SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY

The Joy of the Son light after the storm

The Oregon rain blusters against my window, then suddenly dances away, only to return with a misty kiss against the house. I smile as I watch it slide off the patio roof. I love the Oregon weather, and rain. 

Still smiling, I turn back to the meat and veggies I am cutting for my hubby's dinner, humming as I place all the ingredients into the cooker. He will be late tonight, but I will keep it warming for him. I reset the heat and place the lid in place, setting the imer. I head to the living room

Settling myself in my favorite chair, I am content. I love this twilight time of the day, when my chores are behind me and I can relax. I boot up the computer, looking forward to what my friends have been up to on Facebook.  Immediately, I see a friend and brother in Christ, Mike Warnke has begun a new blog Souls. (souls2016.blogspot,com. Check it out, and be blessed.)  It was there I spotted the word "blogger". I began to feel excited. I wondered if it could possibly "be".

Let me explain. September 2013 was the last time I posted on my blog This Little Light of Mine.  It was about that time my hubby and I began another battle with the powers of darkness. Our world was turned up-side-down for more than two years.  It was only the love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit that brought us safely through. We clung to Him, trying not to despair, but we weren't always successful.  Yet, He didn't waver.  His knew the end of the story, allowing us through His grace to grow in our trust and faith in Him.

Somewhere, along the way I lost my blog spot. I totally lost "Blogger". I tried many other avenues, seeking that road which would lead me to my calling. Of course, God had some work to do in me. But, I didn't really understand that along the way; I was simply distressed that I was unable to serve the Lord... thinking I had failed, that I had fallen short.  Oh, for the gift of hind sight before the lesson.

Proverbs 3:3-5a
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes..

Psalm 3:5
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Today, there it was.  "Blogger", possibly the treasure in the field, for me. I held my breath and clicked the link. That's when This Little Light of Mine lit the screen. Something I thought was lost forever, was not. It was under the protection of my loving Father, until the time was right.  I yelped for joy!  This is truly sunshine through the storm for me. How thankful I am, for the Lord has once again led me to what I love to do. In His timing. At his calling.

Welcome! I invite you once again to join me as I discover God light shining in my life.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 

Blessings of Joy, Sunny Rowe

 

OUR GREAT COMMISSION OF JOY

Every Christian has a "great commission" which the Lord placed upon us while still in the womb, when He called us His own. Too often, we think the great commission belongs only to the church body as a whole, and so ignore our individual commission. That doesn't change things - we have a purpose in this world, and that is to battle the things of darkness, while showing the light of the Kingdom to those who dwell in the darkness.

We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ to the broken, lost and sick remnant. As ambassadors we must know everything we can about our own Kingdom, and prepare ourselves about the kingdom to which we have been assigned. That means being ready!

Being ready with oil in the lamps, the wicks trimmed and ready to respond to the calling of the bridegroom. We must not be slothful, making excuses for not being ready, because when we hesitate the moment is lost. We are supposed to be bold and strong, but how can we be, if we have not nourished our spirits, and strengthened our spirit muscles in preparation for the battle? How can we battle our way across the battlefield to bring the remnant home if we have missed the training program?  We can't. And we will fall prey to fiery darts and stinging missiles of the enemy if we let pesky things of every day life get between us and our mission for Jesus Christ.

We must be girded for battle.  Not just by power and might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. For the Spirit of the Lord will lead us into the battle, blessing us going in and coming out! And what is the Spirit of the Lord?  A guide. A mentor. A leader. A teacher. Always reflecting the love and compassion, the hope and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
In the Lord's presence there is fullness of joy. There is hope for all eternity. There is peace for what we must accomplish today. And if we will say "Yes, Lord", then the Holy Spirit will spring into action and lead us.  If we will say "Thank you, Lord for what You have done". the Holy Spirit will bring us comfort, peace and joy. 

PSALM 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

He feeds us at His banqueting table, so we are strengthened and filled with the knowledge of good; so that we may recognize (without hesitation) that which is evil.  We must bring the broken and hopeless to this banqueting table; we must sit them at the head of the table, and wash their feet. This is what Jesus would have done. We can do no less. In so doing, we shine the light of the Lord upon their dark and fearful path, and show them the way home.

ISAIAH 25:6 And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees.

Jesus taught us that He is the way, the truth, the light, and that no man comes to the Father in heaven [claims his place in God's Kingdom] except through Jesus Christ. As ambassadors, our great commission is to introduce them to Jesus Christ, and offer them opportunity to join the feast. We must do it as Jesus would do it, with love and joy! It is, after our calling, our great commission... to bring the joy of the Lord's salvation to a starving people.

ISAIAH 29:19  The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.

ISAIAH 35:10  And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

ISAIAH 52:9  Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

In Your presence, O Lord there is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore... 

My Page - Christians Like Me: FREE TO BE

My Page - Christians Like Me

What ever the circumstances, no matter if my day is filled with Sonshine or storms, the Holy Spirit rains on me.  And the Lord has taught me to be free in Him.. I am free to "be". There is nothing holding me back, but me.  It may be lack of confidence in who I am. I may be wonder that the Lord would choose me to use. I may feel fear of what others think of me. All I know for certain is that for years I tried to "soft pedal" Jesus Christ to the world. Oh, sure,  I was blessed to minister; I was blessed to see people come to the Lord. Still my spirit "itched" within my body. It was then God showed me I was like a giant ice burg - 90% of me under water, unseen, with just the top peeping out.
I was given the talents to be a sales person and a teacher. These two readily work hand-in-hand, because a teacher must sell the student on the idea of learning something. Then the teacher must "stack the sale", as any good sales person would. Stacking is the method of adding to sales by making available and suggesting more items to go with that sale. So, as a sales person I have little difficulty is presentation and closing. Yet, surprisingly enough, when it came to the most important thing in my life ... the one true treasure in my field,  I have been timid (in the past) for fear. I must ask myself, fear of what? Offending someone?  Being ridiculed?
Guess what, self!  I have found that offending, and being offended can be accomplished perfecting well whether or not I tell the world about Jesus Christ. I remember when I first began my Facebook page. I would add a bit her and there about Jesus. Put my toes in the water, saying "Amen" to other folks' evangelical messages.  But you see, that wouldn't work for me, because I wanted friends.. I wanted people to like me.  Yes, I still want those things. We all want that. But as time went by I found the little remarks posted  here and there, denigrating anything Christian,  only provoked me into action.
I serve my risen Christ! And I will let him decide who gets to be my friend.  I will wait upon Him, and while I wait, I will wait - I will serve.
Jesus taught us very plainly in the parable of the talents, the sad outcome when we bury our treasure instead of sharing it with the world.  He forewarned us of how we, who are salt, can lose our flavor, and become as nothing.  And He assured us that we can accomplish anything He sets before us, because He is the mother lode, the vine; we draw strength and richness from Him. He was amazed that we could have a banqueting table before us, but settle for scraps, instead of a sumptuous meal. Here we have a banqueting table, a feast.. and we  hide our faces from it!
The truth is, we will never want for anything, and we will never be forsaken. For ours is the Kingdom of Heaven, forever, and ever.
Look out world, here I come.  For I am free!!

SPIRIT WINGS

Some birds live in cages, they sing a quiet song,and like them I could sing for only you. But, Lord your love released me to sing a different song, and soar above the captive life I knew. Spirit wings, you lift me over all  the earth bound things, and like a bird my heart if flying free. I'm soaring on the song your spirit brings. O' Lord of all, you let me see the wonder of your majesty. You lift me up, you set me free on your spirit wings.

I AM FREE

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you all hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free
Yes, I am free

I AM FREE TO RUN.. I AM FREE TO DANCE .. I AM FREE TO LIVE FOR YOU.. I AM FREE..
YES I AM FREE

Isaiah 61:1 NKJV  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound...

Galatians 5:1 NKJV  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

A THANKSGIVING WISH

May every day be a Thanksgiving day for all of us!

THE OLD MOON WITCH

THE OLD MOON WITCH
Sunny Rowe [c. 1983] 







When the pale gold moon lifts high at night,
and forest creatures scurry out of sight;
Then across the darkened, shrouded gloom
Comes a high-hatted figure riding on a broom.

She's a dandy crone in black gown and hat
as she stalks the heavens with her one-eyed cat.
Their yowling cries climb to fevered pitch,
and the night belongs to the old moon witch.

With gleeful cackle she swoops over land;
Every black-hearted villain at her command.
While she shrieks and dips, and onward she flies,
fetching at random lost souls for a prize.

If you want to see her, if you want to look,
better go down early; find a secret nook
where  you can hide out safely 'til the morning light
from demon forces on Halloweve night.

By cauldron bubbling she sets her broom well,
Calling forth all the demons up from hell.
Crying Up you Jackels, there's work to be done
before the horizon meets the morning sun.

From trembling earth, romping in disguise,
Your darkest nightmares dance before your eyes!
Your heartbeat quickens and your mouth goes dry,
with petticoat rustles of the witch passing by.

She mounts her broom lifting towards the sky.
All earth will shudder, many spirits cry
until silver light gives way to the gold,
The work of the pagans will be swift and bold.

When you're safely home, secure in your room,
You'll think of a witch and a cat on a broom.
Though demons vanish when daylight is met,
the Old Moon Witch you will never forget!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matt. 5-14-16]

Proud to be an American!

A friend of mine posted the other day that perhaps [because I feel so strongly] I have been called to patriotism! It took me back for a bit.. but it is true. God put it in our hearts to claim, stand for and love the land He has given us. The best example of this is the ongoing struggle in Israel.

President Kennedy said it best: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

What can we do for God but to honor, respect and love that which He has given us. I pray that every day is a star-spangled, glory hallelujah day for each American. It will never be perfect in the eyes of man, but if we start looking for the good, then we can withstand the not so good.

I Laught in the Face of Adversity!

 If it makes you smile, giggle or laugh.. do it again. 

Thank you Lord for laughter to fill our hearts, our souls and our days. It is one of the greatest gifts you ever gave us! I am so excited to know that we are made in Your image, and so seeing you face to face will be a time of laughter! For all eternity.. how much fun is that!!!

My Sun Scorched Land of Milk & Honey

I have been living in the Coachella Valley in California for a little more than a year. It was a surprise to me that I was not only willing to move here, but that I faced it with excited anticipation. For years, driving long-haul with my husband we would drive through this area. It was dry, dusty, hot and held no appeal for me whatsoever. But my husband loved the desert and the hot sun. His subtle hints of desert dwelling fell on deaf ears, as I voiced my opinion that this must be the last place anybody would want to live.

God is so amazing... about the time you think you have everything under control, He say, "Just a minute - watch this!". So you stand there in open mouthed wonder. And that was me in June 2009. I stood in this valley while visiting our son and felt as though I had "come home".

When I shared this with my husband, he did not miss the opportunity to jump on the band wagon with me to look at a future living together here. So we sold our home, I moved in with our daughter and her family, and I began trips looking for a home for us.  We ended  up in the last city on my list of choices.. and it has turned out to be the best. [God is smiling right now]

Matters of life have been very strenuous, and sometimes we have asked each other if we made the right move. The answer is always "Yes", because God had His hand in this. And He will see us through.

Do we love it here? Oh, yes. I thank God every time I look out my window.. every day when I wake up. We love it because He loved it for us, and He has put a deep love in our hearts for this new land, and the people. For us it is a land of milk and honey... a place of rest and restoration He promises all of us.

I pray you have found your "home".. your rest in the Lord.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. [Isaiah 58:11]

Mothers' Day Song

When I was a little girl, every year in our music class we would practice the Mothers' Day song to be performed at the Mothers' Day tea. Every year I hoped my mother would love the tea, and the little gifts I had made her. All little children hold their breath as their mothers carefully unwrap the untidy little packages, filled with untidy little hand made gift. Every little child's heart is on the line. 

Our walk with the Lord is like this... expectation, desire to please, excitement and a willingness on our part to prepare a celebration for Him every day... as we wrap our little gifts, lay them at His feet and eagerly wait to hear "well done, good and faithful child". Oh, the joy of it all!

I want to honor all mothers here today, and I thought the best way might be to write down the words to that song I sang so many years ago. It is my little gift, untidy in its wrapping, but given to all mothers with love.

M - is for the million things she gave me

O - means only that she's growing old

T - is for the tears she shed to save me

H - is for her heart of purest gold

E - is for her eyes with love light shining

R - means right, and right she'll always be...

Put them all together they spell MOTHER... the word that means the world to me.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Un-Mother's Day

Every year when Mother's Day rolls around I struggle with emotion, pain and scars.. and it is beyond my capability to deal with it, if I didn't have the Lord carrying me through.

It shames me to dread this especially blessed of days, but I do. And I have tried to hide it for more than 60 years now, but the Lord has led me to expose my inner turmoil, for the sole purpose of reaching others who struggle in the same way.

So, for those of you who have lost mothers, children, been abandoned, abused, forgotten... or perhaps you have never had children you so longed for - this message is for you.  The Lord loves you, and He has sent me as a messenger to remind you of this, and to let you know you are not alone. He has called me to pray for you for the next few days, and He has compelled me to tell you that I love you in your loss, and that I understand more than you can know. I will stand with you, and thank God for you. I will remember you, even though I don't know you, because Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords loves you, and begs me to love you too.

Do not weep, rather rejoice in the Lord. May this message bring you hope, courage and assurance that you ARE your Beloved's, and He is yours.

Footwashing In Today's Culture

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; in Biblical times hosts honored their guests by washing their feet as a way of refreshment. It was a kindly, honored service towards another person.

Today, there are groups of folks who take food, drink,clothing and other supplies to homeless folks... and they wash the feet of these lost people, as they tell them of the love and tender mercies of Jesus Christ. Of His servitude so great, that He gave His life for every single one of us. He showed the way! It is an act of total servitude and humility on the part of the washer; it is an act of wonder to the washee.

Yet, when I look through teachings of pastors and evangelists, I find there are those Christians who scoff at this, and in fact put down the act of foot washing! Why? Because, as they explain it was an act of refreshment only, in a bygone day. They further advise that there is nothing in the Bible that makes this scriptural, and to do so is almost to the point of boasting... that it is making new scripture, instead of following that which is already written.

I won't belabor this for long - Jesus showed us about foot washing as an example of a "servant's heart". We should be willing to serve the lowliest, the least of people. Only then will we grasp a full understanding of God's pure love. 

While there are no Biblical instructions as to performing footwashing during worship services, there is no way I could not participate in this demonstration of love, any more than I could not participate in laying my face of the feet of someone when I pray for them. I am compelled by the love of God and the fullness of the Holy Spirit to a place I would not otherwise go. At the foot of another. There is so much joy, richness of spirit, closeness to God when I put myself in that position that I can't use mere words to describe it. When this happens, I am lost - lost in the love of Jesus, and completely vulnerable to His leading. What a joy to be so privileged as to bring this kind of love to someone who is without love in their life.. 

I cherish those moment of being a "lamp unto thy feet". That is my experience. I am not compelled by law; I am not compelled by teachings; I am not compelled by Biblical dictate; I am not compelled by the ideals of man. I am compelled by my Father in Heaven, in the love of Jesus Christ, through the Spirit. And when He calls, I will always come running, no matter what the reasoning of man.

Try it sometime! You will never be the same.

A Child's Easter

The idea of giving gifts out of love is a concept from God, as generously evidenced by his son, Jesus Christ. These celebrations are what God would expect - the birthday of a King, and the resurrection of a king.

Children aren't complicated. They are capable of learning so quickly, it is amazing. They need to learn about love, not disdain. They need to learn about giving and receiving. They need to learn about waiting, believing and searching.... hope and faith.

We know there is no Easter bunny bringing dyed eggs [or laying them, for that matter]. But it is a lovely story... momentarily brought to life. The symbol of the egg... the carrier of life. We know there are no flying reindeer and elves working at the North pole. Yet,  Santa and the hope he engenders quickens the hearts of all children over time.

When a child is brought up day-to-day with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the example of Jesus Christ exhibited in his parents... when a child is nurtured, and taught about Jesus Christ, then that child KNOWS Jesus lives! Talk to children who love the Lord. They are straight forward and adamant in their belief... not question for them. Jesus Christ lives. They know him and recognize him as their savior, protector and friend.

There is a season for everything. A time for planting, a time for sowing - and, there is nothing new under the sun. We need to let our children have their season in the sun, laughing and growing strong in the love of the Lord. We need to let them play, as we teach them.

As an adult, I look back on a childhood without those fantasies, those wonderful dreams, those glorious days that make our eyes shine, and our hearts beat faster. And I spent years devoid of the love of Jesus Christ in my life, and family.  I was on the outside looking in, and my heart longed to join in the fun. My imagination knew no limits, as I wistfully dreamed, and longed to become part of the fairy tale.

Yes, we need to keep our Risen Christ in Easter. And we can do that by allowing our children laughter and joy, using these gifts as tools to teach our children how to live with and love the Lord. We can teach them that waiting for Santa is much the same as the world waiting for the Messiah. We can plant, grow, nurture... with laughter and a merry heart.

Or, we can show them how to grow a heart two sizes too small.

You Shall Know Him - Riding on a Donkey

"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " [Matthew 21:5 NIV]

If ever words have been spoken about humility, it is these. As Christians we tell the world we "follow Christ". I put this question to all of us - do we really? Do we have an attitude of humility [which can only be adopted through true love of others], or do we seek the best place, the best friends, the best pew in the church, the best... the best.... the best.

Yes, we love our Lord, Jesus Christ. But would we go to Easter services, and be willing to stand outside, so unbelievers may enter and find a seat? Would we be willing to celebrate Easter services in the same garments and unwashed bodies as the homeless?  Would we take to Easter goodies and give them to the poor?  

I am not trying to be provacative, or challenging. I am only testing the waters of our hearts. Are we humble, gentle and loving. Do we see others with the eyes of Jesus Christ?

Let's practice with this song, remembering we are speaking of our Lord and Savior, who was gentle, who died for us. Who thought nothing of entering the throne room of God and conversing with the angels. Who left the palaces of heaven for the crude cross. Who could have ridden in a gilded chariot with fine white horses, but chose to set an example our hearts can follow... he entered on the lowliest of riding animals. The colt of a donkey..

Sing with me.. "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest! Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest. Lord, we lift up your name, with a heart full of praise. Be exalted, O'Lord our God.. Hosanna in the Highest!"

HOSANNA in the HIGHEST!

And as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a colt, the people ran before him waving and laying down palm leaves, and singing "Hasanna in the highest!" Oh, Lord, let us never forget that joyous moment of recognition that you ARE the King of Kings and Lord of Lord... Hosanna in the Highest!

AMBER ALERT - KENTUCKY

URGENT... AMBER ALERT!!! Edmonton, Kentucky, USA. Little girl, 3 yrs old picked up by man driving grey car, license plate: Quebec 72B 381. Canada. Please share this on Facebook, Twitter, email and phone - let's save this little girl.

 

It's In the Bag!

I unloaded my car and took my shopping bags into the kitchen. I pulled my receipts out and checked the items registered. It was then that I discovered the store had made a mistake.. in my favor, not theirs! I had a hand bag which had the security device removed, and had been packaged by the clerk.. but it was not on my receipt. 

This has happened to me many times over the years, and I always groan and fuss when it does. Not because I am tempted (which I am, but never enough to follow through, thus ensuring endless sleepless nights), but because of the process of returning the items. This is more difficult than it seems.

Do I walk into the store and tell them the item just appeared out of the blue in my bag? (Visions of handcuffs and flashing red lights zip through my mind!) Do I slip as unobtrusively into the store as possible, and try to put the item back on the shelf? (Oh, those visions again...) Either approach could land me in a world of trouble. But will they even begin to believe me?  There is only one way to find out.

When Jacob went to meet up with his brother Esau, from whom he had stolen the birth right, he sent word ahead. He offered gifts and glad tidings to make the meeting safe. He understood his situation was precarious, and that it called for finesse and thoughtfulness. This is a good lesson for all of us, and one the Lord has carried me through over the years.

So, I followed Jacob's game plan. I called the store and talked with the manager. After explaining to him the reason for my call, he offered to let me come in and pay whenever it was convenient, if I wanted to keep it. I was amazed! "Really?" I asked, "you would give me that kind of open end arrangement?". To which he replied "How could I not? We never get these kinds of calls.. you could have kept the bag and not said a thing!"

The next morning I returned the handbag. They thanked me profusely. And guess what!?!  I was given an application form for employment! 

God was with me, and the Spirit directed my steps, my attitude and my words to keep me safe from what could have been a nasty situation. Not only that, He saw that I was awarded in an unusual manner - with an employment application. This spoke volumes for the integrity I enjoy, not of myself, but because I serve a risen Christ. 

For just a moment I was tempted to submit that application, even though I am retired. After all, it IS my favorite store. Alas, it is not to be. I learned a long time ago, God will never tempt us beyond that which we are able to handle. I would be like a kid in a candy store! Thank goodness I have the Lord directing my steps. It's best if I just remain a customer in good standing.

Crackle Glass

One of the joys in my life is crackle glass. As a tactile person, I love to touch and hold items, relishing the different textures and what they represent to my fingertips. It is nearly impossible for me to pass by a crackle glass item and not pick it up; cup my hands around it and get lost in the beauty of it. Thousands of light shards dance across and through its surface, smiling back at me. Every piece is unique, and each tells its own story.

Yet, surprisingly all the beauty, depth and light comes about because the piece is flawed. Over heated, too quickly cooled. It is a mistake that somehow turns out beautiful. It doesn't matter the color, the style or what it serves - each one calls out to be picked up, held, loved and enjoyed.

We are, each of us, like that. Beauty from ashes. Flawed, yet beautiful. Each will serve a different purpose. Each will be placed in different circumstances. For every person who sees us and fails to understand the depth and beauty of us, there will be a hundred who draw in their breath in awe.

One such person is Jesus Christ. He loves us in our flawed beauty, because he knows we have come through the fire more beautiful, more bright, more sparkling than before. God has a plan for us all, knowing we will be beautifully flawed by events in our life. Yet, He arranged it so we could still let our beauty rise and shine!

I raise my crackled glass to you today, in honor of who you are. Let your light shine through your history and shed love on those you meet.

Green Things

I Received the posting in my email today ... I have lived through this time, and could add a bit more to it. Civilization is a demanding lady, and there is a price to pay for growth. I added my notes at the end...   In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, We didn't have the green thing back in my day. That's right, they didn't have the green thing in her day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn't have the green thing back her day. In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But shes right. They didn't have the green thing in her day. Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady was right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day. Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used wadded Up newspaper to cushion it, not store bought Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.  Oh, no, they didn't have the green thing in her day. Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But shes right, they didn't have the green thing back then. They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But they didn't have the green thing back in her day. Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint. No, they didn't do the green thing in her day. That old lady was right. They didn't have the green thing back in her day.  Taking care of the environment wasn't a problem because they also didn't have all the destruction caused by OUR day.     My notes: Back in the day we didn't have antiperspirants, wash & wear clothes, instant cell phones for emergency calls, air bags and seat belts in cars, canned goods that didn't taste like tin, hypo-allergenic vacuums and room air cleaners. Restaurants and public places were filled with second hand smoke. We brushed with baking soda or brushing talc.   Back in the day we could mail a letter for $.02, and Christmas packages were tied up with brown paper and string. Morning began with percolators bubbling merrily on the back burners. Back in the day we had sock eggs for darning worn heels and toes on socks, and we turned collars and cuffs on shirts and blouses to lengthen their use. Back in the day I used to sit at a mangle iron, relishing the whosh, pop and starchy steam from the ironing.    Back in the day a lot of folks didn't recover from illnesses we shrug our shoulders at today. I remember the fear of summers when one-by-one folks were picked off and held prisoners from polio. I remember the hospitals with huge rooms filled with iron lungs. I remember my sister in the hospital under a tent with pnemonia. We had aspirin for a headache, and nothing for migraines. Visits to the dentist would send chills down a child's spine.  We lined up in school for shots, but nobody told us our meat or egg sandwiches (wrapped in waxed paper) were simmering pools of bacteria after hours on the shelf.    Things I miss most are folks on their front porches visiting with neighbors and offering never-ending pitchers of iced tea or lemonade. Christmas shopping AFTER Thanksgiving, where everybody gathered downtown in a flurry of excitement.. later gathering for a cup of hot cocoa before making our tired, happy way home. I miss making homemade bread for friends, because it is their favorite thing. Getting dressed up for very special occasions to go out for dinner. Ladies wearing gloves. Men opening doors. Lollipops with loopy handles. Corn Soya. 5 Cent comic books. And caroling in groups on Christmas eve. The smell of the original Jergens lotion and Lanlay Oil for my legs.    Back in the day there was no "credit card debt". Folks saved their money and shopped with cash. Some things weave like a thread, staying with us and keeping us in balance. Church. Family. Libraries. Parks. Picnics. Board games. Laughter. Changes bring good things, while sadly some dear old favorites have to stay behind. How about you.. do you have something special you remember?

Sickness

I hate to say this, but I, too have fallen to the sickies that have been going around. Hope to be up and chatting in a few days. In the meantime, be blessed... live, love, laugh and be happy! ♥