Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Natural remedies....

I don't know many. One I do know, though, is a hot lemon for a sore throat. Not a lemon that you heat up (heehee) but a drink made of lemon juice, honey and hot water. I don't have measurements, just add the lemon and honey to your taste.



There are the obvious ones, gargling salt water, cloves for sore teeth, using hot water bottles, sleeping. I am *trying* to learn other natural ways of dealing with minor things that don't require a doctor or pharmaceuticals.
If you have any, leave me a comment!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Keep your fork

This was in an e-mail I recieved. I do not know the author of this story, but if you know, please yell so I can give credit :)

Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming.....like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed, They make you smile and encourage you to succeed . They lend an ear, they share a word of praise , and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."

Just for fun

I am Marianne Dashwood!


Take the Quiz here!

I think this is completely neat!

This woman had a very unique, really sweet idea for her wedding!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Ducklings!

I don't have any livestock, as it's not allowed on the property where I live, but my neighbour's muscovys had a batch of ducklings! They are just a day old in this picture, and already so alert and fast!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

It's the time nature rests

yes, it's fall! The giant maples beside my house are slowly falling asleep, the life flowing down to the roots to awaken again in spring. The results, of course, is a magnificent display of reds, oranges, yellows and browns.It's a mixed feeling to see the foliage this way. Awe, that the Creator, although he has this whole vast world to care for took the time on one tiny leaf, on each tiny leaf on one tree, on vast numbers of trees in all the world so we'd have this glorious display each autumn. sadness, too, that soon our days of sneakers and t shirts will be over and we'll be back to mittens, scarves, touques and snowboots.
I was walking the dog the other day, and noticed that the apples on the wild trees are falling, plunking down in a shower when the wind blows. The late summer flowers are turning to seed, the Queen anne's lace, the black eyed susans,the snapdragons.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

And they're off, all too soon!

It's that time of year again, Back to school!