Share – Bliends

Have you met my friend Jennifer Federizo at The End Justifies the Journey?

J.Gi is one of those super-techs who doesn’t mind explaining the ins-and-outs of cyber world, makes them less mysterious to non-tech people like me. Gi explained the mysteries of SEOs, Twitter and keywords, making them interesting as she described the gears. As busy as she gets, J.Gi makes time for friends.

Another new blogger friend thoughtfully commented to me (privately – I appreciate not wanting to embarrass me) that the photos in my posts can be too big to view.

Thanks to bloggers like J.Gi, me being a newbie blogger, I rarely know what other bloggers don’t – until then. “I’m all over this,” I thought. In private emails I got to tell her how to navigate around posts more easily. We got to chatting and I shared links to WordPress tips and tricks and Blogging U courses – which are wonderfully helpful as well as fun – I’m very easily entertained. Annnd then I noticed I’d forgotten to press “send” until now. Sigh.

Isn’t our blogging community wonderful that way? There’s some kind soul to encourage, help or give a heads up. We’re all in this together, after all. One hand washes the other.

I feel astoundingly accomplished now. I apologize in advance for my next faux pas.

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)

 

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More Hopeful – Bliends

Reading Robert Goldstein‘s posts usually grab me by the throat with his raw emotion and common sense, especially his recent post, Dissociative Identity Disorder: Anger and Shame. (You’ve met my friend, Hope).

I agree that to continue as a healthy society, all American’s must get past the stigma of Mental Health and Mental Illness. I appreciate Rob’s conviction to “… remind people that the only way we can fix a problem we collectively created is to act collectively.” Rob does more than talk/blog his opinion – he is hands-on involved with numerous organizations to affect a positive difference. Ya gotta respect that.

Spoiler alert: Rob leans toward disputations regarding politics. In my experience discussing politics in open forums tends to divide people rather than uniting us, so I avoid doing so. There’s too much disunity in the world already. However, after following Rob for several months I respect his opinions. We don’t agree on everything, but his passions and his objectives are unmistakable. Please give him a read.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Bliends – Workout

I’m not your average fitness buff. I doubt I’m average anything, but I do all I can to maintain optimum health for as long as I suck air.

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My friend David at Chape Personal Trainer is not only highly qualified, certified, but is a true professional. For over a year his blog has inspired me to raise the bar steadily, gradually despite a couple of rough spots. With videos, groan-by-groan detailed directions and great quotes to encourage and inspire, Dave pushes me. You too can easily load events from his blog right to your calendar and connect with a good group of like minded people.

I can’t imagine this gentle giant being anything but strong, but he’ll tell you he was a frail child. Today this entirely charming, insightful and conscientious man takes personal training to the next level – in more than one language. Personally I appreciate his patience with my broken language skills and who doesn’t appreciate a manly guy that adores animals?

 

 

 

Need a nudge to get you back into your best shape? Check out Chape.

 

 

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11

Images (except the top of Roo’s head) are courtesy of Pixabay.

Bliends – Crumbles

 

For those poor dears who don’t know Lisa, there’s joy awaiting you at KidsCrumbsandCrackers.

From the UK Lisa delightfully shares the world of a wife, mother of four young humans and is your all-purpose lovely person with an uncanny wit and humor. Considering her job a privilege (and a happy diversion from domesticity), she shares her expertise by caring for especially special people, adults with learning disabilities, and an occasional prince, unveiling the truth that she is rare, and adorable in her own right.

 

Be advised going in that conversation with Lisa can go on for days, and one never knows where it will lead. Personally, I’ve never been disappointed.

Not always serious subject matter but always genuine, this seasoned veteran mom of four has learned a few things from Lisa. Do pop by and have a look-see.

 

 

“Charm can be deceptive and physical beauty will not last, but a woman who reveres the Eternal should be praised above all others. Celebrate all she has achieved. Let all her accomplishments publicly praise her.” Proverbs 31:30,31 (The Voice)

 

Bliends – Loving

Love, Before it’s Too Late by Mitch Teemley at The Power of Story inspired me yet again today. Getting to know Mitch and his family through his blog, his stories makes today’s crazy world more beautiful and far more fun. If you haven’t met him yet, do yourself a solid and catch up.

 

About Loving

Love is not always something we do or feel. It’s not merely something we respond to and it is definitely not something we acquire. I know this because of the love I’ve missed in my lifetime.

I learned early in life to never take the people I love for granted. The details of my family history, some of the losses are public record. Aside from our numbers the love is not recorded. The ties that bind my surviving siblings and I are solid, indelible but they are mostly invisible.

Emotions are part of the equation and work closely with love, but emotions are not love. I believe that like matter, love is neither created nor destroyed. And yet, it can be misplaced, as anyone that’s lost someone precious to them experiences. Death can create a gaping void, a hole in life that God alone can fill. But love goes on.

Not my first loss, my dad died suddenly, unexpectedly when I was nineteen. With our dysfunctional family dynamics I also lost my closest friend at the time. The ramifications of that event separated my siblings and me during our developmental years. And yet love kept us closely bound together. I can see Daddy occasionally; in my siblings, my sons and my grandchildren. Each time I again feel the love.

My husband came into my life. Love thrived – and then he left. I have not seen him since 2010. Though I was open to repairing our connection we failed. Yet the love lives.

Loving my family with all that I am made me appreciate love, relationships, free will and to never allow time to ravage the bond.

I mentioned in an earlier post, some friends slipped into my past and will remain there. Others remain close regardless of where on earth I pause. They choose to stay close and they act upon the choices. A visit, a phone call, email or text keeps the love we share vital. Whether we share the same genetic structure or are bound by our histories, I value love above all.

I’ve missed my parents for a lifetime. Mother left Dad, my siblings and me in 1966. She tried to reconnect until death took her in 2004. Through constant forgiving, commitment and dedication, we loved. My foster parents (pictures not available) passed months apart in 2005. They all continue to be a big part of me.

 

My darling brother Seagh left us in 2014. I still feel his presence more often than I don’t. I miss hearing his voice, seeing his face and towering physique. Sometimes knowing I shall not see him again in this world feels crushing. But he frequently reminds me death is not the end.

We love.

 

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)

Hearts Images courtesy Unsplash

All other images are private property and not to be duplicated or shared without prior written permission. Thank you!

Bliends – Meet Mesca

I met Mesca at Psychochromatic Redemption early in 2015 in a Blogging U course (go figure) and her blog continues to fascinate me. With her provoking HIP Photography, poetry, excellent book reviews, prose often set to music, and conversation, she offers “a bit of everything…”

Debuting as Psychochromatic Inception, Mesca jumped into blogging with both feet sharing her stunning imagery style, multi-genre tunes, a potpourri of fascinating information and unmistakable emotion. She later evolved to rename her blog Psychochromatic Redemption and raised the bar.

Schedule a visit for some enriching me-time soon and enjoy.

“…I know God has made everything beautiful for its time. God has also placed in our minds a sense of eternity…” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (The Voice)

 

Images are property of Mesca/HIP Photography/Psychochromatic Redemption and not to be shared or otherwise duplicated without prior written permission. Thank you!

 

Bliends – Teased

My new friend Patricia at Tea and Tales has my attention. She not only shares reviews of noteworthy books and tea rooms, but her tea suggestions tease my taste buds. If you haven’t met, I highly recommend you pop by and acquaint yourself with some Tennessee charm.

Last winter I nearly shorted out the old electric oven in our rental home. With too much time on my hands I started drying citrus for teas and potpourri, using the tastier results for the former. Evidently electric ovens at lowest settings create a moisture buildup in the most unfortunate places that can ruin the control panels. Once entirely dried the oven was restored.

However, my present home is equipped with an old gas oven, not a new model with electronic pilots. The oven stays between 115 – 125 degrees (f) whether I utilize it or not. Drying fruits, veggies and teas has become an obsession. On a broiler pan and parchment paper it takes a few days. Granted, a dehydrator is far more efficient, but uses electricity. In a pinch use it anyway (like, for Erin and grand girl’s birthdays, drying 10 pounds of apples into chips in three or four days). It’s also best for more moist items, like pineapple, banana, summer fruits and jerky.

A few years back while my daughter-in-love worked for Teavana, they introduced a fabulous Fig Rose tea – and then promptly discontinued it. Villains. I was hooked. I searched, but haven’t found it. I used the last traces of it last winter and have craved it since. I Googled the original blend, obtained the ingredients and filed it. Until this week.

At Sprouts, my favorite local store (within walking distance for me), I noticed dried figs in the bin section. I passed them by for a few weeks until I spotted a display of dried offerings in the vitamin section – dried hibiscus and rose petals including tiny rose hips. We don’t grow any roses or hibiscus. I’m ecstatic!

Fig Rose Tea Ingredients: Almonds, Apple, Beet Root Pieces, Figs, Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flowers, Pineapple, Rose Petals.

I’ve used sliced, raw almonds successfully and dehydrated the remaining ingredients before, so I got right on it.

The first mix of the main ingredients was only slightly disappointing. I missed the caramel and musky undertones, likely from dried jams. Next week I plan to work with brown sugar and see if I can’t come closer to the original flavor.

I assure you, it’s quite worth the effort! I’ll keep you posted.

Image courtesy Steepster.com

Bliends – Lunch

Even before Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s fabulous introduction post, I was already certain Diane Duke would be a friend for life. From inception, Ladies Who Lunch Reviews, Etc blew up with “a little lunch, a little wine and a LOT of talking.” Immediately faithful followers gathered regularly, but I can attest the numbers hardly begin to bespeak the quality of her fabulous blog.

A fellow Illinoisan, Diane amazes me as she gracefully plows through happy times and hardships equally. Cancer doesn’t even seem to thwart her. Her eloquent accounts on life, the fur kids, the ever-amazing and entertaining JP, poetry, sizzling romances and mysteries, books, etc. are sure to interest, entertain and often amuse. I’m not gonna lie, I get a little jealous of her sometimes. 😉 Kidding. Mostly.

Most of all I appreciate how Diane personally interacts with her readers. We may never know how she remembers details about so many people (notes, maybe?) and yet she does with her personable style and distinctive undertones of fun. Comment threads as well as her posts and stories inspire and send me on my way in a brighter direction for the time spent with the Ladies.

Need a suggestion for a good read, a reality check or a mirthful moment? Pop on over!

Go Cubs. Go!

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

Cubs logo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

All other images are private and aside from reblogging or reposting the article in whole, are not to be duplicated without prior written permission. Thank you!

Bliends – Partnering

I often hear/read comments about the wonderful Blogging Community. I want to take the conversation to the next level this week and recognize my  blogging friends, my “Bliends”.

Sure, I’ve mentioned my friend Michelle Malone before. But wait, there’s so much more!

I met and got to know her in a Blogging U, Blogging 101 course. Doing a collaboration interview with her was barely the start of getting to know her, when at that time a loved one passed away.

I marvel at how she manages to pour so much of herself so well into everything she does, but manage she does. Since BU class (barely a year ago – really?) Two are Better Than One; Partner Up has taken off in so many directions one can get winded keeping up with her. What’s more, I’ll never forget her for her support and encouragement through some sad and hard times I experienced.

A middle school assistant principal, she’s delighted us with her perspective on so many different topics, from being an airman (airperson?), current events to music and onward, so you never know what to expect from her next. Her remarkable Christian view roots into every aspect of this wife and mother with astounding grace and compassion. I don’t miss a single post. Check her out. You won’t regret it.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)