's car was under the weather and had to go to the "feel better vehicle clinic". T-Bear needed a way home from school. So we left the mountain and was able to spend some enjoyable time with three of our girls. It is something we don't get to do very often any more. Tersie is very much into being an independent single mom. Which she does way too well sometimes and the girls keep very busy schedules with school activities. All of which means we appreciate any time we can get with them. Being able to be of help to her when she needed it and it felt so good. We hated that she had such an expensive repair job at this time of year though.

While we were in town I bought what supplies we will need to see us through to Christmas Day. Our family gathering will be at Chris and Melody's Christmas evening when they get back from Kentucky. We will go in a little early and get a ham started in the oven. I am making 'G'ma's Potato Salad' and all the ingredients were bought yesterday for Grandma Crace's Apple Stack Cake. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Tonight is Riley's Christmas program. He has come a long way since last year. His performance last year was as a donkey in the stable. He did a terrific job of it too. This year though he will be Joseph. We will give you a full report with photos tomorrow.

Note to Jo: Run, run, as fast as you can..... You can't catch me I'm the 'Gingerbread Man'!