Shilah Writes

My mind is so full of essentials and nonessentials that I’m having a hard time telling the difference. Maybe I should start with the nonessentials. I think in some expert books they call it “cob webbing”. I believe it is all linked together thus; I shall have to sort it out on paper. Starting place: I just finished reading Take The Risk by Ben Carson. [Learning to Identify, Choose and Live with Acceptable Risk] The smaller title caught my eye the most. I am just not a risk taker and so I wondered; is there any acceptable risk? I found out from reading that I take several risk a day just by getting up in the morning and functioning as any other human adult. Well duh, I did know that but never considered that doing anything such as cleaning, eating, and working very risky. Dr. Ben’s formula for deciding what was a risk worth taking was simple common sense. 1. “What’s the worst thing that can happen if I do this?” 2. “What’s the best thing that can happen if I do this?” 3. “What...

I'm not complaining... I just want to sit in this chair on my front porch and feel the sunshine on me face... Me face hasn't felt the sun for many weeks. Every winter I have to count my blessings and say thank you for anything that comes to mind so as not to whine and complain. And the reason is, I haven't seen these beautiful creatures for too long and the big hot orb that makes them grow... Oh, thou lovely rose who brings me beauty even in  bleakest winter... Our Creator has good reasons for the four distinct seasons, of this I am sure. I hope, long, and wait impatiently for spring...  I wrote on my chalkboard at home two words, SEEDS/GARDENS.   I went through the seed catalogues yesterday with a black sharpie and circled anything that looked interesting. You should see the seed catalogue now, it all looked interesting.  It's my form of vitamin D.

                          Definition of “shush”, an interjection for hush. Hush is too gentle. I like the idea of the interjection. You know how it feels to listen to someone go on and on about some pet subject or simply noise that makes you want to crawl out of your skin? That is when “Shush!” makes sense. Reason for me learning to shush: I go on and on about pet subjects or I simply stay stuck in a rut of my own making of ungratefulness. Learning to shush might actually be a key to growing up and saying thank you for what is or is to come. The idea is a foreign thought these days with face book, blogs, and texting saying exactly what we feel in the heat of the moment. Somehow, it has become more important to say what we think than the concept taught in the Bible about making sure what we say “may be...

Indeed, it is now 2013.  My baby, 13 yrs ago, reminds me of what year we are on.  Hard to believe we have a teenager in the house starting this Thurs.  How did that happen?  Those sweet little first baby feet are now bigger than mine and not so sweet.  He's still pretty sweet though.  Jan.  New beginnings.  I get to get rid of clutter, piles, stacks, crud, whatever you want to call it.  I also had a big list of goals like getting my Chile pictures put in an album, and starting a new fitness plan.  That was a huge idea that may not play out quite yet.  I was at the urgent care in Sandpoint last night with what appeared to be a blood clot in my leg. After an ultrasound we were relieved to find only an inflamed vessel that requires me taking a baby aspirin a day.  Now my goal of getting and being healthy feels even more urgent.  They are telling me this problem was caused from our flight to and from PR.  "Boogers"...

Christmas thoughts... Sunday before Christmas... of course we studied Luke 2 this morning in Sunday school and the message was more about the Christmas story.  I think every year, how will we ever get anything new out of the same old story? This morning I noticed the shepherds again.  I love that God chose them.  They were doing a lowly, lonely job.  I bet it was cold and dark out on those hills.  I imagine they had boring moments.  I'm sure they got a little tired of the sameness of their job. I wonder if a coyote wandering into the camp was a bit welcoming just for a diversion.  And just because He can, God sends a whole bunch of angels to put on a magnificent show and tell them the good news first...and then... they spread the word so much so that Mary heard about it and treasured them and pondered them in her heart...  God is with us... He knows who to speak to... who will listen... who will share the story... who will ponder and treasure...

     Last week I spent many nights on the couch because of sickness which in my case brings on snoring. I don't believe I snore but Bruce tells me I do so I end up on the couch with many hours of thinking.  I compose books and short stories as I lay there; most of which are pure foolishness and make no sense by morning. On rare occasion something sticks and won't let me go till I write it down.     Here's my profound thought of the night which doesn't really match with how it got its start.  I usually ramble around the mulberry bush till I get my bearings in writing.  I was pondering what other peaceful homes look like and whether or not we ARE a peaceful home. The previous evening's family time was replaying through my mind.         First replay was a stormy thundercloud arriving home from school feeling "despairing" not a bad description for a ten yr. old girl. After convincing her that she was fe...

Sharing a pina colada... Grandpa bought I don't know how many... Nicole wonders whats up??? This is one of my favorite things about P.R. The vibrant colors are everywhere... I love vacation... A time of rest...