Juliet

 Has your memory of me, your Grandma, been erased from your memories?

Is that still your name, or has that been taken from you too?

I miss you so much, some day's are so hard to bear, you and Lizzy I still hold dear in my heart, that is something that will never change or fade away.

I pray everyday for your safety and happiness, placing you in God's Hands...that your souls come to know Him as your Savior, that you know you will never be alone, and are loved and found precious, for Christ is the lover of our souls.

If I could reach out to you I would, so I'll continue to pray for miracles for that day, and for Jesus to be keeper of your souls.

Grace of Surrender

I hate to complain

For I know it drives some insane

So I save it for those who know

Those who are familiar with pains crushing blows

I try to be brave

Not wanting to raise that white flag

But I need to rest 

To help clear my head

Need more than just a deep long breath 

So I must use that white flag

To help me sail along

On the wings of grace

I'll find my way home

Wrapped in Ribbons

I've been following those tendrilous trails of poetically put pieces of your heart...the intricate  workings of your mind...warms my soul like a gentle, soft feathered angelic friend.

The essence of your hope filled words I long to wrap around me while I dance...they feel like silky ribbons caressing my being...swirling round and round, patterns of color and life moving freely about...anticipating you sharing the beauty of your life story. 

© Sheri * September 2015
Dedicated to: William 

Broken Wings

Sad indeed, but please take heed.
We can choose to let go of those hurtful needs

The scars will still be there, and when we walk down that lane, there will be some pain, for all that love surely was not in vain.

Memories of the best, are the sweetest to keep.
As for the rest, I force myself to toss in a heap.
And when I catch a glimpse of that pile,
Oh, how my heart still leaps.
And again, I have to fight those feelings of defeat.

Our hearts are such precious things.
So we must protect, for our souls cannot soar with broken wings

© Sheri * November 2015

Calling All Angels

Down, down, down, the flakes they fall.

 Heavy and wet, makes a packed snowman tall.

The limbs of trees are all laden...

with shimmering ice crystals...

like heavenly braids of milk maidens.

The call of snow angels at my feet...

but I walk away in cold crunchy defeat.

Someday I hope to get down to play...

 but today all I can do is pray.

© Sheri * November 2015

About the Calling All Angels poem:

The first snowstorm of this winter! So different than last year, that was crazy!

Something else crazy...I didn't have to drive in it yet this winter. I know, it was on the weekend, but still, nice not having to venture out in the midst of it. Not that I didn't venture out on foot...just had to get out there and feel it for myself. And it was coming down pretty good; noisy wet, but cold and crunchy.

Another thing kinda crazy to me, still having to use my cane when I go for walks outside...sometimes I still get muscle spasms, needing the cane for stabilization until they subside, kind of stops me in my tracks. Had a laminectomy, L4-5 lumbar fusion, this past March, and I'm still struggling with mobility. I'm no longer in the excruciating sciatic pain I was in while trying to work before the fusion surgery, but then I'm still not able to work yet. My days of working myself like a mule are done and gone, just not going to happen anymore. I'm going to have to do life different from here on out....and I'm not even going to waste my time and pout! 

Though in all honesty, there are many simple things I miss not being able to do yet...still, especially without pain. But I'm still hoping someday those things I'll be able to do with more ease....Oh please!

And those prayers...took me to the title, which took me to a favorite song sung by Train, Calling All Angels.....love the music, and the words:

I need a sign to let me know you're here

All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere

I need to know that things are gonna look up

'Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head

When you feel the world shake from the words that are said

****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

*****

I need a sign to let me know you're here

'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear

I want a reason for the way things have to be

I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

****

When children have to play inside so they don't disappear

While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we don't talk for years

And football teams are kissing Queens

and losing sight of having dreams

In a world that what we want is only what we want until it's ours

*****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

****

Calling all you angels......


(Song lyrics by: Train)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's how the poem came about....the pic...my angel on my door.

Give a hoot and be thankful!

What??? A snow day before Thanksgiving? Maybe not the first, but I don't remember one in quite some time (hopefully that wasn't last year...ahhhmm). I enjoy doing projects, no matter what kind, on a snow day. So, today I charged up my Nikon 3200 while decorating four recently acquired ship etched glasses (beer, champagne?). I found the quad treasure at my favorite store in Caledonia, Accents of Home. I purchased them for my Mom for a Christmas gift; she loves ships. Don't worry, she's not an internet gal, so I'm not spoiling any surprises here.

I figured they would be safe on my shelf until Christmas...if she should get a chance to visit before Christmas, I would get to see beforehand if she likes them or not. If she doesn't seem to like them, I would just find something else for her, and give the glasses to someone else. Neither her or I are frequent alcohol consumers, but there are other beverages you could drink out of them...or you could fill them with other things like I did in today's decorating. I love pine cones and cinnamon sticks, so that's what I used. But, you could put sand and shells in them...or colored stones, flowers, or just stuff you like to look at and would look good in them.

I have decided to print out some Christmas cards with one of the pics I took. So, if my Mom doesn't see them at my place, she may notice them on the card. 

Update:  Showed my Mom one of the pics of the glasses...she looked real surprised to see them and asked me where I got them...then she said she had some just like it, and showed them to me...yep....she has six of them. Well...I was right in thinking she would like them, but she doesn't need four more. I think I know of someone else who may like them.

Tears Can Bring You Blessings

At the end of the day...

Thoughts of Jack helping me ran through my mind....

Thankful tears started to swell in my eyes...

Tears filled and overflowing with love....Oh how I appreciate...

                        

                              Thank you Father..

                                For blessing me with a son so thoughtful and sweet.

Jack, I do appreciate your time with me spent...

Peace and tenderness you can truly possess...


Your future wife will be so blessed.

Lord, please bless Jack....

With a wife of Your choice...

Someone to share in bringing You glory. 

Help them build a home filled with

     Your joy, love, and peace; 

   To rejoice in You Lord, always.

© Sheri * September 2014

My son, Jack, came over and helped me put together a swing for the deck....he was so helpful!!!!! Actually...he did most of the putting together...I just tried to be helpful. Usually I can put things together by myself quickly from written instructions....but today was one of those days when just reading the directions seemed like too much work...in other words...too complicated!...for today anyways, (no more giving up and just throwing in the towel...or the glass, or whatever's at hand : )

I was so thankful at that moment to be spending time with Jack; doing so helped restore some faith in me for mankind. It was so amazing to see a grown man not hesitate to read instructions, AND ask questions....honestly...I'm not being sarcastic. Working alongside him was so pleasant....he can be so patient (maybe a good thing I can't read minds though), but there was no body language that stated he just wanted to get it done and get going. And when I commented on how good he was at putting things together, he replied with something like...."Well, maybe someday I will have a wife that will appreciate that in me." I was instantly touched at how thoughtful he was, that he would even think that may be important to a woman...a true sign that he will appreciate having a wife.

When I went to bed that night, Jack taking the time to help me ran through my mind, and thankful tears started to swell in my eyes...tears filled and overflowing with love. And then...a poem started to flow out with those tears...

At the end of the poem, Philippians 4:4-8 (KJV) comes to mind:

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.     
        

Cross/Bible clip art: Microsoft

Heart/key clip art: Fotolia

Snow Snow Go Away!

There is no place like home, and I don't think I'd care to live anywhere else, but...West Michigan has had too much snow and cold blowing around here! Here's a few pics from my Nikon D300 camera from this winter. I would like to get out and take some more....but it's too cold!!!

I saved the snowy rock pic on my phone...I love to use the doodle feature in the phone gallery...

The pic below I took through my windshield with my phone one night. The parking lot light shone through the ice crystal pattern, making it look like the sun shining through palm trees...

But of course, I just had to doodle with it....making it look more festive.

Grace Angel and some Table Talk

 Accidentally deleted the text and pictures from this post...will "circle back" some other day and try and fix it up...

Summer 2013 drawings and paintings...

I picked up a drawing book at a garage sale this past spring and have produced a few 8x10 watercolor paintings, along with reproducing them via the kiosk machine at Walmart, which actually turned out better than I had expected... yes...sometimes I am guilty of dreaming too small...way too small.

First was the panda, which I thought was fairly easy, and I even added the bamboo in the background. For the reprint, I chose the 11x14 premium canvas at Walmart, which I really liked; made it look like an oil painting.

Then I did the toucan, which seemed surprising easy...well...until I started painting the beak. Even though a toucans beak looks rather odd, similar to half a banana stuck on its face, well...I just couldn't get past that, so that's what I tend to focus on when I look at it. For the reprint I tried the faux canvas in a 16x20, which I wouldn't do again; it's mounted on cardboard. It's worth paying a little more for the premium; real canvas mounted on wood.

During the process of painting this one, I had put my old sweetheart of a cat, Tazz, to sleep...it was time, but it was still a sad and difficult choice to make. In the background of the painting, I can see her spirit free to roam in bird paradise, so I didn't want to add anything else to it.

Then I painted a kangaroo...for Lizzy; she hops like a kangaroo on her new trampoline. The reprint I did in the premium canvas, an 11x14. I also added some text...I love Lizzy... which I inserted under the kangaroo. I forgot to capture the pic of that but will soon.

Little Bunny

Little bunny, little bunny...

You are so cute yet look so funny.

Your ears look like tall teepees.

You are such a furry, fuzzy, funny little bunny.

©Sheri * June 2013

Dedicated to Lizzy



About the "Little Bunny" poem:

During a walk I spotted a cute little bunny by some small evergreens. The bunny was kind enough to stay still and pose long enough for me to snap a few pictures, which I later edited on my phones program, giving it a water-colored storybook look.

Come Dance with Me!

As a sea of treetops billow in the wind, like a finely

orchestrated ballet, their wispy tendrils bent this way and

that way, and some another, dancing differently, but

seemingly as one. And then all at once, all are still and bow

 to end the act, and quickly take their places to start

another. They are motioning for all of life to see, saying:

Please… Come Dance with Me!

Then…flying as aces so gracefully, two birds swoop in,

 instantly engulfed and hidden, as if swarmed by bees. The

 tree limbs in unison bend towards the birds, investigating,

 wanting to know their presence. Then, as quickly as the

 birds flew in, out they went, as the tree limbs were in awe

 of such flight, rising and falling from such delight!

The wind continues to prompt them to dance, and so they

 huddle to prepare, and then another act begins…motioning

 for all of life to see, and echoing out from their Creator:

 Please… Come Dance with Me!

© Sheri * June 2013

About the “Come Dance with Me” poem...

I have been trying to spend more time listening to God, especially making the time to sit with Him and be still and listen. So, this morning, after much prompting from my cat, Tazz, to join her out on the balcony to do just that, I grabbed a chair, God’s Word, and my freshly made concoction of fruits and vegetables, and I sat and began to listen... To be still and know that He is God. I hope we can still listen and hear God with our eyes, for I heard plenty.

The words in the poem began flowing through me, and from experience I quickly grabbed pen and paper to write them down, before they blew away with the wind.

One of my passions in life is dancing. I remember from a young age getting up on the weekends and listening to my mother’s music playing (Bobbie Vinton, the Beach Boys...etc.), and the smell of pancakes. I remember dancing in front of the bay window by the humongous, yet beautiful stereo...

twirling and singing to the songs.

In the past couple years though, dancing has kind of lost its spark, or should I say, I have for some reason almost quit dancing. There was a time when I would love to dress up and go out dancing...dressing up was part of the fun. And maybe that is why some of the spark has sizzled out...no longer having a safe place to dance. Dancing at home is always an option...but it’s too easy to get distracted from other things to do here...where going out dancing was almost four hours of delightful dancing fun!

So, I believe I had better get back to dancing...because no matter where I am,

God is here to dance with me!



Living in the Present Moment

This piece of artwork was inspired by reading the book, “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. The text in the artwork (Living in the present moment helps us to be who we are…part of the Body of Christ.) is partly from the book. The first part is put together from the book; the second part is the rest of the truth, which is of course, if you are part of the Body of Christ. And with great joy (Yeah!), I confidently say I belong to Christ; He lives in me, and I in Him.

The book itself, I thought to be quite helpful in seeing when a person holds onto the past, how it can affect how we see ourselves and those around us…keeping us from actually being free to live in the present moment.

The author shares quite deep glimpses of spiritual awareness, of believing in a Higher Power, God’s Presence…but sadly, he didn’t promote the unity of the Body of Christ. Tolle wrote of reincarnation, which contradicts the need of a Savior…of God’s Word.

Even though within the book he spoke of Jesus’ spiritual teachings, he did not write of His crucifixion, or resurrection (although, he did imply that some Christians identify themselves with Christ)…meaning he believes (at least at the time of his writing the book) that there is no need for us to be redeemed, or the process of our sanctification through Christ. For reincarnation is the total opposite of that. Believing in reincarnation is thinking that it is all up to us to get it all right in a lifetime (and by whose standards is that based on anyways?)…and if we don’t (and it’s a given we wouldn’t), well…would one be rejected by the Spiritual Perfection Scanner, and be spat back out into the mainstream of recycled souls just waiting to be “born again”, and again, and again? Really? Didn’t Jesus specifically say: there is only ONE way to the Father, and that was through Him. We are to be born again (of water and in Spirit) in this life; through Him, (accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives) becoming sons and daughters of God. Yes….God is our Heavenly Father! Yeah!…I joyfully accept my purpose in life…as a child of God to glorify Him! His saving grace has made that possible.

Tolle’s message in the book would then be that there would be no need for God’s saving grace through His Son Jesus…subtly implying Jesus’ death was for naught...that Jesus was merely “just a pointer” to God’s presence within us all. I find it so ironic that Tolle couldn’t see the danger of people not having Jesus as their Savior; of letting ourselves become our own gods….or should I say, us remaining as our own gods; no wonder believing in such a way would lead one to believe in the need for reincarnation…thinking that way would make me think I needed  to be born again and again also..because that would be mentally avoiding the truth about Hell...but avoiding the truth doesn't make it not the truth.

Over all though…Tolle’s book did do me some good (God will make all things work together for good to all those who love Him ~ Romans 8:28). It’s just like any other garden in life…you just have to pluck out the weeds.

The book helped inspire in me the need to let go of the past, along with the residual clinging on for life ego left in me….helping me to be able to live more in the present moment in His Spirit, which is my true self…being connected with God through Christ; part of the Body of Christ. Without my ego being the helm of my vessel, but God Himself.

So…back to the artwork…I had gone to pick up my granddog’s at Jack’s place (they were going to come and spend the night with Grandma…Oh how I miss my fenced in back yard), to find they were not home yet, and I had forgotten my key, so I couldn’t just go in and make myself useful. So, while I waited, I thought of the “present moment”….to make something memorable about it, other than just waiting around…so I picked a lily by the house and set it on my steering wheel, and fortunately, I had an acrylic paint set kit, complete with a small canvas and drawing pencils in my car that I just purchased. I took a picture of the flower setting, knowing I wouldn't be able to finish the whole project before the flower or I began to wilt, and started drawing. Before I knew it, my son and granddog’s arrived.

The painting represented “patience” to me. Instead of getting antsy and impatient about waiting, I lived in the present moment, seeing something beautiful, and made something to remember the moment by. I already had a picture I had taken of Jack and his dogs, Hemi (the big puppy), and Thor, so I used that photo for part of the artwork…since they were part of the moment….and adding the text from Tolle’s inspiration. The crate I found to put it all in represents how we at times try to put God in a box…limiting who we are by limiting His character, His Truth…and as you can see…I have a crate now….an open top…slats all around, showing me the need for healthy boundaries….to be careful what I let into my mind, my heart, and my soul….lining it up with the Word of God. God designed us to live in Him and along with others….in a godly way….His way.

Since this project, Hemi has come up missing…it’s been a year now, and he is still sadly missed…he was a great dog and was dearly loved. If he is still alive, I hope who has him is taking good care of him, and if he is no longer alive, I pray he went quickly.

None of us knows how long we will live this life on Earth as it is now…that’s why we should make our purpose count…moment by moment, giving God glory in His strength and grace.

Anger...don't lose it!

Sure wished I would have read this book before I had my son's...could have saved us all from a bit of anguish from time to time. Actually...I just started reading this book, but from what little I've read so far, I'm sure it will help put some perspective on my harboring resentment and self-loathing when my mind ponders all my blunders of motherhood.

Even though my sons are in their mid 20's now, and I'm past the roller coaster years of PMS, and fortunately had an easy transition into menopause (at least emotionally I felt my roller coaster take its last plummet downward towards an even keel ride, resembling more like those peaceful gliding water rides)....I still have struggles dealing with the regrets of how I handled my anger when my sons were younger, yelling and ranting and raving way too much; any was too much for me, not to mention all the other regrets from my past. But then, I didn't handle my anger very well when I was a child myself...didn't understand it all, I guess. My anger seemed to point out an imperfection in me, and that scared me, and made me even angrier with myself, to the point where I would be mad because I was mad.

Learning about God's grace and mercy, His unconditional love for His children, has been the most transforming for me...a lifelong process. Thank you God, Amen!

Fortunately, for all, I went through an early natural, albeit weird, menopause at the age of 41. I would still get angry after that, but I began to choose my battles a bit more wisely, not letting the small stuff get to me as much and being able to recognize the triggers that used to put me in an instant rage...and maybe that is just a normal process of getting older...learning what's really important in life.

And even after all those years of trying to rid myself of anger, I now realize what an important healthy part of our lives anger can be. Anger is a warning sign that something is not right in our lives (I must have read that somewhere, I'm not that profound), and we should take the time to deal with our anger when it arises. It's the ways in which we deal with our anger that may not be so good, for ourselves or others.

Learning to set up healthy boundaries in my life (thank you Joyce Meyer for sharing all of your books; that's probably where that profound thinking was processed from) has also helped with dealing with anger in a healthy way. But to be fair, I didn't discover having healthy boundaries till after menopause, and hopefully, applying the knowledge of healthy boundaries would of helped some in taming the hormonal beast within if that shift in hormones wouldn't have happened sooner in my life.

Another thing that does help, even in my PMS era, is exercise...doing so releases endorphin's, giving one a better sense of well-being...and when Mom's happy...everybody is happy!

Learning to understand my anger, and the anger of being angry, maybe could have saved my marriage from its death. Maybe, maybe not....it does take two to make a good one, well two plus God...not two plus three gods. Even though God will always be God, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow...when we tend to live our lives as if we are our own gods, in our mind's eye God can kind of then become just another god...and that is not good, for anyone.

Concretely Happy

 

Concretely Happy!

 

 

 

"Gosh, it's so GREAT to be clean!"

 

At the end of the day's work, it's so nice to see all the work is appreciated!







Witch Corner?

 

 

Witch Corner?

 

 

 

 

 

 

This street corner always looks ready for Halloween...or...maybe she's always just waiting for YOU!

 

BOO!

 



 



 

 



 

 

 



Golden Pond

Golden Pond

Took in 2008 of the pond in my yard (have moved since then). I edited the photo in Kodak fun effects. I would like to try and paint this someday. I love this pic, makes the pond look glorious...but I also know the work that goes along with maintaining a pond, and I am thankful to just have the memories and pictures of the pond now : )

South Haven Pier

South Haven Pier



Taken in 2007 at Lake Michigan; South Haven.

Duck

Duck Under Glass

 

 

Took at Tyden Park in Hastings, then edited in Kodak.

An Afternoon Swim

An Afternoon Swim

A family outing on Lake Michigan, South Haven Beach.