Doing what is required

“It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.”
Sir Winston Churchill

A GREAT POST (click here) -- thoughts on teaching a good work ethic. And living by example.

Here I go with blog envy again. Actually, multiple blog envy. She writes more than one. She's good.


AND WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT...COFFEE.
(you know when people say they LOL or laugh out loud but they really didn't...I really DID laugh out loud)

Back to doing what is required...
it's summer and there is lots to do around my humble home. The winter is mighty long so I'm putting the blog on hold for a bit to get stuff done and enjoy the beauty of summer in Essex county.

unless something amazing happens and then I must blog about it

but before I go...BIG CONGRATS to The Baker for winning the SINFULLY SWEET AWARD for the best Diabetic Dessert. It had a gluten crust but I got to taste the GF filling. WOW. Light fluffy cheesecakie goodness! Available by special order. Just ask for the Big Kahuna and tell him I sent you.(click here)

So I look forward to the summer of 2008. And I especially look forward to this place...

Hope I'll see ya around. Be back soon!

What do you think?

"Someone" sent me an email...

I wonder how many people ... feel like they aren't doing much at all about the world and it's imbalance of wealth and food? It really made me wonder if I was doing anything of importance!

God put us in such a wonderful place, are we supposed to do something great with this? Then I think of my wonderful kids and husband and of course the bakery. I wonder do I touch anyone's life like I'm supposed to? Do the little things count? Am I supposed to go out there and actually build something or feed a village or stop abortions?

I have this thought that God actually has a purpose for everyone on Earth...it's not random that you and I were born when and where we are. He put us here for something. Am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing?

I know , pretty heavy stuff for 6 a.m. eh? You wonder why I can't sleep at night! I'd be interested in what you think!

What do YOU think?

My Front Porch

It's Thursday so that means...Creative Chaos at Ragamuffin Soul!!!

I don't need to go far for creative inspiration. I walk out my front door and sit on my front porch. It's not long till someone comes along. Now I make sure I take paper and pen. And this year I'll make sure I have my camera.

My neighbourhood is a porch sittin' kinda place. This is a porch conversation from last summer. This young man inspires me in so many ways...

He knocked on my door and said he would cut my grass for "5 bucks". He even had his own lawn mower. He works fast and does a great job. He pushes that lawn mower about 8 blocks to get to my street. He trims the hedges, puts down mulch, cleans out the garage, washes windows and cleans my car. As soon as he is done he knocks on the door and asks if there is anything else to do. He just turned 15.

We were chatting on his last visit, the day before his 15th birthday, talking about some upcoming projects that he could do around the house. I mentioned my appointments for exercise therapy to restore my knees and walking ability. I said I wanted to be able to travel and be mobile again. He looked me straight in the eyes and said:

"You can do anything if you believe in yourself."

This post is part of the blog event Creative Chaos at Ragamuffin Soul. Click over to see other posts on inspiration and creativity.

Sunday Inspiration

This Dr has a way with words...

Every word from Dr Bob makes me think. From his post: The Prayer of Java

The subject of prayer is a fascinating one for me in many ways, not only because of its effect on my life, but because — as a logical-sequential scientist by profession and disposition, I want to understand how it works — and I don’t, and I can’t. But it does. And that cognitive dissonance drives me a little nuts....

...Of course, the skeptic’s challenge contains a presumption — one rarely recognized, in fact: that everything which exists, all that is real, can be measured, tested, analyzed, proven, and recorded. But much which is human — perhaps all which makes us uniquely human — is beyond such simple means of measurement and proof. How much does love weigh? What are the dimensions of courage? What is the deceleration velocity of a failing marriage? What color is hope? What formula predicts despair? Why does a rose smell exquisite, but a rotten egg horrendous? Sure, we can speak of neurotransmitters and aromatic organic compounds, but such things touch on the spirit, and the tools of the physical realm are wholly inadequate as inquisitors.

There's more, lots more here. Well worth the read!!!

I'm going outside now to enjoy the final arrival of spring.

Giving Education

From Shaun Groves' blog:

...today I started sending Moses to medical school.

...I’ve never told this story here before, but when I was 19 all my friends went off to college and I stayed behind because I didn’t have the money to go to college or the grades to get a scholarship. Then an anonymous gift was made. I was given a college education by someone in my church. It changed my life. Now it’s my turn to pass on that gift.

Click here to read the full story.

And in South Africa...

The soup kitchen is open...

Bloggers on a Mission

I saw this little girl today as we were walking to another child’s home. Her feet were bare. Her blanket was a newspaper. Her mother was nowhere in sight.

A group of bloggers from different parts of the United States are in Uganda. They are sharing and showing what they see on their blogs. Take a few moments to visit. And help if you can.

Here is a list of the 16 participating bloggers that are traveling through Compassion International.

Africa

I am inspired by the blog of a missionary in South Africa. In addition to the work she is doing, she shares her struggles and emotions. Her blog is called kristiapplesauce.

Before my husband came to Canada from Scotland he lived and worked in South Africa. He said it was the most beautiful place he had ever been. He said he wanted to go back there someday. This is one of his pictures.When I picked out the headstone for his grave, they showed me granite from different parts of the world.

I picked the one from Africa.

Habits, Healthy Eating and Bento

I can be inspired by just a word or two. After a conversation with a friend a word stays in my mind. I read a blog, click on a link and that word opens up a new world.

During my last long distance phone call with Vacation Barb (my previously known as Toronto Barb friend) she said the word "habits". "Habits are the key...". She has developed amazing habits. Right now she is flying to Hawaii with her bike in a travel box. Cycling has become a habit for her. It is like her medicine or daily vitamin. Every time I see her she looks younger, healthier. It gives her the energy to work harder, grow her business and employ more people.

She says she is inspired by my new gym and rehab regime. But she has been inspiring me for years.

Along with exercising I am making healthy food choices. I'm not saying diet. After years of yoyo dieting and the damage done by wheat and food allergies I want to come to some understanding with food. We have to learn to get along and live together. And I'll be doing most of the work in this relationship.

My new word is Bento. Through the world of blogs I have found the Bento box lunch. Bento boxes are a Japanese style lunch often made to be aesthetically appealing. I am now excited to make my lunch everyday. I am excited to see what beauty I can pack into a container. Until I have some blog worthy pictures these are the blogs that are inspiring me: Just Bento, Lunch in a box and Cooking Cute.

I made a birthday Bento for D.L.P. (Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day off!). She says I should blog about it to share this healthy way of eating. And it is very healthy. It is about colour, freshness, balance. There are even government guidelines for a healthy Bento in Japan: 2 parts rice, 1 part protein and 1 part veg.

I like the definition of inspire : to affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. Inspire is to be "in spirit". Inspiration makes me excited about my world and the gift of this life. So when a word stays with me, I pay attention. Habits, healthy eating, Bento. These are the words that inspire me today.

January Hibernation/Inspiration...

I haven't posted for a while. January is a hard month for me and anything I thought of posting sounded really negative and not so inspirational. My theory? My people are from the Mediterranean and I haven't acclimatized yet....somebody tell me again why they left??

Oh yea...a better life...yada yada...

It's cold here. There's no sun. Actually today it IS sunny but it's cold sun. See what I mean? Negative. I've been sick but I won't give you the details. It wasn't pretty. There were witnesses and they would concur.

So what am I going to do to get through this month? This is my plan: go to the gym, go to the bakery, watch videos, listen to net radio. What would I like to do? Go someplace warm and sunny with a pool.

I have a LONG way to go towards fitness but I have to tell you it really is true. It feels good to exercise. I go after work in the middle of the night. Sometimes its raining, sometimes its snowing and always I am tired. But after 30 minutes on the bike I walk better, sleep better and have less joint pain.

The Bakery is one of my weekly stops. Unlimited refill coffee cup and lessons in life. Oh and gluten free goodies. I am in love with the GF flax bread. The Baker went global. He appeared on a local radio call in show that is available on the net. He's a natural radio personality, a font of food info and when he's on again I will blog it so EVERYONE can hear My Baker.

I invested $3.97 in a DVD with old black and white TV shows from the 50's and 60's. 15 hours of viewing entertainment from a simpler time. I could critique the slowness, the silly jokes, the stereotypes but I enjoy it too much.

My radio doesn't get good reception so I am so glad that all my favs are on the net: Joyce Meyer, Relevant Radio, the CBC. I WILL be a better person.

And on a happy note we have a new addition to the family. Gracie Lou is a 120 lb St Bernard/Bull Mastiff. I'm not a dog person but I like this one. She has a sweet disposition and is really quite lovable. Pictures soon. (Be nice...she's sensitive about her size...)

What inspires you in January?

(The pic above is the place my people left...)