Month: December 2017

Weekly Photo Challenge: 2017 Favorites Birds

I love birds.  I used to have finches for years in a super huge cage.  I can’t believe I used to take care of them the way I did.  I learned how to trim their claws but left their beaks to the Cuttlebones they always had, no problems with trimming.

Later with children we had parakeets.  Some were so loving and easily trained, just like a member of the family and other times, they were skittish and wanted to bite you if you tried to sit them on your finger.  So much for cheap department store birds.  Always try for the finger tamed well taken care of birds from breeders, they are a lot more expensive but worth it.  Healthier as well.

Birds of Prey, Turkey Vultures to be exact, are very prevalent in my area.  Sometimes you see swarms of them, maybe 30 or more at a time sweeping the skies in formation and then they are gone for a while.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I purchased a small Christmas tree this year and placed a few small bulbs and black birds as decorations along with a string of battery operated micro LED lights.

Very cool picture appeared when I tried to take a picture of some snow out the window. The lighted trellis behind me reflected in the glass making it appear like a fairy land out in the snow!

Daily Prompt: Cozy as I Please

How fine a line between cozy and sty?

I ponder this as I breath a sigh.

You’ve heard of tea cozies, meet “couch cozy!”  Created by throwing an oversized quilt on my dark sofa.  I am still unpacking and trying to find places for things so they don’t have to be in boxes or on shelves anymore.  Selling or giving away what I can and now starting to throw out my “toxic” clothing that I never wore very much.  The man made fabrics that never breathed or fit very well.  Stuff too worn to donate.  Even changing over to the natural fibers is no guarantee of fabric safety since most use pesticides everywhere now.

I’ve been sick more than well since October until just a few days ago so I don’t really care what my place looks like.  No one can come in and I have not been out much except for water and supplies and do wear a “sick” mask everywhere so I don’t spread my cold or catch something else from all the unbridled sneezing everywhere I go.  I buy my own drinking water since the tap water out here in the sticks is well water, too hard and I can’t drink that softened stuff, gross!

Had to take some plants off the sill because they started dying.  I have some cuttings ready to transplant so I will do this and just keep them inside on my patio table I have right in front of the window for now.  To the far left of the plants you can just see the large silver spoon I use as a spade inside for my houseplants.  I gave away my garden tools when I moved from my house.  This was from our family’s original silver set we used to use during the holidays.  Most of the silver plating is off of them now but I’m glad I can use this piece for something.

Great Daily Prompt choice for right now in my area as we are in sub-zero weather and it is miserable inside and out.  This is expected for the next couple weeks or so.  UGH!!   This older apartment building has a boiler and sometimes the heat is not sent through the building evenly.  I have purchased a small ceramic heater that I use for short bursts if it gets too cold.  What sucks is I am paying extra for this supplemental heat since the heat they supply is included in my monthly rent.  My brothers have it worse further north.  Way more snow and much colder temperatures of 25 below wind chill this morning.  It was maybe 6 below in my neck of the woods.

This was a “cozy corner” in the living room next to the sofa before I condensed much of it down, got some hung and put some of my unfinished work away.

So dangerous for all the party goers celebrating the remainder of our holiday time now.  New Years a few days away, there will be many out traveling the icy roads.  Please be careful out there!  I purchased this super sized Christmas stocking many years ago at a charity function for Children’s Hospital.  Very whimsical!

Still have my oversized opulent stocking hung inside my front door that gives it a cozier look than a wreath.

Daily Prompt: Cherish God With All Your Heart

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last of the excerpts from the Holy Bible, the Gospel of Luke.  The Nativity of our Savior Christ Jesus which we celebrate by tradition on December 25th.

Luke 2

  1. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  2. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
  3. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
  4. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
  5. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
  6. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

Daily Prompt: “Holy Infant So Tender & Mild”

Always loved the song “Silent Night.”  We would sing this every Christmas when I was young.

Enjoy the continuation of the Nativity, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 2

  1. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  2. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
  3. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
  4. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
  5. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
  6. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  7. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Daily Prompt: Communal Life of the Christian

There is a communal belief of the Christian that Jesus was born and died to bring God’s people salvation.  We need to be saved from our selfish nature.  Jesus spent His life teaching and serving others, obedient even unto His death on the cross.  This Christmas I am posting excerpts from the Holy Bible telling the story of the Nativity.

Luke 2

  1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
  2. (And this taxing was the first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
  3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
  4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
  6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
  7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Daily Prompt: Torn Between Two Worlds

The spiritual world and the earthy, material world you now inhabit with your body.  Most of us are torn between the spiritual and the material with all it’s readily available temptations.  More than ever our culture knows no bounds because those in charge are the unGodly.  Sad that most don’t even have it in them to know God, to do the right thing.  Most do what they need to so they can look good, not out of any goodness in their own heart that comes from obeying God.  Jesus was obedient, even unto His crucifixion.

The next excerpt of the conception and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Holy Bible.

Luke 1

  1. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
  2. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
  3. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
  4. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
  5. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
  6. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
  7. The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
  8. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
  9. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
  10. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
  11. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.
  12. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
  13. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  14. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Daily Prompt: The Miraculous Birth of Christ

Please enjoy the following verses regarding the Miraculous start of the “Greatest Story Ever Told” Luke 1:56-66

Luke 1

  1. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
  2. Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
  3. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
  4. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
  5. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
  6. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
  7. And they made signs to his father, how he would have called him.
  8. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
  9. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
  10. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
  11. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Daily Prompt: Have You Answered Your Calling?

Many Christians feel a “calling” to a higher purpose in life.  Some act on this and others find this difficult for many reasons from feeling foolish or superstitious to putting it off because they are too busy in their current lifestyle.  Find a way to work that calling into your life.  God never meant for us to do drastic things to prove our love to Him.  Many overlook people and things in their own lives that need their attention to go and serve in this higher capacity while neglecting who they were really meant to serve.  Pray on all matters.

Enjoy the next section from the First Chapter of Luke that ushers Lord Jesus the Christ into a world that forsakes Him for the most part.  This part of the Bible blessed me to hear of the babe leaping with joy in the womb of his mother Elizabeth at the sweet sound of Mary’s blessed voice!

Luke 1

  1. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
  2. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
  3. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
  4. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  5. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
  6. For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
  7. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
  8. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.
  9. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
  10. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
  11. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
  12. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
  13. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
  14. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
  15. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
  16. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
  17. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

Daily Prompt: Relate to This

Christians can all relate to the story of the coming of the Lord.  Enjoy the following excerpts from the Bible, Book of Luke for the next seven days leading us to Christmas and His Holy Birth.

Luke 1

  1. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
  2. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
  3. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
  4. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
  5. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
  6. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.
  7. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
  8. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
  9. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
  10. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  11. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
  12. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
  13. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto to me according to thy word. And the Angel departed from her.