The Heat is ON!!

We have been under an Excessive Heat Warning since Saturday and it has been extended to next Saturday. Yesterday it reached 109 on my backyard thermometer. Supposed to crack 110 today and maybe even 115 tomorrow and Wednesday.

I am now in Week 1 of my Cycle From Hell. Which is good news b/c I'll feel better tomorrow and all of next week. Or I would feel good if I wasn't coming down with a virus. My oldest son was sick all weekend and I was bringing him drinks and "nursing" as is expected from a mom. So I know where I got it. My temp is up to 100 and my throat is hurting and my nose is running. I really am Debby Downer.

Otherwise, the sun is nice & sunny. The desert sky is an amazing shade of blue. There are hummingbirds at the feeders and finches at the bird bath. Lizards everywhere - they really like this kind of weather.

I'm dog-sitting for my oldest daughter. She has a toy poodle that is so easy-going and friendly, he is a joy to have around.

Well, this bit of exertion has been enough to get my eyes watering. I think I'll take a nap now with the poodle.

The Prophet Elisha

Today is the Commemoration of the Prophet Elisha

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”  And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.”  And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:9-12)

The Rapture! Coming to a Sky Near You September 23, 2017

More fun with apocalypse predictions. Remember Harold Camping?  Once again the Watchers, the Prophets and the Discerning are all astir over the signs in the stars - it's Revelation 12 coming to life before our eyes. The moon and sun will be at the feet of the constellation Virgo, 12 stars will be at her head, and Jupiter will appear to be in her womb. Or not.

But what it really is, is astrology. Good old pagan astrology.

People are never satisfied with spreading the Gospel. Spreading fear and, in this case, pagan mythology, provides much more satisfaction to the flesh.

No matter how hard we try, we just can't stop the sinning.

The Beauty of The Traditional Liturgical Year

Today is the Commemoration of the Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, 325 a.d.

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

I've Been Thinking About You

Started to feel like writing again but my thoughts are too scattered to compose anything truly "blog-worthy." I'm mired in perimenopause. For me it isn't so much hot-flashes as it is brain fog, night sweats and much, much worse PMS. Plus my periods have decided every 3 weeks is a good schedule to keep. So my cycle pretty much goes like this:

Week 1 - Period, Night Sweats, Brain Fog (first 3 days)
Week 2 - Feeling Good!
Week 3 - PMS, Brain Fog, Anxiety, Bloating
Rinse & Repeat.

Presently I'm in Week 3.

Trying to eat better and get more exercise - it really does make a difference. But once the PMS sets in it is really hard to dig myself out of the big, black hole of lethargy.

Sorry to be such a Debby Downer but right now I am in the Debby Downer season of my life. All those years where my cycle was like clockwork and PMS was a titch of moodiness, yeah, I'm paying for it now.

What I have realized, but not fully embraced, is that what worked no longer works and I must not only try something new but fully embrace and change to doing new things. Different things. Like regular exercise. Going to bed on time every night. No caffeine at all, ever. Lots and lots and lots of fiber - truckloads. Gallons of water.

Oh, hormones, you are wicked masters.

This.

If my sinfulness appears to be in any way smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I am still not recognizing my sinfulness at all.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Wake Me Up When It Ends

It has been a dark, dark summer.

Election years are never good times. But violence and tragedy worldwide and here in the U.S. have pushed this year to a new level of wretchedness.

I need to unplug from it all for awhile. Life around me has enough trials and troubles of its own. That's enough to deal with.

Last week I realized I was worrying too much about things that are wholly out of my control and I was badly in need of distraction. And, lo and behold, a distraction found me.

A woman my daughter, Lucy, works for asked her if she sews. Lucy said, "No, but my mom does." And the lady gave her an overlock machine! She had bought it years & years ago, hardly used it, and packed it away. She had moved 4 times with the thing and never unpacked it! She figured it hadn't been opened since the early 1990s. She is down-sizing and getting rid of a lot of her stuff.

It is a tiny, portable serger that only holds 3 spools, but the instructions were in the box and I was able to get it threaded and working. Go, me! But that's not all that was in the box....

In the box was a gallon sized zip-lock with fabric strips for a quilt. Seven colors and yards and yards of material. What she was planning to make is a mystery - Lucy's employer doesn't remember it.

I've made a couple of quilted "things" but I have never made a quilt so I've done some research. I think a Log Cabin pattern will work with the colors and amount of material that I have. Plus it is recommended for beginners. I'm not going to escape this endeavor expense free since I need a cutting mat, rotary cutter etc. And batting and backing and edging. Oh, I'm so excited just thinking about it!

I've found an escape. For now.

Pray without ceasing!